Amplifier

Host note: In conjunction with Ken Burns’ upcoming PBS documentary Country Music, WFAE is celebrating country music’s history and influence in the Charlotte region with a number of free events this August/September, …

Charlotte has a rich history of funk music. Back in 1965, the “Grandmaster of Funk” himself Mr. James Brown recorded his single “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” right here in the Queen City. As one of Charlotte’s …

Summer is more than just a season for sun, sand and vacations. It’s also a time for geek culture to be celebrated with a number of pop culture, comic …

The third season premiere of Stranger Things (set in the ‘80s). The upcoming sequel to Wonder Woman (set in 1984). The next iteration of American Horror Story (also set in 1984). There’s just something about the ‘80s …

Thousands? Millions? It’s difficult to pin down how many pictures Daniel Coston has taken in his twenty year career as one of Charlotte’s go-to music …

In 2008, Self Aware was an “indie zine” highlighting the rock, punk and alternative scenes of Charlotte music. While its mission hasn’t changed much over the course of a decade, Self Aware has now grown to become an …

Ask anyone in the Charlotte music scene, and they’ll tell you: The Evening Muse is one of the best local music venues in the Queen City. Thanks to the work of venue co-founder Joe Kuhlmann, The Evening Muse has helped …

Host note: This month, Charlotte is capping off its 250th birthday with Charlotte Shout, a creative celebration of the Queen City’s past, present and future. And when one thinks of Charlotte’s musical legacy and …

From contributing music to the hit Cartoon Network show “The Boondocks” to performing with Marsalis jazz family royalty, it’s no wonder Charlotte native Harvey Cummings II has been called a “jazz legend in the making,” …

The sights you see, the people you meet, the life experiences that shape your hours, days, and years. How would you paint a picture of your …

Acceptance is a recurring theme for up-and-coming R&B crooner Dexter Jordan: accepting new friends and collaborators in the Charlotte music …

If you tuned into the 2019 Grammy Awards in February, you might have confused it for the Country Music Awards. Up-and-coming country star Kacey Musgraves took home some of the biggest awards of the night with “Best …

By the time this interview is released, the film industry will have capped off its awards season with the Oscars. While some focus on the more prominent awards like “Best Actress” or “Best Motion Picture,” it’s just as …

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we asked singer/songwriter/producer Jason Scavone about his love for singing and songwriting, not falling out of love with music given the up’s and down’s of the industry, and what it takes …

If you lived in Charlotte in the early 2000’s, you lived through the golden age of Rock En Español in the Queen City. Latin reggae band Bakalao Stars …

Charlotte DJ Fannie Mae is breaking ground as the first DJ for the Charlotte Ballet, as well as the go-to DJ for the Queen City’s museums, clubs and festivals.

The post Scratchin’ the Surface of Charlotte Arts and Music …

Since opening shop in 2018, Ink Floyd has become a visual center for the Charlotte music scene, designing and printing up thousands of posters, shirts and stickers for regional musicians and venues. But it’s more than …

With such friendly faces and such a friendly band name, you wouldn’t expect Amigo to be one of the darkest rocking country acts in Charlotte. But …

Some may recognize jazz as being the lifeblood of New Orleans, but what of Charlotte?  President and CEO of the Jazz Arts Initiative Lonnie Davis …

The laid back mix of hip-hop, neo-soul and spoken word that shows Cyanca is a star in the making.

The post Neo-Soul Artist Cyanca on Finding Her Way: …

It may seem like we’re in an age of music streaming, but Lunchbox Records owner Scott Wishart shows that, in actuality, we’re in a record renaissance.

The post In a World of Music Streaming, Charlotte’s Lunchbox Records …

Opera singer Melinda Whittington's career combines costumes and characterization with a love of history, languages, cultures and singing. Here career …

Queer and Trans People of Color often face issues of equity in their communities, and the music industry isn’t any different. QTPOC artist QUISOL is …

If the opportunity doesn’t exist, create it. In the case of one Charlotte resident, if you can’t join The Beatles after being inspired by their …

When was the last time a voice stopped you in your tracks, a voice so pure that it simultaneously paints a lush soundscape and transports you to a …

Imagine assembling a crew of local rappers, singers and songwriters to pull together one of the best mixtapes in Charlotte. It’s anything but simple, …

Named after the camaraderie-filled “high five,” up-and-coming band Chócala brings friendship to the forefront through a mix of Latin rhythms and powerhouse pop-rock. Liza Ortiz: Part of — I’ll call it the “magic” of …

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots,” said civil rights leader Marcus Mosiah …

Whether you’re an independent musician or a DIY business owner, here are a few Charlotte tips to keep in mind: 1. Keep pounding (the pavement for opportunities) 2. Don’t sell out (but make it sell). 3. Listen to the …

Call them rebels with a cause. Call them ear-splitting anarchists. Call them Trash Room, the Charlotte punk band transforming rage into mosh-pit-happy ragers. Mike Beeson: “That’s the first thing you have to do — have …

"You'd be really hard-pressed to listen to something today and not be able to at least find four bars of it that's completely derivative of something else." So says super music producer Mark Ronson, and so agrees …

A seven-string guitar is more than meets the eye. In the hands of Vadim Kolpakov, it can be used to entertain with a mix of Spanish flamenco, …

The hills are alive with the sound of music: not just from Perry Fowler’s mountain music band Sinners & Saints, but also from Fowler’s locally-owned and operated venue Petra’s. “I understood completely what this …

It may take a village to raise a child, but in the case of John Tosco, it took a living room to raise a vibrant music community that's included The Avett Brothers, Rachel Platten and thousands of regional artists.

The …

The reports of jazz music's death have been greatly exaggerated, and world-travelling band leader Noel Freidline and acclaimed actress/vocalist Maria …

Listen to a playlist of classic soul songs (perhaps featuring legends like Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin or Otis Redding), and you’ll hear some …

In the words of author Beau Taplin, "Home is not where you are from, it is where you belong." For folk artist Dane Page, Charlotte is always and …

How do you capture the thrill of first discovering your favorite song or the adrenaline rush of your first concert? For singer-songwriter Bruce …

Editing. Mixing. Engineering. While they might not be the most glamorous part of the music industry, they’re just as essential to crafting your favorite song as singing and songwriting. Audio production requires a mix …

It’s no small thing for a musician to be called the “next best thing to come out of Charlotte,” especially when such praise comes from Grammy Award winner (and Queen City native) Anthony Hamilton. Without a doubt, those …

A cup of Norah Jones-inspired piano pop. A few sprigs of ’70s folk-rock creativity. And a good dollop of entrepreneurial spirit. Mix it all together, …

Credit: Noah Turley Steinway artist. Chart-topping pianist. Podcast composer. It’s no wonder Chad Lawson is considered the “Chopin for the Spotify generation” with his innovative work in classical music. “Regardless of …

Hope Nicholls singing with her band Fetchin’ Bones in 1989. Photo courtesy of Hope Nicholls Charlotte has changed a great deal in the past 30 years, …

Charlotte is known for banking and football. But what can be said of the Charlotte music scene? Launching September 3, Amplifier, the new music podcast from WFAE, where we shine a light on the artists who call Charlotte …

WFAE’s Joni Deutsch and Marshall Terry discuss Amplifier, WFAE’s new music podcast about the people, places and things that make up the Charlotte music scene. MARSHALL TERRY: Starting on Monday, WFAE is launching a new …