What is BehindTheBeat?
Listen and enjoy our library of over 600 audio portraits of artists and their albums for free.
These finely edited features present the music and voices of artists discussing their songs, their sounds, their bands, their lives and their creative influences.
Search below by artist name or by genre to hear your favorite musicians, and to discover new ones!
Now with over 2,500 audio segments bringing music fans, musicians and music closer together.
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Latest Profiles
- Chuck Wicks: Turning Point
- Green River Ordinance: Fifteen
- Jack Wall: Call of Duty, Black Ops III
- Black Violin: Stereotypes
- Glen Hansard: Didn’t He Ramble
- Dominik Scherrer: The Missing
- Jonathan McReynolds: Life Music, Stage Two
- Bobby Long: Ode To Thinking
- Alicia Witt: Revisionary History
- Angaleena Presley: American Middle Class
- Pat McGee: Pat McGee
- John Anderson: Goldmine
- Whitey Morgan: Sonic Ranch
- Anat Cohen: Luminosa
- Meredith Monk: Piano Songs
- Gretchen Peters: Blackbirds
- Louise Goffin: Appleonfire
- Mohammed Fairouz: Follow, Poet
- Michael J. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas
- Patty Larkin: Still Green
- Somi: The Lagos Music Salon
- The Barr Brothers: Sleeping Operator
- Lee Ann Womack: The Way I’m Livin’
- Montell Jordan: Captured
- Marco Benevento: Swift
Monthly Archives: December 2000
Damita: Damita
Damita believes that people are sick and tired of the raunchiness in a lot of today’s R&B. On her debut CD, the former back-up singer for Aretha Franklin challenges the field with urban grooves that bridge the divide between gospel … Continue reading
Paul Thorn: Ain’t Love Strange
"Just a white boy from Tupelo, Mississippi" is how Paul Thorn describes himself. Hardly. He’s recorded three albums, his songs have been covered by some of Nashville’s finest, he fought boxing champ Roberto Duran (he lost), he’s taken up painting, … Continue reading
Posted in Americana
Tagged Paul Thorn, Perpetual Obscurity Records
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Rusty Zinn: The Chill
After several recordings featuring big bands, California-based guitarist/vocalist Rusty Zinn wanted a CD showcasing his live sound. Zinn is an accomplished performer from the less-is-more school who plays a mix of various blues styles with an unusual flair. Nearly half … Continue reading
The Places: The Autopilot Knows You Best
The Places’ new CD, The Autopilot Knows You Best, is an alluring journey to the crossroads of love, life and the intuitive sciences. Led by Amy Annelle’s soothing and memorable singing, the songs bathe listeners in a sweet melancholy where … Continue reading
Posted in Alt-Indie
Tagged Absolutely Kosher, The Places
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The Love Dogs: New Tricks
The Love Dogs are an energetic, upbeat ensemble who apply their facility with rhythm and horns to a wide range of blues-based styles. "New Tricks" is their third release and it finds the band moving into new territory, with snappy … Continue reading
Posted in Blues-Roots
Tagged The Love Dogs, Tone-Cool Records
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Red Snapper: Our Aim Is to Satisfy Red Snapper
London’s Red Snapper is no stranger to modern studio tricks, but what sets this CD apart from the dance/electronic herd is the solid playing of Richard Thair on drums, David Ayers on guitar, and Ali Friend on acoustic double bass. … Continue reading
Posted in Electronic
Tagged Matador, Red Snapper
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Chris Strachwitz: Arhoolie Records—The Journey of Chris Strachwitz
Arhoolie Records was founded in 1960. 40 years and 275 releases later, founder and "song snatcher" Chris Strachwitz has preserved a living tradition of American musical roots. The Arhoolie box set consists of 5 CDs with 107 tracks personally recorded … Continue reading
Posted in Blues-Roots
Tagged Arhoolie Records, Chris Strachwitz
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Matthew Shipp: New Orbit
In his second release for Thirsty Ear’s "Blue" Series, pianist Matthew Shipp turns his trio into a quartet with the addition of trumpet master Wadada Leo Smith, and creates a suite shimmering with tonal and rhythmic colors drawn from the … Continue reading
Tonex: Pronounced Toe-Nay
Tonex believes in creating his own buzz, and with his first major-label release the gospel artist has done just that. His musical virtuosity and soulful ear have garnered comparisons to Stevie Wonder and Prince. While his message may be that … Continue reading
Benny Green: Naturally
Oscar Peterson had one. Nat Cole had one. Now piano man Benny Green, in his first Telarc release as a leader, offers some new takes on the jazz trio. Long-time friends and musical colleagues Russell Malone (guitar) and Christian McBride … Continue reading