John Schaefer

Do music charts serve any purpose today?

Female pop singers get into sci-fi.  John Schaefer asks, what took you so long? 

For much of my adult life, I’ve lived in spitting distance of Prospect Park.  That’s assuming I can spit the length of two city blocks, which, since I’ve never attempted it, has never been disproved.  The point is, living near an open space in New York City means that occasionally, you will be treated to the sounds of an outdoor summer concert – whether you want it or not. 

John Schaefer remembers discovering Fela Kuti's music.

John Schaefer still hates 1970. 

John Schaefer wonders if digital instruments are the real threat to musicians' jobs.

Drug use at rock concerts is apparently news to some LA officials. 

John Schaefer wonders how musicians manage when they become parents.

If Duke Ellington signifies something about America, who else does too?

"Do we need Lilith Fair" is the wrong question.

Aside from the obvious (and pretty important) similarity that they’re both women vocalists and songwriters, Liz Phair and M.I.A. have little in common.

Two countries fight for the World Cup.  Can their music predict the outcome?

The World Cup finals are on Sunday. Spain will face the Netherlands. But do you care? If you’ve gotten wrapped up in World Cup fever this year, call us up and tell us why. Or if the vuvuzelas, crowded bars, and distracted co-workers are driving you nuts, tell us why you can’t get into it. Call and make your case for why it’s worth getting in to World Cup soccer, or for why you should avoid the whole production all together.

Plus, soccer fan, youth soccer coach, and host of WNYC's Soundcheck and New Sounds, John Schaefer, talks about why some people get into soccer and others don't. 

The year's only half over but the cream is already rising to the top.

A type of friendly-sounding Mexican dance music could be criminal, and is definitely deadly.

Think the blues are dead?  You may not be looking in the right place.

Musing on 100 years of classical music - about soccer. 

Both sides of the argument are right - where does that leave us? 

Let's not admit that Ghana's music is great until after Saturday's game.

John Schaefer, host of WNYC's Soundcheck, New Sounds, and a soccer fanatic, discusses the just-concluded US soccer game, where Landon Donovan's last-minute goal sent the US through to the knockout round.