Music

The University of Kansas speaker series, which begins Wednesday, will center Taylor Swift to explain and explore ideas in economics, literature, political science and more.

The six-part series highlights University of Kansas faculty members exploring Taylor Swift's music, lyrics, business strategy and more. It precedes a full-blown course on Swift that could launch at KU next fall.

The Kansas City-based band released their debut EP, "saturn return," this year. Led by Makayla Scott, the group says they want to make music that feels honest and authentic.

Musician Freedy Johnston sang he "sold the dirt to feed the band" after leaving his hometown of Kinsley, Kansas, to pursue a career in New York City. Johnston returned home in August to paint a mural celebrating the tiny town. He hopes it sheds a light on how art can impact rural communities.

The Kansas City organization DistrKCt IS teaches audio engineering, music production and content creation to students around the metro. It’s run by Jo Blaq, a multi-platinum producer from Wyandotte County.

Special tracks for each state and territory were played during Tuesday night's DNC roll call. Kansas representatives chose a classic song, while Missouri picked one from a newer superstar.

The Center For Recorded Music, a nonprofit based in the Kansas City area, has its own dedicated listening space for the first time in Leawood. Its founder joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss plans to use the organization's equipment and collection to educate people about music.

The American dance craze known as 'the cakewalk' began as a form of resistance by enslaved Black people — a showy promenade that concealed a mockery of slave owners. Now, modern devotees are marking the life of its most charismatic and famous champion, Kansas City’s own Doc Brown.

Kansas City bagpiper extraordinaire Griffin Hall has been nerding out on Scotland’s national instrument since he was 12. This month, he’ll have a chance to play and compete with a world-class pipe and drum band there.

The bagpipe dates back thousands of years, with a rich history and tradition especially in Irish and Scottish communities. Today, we'll meet Kansas City bagpiper Griffin Hall, and learn about the gig that will take him and his instrument to Scotland. Plus: Southwest Kansas is now renowned for beef and grain production, but it used to be known as the watermelon capital of the country. The fruit crop spurred a multibillion dollar agriculture industry, but the water that sustained the melon industry ran dry.

Vincent Orsolini's genre-blending, collaborative sound is highlighted in a new EP, "It's About Time," released last month.

Born in Willard, Missouri, Roan began uploading music to YouTube as a teenager before winning — and losing — a record deal. But the rising pop star is now inescapable, from TikTok feeds to performances at Coachella to the Billboard Hot 100.