The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney are on the latest episode of SPIN's Sonic Impact podcast to discuss the story of the band and their music, on the release of their twelfth studio album, Ohio Players. "Despite reaching the heights of rock stardom," says the show, "the iconic rock duo from Ohio have stayed true to their raw roots, while at the same time expanding their sonic palette ..." You can hear their conversation here.

“A lot on this record is about how grief is not a punishment, it’s an act of love and it’s just another expression of love,” Hurray for the Riff Raff (aka Alynda Segarra) says of their new album, The Past Is Still Alive, on the inaugural episode of KEXP's new podcast A Deeper Listen. Host Emily Fox says: "The album's melodies are catchy, and the lyrics are so beautifully crafted. They drew me in and made time stop for a moment." You can hear their conversation here.

"Comfort can come in the form of drawing attention to something that other people feel alone in seeing," Natalie Merchant tells Guy Raz on the latest episode of his podcast The Great Creators. "'Am I the only person who's noticing this?' Well, that's pretty isolating. But the comfort can come in someone saying, 'I see it too, and I'm frightened about it too.'" You can hear their conversation, about her life and career, including her new album, Keep Your Courage, here.

Sam Amidon, who is currently leading a US headline tour, is on the latest episode of BBC World Service’s Music Life along with Brìghde Chaimbeul, Rhodri Davies, and Linda Buckley. They discuss the roles of tradition and place in music, and what they might think about when performing. You can hear their conversation here.

NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross gave an encore broadcast to Carolina Chocolate Drops' 2010 interview and performance on the show. Original band members Rhiannon Giddens, Dom Flemons, and Justin Robinson spoke with host Terry Gross about their then newly-released Nonesuch debut album, Genuine Negro Jig, which went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album. You can hear the episode here.

"The beauty of song is you can spread information, you can make people feel not alone. And you can also create a time capsule for people in the future to know what we’re dealing with now," Hurray for the Riff Raff (aka Alynda Segarra) tells KCRW's Press Play. You can hear it here. "The Troubadour: How Alynda Segarra, a former train-hopping punk from the Bronx, became one of America’s best songwriters," titles an extensive profile in New York magazine's Vulture on Segarra and their new album, The Past Is Still Alive, written by Jenn Pelly.

"The Staves' songs are sweet and melancholic, often belying the depth of emotion and subtleness of their lyrics," says Monocle on Culture host Robert Bound. "Their music manages to be both gentle and punchy, driven home by their perfect, perfect harmonies." The duo is on the podcast to discuss their new album, All Now, which Bound describes as "sonically rich, full of moments of euphoria," and perform live on the show. You can hear it here. Atwood Magazine's Mitch Mosk calls All Now "the strongest releases of the band’s career ... utterly enchanting—a catchy, cohesive, and many-sided listening experience with endless returns."

The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney are on Billboard's Behind the Setlist podcast to talk with host Jay Gilbert about their new album, Ohio Players—a title honoring the legendary Dayton, Ohio, funk band of the same name—out next Friday, April 5. They discuss how they were inspired by the rock, R&B, and funk 7" singles they've spun during their Record Hang DJ sets around the world, and working with Noel Gallagher, one of a number of friends and colleagues with whom they worked on the album, including Dan “The Automator” Nakamura, Beck, Greg Kurstin, and others. You can hear their conversation here.

Haitian-American singer and composer Nathalie Joachim stopped by WNYC Studios in New York City to talk with New Sounds’ Soundcheck host John Schaefer and perform three songs from her new album, Ki moun ou ye: "Kenbe m," "Kouti yo," and the title track. You can hear the conversation and live set and watch the performances here.

"Rhiannon Giddens is one of those people where I feel like they have to start inventing new awards, because she's already won all of them," Song Exploder host Hrishikesh Hirway says of his guest. On the latest episode, Giddens talks about "You Louisiana Man," breaking down the song from her new album, You're the One. You can hear what she had to say about it here.

Julia Bullock is on the latest episode of the Criminal podcast to talk with host Phoebe Judge about singer/songwriter Connie Converse on this year's 50th anniversary of Converse's disappearance. "'One by One' is about seeking connection in times when maybe you're feeling isolated and acknowledging that you are in communion with other people, even in times of great despair," Bullock says of the Converse song, which she sings on her Grammy Award–winning debut solo album, Walking in the Dark. "Sometimes I'm struck with searing emotion while singing her songs, which in some ways is sort of surprising, because it's not like the melodies are really demanding, but I think she found this extraordinary way to release emotion."

Ahead of their concert at Barbican Hall in London on Wednesday, Rhiannon Giddens and her band were on BBC Radio 4's Front Row to talk with presenter Tom Sutcliffe about her new album, You're the One, and perform two songs from it live in the studio: "If You Don't Know How Sweet It Is" and "Yet to Be." You can hear the conversation and performances here.