Congratulations to Kronos Quartet, whose acclaimed 1992 Nonesuch album Pieces of Africa has been named one of twenty-five recordings to be inducted into the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress for 2024. "It planted a seed for our work," Kronos founder and violinist David Harrington says of the album. "It's flowered so beautifully."

Hurray for the Riff Raff (aka Alynda Segarra) returned to CBS Saturday Morning to perform a Saturday Sessions set of three songs from their new album, The Past Is Still Alive: "Alibi," "Hawkmoon," and "Buffalo." You can watch all three performances here.

Congratulations to Rhiannon Giddens, who will deliver the keynote address at Oberlin College and Conservatory’s Class of 2024 Commencement ceremony on Monday, May 27, which will be livestreamed. Giddens, who studied opera at the Conservatory and graduated in 2000, will be awarded an Honorary Doctor of Music degree. "A consummate musician, equally noteworthy for her accomplishments as a performer, composer, scholar, lyricist, and more, Rhiannon Giddens stands as one of the most important creative and artistic voices of our time," Dean of the Conservatory William Quillen says. 

Timo Andres joins Alarm Will Sound in Steve Reich's Music for 18 Musicians in College Park and Philadelphia. Cécile McLorin Salvant premieres new piece at 92NY in NYC, where The Magnetic Fields play 69 Love Songs at The Town Hall. Sam Amidon plays with Laura Veirs in Portland and Shahzad Ismaily in Seattle. Hurray for the Riff Raff is in Texas for shows in Fort Worth, Austin, and Houston, where Kronos Quartet live-scores Sam Green's documentary about them. Nathalie Joachim is in Columbus. Mandy Patinkin performs in Peekskill and joins his family in conversation in New London. Sarah Kirkland Snider’s Mass for the Endangered is performed outside Pittsburgh. Chris Thile plays solo in Beaverton and Seattle. Yasmin Williams is in Tysons, VA.

"I definitely think this is the most vulnerable I've been in my writing in a really long time," Alynda Segarra (aka Hurray for the Riff Raff) says of their new album, The Past Is Still Alive, when asked by Sheroes host Carmel Holt why the album has been resonating so deeply with listeners. "This is a record that has really stripped me down to the bone ... It's a lot of very tender themes of grief and growth and loss and all of these human experiences." You can hear their conversation here.

In celebration of Nonesuch Records' 60th anniversary, the label has partnered with photographer Michael Wilson—who has exquisitely captured dozens of Nonesuch artists over the past quarter-century—to produce Michael Wilson / 25 Years: A Nonesuch Collection, an extremely limited quantity of 100 box sets containing newly created prints from his Nonesuch archive, due September 13. Designed by the Grammy-winning team at SMOG Design, each box will comprise twenty 12" x 12" prints, numbered and signed by the photographer. Artists featured are Allen Toussaint, Ambrose Akinmusire, Audra McDonald, Bill Frisell, The Black Keys, Brad Mehldau, David Byrne, Dr. John, Emmylou Harris, Frederic Rzewski, Jeremy Denk, Kronos Quartet, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Manuel Galbán and Ry Cooder, Philip Glass, Randy Newman, Rhiannon Giddens, Stephin Merritt and Lemony Snicket, Steve Reich, and Timo Andres, who wrote a note for the box.

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.

Sam Amidon stopped by for the Nonesuch Selects video series, in which artists visit the Nonesuch office, pick some of their favorite albums from the music library, and share a few words on their choices. He chose music by Shye Ben Tzur, Jonny Greenwood, and the Rajasthan Express; Astor Piazzolla; Kronos Quartet featuring Amidon, Olivia Chaney, Rhiannon Giddens, Natalie Merchant; Sam Gendel; Word of Mouth Chorus; and Bill Frisell.

The Black Keys' twelfth studio album, Ohio Players, is out now. The album features several collaborations between band mates Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney with various friends and colleagues, like Dan “The Automator” Nakamura, Beck, Noel Gallagher, Greg Kurstin, and others. Also out now: a video for the album track “On The Game,” co-written with Noel Gallagher. The video checks in on Derrick Tuggle, star of the band's 2011 "Lonely Boy" video, and includes a special appearance by skateboarding legend Tony Hawk. Tickets are on sale now for The Black Keys' North American tour.

The Staves start a North American tour at Union Stage in DC. John Adams conducts The Cleveland Orchestra in his City Noir. Sam Amidon is joined by fellow Sams Gendel and Wilkes in LA. Timo Andres’ The Blind Banister is performed in Sweden. Laurie Anderson gives a sold-out show at Koerner Hall in Toronto. Hurray for the Riff Raff is in Los Angeles, Pioneertown, and Phoenix. The Magnetic Fields perform 69 Love Songs at The Town Hall in NYC. Mandy Patinkin is in New Brunswick. Caroline Shaw and Sō Percussion perform in North Carolina. Yasmin Williams is in New Orleans.

"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.