Music

Transcript

CELESTE HEADLEE, HOST:

And now it's time for our regular feature, called In Your Ear. It's where we ask some of our guests to share their personal playlists with us. Zach Wahls made headlines when he stood before Iowa lawmakers urging them not to pass a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Wahl spoke up because his parents are lesbians. He stopped by our studios earlier this year to discusses his book, "My Two Moms: Lessons of Love, Strength and What Makes a Family." And he also took the time out to share some of the songs he loves to hear.

Singer Andy Williams, best known for his rendition of Moon River, his Christmas TV specials and his long-running show in Branson, Mo., has died.

He was 84.

Williams' publicist, Paul Shefrin, says in a statement sent to reporters that the singer "passed away last night (Tuesday) at home in Branson, Mo, following a year long battle with bladder cancer. ... Williams, 84, who also had a residence in La Quinta, Calif., is survived by his wife Debbie and his three children, Robert, Noelle and Christian."

Malaysian singer Yuna, who's been writing and recording music since she was a teenager, released her first U.S. album this year. On the self-titled record, producer Pharrell Williams lends a hand to her single "Live Your Life," a shimmering gem of good vibes and positivity that only sparkles more when she performs it live. Between her eye-catching attire and her soulful performance, Yuna is something special, both in this studio session and beyond.

Watch Yuna's entire performance at KCRW.com.

Audio for this feature is no longer available.

The streaming music service Spotify has garnered some 2 million users in the U.S. since its introduction a little over a year ago. The service includes many big acts like Katy Perry, but many musicians have mixed feelings about it. Some, like Adele and Coldplay, resisted putting new albums on Spotify, citing the service's low royalty payments to musicians. Others, like the Black Keys, won't allow full albums on the service at all.

The Australian folk-rock band Husky takes its name from frontman and chief songwriter Husky Gawenda, whose croon soars over the group's artfully crafted instrumentals. Husky is the first Aussie band signed to Sub Pop Records — and, with its lush harmonies and thoughtfully crafted lyrics, it fits right in with its labelmates and indie-folk contemporaries in Fleet Foxes.

If you've been watching the HBO series Treme with us, welcome back.

If you're new here, welcome in the first place. WBGO's Josh Jackson, a New Orleans native, and I have been watching the music-saturated program set in post-Katrina New Orleans for two years now. After every episode, we try to establish some context for the many musical references and live performances the show features.