Music

Soundtrack to a revolution.

When You Live in the Local Economy, Musicians Are Just People (And Cyndi Lauper Is Coming to Dinner)

by Shannon Hayes

posted Jun 13, 2014

After getting mad at her daughter for handing hard earned money to a street performer, "Radical Homemaker" Shannon Hayes considers what musicians bring to the local economy.

This East LA Band's Rebel Version of "La Bamba" Speaks Out Against Racism

by Christine St. Pierre

posted Jun 06, 2014

Las Cafeteras uses acoustic instruments and punk attitude to spread their message of social justice and equality.

How Macklemore's Trumpet Player Is Bringing Music Back to His Kenyan Hometown

posted May 06, 2014

The Madaraka festival is a celebration of African cultural heritage and modern-day entrepreneurship—and the proceeds will help build a recording studio for 68 youth in Kenya.

YES! Music Picks: What We've Been Listening to This Winter

by YES! online staff

posted Feb 24, 2014

Musical inspiration while putting out this issue.

Curriculum & Resources: Jazz in America

posted Jan 28, 2014

In order to provide an ongoing education about jazz for our nation's students, the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz has developed Jazz in America, an Internet-based jazz curriculum for social studies, American history, and music classes in the United States.

Fresh and Fly: Denver Rapper Teaches Kids to Be Gardeners Not Gangstas

posted Jan 28, 2014

For Ietef "DJ Cavem" Vita, HIP HOP is not just a form of music, it's a way of life—one he's using to teach kids about cultivating the earth and eating fresh veggies.

The Harmonies in This John Denver Cover Will Make You Stop Whatever You're Doing and Just Listen

by YES! online staff

posted Aug 22, 2013

Singer-songwriters Brett Dennen and Milow make a strong case for the lasting beauty of "Annie's Song" by John Denver.

YES! Music Picks: What We've Been Listening to This Summer

posted Aug 21, 2013

Jake Bugg, a Tribute to John Denver, and Beethoven for Everyone.

Dar Williams: Why the Music of Protest Is Still Worth Defending

by Madeline Ostrander

posted Jul 19, 2013

We can’t change the world if we can’t even sing together—a star folk singer on what happens if political music dies.

Melodeego: The Hippest Bike-Powered Band in Town

by Chuck Collins

posted May 28, 2013

Melodeego has been making music for the environment for years. Their songs include protests of the Keystone XL pipeline and other topics inspired by the anti-climate change movement.

YES! Music Picks: Summer 2013

posted Apr 22, 2013

Pete Seeger, Steve Earle, Melodeego, and other inspiration while putting together the Summer 2013 issue of YES!

Music Picks: Spring 2013

posted Jan 01, 2013

Hurricane Sandy relief, benefits for U.S.-Mexico border crossers, and other musical inspiration while putting together the Spring 2013 issue.

Music Picks: Winter 2013

posted Nov 01, 2012

Anna Ternheim, Jerry Jeff Walker, and other inspiration while putting together the Winter 2013 issue.

YES! Music Picks: Fall 2012

posted Aug 01, 2012

Musical inspiration while putting out the Fall 2012 issue.

YES! Music Picks: Summer 2012

posted May 01, 2012

Musical inspiration while putting together the Summer 2012 issue.