Over the past ten years, one would be hard pressed to find a more active, devoted, and consistent agitator for the American Songbook than Nellie McKay. Beneath her chipper attitude, you'll hear a deep, at times dark, but always unique musical approach.
During her recent visit to our studios, Nellie McKay talked with host Paul Cavalconte about everything from meeting Joan Baez to her feelings on Neo-McCarthyism. And she performed on 3 instruments (piano, ukulele, and harmonica). Watch the complete interview below and then point your ears to our American Standards webstream for classic songbook songs, and more from Ms. McKay's new album, Sister Orchid.
You can see Nellie perform at Central Park's SummerStage on August 28th as part of a celebration of resistance and the 55th anniversary of the March on Washington. And starting September 19th, she'll do a run at the new Birdland Theater, under the famous 52nd Street jazz club.
You can listen to more great songbook standards every night and day at wnyc.org/songbook