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Watch the world's reigning pipa virtuoso play ancient music from her Chinese homeland in the NPR Music offices. When her fingers start to fly, Wu Man can create scenes of cinematic grandeur or serene, moonlit moments.

The Johannesburg natives in BLK JKS brew an impressive blend of punk, metal, dub, soul and Jimi Hendrix-inspired guitar explosions. The group made its first trip to SXSW this year.

She grew up in Chile enamored with jazz, but not knowing what it was called. Now that she's a jazz singer in New York, she's embraced her native traditions more than ever.

The family band's music melds the shuffle and thump of blues with gospel tradition, with the elastic notes played on the brothers' steel guitars echoing the sound of the human voice.

In this solo show, John Darnielle's songs fit nearly into distinct categories: new and quiet, new and loud, old and quiet, and old and loud. It's no surprise that all four approaches serve him well.

The days of roving, regional territory bands are long gone. But their partygoing spirit lives on in the New York big band devised by downtown trumpet magnate Steven Bernstein. Hear them at Newport.

Her new album, Place To Be, was conceived as a journal in sound. In a solo performance, the energetic jazz pianist shows how she translates street scenes to melodies, with her typical effervescence.

When Nickel Creek broke up in 2006, it was only a matter of time before the massively popular bluegrass band would spin off into new projects. Hear Chris Thile's band play live in Newport, R.I.

Scavenging voice machine tapes, speech records, and other found sound from thrift stores, Nick Zammuto and Paul de Jong manipulate unusual sources in wistful and humorous music. Hear them in concert.

In this short but satisfying two-song set at the NPR Music offices, the ever-evolving Wright channels the gospel of her past while remaining coolly understated. It helps, of course, that she's got a subtly crafty band with her.

Middle Brother fits right alongside the rustic likes of Dawes, Delta Spirit and Deer Tick — which makes sense, given that each of those bands contributes a member.

The singer-songwriter practically dared her audience to pipe down as she held long, cooing notes.

While this stripped-down version of Dry the River's "Bible Belt" eases the loudness of the original, the band never skimps on power. Watch a stirring performance recorded during the frenzy of SXSW.

The revered group plays intricate Bartók and passionate Schubert at the Savannah Music Festival.

Those seeking silence at SXSW usually have to reserve time in a sensory-deprivation chamber or a hotel bathroom, but The Magnetic Fields' hold on a crowd is powerful enough to yield that rare sound.

As its name suggests, this quartet borrows from the folk-dance rhythms of Africa and the Middle East. But it also draws on the perspective of modern jazz. Hear a live recording.

Hear Joshua Redman, Aaron Parks, Matt Penman and Eric Harland, live from the BeanTown Jazz Festival.

The Fiona Apple on stage at Stubb's for NPR Music's showcase at the SXSW music festival was more commanding than enigmatic, conveying vulnerability in her vibrato but otherwise full of confidence.

The Athens, Ga., rock group has built its reputation on wildly theatrical live performances. Watch the band's latest stage spectacle, recorded live from Washington, D.C.

You wouldn't think to call someone audacious who once devoted an entire album to Doris Day songs, but Nellie McKay is. Her bold personality shines through in every project she tackles, including this short set recorded at the NPR Music offices.