NPR Music is reporting that it has launched a special series titled "Dead After Death," which examines the enduring legacy and future of the Grateful Dead and its unique fan community. The series coincides with the "Days Between," an unofficial week-long Grateful Dead holiday from Jerry Garcia's birthday on Aug. 1 to the anniversary of his death on Aug. 9. It said this year marks the first "Days Between" without founding member Bob Weir and without an official Grateful Dead live experience.
NPR Music reporters Isabella Gomez Sarmiento and Felix Contreras embarked on a road trip to explore how the community is rebuilding and reinventing itself after more than 60 years. Their reporting included visits to a Grateful Dead historian, the band's official archive in Santa Cruz, a documentary screening in Brooklyn, a jam band festival in Maryland, and a grassroots festival hosted by Phil Lesh's family in Northern California. The "Dead After Death" series features podcast episodes, digital features and photos. NPR Music also offered content for those new to the band, including a discussion with "All Songs Considered" host Robin Hilton and a deep dive into the song "Touch of Grey."
In other music news, NPR Music said Sheldon Pearce wrote about the new solo albums from Syd and Steve Lacy, both voices of the alt-R&B group The Internet. It reported that Glen Hansard, the Irish singer who won an Oscar for "Falling Slowly" from the movie "Once" and led the bands The Frames and The Swell Season, died on Wednesday. Stephen Thompson penned a remembrance. Additionally, NPR Music said Shania Twain stopped by its office to play a game of "Wild Card" while promoting her new album, "Little Miss Twain."