The songwriter, guitarist and singer known as St. Vincent took her stage name from St. Vincent's Hospital in New York, where the poet Dylan Thomas died. Her seventh album, All Born Screaming, is out April 26. She spoke with Terry Gross about visiting her dad in prison, touring with her aunt and uncle as a teen, and the inspiration for her hit song "New York." For sponsor-free episodes of Fresh Air — and exclusive weekly bonus episodes, too — subscribe to Fresh Air+ via Apple Podcasts or at here. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
On the Ted Radio hour, linguist Ann Curzan says she gets a lot of complaints about people using the pronoun they to refer to one person.
I sometimes get into arguments with people where they will say to me, but it can't be singular.
And I will say, but it is.
The history behind words causing a lot of debate.
That's on the Ted radio hour from NPR.
This is fresh air.
I'm Terry Gross.
My guest is the musician known as St.
Vincent.
She's a singer, songwriter, guitarist, multi instrumentalist and a three time Grammy winner.
Her songs can go pretty dark.
Her guitar playing can be shredding, but her lyrics typically read like good poetry.
New York Times music critic John Pereilles described her as, quote, a grown up fascinated by Personas, gender roles, connections, obligations, self destructive behavior and looming mortality.
In addition to her own albums, she co wrote the Taylor Swift song Cruel Summer and the Olivia Rodrigo song obsessed and recorded an album of duets with David Byrne.
St.
Vincent has a new album called All Born Screaming.
Teen musicians featured on the album have played in bands that deeply influenced her in her formative Nirvana and David Bowie.
Dave Grohl, who was Nirvana's drummer and later co founded Foo Fighters, is featured on drums.
Mark Giuliana, who played on Bowie's album Black Star, is also featured on drums on some tracks.
When Nirvana was inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame, St.