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A new collection of short stories traces the coming of age of three sisters in Uganda. Author Doreen Baingana address issues of class, religion and cultural identity in Tropical Fish: Stories Out Of Entebbe. She talks with NPR's Jennifer Ludden.

Blending bouncy, new-wave-inspired rock with hooky keyboards and jazzy rhythms, The Changes' Today Is Tonight has all the makings of a major breakthrough. After forming in 2002 and releasing a pair of EPs, the band found itself at the center of major buzz and soon played at the 2005 Lollapalooza festival.

Culture was one of the seminal reggae harmony groups and the 1977 single, "Two Sevens Clash," was huge in Jamaica. The title refers to apocalyptic prophecies by Marcus Garvey. The song was so influential that on 7/7/77, the city of Kingston shut down. The full album was just reissued — on 7/7/07.

Legendary soul singer Smokey Robinson talks with Farai Chideya about his new album, a collection of standard jazz tunes from his childhood.

Texas singer-songwriter Guy Clark has gained status as a folk-music icon, influencing several generations of musicians with beautifully fashioned songs that tell stories from his life.

If you're a music fan, the place to be this week is Austin, Texas. The annual South by Southwest Music Conference and Festival is in full swing. Music critic Stephen Thompson shares tracks from some of his favorite artists performing at the festival.

Kaki King and Vienna Teng first performed on Weekend Edition Sunday in 2004. Since then, their musical styles have evolved. Teng's forthcoming album intimately showcases her talent as a pianist and vocalist. King has moved past the acoustic instrumentals of her earlier discs with her latest album, coming in August.

The self-titled debut from Massachusetts-based Winterpills is a disc of sparkling indie pop. The band delivers melodies that draw on influences as diverse as Elliott Smith and Neil Young.

Lead singer and songwriter for The Kinks, Ray Davies started The Kinks in 1964 with his brother, Dave. They are said to be the pioneers of the rowdy garage band genre of rock music. Davies is now 61 and on tour for his first solo album, Other People’s Lives.

Farai Chideya talks with British writer Gary Younge about his new book, a collection of essays based on his experiences touring the country and talking to a variety of Americans about politics. What he found was a nation deeply divided.