Content Type: Personal Profile

The Wizard of Vinyl Is in Kansas

Chad Kassem is on a mission — saving listeners “from bad sound” — at the rural factory where he pores over LPs from some of music’s most important artists.

By Ben Sisario

Bars and Nightclubs Content Type: Personal Profile Leithauser, Hamilton (1978- ) Pop and Rock Music This Side of the Island (Album) Walkmen (Music Group)

Hamilton Leithauser, an Indie-Rock Hero in a Very Fancy Room

For seven years, this Walkmen frontman has performed a residency at Cafe Carlyle. This year, he’s bringing along songs from a (louder) new solo album.

By Max Ufberg

Bong Joon-ho Content Type: Personal Profile Income Inequality Movies Parasite (Movie) Science Fiction Snowpiercer (TV Program) South Korea

The ‘Parasite’ Director Brings Class Warfare To Outer Space

Bong Joon Ho has turned his funny-sad excavations of life under capitalism into unlikely blockbusters. With “Mickey 17,” he’s bending a whole new genre.

By Jonah Weiner

Academy Awards (Oscars) Anora (Movie) Baker, Sean (1971- ) Content Type: Personal Profile Movies Red Rocket (Movie) Tangerine (Movie) The Florida Project (Movie)

The Fairy Tale Night of Sean Baker, Director of Dreams Gone Awry

Baker’s four Oscars for “Anora” are validation of his sensitive portrayals of people on the margins who always seem to come up short.

By Alissa Wilkinson