Thursday, April 4, 2024
Ian Brennan's Hidden Tales
A selection of excerpts from this new book, collecting stories behind some of the most singular albums that we have had the privilege of hearing
Features
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Fireside Stories with Dele Sosimi: “Fela was a radical who taught us about radicality. I still miss him”
Dele Sosimi spent the 80s globetrotting with Fela, even taking the reins of his 20-piece band, bringing joy and peace to Lagos’ chaotic commune where they lived, played and partied
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Eliza Carthy's News of the Whirl: ‘I am firmly on the side of engaging and I enjoy following my peers and fellow nerds online’
Eliza reflects on the positives and pitfalls of using social media as a folkie. “It’s a hopeful one for the homemade musician,” she discovers
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Welsh and Basque musicians unite as Galestar Konexioa
An unlikely camaraderie between Welsh and Basque musicians is making its way to Wales
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Fruko: A Beginner's Guide
A one-man tropical orchestra generator, there can be few musicians who have left a bigger imprint on their country’s music than Fruko. Silvia Rothlisberger tracks down the Colombian bandleader
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Rituals, femininity and mother earth are at the heart of Italian-Iranian group Hysterrae
An extended version of our Q&A with Italian-Iranian 5-piece Hysterrae about their hypnotic new album
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Los Tigres del Norte | Fireside Stories
Los Tigres del Norte emerged in the 1960s with a new take on Mexican storytelling. Their tales of migration and hardship have become increasingly relevant with every passing year
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Toumani Diabaté and Ballaké Sissoko: 21 Strings
With Toumani and Ballaké’s epochal New Ancient Strings to be reissued for its 25th anniversary, we speak to Lucy Durán, the album’s producer, about the unique recording and her documentary tracing the history of the kora
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Les Amazones d’Afrique: Taking the Crown
Feminist supergroup Les Amazones d’Afrique mark a decade of existence this year, with a new release to celebrate. Jane Cornwell talks politics, power and positivity with the current line-up. “Women are suffocating. We want them to breathe,” they tell her.
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Eliza Carthy's News of the Whirl (April 2024)
Eliza contemplates what is gained, lost and remains the same as the UK looks to ratify its culture through UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Catrin Finch and Aoife Ní Bhriain: “The most important thing is hopefully people will love the music”
Welsh harpist Catrin Finch is embarking on a new partnership, this time exploring her Celtic and classical roots with Irish fiddle player Aoife Ní Bhriain
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
The Mary Wallopers: Dundalk and disorderly
Annoying RTÉ, dissing the rich and staying true to Dundalk: Charles Hendy tells Emma Rycroft about The Mary Wallopers’ rise to the top. “Throughout my enjoyment of music, I’ve liked stuff that was probably done wrong,” he confides
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Morocco's female Gnawa ambassador Asmâa Hamzaoui
Jo Frost speaks to trailblazing Moroccan musician Asmâa Hamzaoui and her sister Aicha about Gnawa traditions that have been passed down through generations, and the need for women to express themselves in their culture
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Soema Montenegro: “My music can’t be pinpointed or catalogued, I’m very experimental”
Soema Montenegro tells Silvia Rothlisberger about the ancestral connections and magical realism influencing her new album. “I’m not transmitting musical notes, but sensations,” she explains
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Mamadou Diabaté: master of the balafon
The West African xylophone is steeped in the mythology of the Mali Empire. Simon Broughton meets balafon player Mamadou Diabaté, who is helping to keep the instrument’s 800-year history alive
