The death of their co-founder and lead harpist, Carlos Rojas, gave Colombian joropo group Cimarrón cause to reflect on musical roots and gender roles. Chris Moss talks to dynamic frontwoman Ana Veydó about their new album, La Recia
Taiko, the theatrical Japanese drumming spectacle, is seeing a global revival of interest. Michael Church speaks to members of Kodo, the group at the forefront of its resurgence. Photos by Takashi Okamoto & Nishita Taro
The Irish supergroup have long been the benchmark for traditional music. Michael Quinn examines their impressive catalogue and achievements to date
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.
The young Cuban singer Daymé Arocena has had a rapid rise to fame. She tells Jane Cornwell about her journey so far and her tribute to Santería’s female orishas
Senegal has recently seen the long-anticipated opening of a museum dedicated to black civilisations. One of its chief supporters is Youssou N’Dour whose latest album, History, reflects on the past and acknowledges the next generation of artists. Jenny Cathcart reports
Jane Cornwell speaks with Tim Cole and BaoBao Chen, the producers of the Indo-Pacific collective Small Island Big Song, about their second project, which focuses on our troublesome relationship with nature. Illustrations: Jenn Da Costa
Ireland’s traditional music has some innate and elusive quality whose appeal has spread far beyond its shores
Ireland’s traditional music has some innate and elusive quality whose appeal has spread far beyond its shores
Simon Broughton introduces the music of Hungary, a country of ten million people with a strong musical profile
Writers, musicians, producers and festival programmers are trying to find new ways to communicate the enormity of the climate crisis. Chris Moss talks to them about folk song, farming, ice, industry, wonder and awe
Simon Broughton introduces the music of Hungary, a country of ten million people with a strong musical profile
The Indonesian island of Bali resounds with the vibrant, often thunderous music of its gamelans – the ubiquitous percussion orchestras of bronze and bamboo. Andy Channing conjures up the magic of its many incarnations
The summer of 2020 will be remembered as a giant void in the festival calendar with coronavirus causing a deluge of postponements and cancellations from Shetland to Sarawak. In a show of support for the festival community, musicians and Songlines contributors share their favourite festival memories over the years. Read more in the current issue (#160) available now.
Nigeria's best-known cultural exports – juju, Afrobeat and fuji music – barely scratch the surface of the vast and vibrant cultural topography of the nation
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