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
Balimaya Project’s latest album finds the group united, vulnerable and ready to take on the world. Erin Cobby speaks to bandleader Yahael Camara Onono about their evolution and the need to appreciate heritage
Charis McGowan finds Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux in a reflective mood as she talks about her much-awaited new album. “I wanted to create something more complete, take time to write a different type of album,” she confides
Founder of Egyptian band El Tanbura, champion of the simsimiyya and an important icon of the Egyptian revolution, Zakaria Ibrahim has passed away
Words by Simon Broughton; Photos by John Millar and Mark Allan
Smallpipes player Brìghde Chaimbeul grew up on the Isle of Skye, speaking Gaelic and steeped in the island's culture, tunes and stories.
The first-ever Songlines hit the shelves in early 1999, its genesis stemmed from a complaint about what constitutes ‘world music’. Here, current editor Russ Slater Johnson speaks to founding editor Simon Broughton about the magazine’s beginnings
“I never want anything I do to feel like it’s a lecture.” Nigel Williamson guides us through the prolific and pioneering career of one of America’s finest
The north-Virginian fingerpicker speaks to Spencer Grady about her evolution from Guitar Hero conqueror to acoustic axe pioneer
A stellar line-up of multi-genre talent gears up to gather in Glasgow for Celtic Connections 2024
Following the sad news of Benjamin Zephaniah's (1958-2023) death we wanted to publish our interview with the much-loved poet from December 2007 (#48), when we discussed his love of music at length.
The British artist was all at sea until he came across a druid ceremony which ignited his art and set him off on a new path as a documentarian. “It made me re-plug myself back into humanity,” he tells Russ Slater Johnson
‘A Wassail, a Wassail, a Wassail we’ll begin, with sugar strands and cinnamon, and other treasures in…’ In her latest column for Songlines, Eliza is preparing for winter...
South Korean ensemble Leenalchi are wowing the world with their fresh, body-moving take on pansori. Christopher Conder hears all about it
On her latest album Miramar, Júlia Colom explores the traditions and culture of Mallorca, both through her versions of traditional Mallorcan tonades and through original songs borne from research and her connection to the region
Start your journey and discover the very best music from around the world.
Subscribe