Thursday, June 13, 2024
Introducing Birdvox
Flight, fun and food for thought. Jo Frost talks with the nature-loving, socially conscious Scottish supergroup about clubland and cicadas
Features
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Spotlight on Hermanos Gutiérrez: “Our music can’t be pinpointed”
The genial guitar interplay of these Swiss-Ecuadorian brothers has earned them a growing fanbase fascinated by their ‘cosmic sound.’ With their new album, they’ve “elevated the experience,” discovers Silvia Rothlisberger
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Salif Keita: “The youth are into machines… We are about to lose our traditional instruments”
After announcing his retirement in 2018, Malian singer and musician Salif Keita has slowly returned to the spotlight following a series of shows last year. Now, he’s making the comeback official with an extraordinary new album
Thursday, June 13, 2024
The Zawose Queens: “We wanted to blend the traditional and modern to create something new”
The Zawose Queens have had to fight gender discrimination in order to release their own music. “We are part of the evolution,” they tell Nigel Williamson
Thursday, June 13, 2024
The Joy: “You can hear how we poured our hearts into the songs”
The Joy started their a capella singing in a small classroom in rural South Africa; now they’re set to release their eponymous full-length album
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Lady Donli: “That’s what music is for me – the transmission of joy”
With Afrobeats and African pop on the rise, Lady Donli has emerged as one of Nigeria’s most interesting artists. At home with Afrobeat and satirising modern African life with smooth R&B hooks, she’s led by her fans: “People are the foundation of music,” she tells Erin Cobby
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Franck Biyong: “I just want to tear down the barrier that separates African music from the mainstream”
Frustrated by the state of popular African music, Franck Biyong decided to create his own ‘Afrolectric’ sound inspired by Le Grand Kallé, Fela Kuti, Manu Dibango and the greats of yesteryear
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Rhiannon Giddens and Béla Fleck: The Banjo Summit
The banjo is riding high once more, and with various accusations of cultural appropriation in the air, we decided the time was right for a debate with two of the best banjo players out there, Rhiannon Giddens and Béla Fleck
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Courir de Mardi Gras: A Photo Essay
Every Mardi Gras, a blur of costumed Cajun and Creole revellers in Louisiana head off in search of gumbo ingredients. When an ingredient is offered, such as a live chicken, the race is on. David Simpson has been documenting this unique tradition for over 25 years, with a new book capturing the centuries-old celebrations
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Jamz Supernova's My World Interview
Russ Slater Johnson hears from the DJ sharing cutting-edge global and electronic sounds. “I wanted to be your alternative Black show,” she confesses
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
BCUC: Trusting in Love
Diane Coetzer talks to the South African band BCUC who are exporting their traditional Soweto music across the globe and mesmerising audiences, one transcendental show at a time
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Folk Round-Up (Kitewing, Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog, Session A9 and more)
Billy Rough picks out some choice new folk albums from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Rhiannon Giddens & Francesco Turrisi: Challenging perceptions of home and belonging
Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi revisit classic folk songs on their latest release. The pair talk about the continuing relevance of folk music, the concept of home and life during lockdown
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Roots Round-Up (Abigail Lapell, Scott H Biram, Reyna Tropical and more)
A selection of essential releases from the US and Canada including new albums from Creekbed Carter Hogan, Abigail Lapell and Reyna Tropical
Friday, May 10, 2024
Margareth Menezes: from Carnival Queen to Brazil's Minister of Culture
Margareth Menezes, an icon of Afro-Brazilian music and Salvador’s carnival, talks to Oleno Netto about her European tour and her plans as Brazil’s new Minister of Culture
