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Apr 2012
Big Star Special (feat. Mike Mills, Jody Stephens, Chris Stamey)
A special podcast dedicated to Big Star Third in London on May 28th 2012. A fully-orchestrated performance of Big Star's legendary album Sister Lovers and other gems from the band’s timeless catalogue, featuring Mitch Easter, Jody Stephens, Chris Stamey, Ken Stringfellow and special guests Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip), Jon Auer (The Posies), Brendan Benson (The Raconteurs), Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub), John Bramwell (I Am Kloot), Ira Kaplan (Yo La Tengo), Sondre Lerche, Sharon Van Etten
Mar 2012
FatCat, Dustin O'Halloran, Juan de Marcos, Britten Sinfonia
Juan de Marcos, the man who brought together the artists who became Buena Vista Social Club, talks to Ben Eshmade about his Barbican concert with the Afro-Cuba All-Stars on 25 April, and the past and future of Cuban music. Then we jump genres, into a new musical zone where post-classical, electronica and song meet, with FatCat Records and Dustin O’Halloran; plus a touch of world-class classical music, with the new Barbican Associate Orchestra, the Britten Sinfonia.
Feb 2012: Gavin Bryars, David Lang, Philip Jeck & Hip Hop Shakespeare Company
A sharp and feisty podcast this month, featuring some of the most adventurous names in contemporary classical music and Shakespare with a hint of hip hop.
British minimalist composer Gavin Bryars and sound artist Philip Jeck introduce The Sinking of the Titanic, an extraordinarily immersive video and music experience on the 100th anniversary of the RMS Titanic disaster. Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang talks about Bang on a Can's 25th anniversary concert, titled Field Recordings, and how found sounds and video bites inspired the artists involved to come up with this unusual musical proejct. English poet and rapper Akala and music producer Paul Gladstone Reid chat to Ben Eshmade about what their Hip Hop Shakespeare Company have in store for the weekend of free art, dance, music, theatre and film for everyone which is the Barbican Weekender on 3rd & 4th March.
Jan 2012: Aaron Dessner, Robyn Hitchcock & Michael Gordon
This month we meet with Aaron Dessner – founding member of acclaimed rock band The National - to chat about his multimedia project, The Long Count. Plus a special live session with renowned English eccentric Robyn Hitchcock, introducing The Floating Palace on Wed 8 Feb (also featuring KT Tunstall, Eliza & Martin Carthy, Howe Gelb and Krystle Warren), and critically-acclaimed composer Michael Gordon on his 9/11-inspired piece The Sad Park and the upcoming Kronos Quartet residency from Sat 21 Jan.
Oct & Nov 2011: Josh T Pearson, Iain Sinclair, Mouse on Mars, The Leisure Society
What happens when Mouse on Mars’ music is played by real humans? Jan St Werner from Mouse on Mars chats about their new orchestral piece which is having its UK premiere at the Barbican on 25 November. Counter-cultural visionary Iain Sinclair shares his critical views on the management of the Olympics in East London. Texan singer-songwriter Josh T Pearson talks about the success of his debut album Last of the Country Gentlemen; whilst The Leisure Society introduce their exciting collaboration with the Heritage Orchestra at the Barbican in December (and they are excited!)
Sep 2011: David Hepworth, Neil Brand & Justin Adams
We travelled to Angel in London to meet David Hepworth – the man responsible for editing, launching or directing magazines such as Smash Hits, Q, Mojo and Word magazine – to talk about the transformation of music media since the 1970s. Plus Neil Brand gives us a sneak preview of his new score for the silent classic Underground, and guitarist and producer Justin Adams (Tinariwen, Robert Plant, Sinead O’Connor) talks about his new desert rock project with Juldeh Camara – JuJu.
Jun 2011: Blaze - Basement Jaxx & Shangaan Electro, Calle 13, Baloji, Tahrir Square & more
Felix Buxton from Basement Jaxx talks about their collaboration with the Metropole Orkest, whilst Nozinja aka 'Dog' tells us a bit more about the 180bpm street dance phenomenon from South Africa, Shangaan Electro.
This podcast also features music from La Notte della Taranta Orchestra, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and Afrobeat legend Ebo Taylor.
May 2011: Steve Reich, Kronos Quartet, Bryce Dessner, Owen Pallett, Tyondai Braxton & more
A special edition of our monthly podcast, dedicated to Steve Reich and his influence on some of the most visionary music artists around today. The Barbican celebrates the legendary composer on Sat 7 & Sun 8 May with six unique concerts.
Reverberations jingle by Oliver Cherer / dollboy.co.uk
Singer-songwriter Jose Gonzalez on Chemistry; Ron Sexsmith talks about the acclaimed documentary about his new album and Barcelona's Ojos de Brujo on preparing for their 10th anniversary concert - which might also be their last...
The new sounds of Buenos Aires, soul-snapping retro grooves from Nigeria and hard-hitting political reggae infused with African instruments.
Meet eleven-time DownBeat Male Vocalist of the Year and Grammy Award winner, Kurt Elling, as we approach his imminent Barbican appearance with Richard Galliano and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra on Mon 14 Mar.
We kick start 2011 with a full bodied music shot! 35 mins of new interviews, powerful grooves and Gabby Young performing a new track for us!
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