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Encounters

This is the place you'll find interviews and more in-depth features.

Sun Shines for Yaaba Funk at Sheffield's Tramlines Festival

[interview]

Jill Turner goes backstage after Yaaba Funk, the Brixton based twelve piece, had just turned in a mighty performance on the World Stage as part of Sheffield’s Tramline’s festival 2011. “It’s really great that it’s outside, everyone is here, listening and dancing in the middle of the city, I thought it might be in a field or something”, commented Richmond Kessie, Yaaba Funk’s charismatic front man. Read more »

GondwanaSound catches up with Pacific Curls and the Pacifi Celta vibe.

[interview]

Pacifi Celta album coverMesmerised and enchanted by Pacific Curls and their blend of traditional Celtic and Pacific traditions, Jill Turner caught up with two of the trio after they put in a spellbinding set at the Musicport festival. Listen to the podcast here. Read more »

White Jade - Guo Yue inspires audiences at Musicport festival

[interview]

James Poulter had the pleasure of not only hearing Guo Yue play but tasting his food and later, talking with the celebrated Chinese musician, chef and author. Guo Yue, delighted festival goers at Musicport 2010 with two stunning expositions of the Chinese flute, an intimate Chinese cookery class at a local Bridlington cafe plus a special workshop for children. Photo Credits Peter Hodge. Read more »

GondwanaSound special podcast: Simon Broughton in conversation about the Rough Guide to the Music of Afghanistan

[interview]

Listen to the special GondwanaSound podcast here, in conversation with Simon Broughton,compiler of the Rough Guide to Afghanistan.

Classic 80’s stadium rock, girly pop songs, magnificent rubab ragas that distracted many a hippy on their way to India, ghazals and artists selling cassettes by the crate load. Hardly images and sounds that come to mind when someone mentions Afghanistan. Whilst the mainstream media maintain a steady flow of stories of Taliban insurgence, roadside bombs, corrupt elections and the opium trade, we are hardly ever given the opportunity to find out about the culture and music of the country. Read more »

5000 Morris Dancers a powerful blend of music and deeply rooted English traditions

[interview]

James Poulter reports from "5000 Morris Dancers", the groundbreaking event that took place at London's Southbank Centre in early September. It brought together musicians, artists, filmmakers and dancers, from the length and breadth of the country to celebrate all that is best about the time-old English tradition of Morris dancing. Read the low down in the full article. Text: James Poulter. Read more »

Musicport, an East Yorkshire World Music festival that straddles two time zones

[interview]

The year is flying by furnishing us with a new set of musical memories. Thrilling discoveries on Glastonbury’s fringe stages, grooving to great African dance bands at WOMAD or simply relaxing to an acoustic set with a beer on the Larmer Tee lawns. Just as you heave a sigh and mourn the end of the festival season, don’t fret…there’s one more festival that will give you the chance for a final fling, to lift your spirits before the nights start to draw in, in earnest. Its also the perfect excuse to escape the city and follow the very English and Victorian tradition for concerts and dancing by the seaside. Text and images : Jill Turner Read more »

Carlou D the man and his Muzikr in conversation with Melstar

[interview]

Melstar travelled to the Africa Oye festival in Liverpool, to meet Carlou D. On the eve of his album launch in London, Carlou D rocked the crowd, yet away from the stage he was quiet and unassuming. Read how their encounter, one Sunday in Sefton Park, unfolded.
Text : Melstar Images : Jill Turner
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Sheffield Exposed Magazine cites GondwanaSound as an institution

[interview]

You know when you are creating a stir when you get a mention in "Exposed" , Sheffield's monthly listings magazine. It was quite a surprise to see the column inches with some kind comments made...not quite so sure about the picture though... a bit cliched although it does have the ring of Hezdoleh Soundz about it ..you can see what Exposed wrote in the full article. Read more »

Wychwood 2009, Dub Colossus, Justin and Juldeh & Kissmet, Adrian and Lisa report back

[interview]

The fifth Wychwood Festival usually marks the start of the green field festival season. Bathed in sunshine with some great acts including, Dub Colossus, Kissmet, Justin Adams and Juldeh Camara, Bellowhead amongst others, Adrian Phillips and Lisa Coleman sent their report for GondwanaSound. Read more »

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Dispatches from Kuwait.

[interview]

This article, by William Hastings, was originally published on the website, Jambands.com. It resonated with me for a number of reasons but mainly because I have I found it hugely difficult to schedule a two hour broadcast of global roots and grooves, whilst witnessing the most terrible scenes on television. How can we dance when there is only sadness, what do I play to keep our spirits up or do we just get angry.... It has also been a confusing time for me as a broadcaster, wanting so much to comment on the humanitarian abuses and atrocities but ever conscious of the need to hold onto that sometimes untenable ideal called impartiality whilst also being told that people don't like to mix politics with music...

I was delighted to receive permission, from the author to reproduce this article in full below. Read more »

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