Slow Club Interview and Live Session
Slow Club popped in to record a live session for Selector Radio. Hear the gorgeous "Poet" and "Ancient", as well as an interview with Charles and Rebecca, where they reflect on their career so far and discuss the making of the new album.
Playlist: Words and Music
In a year when Bob Dylan has been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature and the British Council has been celebrating the work of William Shakespeare (400 years since his death), we thought it was high time we looked at the power of the lyric. Here's a playlist with some of our favourite combinations of words and music. Join us on Twitter @BritishMusic_ to tell us yours.
Embracing Music Technology: The DM Lab Challenge
We take a look at the recent Drake Music Lab Challenge, supported by the British Council, introducing some familiar and unfamiliar music technology to both disabled and able-bodied musicians.
Best of The Selector at NH7 Weekender in India
The British Council's Selector Radio is bringing a host of fresh British musical talent to India for the NH7 Weekender which kicks off in October 2016.
SRA Selector with Almond Hernandez: The Bestival Experience
We caught up with Almond Hernandez who came to the UK to learn about the British radio scene and take a trip to the Bestival festival on the Isle of Wight - all part of a musical exchange with our very own Selector Radio.
SRA Selector with Andy Backhouse: Student Radio, Horchata, Cats
We catch up with SRA Selector winner, Andy Backhouse, and hear about his trip to Mexico, honing his DJ-ing skills, drinking horchata and suffering a social media attack ... of cat pictures.
Masãfãt: A Kind of Madness?
We look at the Egypt music scene before delving into the Masãfãt festival in London and Cairo with VENT and Thirty Three Thirty Three.
Gateways Nigeria with Tony Allen: Afrobeat to Afrobeats
A British Council and Boiler Room partnership, Gateways Nigeria explores the contemporary music scene in Lagos and the connections between UK and Nigerian music culture, featuring contributions from legendary Nigerian drummer Tony Allen, London artists Giggs, drummer Moses Boyd, DJ Neptizzle and Afrobeats star Mr Eazi.
Blog: Glastonbury Behind The Headliners
Naomi Cara Nekesa brings us a new perspective on the festival experience with her stories of programming for Glastonbury's smaller stages, where the magic really happens!
DIY Music Culture: Punk and Grime Podcast with Jon Savage and Hyperfrank
Jon Savage and Laura Brosnan (AKA Hyperfrank) are in conversation with Georgina Godwin, discussing DIY music culture and comparing the punk and grime scenes, in this essential podcast.
Blog: Talent is Democratic, Opportunity is Not
Cathy Graham discusses the issue of diversity and inclusion in classical music with reference to Chineke!, Aaron Dworkin and Rob Adediran.
SELECTOR PRO 2016 in Moscow
Now in its second year, the SELECTOR PRO music forum in Moscow brought together music journalists, producers, promoters and directors from Russia and the UK to discuss industry trends and gain insight into the issues affecting record labels, venues, festivals and online platforms.
Cathy Costain, Head of Arts for the British Council in Egypt, tells us about the last few years in Egypt and the wealth of musical work that has been taking place there in recent times.
Sam Jones brings us this blog with tales of an ambitious recording schedule, trying to "turn the streets of Lagos into a recording studio" ...
A loyal and supportive colleague, funny, thoughtful and highly knowledgeable. We all miss you Paul Parkinson.
William Doyle & Mix the Play
We spoke to William Doyle (East India Youth) about the music he's composed for Mix the Play - a collaboration between the British Council and the Old Vic Theatre. He tells us how he got started in music, his advice for new bands and how he is looking for interesting new settings for his music.
Journeys: A Staff Playlist
We’ve handpicked music that reminds us of journeys; some are real journeys, others are a figment of our imagination but they come to life for a moment whenever we hear these sounds. What do your journeys sound like?
It probably hasn’t escaped your attention that people are saying 2016 is the 40 year anniversary of punk. Even the London Mayor is saying it. So we thought it was a good time to look at punk then and punk now with two members of our Music team here at the British Council.
Yazz Ahmed & Amel Zen in Algeria
British-Bahraini flugelhorn player and composer, Yazz Ahmed, collaborated with Algerian singer Amel Zen for the European Cultural Festival in Algiers. We spoke to Yazz and Amel about chasing vibraphones, making music by e-mail and what they've got planned for the future.
Naomi Cara Nekesa visited Paris to witness first hand the unique style and attitude of the Afropunk festival and ask the question, just what is Afropunk?
Blog: Oliver Cross & The British Paraorchestra in Bahrain
Rehana Mughal brings us a blog from Bahrain where she spoke to Oliver Cross, harmonica player with the British Paraorchestra, about the unique challenges of taking an ensemble of disabled musicians overseas.
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