I can’t think of a better way to end season 4 and the never before heard conversations from my archive, than my conversation between friends, Zadie Smith and Devonté Hynes. I’d been badgering Zadie for a while to let me interview her and when she agreed, the day before our conversation was scheduled, she emailed to ask if she could bring her friend Dev? I of course said yes, scrambled to find another microphone and when we had a last minute cancellation of the recording venue, we had to do it at my house. And the room with the best soundproofing, my bedroom!We talk about how we’re all storytellers; about music; about the power of live music; about the myth of the 10,000 hours; about Prince; about whether we should define ourselves as 'artists'; about authenticity and consciousness; about knowing and unknowing and about being students forever. I’ve produced almost 60 podcast episodes and this is one of my favourites. Because, for me, there is nothing more fulfilling than sitting around with creative people talking about music and making and process - it’s why this podcast exists. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.Guests: Zadie Smith & Devonté HynesTitle: I would never call myself an artistMusic: Lil Nas X, Industry Baby; Arctic Monkeys, There'd Better Be a Mirrorball; Maggie Rogers, That's Where I Am; Knucks, Alpha HouseLinksDevonté Hynes IG and WebsiteZadie Smith WebsiteZadie interview on latest book, The Fraud - BBC Sounds, This Cultural LifeFind out ways to support the Israel-Palestine project click herePodcast WebsitePodcast IG Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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I've been thinking about...friendship (Pt 2)
Welcome to part 2 of I've been thinking about...friendship. I talk about the importance of friendship and how pivotal it's been in my creative practice. Holding up the Ladder links:Find out ways to support the Israel-Palestine project click herePodcast WebsitePodcast IG Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Francis Fuster (Pt 2)
Welcome back to part 2 of my conversation with Francis Fuster. We pick up our conversation in London in the 1980's. Francis is playing percussion for Hugh Masekela, he's touring with Paul Simon and that huge record, Graceland. We talk about playing in South Africa post apartheid and a short stint in jail - it was self-defense! Guest: Francis FusterTitle: You gotta be readyMusic: Bach, Handel, Miles Davis and John ColtraneMusic linksHugh Masekela, SekunjaloGeraldo Pino and the Heartbeats, Maria Lef for WakaHugh Masekela, Don't go lose it babyHugh Masekela, Bring Him Back Home (Nelson Mandela)Francis Fuster, NajesuehOther linksShango-Ja Martial Arts AcademyFind out ways to support the Israel-Palestine project click herePodcast WebsitePodcast IG Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Francis Fuster (Pt 1)
You’re in for a treat today! And a little interruption from conversations from my archive. I recently did a gig at London’s Jazz Cafe playing keys and singing for a special concert in honour of South Africa Freedom Day and the late great South African trumpeter, Hugh Masekela. The person leading the band was his percussionist and friend of nearly 50 years, Francis Fuster.Born in Sierra Leone to a Liberian mother and Swiss father. Now 81 (but looks more like a man in his 60's!) a 7th Dan black belt in karate, upright and sharp as a tack. We talk about his journey from dancing, to drumming, to teaching, to percussion. About being a member of the band described as the Beatles of Africa, Gerald Pino and The Heartbeats.We talk about his close friendship with icon and disruptor musician Fela Kuti, also the reason he started learning karate. How he went from Sierra Leone to Liberia, to Ivory Coast, to Ghana, to Nigeria, ending up in New York and the wildness of that period. We talk about playing with Paul Simon and the huge record that was Graceland. And his close professional and personal relationship with Hugh Masekela.This was a joyous interview (what was meant to be an hour long conversation, was closer to 2!) So it's divided into 2 parts.Guest: Francis FusterTitle: You gotta be readyMusic: Bach, Handel, Miles Davis and John ColtraneMusic linksGeraldo Pino and the Heartbeats, Maria Lef for WakaHugh Masekela, Don't go lose it babyHugh Masekela, Bring Him Back Home (Nelson Mandela)Francis Fuster, NajesuehOther linksShango-Ja Martial Arts AcademyFind out ways to support the Israel-Palestine project click herePodcast WebsitePodcast IG Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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I've been thinking about...friendship (pt 1)
Today's episode of 'I've been thinking about' is a 2-parter and it's all about friendship and how it has impacted my practice. We talk about how much our families impact our lives, but not so much our friendships. Yet since we choose our friendships they are deeply significant - I explore why.Holding up the Ladder links:Find out ways to support the Israel-Palestine project click herePodcast WebsitePodcast IG Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A podcast about the creative process - the how, the why.Most artists are inspired by more than just their own medium – so even though podcast host, Matshidiso is a musician, the Arts more broadly, politics, people – in short, life informs the music she makes.And why ‘Holding up the ladder?’ Because we’re all trying to get somewhere and Matshidiso believes we not only further the arts but each other if we ‘hold up the ladder’ rather than pull the ladder up from under us as we climb.Website: holdinguptheladder.comIG: @holdinguptheladderTwiiter: @hutl_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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