Despite its long and rich history, the ukulele has often been snubbed or dismissed as a novelty instrument by the music world. But over the years, rock stars have embraced the guitar’s smaller cousin, from Elvis Presley to the Beatles to Taylor Swift. Kim Chakanetsa meets two women who turned their love for the ukulele into a successful musical career.
When ... Show More
May 2021
Ukulele - a history of Hawaii's national instrument
Throughout its 130-year-old history, the ukulele has often been underrated – for many, this tiny four stringed instrument is a musical joke, a plastic toy or a cheap airport souvenir, but in fact, some of the world’s greatest musicians have played and admired it, and it has endur ... Show More
39m 13s
Nov 2022
Thinking of taxes while performing with Alela Diane, Rhiannon Giddens, Mariee Siou and Uwade
Folk musicians Alela Diane, Rhiannon Giddens, Mariee Siou and Uwade discuss that spark of electricity you get when songwriting goes well, how moments of personal growth and transition affect the music, going a whole year without writing a song, thinking of taxes while performing, ... Show More
34m 38s
Mar 2020
Musical identity with Sinkane, Emel Mathlouthi, Laima Leyton, and Shirley Tetteh
This week on Music Life Sinkane (Ahmed Gallab) is joined by Emel Mathlouthi, Laima Leyton, and Shirley Tetteh.With such an eclectic mix of musicians it’s only right they talk about straddling multiple cultures, the role spirituality plays in their music, how you turn an idea into ... Show More
33m 48s
Feb 2022
Making your music sound 'human', with Heba Kadry, Sarah Davachi, Marta Salogni and Faten Kanaan
Heba Kadry, Sarah Davachi, Marta Salogni and Faten Kanaan discuss why limitations can push creativity, how instruments can be an extension of the body, and why sounding “human” is better than pure perfection.Egyptian-born, Brooklyn-based mastering and mixing engineer Heba Kadry h ... Show More
27m 45s
Jan 2020
Strange fan encounters with Nabihah Iqbal, Nilüfer Yanya, Laura Lee and Gaye Su Akyol
This week’s episode of Music Life gets personal with musician, producer and black belt in karate Nabihah Iqbal, who is joined by Khruangbin’s Laura Lee, as well as singers Nilüfer Yanya and Gaye Su Akyol. Laura Lee was a maths teacher turned bass player who started her musical jo ... Show More
26m 14s
Oct 2021
'My studio is a mess', with Julien Baker, mxmtoon, Thao Nguyen and Quinn Christopherson
Julien Baker, mxmtoon, Thao Nguyen and Quinn Christopherson discuss how to separate work life and leisure time, learning to embrace being selfish, and failing at keeping your studio tidy,Julien Baker is one-third of the group boygenius, along with Grammy-nominated Phoebe Bridgers ... Show More
31m 37s
Feb 2022
Kryptonite to my ears with Joel Culpepper, Mysie, Anaiis, and TYSON
Joel Culpepper, Mysie, Anaiis, and TYSON discuss navigating your own voice, knowing who you are, and the importance of not thinking about the mainstream or making music you hate.Joel Culpepper grew up in South London, where he was introduced to gospel music at church from a young ... Show More
29m 44s
Jan 2020
Clichés with Gabriella Cilmi, Natacha Atlas, Carmen Souza and Soud Massi
Australian singer Gabriella Cilmi hosts Music Life, the show where some of the best musicians in the world come together to talk about creativity and living as a musician. She is joined by Portuguese singer Carmen Souza, France-based Algerian singer Soud Massi, and Egyptian-Briti ... Show More
35m 23s