PODCAST · music
Barbican Contemporary Music
by Barbican Contemporary Music
Each month presenting exclusive interviews and music from the greatest concerts at the Barbican.
Episodes
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The Music of Jim Jarmusch – with David Coulter, Alex Kapranos and more
This week’s podcast – spanning both the Cinema and Contemporary Music programme – delves into the musical world of the cult director’s compelling cinematic oeuvre, from whiskey-soaked Tom Waits to John Lurie’s No Wave Sax. Ahead of the Jim Jarmusch Revisited show here in September 2017...
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Jace Clayton on Julius Eastman
Ahead of our Julius Eastman Memorial Dinner gig with Jace Clayton (AKA DJ/Rupture) we look into the saga of this most interesting of composers – a minimalist master and contemporary of Feldman and Cage – who died destitute and with many of his scores lost.
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Stephin Merritt (Magnetic Fields)
Following the release of his autobiographical 50 Song Memoir (with a song dedicated to each year of his life so far) and the live performance coming up in September, the idiosyncratic singer-songwriter talks to us about his music and his process.
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Laura Mvula
‘I’m always a creative soul, looking for the next thing…’ In one of his favourite ever interviews, Ben speaks to the double Mercury-nominated singer and songwriter Laura Mvula about her life, music and the upcoming show here with the London Symphony Orchestra.
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Simon Raymonde on Bella Union
We spoke to the ex-Cocteau Twin about Bella Union, the record label he co-founded 20 years ago and still runs today and who’s nurtured the likes of Fleet Foxes, Dirty Three, Beach House and many more. We’re throwing the label a 20th birthday party this July, with gigs featuring Ezra Furman and...
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Jeff Mills
We speak to the legendary techno producer/composer, the founder of Underground Resistance, a recent recipient of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and probably one of the most influential electronic musicians of all time. Jeff takes up residency at the Barbican in June 2017, with From Here...
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The Unthanks on Molly Drake
The Northumbrian folk group unearth the wistful work of Molly Drake – Nick’s mother – who wrote and recorded a series of poems and songs on a tape set-up in the family home, which the group have re-worked and recorded.
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Manana // Cuba
Originally taking place in Santiago de Cuba last year, Manana//Cuba festival married traditional Afro-Cuban sounds with forward-thinking electronics. We spoke to festival co-founder Harry Follett as well as Cuban/Iranian act Ariwo and UK-based electronic duo Soundspecies about how they plan to...
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Sasha
Ahead of playing his music live for the first time ever, here at the Barbican in May 2017, we spoke to the legendary producer and DJ about his musical upbringing, performing live and the Simpsons.
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Philip Glass’s Music in Twelve Parts
We delve into the four-hour minimalist masterpiece – one of the undoubted milestones of contemporary classical music – with three of the first musicians outside the Philip Glass Ensemble whom the composer has permitted to perform the piece: Bedroom Community pianist and organist James McVinnie,...
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Piano Day
To celebrate the 88th Day of the year and Nils Frahm’s international celebration of the piano, we get under the lid with piano-tuner-to-the-stars Ulrich Gerhartz to look at the science of the instrument, and also members of Piano Circus, James Young and Dawn Hardwick, and composer Angus MacRae.
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The Can Project // Irmin Schmidt
Laying the foundations of what came to be known as Krautrock, Can became one of the most influential avant-rock groups of all time, and echoes of their work is audible in everything from Joy Division to Kanye West. We caught up with founding member Irmin Schmidt and his collaborator on this…
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Hatsune Miku
You could argue that all Pop stars are created, but not to the same extent as Hatsune Miku. Starting life as a vocaloid program created by Japanese developers, and evolving into a full-blown virtual Pop star and cyber celebrity with hit singles worldwide and sellout stadium performances, she…
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Efterklang
‘The most adventurous thing they’ve ever done.’ Crack Magazine Originally written for and staged in the eerie surroundings of an abandoned Cold War era Hospital in Copenhagen, Leaves - The Colour of Falling has been revived and reworked for the concert hall. We chat to Casper Clausen from the…
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Shirley Collins
Despite being one of the most important voices of the British Folk revival of the 60s and 70s – accompanying Alan Lomax on his renowned ‘Southern Journey’ trip recording songs through the American South, and working with everyone from Folk-rock group Pentangle to avant-garde guitarist Davey…
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Robert Henke on Digital Arts
Visuals in electronic music sets may have become par for the course in recent years, but Berlin artist Robert Henke’s Lumière series takes this to a whole new level. Rather than simply creating a visual accompaniment to music, or a musical accompaniment to visuals, Lumière perfectly syncs…
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Warm Digits on scoring Sunderland’s experience of WW1
Narrated by Kate Adie, and featuring a soundtrack by Field Music and Warm Digits, Esther Johnson’s moving documentary Asunder captures one city’s experience of the First World War – not through grisly images of war, but through the real stories of people who lived there. We chat to Warm Digits’...
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Steve Mason
Ahead of Alive! at the Barbican – a show that sees Steve Mason perform new arrangements of his music with an expanded ensemble, we chat to the singer and songwriter about the various twists and turns of his career.
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Jóhann Jóhannsson
We talk to Jóhann Jóhannsson about his fascination with film, and love of the voice as an instrument The Icelandic composer behind the brooding and beautiful scores for Arrival, Sicario and The Theory of Everything, Jóhann Jóhannsson blends elements of Classical music and electronica into…
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Michael Nyman at 40
40 years after their creation, we chat to composer Michael Nyman about his upcoming performance with his band - charting the journey from their inception, to their stunning soundtrack work for 'The Draughtman’s Contract', 'Prospero’s Books' and more, through to present day.
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Art Spiegelman and Philip Johnston / Wordless
The graphic novel may be an important part of popular culture today, given the same weight and gravitas as literary fiction or film, but it wasn’t always that way. On Friday 11 November, Art Spiegelmen, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece ‘Maus’ and saxophonist Philip Johnston bring...
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Rough Trade at 40 feat John Grant + Stephen Mallinder
In 1976, Geoff Travis started a shop that would change the face of music in the UK. 40 years on, we take a look back at the history of Rough Trade, speaking to John Grant and Stephen Mallinder (Cabaret Voltaire / Wrangler) about what Rough Trade means to them, and their upcoming collaboration as...
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Matmos on Robert Ashley
A tale of love affairs, bank robberies and consumerism in the American Mid-west, Robert Ashley’s made-for-TV opera Perfect Lives combined Minimalist composition with synths and oddly syncopated spoken word. Performing excerpts from the opera, electronic duo Matmos share their love for the…
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Dear Esther / Jessica Curry
A deserted landscape, memories of a fatal crash, a book written by a dying explorer – 'Dear Esther' is part of a new wave of videogames that redefines what they can do, proving videogames are capable of the same musical, narrative and artistic expression as film or literature. This week, we chat…
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Stars of the Lid
In contrast to the rapid rise and fall of most artists today that the Internet hype machine dictates, duo Stars of the Lid's transition from relative obscurity to being of the most important ambient acts since Brian Eno's heyday has been, much like their music, patient. This week, we chat to Adam...
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Introducing Possibly Colliding Part 3 - Voices and Collaborations
This July, composer and pianist Nils Frahm curates a weekend bringing together producers, composers and performers from around the globe who share his omnivorous approach to music and art - breaking down the boundaries between genres to create something new. In the final part of our trio of...
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Nils Frahm introduces Possibly Colliding (Part 2)
This July, composer and pianist Nils Frahm curates a weekend bringing together producers, composers and performers from around the globe who share his omnivorous approach to music and art - breaking down the boundaries between genres to create something new. In part two of a 3-part series taking…
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Nils Frahm introduces Possibly Colliding (Part 1)
This July, composer and pianist Nils Frahm curates a weekend bringing together producers, composers and performers from around the globe who share his omnivorous approach to music and art. In the first of a 3-part series taking a closer look at all the music, art and film on offer across the...
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Max Richter, Tindersticks, Kronos Quartet, Black Arm Band – May 2016
In our May podcast we chat to artists finding new ways to perform and present music, as Tindersticks unveil new album as a series of short films, Black Arm Band show you a side of Australian seldom-seen by the rest of the world, Kronos continue to redefine what the string quartet can and should…
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Calexico, The Necks, James McVinnie, Bang on a Can – April 2016
In our April podcast explore the hidden sounds of the church organ with composer James McVinnie and experimental trio The Necks, including James talking about his new collaboration with Tom Jenkinson (Squarepusher). Brooklyn ensemble Bang on a Can chat transforming archive audio and video into…
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March 2016 - Junun, Mariza, Michael Gira + Thurston Moore + Laura Cannell
We talk to Israeli composer Shye Ben Tzur about combining sacred Qawwali with electronics in his collaboration with Jonny Greenwood and The Rajasthan Express, Portuguese singer Mariza mixes traditional fado with popular music, and Laura Cannell explores the theme of new life through medieval...
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February 2016 - Jorge Drexler, Actress + LCO, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Back with our first podcast of 2016, we take a closer look at three special collaborations and expanded performances happening this February. Jorge Drexler chats to us about his first UK performance with a full band, Ninja Tune's Adrian Kemp and the creative directors of the London Contemporary...
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December 2015 special - Panic! - Darkstar, Richard Dawson, Simran Hans + more
In this podcast special, we take a closer look at 'Panic! What Happened to Social Mobility in the Arts' - a series of music, film and debate highlighting issues around access to the arts, focusing in on our weekend of film and music on the 3-4 Dec that showcases artists who succeeded despite...
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November 2015 – EFG London Jazz Festival special – Kamasi Washington, Terence Blanchard + more
Take a tour through some of the highlights of this year's EFG London Jazz Festival as we speak to Kamasi Washington, GoGo Penguin, Terence Blanchard and Ron McCurdy ahead of their performances in the Barbican Hall.
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October 2015 – Lee Hazlewood, King Creosote, Marcus Miller
Featuring exclusive interviews with Wyndham Wallace, author of 'Lee, Myself and I' and Ed Harcourt about the moustachioed man behind some of the biggest pop songs of the 20th Century, King Creosote chatting about everything from his collaborations with Jon Hopkins to film and music project 'From...
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Electronic music experiences special – Jeff Mills, Holly Herndon, Gazelle Twin + more
In this special edition of our contemporary music podcast, we take a closer look at our autumn electronic music experiences - six shows which take electronic music out of its normal context, with pioneering producers and experimental new artists presenting their music in a new way. Featuring...
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September 2015 - Transcender special - Double Vision, Arifa, the music of Brian Eno, Faiz Ali Faiz
In our September contemporary music podcast we take a closer look at this year's edition of Transcender - our festival of ecstatic, hypnotic and devotional music from around the globe. Featuring exclusive interviews with techno pioneer Atom TM and digital artist Robin Fox, Amsterdam ensemble…
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Moog Concordance special - Will Gregory, Suicide, Keith Emerson
From the ensemble expanding the possibilities presented by the Moog synthesiser to the man nearly banned by the Musicians Union from using one, explore our Moog Concordance series in more depth as we chat to three champions of the analogue synth ahead of their performance at the Barbican this month.
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Station to Station special - Suicide, EMA, Lonelady, Boredoms
Doug Aitken says that his ‘living exhibition’ demonstrates that art lives outside of capitalism, as he reflects on the cross-arts, improvisational and collaborative performances which form part of it. Suicide’s Martin Rev discusses the history and inspiration behind their punk mass; EMA considers...
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June 2015 – Live Music and Film special – Asian Dub Foundation and Live Live Cinema
Asian Dub Foundation guitarist Steve Savale talks re-scoring George Lucas's directorial debut THX 1138 - a chilling dystopian fantasy set in a post-apocalyptic future - and the film's terrifying parallels with contemporary society. Live Live Cinema's Leon Radojkovic unravels the New Zealand...
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May 2015 – Villagers, Colleen, Roberto Fonseca
Conor O'Brien aka Villagers says that writing his new album, Darling Arithmetic, was the first time he allowed himself to write about personal experiences; Colleen‘s new album, Captain of None, features a strong dub influence; and Cuban jazz pianist, Roberto Fonseca, collaborates with Malian soul...
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Mountains and Waves special
Bryce Dessner (The National), Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire) and more introduce the weekend of evocative new music and minimalist classics curated by Bryce on 9-10 May, 'Mountains and Waves'. See the full programme at www.barbican.org.uk/mountains
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April 2015 – Hello Terry Riley, MEXRRISSEY, stargaze + The Dodos
James Holden and Luke Abbott on being inspired by the explorations of Terry Riley, Mexico loves Morrissey’s melodrama and Meric Long and stargaze discuss collaborating beyond genre boundaries
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March 2015 – Matthew E. White, The Gloaming, We Have An Anchor and Strata-East Live
We start Spring with a bumper edition of the Barbican contemporary music podcast – listen to Matthew E. White talk writing and recording his new album, Gilles Peterson enthuse about his favourite jazz label, and much more.
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February 2015 - Ólafur Arnalds, Nico Muhly and Oneohtrix Point Never, Miscontinuum
In our first podcast of 2015 we chat to Ólafur Arnalds about scoring hit TV crime drama Broadchurch, James McVinnie enthuses about the instrument at the heart of his performance with Nico Muhly and Oneohtrix Point Never, and Jan St Werner unravels the making of Miscontinuum.
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December 2014 - Roddy Frame, Sound of Chaplin, Sparks
In our last podcast of 2014 we catch up with Aztec Camera frontman Roddy Frame about preparing material from his new album for the Barbican stage, Paul Merton and composer Neil Brand enthuse about their love of Charlie Chaplin, and orchestral arranger Nathan Kelly discusses the exciting challenge...
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November 2014 – Savages + Bo Ningen, Lau + Bugge Wesseltoft, Henrik Schwarz, Dan Berglund
This month's podcast features two collaborative projects - Savages and Bo Ningen, two of London's most exciting live bands team together for a ferocious 'simultaneous sonic poem'; and folk, jazz and electronica artists meet at Lau + Bugge Wesseltoft, Henrik Schwarz, Dan Berglund.
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October 2014 – British Sea Power, Bebel Gilberto, Fabio Frizzi
This month British Sea Power join forces with a brass band to perform their favourite songs. Bossa nova star Bebel Gilberto hits London with her new album, Tudo; and Italian horror soundtrack maestro Fabio Frizzi invites us to a special Halloween party.
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September 2014 – 20,000 Days on Earth, A Winged Victory for the Sullen, Julia Holter and more
We kick off the Autumn with a packed 40-minute podcast – with a day in Nick Cave's life, Julia Holter giving the big orchestral makeover to songs mostly created in her bedroom and much more
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July 2014 – John Cale, Robert Henke and Digital Revolution
Enter the world of Digital Revolution www.barbican.org.uk/digital-revolution
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Each month presenting exclusive interviews and music from the greatest concerts at the Barbican.
HOSTED BY
Barbican Contemporary Music
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Barbican Contemporary Music have?
Barbican Contemporary Music currently has 101 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Barbican Contemporary Music about?
Each month presenting exclusive interviews and music from the greatest concerts at the Barbican.
How often does Barbican Contemporary Music release new episodes?
Barbican Contemporary Music publishes regularly with 101 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Barbican Contemporary Music?
You can listen to Barbican Contemporary Music on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Barbican Contemporary Music?
Barbican Contemporary Music is created and hosted by Barbican Contemporary Music.
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