Music Life

Where music stars discuss how they make their music.

World Service,246 episodes

Episodes

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Eurovision! With Conchita Wurst, Duncan Laurence, Daði Freyr and Emmelie de Forest
Four of Eurovision's biggest stars discuss the international music extravaganza
15 May 2021,35 mins
Music as a tool for self-expression with Biig Piig, Nayana IZ, Puma Blue and Louis Culture
What's it like to make music as an introvert?
08 May 2021,24 mins
Influences and identity with Adrian Younge, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Brandee Younger and Alissia
How do artists use their music to show respect for what's come before?
01 May 2021,32 mins
Creative catharsis with Gazelle Twin, Lucrecia Dalt, Cosey Fanni Tutti and Keeley Forsyth
Four artists working beyond the mainstream discuss how they make their music
24 Apr 2021,31 mins
Give it some space with Alex Isley, Tiffany Gouché, India Shawn and Gwen Bunn
How do you know if a song is actually good?
17 Apr 2021,35 mins
'I was told I was too much' with will.i.am, Static & Ben El, Lioness and Lady Leshurr
What's the best way of writing a song?
10 Apr 2021,31 mins
Muted musicians with Liraz, Bedouine, Daniel Smienk and Tolga Boyuk
Four musicians with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean roots discuss music and heritage
03 Apr 2021,30 mins
The disappearing album with Eyedress, Dâm-Funk, Jessica Pratt and Low Leaf
Four Los Angeles artists discuss how they make their music
27 Mar 2021,27 mins
You are what you make with Ibeyi, Kindness, Hiatus Kaiyote and Charlotte Day Wilson
A global gathering as part of the BBC World Service Festival
20 Mar 2021,35 mins
'My feet felt like a metronome' with Rostam, Santigold, Dijon and Samantha Urbani
What comes first - melody or lyrics?
13 Mar 2021,33 mins
Don't run away from pressure with Caroline Polachek, Perfume Genius, Jlin and Oneohtrix Point Never
Four experimental musicians discuss their links to poetry.
06 Mar 2021,32 mins
A million ways to make a song with Eliza Shaddad, This Is the Kit, Oddisee and Gaidaa
How do politics and heritage feed into the creative system?
27 Feb 2021,31 mins
Toys in the studio with Hannah Peel, Tunng's Mike Lindsay, Falle Nioke and JFDR
Four innovative musicians discuss the power of the concept album
20 Feb 2021,32 mins
Comparison is the thief of joy with Liz Lubega, R-Kay, Intalekt and TINYMAN
Does self-doubt get in the way of creating?
13 Feb 2021,31 mins
History in the making with Mickey Guyton, Jimmie Allen, Abby Anderson and Twinnie
Four country stars discuss how they tell stories in songs
06 Feb 2021,29 mins
The courage to be disliked with BŪJIN, Desire Marea, Lynn Daphne Rudolph and Jackie Queens
BŪJIN welcomes three eclectic artists based in South Africa
30 Jan 2021,30 mins
'Educate yourself quickly' with Sarathy Korwar, Nadine Shah, James Holden and Nubya Garcia
Is there something inherently dysfunctional about being a performer?
23 Jan 2021,32 mins
Dancing in the kitchen with Eris Drew, Octo Octa, Kate Pierson and Jayda G
How 1950s rock'n'roll influences today's dance music
16 Jan 2021,30 mins
Writing under blankets in planes with Aloe Blacc, Gregory Porter, Kadhja Bonet and Chelsea Jade
What happens to the creative process after losing those closest to you?
09 Jan 2021,29 mins
Chaos vs perfection with Ami Dang, Elisita Punto, Nazar and Tuna Pase
Does it matter if songwriters don't know where their songs will end?
02 Jan 2021,25 mins
'Swans ruined our recording' with Ólafur Arnalds, Agnes Obel, Dustin O'Halloran and Hania Rani
Are composers happiest working alone?
26 Dec 2020,26 mins
Trapped in an idea with David Byrne, St Vincent, Sinkane and Vagabon
Do artists make music to make people think or move their feet?
19 Dec 2020,30 mins
The science behind the perfect hit with Becky Hill, MNEK, Ella Eyre and Frances
Is there a formula for writing the perfect hit?
12 Dec 2020,33 mins
Coconut water and confidence with Kranium, Masego and Alicai Harley
Is an airport a good place to work on music?
05 Dec 2020,31 mins
Loving and hating the studio with Tune-Yards, Haim, Black Pumas and Chicano Batman
How much do musicians consider the audience when they're writing?
28 Nov 2020,33 mins
The politics of pleasure with Thurston Moore, Brix Smith, Sunn O)))'s Stephen O'Malley and Rachel Aggs of Sacred Paws
How much does politics influence the work musicians create?
21 Nov 2020,30 mins
The importance of improvising with Bebel Gilberto, Martha Wainwright, Sam Amidon and Martin Hayes
How important are family and tradition in music?
14 Nov 2020,31 mins
Magic moments with Paul Epworth, Arlo Parks, Dave Okumu and 100 gecs
What's it like to work with analogue equipment in a digital world?
07 Nov 2020,32 mins
The ‘Lost Beats’ folder with Felicia Douglass, Sly5thAve, Leon Michels and Tiana Major9
How quarantine hobbies have fed into musicians' work
31 Oct 2020,32 mins
Music in our grandmother's DNA with Kelsey Lu, Beverly Glenn-Copeland, Lotic and Fatima Al Qadiri
How do our ancestral backgrounds influence the stories we tell?
24 Oct 2020,34 mins