Culture
Music
Whether audio-visual experimental groups, decorated ‘world music’ acts, or straight-forward cultural criticism, New Internationalist’s music section looks at the intersection of music, politics and activism.
SXSW boycott grows in solidarity with Gaza
Graeme Green speaks to the artists backing out of the ‘war machine’ at a major US festival.
Spotlight: Aziza Brahim
Graeme Green speaks to the celebrated musician about how the Sahrawi struggle for independence has permeated her work.
Baaba Maal’s impact extends far beyond music
Senegalese singer-songwriter Baaba Maal speaks to Graeme Green about music making a difference.
‘We’re on the edge of cultures’
Moldovan Eurovision veterans Zdob și Zdub have been on quite the musical journey. Conrad Landin speaks to their lead singer.
The alternative music review
Louise Gray reviews Strike by Lining Time and Together for Ukraine by Various Artists.
The alternative music review
Bahia by Ana Carla Maza; Ghost Song by Cécile McLorin Salvant.
Spotlight: Steve Chandra Savale of Asian Dub Foundation
Steve Chandra Savale speaks to Subi Shah about music for spiritual change and social justice.
The alternative music review
Louise Gray reviews albums from musician, composer and sitar player Bishi and multi-national quintet Monoswezi.
Spotlight: Peggy Seeger
Folk music royalty Peggy Seeger speaks to Louise Gray about her life, her music, and her political activism.
Spotlight: Arka Kinari
Claire Fauset is on board with Arka Kinari, an extraordinary ecological live music project staged from the deck of a traditional sailing ship as it tours the world.
The alternative music review
Louise Gray and Malcolm Lewis review Uprize! by Spaza and Zan by Liraz.
‘Drums have the power to make people listen’
Lazinho and Lucas di Fiori of Brazil's famous Banda Olodum talk to Alessio Perrone about 40 years of drumming up change.
Mixed media: music
Louise Gray and Malcolm Lewis weigh up the eclectic sounds of Wild Wild East and the Karen Dalton Archives.
Mixed media: music
From Palestinian hip hop to the spoken word wizardry of South London, Malcolm Lewis and Louise Gray review sounds from around the globe
Mixed media: music
Louise Gray reviews the latest music releases by Songs of Our Native Daughters and Ibibio Sound Machine.
Mixed media: music
Louise Gray reviews the latest music releases by London-based quartet Skunk Anasie, and Bollywood star Farhan Akhtar.
Laibach: the politics of music
Laibach have produced a version of The Sound of Music that you can march to, writes Louise Gray for the Mixed Media section.
Mixed media: Music
Sound the People by Red Baraat; Crave by Léonie Pernet.
Joy Division and Ian Curtis: the myths
Front man Ian Curtis committed suicide in 1980, but the myth of Curtis and Joy Division lives on, Peter Kenworthy writes.
Psychedelics, human trafficking, and song
US singer-songwriter Nahko shares his experience of turning pain into positivity with Graeme Green.
The drumbeat of West Papuan resistance
‘The struggle is in the song, and the song is in the struggle.’ West Papuan musician Ronny Kareni explains the vital role of Melanesian culture in the fight for freedom.
Punk-anthem ‘God Save the Queen’ turns 40
The Sex Pistols' song helped reconnect rock music with culture, participation and rebellion around the world, writes Peter Kenworthy.
‘I’m talking about disruption’
Rapper and poet Saul Williams talks to Chris Garrard about politics, prisoners and the power of imprecision.
Emmanuel Jal: ‘Our freedom fighters have become dictators’
The musician, activist and former child soldier gives a sombre assessment of life in South Sudan two years after independence.