Echo System

We’re in Iceland for a special performance in a remote location, at a time of year when the sun never sets...

In this episode, we go beyond this country's beautiful landscapes, waterfalls, Northern Lights and everything else it's well known for. We're going deep by exploring Icelandic arts, tradition, history and technology.

You’ll get rare access to Ólafur Arnalds’ music studio; hear stories of Norse and Viking settlers who arrived here over 1000 years ago; meet an intriguing composer and craftsman living in an isolated corner of the island. You’ll also discover how people power changed politics in the country; journey deep into the earth to visit the heart of a volcano, and learn about harnessing its power to create sustainable energy.

Local guide: Ívar Pétur Kjartansson. Contributors: Anna Dröfn Ágústssdóttir (historian), Ólafur Arnalds (artist and composer), Bergur Þorgeirsson (leading scholar on Snorri Sturluson and Icelandic sagas), Heiða Kristín Helgadóttir (former campaign manager for The Best Party), Steinar Berg (founder of Steinar Records and Rock'n Troll Café), Laufey Guðmundsdóttir (Director of the exhibition at Hellisheiði geothermal powerplant), Ásta and Filip (farmers), Páll á Húsafelli (artist and composer). Music by Ólafur Arnalds, Páll á Húsafelli, Stuðmenn, Spilverk and Mezzoforte.

Presented & produced by Frank McWeeny. Executive producers: Marcelo Velit & Derek Barbolla.

We'd love to hear from you! Get in touch - [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Echo System: Words & Music, where we dive deeper into the sounds and conversations we have with artists during our adventures around the world.

In this episode, we go back to Iceland in June 2023, where Ólafur Arnalds gave us rare access to his studio for a chat and very intimate performance, before his incredible Cercle show at Hafursey in the South of the country.

You may have heard parts of this encounter in episode 2, but this was such a unique experience for us that we had to share the full thing with you! So sit back, put your headphones on and treat your ears to an extended version of Ólafur Arnalds playing his favourite instruments at talking about life in Iceland.

Presented & produced by Frank McWeeny. Executive producer: Marcelo Velit.

We'd love to hear from you! Get in touch - [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re in Luxor for the first Cercle show of 2023 with an audience. Taking place in front of the 3,500-year-old Temple of Hatshepsut, the second woman to ever rule as a pharaoh in ancient Egypt.

In this episode we explore life in this city past and present, through contemporary art, traditional music, history, agriculture and archaeology.

You’ll meet a Muslim farmer sharing land, seeds and friendships with his Christian neighbours; hear the legendary stories living inside the walls of Marsam Hotel which has hosted archeologists and Egyptologists from all over the globe for over a century; you’ll also learn about Nubian customs from painter Gamal Latif; and attend an evening of traditional music hosted by Wannas Art Café.

Local guide: Mohamed Abu El Naga. Contributors: Ahmed El Tayeb Abd Elresoul (general manager of Marsam Hotel), Mahmoud Salem (sculptor), Kairi (farmer), Sayed Qinawy (co-founder & manager of Wannas Art Café and Nun Art Gallery), Gamal Latif (Nubian painter).

Presented & produced by Frank McWeeny. Executive producers: Marcelo Velit & Derek Barbolla.

We'd love to hear from you! Get in touch - [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re in sunny Geneva for a groovy performance in front of the Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

In this episode we uncover the true identity of this city surrounded by the Alps and Jura mountains, beyond its reputation for wealth and luxury. A place rich with culture, history and creativity.

You’ll meet a local archaeologist and an art historian, explore Geneva’s heritage through 2000 years of history and discover how radical events in the 16th century transformed this city forever. You’ll also learn about Switzerland’s unconventional political system; understand how squat culture changed the artistic, social and political landscape of Geneva in the 80s and 90s; hear about social struggle in overlooked suburban neighbourhoods; and move to cutting edge sounds influenced by global scenes, in one of the most ethnically diverse places in Europe.

Local guide: Luca Ciuclea. Contributors: Timothy Ponitz (archaeologist), Quentin (manager of Bongo Joe record shop), Sophia (local resident in Le Bain Des Paquis neigbourhood), Rolv.K (producer & DJ), Pekodjinn (producer & DJ), Neil (booker at La Gravière club), Chien Bleu (rapper and tatoo artist), Titouan (student in political science), Ambre (art historian). Music by Pekodjinn, Alice, Hyperculte, Rolv.K and Chien Bleu.

Presented & produced by Frank McWeeny. Executive producers: Marcelo Velit & Derek Barbolla.

We'd love to hear from you! Get in touch - [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Echo System is back next week!

In this new episode, we'll take you to Provence in Southeastern France, a vast region with diverse landscapes stretching from the Alps mountains to the Mediterranean Sea. We'll go off the beaten-track to uncover a different way of life through unique encounters, immersive sound and local music.

Starting our journey in the city of Marseille, with deep ties to people and cultures of the Mediterranean sea. Then we’ll go North to the Citadelle de Sisteron, where Icelandic duo Kiasmos and South African DJ Shimza will be performing for us for the first time.

We’ll also explore the rich history of the region, through archaeology, literature and farming. And we’ll go up in the mountains where old traditions inspired by the sounds of nature and people are still alive today...

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.