Songlines

Songlines is the definitive magazine for world music – music that has its roots in all parts of the globe, from Mali to Mexico, India to Iraq. Whether this music is defined as traditional, contemporary, folk or fusion, Songlines is the only publication to truly represent and embrace it. However, Songlines is not just about music, but about how the music fits into the landscape; it’s about politics, history and identity, and the artists who incite change through their music. Through its extensive articles and reviews, Songlines is your essential guide to an extraordinary world of music and culture, whether you are starting on your journey of discovery or are already a seasoned fan.

Songlines

Representing the 0.5%

CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE INCLUDE

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TOP OF THE WORLD • On this issue’s compilation – our curated selection of new music and bonus tracks from across the globe

21 Strings • With Toumani Diabaté and Ballaké Sissoko’s epochal New Ancient Strings to be reissued for its 25th anniversary, Tim Cumming speaks to Lucy Durán, the album’s producer, about the unique recording and about her documentary with Ballaké tracing the history of the kora

Delasi • Erin Cobby speaks to the Ghanaian producer who has finally found an eclectic home, and his voice, after years of adversity and toil

Glasgow’s Winter Warmer • Jo Frost reports from Celtic Connections where an astonishing 300 shows were staged in Glasgow through January and into February

The Last Leg • Catriona Price heads to Chile for the final leg of her Routes to Roots project, connecting with the Mapuche and finding inspiration in schoolchildren

Echoes of the Sahara • Saïd Tichiti goes back to his roots on new EP Jarama

SAGAZAN STORMS THE ’SONICS • French singer-songwriter starts off the year with victory at Eurosonic

The 4 Corners and Centre of LINA_’s Universe • Despite making her name in fado, the Portuguese singer has refreshingly varied tastes, drawn to these albums for their intimacy, power, lyricism and use of silence

Songlines Encounters Festival 2024 16-19 May 2024, Kings Place, London

LAIR • Meet the Indonesian ritualists conjuring intense connections to their cultural heritage, everyday existence and the earthly loam itself. “We’re looking for another form from clay,” they tell Daniel Spicer

SPOTLIGHT Katherine Priddy • The singer-songwriter tells Tim Cumming about the power of poetry, the play of time and where she’s taking her music following her acclaimed debut

SIMON SAYS… • Simon Broughton discovers the songs and stories of the Ainu people newly and beautifully exhibited at London’s Japan House

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FEEDBACK • Letters, shout-outs, comments, emails and everything in between

Bringing Balestrieri back to life

The SORCERER • Six years on from 137 Avenue Kaniama, Baloji has returned with a cinematic debut that caused a stir at Cannes, backed by four disparately characterful albums. Jane Cornwell finds out about a new project that unites fashion, fables, fantasy, and finding a space to create

Reasons to be Cheerful • Our preview of albums set to be released in 2024. From Finnish harmonica quartets to bona fide Senegalese legends, there’s a lot to look forward to

Swing Out SISTERS • With her all-female band, Asmâa Hamzaoui is a trailblazer for Moroccan music. Jo Frost speaks to Asmâa and her sister Aicha about Gnawa traditions that have been passed down through generations, and the need for women to express themselves in their culture

Rebel Joy • Charis McGowan finds Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux in a reflective mood as she talks about her much-awaited new album. “I wanted to create something more complete, take time to write a different...