BBC World Service’s Music Life aired their 200th episode on Saturday 27th May. For the 200th episode, hosted by the electronic artist John Grant from the USA, who hosted the very first episode in 2019. Music Life recently featured Sam Ryder hosting a Eurovision special and has had an array of well-known and successful musicians on it since it launched in 2019. The format is that each week, a different musician hosts a panel of other musicians and they discuss some aspect of the music industry, such as song-writing and performing.
<< Here’s a link to the Sam Ryder episode on BBC Sounds
BBC WORLD SERVICE – MUSIC LIFE AT 200!
This is a very special edition of Music Life on the BBC World Service, a show which brings together musicians from around the globe to discuss how and why they make their music. This is the 200th episode, which means nearly 800 singers, producers, DJs, visual artists, and performers have come to have a chat, and share their experiences and unique perspectives on their lives as musicians. And to celebrate this milestone, this week Music Life is looking back at some of the best conversations from the series so far.
The show is hosted by John Grant, who actually hosted the very first episode of Music Life in 2019. This special episode features the likes of alt-pop artist Santigold, soul singer Gregory Porter, rock singer Skin from Skunk Anansie, rock legend Elvis Costello, video game composer Olivier Deriviere, Uruguayan legend Jorge Drexler, plus much more.
They take us on a journey from the songwriting process, discussing the merits of simplicity vs technique in recording, revealing insights into the processes of big stars, considering how to deal with the biggest topics within music, looking at the bigger picture, and finally the future of the music world. And yes that involves AI! Plus a few favourite funny moments too, as that’s a common theme in each episode.
In its 4 years or so to date, Music Life has joined the dots between every genre of music imaginable and featured artists from every corner of the globe. The calling card is very impressive. We’ve heard Hans Zimmer explain how he went from playing in a new wave pop band to composing for the biggest films in the world, Santigold on how to use song writing as an opportunity to make social commentary, Moonchild Sanelly on what she can’t say in her music, David Byrne on the pressure to do something different, Lykke Li on going it alone, Dele Sosimi on sustaining creativity, Angel Olsen on trying to not make ‘normal’ music, Kranium on how he made his best chorus, Iggy Pop on genre-crossing, Eris Drew on the importance of positivity in dance music, Mykki Blanco on the role of resistance in their work, and Becky Hill on how to write the perfect hit. Plus so many more, including the wonderful examples outlined below in this special show.
Throughout 200 episodes they’ve travelled the globe, learned the behind-the-scenes secrets that went into some of the world’s biggest hits, and listened in to some of the most honest and surprising conversations in music.
Check it out!
Produced by Adam Hudson for the BBC World Service.
