Roots

What is world music, roots music, traditional music, folk music? Performers talk about what the music means to them.

Hotline to the Ancestors

World music is grounded in traditions that are passed down through generations. Eliza Carthy and her Dad talk about growing up in a folk music family.

Chinese Whispers

The notion of communal composition is central to world music traditions. This is our very own experiment in communal composition — a musical version of the Chinese Whispers game.

Endangered Words

Sometimes living traditions become threatened with extinction. Jussi Huovinen is the last living custodian of the ancient rune-singing tradition.

Global Villagers

How do regional musical styles survive in a world where distance is disappearing? Silvia Entcheva is a Bulgarian singer who brought her music with her when she came to Australia.

The Tune

Melody is the basis of many world music traditions. Melbourne band Trouble In The Kitchen put an Irish tune on the dissecting table so we can find out what makes it tick.

Singing Legends

Many cultures use song as a vehicle for storing communal knowledge – the histories, myths, wisdom and language of the elders. Narbalek are indigenous musicians who use song to preserve culture.

First get a Goat

World music is full of weird and exotic instruments. Linsey Pollack shows us some of the bizarre instruments he makes, and talks about what makes a good world music instrument.

Extreme Singing

What are the possibilities when you use the human voice as a musical instrument? Yat-Kha are punks from Central Asia who explore the outer reaches of vocal technique.

Digital Gothic

Despite being rooted in tradition, world music is often remarkably receptive to technical innovation. Garmarna are a Swedish band who use computers to make traditional music.

Living in the Mainstream

Do you keep your music pure and play to 10 people? Or take it to the mainstream and play to millions?