David Byrne

322 search results for:

Projects 100

“...The Best Live Show Of All Time” —NME

2018

American Utopia

2018

How Music Works

2017

Contemporary Color

2015

Love This Giant

2012

Reasons To Be Cheerful

2018

The Institute Presents: Neurosociety

2016

Here Lies Love

2016

Joan of Arc: Into the Fire

2016

Talking Heads Chronology

2011

Tight Spot

2011

Guitar Pedals

2010

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (Music from the Motion Picture)

2010

Maximum Balloon

2010

Inside Out

2010

Moral Dilemmas

2010

Ride, Rise, Roar

2010

Bicycle Diaries

2009

SCORE! Vol. 9: 20 Years of Merge Records

2009

I’m Losing Myself

2009

The Spirit of Apollo

2009

Dark Was The Night

2009

I Think We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Boat

2009

Talking Heads: Same As It Ever Was

2009

Big Love: Hymnal

2008

Everything that Happens Will Happen Today

2008

Bike Racks

2008

Voice of Julio / Voz de Julio

2008

Estudando a bossa

2008

Worried Noodles

2007

Turn My Teeth Up

2007

In Between

2007

Plum

2007

Bonfires of São João

2006

Chairs

2006

Century of Song

2006

Universo Ao Meu Redor

2006

Playing The Building

2005

Talking Heads Brick

2005

Odyssey

2005

The Cosmic Game

2005

Wired: Rip. Sample. Mash. Share.

2004

David Byrne Live at Union Chapel

2004

The Voting Booth Project

2004

Future Soundtrack For America

2004

Shhh… Sounds in Spaces

2004

Live at Carnegie Hall

2004

Grown Backwards

2004

Once In A Lifetime: Talking Heads Boxed Set

2003

Lead Us Not Into Temptation: Music from the film Young Adam

2003

RIO

2003

Arboretum

2003

Fake Books

2003

Corporate Signs

2003

I Love This Crowd!

2002

The Only Blip Hop Record You Will Ever Need, Vol. I

2002

What Is It?

2002

Muzikizum

2002

Everything is Connected

2002

David Byrne: Live from Austin TX

2001

Envisioning Emotional Epistemological Information

2001

The New Sins

2001

Vinicius

2001

Look Into The Eyeball

2001

El Rey De La Rumba

2001

Political Flesh

2000

Mantra Mix

2000

Your Action World

1999

Onda Sonora: Red Hot + Lisbon

1999

In Spite of Wishing and Wanting

1999

Dressed Objects, Wedding Party

1998

Superego

1998

The Visible Man

1998

Feelings

1997

Silencio=Muerte: Red Hot + Latin

1997

Avalancha de Éxitos

1996

Red Hot + Rio

1996

Walking on Locusts

1996

Offbeat: A Red Hot Soundtrip

1996

Blue In The Face

1995

Strange Ritual

1995

Stairway To Heaven

1995

Better Living Through Chemistry

1995

Action Love Gods

1995

davidbyrne

1994

Sleepless Nights

1994

Summa Scientae Mundi

1994

Sacred Objects

1993

Caged/Uncaged

1993

Possessed

1992

Balanescu Quartet Plays Byrne, Moran, Lurie, Torke

1992

Uh-Oh

1992

Until the End of the World

1991

Individual Pictures

1991

The Forest

1991

Red Hot + Blue

1990

Rei Momo

1989

Ilé Aiyé (The House of Life)

1989

Like a Girl, I Want You to Keep Coming

1989

The Last Emperor

1987

Journal 100

Dec 31 2021

Mambo 101: Rule Of The Cool

by Todomundo

The late director Jonathan Demme and I planned to make a documentary about Prof Robert Farris Thompson, known as Master T, as we were both huge fans.

Aug 11 2020

Waldemar Bastos - Rest In Peace

by David Byrne

The great Angolan composer and singer passed away this week in Lisbon where he had lived for decades.

May 17 2019

The Human Connection

by David Byrne

After a sold-out, year-long critically acclaimed international tour, American Utopia will play a strictly limited engagement on Broadway at the intimate Hudson Theatre from October 4, 2019 through January 19, 2020, with the official opening set for October 20, 2019. Tickets on sale now.

Apr 2 2019

Dancing with the Incomprehensible

by Todomundo

In early March, I biked out to the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya from the center of the Mexican city of Mérida. I stopped regularly to take pictures.

Mar 20 2019

Democracy — What Would That Be Like?

by David Byrne

Our system is not a true representative government. The will of the majority of people in the US is not represented—except in those cases when the desires of the majority match the policies favored by the wealthy and powerful. Their interests are more often enacted into law. We, therefore, do NOT live in a democracy.

But, if we could live in a democracy, what would it be like?

Feb 1 2019

A Taste of the Chennai Music Festival

by David Byrne

After about a year of being on my own music tour I decided to stay in motion. So, in mid-December I flew to India and attended a few days of the Chennai Music Festival—also known as the December Season. In my all too brief visit, I only touched the surface; the festival goes on for a whole month.

Nov 1 2018

For Freedoms!

by David Byrne

William Scott’s work imagines a more loving and equal world; a place for all of us.

Jul 23 2018

Museums for All of Us

by David Byrne

Museums that implicitly present themselves by saying, "This is our culture, this is who we are," have an obligation to reflect what that culture is now. The definition is not static. Not every museum has defining culture as their mandate. Not every museum is trying to tell the national story, but for those that are, these are interesting times.

May 8 2018

Cultural Spaces: No Separation of Art and Life

by David Byrne

I found this lack of separation between work and personal obsession inspiring. Most private collection museums leave the source of the money that supports the acquisitions and exhibitions a mystery. But, in this case, the day-to-day work aspect of the collectors’ professional lives is right there in the open, intermingled with the artwork they love. The usual compartmentalization of aspects of one's life has been removed. Art and work, passionate interests and day-to-day business intermingle and presumably influence one another in some way.

Apr 13 2018

Cultural Spaces: Anahuacalli Museum, A Democratic Temple

by David Byrne

The Anahuacalli Museum is dark—like the inside of a temple—with lights in the recessed (volcanic stone!) vitrines and display areas. This creates a sense of exploration—a sense of less than completely mediated discovery. It’s an experience as much as it is a repository for objects.

Apr 6 2018

Cultural Spaces: Inhotim

by David Byrne

It was started by the mine owner and art collector Bernardo Paz as a space where he could show his collection. Then Brazilian artist Tunga suggested to him that he expand the idea by adding contemporary art, which he did, but more in the form of permanent installations than what one would encounter in a conventional museum. Therefore it feels a little more generous than the usual display of baubles amassed by a wealthy collector.

Apr 6 2018

Cultural Spaces: Introduction

by David Byrne

I LOVE to visit museums and cultural centers when I’m on tour. That said, I’m fairly skeptical about whether or not they always accomplish their stated aims. Some seem to do so admirably, and often with an innovative approach. While others, though frequently architecturally spectacular, function more as icons that brand a city or offer it some kind of status. This will be a series of posts and essays that will continue as I visit places all over the world while I’m on tour, and perhaps some answers might emerge.

Mar 28 2018

Porto Alegre, an unfinished city

by David Byrne

Our tour has taken us to South America. Periodic thoughts, reports and news from the road. A few days ago we played in Porto Alegre, Brazil to a wonderful audience in a funky warehouse space near the airport.

Feb 15 2018

Guns Are About Freedom: Our Freedom To Live

by David Byrne

This piece was originally posted on June 22, 2016. My friend's mother is a doctor in Florida—she has spent the last two days stitching up kids or pronouncing them dead. She is furious, mad as hell, as every citizen should be. If Congress cannot act according to the will of the people (see below), then they will need to be replaced by representatives who listen to us.

Jan 30 2018

How Do They Do It? Part 2.

by David Byrne

There is a transcendent feeling in being subsumed and surrendering to a group. This applies to sports, military drills, dancing… and group singing. We cling to our individuality, but we experience true ecstasy when we give it up.

Jan 19 2018

Alias: Steve Powers

by David Byrne

Artist Steve Powers did the artwork that is being used for my upcoming tour. I’ve known Steve for a while. Here’s the story.

Jan 16 2018

Testing Tour Tech

by David Byrne

The show concept is simple. Like the concept behind the show that was filmed for Stop Making Sense, the idea is super obvious and easy to describe. In that show, it was “bit by bit show what goes into making a show, and then activate it”. In this one, it is “allow everyone to be mobile on an empty stage” (and imagine what that allows).

Jan 13 2018

How Do They Do It?

by David Byrne

I’ve sat mesmerized watching online videos of the Canadian group Choir! Choir! Choir! They somehow manage to get hundreds of strangers to sing beautifully together, in tune, with full harmonies and a detailed arrangement. With almost no rehearsal—how do they do it?

Jan 12 2018

Dreamers

by David Byrne

I’ve been a fan of the work of what are called “outsider” artists for a long time. The hope, the longing and the need to imagine what could be is widespread, and manifests in so much of their work. They are dreamers—as are we all.

Jan 10 2018

test

by Todomundo

Oct 5 2017

The Secret Place Where Music Shows Get Made

by David Byrne

Why here? In the middle of Pennsylvania Dutch country?

Sep 21 2017

reasons to be cheerful test

by Todomundo

Aug 30 2017

Everyone Is A Creator: Afropunk Festival 2017

by David Byrne

This visually implied way of being says as much and maybe more than any words—words are words, but this is about how one can BE.

Aug 29 2017

The Mystery of the Egg Farm Tower

by David Byrne

On Indian Village Road in Penn Township, PA near Manheim, stands this tower.

Jun 15 2017

This Business of Show

by David Byrne

I’m thinking about the idea that much military action is not done to achieve its stated purpose, but is rather, in effect, a show, staged for an audience.

Jun 13 2017

Remember these faces. Remember their names.

by David Byrne

These Are Your Representatives Who Voted FOR Trump’s Combo Health Care/Tax Cut Bill.

May 23 2017

I’M MAKING A MUSICAL VARIETY SHOW AND YOU CAN TOO!

by David Byrne

On June 1st, a small creative team and I are putting on a variety show here in NYC… and I’m wondering if you can do it too, wherever you are.

May 15 2017

ELIMINATING THE HUMAN

by David Byrne

I have a theory that much recent tech development and innovation over the last decade or so has had an unspoken overarching agenda—it has been about facilitating the need for LESS human interaction. It’s not a bug—it’s a feature.

Apr 26 2017

JONATHAN DEMME REST IN PEACE

by David Byrne

My friend, the director Jonathan Demme, passed last night.

Apr 3 2017

What good are the Arts?

by David Byrne

Investment in the arts doesn't cost us money—it MAKES us money!

Feb 9 2017

A Society in Miniature

by David Byrne

What was Black Mountain College's secret sauce? One can’t help but wonder if there was a formula and if the kind of radical innovation that happened there and that was carried out into the world can be repeated, because, boy do we need more of these kinds of models of innovation today!

Jan 23 2017

A RESISTANCE WITH LAUGHS IS IRRESISTIBLE

by David Byrne

This was not MY sign, but it got many laughs. I went to the Women’s March in Washington on Saturday. It was…

Jan 18 2017

RIP WILLIAM ONYEABOR

by David Byrne

Played live, Onyeabor's music came to life—it was fresh and transcendent. Everyone felt it. We played it, but he created it. Wherever he's gone, it's sure to be a place with a lot of heart and some killer grooves. Rest In Peace.

Nov 14 2016

A FRIEND REACTS

by David Byrne

I have a Brazilian friend who lives in Brooklyn. She moved here a number of years ago after her father and brother were murdered in a drug related incident in Rio. Like a lot of immigrants she moved here in hopes of a better life.

Nov 7 2016

NOTHIN’ COULD BE FINE-AH THAN TO BE IN CAROLINA

by David Byrne

I went to Charlotte, North Carolina to do some get-out-the-vote work for a couple of days. Granted a couple of days might not seem like much, but elections turn on small results sometimes.

Aug 2 2016

WEIRD AMERICA

by David Byrne

I’m doing a talk with artist Steve Powers moderated by Tom Healy at the Brooklyn Museum this Thursday, August 4th… it’s called Weird America. Steve and I both love found poetry—often from the street—and sometimes we both have the ambitious aim to add something to that dialogue.

Jul 4 2016

THE WAY THINGS GO

by David Byrne

Lots of artists incorporate images and sounds from popular culture as a way of commenting on it. Warhol and Rauschenberg used to appropriate photos from newspapers and magazines for their work—Campbell’s soup was flattered and amused, others not so much, especially when the work started going for serious money.

Jun 29 2016

IT CAN’T HAPPEN HERE

by David Byrne

I was recently invited to contribute to Zoetrope: All-Story, a story and art quarterly published by Francis Ford Coppola, each edition of which is designed in its entirety by a leading artist and available exclusively in print.

Jun 22 2016

GUNS ARE ABOUT FREEDOM: OUR FREEDOM TO LIVE

by David Byrne

It’s not hopeless. No matter what some of my friends seem to imply, I firmly believe we can have gun control and reduce gun violence in this country. Allow me to be optimistic. At this point, any cause for hope is worth considering.

Jun 7 2016

HOW CHANGE HAPPENS

by David Byrne

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead. My new musical about Joan of Arc has me considering lots of so-called dissidents, heroes and revolutionaries. What drives them? When are...

Jun 3 2016

WE’RE BETTER THAN THIS! VOTE!

by David Byrne

I am saddened by the low level to which U.S. politics has sunk. The hate, vindictiveness, personal insults, racism, and pandering—it seems that the worst aspects of the internet have come to life and turned into flesh and blood. The causes are many, but now...

May 19 2016

WELL FOLKS, I’VE WRITTEN ANOTHER MUSICAL

by David Byrne

So, what is it about this time? This show is about Joan of Arc—a story everyone sort of knows, or knows something about anyway. Everyone certainly knows how it ends, which I like—it means that everything that happens will feel like an irrevocable tragic advance toward a preordained ending.

May 9 2016

IMAGINE THERE’S NO COUNTRIES

by David Byrne

I have a feeling the above line owes as much to Yoko as it does to Lennon, as she had been doing thought experiment art pieces long before Lennon’s song was written. I thought I’d try a similar thought experiment. Are we moving towards a world without borders? Is that a good thing?

Apr 12 2016

WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT SECURITY, ENCRYPTION, AND SECRECY!

by David Byrne

Thanks to those of you who took part in our little amateur survey. We got almost 500 responses, which is more than some political surveys! But we can’t claim that these results are in any way representative or scientific—that said, it was still a fun exercise and yielded somewhat informative results.

Apr 5 2016

KEEP ON FUNKIN’

by David Byrne

Some of you may not know who Bernie Worrell is. He was a lynchpin of Parliament Funkadelic and after that he collaborated with a lot of other musicians—like Talking Heads (that’s Bernie in Stop Making Sense), as well as some of my own projects like Catherine Wheel, the score for a Twyla Tharp dance theater project. The list is long.

Mar 30 2016

11 THINGS I LEARNED FROM THE HIERONYMUS BOSCH SHOW (I DECIDED TO TRY THIS POST DONE AS A LISTICLE!)

by David Byrne

I recently traveled to the small Dutch town of Den Bosch to The Noordbrabants Museum to see the largest assembly of work by Hieronymus Bosch ever assembled. This town was where Bosch spent his entire life—he lived on one side of the square and worked in his studio on the other.

Mar 25 2016

SECURITY, ENCRYPTION AND SECRECY: TAKE A SURVEY AND FIND OUT WHERE YOU STAND

by David Byrne

I’ve been thinking about this whole digital security and encryption mess that’s been in the headlines recently. As an interested citizen (and absolute amateur and non-expert), I’m trying to parse the various sides of this issue.

Feb 22 2016

VERNACULAR CULTURE AND NATIONALISM

by David Byrne

I have a bias towards the vernacular in many areas—in architecture, music, dress, song lyrics, food, and more. I think my bias stems from a possibly mistaken belief that the vernacular—things that we may take for granted and that we may think of as having no author or single creator...

Feb 1 2016

THE ECHO CHAMBER

by David Byrne

Not too long ago some friends were asking each other, “How are Trump supporters so seemingly unaware of his lies and bullshit, and the ridiculousness of many of his positions and ideas?” Lately it seems that anything that contradicts a passionate belief has become invisible.

Jan 3 2016

ARCAS: US AND THEM

by David Byrne

We traveled to the ARCAS Wildlife Rescue Center near Flores, Guatemala by boat—two boats actually: we took one across the lake to a deserted patch of shoreline where a hidden dock revealed itself and then, after a brief hike through the jungle...

Sep 9 2015

LIBRARY STILL LENDING

by Todomundo

Meltdown is over. The artists have moved on to their next gigs, the stages have been reset, and the Southbank Center is hosting another project. One aspect remains, however: the Lending Library is still open!

Sep 3 2015

MY FATHER’S FATHER, BY NOAH WALL

by Noah Wall

“What did (or do) you call your grandparents?” was the question I asked 100 friends and family members. My Father’s Father is a 5 song EP and accompanying short film featuring 217 spoken grandparent names.

Sep 2 2015

BARBARA HEPWORTH - NOT FREE, BUT ADAPTABLE

by David Byrne

I visited the Tate Britain last week, and took in the Barbara Hepworth show on the advice of others-I’m not usually a fan of that era of abstraction. But, to be honest, the work was lovely and, more to my taste, the wall descriptions described a process by which she and her husband and collaborator (Ben Nicholson) came to make the kinds of work they did.

Aug 10 2015

ATOMIC ANNOUNCEMENT

by David Byrne

Happy to say the lineup for the Meltdown version of the Atomic Bomb! band (who play the music of eccentric African musical pioneer William Onyeabor) is now confirmed. It’s one of the more exciting lineups we’ve ever had as this concept has had a number of iterations, so tickets are going fast.

Aug 2 2015

OPEN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY’S BLACK BOX

by David Byrne

THIS should be the greatest time for music in history — more of it is being found, made, distributed and listened to than ever before. That people are willing to pay for digital streaming is good news. In Sweden, where it was founded, Spotify saved a record industry that piracy had gutted.

Jul 6 2015

GROWTH, AUSTERITY, DEBT

by David Byrne

Like many, I've been following the mess that is the situation between Greece and the EU and the Troika — the European Commission, the European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. What a mess.

May 22 2015

WHAT DO WE SEE WHEN WE GO TO AN ART MUSEUM?

by David Byrne

Roberta Smith wrote about a Van Gogh show that just opened at the Met. It is a typical formal art analysis, rhapsodizing about brushstrokes and paint handling—which is such a tiny part of what art is about in my opinion...

Apr 28 2015

MELTING DOWN

by David Byrne

Hello all. I'm curating the Meltdown festival in London the last two weeks of August this year! It takes place at the Southbank Centre—a sprawling complex that includes three theaters, multiple lounges, bars, terraces and even a library where every music-related book I own will be available!

Apr 27 2015

CONTEMPORARY COLOR COLLABORATION PHASE

by David Byrne

I visited New Brunswick, NJ yesterday to be photographed with the Color Guard team Black Watch for a magazine feature on our Contemporary Color project. Dev Hynes is doing the music for this team’s performance, which is exciting.

Apr 21 2015

COLORGUARD AND THE FAILURE OF IRONY

by David Byrne

A group of us went to Dayton, Ohio to watch the World Colorguard Championships at the packed University of Dayton Arena. We’re on a trajectory pointing towards our Contemporary Color projects in Toronto & Brooklyn in June.

Apr 3 2015

CONTEMPORARY COLOR: THE PROCESS

by David Byrne

Our Contemporary Color spectacular is a project that doesn’t just come together at the last minute. It’s a long process, and part of that process took place two weekends ago. A group of us travelled to watch the Eastern Regional Championships—where all 10 of our teams competed!

Mar 16 2015

GOT TO BLUR IT UP

by David Byrne

I’m jumping into the fray on the Pharrell/Marvin Gaye copyright ruling. According to Lawrence Y. Iser, a well-known copyright lawyer, "This is a tricky case because while the two recordings do sound similar, the similarity is in the style, feel, tempo and groove, which are not covered by the copyright...

Mar 11 2015

NOMINATED!

by David Byrne

Fatboy Slim and I were nominated for an Olivier Award for Here Lies Love the other day. It’s sort of major—the equivalent of a Tony here in NY.

Jan 29 2015

RECENT ADS

by David Byrne

Sometimes an ad—usually on the street—stops me in my tracks. This is what they’re supposed to do. Sometimes the message is clear, if a little bold and surprising. Here is one that was up near the Holland tunnel entrance...

Dec 22 2014

GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM—AN AMSTERDAM DISCUSSION ABOUT MUSIC STREAMING (OCT. 19, 2014)

by David Byrne

I’m concerned that as streaming and subscription models become the dominant way we consume music (not just music, but soon all movies, books, television, video games, journalism—almost any creative content you can name), the amount of income from those services that trickles down to the content creators might not be enough for them to live on.

Dec 13 2014

TALES FROM HERE LIES LOVE

by David Byrne

Due to the way Here Lies Love is presented, with more than half the audience mingling on the floor as they would in a music or dance club, there are often interactions—some humorous, some disturbing—amongst audience members and sometimes between audience members and the cast. Here are a few of those...

Dec 12 2014

ONYEABOR EN MEXICO!

by David Byrne

I was thinking to myself that if we did something or said something to at least acknowledge our awareness and sympathy…this party crowd might not care. I was proved wrong.

Oct 27 2014

AN UNEXPECTED HISTORY LESSON AT THE RIJKSMUSEUM

by David Byrne

The Rijksmuseum museum in Amsterdam has recently reopened after about 10 years of renovation. It’s a giant palace-like structure at one end of a park, also bordered by the Stedelijk Museum of contemporary art, the Van Gogh Museum and the Concertgebouw symphony hall.

Oct 14 2014

RUSSIAN SURREALISM

by David Byrne

I joined Brian Eno and some others for an early morning (for us) look at the Malevich show at the Tate Modern. Mala Gaonkar, a Tate trustee who helped set this tour up, told me a story about contemporary Russia. She said that a web group is currently in charge of creating and spreading chaotic...

Oct 7 2014

I DON’T CARE ABOUT CONTEMPORARY ART ANYMORE?

by David Byrne

But now I’m wondering if economics might kill painting off this time, along with a number of other kinds of work that we sometimes think of as part of our culture.

Sep 19 2014

UK NEWS

by David Byrne

London and the South is dominated by old school politics and Tory conservatives, many of whom all went to school together—the English old boy network never really went away.

Sep 3 2014

SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS ARE SCOTTISH

by Todomundo

Frequenting his favorite London pubs, the English artist Paul Davis asked Scottish friends and strangers what they thought about the impending referendum on independence from the United Kingdom.

Aug 4 2014

THE STORY OF WILLIAM ONYEABOR AND HIS MISSING ITALIAN FRIEND

by Eric Welles Nyström

In the early 1980's, William Onyeabor was traveling the world. He was establishing his own record company, Wilfilms Limited, in his hometown of Enugu, Nigeria, and wanted to...

Jul 31 2014

EMMA BYRNE

by David Byrne

Emily Anderson Brown was born on the 18th of July, 1921 in Glasgow, Scotland to Sarah and William—nicknamed “Willie”—Brown, who painted railroad signals for a living.

Jul 28 2014

GAZA AND THE LOSS OF CIVILIZATION

by Brian

Between the two of them we got to see some harrowing things - Palestinian houses hemmed in by wire mesh and boards to prevent settlers throwing shit and piss and used sanitary towels at the inhabitants; Palestinian kids on their way to school being beaten by Israeli kids with baseball bats to parental applause and laughter...

Jul 28 2014

LICENSED!

by David Byrne

Last week, Billboard magazine asked for my opinion on some music licensing-related issues for an article they have just published. Due to space consideration, my long answers were trimmed for…

Jul 21 2014

CASTING THE WORLD

by David Byrne

A group of us were just in Manila to look for actors and singers for the London production of Here Lies Love. (We found some good ones!) Luisa Hinchliff from the...

Jul 15 2014

STOP MAKING DIGITAL SENSE

by David Byrne

Today the Jonathan Demme documentary of the Talking Heads concert (or four concerts, actually) that eventually became titled Stop Making Sense (after a lyric in the song “Girlfriend is Better”) is released digitally. That means...

Jun 11 2014

THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT

by David Byrne

There have been almost daily reports in the news about the battle between Amazon, U.S. publisher Hachette, and German media group Bonnier. Amazon's tactics are among the most ruthless in the world. Their typical mantra is, “We’re all powerful. You have no choice but to accept our heinous terms—or else.”

Jun 4 2014

CHINA!

by Todomundo

This post is written by our friend Sarah Caplan, who worked at Todomundo for many years on art and music projects. Some years ago she left and eventually moved to East Palo Alto, where she and her family live now.

May 29 2014

STRANGE WEATHER

by David Byrne

“Epic,” I think, is the word that is often used.

May 16 2014

BANDWIDTH AND NET NEUTRALITY

by David Byrne

It seems to me that the resurgent issue of net neutrality—whether all net traffic has an equal opportunity to go at the same speed—is very much related to bandwidth, with Netflix using 32.25% of the total web bandwidth of North American home users nightly, followed by BitTorrent, YouTube streaming, pirate sites and porn.

May 15 2014

GOOGLE IS EVIL

by David Byrne

I have a few Android devices, and I noticed the other day that my phone was not storing my recordings on the SD card. I use it to record memos for songwriting—it’s a great way to jot down ideas. Then I got a notice that the SD card was no longer available as a storage medium. WTF?

May 14 2014

DES MOINES

by David Byrne

On my way back to NY from LA, I stopped in Des Moines, Iowa to attend the opening of a joint called the Des Moines Social Club. A guy I met, Zachary Mannheimer—a Brooklyn transplant—has created this place that combines a restaurant, bar, theater, outdoor performance space, classrooms...

May 13 2014

ONYEABOR TOUR: FANTASTIC GIRL

by David Byrne

We did the Onyeabor show at the Greek Theatre in L.A. last Thursday night. It went incredibly well.

May 12 2014

ENGINEERING AT THE ROYAL BALL

by David Byrne

I’ll skip the red carpet stuff—the web is probably full of that. I was introduced to people I didn’t know—and some I did. I shook a lot of hands and tried to introduce myself and pronounce my name clearly.

May 12 2014

FROM THE ARCHIVES: MUSIC

by Jasper Berg

Welcome to the first edition of "From The Archives: Music." While maintaining the living archive here at Todomundo!, we often come across interesting, funny, contemplative and/or somewhat…

May 9 2014

DOWNTOWN! DOWNTOWN!

by David Byrne

A bunch of us are staying at the new Ace hotel here in downtown LA, as it’s relatively close to the Greek—where we’re doing the Onyeabor show tonight. I love downtown LA. This part of town is perennially being touted as an area ready to explode and revive, but it’s still a pleasant mess.

May 7 2014

ATOMIC BOMB: THE MUSIC OF WILLIAM ONYEABOR

by David Byrne

Last year, Luaka Bop released a compilation of the songs of William Onyeabor—Nigerian electro-funk musician, who created music in the '70s and '80s. It's been a dream to put together a band that could bring Onyeabor's music to life—and Luaka Bop, with Sinkane's Ahmed Gallab, has done it!

May 6 2014

HERE LIES LOVE CAST ALBUM OUT TODAY + LORTEL AWARD WINS!

by David Byrne

The cast album of Here Lies Love—with seven new songs—is out today on Nonesuch Records! As I've mentioned before, the physical package is gorgeous, and includes 2 CDs containing 26 songs, sung by the wonderful, original cast...

Apr 16 2014

DIGITAL BRASILIA

by Callan Lamb

Callan Lamb works at Kickstarter, lives in Clinton Hill, and is currently working on a young adult novel. This blog has been thinking and writing a lot about technology and music and security, and we thought it would be nice to switch gears and have some ideas about technology and design represented.

Apr 8 2014

GET IT!

by LeeAnn Rossi

LeeAnn Rossi from Todomundo went to the color guard world championships in Dayton, Ohio in April 2013. What, you may ask, is color guard? Well, it’s connected with drum line and marching band—but it’s really a thing unto itself.

Apr 1 2014

April Radio: The Chills

by Steven Reker

Here is a collection of songs I have been jamming to lately that in some way have had a physical effect on me. Sometimes I'd catch myself swaying in the subway and I would say to myself, "Ha! Oh no—I'm that guy now."

Mar 31 2014

HOW WILL THE WOLF SURVIVE: CAN MUSICIANS MAKE A LIVING IN THE STREAMING ERA?

by David Byrne

I have written elsewhere that it looks doubtful that musicians will be able to make much of a living from their recordings given the kind of pittance that trickles down from streaming services after record labels and others have taken their pieces of the pie.

Mar 24 2014

BREAKING UP WITH THE INTERNET

by David Byrne

About a month ago, I was asked to join some serious writers (Colin Toibin, Zadie Smith, etc.) at a reading. The theme we were given was "The Night We Called It A Day," and I applied that to something I'd been thinking about—what will the world be like AFTER the Internet?

Mar 13 2014

THIS PERFORMANCE SUBSIDIZED BY SWEAT EQUITY

by Annie-B Parson

I make dances for people for a living; I am a choreographer. I trade in movement, a highly unusual profession.

Mar 5 2014

BIG DATA, THE CYCLICAL UNIVERSE AND THE END OF SCIENCE

by David Byrne

I was reading a piece in Artforum by Mario Carpo on big data and how it is being used by a new wave of architects. He made some surprising comments that sort of blew my mind. He pointed out that for many hundreds of years, science has been about discovering the essences behind phenomena.

Mar 1 2014

March Radio: Accumulated Goodness

by David Byrne

It’s been quite a few months since I did a streaming playlist of the various contemporary songs I’ve been listening to.

Feb 27 2014

HERE LIES LOVE IN CHANCE MAGAZINE

by Todomundo

Chance is a new large-format photography magazine (this is only their second issue) that views the world "through the lens of theatrical design."

Feb 26 2014

THE STORY ABOUT THE SWEDISH MACHINES IN WILLIAM ONYEABOR’S BACKYARD

by Eric Welles Nyström

My name is Eric Welles Nyström and I work for Luaka Bop. Originally, I come from Sweden. William Onyeabor comes from Nigeria and you might wonder what any of those things might have to do with each other. That’s what I’m going to tell you now.

News 100

Dec 10 2018

Stop Making Sense to Be Re-Released in Theaters for 40th Anniversary

David Byrne dons his oversized grey suit in a new trailer for the 4K restoration

Mar 1 2023

David Byrne Presents: Turkey Is Amazing

Mar 1 2023

David Byrne Presents: Turkey Is Amazing

Feb 1 2023

David Byrne Presents: Music for Valentines

Feb 1 2023

David Byrne Presents: Music for Valentines

Jan 1 2023

David Byrne Presents: Stompin’ Brass for a New Year

Jan 1 2023

David Byrne Presents: Stompin’ Brass for a New Year

Dec 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Gospel for the Holidays

Dec 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Gospel for the Holidays

Nov 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: The Heart of Arabia

Nov 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: The Heart of Arabia

Oct 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Latin Pop Explosion

Oct 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Latin Pop Explosion

Sep 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Tango

Sep 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: tango

Aug 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Tomorrow’s Hits Today

Aug 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Tomorrow’s Hits Today

Jul 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Dub-Society Tearing Itself Apart

Jul 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Dub-Society Tearing Itself Apart

Jun 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Psychedelia Lives!

Jun 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Psychedelia Lives!

May 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Brazil in the 21st century

May 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Brazil in the 21st century

Apr 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Getting Ready For Jazz Fest

Apr 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Getting Ready For Jazz Fest

Mar 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: ¡La Chiva Maravillosa! Colombia!

Mar 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: ¡La Chiva Maravillosa! Colombia!

Feb 1 2022

DAVID BYRNE PRESENTS: FANTASTIC FRENCH FOR FEBRUARY

Feb 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Fantastic French for February

Jan 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Mambo’s for Master T

Jan 1 2022

MAMBO 101: RULE OF THE COOL

Jan 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Mambo’s for Master T

Dec 31 2021

Mambo 101: Rule Of The Cool

Dec 1 2021

David Byrne Radio: Cumbia For The Holidays!

Dec 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: Cumbia For The Holidays!

Nov 1 2021

David Byrne Radio: Heavy Rotation

Nov 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: Heavy Rotation

Oct 1 2021

David Byrne Radio: This Is African Music?!

Oct 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: This Is African Music?!

Sep 1 2021

David Byrne Radio: Songs That Make Me Cry

Sep 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: Songs That Make Me Cry

Aug 1 2021

David Byrne Radio: Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong

Aug 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong

Jul 1 2021

DAVID BYRNE RADIO: (SOME OF) MY FAVORITE INSTRUMENTALS

Jul 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: (Some Of) My Favorite Instrumentals

Jun 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: The Music Didn’t Stop

Jun 1 2021

David Byrne Radio: The Music Didn’t Stop

May 1 2021

David Byrne Radio Presents: My Old School Dance Party

May 1 2021

David Byrne Radio Presents: My Old School Dance Party

Apr 1 2021

David Byrne Radio: The Sound Of New York

Apr 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: The Sound Of New York

Mar 22 2021

DB X THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS PODCAST

Mar 18 2021

DB x The Science of Happiness podcast

Episode 87: David Byrne on How Music Connects Us

Mar 1 2021

DAVID BYRNE PRESENTS: NEW NEW

Mar 1 2021

DAVID BYRNE RADIO PRESENTS: NEW NEW

Feb 28 2021

David Byrne Presents: The New New

Feb 23 2021

Where To Watch American Utopia on Broadway

Feb 23 2021

Watch American Utopi‪a‬ on Broadway from home!

AMERICAN UTOPIA is now available in the US and Canada for digital rental and digital purchase/download on major internet VOD platforms (such as iTunes, Amazon, Vudu, & Google Play) and major cable VOD platforms (such as AT&T Uverse, DirecTV, Verizon Fios, & Cox).

Feb 4 2021

DAVID BYRNE PRESENTS: FOOD FOR LOVE

Feb 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: Food For Love

Jan 31 2021

David Byrne Presents: Food For Love

Jan 1 2021

DAVID BYRNE PRESENTS: LATIN ALTERNATIVE NOW

Jan 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: Latin Alternative Now

Radio 100

Jul 1 2024

David Byrne Radio Presents: Todo El Mundo

See what you think!

Jun 1 2024

David Byrne Radio Presents: Everyone Does Everything (Afro Psychedelic 2.0)

I’ve mixed some well known songs and some from lesser known artists.

May 1 2024

David Byrne Radio Presents: How?

How?

Apr 1 2024

David Byrne Radio Presents: Khruangbin Walk In mix

I was invited to do some walk-in music for a small Khruangbin show on March 27th at the Bowery Ballroom in advance of their upcoming tour -

Mar 1 2024

David Byrne Radio Presents: Nigeria!

Nigeria!

Feb 1 2024

David Byrne Radio Presents: Who Needs Words?

A playlist of beautiful instrumental music.

Jan 1 2024

David Byrne Radio Presents: South Africa, Musical Powerhouse

South African music has had another resurgence recently, one of many over the years.

Dec 1 2023

David Byrne Radio Presents: Now and Then

As evidenced from this playlist, the range of styles and combinations is astounding.

Nov 1 2023

David Byrne Presents: Flamenco Every Which Way

Here’s a playlist of what might be called flamenco pop -

Oct 1 2023

David Byrne Presents: Looking Inward

Some listeners might find that these songs are sad, and there’s truth to that. But there is also comfort and balm in feeling and recognizing the feelings and questions we all have in common.

Sep 1 2023

David Byrne Presents: Covered Up

Some familiar versions and some surprises here I hope!

Aug 1 2023

David Byrne Presents: August

August: venerable, majestic, noble

Jul 1 2023

David Byrne Presents: Latin Pop Conquers The World

The colonies strike back!

Jun 1 2023

David Byrne Presents: Here Lies Love Musical Inspirations

The immersive disco musical I wrote with Fatboy Slim is coming to Broadway (previews begin June 17th)!

May 1 2023

David Byrne Presents: Ethiopian Jazz

Ethiopian Jazz!

Apr 1 2023

David Byrne Presents: April Fools!

No comments. Enjoy

Mar 1 2023

David Byrne Presents: Turkey Is Amazing

The energy and creativity in these recordings is, to say the least, very inspiring.

Feb 1 2023

David Byrne Presents: Music for Valentines

Who was Saint Valentine?

Jan 1 2023

David Byrne Presents: Stompin’ Brass for a New Year

I’ve posted some of these before but also added some updated tracks as well!

Dec 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Gospel for the Holidays

Gospel music is about ecstasy, transcendence, joy and perseverance.

Nov 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: The Heart of Arabia

This is far from exhaustive, or even completely representative - but here’s a playlist of passionate, innovative and rhythmic Arabic music from all over.

Oct 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Latin Pop Explosion

The latin pop in this playlist has pretty much crossed over into mainstream -

Sep 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: tango

This playlist highlights tango from the last 50 years including the radical reinventions of Astor Piazzola to the present day of electronic tango and a lot more.

Aug 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Tomorrow’s Hits Today

There are lots of incredible new songs and new music appearing all the time... This playlist is the evidence.

Jul 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Dub-Society Tearing Itself Apart

Is Jamaican dub one of the prime roots of hip hop?

Jun 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Psychedelia Lives!

Here’s a psychedelic playlist

May 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Brazil in the 21st century

Here are 3 hours of some of the Brazilian music I’ve been listening to -

Apr 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Getting Ready For Jazz Fest

Jazz fest in NOLA isn’t until the very end of April, but since I missed doing a playlist for Mardi Gras I thought at least I could do one for Jazz Fest.

Mar 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: ¡La Chiva Maravillosa! Colombia!

Colombia has an incredible variety of music.

Feb 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Fantastic French for February

I could have gone in many directions with this playlist.

Jan 1 2022

David Byrne Presents: Mambo’s for Master T

Professor Robert Farris Thompson passed away in November, and this playlist is dedicated to him.

Dec 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: Cumbia For The Holidays!

Who doesn’t like cumbia?!

Nov 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: Heavy Rotation

The artists on this playlist are innovative and talented, and I can only hope that there is a way for them to continue their work and make a living doing it.

Oct 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: This Is African Music?!

About a month or so ago, I went down a rabbit hole of contemporary African music.

Sep 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: Songs That Make Me Cry

Why do we like this? Why do we luxuriate in sadness and heartbreak?

Aug 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong

Why do we love nonsense syllables in pop music?

Jul 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: (Some Of) My Favorite Instrumentals

(Some Of) My Favorite Instrumentals

Here is a collection of instrumentals that cover a wide range of genres- pop, classical, jazz and country.

Jun 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: The Music Didn’t Stop

An eclectic selection- mostly songs that came out within the last year...

May 1 2021

David Byrne Radio Presents: My Old School Dance Party

In the 80s I used to make mixtapes for myself to dance to. Partly for exercise, and partly to see if I happened to fall into some interesting and evocative movement - moves that I might use in a performance eventually. Often I would alternate Celia Cruz songs and Kanda Bongo Man mixtapes, but in this playlist you’ll find a lot of the old school disco funk that set me in motion.

Apr 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: The Sound Of New York

So, although much of this creative explosion happened in 70s New York, it resonated and had a huge influence in the decades that followed. Some of those artists who surely would not have been who they are without salsa and Fania are in this playlist as well.

Feb 28 2021

David Byrne Presents: The New New

Some amazing songs, innovation, and heart here...hope you are moved by some of it.

Feb 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: Food For Love

February 13th (Valentines Day Eve), some musician friends of mine, and many I’ve never met, are doing a virtual concert to raise money for meals for New Mexico’s hardest hit.

Jan 31 2021

David Byrne Presents: Food For Love

Jan 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: Latin Alternative Now

In 2019 I went to Mexico City to join Cafe Tacuba for one song in their second MTV Unplugged show- I’m a big fan of what they do and the unplugged show did not disappoint- almost every song was in a different style! Gustavo Santaolallia was musical director- he’s also exec producer of the Break It All TV series, so, it’s all connected. I also got to meet Natalia LaFourcade who is also featured on this playlist and on a recent song exploder episode.

Dec 1 2020

David Byrne Presents: A Change Is Gonna Come

Here’s to Hoping...

Nov 1 2020

David Byrne Presents: Samba

Whatever happens here in the US this November, we have to go on feeling our hips and dancing with one another. Here is a playlist that I hope will help with that.

Oct 1 2020

David Byrne Presents: Uncovered

There’s a difference between recording or performing a song not written by oneself and doing a cover version.

Oct 1 2020

David Byrne Presents: Uncovered

Oct 1 2020

David Byrne Presents: Uncovered

Sep 1 2020

David Byrne Presents: Crazy Glitchy Cool

Here’s a genre that has emerged in the last 20 years or so- and continues to gather steam.

Aug 1 2020

David Byrne Presents: The World’s Inspiration- Africa

Africa is big and diverse - to group songs from the whole continent together is insane - it would be like a playlist that includes Bluegrass, Hip hop, EDM, metal, ambient and gospel.

Jul 1 2020

David Byrne Presents: What We Need Now - Contemporary Gospel

You might not be a believer, you might not be a Christian, but you don't have to be to love this music and feel its power.

Jun 1 2020

David Byrne Presents: Themes

Movie themes, TV themes. Do they all have anything in common?

May 1 2020

David Byrne Presents: Neverending Flow

I am forever and always astounded at the never ending inventive flow from my fellow musicians and songwriters.

Apr 1 2020

David Byrne Presents: “Andean Ocean 2” by Javelin

Javelin (not to be confused with the metal band of the same name) is a band who have released records through Luaka Bop. They also create mixtape-collages and have generously offered that we can stream the latest one, Andean Ocean II here. It is one hour long, no breaks. Below is an explanation in their own words how these have evolved.

-David Byrne

Mar 1 2020

David Byrne Presents: “Catching Up”

short playlist of stuff I've recently added, or uplisted. some old some new.

Jan 31 2020

David Byrne Presents: Masters of Soundtracks - Ennio Morricone

Morricone wrote at least 400 film soundtracks and 100 pieces of classical music. Mind boggling.

Jan 1 2020

David Byrne Presents: Orchestral Jazz

Jazz, like any musical genre, was shaped by external forces- race, wars, technology, economics, laws- it both reflected and was molded by all of that.

Dec 31 2019

David Byrne Presents: Orchestral Jazz

Jazz, like any musical genre, was shaped by external forces- race, wars, technology, economics, laws- it both reflected and was molded by all of that.

Dec 1 2019

David Byrne Presents: abstract- pop

Here's a playlist and a proposition- is music coming apart at the seams, shattering into shards, fragmenting like a distorting mirror or some kind of cubist abstract painting?

Nov 1 2019

David Byrne Presents: Indie Pop

A short playlist of recent releases that might fall under the category - Indie Pop.

Oct 1 2019

David Byrne Presents: Masters of Soundtracks - Bernard Herrmann

Herrmann is best known for the many Hitchcock soundtracks he did.

Sep 1 2019

David Byrne Presents: Masters of Soundtracks - Nino Rota

I’m thinking of doing a series of playlists focusing on the great soundtrack composers- both current and classic. Thought I’d start with one of my favorites - Nino Rota.

Aug 1 2019

David Byrne Presents: Under the Covers

Here's a playlist of songs covered by unexpected artists who step outside their usual genre for material and and then personalize it. Often, their interpretation gives the song a new meaning...and sometimes the cover is the version we associate with the song, even though the song may have been recorded and released previously by the artist who wrote it.

Jul 1 2019

David Byrne Presents: I Am My Own Algorithm

Here’s recent stuff that’s in my current playlist. Not everything is current, but there are some artists I suspect you have not heard of.

Jun 1 2019

David Byrne Presents: The Funky Broadway

When I moved to New York, I worked for a while as an usher in a movie theater on East 34th Street. Once in a while, I had the job of taking the tickets, receipts, or sometimes the reels of film in big cans to the chain headquarters further uptown. Broadway! This street was famous, I thought to myself, it’s in songs and movies, and now I’m walking on it!

May 1 2019

David Byrne Presents: Anatolia!

I picked up a Barış Manço CD when I was on tour in Istanbul decades ago and that opened a world for me. I realized that the psychedelic funk explosion I grew up with was truly a worldwide phenomena and I presumed there must be more that I had yet to encounter.

Apr 1 2019

David Byrne Presents: Fuji!

Fuji is a genre of Nigerian music that really exploded there in the 80s. The first song I ever heard in this genre was "Fuji Garbage," which is great and has some amazing lap steel playing. Very cool and incredibly fast!

Mar 1 2019

David Byrne Presents: Orphans

This month's playlist is made of songs that somehow dropped off my posted playlists in the last year or so...so, it’s an eclectic bunch.

Feb 1 2019

David Byrne Presents: A Taste of the Chennai Music Festival

After about a year of being on my own music tour I decided to stay in motion. Sometimes stopping cold turkey can be a bit of shock. So, in mid-December I flew to India and attended a few days of the Chennai Music Festival—also known as the December Season. In my all too brief visit, I only touched the surface.

Jan 1 2019

David Byrne Presents: The Soup of Love—Bollywood and Tamil Favorites

One of the signatures of Indian cinema are the complex, epic, and heavily choreographed songs and dances...

Dec 1 2018

David Byrne Presents: Eclectic for the Holidays

So...who recommends this stuff to me?

Nov 1 2018

David Byrne Presents: The Power of Song to Give Voice is Eternal

Not too many years ago there was a spate of newspaper and magazine articles asking where all the “protest” songs were. Well, here they are... about 60 years worth, non-stop. They never went away—in fact, they now come from all directions in every possible genre—country songs, giant pop hits, hip hop, classic rock, indie and folk.

Oct 1 2018

David Byrne Presents: Salsa, son y mas

I began to realize that though much of it is about joy and dancing, there are plenty of songs that express a deep melancholy, while still musically insisting that we dance. To me this was profound—the "illness" and it's cure came in the same package! What other medium can be two apparently opposite things at once?

Sep 5 2018

David Byrne Presents: Conscious Dance

Writing songs that deal directly with social justice and contemporary issues is hard—at least it is for me. Hearing these incredibly catchy songs made me realize pop music could be danceable and conscious at the same time. These songs are hugely inspirational even if I might have to continue on my search of how to do this in my own way.

Aug 1 2018

David Byrne Presents: Alt Latin

There's no plan or order to this playlist other than it's songs I like by artists I like—some are old and some are very new.

Jul 2 2018

David Byrne Presents: On The Road

This month's playlist contains a lot of stuff I've added to my Spotify lists while on the road...recommendations from Bobby Wooten and elsewhere.

Jun 1 2018

David Byrne Presents: American Utopia Family Favorites

This month's DB Radio features favorite songs from some of the American Utopia band, crew and creative team.

May 1 2018

David Byrne Presents: Pop Music

Are pop songs any good?

Apr 1 2018

David Byrne Presents: American Utopia World Tour Opening Acts

Last month, I announced the opening acts on my tour and this month I’d like to introduce you to more of their music.

Mar 1 2018

David Byrne Presents: 1 + 1 = 3 — When Collaboration Works

I have a new album out this month called American Utopia. I wrote and recorded it over a two year period and its evolution involved a lot of collaborators. Some were old friends and some were completely new to me. This playlist is a sample of their own work.

Feb 1 2018

David Byrne Presents: The Beautiful Shitholes

Here’s a playlist that gives just the smallest sample of the depth and range of creativity that continues to pour out of the countries in Africa and the Caribbean. It is undeniable. Can music help us empathize with its makers?

Jan 10 2018

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Jan 1 2018

David Byrne Presents: Gospel

You don’t need to believe to love gospel music. This playlist covers many decades of recordings, but here’s the most recent picks from my personal playlist. Here are the roots of rock and roll, RnB and hip hop. This music is about transcendence and community. It’s about surrendering to something bigger than yourself, and in doing so, there is ecstasy and joy. Happy New Year!

Dec 1 2017

David Byrne Presents: Arabia

Here’s a playlist that includes a few Yasmine Hamdan songs and exciting, energetic and beautiful songs from the Middle East and the Maghreb—both new and old. Some of these are songs Brian Eno and I were listening to around the time we did the Bush of Ghosts album many years ago, others are from the last year or so.

Nov 1 2017

David Byrne Presents: One Year Later

The presidential election in the U.S. was a year ago. These are some of the pop songs I’ve been listening to in recent months as this strange anniversary approaches.

Oct 1 2017

Off-site! Musical Explorations of Place

A mix by Noah Wall

Sep 1 2017

Double Happiness Presents: A Friendship Mix

Wyatt and Hayden of Double Happiness share a mix about friendship for this month's radio.

Aug 1 2017

Working Women Present: Crown Shyness

The NYC based DJ collective Working Women for August Radio!

Jul 1 2017

July in Brazil

David Byrne's Brazilian music picks for July.

Jun 1 2017

Every Song Is A Love Song

A playlist of love songs by Steph Smith.

May 1 2017

David Byrne Presents: The How Music Works Playlist

To celebrate the 2017 edition of How Music Works published by Three Rivers Press, this month's radio is a mix of songs referenced throughout the book. The edition includes a new chapter on curation that explores four ways we discover music in the digital age: recommendation by experts, by the music itself, by social and cultural forces, and by narrative and context.

Apr 1 2017

David Byrne Presents: What You Talkin’ Bout?

A playlist about surprising recent innovation in musical subject matter.

Mar 1 2017

Bill Ross Presents: Contemporary Color Roadtrip

My name is Bill Ross and I recently made a film with my brother and David. In the year leading up to the Contemporary Color shows, the three of us traveled a lot together to film and meet the color guard teams...

Feb 1 2017

Noah Wall Presents: Winter Mix!

Brusque transitions!
Songs of Winter, Spring, and Summer!
Bobby McFerrin before Don’t Worry, Be Happy!
A bowed metal fence in Australia!

Dec 1 2016

Jace Clayton Presents: Uproot for DB Radio!

This month Jace Clayton, AKA DJ Rupture, presents a playlist inspired by his new book Uproot: Travels in 21st-Century Music and Digital Culture.

Sep 1 2016

NAN N N N N

September's installment of DB Radio is a beautiful mix by Sarah Jones (of Pillow Person and Hot Chip). The mix is inspired by Sarah's grandmother, Josefina Suñé, who was a sword fighter from Bilbao that helped refugee children flee the Spanish Civil war, and immigrate to England. Mrs. Suñe loved flamenco, copla and other traditional Spanish music, and without knowing how to speak English, came to communicate with her granddaughter through music.

Aug 1 2016

August Radio: Music Recorded on a Cell Phone!

August radio is an archived recording of David and Eric's live Pitchfork Radio show that consists wholly of songs recorded on a cell phone!

Jul 1 2016

Summer Mix!

This month's DB radio comes to us from Noah Wall! The title says it all: the vibe is classic summer; a multiform mix of soul, post-punk, funk, and dub-influenced tunes from all over in the mostly early-ish eighties. Yeah!

Jun 1 2016

Current Events

Some of this is mainstream—Drake and Beyoncé are top of the charts, whatever that means now—but quality-wise it’s nice that there isn’t a big discontinuity between them and some new or less-well-known artists.

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