Many Voices: A world music podcast

Dr Patrick Savage (author of "Comparative musicology", 2026, Oxford U. Press)
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  • Music Interviews
  • Updated Weekly

Some call music “the universal language”. But how many songs do you know in one of the world’s 6,000+ languages besides English? Every week, Dr Patrick Savage asks a guest who speaks one of those languages to share six songs from their own culture: old and new; happy and sad; music that makes you want to dance and want to sing. He also asks their thoughts on the science behind the world’s musical diversity. By understanding the diverse meanings and power of music around the world, we learn that music may not be a universal language, but it can bring us together when words fail.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    #6 Indigenous Guaraní music from Brazil with Brenda Suyanne Barbosa

    For today’s episode of “Many Voices”, I was delighted to welcome our guest, Brenda Suyanne Barbosa, to teach us about the Guaraní music of her culture. Born in Brazil, Brenda has recently moved to Germany to pursue a PhD at the University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar, where she is also a Research Associate in Transcultural Studies.I’ve previously collaborated with Brenda on scientific experiments comparing singing and speaking across languages, but I really enjoyed hearing her beautiful singing voice and hearing more about her upbringing and what Guaraní music means to her. I was fascinated to learn how young Guaraní are adapting hip-hop musical and visual culture to Guaraní contexts, using warpaint and feathers as symbols of resistance against political and environmental oppression. Brenda explained how Guaraní dance is inseparable from music and life, even being used to train children to move silently through the jungle. I also loved hearing Brenda’s thoughts on combining science with Indigenous knowledge to understand the value of music for bringing us together. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Brenda as much as I did! Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 02:06 1 (sing): Apykaxu - Guaraní traditional, sung by Brenda Suyanne Barbosa 06:40 2 (traditional): Ñande Reko Arandu - Memória Viva Guarani Children’s Choir (https://youtu.be/l469uaunv6A) 09:24 3 (contemporary): Resistência Nativa - Brô Mc's, OZ Guarani, Owerá Mc (https://youtu.be/G-TqAeyj4_s) 14:01 4/5 (happy/dancing): Xondaro / Xondaria dance - Lucas Keese, Centro de Trabalho Indigenista (CTI) Programa Guarani (https://youtu.be/4FbUVwDwp9U) 17:38 6 (sad): Flor E O Beija-Flor - Marília Mendonça (https://youtu.be/Ukb0vLbg53g) 20:04 Broader thoughts on music, science, and Guaraní culture Credits: Recorded 19 March 2026 Guest: Brenda Suyanne Barbosa Presenter/producer/editor: Dr Patrick SavageIntro/outro music: "Hearing music evolve" (Patrick Savage, Hideo Daikoku, Marin Naruse, The HU, Timbaland, Gakuto Chiba, et al., https://youtu.be/Qe1R-R1-Q7A) Many Voices logo design: Dr Florence Nweke

    31 min
  2. #5 Hebrew music from Israel with Dr Nori Jacoby (Cornell University)

    Jun 4

    #5 Hebrew music from Israel with Dr Nori Jacoby (Cornell University)

    For today’s episode of “Many Voices”, I was delighted to get to chat in person with Dr Nori Jacoby (https://norijacoby.com) from Cornell University while we were both in the Netherlands for a symposium about music and evolution. I enjoyed hearing Nori share music from his own performance of thousand-year-old songs to contemporary songs adapting rap to teach the ancient Hebrew alphabet. Nori is one of the world’s leading scientists in the cross-cultural study of musical diversity, and one of the smartest scientists I know. But his scientific articles are usually focused on technical details and don’t give a sense of his personal background or his talents as a composer and performer, so it was a real treat to hear this side of him too. It was also special to hear about the complex ways he wrestled with questions about music, science, and cultural identity as a secular Israeli raised speaking Hebrew and now living in the USA, and the hopes he had that music might help bridge some of the deep divides in his homeland during these troubled times of war in the Middle East. I hope you also enjoy hearing Nori share his music and personal story. For more information on Nori’s research, composing, and performing, visit https://norijacoby.com. And as always, for playlists with full recordings of music from these and other Many Voices episodes, visit http://many-voices.com, where you can also find links to YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Tune in next week for our next episode with Brenda Suyanne Barbosa sharing the music of her Indigenous Guaraní culture from Brazil. And please like and subscribe to help us keep the whole world singing! Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:32 1 (meaningful): “Laila” (https://youtu.be/SIdljPIHYr8) 07:14 2 (traditional): “Moshe” - Tafillalt (https://youtu.be/SCmWXvo3XOs) 13:08 3 (contemporary): “The Aleph-bet song” (Hosha'ana) - Victoria Hanna (https://youtu.be/Bl1epz3tSSA) 16:07 4 (happy): “The Princess and the Hedgehog” (excerpt) - Nori Jacoby (https://youtu.be/playlist?list=PLDA0E15B98880AB9E) 18:44 5 (sad): “Let Me Hear Your Voice” / “השמיעני” - Victoria Hanna (https://youtu.be/C4a8bpss9Ng&t=109) 21:49 6 (dance): “Adir Adirim” (feat. Victoria Hanna) - Balkan Beat Box (https://youtu.be/2Dgt27ILk8g) 26:37 Broader thoughts on music, science, and identity Credits: Recorded on April 19 2026 in Leiden, the Netherlands Guest: Dr Nori Jacoby Presenter/producer/editor: Dr Patrick Savage Intro/outro music: "Hearing music evolve" (Patrick Savage, Hideo Daikoku, Kenta Ueda, Yoichi Kitayama, Marin Naruse, The HU, Timbaland, Gakuto Chiba, Sona Jobarteh, et al., https://youtu.be/Qe1R-R1-Q7A) Many Voices logo design: Dr Florence Nweke

    50 min
  3. #4: Japanese music with Dr Gakuto Chiba (national Tsugaru shamisen champion)

    May 14

    #4: Japanese music with Dr Gakuto Chiba (national Tsugaru shamisen champion)

    For today’s episode of “Many Voices”, I was delighted to welcome our guest, Dr Gakuto Chiba, to teach us about min’yo (folk songs) and other music from Japan. Gakuto had just graduated a few days earlier with his PhD from Keio University Shonan Fujisawa Campus, where I had the honour to be his PhD supervisor. But Gakuto is not just a researcher - he is also the reigning national champion on the Tsugaru-shamisen, a 3-stringed instrument part of the same broad lute family of instruments like the guitar and the oud. Gakuto’s PhD research has explored the science of traditional folk music in Japan and around the world, including how performers like himself have to rely on visual appeal as well as musical virtuosity to win competitions. Gakuto shared some classic folk song bangers like “Soran Bushi” from his homeland of Hokkaido in the cold north of Japan, but also some more contemporary music like “Gimme Choco” from metal/J-pop fusion band BABYMETAL. Gakuto made an eloquent case for why traditional Japanese music and culture is as important as ever in the modern age. 千葉先生、今日はありがとうございました！ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:55 Opening excerpt: "津軽じょんがら節" (Tsugaru Jongarabushi) - performed by Gakuto Chiba (https://youtu.be/cHQBG84DiQs) 02:53 1 (meaningful): “ソーラン節” (Soran Bushi) - sung by Gakuto Chiba (see https://youtu.be/4_FeMek7A4I) 06:26 2 (traditional): "江差追分" (Esashi Oiwake) - sung in 1943 by "a local fisherman with shakuhachi accompanist" (https://theglobaljukebox.org/song/364) 08:24 3 (contemporary): "炭坑節" (Tanko Bushi) - performed by the Minyo Crusaders (https://youtu.be/BMIbQz20524) 09:57 4 (happy): "上を向いて歩こう" (aka "Sukiyaki") - Kyu Sakamoto (https://youtu.be/F284iB65-QU) 11:36 5 (sad): "最後の雨" (Last Rain) - Yasushi Nakanishi (https://youtu.be/yRXvNN6pGSw) 13:04 6 (dance): "ギミチョコ" (Gimme Chocolate) - BABYMETAL (https://youtu.be/rt9bEzh5r-Y) 14:21 7 (bonding): "東京音頭" (Tokyo Ondo) - sung by Naoyuki Harada (https://youtu.be/t2ItkC2zQG0) 16:38 Broader thoughts on music, science, and Japan Credits: Recorded on 30 March 2026 Guest: Dr Gakuto Chiba Presenter/producer/editor: Dr Patrick Savage Intro/outro music: "Hearing music evolve" (Patrick Savage, Hideo Daikoku, Kenta Ueda, Yoichi Kitayama, Marin Naruse, The HU, Timbaland, Gakuto Chiba, Sona Jobarteh, et al., https://youtu.be/Qe1R-R1-Q7A) Many Voices logo design: Dr Florence Nweke

    22 min
  4. #1: Cantonese songs from Hong Kong with Prof Psyche Loui (President, Soc. Music Perception & Cognition)

    May 5

    #1: Cantonese songs from Hong Kong with Prof Psyche Loui (President, Soc. Music Perception & Cognition)

    For the first episode of “Many Voices: A world music podcast”, I sat down with Society for Music Perception and Cognition President Professor Psyche Loui while we were both in the Netherlands for a symposium about music and evolution. Born in Hong Kong, Psyche has become one of the world’s leading neuroscientists of music, while still staying active performing the violin. I enjoyed hearing Psyche share a wide range of Cantonese music, from sad or nostalgic songs like “Butterfly Lovers” about star-crossed lovers, to up-beat dance songs like Kelly Chen’s “Baby Cat” and karaoke anthems like “Red Sun”. It was also great to hear Psyche’s thoughts on music science, Cantonese language and culture, and her forthcoming book titled “Strange Scales”. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Psyche as much as I did!For more information on Psyche’s research, visit https://www.psycheloui.com. For playlists with full recordings of music from these and other Many Voices episodes, visit http://many-voices.com, where you can also find links to YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Tune in next time to hear Danya Pavlovich sharing the music of her Indigenous Māori culture from Aotearoa New Zealand. And please like and subscribe to help us keep the whole world singing!Timestamps:0:00 Introduction02:35 1 (meaningful): “約定” - 王菲 (https://youtu.be/ygf2uiEUg64) 09:49 2 (traditional): “梁祝” - 粤语版 (https://youtu.be/4knghfDXp7I) 12:04 3 (contemporary): “第二最愛” - 古巨基 (https://youtu.be/W3v8TMziodY) 13:32 4 (happy): “紅日” - 李克勤 (https://youtu.be/2-rGtcdl5aE) 15:12 5 (sad): “友共情” - 古巨基 (https://youtu.be/FKIYnSS6zK0) 16:40 6 (dance): "Baby Cat" - 陳慧琳 (https://youtu.be/a5hSHANesbU) 19:07 Broader thoughts on music, science, and Cantonese cultureCredits:Recorded on April 23, 2026 in Leiden, the NetherlandsGuest: Prof Psyche LouiPresenter/producer/editor: Dr Patrick SavageIntro/outro music: "Hearing music evolve" (Patrick Savage, Hideo Daikoku, Kenta Ueda, Yoichi Kitayama, Marin Naruse, The HU, Timbaland, Gakuto Chiba, Sona Jobarteh, et al., https://youtu.be/Qe1R-R1-Q7A)Many Voices logo design: Dr Florence Nweke

    29 min
  5. #3: Maasai & Swahili songs from Kenya with Mark Lenini Parselelo (Memorial University)

    Apr 5

    #3: Maasai & Swahili songs from Kenya with Mark Lenini Parselelo (Memorial University)

    For today’s episode of Many Voices, I was delighted to welcome our guest, Mark Lenini Parselelo, to tell us about the music of his Maasai community. Born in Kenya, Mark moved to Canada to pursue a PhD in Ethnomusicology at Memorial University of Newfoundland. I really enjoyed hearing Mark share music ranging from traditional Maasai lullabies learned from his grandmother, to the jumping adumu dance of moran warriors, to contemporary fusion songs of today’s youth. Maasai culture has rightly become famous around the world, and I hope you enjoy this rare chance to learn about it directly from Mark!Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:04 1 (meaningful): Ainoru Osiligi (“The Perfect Hope”) - Sung by Mark Lenini Parselelo 06:09 2 (traditional): "Maasai Song 3" - Recorded 1966 by Pierre Gaisseau (https://theglobaljukebox.org/song/3878) 09:00 3 (contemporary): Engolong’ Osirua - Izzo Kores (https://youtu.be/SN5QLvVJnt0) 10:45 4 Maasai warriors performing a jumping contest in Ewangan village Maasai Mara - Maasai Lifestyle (https://youtu.be/_MO9B2jLOgw) 12:59 5 (happy): Olodumare - Joel Lwaga (https://youtu.be/CJ2zMja5KR8) 14:03 6 (dancing): Amini - Alice Kimanzi & Victor Maestro (https://youtu.be/t9zwjc8LacA) 15:20 Broader thoughts on music, science, and Maasai cultureCredits: Recorded 4 March 2026 Guest & video editor: Mark Lenini Parselelo Presenter & producer: Dr Patrick Savage Intro/outro music: "Hearing music evolve" (Patrick Savage, Hideo Daikoku, Marin Naruse, The HU, Timbaland, Gakuto Chiba, et al., https://youtu.be/Qe1R-R1-Q7A) Many Voices logo design: Dr Florence Nweke

    22 min
  6. #2: Māori music from Aotearoa New Zealand with Danya Pavlovich (U. Auckland | Waipapa Taumata Rau)

    Mar 20

    #2: Māori music from Aotearoa New Zealand with Danya Pavlovich (U. Auckland | Waipapa Taumata Rau)

    For today’s episode of “Many Voices”, I was delighted to welcome Danya Pavlovich to teach us about Māori waiata (or songs) from Aotearoa New Zealand. Danya is a PhD candidate in the School of Psychology at Waipapa Taumata Rau / the University of Auckland in Aotearoa New Zealand. Danya has helped lead global experiments measuring relationships between singing and social bonding across dozens of different languages, but today I enjoyed a more personal kōrero (conversation) with her about the music of her own Māori culture. I particularly enjoyed learning about the way the band “Alien Weaponry” has fused traditional Māori instruments and cultural practices with metal styles and imagery to create a song about cannibalism that can only be described as extremely metal. But of course, there is much more to Māori music and culture than traditional warfare, and Danya introduced a wide variety of traditional and contemporary Māori music, including a very old recordings of a traditional oriori (lullaby) and a very groovy contemporary song “35” with a haka that you can’t help but dance along to. She explains that, despite the popular image of the haka as just a “war dance”, haka are often also used for peace to bond people together and to celebrate special occasions.Tēnā koe, Danya, ngā mihi nui ki te kōrero i tēnei rā.Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 02:51 1 (meaningful): Nei rā te kaupapa o te reo Māori ("My Language is my Awakening") - Sung by Danya Pavlovich (composed by Tawhiro Maxwell & Te Okeroa Huriwaka; https://youtu.be/tTUeEZRkPB4) 08:17 2 (traditional): Pōpō - traditional oriori (lullaby), recorded 1949 by Douglas Geoffrey Bridson (https://theglobaljukebox.org/song/109) 14:09 3 (contemporary): Kai Tangata ("Cannibalism") - Alien Weaponry (https://youtu.be/5kwIkF6LFDc) 18:20 4 (happy): Matariki Hunga Nui (Calling Me Home) - Troy Kingi, Rob Ruha & Kaylee Bell (https://youtu.be/YtBH0OIuEkc) 22:00 5 (sad): Kei Wareware i a Tātou ("Lest We Forget") - Te Kuru Marutea (https://youtu.be/jLTwgl8_2H8) 24:24 6 (dancing): 35 - Ka Hao & Rob Ruha (https://youtu.be/jEOydUQXfl8) 29:19 7 (bonding): Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi ("Stand Together, People") - Sung by Danya Pavlovich (composed by Canon Wi Huata; https://youtu.be/EAq2tFvWrfc) 34:09 Broader thoughts on music, science, and Māori cultureCredits:Recorded 17 March 2026Guest: Danya PavlovichPresenter/producer/editor: Dr Patrick SavageIntro/outro music: "Hearing music evolve" (Patrick Savage, Hideo Daikoku, The HU, Marin Naruse, Gakuto Chiba, Freddie Mercury, Timbaland, et al., https://youtu.be/Qe1R-R1-Q7A)Many Voices logo design: Dr Florence Nweke

    40 min
  • 6 Episodes

About

Some call music “the universal language”. But how many songs do you know in one of the world’s 6,000+ languages besides English? Every week, Dr Patrick Savage asks a guest who speaks one of those languages to share six songs from their own culture: old and new; happy and sad; music that makes you want to dance and want to sing. He also asks their thoughts on the science behind the world’s musical diversity. By understanding the diverse meanings and power of music around the world, we learn that music may not be a universal language, but it can bring us together when words fail.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Patrick Savage (author of "Comparative musicology", 2026, Oxford U. Press)
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr Patrick Savage (author of "Comparative musicology", 2026, Oxford U. Press)
  • Show Website
    Many Voices: A world music podcast