Sonic Interventions Season 3 (English)

The third season of the podcast Sonic Interventions was presented during the Black History Month 2024. It is centering South African perspectives and sounds. Dr. Layla Zami interviewed innovative artists and scholars, based in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban. They share thoughts and work samples for the listeners to hear more about the intersection between tradition and contemporary practices in relation to the notion of sonic intervention.

S3E1 Contemporary Vibrations of Xhosa Traditions

In this episode, Layla Zami is in conversation with multi-instrumentalist and composer Sky Dladla. Dladla speaks of her love for Indigenous Xhosa instruments, the intersection of traditional and contemporary performance culture, and her collaboration with artists such as Zolani Mahola. Recorded at Blueprint Studios in Johannesburg. Find out more about S3E1 on Podigee.

Credits
(1) Nkosi, nkosi yiba nenceba (Lost, Lord have mercy). Catholic hymn, accompanied by marimba and drums. Field recording, date unspecified. Courtesy of International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa.
(2) Ifele - composer, uHadi bow, vocals: Sky Dladla; additional vocals: Lutho Mzongwana; bass guitar: Grant van Rooyen - 2018
(3) Malilela imango ingasiyo yabo. Performed by Annie Macholweni (uHadi bow, vocals), recorded in the Eastern Cape, date unspecified. Courtesy of International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa.
(4) Improvisation by Sky Dladla (nyunga nyunga mbira) and Layla Zami (saxophone), recorded Live during the podcast session at Blueprint Studio in Johannesburg, Aug 2023.

S3E2 Invoking South African Histories

This episode features cellist, composer, and scholar Dr. Thokozani Mhlambi, who talks about the role of radio, music traditions as cultural archives, and music performance in the context of South Africa. He discusses and shares excerpts of his »Zulu Song Cycle« and the production »Hail to the King« about Dingane kaSenzangakhona. Recorded at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa.
Find out more about S3E2 on Podigee.

References
Zulu Song Cycle – album by Thokozani Mhlambi, recorded in 2019
Princess Constance Magogo Sibilile Mantithi Ngangezinye kaDinuzulu (1900-1984) – princess by birth and famously known as composer, musician, and singer
Credits
Tracks from the album: Zulu Song Cycle (2018) Track 4 »Interlude - Bach Prelude D minor«, Thokozani Mhlambi (Solo Baroque Cello) Track 2 »Ndemka (trad.)«, Thokozani Mhlambi (Bow & Voice) Track 1 »Hamba Uyothela«, Thokozani Mhlambi (Composer and Performer: Cello, Voice) Uyi'ndlwane' mbana. Performed by Amabutu of the Buthelezi clan, composed by M. Nge'ngelele, 1955. International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa.
Durban Beach Sound Field Recording, (Field Recording)
A New Sensation of Life, Thokozani Mhlambi (Composer and Performer: Cello, Voice)
Special Thanks to Kamogelo Molobye at the University of the Witwatersrand, School of Arts, where this episode was recorded.

S3E3 Song and Gender in Zulu Cultures

In this episode recorded at the University of Pretoria, Prof. Nompumelelo Zondi, gives insights into her book on women's song in rural Zulu culture. She presents an understanding of song as a medium of resistance and resilience, and uses her own voice to share examples.
Find out more about S3E3 on Podigee.

References
Umemulo - Traditional Zulu coming-of-age ceremony for women (usually done at the age of 21). The rituals includes the traditional Zulu dance Ukusina, which involves a spear, and guests gifting the young female with money and other blessings.
Credits
Singing during the interview by Prof. Zondi
Senzeni Na – University of Pretoria students, conducted by Dr. Michael Barrett

S3E4 From Ethnographic Colonialism to Sound Collages

In this conversation Zara Julius shares about her debut solo exhibition Whatever You Throw At The Sea at the Weltmuseum in Vienna critically reflecting about postcolonial structures in museums and archives. She speaks about her editorial work, her research, and her artistic practice. Find out more about S3E4 on Podigee.

References
Liner Notes for ›Whatever You Throw at the Sea‹
Fred Moten (USA, poet and scholar) and Stefano Harvey (USA, scholar and activist)
Harvey, Stefano & Moten, Fred (2013): The Undercommons: Fugitive Planning & Black Study. Williamsburg: Autonomedia.
Dionne Brand (Canada, poet, essayist, and novelist)
Quote excerpted from »A Nomenclature of Everything«
Brand, Dionne (2022): A Nomenclature of Everything. New and Collected Poems. Durham: Duke University Press.
Edouard Glissant (Martinique, cultural theorist, novelist, and poet)
Kamau Brathwaite (Barbados, poet and historian)
»Tidalectics« as defined by K. Brathwaite proposes an opposition to the Western philosophical concept of »dialectics« in the context of Caribbean Poetry. Cf Brathwaite, Kamau (1999): conVERSations with Nathaniel Mackey. New York: We Press.
Vuyiswa Xekatwane, also known as Gogo Mahlodi (writer, healer, and diviner based in Johannesburg)
Tina Campt (USA, scholar) Frequencies of Care Project
Credits
Whatever You Throw at The Sea Vinyl by Zara Julius
With additional field recordings provided by the Phonogrammarchiv of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.
Participants: Tabea Briggs, Emily Joost Chychy, Faris Cuchi Gezahegn, Louis Deininger, Ava Binta Diallo, Masimba Hwati, Katia Ledoux, Vuyiswa Xekatwane

Concept and moderation: Dr. Layla Zami
Producer: Eufoniker Audioproduktion

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