Travel Notes
by Grace McNally
Travel Notes is a show that uses music as a medium to explore the ways in which we are all connected.
Podcast episodes
Season 5
Travel Notes with Jacob Edgar
We’re kicking off Season 5 of Travel Notes with a true global music visionary—Jacob Edgar! As an ethnomusicologist, cultural explorer, and world music tastemaker, Jacob has spent his career uncovering the sounds that shape cultures around the globe. In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of ethnomusicology and its surprising breadth, explore how Putumayo World Music transformed global music marketing, and discuss how music influences our understanding of culture. Jacob also shares insights on the evolving role of music appreciation in different cultural contexts and how the digital age has shifted us from communal listening experiences to hyper-personalized curation. Join us as we celebrate the power of music to connect, educate, and inspire—one note at a time.
Season 4
Travel Notes Featuring Silkroad Ensemble's American Railroad Project with Maeve Gilchrist
Today on Travel Notes, we are featuring the American Railroad project by the Silkroad Ensemble in anticipation of their show at the Charleston Gaillard Center on November 19th. Today’s special guest, celtic harpist Maeve Gilchrist takes us behind the scenes of this monumental project. Silkroad’s American Railroad project highlights untold stories and amplifies unheard voices from the communities who actually built the transcontinental railroad, addressing past injustices and providing a more truthful account of global diasporic contributions to the creation of the American Empire. We also listen to two tracks off of their upcoming album, The American Railroad album which comes out on November 15th. Tickets to American Railroad at the Charleston Gaillard Center Silkroad Website Maeve Gilchrist Website Travel Notes Webpage Travel Notes Instagram
Travel Notes Featuring Eljuri
Today on Travel Notes, we talk to musician and songwriter, Eljuri. Eljuri is a New Yorker, immigrant, Latina, woman, singer, and guitarist. Her greatest passions are songwriting and activism. Her music is a fusion of Latin, reggae and global rhythms with rock and funk. Her bilingual songs are socially conscious and about current global issues. In her world, music and activism are positively intertwined. She seeks to empower not only the Latino community but all champions for human rights. She is an artivist (activist meets artist) whose bilingual songs are stories about resilience, resistance, civil rights, and saving the planet. We talk about her musical influences, mission as an artist and activist and her most recent tour and project, Concerts for Democracy. Eljuri Website - https://www.eljurimusic.com/ Concerts for Democracy - https://www.eljurimusic.com/tour-1 Travel Notes - https://www.gracemcnallymusic.com/travel-notes
Travel Notes Featuring KUNÉ
In this episode of Travel Notes, we explore the vibrant city of Toronto through the music of KUNÉ, Canada’s Global Orchestra with special guests, Aline Morales & Matias Recharte. Formed in 2017 by The Royal Conservatory of Music, KUNÉ became an independent collective in 2021. This eleven-piece ensemble includes musicians from around the world, reflecting the cultural diversity of Toronto. We discuss how KUNÉ blends cultural traditions, fosters collaboration, and connects us all through their shared musical experience. https://www.kuneworld.com/ https://www.alinemorales.com/ https://www.instagram.com/matiasrecharte/ https://www.gracemcnallymusic.com/
Travel Notes with Laura Risk
This month on Travel Notes we head north to Canada where we talk with Laura Risk, assistant Professor in the Music and Culture program of the Department of Arts, Culture and Media at the University of Toronto Scarborough and professional Scottish and Québécois fiddler. Her fiddling has been described by filmmaker Ken Burns as "a revelation and achingly beautiful” and Living Tradition hails her 'powerful, percussive style… bursting with energy and passion.” Today, we dive into some of her research projects and explore tunes and musical traditions that are hundreds of years old with relations to music from all over the globe. We also listen to a few songs off her newest album, Traverse, which was released in 2023 and is a 10 track musical journey through traditional fiddle music. https://laurarisk.com/ https://www.gracemcnallymusic.com/