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Editor-in-chief Simon Broughton Publisher & Managing Director Paul Geoghegan Editor Alexandra Petropoulos Assistant Editor & Reviews Editor Olivia Cheves Art Director Juliet Boucher Sub Editor & Online Content Writer Spencer Grady Advertisement Manager James Anderson-Hanney Online Content Editor James McCarthy News Editor Russ Slater Listings Editor Tatiana Rucinska Marketing Manager John Barnett Marketing Assistant Emma Coull Cover Image Verdy Verna Contributing Editors Jane Cornwell, Mark Ellingham & Nigel Williamson Subscriptions Director Sally Boettcher Editorial Director Martin Cullingford CEO Ben Allen Chairman Mark Allen SUBSCRIPTIONS UK: 0800 137 201 Overseas: +44 (0)1722 716997 subscriptions@markallengroup.com ADVERTISING +44 (0)20 7501 6683

Vodou magic

While I am a huge fan of Halloween – I’m American, I can’t help it – this time of year, full as it is with dodgy costume choices, carries as much a whiff of cultural appropriation about it as it does pumpkin spiced lattes. For the whole month of October, the internet seems to be littered with pictures of women in outfits that are small on coverage and big on harmful stereo pes. And certainly Haitian vodou is among the victims, with countless cheap ‘voodoo man’ kits that come complete with top hats, scary skull masks and shrunken heads. It feels important then to be highlighting an artist like Erol Josué, who’s life’s work has been to change these negative misconceptions. “The Catholic church is always trying to convert [people who practice vodou],” he tells us on p24. “I was able to maintain my vodou spiritual life at home… Now I help to dispel the myths.” This issue is full of artists who are trying to change misconceptions. Welsh trio VRï are digging into the history books to tell the story of the country’s traditional music and expose its oppressed past (p38). Mother-and-daughter duo Solju are breathing new life into Sámi joik as well as using their platform as artists to shout about land rights – “it’s heartbreaking to see the big mining companies trying to take this land and push the reindeer people away” (p30). We uncover the next generation of Aboriginal songmen, who are maintaining the ancient traditions while introducing their songs to a wider audience (p34) and accordionist Aliaksandr Yasinski is trying to prove that the instrument can play so much more than just “old-fart polkas” (p16).

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This issue is full of artists who are trying to change misconceptions

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Alexandra Petropoulos, editor

PS Why not gi a world of music this Christmas? See p18 for details

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Songlines is published by MA Music Leisure & Travel Ltd St Jude’s Church, Dulwich Rd, London, SE24 0PB, UK +44 (0)20 7738 5454 info@songlines.co.uk www.songlines.co.uk

© MA Music Leisure & Travel Ltd, 2022. All rights reserved. No part of Songlines may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission of the publishing director. The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the editor or Songlines advertisements in the journal do not imply endorsement of the products or services advertised. Please read our privacy policy, by visiting privacypolicy.markallengroup.com. This will explain how we process, use and safeguard your data. ISSN 1464-8113. Printed by: Pensord Press Ltd, Blackwood, NP12 2A Record trade distribution Songlines 020 7738 5454 Newstrade distribution Marketforce 020 3787 9101

Tim Cumming Tim is a music writer, poet and artist, whose latest book, Adventures Among the Living, is published by Blueprint Poetry Press. This issue he talks to The Unthanks about their life and music (p74).

Seth Jordan An Australian-based music journalist, Seth is a festival consultant and radio broadcaster who presents Tiki Lounge Remix. He travels to Arnhem Land to speak to the next generation of songmen (p34).

Francesco Martinelli A er discovering traditional musics through free jazz revolutionaries, Francesco began a long love affair with Oriental music. He catches up with the Turkish legend Zülfü Livaneli on p19.

Songlines was launched in 1999 and is the definitive magazine for world music – music that has its roots in all parts of the globe, from Mali to Mexico, India to Iraq. Whether this music is defined as traditional, contemporary, folk or fusion, Songlines is the only magazine to truly represent and embrace it. However, Songlines is not just about music, but about how the music fits into the landscape; it’s about politics, history and identi . Delivered in both print and digital formats, Songlines, through its extensive articles and reviews, is your essential and independent guide to a world of music and culture, whether you are starting on your journey of discovery or are already a seasoned fan.

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DECEMBER 2022 › SONGLINES 03