Lior Phillips, author of “South African Popular Music,” discusses the connections between African music, modern music, and the history of apartheid. They share their motivation behind writing the book, the challenges faced, and their extensive research process. The speaker emphasizes the political statement made by creating music in South Africa and the importance of understanding the connection between past and present artists.
The author emphasizes the challenge of balancing academic writing with capturing the human stories and experiences behind South African popular music.
The author discusses the importance of providing enough context on South African history and culture without overwhelming or patronizing readers.
Deep dives
The Challenge of Writing an Academic Music Book
The podcast episode discusses the challenge of writing an academic music book, particularly in the case of South African popular music. The author highlights the difficulty of finding a balance between academic writing and capturing the human stories and experiences behind the music. The author explains their process of conducting extensive research, including academic journals and interviews with musicians, to ensure a well-rounded and accurate portrayal. They also emphasize the importance of preserving the authenticity and cultural significance of South African music throughout the book.
Balancing Music and Context
The episode explores the challenge of striking a balance between discussing the music itself and providing enough context for readers who may not be familiar with South African history and culture. The author acknowledges the delicate task of explaining the historical and political aspects that influenced the music without overwhelming or patronizing the reader. They also discuss how they incorporated their own personal memories and experiences to create a relatable and authentic narrative that appeals to both music enthusiasts and those new to South African music.
The Decision to Conduct Original Interviews
The podcast episode delves into the author's decision to conduct original interviews instead of solely relying on existing sources and press material. The author explains their motivation to challenge existing narratives and provide a fresh perspective on South African music. They utilized personal connections, perseverance, and even enlisted the help of others to track down and interview lesser-known musicians. Through these interviews, the author aimed to capture the human side of the music and present a more comprehensive understanding of its cultural impact.
Striking a Balance in Describing the Music
The episode discusses the challenge of describing the diverse styles of South African music without overwhelming the reader or neglecting important details. The author explains how they carefully selected key artists and songs that made a significant impact in South Africa's popular consciousness. They aimed to strike a balance between providing enough information to engage readers and enticing them to explore the music further on their own. The author also mentions the inclusion of Spotify links and playlists to enhance the reader's experience and facilitate their discovery of South African music.
On this episode, Marc talks with Lior Phillips, author of “South African Popular Music,” released in May of 2023. It's one of the first installments in 33.3's “Genre" series–an extensively researched, information packed narrative covering many different styles of South African music, from stars like Miriam Makeba and Johnny Clegg, to artists little known outside of the country.
As Lior writes, “My greatest hope is that by diving deep into the popular music of South Africa, the ways in which African music inspires nearly all of modern music, and the astounding history of the apartheid era, this book may help elucidate those concentric circle of art and politics, grief and rejoicing, that permeate the world at large.”
We hope you enjoy Marc's talk with Lior!
And if you're interested in Marc's forthcoming book "High Bias: The Distorted History of The Cassette Tape," out October 3 on UNC Press, check out highbiasbook.com and highbiasbook.bandcamp.com. Thanks!
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