Lost And Sound
Paul Hanford
Lost and Sound is a podcast exploring the most exciting and innovative voices in underground, electronic, and leftfield music worldwide. Hosted by Berlin-based writer Paul Hanford, each episode features in-depth, free-flowing conversations with artists, producers, and pioneers who push music forward in their own unique way.From legendary innovators to emerging mavericks, Paul dives into the intersection of music, creativity, and life, uncovering deep insights into the artistic process. His relaxed, open-ended approach allows guests to express themselves fully, offering an intimate perspective on the minds shaping contemporary sound.Originally launched with support from Arts Council England, Lost and Sound has featured groundbreaking artists including Suzanne Ciani, Peaches, Laurent Garnier, Chilly Gonzales, Sleaford Mods, Nightmares On Wax, Graham Coxon, Saint Etienne, Ellen Allien, A Guy Called Gerald, Jean Michel Jarre, Liars, Blixa Bargeld, Hania Rani, Roman Flügel, Róisín Murphy, Jim O’Rourke, Yann Tiersen, Thurston Moore, Lias Saoudi (Fat White Family), Caterina Barbieri, Rudy Tambala (A.R. Kane), more eaze, Tesfa Williams, Slikback, NikNak, and Alva Noto.Paul Hanford is a writer, broadcaster, and storyteller whose work bridges music, culture, and human connection. His debut book, Coming to Berlin, is available in all good bookshops. Lost and Sound is for listeners passionate about electronic music, experimental sound, and the people redefining what music can be.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 19, 2021 • 1h 7min
Michael Rother
In the new episode, or should I say the Neu! episode, I had a chat with Michael Rother, of legendary Krautrock pioneers Neu! and Harmonia and ten solo LPs. I’ve always loved his music, which seemed to birth a kind of radical year zero approach to rock, mixing electronics, experimentation, drones and textures. He was also in a very early line-up of some band called Kraftwerk and we had a really warm chat on a cold morning about his complicated relationship with drummer Klaus Dinger, the new LP Dreaming, which he finished in lockdown and the way in the 70s West German music makers like him made music like nobody had ever heard before.Michael Rother’s websiteTitle music by ESOEnjoy!
Jan 12, 2021 • 40min
KMRU
KMRU, also known as Joseph Kamaru, is a groundbreaking Kenyan ambient musician celebrated for his emotive field recordings. He discusses his journey from Nairobi to Berlin and the influence of his cultural heritage, especially his grandfather’s legacy. The conversation delves into how the pandemic reshaped the appreciation for ambient sounds, the emotional ties between sound and memory, and the evocative interplay of scent with sound. KMRU also shares insights on his acclaimed album 'Peel' and its comforting resonance during challenging times.
Dec 15, 2020 • 49min
NZCA Lines
Lost And Sound, is about meeting music people with real vision and together we delve into the culture that inspires them. I spoke with NZCA Lines, aka Micheal Lovett, whose neon-hued disco pop has charmed me since the middle of the last decade. He’s also played with Metronomy and Christine And The Queens and is currently living in New York. We had a really loose and easy chat about living in a new country, vulnerability, sandwiches, Beck’s Midnight Vultures, about having to show up for creativity to happen and the creative benefits of setting limitations. Enjoy!NZCA Lines on BandcampTitle music by ESO
Dec 8, 2020 • 44min
Zakia Sewell
I spoke with Zakia Sewell, Broadcaster, DJ and Audio Producer. Her amazing BBC Radio 4 series, My Albion, goes deep into the songs, stories and symbols that make up British national identity and taps into a super inclusive, multicultural and magical look at folklore. Her show every Saturday morning on NTS delves deep into celestial grooves, spiritual jazz, mythical folk and hazy psychedelic sounds and always sets my weekend up in the right way.I really enjoyed chatting with her about taking an inclusive look at the land, the ecosystems of music and balancing the practical with the woo woo.My Albion on BBC Questing on NTS Lost and Sound theme music by ESO
4 snips
Dec 1, 2020 • 34min
Robert Henke
I had a chat with Robert Henke, dare I say it a true electronic music pioneer. Composer, artist, software developer and co-creator of Ableton Live. Founding member of Monolake, who were making techno music in Berlin back when I was most likely bopping to Kula Shaker in the indie disco, not that there’s anything wrong with that of course. But we spoke in person before lockdown, and listening back I feel an extra wistfulness in his wonderful descriptions of clubbing as a space to both lose and find yourself. Enjoy! And also, from today, Lost and Sound goes weekly. In this strange, tough year the word lost has taken on a new unexpected meaning. But music gets me through and I honestly feel inspiration is flourishing more than ever, wether being forced to be creative about how we approach what we do or just hearing a piece of music in a new way. Sometimes talking about it is a pretty good antidote too. Let’s see how it goes. Lost and Sound, every Wednesday!
Nov 17, 2020 • 43min
Peaches
I had a chat with the one and only Peaches. Can you believe her seminal work The Teaches of Peaches has just turned 20? We spoke about this, about Daft Punk, about WAP, about her two massive shows last year and not only that, it was the day of the US election, how about that for hyper background ambience! She’s always been someone who I’ve felt to be fearless and totally raw in her work and I was super happy to chat with her.Peaches websiteLost And Sound music by E S OThis episode is sponsored by talentful.com And hosted by bearradio.org , home of English language podcasts from Berlin
Nov 4, 2020 • 1h 9min
Thurston Moore
In this episode of Lost and Sound, I spoke with Thurston Moore, founder member of the iconic Sonic Youth, now living in London where he’s inspired by the city’s improv scene. I remember as a kid handing over my pocket cash for a copy of the band’s album Daydream Nation and being blown away by the way they played rock music, suddenly, it seemed there were no rules, and that appealed massively. His latest album, By The Fire is incendiary and was recorded just before lockdown. We spoke in late October and had a really good chat about the dimensions of sound, New York’s post punk scene, improvisation, his thoughts about the future of live performance and the uncannily accurate future predicted in The Simpsons, amongst other things. A true sonic architect, he was a real gentleman in conversation and I hope you enjoy listening. Thurston Moore Lost And Sound music by E S OThis episode is sponsored by talentful.com And hosted by bearradio.org , home of English language podcasts from Berlin
Oct 21, 2020 • 50min
Laetitia Sadier
I met up with Laetitia Sadier.Singer with the hugely influential group Stereolab and solo artist, we got into a deep and frank conversation about creativity and the state of the world. Her music has been there in my life since I was a lanky teen, so I was thrilled to have this conversation and grateful to Laetitia for being so open! I hope you enjoy listening.Title music by ESOwww.instagram.com/___e.s.o/Featuring excerpts from Laetitia Sadier Source Enseble's Find Me Finding You LPwww.laetitiasadier.bandcamp.com/album/find-me-finding-you
Oct 7, 2020 • 41min
Ellen Allien
I met up with iconic DJ, producer and label owner Ellen Allien.Part punk, part cosmic being. She talks about the early days of Berlin techno, being a resident in legendary venues like Tresor right through to dealing with this weird ol’ year, via playing in the town of her favourite spicy Mexican sauce and noticing the bling in nature.She’s both a world touring techno icon and a uniquely homegrown hero and I hope you enjoy the chat we had.https://www.facebook.com/EllenAllienhttps://www.instagram.com/ellen.allienHelp support Lost And Sound at https://ko-fi.com/lostandsound
Sep 23, 2020 • 54min
Tune-Yards
I had a chat with Merrill Garbus, who with her long term collaborator and husband Nate Brenner, makes the wonderful sound that is Tune-Yards. The first time I heard Tune-Yards, I think it being on the 4AD label drew me in, I totally fell for the rhythms and harmonies bursting out of the at the time lo-fi production. Ever since then, new Tune-Yards material is always such heaven to my ears, whether its been on big tunes like Water Fountain or scoring the film Sorry To Bother You. Zapping in from Oakland, California, where the skies were still very much effected by fires. We speak about her long term support for Black Lives Matter, feminism and how that plays a role in her songwriting. In the process, the conversation kind of became an examination of the cultural issues behind Paul Simon’s Graceland. There’s also a new tune, Nowhere, Man out this week, which takes their sound to realms of squelchy funk.I hope you enjoy listening.
