Interviews

  Yungchen Lhamo
Yungchen Lhamo has a voice that can stop you in your tracks, and it did that for Deirdre Saravia some years ago.  Shopping in a CD store in Belfast, N. Ireland, a melodious crystalline singing voice soared above the heads of the rain drenched customers and "we were all transported to another place."  Yungchen Lhamo is Tibetan and her name means "Goddess of Song."  Ama, which means "mother," is her third release and World Music on KSTX host and producer, Deirdre Saravia spoke with Yungchen about her life and music in May 2006.

  Iarla Ó Lionáird
Iarla Ó Lionáird possess one of the most unique and haunting voices of the world music scene.  For many years he performed and traveled with the Afro Celt Sound System, but he has now decided to go solo.  He sings in Irish Sean-nos style which is very different from most traditional Irish singers.  Iarla's most recent CD Invisible Fields has just been released and has received outstanding reviews.  Listen to a sample of his music and the interview from January 2006 with Deirdre Saravia on World Music on KSTX.

  Lila Downs
Born of a Oaxacan mother and Scottish-American father, singer Lila Downs' sound is not only bi-cultural, it travels the entire musical landscape.  Music critics hear bits of Linda Ronstadt, Edith Piaf, Mercedes Sosa and even Sarah Vaughn.  In the end, she defies characterization.  Anyone who experiences the sultry singer's voice realizes they are hearing something important.  KSTX's Deirdre Saravia talked with the innovative singer on the August 29, 2004 edition of World Music.

  Hugh Masekela
Hugh Masekela has been an entertainer for over forty years.  He was born near Johannesburg in 1939.  In 1960 he left South Africa and toured the world with his distinctive trumpet playing.  Hugh Masekela embraced many diverse genres of music and is truly unique.  He was a 'flower child' in San Francisco in the late sixties but by the early seventies he wanted to return to Africa to help improve his homeland.  He continues to tour world wide and has just published his memoir 'Still Grazing'.  Hear Deirdre Saravia's interview with Hugh Masekela.... in his own words.

  Ben Jelen
Ben Jelen is one of the latest and hottest young singer/composers in the pop music scene.  Ben was born in Scotland, spent his childhood in England and early adolescence in San Antonio.  He took violin and piano lessons, played with the youth orchestra and sang in the Children’s Chorus.  Ben’s CD "Give It All Away" is aptly titled, he sings with sincerity and passion about his experiences.  Listen to an interview Ben had on World Music on KSTX with Deirdre Saravia.

  Paddy Maloney of The Chieftains

  Susheela Raman
Susheela Raman, was born in London, England to Indian parents.  The family relocated to Australia.  Eventually, Susheela made her way back to England.  There she met up with Sam Mills, an English musician and producer.  Her first CD was 'Salt Rain' for which she was nominated for a Mercury Prize in 2001, the first World Music musician to be nominated for this prestigious British music award.  In 2003 along with her latest release 'Love Trap' Susheela was the winner in the BBC World Music Awards for best newcomer.  Susheela Raman is planning CD #3.  Hear Susheela discuss her work and future plans.

  Kristi Stassinopoulou
Secrets of the Rocks is Kristi Stassinoupoulou's latest CD.  Her first USA CD, Echotropia, was critically acclaimed both here and in Europe.  She was nominated as 'Best Newcomer' with the BBC World Service.  Kristi and her husband, Stathis Kalyviotis, work in collaboration to produce the wonderful lyrics and music that identify the young Greek singer.  I spoke with her about her career and plans for the future.

  Coco mBassi
Coco mBassi has released her first CD but prior to this Coco was in great demand as a backup singer for international singers Oumou Sangare, Salif Keita and Toure Kunda amongst others.  Coco mBassi has one of the most suave, hypnotic female voices on the world scene today.  Listen to her interview as this singer/song writer and composer talks about her life and future plans.

  Gotan Project
The Gotan Project started in 1999 with two French and one Argentinian musicians. Their first album La Revancha Del Tango has swept the European market and the group were named best newcomers by the BBC World Music 2003.  Deirdre Saravia of World Music on KSTX spoke with Phillippe Solal, one of the co-founders.

  Caetano Veloso
Caetano Veloso is the most important and universally recognized singer/composer/guitarist from Brazil. He has just completed a North American tour and his book Tropical Truth, has recently been released in English. Deirdre Saravia spoke with him just before he started his tour.