Radio Primavera Sounds for quarantined times
If you, like me, are currently shut up at home avoiding spit goblets and handshakes, you might be grateful for some things to listen to.
With that in mind, I thought I would recommend a few of the shows (mostly English-language) that we have at Radio Primavera Sound, in the hope that they may help you to while the quarantined hours away.
I’ve divided them into two categories: music-based — mixes and shows with very little in terms of speaking — and music and talk, shows which give slightly more context around the music. Often there is some crossover, though.
You can find them via our website, on Mixcloud (https://www.mixcloud.com/RadioPrimaveraSound/), Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/radioprimaverasound), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/search/radio%20primavera%20sound/shows), Apple Music and iVoox.
Music-based
Brat Star
What? “Canadian-grown, Berlin-based Brat Star takes you deep down the sonic abysses and all the way back up to the heavens.” Wildly, wonderfully eclectic mixes that often feel more like art than DJing.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/brat-star
Connecting Flights
Barcelona-based filmmaker Balthazar Klarwein “takes us on an eclectic and exotic journey through the sounds of the past and the present”. His mixes are beautifully curated, thematic, thoughtful and cinematic. His recent show, Dreamscapes, including early morning audio recordings of recent dreams.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/connecting-flights
DJs Take Control
Our guest mix show: hour-long mixes from local and international talent. Recent guests include Phosky, Ylia and RRUCCULLA. La Fraicheur’s recent mix was particularly interesting: “an opportunity for her to give a platform to people and causes that are important to her, including tracks by female and non-binary artists as well as productions that support the pro-democracy movement in Chile”.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/djs-take-control
KLS Mixes
Berlin-based agency KLS Bookings presents a series of mixes from their roster of talent. Recent guests include Nathalie Capello and Kate Miller.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/the-kls-mix-series
Live From Nitsa
Live from Nitsa showcases the sound of Barcelona’s iconic Nitsa club. Early episodes featured interviews with Nitsa guests; of late we have concentrated on mixes actually recorded in Nitsa. Highlights include John Talabot & DJ Fra back to back for two hours; Violet; and JMII. For fans of actual live mixes, rather than studio-slick blends.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/live-from-nitsa
Lazy and Hazy with The Slow Music Movement
“The Slow Music Movement is all about lazy days, hazy moments & dancing to a slower groove. It is an evolving organism with an ambitious evolutionary plan and a mission to save humanity from it’s rush to extinction.” Perfect for being stuck indoors, in other words.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/lazy-and-hazy-with-the-slow-music-movement
Making Time RADio
Philadelphia selector Dave. P is legendary in the electronic music world for his mammoth sets and brave selections. Making Time RADio features Dave in the mix for two transcendent hours.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/making-time-radio-with-dave-p
Tanzen
Dark electronic filth from Classicworks’ Nehuen, exploring “the latest releases, old-found jewels and premieres”. Expect outsider producers, uncompromising compositions and obscure niches. Recent episodes were titled Slow But Hard and Post-Industrial Developments, which probably tells you all you need to know.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/tanzen
The Selector After Dark
Contemporary British club culture via extended mixes from UK DJs. Recent guests include Crate Classics, KG, BABii and Object Blue. Now hosted by Jamz Supernova, who goes back to back in the mix.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/the-selector-after-dark
Too Slow to Disco FM
DJ Supermarkt brings his wildly successful Too Slow to Disco format to the radio. Expect West Coast disco, Yacht pop and more.
https://www.primaverasound.com/ca/radio/shows/too-slow-to-disco-fm
The Phonica Records Show
A mix series in association with the legendary London record shop Phonica, who know more about music than pretty much anyone.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/the-phonica-records-show
Weird Flex
DJ Detweiler is known for his wild musical imagination and philosophical flights of fancy. Weird Flex is wonderfully unlikely: recent shows have seen him explore the Sleng Teng riddim and hardstyle. Tune in for Joy Division vs. Sleng Teng.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/weird-flex
Talking and music
GIRL MONSTER!
A show that is worth both capitals and an exclamation mark. Presented by Alex Murray-Leslie (Chicks on Speed), the show “celebrates the real herstory and digital musical futures of feminist women / trans / queer / indigenous / cyborgs, to pioneer and blur the boundaries between art music/research, and pop music around the world”.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/girl-monster
LatinXTransfer
Music journalist Núria Net brings you the latest dispatches from the ever-expanding digital Latinx universe. She promises “new music, Spanglish rants, artists interviews and WhatsApp voice notes with movers and shakers from all over.” In Spanglish. Basically, all you’ve ever wanted / needed to know about Latinx music and beyond.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/latinxtransfer
See also Latino Body, a mix show of the best Latin-influenced (and other global) club sounds from Barcelona selectors Sano and DJ Phidias.
https://soundcloud.com/radioprimaverasound/sets/latino-body
Line Noise
My show with Pau Braqueberry. We pick apart the threads of electronic music, from hardcore to acapellas, delivered with a sense of humour. Plus regular guests, including Nina Kraviz, Louie Vega and Photek.
https://soundcloud.com/line-noise-podcast
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/line-noise
London Scenery
“Sonic field notes on London’s most exciting and outlier new scenes. Music journalist Clare Considine welcomes a key player from the heart of a London sound to chat and pick the tunes.” All that is happening — and indeed fit to happen — in London. Recent guests include Nabihah Iqbal and Alexander Nut.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/london-scenery
Queer Sounds
“Weird and wonderful music by artists from the queer and marginal spectrum.” If you don’t learn anything from Queer Sounds’ Adam Kershaw, then you’ve had a far more interesting life than me.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/queer-sounds
Radio Flea
If you like crates of dusty vinyl and mangled tapes, then Radio Flea is the show for you. Flea explores the world of second-hand records acquired at flea markets, thrift shops and bargain bins.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/radio-flea
Radio Minimúsica
A kids show that adults can listen to without wanting to die. Guaranteed. Promises “special collaborations in which children will discover their new favourite songs that will stay with them for a lifetime”. It’s from the Minimúsica crew, who have years of experience in children + music.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/radio-minimsica
Regal Disco
The show for all your tropical and global bass needs, from cumbia to dancehall (with a large dose of UK filth), all delivered with the distinct Mancunian charm of Sunny Wray.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/regal-disco
Poly-Rythmo Club
Sonido Tupinamba is one of Barcelona’s best known DJs, feted for her vast collection of global sounds: disco, afrobeat, zouk, afrosynth et al. Her show, Poly-Rythmo, “takes the audience on a trip to find out how music travels, evolves and puts a soundtrack to every single moment of our lives”.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/poly-rythmo-club
Roxy’s Music
A guide to Primavera-friendly music, from indie to grime, courtesy of the supremely well connected Roxy van der Shah. Classic radio with a fresh feel.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/roxy-s-music
Songs of Insolence with Andy Votel
Andy Votel presents some of the most impudent, irresponsible, irreverent, overambitious, obsolete, indelible, incredible and irresistible vinyl records from around the world. A digger’s paradise.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/songs-of-insolence
Sprung 2020
Sprung 2020 is our weekly magazine show and the official English-language programme of the Primavera Sound festival. Expect interviews, news, rants, an album of the week, global sounds, pop phenomena and the occasional exclusive live track.
https://www.primaverasound.com/es/radio/shows/sprung-2020
The Garden of Forking Paths
“The Garden of Forking Paths is a place for the imagination, somewhere to get lost or an opportunity to stare at the wall. Exploring anything from drone to counterpoint, noise to spoken word, music concrete and beyond.” I couldn’t put it better than that. Very quarantine friendly.
https://www.primaverasound.com/en/radio/shows/the-garden-of-forking-paths
Voodoo Club
Voodoo Club is Barcelona’s premier African rave. Their radio show includes interviews, musings, the best African music and bucketloads of energy.
