Readings on Martin Luther King, Jr., music, and radical action

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the USA. It’s a chance to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy of activism and how it connects to music. And that reflection shouldn’t be dimmed by today’s inauguration, even as the incoming administration promises to erase some of the country’s memory.

In Tbilisi, music is on pause because democracy is on the line

It’s another key moment for the democratic movement championed by Tbilisi’s club scene. Georgia has a pivotal parliamentary election tomorrow – one seen as deeply connected to the country’s future and the ongoing war in Ukraine. That prompted the club Bassiani to put on the breaks for tonight. Here’s what music voices are saying about what’s next.

Peter Kirn - October 25, 2024

Pitch is political: learning Arabic maqams and decolonizing music

Sami Abu Shumays has uploaded his complete lecture on politics and maqams. He talks about how decolonizing music also meant decolonizing himself—reconnecting to his roots as a Palestinian American. This is essential context for Sami’s work, which includes the Arabic tuning section of Ableton Live 12’s tuning implementation and free companion site.

Peter Kirn - August 21, 2024

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