Welcome to Selector: Behind The Music by the British Council, where we dive deep into the key issues and opportunities within the music sector. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a passionate music enthusiast, Behind The Music connects you with compelling stories, insights, and the pulse of global music scenes. Discover how music transforms cultures, connects communities, and inspires innovation.
Join us and plug into the beat that resonates worldwide.
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Cuba - "If music is not played with passion it becomes tasteless"
In this episode of Selector: Behind the Music, Mo Ayoub travels to Havana to explore the Cuban music scene up close. The trip also marks 10 years of Selector Radio being broadcast on Cuban station Radio Taíno.
Mo speaks with legendary saxophonist César López, who shares the story behind his Havana jazz club and reflects on a lifetime in music, from performing with global jazz icons to supporting the next generation of Cuban musicians.
We also hear from Indira Milagros Fajardo Ramírez, President of the Cuban Institute of Music, who explains how the organisation supports thousands of musicians across the country while protecting Cuba’s rich musical heritage and making space for new sounds emerging from the streets.
Together, they discuss the role of venues, institutions and artists in shaping Cuba’s music scene today.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
9 Jan 2026
Collaboration - "As soon as you get angry, you lose"
Collaboration is at the heart of everything British Coucil does, whether with trips abroad to foster relations between cultures, or putting events on with underground scenes and artists, it is essential to get right. So in this latest episode of Behind The Music, we ask what makes a great collaboration?
Our presenter Mo Ayoub is joined by Dhruva Balram, the co-founder and managing director at Dialled In, an artist-led movement inspiring South Asian Arts & Culture, and also Iryna Lobanok, music programme manager at the public institution Ukrainian Institute, co-founder of a Ukrainian music community Porichka, and also a sound producer and artist in band Krapka;Koma. They both have led multiple successful collaborative projects alongside British Council, and share their knowledge throughout this episode.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
14 Aug 2025
Artificial Intelligence - What Does It Mean for Music?
When it comes to the music industry, how can we balance AI’s creative potential with protecting original human artistry? And what can the global music community learn from different countries’ approaches to AI regulation? In this episode, we discuss how AI is changing the way music is made, why labelling AI-generated tracks matters, and the copyright battles behind the tech! Mo is joined by Tom Kiehl, Chief Executive of UK Music and a key voice in shaping ethical AI policy, along with visual artist/designer Avinash and music producer Murphy, both creatives based in India, who share how AI is transforming their creative work on the ground.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
26 May 2025
Climate
Climate journalist Greg Cochrane and Isla Angus from Climate Earth join Mo Ayoub to discuss the music industry's relationship to the climate emergency, including current initiatives and future needs in this interview.
8 Mar 2025
International Women's Day
To mark International Women’s Day, Mo is joined by musician and producer Beril Sarıaltun in Istanbul and West Yorkshire band Loose Articles to discuss the barriers women and non-binary people still face in the music industry. Beril shares her work with Kreșendo (formerly known as Beatz by Girlz), while Loose Articles talk about their Kick Like a Girl tour, which helps young women and non-binary artists break into live music.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
22 Jan 2025
Independent Venues
Ever wondered about the comparison between India and UK's live sector? Mo sits down with Sybil Bell from Independent Venue Week and Bangalore's Neon Culture to discuss the live sector in both countries. Have a listen just ahead of Independent Venue Week kicking off in the UK!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
10 Dec 2024
Streaming
Bella Union's Simon Raymonde and Sony Nigeria's Godwin Tom explore how streaming is revolutionizing the music industry, affecting independent labels and global markets.
20 Nov 2024
Gender Equality
Mo Ayoub discusses gender equality in the music industry with industry experts Egg from Porij and Christina Hazboun from Keychange, highlighting actionable steps towards a more balanced industry.
21 Oct 2024
The Importance of Showcasing
The first episode of a new podcast brought to you by the British Council to de-mystify the music industry, presented by Mo Ayoub. This episode tackles showcasing in all its forms, where Mo is joined by PRS Foundation's Becci Scotcher, and Sounds Australia's Esti Zilber.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
9 Oct 2024
Selector: Behind The Music Trailer
Welcome to Selector: Behind The Music by The British Council, where we dive deep into the key issues and opportunities within the music sector. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a passionate music enthusiast, Behind The Music connects you with compelling stories, insights, and the pulse of global music scenes. Discover how music transforms cultures, connects communities, and inspires innovation. Join us and plug into the beat that resonates worldwide.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
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