Sara's attempt at being a musician

Hey! Well, last blog post of the semester! We've covered a lot, but the map is still full of uncharted territory. This class has really opened my ears to how diverse global music is. For this final post, I'd like to talk about interesting sounds from places we missed. I chose songs that highlight both traditional and modern styles; each one shows how music connects people to their history and land.  First, let's visit Asturias in Spain (Europe).  Asturias is very special to me because it's where I live; it's the music I was born with. Located in the north of Spain, it has its own strong musical traditions, completely different from flamenco and other styles people often associate with Spain. It's a place full of traditions that people really care about. One of the most important parts of our culture is the "gaita asturiana" (asturian bagpipe). You can hear it at festivals, family parties, and even just walking around town sometimes. Its sound makes me ...

If my mum, Mercedes, has a life motto it would be: “There’s a song for that.” Bad day? “Let’s put on A quién le importa.” Cooking dinner? “I have the perfect song of Melendi.” She has spent years trying to drill into my siblings and me that music is not just background noise; it is a way of understanding life. Born in Asturias in the 1970s, she grew up in a house where music was as essential as bread and her father’s very strong opinions on what constituted real music. I had a video call with her to unpack her musical journey.  Me: What is music for you?  Merce: Music is memory. It is the reason your grandfather once threw a shoe at the radio. I would never forget. It is emotion. It is how I connect to parts of myself I do not always know how to reach. When I hear Raphael’s voice, I am not just listening to a song. I’m back in my father’s house, watching him close his eyes and feel the music in a way he never could with words.  Me: Wow. I wasn’t expecting that answer, and...