Podcasts

I’m not a person of technology. I’m just hoping to keep up with the changes and innovations to understand what’s happening around me. Therefore I will be eternally grateful to my friend N. – one of the two biggest music fans I have ever met in my life, the other one being my sister-in-law, C. – who showed me years and years back: podcasts. I used to listen to my favourite radio programs live or stream previous episodes via the website of the radio that sometimes worked, sometimes they didn’t.

So podcasts were a revolutionary discovery! They can easily be accessed if you have the podcast app downloaded to your phone (on Apple for sure, but must be similar, if not the same for Android…). Without trying to give technological advice on how to download the app etc., let’s move on to the content!

There are 3 podcasts I regularly listen to:

1. Duendeando: every Saturday and Sunday at 5pm (UK time) on RNE3 (Spanish national radio, channel 3) with Teo Sanchez. The program of flamingos and pelicans (‘flamencos y pelicanos’). A witty game with the words representing an always reliable program to broadcast quality music, interesting guest artists and entertaining conversations. It gives an update on the new albums, upcoming festivals and events from the flamenco world. Best to enjoy with a coffee and cake after an afternoon nap… (I don’t mention the cigarette with the coffee because smoking is not trendy these days, but it does belong to the perfect experience……..).

2. Nuestro Flamenco: every Monday and Wednesday at 11pm (UK time) on RNE Clásico (Spanish national radio, classical music channel) with José María Velázquez-Gaztelu. I already mentioned this radio program in my post ‘Women in flamenco’. It is different from Duendeando in style due to the different personality of the host, and also different in structure. The first part of every program is dedicated to the guitar and guitarists, then they talk about news, new albums, festivals and the invited artists have interesting conversations with José María. A poet, writer and flamencologist, whose name is well known among flamencos, as he had a series about flamenco in the ’70s, called ‘Rito y geografía del cante y del baile’. I love that José María always uses the exact same phrases to start the programme and to present the guests. Exactly the same words! At first it may seem boring, odd or even funny, but I actually think it creates a feeling a safety and security (or is it just me – mother of 2 toddlers – who thinks repetition creates security?!?).

3. ConTraste Flamenco: every Sunday at 10.30pm (UK time) on RNE5 (Spanish national radio, channel 5) with Manuel Pedraz. This program is only 30 minutes long, and therefore information and conversations are more focused and “concentrated”. This is the newest podcast I listen to and I like it simply because it is done by someone different in a different format. And even though topics may be similar or sometimes even the same, the different editors/ directors/ presenters (all in one person!) end up having totally different conversations with the guests.

El flamenco en R5: I also have this podcast on my phone, but if I want to be honest, I have never listened to it. It used to be a micro-space of flamenco, each program 5 minutes long, but I believe it is not ongoing anymore; last one seemed to be broadcasted in May 2017.

I do not spend hours commuting to work, but I do spend some time on the tube, mostly reading and listening to my podcasts. There is plenty of information, lots of music and great conversations. The only thing needed is: Spanish!!!