Listen to a conversation with pianist Elham Fanoos of the Fanoos Ensemble, a unique family group that blends the folk and popular music of Afghanistan with Western classical instrumentation. The Fanoos Ensemble will be performing in Central Indiana on January 25. 

Elham Fanoos was born in Afghanistan in 1997. During that time, music was banned under Taliban rule. But Elham’s father, Ahmad Fanoos, a well-known singer and television personality in Afghanistan, nurtured his son’s musical talent. Elham started out on the tabla drum but later switched to the piano after watching YouTube videos of the classical music legend Vladimir Horowitz. Elham recently released his debut album with the Fanoos Ensemble, titled Echoes of Afghanistan.

Also, hear a conversation with vocalist and songwriter Lindsay Littrell. Lindsay is the creative force behind LITTRELL, an Indianapolis-based music duo formed with the multi-instrumentalist and engineer Garrett Langebartels. LITTRELL’s debut album Public Love was released last year. The album features a distinctive blend of dark pop, alt-rock, and trip-hop music, along with conceptual elements inspired by activist Cornell West and writer Bell Hooks.