Portrait Interview of Matt Dixon, an American chocolatier currently based in Washington D.C. 

Visit this page to view some cool photos of Matt.

The music played during this episode is:

• "Twirl" by Zooxanthellae
• "Observer" by Pompeii Graffiti
• "Goblin King" by DoubleSpeak

Portrait Interview of Ridikkuluz, a Jordanian-American visual artist and dancer currently based in New York City. 

Visit this page to view numbered artworks discussed during the episode.

The music played during this episode is The Chaâbi Ha by Lazy Flow.

Portrait Interview of the Palestinian-Lebanese percussionist Johnny Farraj, currently based in New York City. We talked about his life, the Arabic music scene in the US, his new book Inside Arabic Music, published through Oxford University Press, and more. Visit Johnny's website www.maqamworld.com and check out his book for a great dive into the diverse and intricate world of Arabic music.

The music played during this episode is: 

1. Arabic Percussion Solo from a concert with Syrian Songstress Gaida at (Le) Poisson Rouge with the following percussionists: Zafer Tawil on Arabic tabla, Johnny Farraj on riq, Tareq Abboushi on daf, and Tony De Vivo on congas.

2. Umm Kulthum performing Al Atlal ("The Ruins") live at the Olympia Theatre in Paris, November 1967.

3. Lebanese Folkloric Song Aataba

4. Simon Shaheen – Rast Taqsim on the Oud

5. Arabic Percussion Solo – same as in no. 1

6. Performance by singer Wajdi Ayoub accompanied by many local Arab musicians at New York's Roulette Theatre, including Johnny Farraj performing on the riq. 

First debate episode, featuring three previous guests of the show: Luis Fernando Amaya (episode 1), Maria Kaoutzani (episode 2), Alex Temple (episode 15).

Click here to access the articles by Nebal Maysaud, published in New Music Box, that we discuss during the conversation.

Music played in the episode:  

1. Dialecto de árbol no. 2, for 24 voices, performed by The Crossing – Luis Fernando Amaya

2. A Shore to a Shore, for sax quartet, performed by ~Nois – Maria Kaoutzani

3. This Changes Everything, for synth – Alex Temple

Portrait Interview of the American composer Alex Temple, currently based in Tempe, Arizona. We talked about her childhood, her beginnings in composition, discovering her gender, and her amazing music, including a tribute to Frank Zappa titled The Man Who Hated Everything.

Visit Alex’s website to hear her work and see what she’s up to now.

The music played during this episode is: 

1. This Changes Everything – first version, for synth

2. This Changes Everything – second version, for saxophone and electronics. Performance by John Seaton.

3. Willingly – for flute, piano, and electronics. Performance by Lily Floeter and David Chavannes.

4. Viola Joke – for two vaudevillian violists + electronic studio audience. Performance by Chris Fischer-Lochhead and Doyle Armbrust.

5. World – for two keyboards and percussion. Performance by members of the Stony Brook Contemporary Chamber Players: Michael Smith (piano), Annie Brooks (synthesizer), Chris Clarino (marimba and djembe), and Kelsey Adams (Xylosynths and maracas).

6. The Man Who Hated Everything – for ensemble. Performance by wild Up.

Portrait Interview of the Chicago-based saxophone quartet ~Nois, through one of its members, Brandon Quarles. 

Visit ~Nois's website to view videos of the group's performances and to hear the full pieces excerpted in the episode. 

The music played during this episode is: 

1. Josquin Microludes – David Ludwig, movements I, II, V

2. Dwalm – Gemma Peacocke (Live on WFMT) 

3. Apertures – Mathew Arrellin

4. Consort – David Reminick

5. Thirteen Changes – Pauline Oliveros

Opening credits: Dwalm (Peacocke). Closing credits: Josquin Microludes (Ludwig)

Portrait Interview of Tam Wimolvan Vidulich, a rug designer and interior architect currently based in Chicago. 

Visit this page to view numbered artworks discussed during the episode.

The music played during this episode is: 

1. Pin Thai Esan Song [พิณ] by [KK No Copyright Music]

2. Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz, excerpts from the 4th and 5th movements, performed by the DuPage Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Barbara Schubert.

Portrait Interview of Sharif Sehnaoui, a Lebanese guitarist, composer, and improviser, currently based in Beirut.  

Here are links to Sharif's website, and to his soundcloud. 

Music used in this episode: 

1. Et Pourtant, Elle Tourne – Sharif Sehnaoui.

2. Reductionism – Mazen Kerbaj & Sharif Sehnaoui.

3. The 16th – Sharif Sehnaoui.

4. Textural Swing – "A" Trio

5. Gently Johnny – Alan Bishop & "A" Trio

6. AAMM – AMM & "A" Trio

7. Nafas Kahrouba'i – Karkhana

8. Huli Huli – Karkhana

Portrait Interview of Layale Chaker, a French-Lebanese violinist and composer, currently based in Paris. We discuss Arabic music, improvisation, labels, borders, politics, harmony, maqams, refugee camps, film-scoring, and much, much more. 

Here's a link to Layale's website. 

Music played during the episode: 

1. Ushaq, taken from the newly-released album Inner Rhyme, performed by Sarafand

2. Taqsim Shat Araban, performed by Layale Chaker (violin) and Christine Zayed (qanun)

3. Hints on Memory – tone poem for violin and string orchestra, performed by Layale Chaker (solo violin) and the Oxford Orchestra, conducted by Alastair Nicholson. 

4. Orison – three miniatures for String Trio, 1st and 3rd miniatures, performed by Layale Chaker (violin), Hannah Nicholas (viola), and Nathan Loubet (cello)

5. Makhammas Suite 1st and 3rd movements, performed by Sarafand on their album Inner Rhyme

6. Alight Here, Sarafand

7. Relentless, Sarafand

Portrait Interview of Nadir Souirgi, a visual artist, bird watcher, and teacher, currently based in New York City. 

Visit this page to view numbered artworks discussed during the episode.

All sounds used during the episode are of field recordings of birds obtained from public domain websites. Many of them were made in Central Park and Inwood Hill Park, where Nadir spends much of his time when bird-watching in the city.

Feel free to comment with bird IDs.