Movement with Meklit Hadero

Movement is a podcast, radio series and live show that tells stories of global migration through music. Hosted by Ethiopian-American singer Meklit Hadero, the show is a meditation on the large-scale forces at play in individual lives. Issues of citizenship, identity, belonging, and borders are explored through the experiences of artists themselves: two brothers sharing one guitar, a daughter trying on her father’s shoes, the lineage of a drum, and the sounds of a grandmother’s backyard.

"Returning as Myself" ft. San Cha

Meklit talks with Mexican-American singer San Cha about how she fell in love with Ranchera — a style of music that represented all the cultural values, sexual repression and stigma that she had once tried to escape. More about San Cha: https://www.churchofsancha.com/ More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

12-19
24:11

"Dubai is Like a Big Airport" ft. Cromwell Ojeda

Cromwell Ojeda and his brother grew up in Dubai — two Filipino kids in an expat family — but now his brother is moving to Canada where their family can finally gain citizenship. Meklit talks with Cromwell about what it’s like to make music and community in a place where people tend to come and go. Follow Cromwell: https://www.instagram.com/muhaisnahfour/?hl=en More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

12-05
20:43

"She's gonna do all of that?" ft. Ghaliaa

In part two of our series on path breaking artists in the United Arab Emirates, Meklit talks with Syrian singer and producer Ghaliaa about how a complete collapse of confidence led to her latest record. More about Ghaliaa: https://www.ghaliaaofficial.com/ More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

11-21
15:08

"You're an Expat" ft. Freek

When Mustafa Mohamed Ismail -- AKA Freek -- was 10 years old, he learned that he had no citizenship in the only country he'd ever known. And if he wanted to stay, he'd have to find a job. More about Freek: https://www.youtube.com/@thefreektv More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

11-07
17:18

"Shiny Blue Keys" ft. Tatiana Crespo -- LIVE from Tempe, AZ

Tatiana Crespo introduces us to her accordion Lindo, plus a busking adventure that changed her life. This story was recorded live on stage at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. More about Tatiana: https://www.taticrespoarte.com/

10-31
20:47

"Between the Tears, So Much Pride" ft. Clarissa Bitar

Meklit talks with oud virtuoso Clarissa Bitar about the doubts she overcame just to pick up the instrument, and the incredible response from her family when they realized she could actually play. More about Clarissa: https://clarissabitar.com/#/ More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

10-10
21:48

"Not Standing Still Anymore" ft. Chhom Nimol (of Dengue Fever)

Meklit talks with Cambodian-American singer Chhom Nimol about her long musical journey from performing on Cambodia’s first televised singing competition, to joining the band Dengue Fever. They also discuss her personal favorite track from the band’s new album — an ode to a Cambodian culinary staple, the fermented fish paste prohok. More about Dengue Fever: https://denguefevermusic.com/ More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

09-26
25:34

"Separating our culture from our trauma" ft. Alsarah

Meklit talks with an old friend — East African retro-pop singer Alsarah —about drawing inspiration from tradition, and making peace with the word “refugee.” Watch the “Farasha” video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaN9ELG4p4g More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

09-12
25:40

"What's the Freshest Fruit?" ft. Felukah

Meklit talks with Egyptian-American MC Felukah, about how moving to the birthplace of hip-hop transformed her from poet to rapper. More about Felukah: https://www.felukah.com/ More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

08-29
15:25

"Bananas and Cilantro" ft. Sasami

Meklit talks with Sasami Ashworth about her acclaimed record “Squeeze,” and how it fits within a larger cycle of creation, restoration and self-discovery. More about Sasami: https://sasamiashworth.com/ More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

08-15
27:03

"Laughter is Freedom" ft. Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul

Meklit talks with the Belgian-based dance-pop duo of Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul about taking their new record out on the road, and wondering how some of its humor and provocation might be received in different parts of the world. More on Charlotte and Bolis: https://charlotteandbolis.com/ More on Movement: https://movementstories.com/

08-01
16:59

"A World In Which I Can Exist" ft. Dakota Camacho

On the island commonly known as “Guam," July 21st is commonly known as "Liberation Day.” But for Dakota Camacho, a Seattle-based artist who traces their lineage to the island, these simple terms hold a world of history and complexity. More about Dakota: https://www.dakotacamacho.com/ More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

07-18
21:13

"Sing Every Song Like It's Your Last" ft. Gino Yevdjevich

Meklit talks with Gino Yevdjevich, lead singer of the gypsy punk band Kultur Shock, about the need to create art, especially when the world is at its darkest. More about Kulture Shock: http://www.kulturshock.com/ More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

07-04
23:50

"Welcome Home Pop" ft. Momma Nikki -- Live from Seattle

Momma Nikki speaks and sings about a complicated relationship with their father, who immigrated to the US from Haiti. The story was recorded live on stage at the Meany Center for the Performing arts at the University of Washington. More about Momma Nikki: https://www.mommanikki.com/ More about Movement: https://www.mommanikki.com/ More about Meklit Hadero: https://www.meklitmusic.com/

06-20
16:41

"Love at First Sight" ft. Larry & Joe

Larry Bellorín is a legend of Venezuelan Llanera music; Joe Troop is a bluegrass virtuoso from North Carolina. Meklit talks with this unlikely duo about the social forces and serendipity that brought them together. Find all of Larry & Joe’s music at https://www.larryandjoe.com/ Learn more about Movement at https://movementstories.com/ More about Meklit at https://www.meklitmusic.com/

06-06
26:03

"Making Weird Normal" ft. NNAMDI

Meklit talks with Nnamdi Ogbonaya about making music that draws the listener in, while at the same time challenging them. His new album is called "Please Have a Seat." Find all of NNAMDI’s music at https://nnamdi.bandcamp.com/ Learn more about Movement at https://movementstories.com/ More about Meklit at https://www.meklitmusic.com/

05-23
15:26

"Writing a Ritual" ft. Xenia Rubinos

Meklit talks with Xenia Rubinos about finding her way back to the stage after a long and difficult time away. Find all of Xenia’s music at: https://www.xeniarubinos.com/ Learn more about Movement at https://movementstories.com/ More about Meklit at https://www.meklitmusic.com/

05-09
20:25

“The Craziest Thing I Ever Did" ft. Jesus Díaz

Meklit talks with Cuban-American percussionist and bandleader Jesus Díaz about his journey from playing homemade drums in Havana to performing on the biggest stages in the world. Find all of Jesus’s music at http://www.jesusdiazqba.com/ Learn more about Movement at https://movementstories.com/ More about Meklit at https://www.meklitmusic.com/

04-25
26:42

"Explaining One Side to the Other" ft. Oddisee

Meklit talks with Sudanese-American MC Oddisee about self-doubt and the power of empathy, along with his new album "To What End." Find all of Oddisee’s music at https://oddisee.bandcamp.com Learn more about Movement at https://movementstories.com/ More about Meklit at https://www.meklitmusic.com/

04-11
24:14

Trailer

Hear episodes of Movement every other Tuesday, starting April 11th. For about the show and live events, go to movementstories.com

03-01
02:08

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