DALE BERNING SAWA
Art critic, culture journalist
Untitled, 1974
‘It is just raw feeling!’: Afrobeats star Mr Eazi on how his debut album caused an art explosion The Guardian
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Ballaké Sissoko: picking up the pieces after US customs broke his kora The Guardian
In February 2020, Sissoko’s historic instrument was disassembled on a flight home to Paris. Bolstered by a new kora, his latest album revives their borderless journey. Read here
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Why Tarek Atoui's new collection of musical instruments is striking an unfamiliar chord The Guardian
It’s an instrument - but how do you play it and what does it sound like? The discovery of a stash of obscure instruments has inspired a performance artwork at Tate Modern – Dale Berning Sawa took part. Read here
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Listening To The Listeners: Low Interviewed The Quietus
Dale Berning Sawa talks to Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker about their career - both quiet and loud. Read here
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We Have Come To Liven Up The Town: Amadou And Mariam Interviewed The Quietus
Dale Berning Sawa talks to the Malian musicians about the making of their latest album, Folila, and how each collaboration teaches them something new. Read here
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Talismanic And Thirty: The Strange World Of... Yo La Tengo The Quietus
Three decades of music-making hasn’t dulled the Hoboken group’s ability to stop their listeners in their tracks. Dale Berning Sawa gives the casual listener a guide to the high points of their career. Read here
Just a year after opening, Serge Gainsbourg’s house museum hits financial trouble The Art Newspaper
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Even when listeners don’t understand Ami Faku's lyrics, they respond to the melody, which she qualifies as “very church”, and to the emotion. It’s because the writing comes from a true place, she says.
Faku grew up singing in church. Her father, like mine, is a pastor. He and her mother have beautiful, low voices.The Guardian
Read here
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‘Kawaiiii!’ Chai, the Japanese girl band reclaiming cuteness The Guardian
The indie pop quartet might not be overtly political, but their new album – ‘an amusement park for insecurities’ – has a radically positive vision. Read here
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'When we play, everyone dances!' Benin girl group Star Feminine Band The Guardian
In the west African country, not everyone likes girls to play instruments – but this group of seven ultra-cool musicians are ripping up those expectations. Read more here
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Fused: Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto Interviewed The Quietus
Dale Berning Sawa caught up with Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto in anticipation of their London performance to talk about what makes a collaboration of this calibre possible, and necessary, and the sounds they treasure most.. Read here
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Nothing But Heart: Alan Sparhawk of Low's Favourite Albums The Quietus
Low and Retribution Gospel Choir play in the UK next week. In advance of a full interview on the Quietus next week, frontman Alan Sparhawk spoke to Dale Berning Sawa about his thirteen favourite album. Read here
Robert Glasper on redrawing musical boundaries and collaborating with all the greats — an ascent that began in childhood The FT
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Home Bass: How Music Helps Us Work & Create Through Lockdown The Quietus
During the Covid pandemic many of us have had to start working from home. But how does the music we listen to affect our labours? And what impact can it have on creativity? Read here
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Until One Of Us Dies: An Interview With Maher Shalal Hash Baz The Quietus
"I'm like a prodigal son," says Tori Kudo; partner Reiko prefers to stay home with her cats. They tell Dale Berning Sawa about life in Maher Shalal Hash Baz. Read here
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We Need Horses On Stage... And Lassos: Santigold Interviewed The Quietus
Dale Berning Sawa talks to Santi White about the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, obsessive listening and post punk. Read here
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Keep The Wheel Spinning: Yo La Tengo Interviewed The Quietus
Dale Berning Sawa talks to Yo La Tengo about their Spin the Wheel tour, the element of surprise and Spongebob Squarepants. Read here