Journeys In Sound

Alison and band-mate Will Gregory formed Goldfrapp in 1999, releasing their début album Felt Mountain in 2000. The Grammy-nominated duo have released seven studio albums since the turn of the Millennium and supremely danceable singles such as 'Strict Machine', 'Ooh La La' and 'Happiness'. They have also shown their vulnerable side with tender tracks such as 'A&E', 'Annabel' and 'Lovely Head'. Last September, Goldfrapp were awarded the Ivor Novello 'Inspiration Award'.

Early on in her career, Alison collaborated with Orbital on their album 'Snivilisation', recorded with Dreadzone and sung alongside Tricky. Most recently, she has collaborated with Röyksopp on the brilliant track 'Impossible', released earlier this year.

In this programme, Alison talks about her unconventional childhood, her relationship with nature, and how she found her voice. Featuring music from Bob Marley, Prince, The Specials, Kelly Lee Owens and Nina Simone.

Alison chats to psychotherapist Nemone about music that has comforted and connected.

Arlo began uploading demos to BBC Music Introducing and made her debut in November 2018 when she released the song 'Cola'. A year later the song had amassed over three million streams online. Signed up by Transgressive Records, Arlo released the title track of her upcoming EP, 'Super Sad Generation', a song that portrayed teenage emotions spinning out of control. The full four-track EP was released in the Spring of 2019. This led to Arlo's first-ever gig at The Great Escape in Brighton, and just weeks after taking her A Level exams she was playing to transfixed audiences at the Glastonbury and Latitude Festivals. She also supported Jordan Rakei on tour and released her second EP 'Sophie'.

Kicking off 2020 with a coveted 'BBC Sound Of' nomination, she embarked on her first headline tour of Europe but could not complete it due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Arlo's wise and tender singles 'Eugene', 'Black Dog' and 'Hurt' were timely. Tackling depression, sexuality, heartbreak and prejudice, her songs not only illustrated the worries of Generation-Z but scored a moment in time for a wider audience confused and concerned by world events and in need of a soothing musical balm.

Arlo's debut studio album 'Collapsed in Sunbeams', was released at the beginning of 2021 to critical acclaim, and peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart. It has earnt her nominations for Album of the Year, Best New Artist and Best British Female Solo Artist at the 2021 Brit Awards.

Arlo Parks talks about the music that has sound-tracked the ups and downs of her life

Tor Maries, has been musically active since releasing her self-titled debut album in 2020 and guesting on 'Mork n Mindy' by Sleaford Mods in 2021. She released her 'Emergency Telephone' EP in October 2021, produced by herself on Geoff Barrow's Invada record label. And has just treated us to 'Balance is Gone' the first single from the new album Cacti which is coming out in January 2023.

Tor talks about growing up with her siblings in a happy, musical, one-parent household. She talks about the struggles of trying to make it in the music business and how she almost abandoned her dream in her 20's. She speaks openly about coping with lockdowns, depression, self-care, and the music she loves.

Featuring stunning tracks from Feist, Califone, The Stranglers and Devon Sproule.

Billy Nomates, musician Tor Maries, chats openly to Nemone about songs in her life.

Talking to Nemone, who combines her roles of DJ and qualified psychotherapist, Corinne dives deep to share her extraordinary journey and reveals how personal experiences and emotions are woven through her own work. It's a chance to understand Corinne's relationship with music more intimately, to learn more about how she has used sound to communicate and how she's reached the place we meet her in today.

The Grammy Award and MOBO Award winning singer and songwriter is best known for her 2006 single 'Put Your Records On'. Named the number-one predicted breakthrough act of the BBC's Sound of 2006, she released her self-titled debut album in the same year and became the fourth female British act in history to have her first album debut at number one.

Corinne was married to fellow musician Jason Rae from 2001 until his death in 2008; she channelled the grief of his loss into her music and shares with Nemone the impact of this life-changing event. Corinne also reflects on her life now and the inspiration for her brand new album release, Black Rainbows.

Corinne Bailey Rae shares the music that has sound-tracked the ups and downs of her life.

David began DJing in Belfast at the age of 15 and by the mid-90s was releasing his own mercurial tracks such as 'Rodney Yates', 'My Friend Paul' and '69 Police'. From his 1995 debut album 'This Film's Crap Let's Slash the Seats' onwards, David has created sublime cinematic worlds in the ear of the listener. He is intimately associated with film music, having scored Steven Soderburgh's 'Out of Sight'. He won an Ivor Novello Award for his score for the film '71' and an IFTA at the Irish Film Awards for his score to Steve McQueen's award-winning film 'Hunger'. David also scored all three series of 'The Fall', starring Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan, and won a Bafta with Keefus Green for their work on BBC One's hit drama 'Killing Eve'.

David's 1997 Essential Mix for BBC Radio 1, a mix of northern soul, psychedelic funk and hip hop, is legendary, and his single 'I Heard Wonders' formed the musical backbone to Danny Boyle's vision for the London Olympics in 2012. His band output includes The Free Association and most recently The Unloved. He's produced Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, is currently working with both Sinead O'Connor and Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie on their solo work, and we will be treated to another David Holmes release before the end of the year.

During this intimate conversation, David shares the songs that have sound-tracked the ups and downs of his life, as well as his ultimate 'Self Care' track.

David Holmes shares the music that has sound-tracked the ups and downs of his life.

Ezra started out in 2006 as the lead singer and guitarist of Ezra Furman and the Harpoons until their fourth and final album, ‘Mysterious Power', in 2011. Her subsequent work has included the albums ‘Day of the Dog' in 2013, ‘Perpetual Motion People' in 2015, ‘Transangelic Exodus' in 2018, and ‘All of Us Flames', released this year.

Ezra is also well known for providing the soundtrack to the Netflix drama-comedy series Sex Education. The soundtrack consists of songs from her back catalogue as well as songs written for the show. Furman and her band also appeared in episode seven of the first season of the show, ‘At the Bottom of the Ocean', making a cameo as the band playing at the main characters' school dance.

Aside from her musical career, Ezra is a familiar voice on BBC 6 Music as an occasional presenter on the station, and in 2018 she published ‘33⅓', a book she wrote about Lou Reed's album ‘Transformer'.

In this programme Ezra talks about her childhood and her own recent experience of becoming a parent. She also talks about Judaism, living as a transgender woman and owning her difference with joy. Featuring music from Anne Hills to Majical Cloudz, Bob Dylan to Toots and Maytals, and The Strokes to Carly Rae Jepson!

Ezra chats to psychotherapist Nemone about music that has comforted and connected.

Talking to Nemone, who combines her roles of DJ and qualified psychotherapist, the sisters dive deep to share their journey, and reveal how personal experiences and emotions are woven through their own work. It's a chance to understand their relationship with music more intimately, to learn more about how they've used sound to communicate, and how they've reached the place we meet them in today.

The sisters grew up in a musical family, and began playing instruments from an early age in the cover band Rockinhaim, fronted by their parents, Moti and Donna. Elder sisters Este and Danielle performed briefly with the pop group Valli Girls in 2005, releasing a few songs on soundtrack and compilation albums under that name. In 2007, they formed Haim with younger sister Alana, but did not seriously consider it a professional career for some years. After Danielle became a successful touring guitarist, first with Jenny Lewis and later with Julian Casablancas, Haim reformed as a full-time band in 2012 and released their debut album a year later.

A decade on from the release of Days Are Gone, Danielle, Alana and Este join Nemone for a spot of family therapy to talk about their early days and the making of the album. Este opens up about how she and her family navigate her diabetes, the music they listened to on car journeys as teenagers in Los Angeles, and what it's like to be siblings in a band together. Featuring music from Joe Walsh, Rilo Kiley, The Strokes, Kate Bush, and a 'self-care' track from Joni Mitchell.

Haim share the songs that have sound-tracked the ups and downs of their life.

After recording six studio albums with his band The Czars, John embarked on a solo career. His albums 'Queen of Denmark' (2010), 'Pale Green Ghosts' (2013), 'Grey Tickles, Black Pressure' (2015) and 'Love Is Magic' (2018) have all received widespread critical acclaim. He has also collaborated with numerous artists from Sinéad O'Connor to Goldfrapp, and Elbow to Kylie Minogue.

John's fifth solo album 'Boy From Michigan', to be released in June, was recorded against a backdrop of the global pandemic and American Presidential election in 2020. It is his most biographical work to date. Moving from Michigan, aged twelve, his family settled in Denver, Colorado, shifting from the rust belt to the bible belt. At odds with his emerging sexuality, at high school John was, on occasion, bullied both physically and emotionally by his fellow pupils. He sings openly, often with caustic candour, about the landmark experiences that have pained and shaped his complex life to date; it took him until his mid-twenties to feel comfortable with his sexuality, having been raised in an environment where it was 'clear that those people were going to hell'.

John's work playfully experiments with mood, texture and sound. Described as the misfit's misfit: too weird to be mainstream, too mainstream to be weird; too sad to be happy, too sharp not to crack a mordant joke about it, his song-writing combines impressionistic childhood experiences against their amplified adult consequences.

John Grant talks about the music that has sound-tracked the ups and downs of his life

Talking to Nemone, who combines her roles of DJ and qualified psychotherapist, Kae dives deep to share their transitional journey and reveals how personal experiences and emotions are woven through their own work. It's a chance to understand their relationship with music more intimately, to learn more about how they've used sound to communicate, and how they've reached the place we meet them in today.

Kae is a prolific poet, lyricist, recording artist, author, playwright, and performer, with two Mercury Music Prize-nominated albums to their name, 'Everybody Down' and 'Let Them Eat Chaos'. Kae has received two Ivor Novello nominations for song-writing, named Next Generation Poet in 2014 (a once-in-a-decade honour) and received the Ted Hughes Award for their longform poem 'Brand New Ancients'. Kae's latest work is a new book of poetry, 'Divisible by Itself and One', and music in the form of the 'Nice Idea EP' in support of Record Store Day 2023.

In this programme, Kae talks to Nemone about how, as a child, they used pulsating basslines to sooth themselves, to live beyond the physical form of their body, and the friendships formed around a love of dub, hip-hop, and drum and bass tracks. Kae talks about the experience of writing with 'musical soulmate' Dan Carey, touring their album 'The Line Is A Curve' and the joy of sharing music on the tour bus. Kae also reveals the song they finally 'got' when they fell in love with their partner. Featuring music from Roni Size, Jah Shaka, Wu-Tang Clan, Lauryn Hill, Bob Dylan, The Roches, and a 'self-care' track from Caetano and Zeca Veloso.

Kae Tempest shares the music that has sound-tracked the ups and downs of their life.

Bloc Party released their first studio album, Silent Alarm, in 2005. The album reached number three in the UK Albums Chart and propelled them to fame. Despite this, Kele continued to study English literature at university. Until the release of Silent Alarm, he had kept his musical activities secret from his parents. Kele has also released six studio albums as a solo artist, and the most recent, The Flames Pt.2, was released in March 2023.

Talking to Nemone, who combines her roles of DJ and qualified psychotherapist, Kele dives deep to share his journey, and reveals how personal experiences and emotions are woven through his own work. It's a chance to understand his relationship with music more intimately, to learn more about how he uses sound to communicate, and how he's reached the place we meet him in today.

Kele Okereke shares the music that has sound-tracked the ups and downs of his life.

The blue-haired Johannesburg based musician, poet and dancer has created her own music genre 'Future ghetto punk', which fuses elements of experimental electronic, afro-punk and edgy-pop with hints of her strong kwaito, hip hop and jazz background. Moonchild has reached audiences beyond South Africa's borders, playing festivals such as SXSW in Austin, Texas and Primavera Sound in Barcelona. She has become a firm favourite on the 6 Music playlist with infectious tracks such as 'Thunda Thighs', 'Yebo Teacher' and 'Undumpable'. She has also collaborated with Beyonce, Ghetts and Gorillaz, with Damon Albarn describing her as 'a global superstar waiting to happen'.

Fearless, inclusive and a lot of fun, Moonchild Sanelly's iconic personal style, combined with an outspoken approach to female sexual empowerment and body positivity, makes her one of the most exciting performers on the planet right now.

Moonchild Sanelly shares the music that has sound-tracked her extraordinary life

Mykki has collaborated musically with artists including Kanye West, Blood Orange, Basement Jaxx, and most recently Michael Stipe on the single ‘Family Ties‘. Their flamboyant second album Broken Hearts & Beauty Sleep was released in June 2021 which features the superb single 'Free Ride'.

Nemone caught up with Mykki before they took to the stage at the 6 Music Festival in Cardiff. The final episode in this series of Journeys in Sound is a deep, deep dive into the artist's relationship with music, themselves, and the world around them.

Mykki chats to psychotherapist Nemone about their life and music that connects with them.

Roisin first became known in the 1990s as one-half of the trip hop dance-pop duo Moloko with her partner Mark Brydon. Together scored hits such as ‘Sing It Back', ‘Fun for Me' and ‘The Time is Now. After the breakup of Moloko, Murphy embarked on a solo career, releasing her debut solo album, Ruby Blue, written and produced with experimental musician Matthew Herbert, to critical praise in 2005. Her second solo album, Overpowered, was released in 2007.

After an eight-year hiatus (which nonetheless included several singles, vocal features, and side projects) her third album Hairless Toys, released in 2015, was subsequently nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. The following year, Roisin released her fourth album Take Her Up to Monto. In 2018, she released four 12' releases in collaboration with producer Maurice Fulton.

June 2019 saw the release of the disco-inspired single 'Incapable'. Three additional singles were released up until she announced her fifth solo album, Róisín Machine, released in October 2020. The album featuring a melting-pot of disco, house, electropop, funk and electro-RnB influences. In March 2020, just before the first Covid-19 lockdown, Roisin headlined Saturday night at the 6 Music Festival in Camden and wowed the Roundhouse crowd with her brilliant beats, killer voice, flamboyant stage outfits and creative energy.

Sharing the songs that have sound-tracked the ups and downs of her life

Rebecca was previously a member of indie folk-pop duo Slow Club, which formed in Sheffield in 2006 and split in 2017. That same year Rebecca released 'Your Wife', her first single under the Self Esteem moniker. Her debut album under the name Compliments Please was released in 2019.

2021 has been a turning point for the multi-instrumentalist. In April Rebecca released the stunningly honest single 'I Do This All The Time', a warts-and-all anthem that was released to wide-spread critical acclaim. Her forthcoming album 'Prioritise Pleasure', is set for release later this month and is an experimental-pop album which tackles topics such as toxic relationships and the insidious effects of the patriarchy. It's also danceable and infectiously fun.

In this programme Rebecca talks to Nemone about how it felt not 'fitting in' as a child, her experiences of being a woman, discovering her bi-sexuality, and what therapy has taught her, and features music from Alanis Morissette, Queen, Peter Gabriel, Kanye West, Katy Perry, Richard Hawley and a 'self-care' track from Van Morrison.

Self Esteem's Rebecca Lucy Taylor shares the music that has sound-tracked her life.

Talking to Nemone, who combines her roles of DJ and qualified psychotherapist, Sherelle dives deep to share her journey, and reveals how personal experiences and emotions are woven through her own work. It's a chance to understand her relationship with music more intimately, to learn more about how she uses sound to communicate, and how she has reached the place we meet her in today.

Sherelle is best known for bringing Footwork, a dance and music style from Chicago, to the fore in the UK alongside her high-speed jungle sets. One of the most celebrated and best loved DJs of the moment with a ton of awards to her name, Sherelle has played iconic gigs like Dekmantel, a stellar Boiler Room set, and has racked up a Radio 1 residency, all before she's turned 30. She has also released her own music including the brilliant '160 Down the A406'.

The smiling disruptor, who wanted to change the face of dance music because it had become too safe, talks openly to Nemone about her upbringing and musical loves.

Sherelle shares the music that has sound-tracked the ups and downs of her life.

Hot Chip began as a bedroom recording project in 1995 when Alexis met bandmate Joe Goddard at secondary school in London. After completing two EPs, the group released their debut album, ‘Coming on Strong', in 2004. The band's second album, ‘The Warning', released in 2006, was nominated for the Mercury Prize. Their follow-up, 2008's ‘Made in the Dark', included the single ‘Ready for the Floor', which was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording. The band have subsequently released the albums ‘One Life Stand' in 2010, ‘In Our Heads' in 2012, ‘Why Make Sense?' in 2015, ‘A Bath Full of Ecstasy' in 2019, and their eighth, and latest, album ‘Freakout/Release' in August this year.

As a solo artist, the singer, songwriter and musician has released EPs and albums such as 2016's 'Piano'. An accompanying album, ‘Listen With(out) Piano', was released in March 2017, and features re-works of tracks from Piano with other musicians; both albums can be played separately or at the same time.

Having toured all over the world, Hot Chip are no strangers to playing 6 Music's live festival, having headlined in Newcastle in 2015 and Liverpool in 2019.

Alexis' mum is a Greek psychoanalyst, so he and Nemone have plenty to talk about! He also talks about living with tinnitus, and the importance of silence.

Featuring beautiful music from Stevie Wonder to John Cage, Prince to Bob Dylan, and Jamie Principle to Bonnie 'Prince' Billy.

Alexis chats to psychotherapist Nemone about music that has comforted and connected.

Baxter talks about his life growing up with his mum, the artist Betty Rathmell, his school days, expulsions (he left school at the age of fourteen), teenage anarchy, navigating friendships, and the Sulphate Strangler (a 6ft 7in drug dealer entrusted with Baxter's care). He also talks at length about growing up with his Dad, Ian Dury, the legendary punk poet who could tickle or terrorise Baxter, depending how the mood took him.

Baxter's forthcoming seventh album 'I Thought I Was Better Than You', due for release on the 2nd of June, was part written with his teenage son Kosmo in lockdown. In this special episode, to mark Mental Health Awareness Week, Baxter shares his thoughts on family and forgiveness. Featuring music from Madness to Run D.M.C, and Bob Dylan to Sly & The Family Stone, it's the perfect sound-track for a Slow Sunday.

Baxter Dury shares the songs that have sound-tracked the ups and downs of his life.

The Mercury Prize and Emmy-nominated artist often includes classical scoring and sound design in her work, with references to the links between science and nature. She has scored for television, film, theatre and dance, including the music for 'Game of Thrones: The Last Watch'.

Hannah works closely with Paul Weller, providing the orchestrations for his last three albums, and has collaborated with John Foxx, the poet Will Burns, and as a member of The Magnetic North. Her latest collaboration, 'The Unfolding', is with Bristol's Paraorchestra, a unique ensemble of disabled and non-disabled musicians. The record was made while navigating the restrictions of the global pandemic.

In this very special episode, to mark Mental Health Awareness Week, Hannah shares her memories of family, conflict and loss. She also talks about how she calms her mind with music and the importance of the natural world to her. Featuring music from brass bands to R.E.M, Tracey Chapman to Jeff Buckley and Hannah's own work, it's the perfect sound-track for a Slow Sunday.

Hannah talks to Nemone about how music affects her mental health and sense of well-being.

The Charlatans have released thirteen Top 40 studio albums - three of them number ones - alongside twenty two hit singles such as ‘The Only One I Know', ‘Weirdo', ‘Can't Get Out of Bed', ‘North Country Boy' and ‘Love Is The Key'.

The rollercoaster highs, in a career spanning 3 decades, have been accompanied by extreme lows; from nervous breakdowns to near bankruptcy and the deaths of two founder band members.

Tim has always been a much-loved figure on the British music scene - from the cool, confident, floppy haired frontman delivering brilliant indie-pop hits of the Madchester years to the industry survivor, building a therapeutic community for music lovers with his ‘Tim's Twitter Listening Parties' online during the pandemic.

In this programme, Tim talks to Nemone about family, loss and therapy. Featuring music from New Order, Panda Bear, Dexys Midnight Runners, Judee Sill and Ennio Morricone.

The Charlatans singer shares the music that has sound-tracked his ups and downs in life

Having met as students at Hull university in 1982, Everything But The Girl's sound was synonymous with the following decade after Todd Terry turned their 1994 release 'Missing' into an enormous club and chart hit. Their collective CV encompasses The Marine Girls, hugely successful club nights Lazy Dog, Neighbourhood and Cherry Jam, and record label Buzzin' Fly. As authors, they have released highly acclaimed memoirs, Tracey writing 'Bedsit Disco Queen' and Ben charting his near death experiences in the book 'Patient'. The duo returned this year in a blaze of glory following a 24 year hiatus in releasing their 11th studio album Fuse.

Talking to Nemone, who combines her roles of DJ and qualified psychotherapist, the couple take a deep dive to share their epic musical journey and reveal how personal experiences and emotions are woven through their own work. It's a chance to understand their relationship with music more intimately, to learn more about how they've used sound to communicate, and how they've reached the place we meet them in today.

Tracey and Ben share the music that has sound-tracked the ups and downs of their lives.

Yard Act formed in 2019. Their debut EP Dark Days, which includes the keenly observed single ‘Fixer Upper', thrilled music lovers, but the band couldn't play live or connect fully with audiences due to the global pandemic.

At the start of 2022, Yard Act unleashed their debut album ‘The Overload' to huge fanfare and a chart tussle with Years & Years over the number one spot! Now the world has opened up again, James and the band are well and truly on the road as Nemone catches up with James while Yard Act tour The States.

In this programme, James talks candidly about becoming a Dad for the first time, his relationship with his divorced parents, and the complex experiences of being in a band. He also reveals his hopes for the future of human-kind and what he will teach his son as he grows up. Featuring music from Arctic Monkeys to Talking Heads.

James chats openly to psychotherapist Nemone about music that connects and comforts him.

In this three part series Nemone combines her roles of 6 Music DJ and integrative psychotherapist to take us on a journey to find out how music really affects us.

Taking psychologist Steven Pinker's description as music being “cheesecake for the mind ? as her starting point Nemone gains insights from award-winning neuroscientist Dr Daniel Levitin and psychologist Dr Victoria Williamson, both specialists in the study of how music is processed by our brains and the ways in which it impacts our behaviour.

Nemone also sets out to answer a question posed by Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips.

Featuring music from Luke Vibert, Stevie Wonder, The Fall, The Beastie Boys, Made Kuti, James Brown, Khruangbin, Max Cooper, Ellen Alien and The O'Jays.

Music genres aren't so ‘tribal' these days but during lockdown radio proved that we still value shared experiences, whether it's the All Day Raves on BBC 6 Music, the Sing-Alongs, or the many live music events that have been streamed online during the global pandemic. Despite not being physically in the same space, through this period of increased stress, uncertainty and danger we have found ways to connect through a shared love of music, without having to be in the same room.

When dancing as part of a crowd in a club or jumping up and down together in time to music in a festival field do our brains process music differently from when listening to our favourite songs on headphones? Which pathways are fired up in the brain, making us want to dance? And how does nostalgic music stimulate our minds' muscle memory? Award winning neuroscientist and musician Dr Daniel Levitin and music psychologist Dr Victoria Williamson, who both specialise in how music is processed by the brain and the ways in which it impacts behaviour, explain what's going on in our minds while we engage in joyful shared musical experiences.

And what is it like for musicians or DJ's to be in charge of such movement on a mass scale? Nemone talks to Tom Middleton, ambient musician and DJ turned sleep science coach, to find out. Tom also explains how music can help the body to relax, and how to get a good night's sleep. There is also a mini meditation at the end of the show for a moment of relaxation.

Nemone looks at the link between music and our minds\u2026and how music literally moves us

In the final episode in this series Nemone delves into the science once more with award-winning Neuroscientist Dr. Daniel Levitin and music psychologist Dr Victoria Williamson. Is there such a thing as a happy and sad musical note? She also journeys beyond science into the realms of meditative music to find out its benefits.

Nemone talks to voice teacher Jill Purce from The Healing Voice who explains how she uses sound to enable other states of being through chanting.

Electronic musician Jon Hopkins who is best known for his stunning soundscape albums ‘Insides', ‘Immunity' and ‘Singularity' is guided by the practice of autogenic training and transcendental meditation, of which he says, 'For me, it's not about relaxing. It can get music flowing in a way that's really uninhibited, and I want to spend as much time in that place as possible.' Jon talks to Nemone about his meditative work 'Singing Bowl', a 20 minute piece created by a 100 year-old singing bowl found in an antique shop in Delhi.

Plus Grammy award winning record producer, musician and songwriter Paul Epworth, who has worked with a huge range of artists from Adele and Rihanna to Florence and The Machine and Maximo Park, talks about the special emotional connections in music and how he captures that magic in the studio.

Featuring music from Bicep, Prince, Lizzo, Yugen Blakrok, Jon Hopkins and Hannah Peel.

Nemone looks at the link between music and our minds\u2026and how it touches our soul.