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Hyphenated: Music + Identity

Hyphenated: Music + Identity

Written by: Ron Deutsch
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About this listen

Hyphenated: Music + Identity is an audio documentary series about immigrant and second generation immigrant musicians in Europe navigating their "hyphenated" identity through their music. It's about borders and frontiers both within themselves and their music. It's been called "a musical archive of modern migration." I hope to put some light on these artists and to introduce you, the listener, to new music and perhaps new perspectives on the world. Created and produced by veteran music+film journalist Ron Deutsch. More info can be found at our website: http://www.hyphenated.eu

© 2025 Ron Deutsch
Art Entertainment & Performing Arts Music Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Season 3 - Pre-Teaser
    Dec 4 2025

    Let's call this a "pre-teaser" for Season Three. I just want to let you know that I'm busy gathering and recording artists for it. And I'm looking forward to sharing these new episodes with you in the near future.

    The thing is though, in the first two seasons I tried to keep to a schedule of regular episodes, BUT.... I'm just not made for building schedules, and it just made for a lot of stress. But also, it's not the easiest task to corral working and touring artists to sit down for a long chat. Therefore, in this season, episodes will drop as they are done.

    As in previous seasons though, I will attempt to make 10 episodes. It's good to have expectations, but the trick in life is to manage disappointment. So we'll see how it goes.

    Meanwhile, as it is the holiday season, I'd like to suggest - if you haven't already - checking out the episode with Youka from the band Mitsune. There you'll find a link to make a donation to Doctors Without Borders. Any donation amount is welcome. Once you've donated, you will be sent a link to download the episode. Otherwise, if you haven't listened to all the episodes from season one and two, think of that as my gift from me to you.

    I think it's going to be a really great season, and I thank you for being a subscriber, and I want to thank all the artists who have participated already to this very special project.

    Other than that, stay tuned. See you soon.

    Please like and subscribe. Also, consider buying some of today's artist music or adding them to your streaming playlist. Or better yet, go see them play live. A playlist of music in this episode, transcript, as well as links to more information about the artist, can be found at our website http://www.hyphenated.eu. It's also where you can find other episodes and discover more hyphenated artists. And if you'd like to support this series, please tell a friend.

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    2 mins
  • Louis Matute
    Jun 16 2025

    Just a quick note.... This is the final episode of the second season. I had hoped to have 10 episodes, or at least eight, and so I apologize to you, the listener, for that, but unfortunately there were many complications, both with my moving, with artists who dropped out, or who just didn't work out. Nevertheless, I'm very grateful for those who did take the time and put their trust in me to tell their stories. I very much intend to continue this project and will begin recording new episodes again in the fall and look forward to presenting them to you at that time. Have yourselves a great summer. And don't forget you can follow us on facebook and instagram to know when the new season begins, as well as subscribing via your podcast app or platform of choice. And if you haven't listened to all the episodes, summer is a great time to do so.

    Louis Matute is the son of a German mother and a Honduran father, but was born and raised in Switzerland. When he began pursuing a career as a jazz guitarist, he began to notice elements of Central and South American music finding their way into his compositions. These rhythms and melodies were also accompanied with feelings of sadness, nostalgia, and melancholy that seem to have been almost genetically transferred into him from his father. It has always been difficult for his father to tell him the stories of what happened to his family and why they fled Honduras. And so, Louis has put himself on a journey to uncover and understand the roots of these feelings he has. In the meantime, he has created his own folklore in his music to fill that space.

    Please like and subscribe. Also, consider buying some of today's artist music or adding them to your streaming playlist. Or better yet, go see them play live. A playlist of music in this episode, transcript, as well as links to more information about the artist, can be found at our website http://www.hyphenated.eu. It's also where you can find other episodes and discover more hyphenated artists. And if you'd like to support this series, please tell a friend.

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    18 mins
  • Rebecca m'Boungou/Kolinga
    Apr 4 2025

    Just a brief note, we'll be taking another short break. Getting ready to record some more episodes, so we should be back by the beginning of May to finish up this second season. And as always, thanks for subscribing and spreading the word.

    Before Rebecca m'Boungou was conceived, in the 1980's, her French mother became entranced by Congolese music, and followed that fascination to the country where she became the first white woman to dance with the National Ballet. And that's where she also met the man she would marry and have a child with. Rebecca was born and raised in the Basque Country and felt accepted as just another French girl, while at the same time understood she was different. And while her parents' marriage didn't last, it was her mother's love and respect for Congolese culture that she then gifted to her daughter. But yet, being “a half-white, French girl,” has led to identity conflicts. She understands these conflicts may just be in her head, such as is she legitimate to talk about Congo, or is she taking space away from someone who is from Brazzaville? But what she does understand is that her music allows her to celebrate her other culture, and helps her feel she is not just “another pessimistic human in this world.”

    Please like and subscribe. Also, consider buying some of today's artist music or adding them to your streaming playlist. Or better yet, go see them play live. A playlist of music in this episode, transcript, as well as links to more information about the artist, can be found at our website http://www.hyphenated.eu. It's also where you can find other episodes and discover more hyphenated artists. And if you'd like to support this series, please tell a friend.

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    19 mins
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