Best Contemporary Composition Podcasts (2025)

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Noise - Episode October 16, 2025

Play Pause

6h ago

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Funding Drive proper is right around the corner! Head over to https://cjsw.com/donate to donate today! OR donate during Funding Drive Week - October 17th to 24th for special show-specific incentives! Tonight we celebrate with Jazz, Dark Ambient, Harsh Noise, and MORE! Playlist: FACT - none of my friends smoke anymore Ginger Beef - Takeout Baltimore…

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Noise - Episode October 9, 2025

7d ago

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NOISE is joined by Sarah Rosenfeld, the Calgary Counselling Centre's Associate Director of Counselling Initiatives. We'll be discussing all things related to the 20th annual National Depression Screening Day (NDSD) initiative. From October 6-12, you can check in with how you're feeling through their free, anonymous online screening quiz at areyoufe…

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HPH388: How are building regulations made? – with John Palmer 43:20

8d ago43:20

43:20

Having spent the last few years working within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, John Palmer explains how building regulations are made and what their role is within the construction industry. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

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Nour Monday Monologue [MM]: No Is A Power Move, Not A Mood! 11:39

10d ago11:39

11:39

By Nour Hassan

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Noise - Episode October 2, 2025

13d ago

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SUBMISSION SPECIAL II It's back! Tune in for the second edition of the Submission Special! Hear artists from around the World who have sent their music to Noise! Jazz, Contemporary Classical, Experimental, Harsh Noise, Electronics, and more! Playlist: miserable.noise.club - Vehemence Jasmati, Grand Trunk, Atsushi Ikeda - Florida Stream Toolie Bleu …

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Noise - Episode September 25, 2025

20d ago

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Playlist: Chief Adjuah, featuring Elena Pinderhughes - Of a New Cool Joey Calderazzo - The Oracle Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band - Return of the Prodigal Son Chris Smith - The Day I Tried To Live Dan Rosenboom - Coordinate 2: Apophis Jairus Sharif - Mawu Flur - Nightdiver Eliot Krimsky - Transmission Brian Baggett - Adrift Who Cares - Glimpses: …

1
HPH387: How do you make a Victorian terrace home more comfortable? – with Will South 47:57

23d ago47:57

47:57

Will South from Etude takes us step-by-step through the retrofit of his Victorian terrace house in Brighton, which has improved the health, comfort and energy efficiency of the property. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Nour Solo [MM]: From Saudi to Egypt My Journey Through Culture, Creativity and Curation 15:09

23d ago15:09

15:09

Nour Hassan shares her journey from growing up in Saudi Arabia to building The Curation, a platform celebrating art, fashion, design, and culture across the Middle East and beyond. • Born in Jeddah to an Egyptian family with Saudi roots, attending the British International School that shaped her worldview • Credits her international school experien…

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Noise - Episode September 18, 2025

27d ago

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The Boys are back in town! Join Steve, Adrian and Chad as they kick out the jams on this episode of NOISE! Playlist: Tebby & The Heavy - Soothe Zabus - Zaum Uboa - Wasted Potential The Exit Bags - Her Ghost is Gone NECHT - ...And So Across The Bloody Lake We Did Sail In Silence Bicep, featuring Silla - Takkuuk Andrew Staniland - The Laws of Nature:…

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Noise - Episode September 11, 2025

1M ago

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Playlist: Big Thief - Incomprehensible Eliot Krimsky - Feel I'm Getting Closer Friendly Rich - Birds 40-76 Sarah Houston - Dancing Shadows Dirty Projectors, David Longstreth, stargaze - Uninhabitable Earth, Paragraph One Georgia Denham - to gwen, with love Martin Arnold, Quatuor Bozzini - Aberrare (Casting) 1 - 2 Marmots - Sheath and Knife Eric Che…

1
HPH386: The potential of mycelium-based composites – with Joshua English 46:57

1M ago46:57

46:57

Joshua English, co-founder of Okom wrks labs shares his journey into the creation of a mycelium-based composite material, which has structural and load-bearing properties. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

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Nour MM: 7-Step Reset Your Guide To A Fall/Winter Glow Up 15:25

1M ago15:25

15:25

Ready for a seasonal transformation? Just as the leaves begin their magnificent shift, your habits can experience a beautiful reset too. After finally embracing a true summer break—eating whatever I wanted and skipping workouts without guilt—I'm now craving structure again. It's that delicious contradiction of human nature: we need both freedom and…

1
Rebecca Anne Proctor: From EIC to Independent Voice Reshaping Middle Eastern Art Dialogues 52:54

1M ago52:54

52:54

What does it take to document a cultural renaissance? Rebecca Anne Proctor never planned to become a journalist, yet her natural curiosity and love for writing led her to the forefront of Middle Eastern art and cultural reporting during its most transformative period. Growing up between America and Italy with an artist mother and writer father, Reb…

1
HPH385: A stunning contemporary home on a sloping site – with Kirsty Maguire 36:07

2M ago36:07

36:07

Architect Kirsty Maguire shares her experience of designing and building her own Passivhaus on a challenging sloping site in Newport-on-Tay, Scotland. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Nour Monday Monologue [MM]: The Lost Art of Being Unapologetically You 10:42

2M ago10:42

10:42

We've stopped being original, and it's time to get our uniqueness back. This episode explores how to break free from the clone culture that's making everyone look the same and reclaim your authentic personal style. • The problem of "copy-paste" culture where everyone wears identical fashion items and adopts the same aesthetic • How constant social …

1
Series 1, Episode 43: Walkin’ On The Earth Again 17:06

2M ago17:06

17:06

We'd love to hear from you! Please send us a Text Message! I discovered a song I had written 4 or five decades ago. It was a response to a very bad habit that I had fallen into in life. The song was written and performed in my living room studio and was a one take … this means that I sang and played it one time in the recording process. It was an i…

1
Eng. Mohamed Edris: From Real Estate Developer to Pioneering Visionary 31:19

2M ago31:19

31:19

What does it mean to create spaces where people truly live, not just exist? Eng. Mohamed Edris, the visionary behind Mabany Edris, shares how his journey from construction engineer to pioneering developer has transformed Egypt’s landscapes—from Sheikh Zayed to Ras El Hekma. Driven by the joy of turning empty desert into thriving communities, Edris …

1
HPH384: De-risking a Passivhaus project – with Sally Godber 57:20

2M ago57:20

57:20

Sally Godber, a Director at WARM consultancy explains why reducing the risks on her own Passivhaus project was so important, what that entailed and how it enabled her to deliver a healthy, comfortable and energy-efficient home on budget. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

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Nour Monday Monologue [MM]: Level Up Your Life Pt.2 and Become Magnetic 11:02

2M ago11:02

11:02

Ready to transform your life but feeling overwhelmed by endless social obligations and digital distractions? This episode reveals the counterintuitive secrets to genuine personal growth that nobody talks about. The most powerful life upgrades often come from what you subtract, not what you add. Discover why "leaving early" has become my personal ma…

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HPH383: A beginner's guide to creating a comfortable home – with Andy Mitchell 46:17

3M ago46:17

46:17

Andy Mitchell, Managing Director of 21 Degrees, explains what factors influence human comfort and how we have tried to make our homes more comfortable through the years. Embracing building physics has been a turning point and while we have the knowledge and skills to create healthy and comfortable homes today, it's still not the default approach. S…

1
HPH382: What is a Principal Designer? – with Ben Nother 51:01

3M ago51:01

51:01

Ben Nother, a Director at Hawkland Group, explains the two different roles of Principal Designer in meeting building regulations and addressing CDM health and safety. He also reflects on how this has been integrated into their processes. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

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Series 1, Episode 42: Captain, Commander, and Movie Shaker 1:00:53

3M ago1:00:53

1:00:53

We'd love to hear from you! Please send us a Text Message! The real Captain Commander, Mover, Shaker of Watchfire Music is Julia Wade. Not only does she take care of the day to day grind of running the company, but she is also the #1 best selling artist in the company among over 300 various artists. Here is a rundown of all of the shoes she fills p…

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HPH381: What is Passivhaus Premium? – with Phil Neve 54:26

4M ago54:26

54:26

Phil Neve explains what Passivhaus Premium is and why he chose to target the standard for his own self build in Somerset. He also talks through his biggest project challenge, which was obtaining planning permission to build in open countryside. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

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HPH380: What is Passivhaus Plus? – with Heather Johnson 34:43

4M ago34:43

34:43

Heather Johnson from AD Practice explains what Passivhaus Plus is, how it differs from Passivhaus Classic accreditation and what benefits achieving the standard will afford. She also reveals why most of her clients target 'Plus' and outlines the steps to achieve this on a project. Check out the show notes for more information.…

1
HPH379: What is inclusive design? – with Stephanie Kyle 42:56

5M ago42:56

42:56

Stephanie Kyle from Floyd Slaski Architects explains how we can design for disability, gender, religion, and anything that’s considered a protected characteristic under the Equality Act. She also highlights the biggest challenge of inclusive design which is people’s differing needs, and suggests how we best go about designing spaces. Check out the …

1
Nour Monday Monologue [MM[: Curating Your Life & Finding Your Unique Voice in a Copy-Paste World 17:18

5M ago17:18

17:18

Authentic curation stands as a revolutionary act in a world drowning in sameness. What began as an intentional practice of selecting and editing life's experiences has morphed into a misunderstood buzzword—thrown around by brands without truly grasping its essence. But true curation runs deeper than aesthetic choices; it's about discernment, indivi…

1
HPH378: Accessibility for all – with Guy Harris 33:59

5M ago33:59

33:59

Guy Harris from AccessiblePRS explains why accessible housing is important, what the key considerations are and how to deliver it well. He also shares his experience of designing his own house as a wheelchair user. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

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Series 1, Episode 41: The Mysteries of Life 23:46

5M ago23:46

23:46

We'd love to hear from you! Please send us a Text Message! So much of life I take for granted I wake each day to face the same routine The colors often run In shades of monotone and grey And the days melt together In a frivolous cliché But occasionally, now and then Once or twice when the moon is blue I’ll be walking across a room And a thought wil…

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HPH377: Retrofitting a 1950s semi-detached ex-council house – with Toby Cambray 39:44

5M ago39:44

39:44

Toby Cambray talks about the experience of working on his own retrofit project, and the lessons learnt in the process. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

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Dr. Princess Alia Al Senussi: On Art Basel, Saudi Arabia, & Cultural Diplomacy From The Ultimate Junction Maker 42:38

6M ago42:38

42:38

The art world thrives on connections – between artists and institutions, across cultures, and through the passionate individuals who dedicate their lives to fostering creative dialogue. Dr. Princess Alia Al Senussi stands as perhaps the quintessential example of this connective power, described by Hans Ulrich Obrist as "the ultimate junction maker"…

1
HUNA Talk: Faraj Abyad and the Revival of Classical Arabic Composition 49:15

6M ago49:15

49:15

What happens when a fourth-generation Syrian American decides to revive and reimagine classical Arabic music traditions from New York City? Faraj Abyad takes us on a mesmerizing journey through the microtonal landscapes of Tarab and Maqam theory while breaking industry norms with his original compositions. Raised in a household where the legendary …

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Composer Chaya Czernowin on Embracing Risk, Musical Creatures, and Warping Musical Space 1:11:49

6M ago1:11:49

1:11:49

In episode no. 6 of The Composer’s Cut, I sat down with the legendary composer Chaya Czernowin to discuss her music. She spoke of how she conceives of her music almost like creatures that she materializes through the medium of sound, the risk and danger of pursuing certain paths or ideas, warping time and space in music, creating equal forces betwe…

1
Yasmin Khalil: KŌDO London & The Sweet Science of Scent-Driven Wellness 34:10

6M ago34:10

34:10

Scent has a powerful ability to transport us through time and space, evoking memories with just one breath. In this riveting conversation with Yasmin Khalil, founder of KŌDO London, we unlock the secrets of luxury home fragrance that honors both indulgence and wellness simultaneously. Yasmin reveals how her Lebanese heritage and interior design bac…

1
HUNA Talks: The Intersection of Art and Education with Afra Al Dhaheri, Alia Hussain Lootah, and Janet Bellotto 42:05

6M ago42:05

42:05

A powerful conversation unfolds at Art Dubai 2025 as three visionary women share their journeys through the evolving landscape of arts education in the UAE. Dean Janet Bellotto of Zayed University, artist-educator Afra Al Dhaheri, and artist-founder of Medaf Studio Alia Hussain Lootah reveal the transformative potential of creative learning while c…

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HPH376: What is WUFI? – with Toby Cambray 38:55

6M ago38:55

38:55

Toby Cambray talks about the risks associated with moisture in buildings, and the modelling techniques – like WUFI® – that can be used to assess those risks. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Entangling Sound, Self, and Movement: Niki Harlafti on Her Interdisciplinary Practice 59:37

6M ago59:37

59:37

In episode no. 5 of The Composer's Cut, I sat down with interdisciplinary composer Niki Harlafti (Charlafti) to talk about her music, her compositional process, and her recent projects. We spoke about her approach to form, compositional process, how she weaves musical elements together, her use of text, and the innate interdisciplinarity of her wor…

1
You Deserve to Be in the Room: Overcoming Self-Doubt Once and For All 17:30

6M ago17:30

17:30

Nour Hassan dives into the universal struggle of imposter syndrome, sharing personal stories and actionable strategies to overcome self-doubt and fully own your worth. • Understanding imposter syndrome as a sign of growth rather than inadequacy • Normalizing these feelings by recognizing they affect even the most accomplished individuals • Creating…

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HPH375: A day in the life of a builder – with Mike Whitfield 36:13

6M ago36:13

36:13

Mike Whitfield shares his experience of running a local construction company that specialises in Passivhaus. He explains how the business is structured, and what tasks are tackled on a daily and weekly basis. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Ibrahim El Missiri: Beyond the Peninsula Transforming Soma Bay 37:00

6M ago37:00

37:00

From construction engineer to environmental researcher to destination visionary — Ibrahim El Missiri's career path defies conventional trajectories while offering profound insights into what makes extraordinary destinations thrive. As the CEO of Soma Bay Red Sea, El Missiri worked on the transformation of a stunning Red Sea peninsula into one of Eg…

1
Series 1, Episode 40: Trees are Falling 15:01

7M ago15:01

15:01

We'd love to hear from you! Please send us a Text Message! A psychedelic experience with a tree and a perplexing new song title dreamed up by Jenny Burton, recording artist of over three and a half decades, got me to become a dedicated advocate for the preservation of forests and the trees of Planet Earth. It didn’t hurt one bit that this previous …

1
HPH374: Building for People - with Mike Eliason 45:21

7M ago45:21

45:21

Mike Eliason talks about his book, Building for People, and the massive opportunity we have to create better places through being more intentional and thoughtful. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith

1
Alex Mincek on Form, the Elasticity of Time, and Repetition 58:31

7M ago58:31

58:31

In episode no. 4 of The Composer's Cut, I sat down with composer-saxophonist and co-director of the Wet Ink Ensemble Alex Mincek to talk about his approach to form, relationships between the surface and the structure of his music, the role of repetition in his music, his relationship with the visual arts, and some recent works! Learn more about you…

1
José-Luis Hurtado: Bridging Sound and Vision in Composition 1:02:03

7M ago1:02:03

1:02:03

In episode no. 3 of The Composer's Cut, I sat down with composer/pianist José-Luis Hurtado to talk about his compositional process, his relationship with the visual arts, and some recent works! Learn more about your host: https://www.mathew-arrellin.com/ Subscribe to my newsletter so you don't miss any updates! https://www.mathew-arrellin.com/subsc…

1
Mai Galal: The Woman Who Dressed the Pharaohs 58:33

7M ago58:33

58:33

Meet Mai Galal, the visionary stylist who has revolutionized Egypt's fashion landscape through her extraordinary career spanning decades. Far from an overnight success, Mai's journey began with a needle and thread at age eight, crafting homemade outfits for her Barbie dolls and transforming orange peels into artistic expressions. That same creative…

1
HPH373: Using a willow bed to treat sewage - with Laila Dudhill 31:05

7M ago31:05

31:05

Laila Dudhill explains some of the challenges she faced when planning her new build home at the bottom of a sloping field. Not only did she have to deal with drainage across the site, diverting the natural flow of water away from the house, but also come up with a foul drainage strategy that would off-set phosphate discharge into the local watercou…

1
Inside Eric Wubbels’ Music: Process, Improvisation, and Meaning Today 1:54:31

7M ago1:54:31

1:54:31

In the second episode of The Composer's Cut podcast, I sit down with composer-pianist Eric Wubbels of the Wet Ink Ensemble to talk about his compositional process! Learn more about your host here: https://www.mathew-arrellin.com/ Subscribe to my newsletter so you don't miss any updates! https://www.mathew-arrellin.com/subscribe _____ Eric's website…

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Composer Anna-Louise Walton on the Art of Working with Limited Materials 27:20

7M ago27:20

27:20

In the inaugural episode of my new podcast The Composer's Cut, I talk with Anna-Louise Walton about her compositional process and working with limited materials. Learn more about your host here: https://www.mathew-arrellin.com/ Subscribe to my newsletter so you don't miss any updates! https://www.mathew-arrellin.com/subscribe _____ Check out her mu…

1
Series 1, Episode 39: You and I 16:18

8M ago16:18

16:18

We'd love to hear from you! Please send us a Text Message! This episode is entitled You And I Not all love stories have happy endings. Sometimes, no matter how hard both parties try, it was just not meant to be. This is an uncharacteristically short (just 15 minutes) podcast whose purpose is to introduce a new song written and performed by Peter Li…

1
Anne Mehany: On Fashion, Dreaming, Grief and the Power of Hope 1:05:24

8M ago1:05:24

1:05:24

In this episode we speak to Anne Mehany, co-founder of Maison Mehany a multidisciplinary creative house. We explore Anne's extraordinary journey from a young girl captivated by fashion to a leader in the Egyptian luxury design scene. Driven by passion, her inspiring story unfolds through layers of personal loss, including the death of her father at…

1
HPH372: Introducing the circular economy to housing 44:45

8M ago44:45

44:45

Katherine Adams and Connie Spoor talk about the circular economy and construction, and practical strategies for making reuse a priority on housing projects and self-builds. Check out the show notes for more information.By Ben Adam-Smith