Ian Brennan Part 2: Recording Music in Remote Communities | Ghana, Bhutan & Oakland Stories
Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman
05/07/26
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This is my second conversation with Grammy-winning producer Ian Brennan, whose work continues to make a meaningful impact around the world. If you missed Part 1 of our interview, be sure to check the link in the show notes.
In this episode, we explore Ian Brennan’s remarkable approach to recording music in some of the most remote and overlooked places on Earth. You’ll hear stories from his travels to Ghana, where he recorded in witch camps, as well as projects in Bhutan and within unhoused communities in Oakland, California—near where he grew up.
This ongoing series within my podcast highlights more than 50 albums Ian Brennan has produced, many of which have helped local musicians gain international recognition and perform outside their home countries for the first time.
In addition to his work in music production, Ian Brennan is also an accomplished author and a respected expert in nonviolent crisis resolution. In this conversation, we also discuss his book Peace by Peace and the philosophy behind his work.
The excerpts from the albums featured in this episode are linked in the show notes.
The show notes also take you to: transcript, YouTube video, Ian Brennan's website, Marilena Delli Umuhoza's videos, other episodes you'll enjoy including with Ian Brennan, newsletter sign-up, podcast merch, and how you can buy this indepedent podcaster a coffee to keep this going! Show Notes!
(00:00) Intro
(01:32) Bhutan Balladeers with clips (album and film linked in show notes)
(18:35) experience recording “Not a Homelless Person, just a person without a home” with the Homeless Oakland Heart Collective with clips (album linked in show notes)
(31:34) non-violent crisis resolution, book Peace by Peace
(44:14) recording Witch Camp in Ghana (album linked in show notes)
photo: Marilena Delli Umuhoza
Previous Episode
Max ZT is a superb Grammy-nominated hammered dulcimer player. I am really inspired by his broad and deep musical approach, improvisation skills, and virtuosity. You’ll be hearing inspirations and clips from his recent album with the handpan virtuoso Manu Delago, and in fact this was recorded during their album release tour of the U.K. and Europe. Max explained fascinating details about his approach to building hammered duclimers with the guidance of David Lindsey. If you’re a fan of Manu’s handpan playing you’ll also be gaining more understanding into his creative approach to performing.
You’ll hear the inspiring stories of how Max came to be a student of both the Cissoko Griot family in Senegal, and the late Pandit Shivkumar Sharma in India.
Max has also with us shared clips of House of Waters grammy-nominated album “On Becoming” as well as some great behind the scenes moments in the recording studio. Among Max’s collaborators, you’ll hear about the brilliant Moto Fukushima, the 6 string electric bass player in House of Waters, and Max’s wife the wonderful singer and athlete Priya Darshini.
I feel that Max’s insights into mindfulness and creativity apply broadly to all of us.
Complete Show Notes with all the Links!
(00:00) Intro
(02:59) “Deuce” with Manu Delago, clip of track 5 Inhale
(05:16) Manu Delago, recording album “Deuce”, touring
(15:36) different techniques on dulcimer and handpan, with clip of track 4 “Break” from “Deuce”
(23:41) the innovations in tuning the dulcimer
(27:00) building and designing dulcimers with David Lindsey
(33:18) life-changing encounter, clip of track 6 “Rally” from “Deuce”, India, student of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma “Shivji”
(37:50) other linked episodes and ways to support this podcast
(38:47) India, student of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma
(46:04) House of Waters, album “On Becoming” clip of track 1 “Folding Cranes”
(47:07) Moto Fukushima, Avaloch Farm Music Institute with clip of track 2 Avaloch, album “On Becoming”
(53:18) creative process, importance of improvisation House of Waters, clip of track 8 Improv 13, On Becoming: the Improv Sessions
(01:00:41) rewards of improvisation, Mike Stern, with clip of track 4, Hang in the Air, On Becoming House of Waters
(01:04:39) Priya Darshini, with clip of track 8, The Wall, On Becoming, House of Waters
(01:07:57) Senegal Cissoko Griot family, kora
(01:11:48) celebrating the uniqueness of the dulcimer, Bard
(01:14:56) upcoming shows
photo: David Sosnow
Next Episode
I was so honoured and delighted to have this opportunity to have this conversation with Nancy Shear, whose diverse career in classical music will fascinate you. I loved reading her memoir “I knew a man who knew Brahms” which is very much a book about appreciation for great music making as well as the importance of reflecting on the legacies our elders. You’ll hear about insights gleaned from her close releationships with many luminaries including Leopold Stokowski and Mstislav Rostropovich. Nancy was a troubled teenager when she began working as part of the Philadelphia orchestra library staff, and her brave determination, sensitivity and brilliance have led her to many unexpected opportunities. Whether or not you are currently a fan of classical music, I’m sure Nancy’s wisdom and storytelling will inspire you. We’re also including Nancy’s suggested listening links in the show notes, as well as other episodes you’ll enjoy.
Complete show notes take you to: video, transcript, Nancy's website and listening suggestions, other episodes you'll enjoy, podcast newsletter sign-up, podcast merch store, podcast support page to buy this independent podcaster a coffee, and more! SHOW NOTES with ALL links!
(00:00) Intro
(01:38) memoir “I Knew a Man Who Knew Brahms”
(12:01) Leopold Stokowski and her memoir
(38:14) William R. Smith
(43:25) Eugene Ormandy
(52:48) other suggested episodes
(53:47) Stokowski, excerpt from the book
(56:50) Stravinsky Rite of Spring, Stokowski, Mahler
(01:00:35) Rostropovich
(01:08:49) Nancy’s career and independence
(01:17:35) Stokowski’s fascination with technology
(01:20:32) great concerts, Byron Janis, Jacqueline du Pré, Ormandy
(01:24:22) Curtis
(01:27:41) growth mind-set, healthy tech boundaries, writing
(01:36:45) final excerpt from “I Knew a Man Who Knew Brahms” about Stokowski, Saul Caston, music appreciation
(01:40:14) who was the man who knew Brahms, importance of legacy
photo of Nancy: David Teubner
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