This podcast dives into deep conversations with artists from across the globe, focusing on musicians and sound creators. Hosted by Norient founder Thomas Burkhalter, it explores the personal journeys of these artistsâtheir aspirations, successes, challenges, creative processes, and perspectives on the world.
Site
RSS
Apple
Data updated on 04/07/2026
Recent rankings
Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.
Shared links between episodes and podcasts
Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.
Discover shows related to Long Take: Life as an Artist, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
There is no related content for this show.
No links shared by this podcast
Khayam Sanu Sandhi â The Joy of Songwriting
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 âą Duration 01:17:33
In this episode of Long Take: Life as an Artist, we meet Khayam Sanu Sandhi, a singer, songwriter, and producer from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Inspired by poets Kazi Nazrul Islam and Rabindranath Tagoreâtwo towering figures in Bangladeshi cultureâSandhi aims to create new music that resonates deeply. âThey created thousands of songsâIâve made hundreds so far, but I aspire to compose thousands,â he shares. Tune in now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or other platforms! Tune in now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or other platforms!
Sandhiâs musical repertoire spans pure Indian folk and classical music, rock, punk, romantic love ballads, childrenâs songs, and jingles for advertisements. His compositions reflect the rich cultural heritage of Bangladesh, interwoven with his personal touch and sensibilities. Born into a family deeply rooted in music, Sandhi began his journey on the lap of his father, Khodaboksh Sanu, a trained musician from Rabindra Bharati University, a BTV music composer, and a teacher at Bangladesh Shishu Academy. At their home, which doubled as the music school Anondom Shongeetangon, Sandhi learned to play the harmonium and mastered Indian classical rags at a young age. He performed on stage as early as two and a half years old, later excelling in competitions and winning prizes as a child artist.
In his teenage years during the early 2000s, Sandhi explored rock music. Over time, he fused his classical training with contemporary genres, creating a distinctive sound that appeals to diverse audiences. We talk about his creative process, influences, and the role of Indian classical music in the Bangladeshi pop industry.
His path has not been without challenges. Sandhi speaks about the difficulties of the music industry in Bangladesh, particularly the struggles of receiving agreed-upon payments for his work. He emphasizes the importance of taking time to "feed his soul," ensuring he remains inspired and ready to compose his next piece.
In this episode, Norwegian photographer Ărjan EllingvĂ„g, who also captured the portraits featured here, will join the conversation.
#LongTake #podcast #Norient #Khayam Sanu Sandhi #ThomasBurkhalter #Anthropology #Bangladesh #Dhaka #Songwriting #CreativeProcess #Raga #IndianClassicalMusic #Tala
Sharmin Sultana Sumi: Touching Lives
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 âą Duration 58:06
In this episode of Long Take: Life as an Artist, we sit down with Sharmin Sultana Sumi, a Bangladeshi lyricist, composer, vocalist, and entrepreneur, best known for her work with the internationally acclaimed folk-rock band Chirkutt. Sumi shares her philosophy of music and life, rooted in resilience and fueled by personal hardships.
Sumi opens up about her career pathâfrom overcoming initial struggles as a female lead singer to performing on international stages alongside legendary bands like Scorpions, collaborating with the Norwegian band Casa Murilo, and performing at MTV India, South By Southwest, Jaffa Music Festival, Womex, and more. She introduces us to her creative ventures, including Kokil Studios and Spring Off Music, her dynamic production hub. Sumi also discusses projects like Nodi Rocks (featuring one song for each river in Bangladesh), which reflects her passion for linking music and environmental advocacy. Additionally, she shares insights into her advertising company, Salt Creatives, which often focuses on climate change initiatives.
Tune in for an engaging conversation about making music larger than life, thriving in the face of adversity, and embracing creativity for a greater cause. Fun fact: Sumi has the unique ability to write a song during an interview. Letâs find out if she crafted one this time!
#LongTake #podcast #Norient #Anthropology #ThomasBurkhalter #Bangladesh # SharminSultanaSumi #Chirkutt #climate #activism #nature #musicbusiness
Gold Cube â Dec 18, 2024 Quota Reform Movement Monologue (EP6 Add-On)
Thursday, December 19, 2024 âą Duration 19:27
Bangladeshi rapper Gold Cube sent us his 'Dec 18, 2024, Quota Reform Movement Monologue'âa spontaneous recording. We decided to publish it as an add-on to Episode Six.
#LongTake #Norient #Anthropology #podcast #Goldcube #Bangladesh #QuotaReform #ThomasBurkhalter #PuranDhaka
Gold Cube, RizwanOnTheBeat & Paital â Hip Hop from Dhaka
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 âą Duration 33:21
In this episode of Long Take: Life as an Artist, we meet young Bangladeshi hip-hop artists Gold Cube, Paital, and RizwanOnTheBeat. Through their lyrics and beats, they tackle social issues and shed light on the challenges young people face in Bangladesh.
We meet Nirob, also known as Gold Cube, along with Paital and Rizwan, at the home of their local idol, Skibkhanâlisten to the episode featuring him here. Together, we explore Puran Dhaka, the Old City of Dhaka, where they were born, live, and workâa place they are deeply proud of. Through hip hop, they strive to represent the people of their neighborhood and the generation of college students in Bangladesh, who often face limited opportunities, as they explain in the interview.
The three wield rap as a powerful weapon against negativity. Their international influences include iconic American artists such as Ice Cube (whose name inspired the "Gold Cube" moniker), Dr. Dre, Kanye West, and the beat-producing collective Internet Money, led by Taz Taylor. RizwanOnTheBeat produces a podcast and creates content for bdhiphop, having previously contributed to Desihiphop.com and BeatsBangla.
This interview took place during Sheikh Hasina's 15-year tenure as Prime Minister, which ended in August 2024 when she reportedly fled to India following massive protests against her regime. Gold Cube was actively involved in these protests and reportedly went into hiding for a time as authorities sought him.
#LongTake #podcast #Norient #Anthropology #ThomasBurkhalter #Bangladesh #PuranDhaka #Goldcube #Paital #iamrizwanonthebeat #Banglish #BdRap
Skibkhan â Punchlines and Metaphors from Dhaka
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 âą Duration 01:39:45
In this episode of «Long Take: Life as an Artist», we meet Bangladeshi rapper Skibkhan, a member of the pioneering hip hop crew Deshi MCs. He delves into the creative process behind his lyrics and explores his role and responsibilities as a rapper in Dhaka.
Bangladeshi rapper Khan M Sayeed, popularly known as Skibkhan, strives to pack as many words into a bar as possible while keeping his lines simple and not overly complex. As a founding member of Deshi MCs, the group credited with introducing âBangla Gangsta Rapâ and hip-hop to Bangladesh, Skibkhan has played a pivotal role in shaping the countryâs music scene.
In the interview, he reflects on how to deliver clear and impactful messages without unnecessarily offending minority groups, emphasizing that freedom of speech should not turn into hate speech. He shares his observations on class conflicts in Bangladesh from a middle-class perspective and discusses how reading Bangla poetryâan inspiration from his grandmother, a poetâhas helped him expand his vocabulary.
Skibkhan also opens up about his journey in the music industry, the challenges he has faced, and his aspirations for the future. This interview was conducted while Sheikh Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh with an iron fist for 15 years, was still in power. Her presidency ended in August 2024 when she fled to India following massive protests against her regime.
#LongTake #podcast #interview #Norient #Anthropology #ThomasBurkhalter #Skibkhan #DeshiMCs #rap #BanglaRap #Bangla #Bangladesh #Dhaka #protest
Aia Lemonsky â Songs from a Bangladeshi Prison
Wednesday, November 27, 2024 âą Duration 46:40
In the third episode of «Long Take: Life as an Artist», Asif Iqbal, known as Aia Lemonsky, recalls how writing songs gave him strength to survive his time in prison. He sings us some of these songs - with the sounds of Dhaka in the background. Listen to this episode on Spotify or on YouTube.
Music, writing, and drawing served as lifelines for Aia Lemonsky during his time of imprisonment in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Reflecting on that period, he recalls how music gave him the strength to face each day, writing helped him organize his thoughts, and drawing became a form of meditation. A man who started music in prison, and cherishes the sky and lemons, Aia was charged with defamationâa charge that has ensnared many in Bangladesh, often under the controversial Digital Security Act. This law has been widely criticized for violating human rights and suppressing freedom of speech. This interview was conducted while Sheikh Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh with an iron fist for 15 years, was still in power. Her presidency ended in August 2024, when she fled to India following massive protests against her regime. Since his release, Aia Lemonsky has resumed creating music with his band, Kaaktaal (which translates to "The Serendipity of Life"). In addition, he is building a career as an architect alongside being a professional graphic designer and video editor.
#LongTake #podcast #interview #Norient #Anthropology #AyaLemonsky #AsifIqbal #Kaaktaal #Bangladesh #Dhaka #prison #prisonmusic #prisonsongs
Zara Mujthaba â Music and Tourism in the Maldives
Wednesday, October 30, 2024 âą Duration 27:31
In the second episode of Norientâs podcast Long Take: Life as an Artist, Maldivian singer, producer, and artist Zara Mujthaba shares insights into her musical journey and life on Thulusdhoo island, her involvement with the influential Maldivian collective Dinba Family, and her perspective on the evolving tourism industry in the Maldives. She remains hopeful for the future of music in the Maldives and sees potential in the younger generation of artists.
As one of the first independent female artists in the Maldives, Zara Mujthaba, has paved the way for others, releasing groundbreaking solo albums that have attracted attention for both their musical quality and their thematic focus on life and social issues. Her dynamic performances blend Soul, Blues, Jazz, Rock, and R&B and can be experienced in some of the Maldivesâ most exclusive tourist resorts. Beyond performing, Zara shares her expertise by teaching children at the Maldives Music and Arts Centre, nurturing the next wave of local talent. She expanded her influence in Maldivian music by joining the judging panel for Maldivian Idol in its third season, where her mentorship has had a lasting impact on emerging artists.
#LongTake #podcast #interview #Norient #Anthropology #ZaraMujthaba #DinbaFamily #Maldives #Thulushdoo #tourism
