Ann Allen, Kadebostany, Make Plain, Pegasus

This week, musician and stage director Ann Allen came into the studio to tell us about her new production Play It Again, Dido. Her concept for the production carries on the baroque tradition of adapting music to suits its purpose and audience. The piece is set at the end of WWII in a cabaret night-club. Ann gave the classical Purcell opera Dido and Aeneas a jazz twist using saxophone, piano, guitar, bass and drums rather than a baroque orchestra. As the tagline says, it's "Purcell's classic meets downtown jazz club" - don't miss it! Performances start on August 22nd at Filter 4. Details on dates, venue and tickets are here.

Founded “on an impulse” by DJ Kadebostan, Kadebostany have released their second Album Pop Collection. They market themselves as the country of “Kadebostany”, aiming to export their incredible musical wealth and national values. Their sound combines strong vocals and epic, anthem-like electronic music, all driven forward by a catchy beat. At the Gurtenfestival 2014, Kadebostan and Amina told Anna about how they got together, beating Rihanna in the charts and how you can become a Kadebostany citizen! Listen to the interview again here.

Make Plain are a duo from the Italian part of Switzerland consisting of guitars and drums that produce real old-school blues and rock ’n’ roll. They formed 2011 and have been performing ever since. At the Gurtenfestival 2014, Ellie asked them about their love of blues and performing live. Listen to the interview again here.

Pegasus are a Swiss pop/rock band from Biel. The four-piece grew up together on the same street and began playing at a very early age. After a difficult start in the music business, they've come a long way, winning a Swiss Music Award and going gold with their album Human.Technology in 2012. At the Gurtenfestival 2014, Pegasus talked to Ellie about the state of the music industry and their beginnings performing on their parents' balconies. Listen to the interview again here.

Our music this week included songs by Kadebostany, Make Plain, Pegasus and Death By Chocolate - as well as Anna Aaron, Fink, Maximo Park, Nick Waterhouse and Bonobo, who will all be playing this weekend at the Open Air Basel.