FINE+RARE podcast

  • Gavin Lucas
  • Leo Walton

FINE+RARE approached myself and regular collaborator, Leo Walton, to do some Spotify playlisting for a project they were doing that would look to celebrate the 90th anniversary of iconic Lebanese winery, Chateau Musar. Leo and I jumped at the chance to work together on a music project with FINE+RARE, and as we started researching, we pitched the idea of putting together a podcast that would give a UK audience a real insight into music from Lebanon. The FINE+RARE podcast was born and for the first episode, Leo and I interviewed Ernesto Chahoud and Natalie Shooter from the Beirut Groove Collective. We asked the DJs to give us the low down on their legendary all-nighters in Lebanon’s capital; and about Beirut’s surprisingly vibrant music scene all through the Civil War (1975-1990). We also asked Ernesto about his new reissue project with BBE Records and the first release in the series: Ihsan Al-Munzer’s 1979 synth-led Belly Dance Disco album. Have a listen on the player below. The podcast was part of package of content that included written pieces, and also four Spotify playlists. We worked closely with Alan Aboud of Aboud+Aboud and the podcast was produced by Geoff Bird. Huge thanks to everyone involved - such fun to work on! frw.co.uk/campaign/chateau-musar