Don’t Assume: Diamanda Galás
Focus on Diamanda Galás
This is a radio edit of the Don’t Assume podcast series which was broadcast on podcast platforms in 2024. For this edit music has been added that directly reflects or relates to the conversation.
Diamanda Galás is one of a kind. The Greek-American artist is known for her uncompromising approach and singular, multi-octave voice. Her work often channels the pain of the dispossessed, giving emotionally charged performances that explore subjects like the AIDS crisis, the Greek-Armenian genocides and experiences of grief. But she is equally at home singing jazz standards and blues songs. We couldn’t think of a better artist to launch this series of Don’t Assume, a podcast which reveals the sorts of things you’d never expect from our favourite artists.
In this lively conversation, Zakia and Diamanda travel across the expanse of Diamanda’s wide ranging career, discussing everything from her collaboration with John Paul Jones, the influence of her strict father, her mistrust of the term “avant-garde” and her love of forensic TV shows.
Diamanda is equal parts deeply serious and acerbically funny, swinging between reflecting on her regrets to lacerating the ‘bubble gum crap’ of the Beatles. This interview feels like a true meeting of minds, and a chance to see both sides of this formidable artist, truly someone who embodies the spirit of this new series of ‘Don’t Assume’
TRACKLIST
Diamanda Galás
Εξελόυμε (Deliver Me)
Diamanda Galás
O Death
Marika Papagika
Galata Manes
Fats Waller And His Rhythm
Your Feet’s Too Big
Art Tatum
Ain’t Misbehavin’
Ornette Coleman
What Reason Could I Give
Diamanda Galás
All The Way
Jim French With Diamánda Galás And Henry Kaiser
Looks Could Kill
Diamanda Galas
Cris D’Aveugle Blind Man’s Cry
Diamanda Galas
Do You Take This Man?
The Supremes
My World Is Empty Without You
Diamanda Galás
Schrei 27
Diamanda Galas
Baby’s Insane
Diamanda Galás
Judgement Day
Diamanda Galás
Insane Asylum
The Chet Baker Quartet, Russ Freeman
The Thrill Is Gone
S.P.K.
Genetic Transmission
Diamanda Galás
Vena Cava 8
Diamanda Galás
La Llorona (Live)
