Ulithian Vibes: From Micronesia to Buffalo, With Love

About this episode

The episode features a discussion with members of the Ulithian Vibes collective about their journey and cultural preservation through music.

Welcome to Why Music Matters, a podcast where we examine the power and influence that music can wield in our lives. I’m your host, Jeff Miers. Let’s start today’s podcast with a little anecdote. The text from my friend Jennifer Brazill, President of the Borderland Festival, arrived about 18 months back. “Are you interested in producing, mixing and mastering an album for a reggae-based band from Micronesia, through a grant from National Geographic?” “Um… well, *** yes, I’m interested. Details???” Thus began a journey that culminated in a performance at the Borderland Festival on Saturday, September 13, when founding members of the band Ulithian Vibes traveled from Guam and Hawaii to Western New York, to be joined by a cast of Buffalo musicians for their first international public performance. It was immediately following this performance at Borderland that today’s podcast was recorded. During this episode, you’ll hear Jerry, Konner and Kira - three of the singers who form the Ulithian Vibes collective - along with manager and project coordinator Samantha Stollenwerck, who travelled from Germany to oversee the band’s visit to Buffalo, discuss the way their group formed as a means…

People in this episode

Host: Jeff Miers

Guests: Samantha Stollenwerck, Jerry, Konner, Kira

Topics covered

• music
• cultural preservation
• storytelling
• international performance
• Micronesia
• Buffalo

Keywords

• Ulithian Vibes
• Micronesia
• Borderland Festival
• cultural traditions
• music performance
• storytelling
• album

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Borderland Festival

Books & works: Ulithian Vibes album

Places: Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Western New York

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