Audio Talks

To celebrate JBL’s 80th anniversary, Audio Talks kicks off a new season with host Oisin Lunny joined by Stew Hume, Managing Editor of Total Production International, and Raul Gonzalez, Applications Engineer at HARMAN Professional, to explore how JBL’s professional audio innovation has helped transform live concerts into global cultural movements.

The conversation traces JBL’s deep roots in live sound — from early milestones like Woodstock ’69 and Pink Floyd’s quadraphonic experiments, to today’s stadium‑scale productions powered by JBL Professional systems. Stew shares insight from the production front line, unpacking how evolving audience expectations, theatre‑inspired storytelling, and cinematic stage design have redefined what a modern concert experience looks and feels like.

Bringing together creative and technical perspectives, Stew and Raul unpack what it takes to deliver today’s biggest live moments. From production design and storytelling to JBL Pro systems and immersive audio, they reveal how technology and creativity now work hand‑in‑hand to turn concerts into unforgettable cultural experiences.

On this episode of Audio Talks, host Oisin Lunny welcomes Andrew Melchior—technologist, artist, and creative collaborator with Massive Attack, Björk, and David Bowie—for a deep dive into the shifting ground beneath music, technology, and culture. From Manchester’s vibrant music scene to pioneering spatial audio and mixed reality, Andrew’s career is a journey through the edges of innovation.

Together, they trace the arc from classical roots and analog synths to the digital frontiers of streaming, AI, and immersive experiences. Andrew shares candid stories of musical mentorship, band adventures, and the evolution from vinyl to virtual worlds—whether helping Elbow produce their first EP, launching BowieNet at EMI, or building Massive Attack’s experimental Phantom app that remixed music using heartbeats and motion sensors.

The conversation explores the risks and possibilities of synthetic media, the rise of generative AI, and the urgent need to protect human creativity and cultural identity From sonifying cosmic radio bursts in a Finnish cathedral to advocating for climate-conscious touring, Andrew’s vision is rooted in sustaining human agency and meaning amidst rapid technological change. Tune in for a masterclass in creativity, resilience, and the future of music—where technology is a tool, not a tyrant, and being useful is the ultimate revolution.

In this episode of Audio Talks, host Oisin Lunny welcomes Ted Cohen—the “Godfather of Digital Music”—for a masterclass in how technology, culture, and creativity have shaped the modern music industry. From backstage with the Rolling Stones before their Ed Sullivan debut to pioneering digital deals at EMI, Ted’s career is a living history of music’s transformation.

Together, Oisin and Ted trace the arc from analog to digital, exploring how serendipity, artist development, and a relentless curiosity led Ted to work with legends like Fleetwood Mac, Van Halen, Prince, and The Who. Ted shares candid stories from the road, the boardroom, and the cutting edge of innovation—whether sneaking Mark Zuckerberg and Sean Parker into the Grammys, navigating the Napster wars, or launching Amazon Music before streaming was mainstream.

The conversation dives into the evolution from distribution to the attention economy, the rise of AI and creative tools, and the shifting boundaries between consumption and experience. Ted reflects on the lessons learned (and missed) by the industry, the importance of building your “village,” and why kindness is the ultimate long game.

In this episode of Audio Talks, host Oisin Lunny welcomes Victoria Hesketh—aka Little Boots—singer, songwriter, producer, and founding performer for ABBA Voyage, the revolutionary concert where ABBA was reborn as digital “Abbatars.” Together, they explore how technology like holograms, AI, and immersive XR is reshaping the live music experience, blurring the boundaries between physical and digital performance.

Victoria shares her firsthand insights from ABBA Voyage, describing the emotional impact of performing alongside digital avatars and how audiences connect with shows that blend nostalgia, storytelling, and cutting-edge tech. The conversation delves into the balance between artistry and innovation, the importance of live musicians, and the ethical questions raised by resurrecting legends as holograms—all while considering how virtual spaces like Roblox and Fortnite are redefining what “live” means for a new generation.

Looking ahead, Victoria imagines a future where technology empowers creativity and authenticity, with concerts that visually paint music and foster real fan communities. She reflects on the need for genuine connection and hopes that, even as AI and digital innovation evolve, the heart of music—storytelling and artistry—remains at the center of every performance.

In this episode of Audio Talks, host Oisin Lunny is joined by Dr. Mathias Johansson, Vice President of the Cognitive Systems Lab at Harman—a team at the forefront of AI and immersive audio innovation. Together, they dive into how artificial intelligence is transforming the very nature of listening, making sound more responsive, emotional, and personal than ever before.

Mathias shares how Harman’s legacy of engineering excellence and decades of research underpin their approach to immersive audio, from gaming and automotive to live music experiences. The conversation explores the science behind perceptual modelling, the challenges of creating truly realistic 3D sound, and how AI is shifting audio from something you control to something that understands you.

He also discusses the future of sound—from adaptive, emotionally intelligent audio environments that follow you through your day, to the role of immersive audio in safety, entertainment, and even live concerts. Mathias reflects on the importance of user feedback, the intersection of psychology and technology, and Harman’s commitment to making world-class sound accessible to everyone.

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Hear more about Auracast here: https://audiotalks.podigee.io/76-bluetooth-exploring-auracast
Our Audio Talks Playlist: https://listen.tidal.com/playlist/6d14f4ad-f1c7-404d-ba82-fe8d0a320b93

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