Ameya Hadap takes a look at the State Department’s use of music to push American influence, examining the perspectives of musicians who engage in cultural diplomacy programs.

Full description:

Glance at any country’s Top 40, and chances are American hits dominate. It’s a powerful cultural force. The State Department has tried to harness this potential, through the American Music Abroad program, sending American musicians all around the world to play music and connect with locals. Here’s a look at the ways the government uses these programs to promote one story of America, even as the musicians sometimes tell another.

Credits / show notes:

Episode by Ameya Hadap. Music from YouTube (here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here) and Facebook (here). Photo courtesy of the Adriatic Destination Management Company. Thank you to Brian Plautz and Hugo Berkeley for the audio, and to Jessica Lynn and Tony Memmel for interviewing for this project as well.