Radio Europe

Sarah on the waterfront at Positano, Italy.

A plane overhead in Nice, France.

Hello from Europe!

For context, hi! I’m Sarah and in semester one of 2023, I was Secretary at Radio Monash. In semester 2 I have jetted off with my parents for a semester exchange in London, and at this time of writing, we are travelling around Europe.

I’ve started a playlist project called ‘Radio Europe’, in which I’m collecting songs I hear ‘in the wild’ as I travel – in taxis, shops, restaurants, from street performers – basically anything authentic to the locations I’m in.

Asking Siri to shazam songs has become my new best friend, but fair warning, it only really recognises the original recordings. In the case of live street performers, I’ve been voice recording them so I can go back through their lyrics to find the song, but unfortunately, I’m bound to English in this case!

Anyway, onto the music. Click here for a link to the playlist which I’m continuously updating as I find new songs. I think there is something in here for everyone, but I’m going to point standouts for me!

Parthenon in Athens, Greece.

First up on the playlist is ‘Arranca’ by Becky G. This has become a fast favourite for me! I’d heard of Becky G before because she has a cover of the famous Italian song ‘Bella Ciao’, but I hadn’t checked out any of her own music. Being at the top of my playlist I must have discovered it while in Greece, but since writing this I’ve also heard it in France!

I hadn’t encountered many street performers until I arrived in Nice, France. Since my family and I are doing bus tours throughout Europe, we weren’t out late enough at night to encounter any dinnertime entertainment or bustling streets at twilight, but the beachfront in Nice was a different story. One of the first street performers I encountered was a girl singing ‘Love in the Dark’ by Adele, and another performing an electric guitar cover of ‘Señorita’ by Shawn Mendes

and Camila Cabello by the beach. One street performer was a dancer, which introduced me to the twin brothers called ‘Homeboyz’ on Spotify – a friend suggested their genre might be considered amapiano. Worth a listen if that’s your thing!

There were also some amazing roller-skaters doing tricks around cones along this same beachfront area, although unfortunately, no music! Just a cool experience, they were genuinely super impressive.

Europe has such diverse music when it comes to languages, so I’ve heard plenty of English and a huge mix of other languages. I’ve included some Harry Styles and the 2000s hits I’ve heard whilst here to be authentic to my experience. I loved this song when I first heard it – ‘Substitution’ by Purple Disco Machine, Kungs, and Julian Perretta (and it’s in English!)

In a gift shop, I found this beautiful song to change up the vibe a bit – ‘Sunset’ by Adé. Usually, I like fast-paced songs, so this one is for you if you’re looking for something more mellow. Still, I think it has summery vibes!

I hope you’ve enjoyed my first instalment of Radio Europe – I’m halfway through the Europe trip (before going to the UK) so I’m hoping to make a European part 2!

Until then,

Sarah Stancombe ☺

- All international photos taken by me! -