Get ready to journey across continents and cultures with Around the World with Davy Sims—your passport to a rich and diverse musical experience. Each week, Davy opens the door to a new country or region, introducing you to the unique sounds, stories, and traditions that shape its music. From ancient folk songs passed down through generations to modern global fusions that defy genre, this is a show that celebrates the depth and beauty of musical expression around the globe.

Whether it's hypnotic rhythms from West Africa, soaring vocals from the Middle East, intricate string work from Asia, or pulsing electronic beats inspired by Latin America, Around the World is a showcase of sonic diversity. Davy brings context, history, and heart to every track, offering insights into how music connects people across time and place.

This week, we travel to the intersection of Finland and Taiwan through the hauntingly beautiful album The Garden of Otava by Barbora Xu. A truly captivating work, this album blends Nordic and East Asian musical traditions, marrying the gentle tones of the Finnish kantele with Taiwanese poetry and nature-inspired themes. Barbora’s voice and instrumentation create a meditative, almost spiritual listening experience that reflects the changing seasons, inner landscapes, and the shared human connection to the natural world.

Davy is back with another incredible musical journey, exploring the rich and diverse sounds of the world! Around the World with Davy Sims takes you beyond the charts and into the heart of global music, uncovering rhythms, melodies, and artists from every continent.

From the pulsating beats of Afrobeat and the passionate strains of flamenco to the haunting harmonies of Scandinavian folk and the infectious energy of Latin grooves, this show is a passport to musical discovery. Whether it’s legendary performers or emerging talents, Davy curates a sonic adventure that celebrates the incredible diversity of world music.

Tune in and let your ears travel across cultures, traditions, and stories—because great music knows no borders!

This week on Around the World with Davy Sims, we’re taking a gentle journey back to the beginning of the year to revisit one of the standout musical highlights: Luminescent Creatures by the remarkable Japanese artist, Ichiko Aoba. First featured in the early weeks of the year, this deeply atmospheric and emotionally rich album left a lasting impression on listeners around the world—and it’s well worth another listen.

Ichiko Aoba is renowned for her ability to craft minimalist yet deeply evocative soundscapes. With nothing more than her voice, guitar, and a delicate sense of space, she builds entire worlds from silence and sound. In Luminescent Creatures, she offers a collection of beautifully soft, introspective pieces that feel like whispered lullabies or long-forgotten dreams coming gently back to life.

As always, Davy features four carefully chosen tracks from the album, each one showcasing a different facet of Ichiko’s artistry. From delicate acoustic melodies to subtly layered arrangements, these songs embody a rare kind of beauty—fragile yet powerful, understated yet unforgettable. Davy also shares insights into the album’s creation, Ichiko's unique musical philosophy, and why this particular body of work continues to resonate so deeply.

Whether you're a longtime fan of Ichiko Aoba or hearing her for the first time, this episode invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and truly listen. It’s a reflective, soothing hour of radio that reminds us of the quiet magic found in the gentlest of sounds.

Around the World with Davy Sims—your passport to global music, one extraordinary artist at a time.