Student's podcast fuses talk, diffuses controversy

Senior Immy Schofield loves dropping the “F-word” — “The Musical F-word,” that is.

Musical fusion — the fusion of two genres — is not something those in the music world take lightly. In fact, it has sparked disagreement in the community in recent years.

Schofield, an Asian studies major and music enthusiast, said she became so interested in musical fusion that she researched and created a series of podcasts about the subject.

“Last summer I thought, ‘I should do something that joins my studies and academics,’” she said.

“It was really my attempt to join two different parts of my life while at the same time acquiring new skills.”

Schofield said she believes musical fusion can open doors to show the world that cultures may differ, but they have common ground and can still coexist.

But others are not as open to the idea.

Schofield said many people in the music community believe it is merely a trend that has little importance. As a result, the idea has faced controversy, leading to the infamy of the “musical F-word.”

Starting roughly a year ago, Schofield said she realized a podcast would be the perfect outlet for her to get the word out about her fascination with musical fusion.

She began taking classes at Duke University on how to build a podcast. During the summer, she then went to Chennai and Delhi, India, interviewing and playing with musicians for her podcasts.

Now, she has launched two episodes of her podcast and plans to launch four to six more episodes before beginning her next phase of research.

Türker Bulut, a senior computer science and economics major, said he met Schofield the summer before their first year at UNC.

“I’m her housemate at the moment, and it’s really amazing to see how she’s taken it from the idea phase to this level,” he said. “It takes a lot of determination and hard work.”

Bulut said he was introduced to musical fusion through Schofield after previously knowing nothing about it. Claire Bennett, one of Schofield’s closest friends, said she was also recently introduced. She said she learned about its importance and the impact it might have.

“I think fusion music is important to learn about because it can teach us that cultures do not always need to be separated,” she said.

“Musicians have a special talent at taking vastly different styles of music that originate from perhaps vastly different cultures and marrying the two to make really beautiful music.”

Even on a college campus, Schofield said she feels that the ideas behind her work can have an impact.

“We’re a liberal arts university where everyone is studying different things,” she said.

“It’s encouraged to have a breadth of education here, and I think cross-culture music is one example of how it can all fit together well.”

@nicola_mcirvine

arts@dailytarheel.com