April Peavey

Studio Director and Producer

April Peavey is studio director and producer for PRI's The World.

I work out of the Boston newsroom and studio for The World. Half of my day is devoted to producing sound rich music features (known as the Global Hit) or hard news interviews; the other half is spent in the studio directing the show.
Much of the music you hear between reports and breaks was chosen by me. My goal is to try and keep the music sounding fresh and "worldly."
I also work closely with the show producer and engineer to make sure the show keeps a steady pace and that all the pieces/interviews come in on time. 
Math was never my strong suit, so I always need to make sure I have a stopwatch! 
Before coming to The World I produced for the daily news program "Here and Now" based at WBUR.
While there I served as a field producer for the 2004 Democratic and Republican Conventions and produced a one-hour radio documentary on Cuba. 
Other career ventures include: NBC in New York, the Museum of Television and Radio and ushering at the Metropolitan Opera House.
I received my Bachelors degree from Emerson College and have a Master’s in Theological Studies from Boston University.
I currently reside in New Hampshire with my partner, three cats, a dog and 20k-plus bees.
Pilani Bubu found her music community after she moved from South Africa to New Orleans. She understood that the people she met wanted to learn more about her culture back home. That’s when she started to incorporate South African music into her repertoire

South Africa’s Pilani Bubu has ‘jumped off the shoulder of giants’ to create music filled with tradition

The singer-songwriter has always straddled between the worlds of globalization and the traditions of her homeland.

South Africa’s Pilani Bubu has ‘jumped off the shoulder of giants’ to create music filled with tradition
Haitian Musician and Voudo priest Erol Josué has a new album titled Pèlerinaj, which includes songs like “Rén Sobo,” “Ati Sole” and “Palave Maria" that invoke Voudo goddesses and saints.

Erol Josué’s new album Pèlerinaj highlights Haiti’s Vodou tradition and the artist’s own pilgrimage

Erol Josué’s new album Pèlerinaj highlights Haiti’s Vodou tradition and the artist’s own pilgrimage
woman onstage

Irish singer-songwriter Dani Larkin navigates a troubled border with song 

Irish singer-songwriter Dani Larkin navigates a troubled border with song 
band

TarantisT bandleader on protests in Iran: 'This is not protest anymore. This is a revolution'

TarantisT bandleader on protests in Iran: 'This is not protest anymore. This is a revolution'
View of the Earth as seen by the Apollo 17 crew.

NASA’s iconic image of Earth still inspires 50 years later. Fmr astronaut Mae Jemison reflects on it.

NASA’s iconic image of Earth still inspires 50 years later. Fmr astronaut Mae Jemison reflects on it.
As a part of the Afro-Andean Funk duo, Araceli Poma, a Latin Grammy-nominated Peruvian singer and producer, together with bassist, composer and producer Matt Geraghty, often makes music about Indigenous language, culture and shamanism.

Afro-Andean Funk duo unites cultures through music

The New York-based duo makes music about a wide variety of themes but often come back to songs about Peruvian shamanism.

Afro-Andean Funk duo unites cultures through music
One of Joanne Lee Molinaro's recipes from The Korean Vegan

The Korean Vegan reflects on food, family and life

Food blogger Joanne Lee Molinaro speaks with The World's host Marco Werman about her cooking, social media success and the personal stories behind the experience.

The Korean Vegan reflects on food, family and life
São Sebastião Fort and Museum with statues of conquistadors São Tomé.

'Born in Blackness': A new book centers Africa in the expansive history of slavery

Major aspects of the trans-Atlantic slave trade from an African perspective have gotten erased throughout time. Howard French set out to illuminate a more expansive understanding in a new book called, "Born in Blackness: Africa, Africans, and the Making of the Modern World, 1471 to the Second World War."

'Born in Blackness': A new book centers Africa in the expansive history of slavery
Poet Malik al-Nasir with Gil Scott-Heron, a jazz and spoken-word artist.

Gil Scott-Heron 'was first and foremost an activist,' fellow poet says

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Gil Scott-Heron had a profound influence on many aspiring poets including Malik al-Nasir and his band, Malik and the OGs. Nasir joined The World's host Marco Werman to talk about his lifelong connection with Scott-Heron recounted in his new book, "Letters to Gil."

Gil Scott-Heron 'was first and foremost an activist,' fellow poet says
Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, from Illinois, speaks during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the conclusion of military operations in Afghanistan and plans for future counterterrorism operations on Capitol Hill in Washington

Sen. Tammy Duckworth calls for a 'real, cold-hard facts look' at US' failed 20-year war in Afghanistan

"The key thing is that I want it to be completely nonpartisan, not bipartisan, but nonpartisan," Illinois Democratic Sen. Duckworth explained to The World's host Marco Werman. "I served on the Benghazi Commission, for example. That was bipartisan, but it was highly political."

Sen. Tammy Duckworth calls for a 'real, cold-hard facts look' at US' failed 20-year war in Afghanistan
Swedish musician José González is known for stretching musical boundaries over his 18-year career. 

José González’s 'Local Valley' mixes sounds from West Africa, from the Sahel to Ghanaian highlife

Over his 18-year music career, José González has tapped into sounds from three continents: Brazilian bossa nova, Swedish hardcore punk, and now, West African styles.

José González’s 'Local Valley' mixes sounds from West Africa, from the Sahel to Ghanaian highlife
A black and white photo of Buena Vista Social Club members Ibrahim Ferrer, Eliades Ochoa, Comapy Segundo and Puntillita Licea.

25 years later, the Buena Vista Social Club still connects the world through old-school mambo

Recorded in Havana, Cuba, 25 years ago, the Buena Vista Social Club drew together many older musicians and gave their careers a second life. The album quickly became an international sensation.

25 years later, the Buena Vista Social Club still connects the world through old-school mambo
A screenshoot of a YouTube video announcing Elvis Costello's new album "Spanish Model."

Elvis Costello’s ‘Spanish Model’ brings back rock-and-roll classics to a Spanish-speaking audience

Grammy award-winning musician Elvis Costello has a new album, but you won't hear his voice on it. This time, it’s a remix featuring voices from across the Spanish-singing world.

Elvis Costello’s ‘Spanish Model’ brings back rock-and-roll classics to a Spanish-speaking audience
US Vice President Kamala Harris takes part in a roundtable at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore

Southeast Asia allies express concern over US commitment amid Afghanistan crisis

Yun Sun, a co-director of the East Asia Program at the Stimson Center in Washington, DC, discussed these issues with The World's host, Marco Werman.

Southeast Asia allies express concern over US commitment amid Afghanistan crisis
Multi-generational Haitian band Lakou Mizik has a new album in collaboration with Grammy-winning electronic music artist Joseph Ray titled ‘Leave The Bones.’

Lakou Mizik’s new album highlights Haiti’s creative spirit

Hatian band Lakou Mizik’s “Leave the Bones,” in collaboration with DJ and producer Joseph Ray of Nero, mixes traditional sounds with electronic beats.

Lakou Mizik’s new album highlights Haiti’s creative spirit