Travel By Music with Kyle Durnan-Kerns

 In this engaging conversation, Shannon Gomes interviews Kyle Durnan-Kerns, the creator of The Conscientious Traveler on Substack. K yle has spent years leading sustainable travel initiatives and writing about how to explore the world responsibly. But her passion project, Travel by Music, might be her most creative (and addictive) endeavor yet. Each week, she curates a 30-song playlist from a different country, using music as a gateway into culture. 

They explore the intersection of music and travel, discussing how music influences cultural understanding and the creative process behind curating playlists that represent different countries. Kyle shares insights into the challenges of researching music, the importance of authenticity in playlist creation, and the joy of discovering new sounds. The discussion also touches on the accessibility of music as a cultural medium and the personal experiences that shape their travel journeys.

Listen to Kyle's playlists on Spotify here. 

 Chapters

 00:00 Introduction to The Concientious Traveler

02:42 The Birth of Travel by Music

05:32 Guidelines for Playlists and Cultural Representation

07:40 Falling in Love with Music and Places

08:17 The Power of Music in Understanding Culture

11:05 Discovering New Music: The Research Process

16:11 Exploring Music from Different Countries

19:10 The Importance of Indigenous Music

20:04 Experiencing Live Music While Traveling

24:52 Travel Tips and Scams to Avoid

25:41 The Journey of a Tour Guide

28:17 Challenges in Curating Playlists

29:23 The Impact of Sharing Music

32:32 Looking Forward to Future Travels