Macedonian Postcards

Episode 59 Stefče Stojkovski interviews Dragi Spasovski on Macedonian National Radio

On July 28, 2023, Stefče Stojkovski invited Dragi to his radio show on Macedonian National Radio, and interviewed him for the next 2 hours. He asked questions about his childhood, mother, interest in singing and dancing, music career, recordings, and past and current projects and performances in the United States. The interview includes 12 recordings from Dragi‘s CD with Stefče, and the audio from an international Macedonian song video project made during the pandemic. A bilingual transcript of this episode, with links, can be downloaded at https://izvormusic.com/podcasts/macedonian-postcards/episodes/transcripts/episode-59-dragi-interview-with-stefce-transcript-bilingual.pdf

Episode 58 Bonda Dimiškova

This episode begins our new series on singers and songs. Today we are featuring the legendary vocalist Bonda Dimiškova, who was related to and served as a role model for Vaska Ilieva. Dragi talks about how he came into contact with her family, details about her aristic and often tragic life, and her influence on other singers who followed her. A bilingual transcript of this episode can be downloaded at https://izvormusic.com/podcasts/macedonian-postcards/episodes/transcripts/Episode-58-Bonda-Dimiskova-transcript-bilingual.pdf

Episode 57 Sva noḱ e Stanka sedela

This episode marks the conclusion of the podcasts of the 54 songs in Dragi's 3-CD set. We will be continuing the show after this episode with more wonderful songs, but are delighted to have reached this milestone after 16 years. Dragi learned this song from his mother, Rajna, and it was the last song he talked with her about before she died. It is a ballad about two lovers with tragic consequences.

Episode 56 Tri godini, Kate, bolen ležam

Dragi discusses the long history of the Ohridski Trubaduri, who originally recorded this love song. He also talks at length about the wonderful vocalist Vanja Lazarova.

Episode 55 Stani, bre sine Stojane

Dragi talks about some of the traditions found in line dancing, and some ways romancing was carried out. He then spends the majority of the podcast talking about the extraordinary legendary vocalist Vaska Ilieva.