Ethan and Maya Hawke: On Wildcat and their love of Flannery O'Connor

Walter Scott: Why he’s saying goodbye to Wendy, his most famous creation: How do you step away from your most famous creation? Mohawk artist Walter Scott is about to find out. More than a decade after creating his beloved “Wendy” series of graphic novels, Walter is taking a long hiatus from his cartoon alter-ego. He joins Tom to tell us how he came up with Wendy — a neurotic young party girl who’s trying to make it as an artist — and why his latest book, “The Wendy Award,” is going to be her final adventure for now. by Q with Tom Power

24 min listen

Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Stretching into dramatic work, therapy with her mom, and her new film Tuesday: Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld, Veep) is best known for her quick wit, physical comedy and — when it comes to her character Elaine Benes — her dance moves. But in her new film, “Tuesday,” the Emmy-winning actor flexes her dramatic chops. Julia joins Tom to discuss the film, why she’s more comfortable talking about death these days, and what happens to your comedy when you get mentally healthy. by Q with Tom Power

25 min listen

Remembering Françoise Hardy: This week, the singer-songwriter and French cultural icon Françoise Hardy died at 80 years old. Back in 2018, she spoke with Tom about her memoir, “The Despair of Monkeys and Other Trifles.” It was a rare English interview that looked back on her decades-long career and her early doubtful days, as well as some incredible stories about Bob Dylan and Iggy Pop. Today, we revisit Françoise's conversation with Tom in honour of her passing. by Q with Tom Power

20 min listen

Ally Pankiw: Comedy and tragedy, depression snacks, and her new film I Used To Be Funny: The Canadian director Ally Pankiw is no stranger to working with funny people. She’s directed comedian Mae Martin in their series “Feel Good” as well as comedy actor Annie Murphy in the dark satire “Black Mirror.” Now, she’s released her debut feature film, “I Used To Be Funny,” which stars real-life comedian Rachel Sennott as a stand-up comedian who’s struggling with PTSD. Ally joins Tom in studio to discuss the film and why she wanted the story to capture the coexistence of joy and despair. by Q with Tom Power

23 min listen

George McWhirter: The art of translation and his Griffin Poetry Prize win: The Griffin Poetry Prize is the world’s largest prize for poetry written or translated in English. This year, it went to “Self-Portrait in the Zone of Silence,” which was written in Spanish by the Mexican poet Homero Aridjis and translated into English by the Canadian poet George McWhirter. Tom catches up with George to talk about his big win, his collaboration with Homero, and the art of translation. by Q with Tom Power

16 min listen

Ahmed Moneka: His debut album, Afro Sufi music, and the death threat that forced him to seek asylum in Canada: Nine years ago, the multidisciplinary artist Ahmed Moneka was forced to seek asylum in Toronto after his life was threatened in his hometown of Baghdad. Separated from his family and his heritage, he used music to remember his roots and bridge the language gap he faced in Canada. Ahmed sits down with Tom to talk about his debut album, “Kanzafula,” and how performing his Afro Sufi music helps him remember where he came from. by Q with Tom Power

16 min listen

Kamasi Washington: Fearless Movement, fatherhood, and his biggest jazz influences: The award-winning jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington is back with a new album, “Fearless Movement.” His distinct sound has captured the imagination of many listeners outside of the traditional jazz audience, including a younger crowd. Kamasi grabbed people's attention after collaborating on Kendrick Lamar’s groundbreaking record “To Pimp a Butterfly,” and releasing his own three-hour long opus, “The Epic,” just a few months later. He even scored Michelle Obama’s documentary “Becoming.” Kamasi joins Tom to talk about his life in music, his new album, and how being a father has limited his time but expanded his approach. by Q with Tom Power

37 min listen

Sin Wai Kin: How sci-fi and drag changed their art and helped them realize their true identity: The Canadian artist Sin Wai Kin draws on their interests in sci-fi, drag culture and boy bands to make videos that seem to be set in a different universe. Their film “A Dream of Wholeness in Parts” was nominated for the 2022 Turner Prize (one of the most prestigious art awards in the world) and now the Museum of Contemporary Art in Toronto is presenting the piece as a part of its new show, “Greater Toronto Art 2024.” Wai Kin joins Tom to discuss their work and how drag and sci-fi have become important tools for them both artistically and personally. by Q with Tom Power

19 min listen

deadmau5: His accidental EDM career, 25 years in music, and why he wears a giant mouse helmet: The Canadian electronic musician Joel Zimmerman, better known as deadmau5, is the latest inductee into Canadian Music Week's Music Industry Hall of Fame. He sits down with Tom for a career-spanning chat that covers his early life in Niagara Falls, how Tears for Fears introduced him to electronic dance music, why his early gig as a studio engineer was so influential on him, and when he thinks he might stop. by Q with Tom Power

35 min listen

George Clinton: Funkadelic, James Brown and Kendrick Lamar: Ever since telling people to “Free Your Mind... and Your Ass Will Follow” in the late ‘60s, George Clinton’s P-Funk sound has influenced countless artists, including the likes of Prince, Snoop Dogg and Janelle Monáe. George is the mastermind behind groups like Funkadelic and Parliament, and he’s carved out a massive career in his own right. Last fall, Tom got to talk to George about his life in music, his influence on modern hip-hop, and how he hasn't been fairly compensated for that influence. by Q with Tom Power

30 min listen

Haley McGee: How hospices, mystics and trips to the cemetery inspired her new solo show: Sometime in her 30s, the award-winning Canadian theatre actor and writer Haley McGee started thinking about death. Was she making the best use of her time on Earth? And could being more aware of death help her live life to the fullest? Haley sits down with Tom to talk about her acclaimed new solo show, “Age is a Feeling,” which sets out to answer those questions. by Q with Tom Power

20 min listen

Jessi Cruickshank: Why getting real about motherhood is good for some laughs: The Canadian comedian Jessi Cruickshank first rose to prominence as the co-host of MTV Canada’s “The Hills: The After Show.” Now, she’s releasing her first one-hour comedy special, “Minivan Money,” which explores her experience raising three kids. Jessi joins Tom to tell us how comedy helped her cope with some of the toughest parts of motherhood, why she asked her audience to throw their old bras at her, and why she made the decision to pump breast milk on stage. by Q with Tom Power

28 min listen

Kiesza: Her massive hit Hideaway and the traumatic brain injury that halted her career: Kiesza is the Canadian singer behind the massive dance hit “Hideaway,” which launched her career back in 2014. That song took her from being an unknown artist to performing at London’s Wembley Stadium, appearing on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” and winning three Juno Awards. But everything came to a halt in 2017 when Kiesza was in a car accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury. She joins Tom in studio to tell us the story behind “Hideaway” and how she learned to make music again after her accident. by Q with Tom Power

23 min listen

Quick Q: Bibi Club on their creative and romantic partnership: Bibi Club is the musical project of Adèle Trottier-Rivard and Nic Basque, who are partners in life and music. Their first album, “Le soleil et la mer,” was longlisted for the 2023 Polaris Prize and now they're back with a new record, “Feu de garde.” Adèle and Nic join Tom to talk about their partnership and what their band name has to do with the three kids they have running around their house. by Q with Tom Power

12 min listen

Huey Lewis: How to make a radio hit, hearing loss, and his new Broadway musical: The singer-songwriter Huey Lewis is one of the most iconic voices of the ‘80s. With his band Huey Lewis and the News, he made mega hits like "The Power of Love" and “If This is It.” Now, the band’s music will be featured in a new Broadway musical called “The Heart of Rock and Roll.” Huey joins Tom to tell us what it takes to write countless radio hits, why he had to teach himself a new way to write a song, and how he feels watching someone else singing his music. by Q with Tom Power

27 min listen

Devery Jacobs: Her path to acting, storytelling as activism, and her grueling years as a gymnast: Devery Jacobs (Reservation Dogs, Blood Quantum) always dreamed of being an actor, but it never seemed possible. Now, she’s built a successful career as an actor, director and producer, with starring roles in several acclaimed movies and TV series. Recently, Devery was honoured with the Radius Award from the Canadian Screen Awards in recognition of her global impact. She sits down with Tom to talk about her journey to this moment, plus her new film “Backspot,” which is about a gymnast who’s fighting her body and mind as she takes her place in an elite cheer squad. by Q with Tom Power

24 min listen

Arooj Aftab: The allure of the night, pioneering Pakistan’s DIY music movement, and her new album: When the singer and composer Arooj Aftab released her 2021 album “Vulture Prince,” she gained fans like Barack Obama, Elvis Costello and Caroline Polachek. That album also earned her a Grammy for best global music performance. Now, Arooj is back with her fourth studio album, “Night Reign.” She joins Tom to tell us about her journey in music, her fascination with the night, and what it was like going viral before that was really a thing. by Q with Tom Power

26 min listen

Billy-Ray Belcourt: His debut short story collection and writing about queer, Indigenous love: The award-winning Canadian writer Billy-Ray Belcourt is back with his fifth book and first collection of short stories, “Coexistence.” Following characters with gently intersecting lives, the stories deal with themes of love, loneliness and belonging. Billy-Ray sits down with Tom to talk about putting Indigenous, queer love at the centre of this book, and the freedom that comes when you don't have to explain everything to a non-Indigenous audience. by Q with Tom Power

25 min listen

Dan Brown: His journey from failed musician to bestselling author of The Da Vinci Code: Before he became known as the massively successful writer of “The Da Vinci Code” and other novels, Dan Brown dreamed of being a singer-songwriter. He moved to Los Angeles and landed a record deal, but ultimately his music career didn’t work out. Now, music is back in his life as he prepares to perform with a youth orchestra in New Brunswick later this month. Dan joins Tom to share his story of failure, his relationship with music, and the wisdom he’d like to impart to young people. by Q with Tom Power

23 min listen

Denis Villeneuve: Dune 2, his vision for the sci-fi epic, and how the film reflects issues in the world today: This past weekend, Denis Villeneuve received the Icon Award at the Canadian Screen Awards, naming him as one of the premier filmmakers working today. He spoke with Tom about “Dune: Part Two” when he was in Montreal for the film’s Canadian premiere earlier this year. In this conversation, Denis discusses his vision for the second installment, the challenges of shooting in the intense heat of the desert, and how politics and religion in Quebec play into the film more than you might think. by Q with Tom Power

24 min listen

Quick Q: Frank Walker on his debut album Origin and putting a new spin on EDM: The Canadian musician Frank Walker is one of the new generation of electronic dance music DJs who’s taken inspiration from the past and put their own spin on it. Frank joins Tom to talk about his debut album, Origin, and how he incorporates different genres of music into the traditional EDM sound. by Q with Tom Power

15 min listen

Matt Johnson: BlackBerry, what happens when an outsider filmmaker goes mainstream, and the future of Canadian film: The big winner at this past weekend's Canadian Screen Awards was the film “Blackberry,” which you can watch now as a series on CBC Gem. We revisit Tom’s conversation with director Matt Johnson about his path from guerilla filmmaker to Hollywood darling, how the story of Blackberry is the story of Canada, and why his mission in life is to inspire young filmmakers to stay in Canada and make great films.  by Q with Tom Power

31 min listen

Patricia Field: Costume design, her NYC boutique, and dressing Sarah Jessica Parker: Patricia Field is a legendary costume designer and stylist whose credits include “Sex and the City,” “The Devil Wears Prada” and “Emily in Paris.” A new documentary about her life, “Happy Clothes: A Film About Patricia Field,” details Patricia’s creative journey as one of fashion’s great visionaries, from opening her iconic boutique in New York City, to creating some of the most memorable onscreen outfits of the last few decades. She joins Tom to talk about her vision for “Sex and the City,” how a great actor wears clothes like a human and not a mannequin, and opening a boutique that became the hub for art and fashion in New York in the ‘80s. by Q with Tom Power

32 min listen

Ilana Glazer: Motherhood, loss, and her new film Babes: The comedian Ilana Glazer (Broad City) is back with a new film, “Babes,” which looks at the messy realities of female friendship and motherhood. She joins Tom in studio to tell us how her own pregnancy inspired the film, her most surprising observations about having a baby, and why she’ll be telling stories that centre female friendships for the rest of her career. by Q with Tom Power

25 min listen

Lamar Johnson: The Last of Us, Brother, and being honoured at this year’s Canadian Screen Awards: The Canadian actor Lamar Johnson has been having a moment, from his acclaimed performance in Clement Virgo’s film “Brother” to his Emmy nomination for his emotional role in the hit post-apocalyptic drama “The Last of Us.” At this year’s Canadian Screen Awards, Lamar will receive the Radius Award, which is presented to a Canadian whose work is making waves globally. He chats with Tom about the award, learning ASL for his role on “The Last of Us,” and what all of this success means to him. by Q with Tom Power

22 min listen

Quick Q: Nelly Furtado on her creative reset, why she took a break from music, and what brought her back: The Canadian icon Nelly Furtado is back with a new single as she puts the finishing touches on her upcoming seventh studio album. We revisit Tom’s conversation with Nelly from a few months ago, where she explains why she took a break from the spotlight and what inspired her to get back to making music. by Q with Tom Power

12 min listen

Siphesihle November: His journey in dance and the changes he's seen in ballet: Siphesihle November is a principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada. This June, he’ll be dancing lead roles in the company’s productions of “Don Quixote” and “Jewels” by George Balanchine. Siphesihle sits down with Tom in studio to talk about his journey from South Africa to Canada to pursue dance, his quick rise to the coveted role of principal dancer, and what keeps him inspired and focused. by Q with Tom Power

38 min listen

Aminder Dhaliwal: A Witch’s Guide to Burning, burnout, and protecting your creativity: After working at some of the biggest animation studios in the world and breaking out with her own art, the Canadian cartoonist Aminder Dhaliwal is reflecting on what it means to protect your creativity (and your sanity) in a world that’s always demanding that we work harder and faster. The result is her new graphic novel, “A Witch’s Guide to Burning,” which tells a fairy tale-like story about how to find your magic again when you’re feeling burnt out. Aminder talks to Tom about the book and what burnout feels like to her. by Q with Tom Power

19 min listen

Geoff McFetridge: Beastie Boys, skateboarding in Calgary, and designing for brands like Apple and Nike: Geoff McFetridge has been called “the most famous Canadian artist you’ve never heard of.” As a graphic artist and painter, he’s collaborated with directors such as Spike Jonze and Sofia Coppola, designed for brands like Nike and Apple, and created huge murals for Ottawa’s transit system. In a rare interview, Geoff tells Tom how the DIY culture of skateboarding in Calgary influenced him to get into art, how he ended up designing the Beastie Boys’ Grand Royal magazine, and how he keeps one foot in the world of art galleries and one foot in the world of corporate design.  by Q with Tom Power

35 min listen

Tarsem Singh: On Dear Jassi and the real-life tragedy that inspired the film: The director Tarsem Singh first made a name for himself in the ‘90s making iconic music videos for bands like R.E.M. and Dream Warriors. In 2000, he captured moviegoers' imaginations with the sci-fi thriller, “The Cell,” starring Jennifer Lopez. His latest movie, “Dear Jassi,” is based on the real-life story of Jassi Sidhu, a young Sikh woman from Vancouver who was kidnapped and murdered while visiting the man she secretly married against the wishes of her family. Tarsem sits down with Tom to talk about this tragic love story, and why it was also pretty personal to him. by Q with Tom Power

25 min listen

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Ethan and Maya Hawke: On Wildcat and their love of Flannery O'Connor

Ethan and Maya Hawke: On Wildcat and their love of Flannery O'Connor

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