Q with Tom Power

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Q with Tom Power episodes

November 13, 2023 Elliot Page on his memoir + Charlotte Cardin performs in the Q studio
Elliot Page (Juno, Inception, The Umbrella Academy) sits down with Tom to talk about his memoir, “Pageboy,” how finally writing his story helped him heal from years of having to hide his true self, and what brings him joy now that he’s living openly as a trans man.
Plus, Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Charlotte Cardin tells Tom what happens when your debut album wins a prestigious prize, and what was on her mind while writing her sophomore record, “99 Nights.” Charlotte also gives a stripped back performance of one of her latest songs “Confetti.”
48 min
November 10, 2023 Majid Jordan: Good People, writing a hit with Drake, and the importance of staying grounded
The duo Majid Jordan met while studying at the University of Toronto and quickly realised they had a creative kinship. Not long after, the two were signed to Drake’s record label OVO Sound and started touring the world, touted as the next big thing. Majid Jordan’s new album, “Good People,” is out now. They joined Tom to talk about writing a hit song with Drake, their creative process, and why surrounding yourself with Good People is so important.
32 min
November 10, 2023 Aaron Jackson & Josh Sharp: Dicks: The Musical, writing lyrics for Megan Thee Stallion, and absurdity in queer cinema
Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp are the creators and stars of the most absurd and raunchy movie to hit theatres this year, “Dicks: The Musical.” It’s a profane spoof of the movie “The Parent Trap,” based on a show that Aaron and Josh created while they were young improv comedians with the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York. They talk to Tom about coming up with the idea, getting Megan Thee Stallion to be in their movie, and why it’s time for queer cinema to embrace more absurdity.
21 min
November 09, 2023 Sandra Caldwell: Running away from home at 13, the New York ballroom scene, and living openly as a trans woman
“The Guide to Being Fabulous” is the new play created by and starring the stage and screen actor Sandra Caldwell. It follows her journey, including the glamorous and gritty parts that led her to becoming the successful artist she is today. But within Sandra’s story of artistry is her fear that her identity as a trans woman would be discovered. She joins Tom in studio to talk about her life and work – and what it’s like to finally openly talk about her true identity.
37 min
November 08, 2023 DJ Shadow: Endtroducing....., Action Adventure, and the joy of digging for records
Since the ‘90s, DJ Shadow has been known for his scratching, sampling and crowd-inciting beats. The musician and producer’s 1996 debut album, “Endtroducing.....” is considered one of the best albums of all time. Now, nearly 30 years later, he’s releasing a new album, called “Action Adventure.” DJ Shadow talks to Tom about what it felt like to put out “Endtroducing.....,” how his views on sampling have changed over the years, and what’s required to make compelling instrumental music.
32 min
November 08, 2023 The Glorious Sons: Glory, proving the music industry wrong, and writing songs about real people
In just a handful of years, The Glorious Sons have gone from playing dirty rock clubs to sold out arenas all across Canada. Band members and brothers Brett and Jay Emmons tell Tom about their latest album, “Glory,” how the band came to be, and how criticism can be motivating.
23 min
November 07, 2023 Why Roy Wood Jr. doesn't want to be host of The Daily Show + Classified shares new music
You might know Roy Wood Jr. from his time as a correspondent on “The Daily Show.” But for years, Roy has honed his comedy as a travelling stand-up comic. This month, he headlines the Just for Laughs Comedy Tour, with shows across Canada from St. John’s to Victoria. Roy drops by the studio to talk to Tom about his life in comedy, why it was time for him to leave “The Daily Show,” and what he thinks is in store for late-night TV.
Plus, the Canadian rapper Classified tells the story behind his latest single, "Wonder."
47 min
November 06, 2023 Broadway legend Patti LuPone + British singer-songwriter Jorja Smith
Patti LuPone is one of the most decorated Broadway performers of our time. Ahead of bringing her show “Don’t Monkey with Broadway” to Toronto, she joins Tom Power for a career-spanning interview that ranges from her early years to the state of Broadway today.
British singer-songwriter Jorja Smith is back with her sophomore album, “Falling or Flying.” She joins Tom Power to discuss growing up in the spotlight, moving back home to the town she grew up in, and the key events in her life that inspired her new record.
51 min
November 03, 2023 Kevin Drew: Broken Social Scene, his early days in Toronto, and his new album Aging
Broken Social Scene’s co-founder Kevin Drew has just released his third solo record, “Aging” – a project all about love, loss and grief. Kevin joins Tom Power to reflect on his early days in Toronto, how he looks back on the success of Broken Social Scene, and what inspired him to dedicate an entire record to aging.
33 min
November 03, 2023 Reneé Rapp: The relationship between confidence and self-doubt, why music has always been her passion, and her album Snow Angel
While dreaming of pop stardom, Reneé Rapp built a resume that most performers dream of. She made her Broadway debut at nineteen in the Mean Girls musical, and starred in Mindy Kaling’s HBO series “The Sex Lives of College Girls.” But these days, she’s bringing her focus back to her original passion: music. Reneé speaks with guest host Talia Schlanger about her first full-length album, “Snow Angel”, and building an online following of millions.
18 min

About Q with Tom Power

From the publisher's feed

Five days a week, Tom Power brings you candid conversations with the artists shaping our culture. Whether he’s chatting with A-listers or rising stars, his disarming warmth and meticulous research…

always gets below the surface, bringing us deeper into the art and lives of today's most compelling musicians, writers, actors and filmmakers.

As a Canadian institution, Q has attracted the biggest names in the world. But it's never been about the fame. It's always been about the art.

Since becoming the host of Q in October 2016, listeners have come to know Tom for his in-depth interviewing style (asking founding Wu-Tang Clan member RZA what was inside his teenage notebooks), his mischievous sense of humour (jokingly chiding actor Catherine O'Hara for her parenting skills in Home Alone), and his genuine enthusiasm and fearlessness (singing a duet with Mavis Staples).

You’re just as likely to hear from celebrities and cultural icons as you are to hear from emerging artists at the beginning of their career. Tom gives each and every artist the space to tell their story in their own words. He also has a track record for interviewing artists on the precipice of stardom, like Lizzo, Billie Eilish and Daniel Caesar, who appeared on Q well before they hit the mainstream.

On Q, we cover arts and culture in all its forms, including music, movies, film, TV, comedy, painting, photography, theatre, cinema, Broadway, fashion, dance, opera, documentaries, books, fiction and memoirs.

Look to our archives to hear some of Tom’s award-winning artist interviews, including his moving and insightful conversation with the Canadian actor Michael J. Fox, which was awarded the prestigious gold medal for best interview at the 2021 New York Festivals Radio Awards.

In 2022, Tom spoke with Friends star Matthew Perry in front of a live audience. Their warm and frank conversation about the actor's struggles with substance abuse struck a chord, leading to millions views on TikTok and Instagram, while also being picked up by news outlets internationally, including Vanity Fair and CNN.

Tom’s impactful discussions with top talent have included Adele, Bono, Chappell Roan, Pamela Anderson, Cate Blanchett, Dua Lipa, Cher, Denzel Washington, Mick Jagger, Florence Pugh, Francis Ford Coppola, Kristen Stewart, Emma Stone, Jim Carrey, Billy Porter, Tom Hanks, Jerry Seinfeld, Tyler Perry, Alicia Keys, Alan Moore, Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand, Darren Aronofsky, Harry Styles, Simu Liu, Sean Penn, Sandra Bullock, Michaela Coel, Ryan Reynolds, Katy Perry, Neil Young, Shakira, George Clooney, Ava DuVernay, Omar Apollo, Trixie Mattel, Orville Peck, Big Sean, Anil Kapoor, Jane Fonda, Robert DeNiro, Antonio Banderas, Elton John, Celine Dion, Kerry Washington, Chuck D, Steven Soderbergh, Mikey Madison, Cillian Murphy, Sean Baker, Steve McQueen, Paris Hilton, Taylor Tomlinson, Gwen Stefani, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Kylie Minogue, Stanley Tucci, Rufus Wainwright, Caroline Polachek, Hans Zimmer, Denis Villeneuve, Alex Garland, Alan Ritchson, Britt Lower, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, David Blaine, Brian Tyree Henry, Perfume Genius, Deepa Mehta, Tracy Chapman, Chloë Sevigny, Josh Hartnett and many more.