Q with Tom Power

By CBCSociety & Culture

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Q with Tom Power episodes

July 25, 2023 Catherine Hernandez on writing a book that feels like love + G.R. Gritt’s queer anthem
Catherine Hernandez, the award-winning author of “Scarborough,” is ready to tell a new tale.
Her latest novel, “The Story of Us,” is about a Filipino woman who takes work as an overseas caregiver and develops an unlikely friendship with an elderly patient. Catherine tells Tom about the success of “Scarborough” (including its recent film adaptation), what it feels like to be a conduit for her ancestors, and the eye-opening research that went into writing “The Story of Us.”
Plus, G.R. Gritt got their start as part of the Juno Award-winning musical duo Quantum Tangle. These days G.R. is making a name for themself as a solo artist. They join guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the inspiration for their queer anthem “Turnin' It Up” featuring Tessa Balaz.
27 min
July 24, 2023 While locked up in a U.S. prison, Jesse Krimes secretly created epic works of art + How artist Ekow Nimako uses Lego to imagine new monuments for Black youth
While locked up for five years in a U.S. prison for a non-violent drug offense, Jesse Krimes secretly created epic works of art using bedsheets, hair gel and newspaper. Each piece was smuggled out one-by-one through the prison mail room. Now, nearly a decade after his release, he’s adjusting to life on the outside as one of the world’s most talked-about visual artists. Jesse tells Tom how he used art not only to survive, but to rebuild his entire life.
Plus, Ekow Nimako is Ghanaian-Canadian artist who builds sculptures with black Legos, spending hours snapping plastic bricks together to create futuristic, Afrocentric cities.
Ekow tells Tom how these sculptures are a part of his mission to build monuments for young Black people who may not see themselves in existing statues and sculptures.
46 min
July 21, 2023 Pop hitmaker Max Martin on the biggest songs of his career + Erez Zobary on being a highschool teacher by day and musician by night
If you know songs like “I Want It That Way,” “…Baby One More Time,” or “Blinding Lights,” then you’re already familiar with the work of Max Martin. Max is a super producer, known for writing some of the biggest songs of the last three decades. In a rare career-spanning conversation, Max tells Tom about his process for writing a hit song and collaborating with some of the world’s biggest stars, and what it’s like to have his music in the hit Broadway musical “& Juliet.”
Plus, when Toronto-based R&B artist Erez Zobary isn’t writing and releasing music, she’s working as a teacher at a local high school. She talks to guest host Talia Schlanger about how she balances being an educator and a musician, and how her two biggest musical inspirations — Stevie Wonder and Amy Winehouse — influenced the sound on her new album, “Healthy Habits!”
50 min
July 20, 2023 Le Tigre is back — Kathleen Hanna and JD Samson reflect on Bikini Kill, ageism and unity at their shows
The feminist punk icon Kathleen Hanna once called her band Le Tigre “the dance party after the protest.” Now, almost 25 years after the band's inception, they’re back on tour. Band members Kathleen Hanna and JD Samson talk to guest host Talia Schlanger about what it’s like to resurrect Le Tigre, how a Bikini Kill and Le Tigre show differ, and why they think their music brings together people of all ages and communities.
24 min
July 20, 2023 Jason Moran on why you should know about the music of James Reese Europe
James Reese Europe has been called “the Martin Luther King of music,” because of his influence on ragtime and early jazz. The acclaimed pianist Jason Moran’s latest work is a tribute album to the late composer. Jason tells Tom why James should be seen as a “big bang” in Black music.
22 min
July 19, 2023 Sean Paul on his biggest hits + Shane Cunningham’s new sketch comedy series “The Dessert”
Last year, the dancehall singer Sean Paul joined Tom to talk about 20 years of his massive album “Dutty Rock,” stories behind some of his biggest hits, and what inspired his latest album, “Scorcha.”
Plus, Shane Cunningham tells Tom about his new sketch comedy series “The Dessert,” what it’s like to have a comedy hero like Bruce McCulloch (Kids In The Hall) executive produce his show, and where he draws his comedic inspiration from.
45 min
July 18, 2023 Carly Rae Jepsen on her latest album and 10 years of “Call Me Maybe” + Bells Larsen’s new song “Ten Hands”
Carly Rae Jepsen is known for her upbeat brand of pop music that looks at love, life's little joys and heartbreak through danceable melodies and catchy hooks. But when the pandemic hit, Carly found herself coping with a type of loneliness that inspired a whole new sound – resulting in her latest album, “The Loneliest Time.” She tells Tom about making the album and reflects on 10 years of her first hit song, “Call Me Maybe.”
Plus, Montreal-based singer Bells Larsen is gearing up to release his sophomore album, “If I Was, I Am,” later this month. While it promises to feature the same tender lyricism and intimate sound as his debut, the record is Bells Larsen’s first since transitioning. He’ll preview the song “Ten Hands” off the album and talk about singing with his new baritone voice.
50 min
July 17, 2023 How Pink charted a defiant path to pop stardom
When she hit the scene two decades ago, Pink was hit with a chorus of naysayers who compared her relentlessly to other pop stars of her generation. She tells Tom about her bold march to music stardom, and finding longevity in a notoriously tough industry.
21 min
July 17, 2023 After 50 years of filmmaking, Sally Potter is making music
Filmmaker Sally Potter built her reputation as a highly respected auteur who launched Tilda Swinton’s career in the Oscar-nominated film “Orlando.” Now in her 70’s, she’s kickstarting a music career with her debut record, “Pink Bikini.”
24 min
July 14, 2023 Why Anaïs Mitchell devoted nearly 20 years to her new Broadway musical “Hadestown”
Anaïs Mitchell is the first woman in years to have sole credit on a Broadway show and over the course of a decade, her musical has morphed into a Tony-winning sensation. As the show tours Canada, Anaïs tells Tom what it’s like to spend a third of your life working on a passion project, where she drew her inspiration from, and why her confidence in creating the musical never wavered.
25 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.