Q with Tom Power

By CBCSociety & Culture

Favorites
579
Followers
Typical duration
24 min
per episode
If it hooks
72%
finish an episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

Q with Tom Power episodes

February 06, 2023 Introducing: Q with Tom Power
If you want to hear your favourite artists as they truly are, like Billie Eilish, Denzel Washington or Seth Rogen, listen to Q with Tom Power. Five days a week, Tom has deep, funny, and insightful conversations with actors, musicians, and authors. Essentially, if they make great art, you'll hear them on Q with Tom Power.
3 min
February 03, 2023 How Nineteen85 shaped some of Drake’s biggest songs
Nineteen85 is behind some of Drake’s biggest songs, from “Hotline Bling” to “Hold On We’re Going Home.” And when he’s not putting his Grammy Award-winning touch on other people’s music, he’s making his own as part of the R&B duo DVSN. Nineteen85 talks to Tom about his new album, his love of Jimi Hendrix and what it was like producing some of Drake’s most beloved songs.
Plus, Cressida Cowell’s children’s book series “How to Train Your Dragon” has sold more than seven million copies worldwide and has become an award-winning franchise that you’ve probably seen with your kids… or just by yourself because it’s a great movie regardless of how old you are. Cressida tells Tom about the famous franchise and about her newest book, “Which Way to Anywhere.”
51 min
February 02, 2023 Matty Healy is leaning into sincerity, here’s what he’s got to say about it
Matty Healy, the frontman of the band The 1975, is known for his quippy, observational lyrics about dating, youth culture and technology. But when it comes to his own emotions, he’s typically quite guarded. On The 1975’s new album “Being Funny in a Foreign Language,” he leans into his feelings and shares them with the world. Matty joins Tom Power to talk about being a band for two decades and why their new album is their most sincere yet.
Plus, Maria Qamar (a.k.a. Hatecopy) makes South Asian-focused pop art that you can see everywhere, from a giant mural in Montreal to the background of a TV show like “Ms. Marvel” or “The Mindy Project.” Maria’s art is blowing up in a big way as it’s being showcased in prestigious art galleries like New York’s Richard Taittinger Gallery and Toronto’s Museum of Contemporary Art. She joins Tom to talk about her budding art career.
51 min
February 01, 2023 What Laura Dern thinks about the mental health crisis, nepotism and Jurassic Park
After 40 years working in film, Laura Dern has built a reputation for playing complex women grappling with the messiness of real-life. That legacy continues with her latest movie, “The Son,” in which she plays a divorced parent trying to support her son through depression.
Plus, singer-songwriters Tegan and Sara tell Tom about their latest album “Crybaby” and a new Amazon series based on their lives called “High School.”
47 min
January 31, 2023 Sarah Polley on her Oscar-nominated film Women Talking
Sarah Polley’s Oscar-nominated film “Women Talking” is a powerful story about three generations of women who sit down to decide the fate of the women and children of their Mennonite colony. After years of surviving sexual abuse, they have 24 hours to decide: stay and do nothing, stay and fight, or leave. Sarah tells Tom about her film, what it was like stepping back from the film industry after a concussion and how she used her experience as a child actor to create the best environment possible for the children on the set of “Women Talking.”
Plus, Vir Das became the first India-born comic with his own Netflix special in 2017. At the same time he's blowing up as this great comic, he's also being labeled a terrorist in his home country for his candid critiques of India’s injustices. His new special is called “Landing.” Vir tells Tom Power his story and the journey to becoming the comic he is today.
50 min
January 30, 2023 Sam Smith talks about their new album Gloria and learning to love themself
Sam Smith is one of the biggest artists in the world. They made a name for themself in 2014 with devastating songs about love and loss and ended up winning four Grammys because of it. Now, Sam is trying something new: focusing on joy in their life and music. Sam opens up to Tom Power about their new record, “Gloria,” why focusing on queer joy is the most radical thing they can do, and the highs and lows of finding their identity.
Plus, the queen of country pop Shania Twain tells you the story behind her new single, “Last Day of Summer.”
50 min
January 27, 2023 [Full episode] Paul Mescal, Christa Couture, Kenya Barris, Elamin Abdelmahmoud, Shamus
Actor Paul Mescal talks about his starring role in Aftersun and the success of his breakout role in the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney's Normal People. Christa Couture's memoir How to Lose Everything is opening the door for other Indigenous artists to share their stories of resilience. Writer, producer and director Kenya Barris talks about his ambitious new animated project with rapper Kid Cudi. Elamin Abdelmahmoud joins Tom to talk about the new show launching next week, Commotion. Plus, Shamus Currie, composer of the original theme for Q with Tom Power, joins Tom to help him say goodbye to the tune.
1 hr 11 min
January 26, 2023 [Full episode] Ruben Östlund, Chloé Hung, Carrie Mae Weems
Director Ruben Östlund discusses his latest Palme d'Or-winning film, Triangle of Sadness, and why he wanted to look at "beauty as a currency." Playwright Chloé Hung discusses her new dark comedic play, Three Women of Swatow, about three generations of Chinese women who discover they are bound by more than blood. Photographer Carrie Mae Weems discusses art, class and culture — and how she feels about being called an artist ahead of her time.
1 hr 8 min
January 25, 2023 [Full episode] Rupi Kaur, Vivek Shraya, Darren Aronofsky, Canada Reads
Poet Rupi Kaur talks about her new writing guide, Healing Through Words, plus her own journey with writing and overcoming writer's block. Artist Vivek Shraya shares more about her autobiographical solo stage show How To Fail As A Pop Star, which is focused on the true story of her life in music. Director Darren Aronofsky talks about the difficulty of casting the lead in his latest film, The Whale, and why Brendan Fraser was perfect for the part. Canada Reads is back for another round! Join us as this year's line-up of all-star books are revealed live alongside their all-star champions.
1 hr 6 min
January 24, 2023 [Full episode] Ani DiFranco, Trent McClellan, Bryan Washington
Singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco discusses her new memoir, survival, the boundary-breaking themes in her music and how she feels about the ongoing #MeToo movement. Comedian and This Hour Has 22 Minutes cast member Trent McClellan talks about his upcoming comedy tour, returning to his hometown to perform stand-up, and finding humour in the things that frustrate you. Writer Bryan Washington talks about capturing the quiet moments of modern family life and complicated relationships in his debut novel, Memorial.
1 hr 13 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.