If there is a common thread to composer/producer/performer JG Thirlwell's varied musical styles, it is a dramatic intensity and an evocative, cinematic quality. Born in Melbourne, JG moved to London in 1978, then relocated to New York City in 1983, where he has been based ever since. As well as his own name, he works under many pseudonyms including Manorexia, Foetus, Xordox, Steroid Maximus, Baby Zizanie, Hydroze Plus, Clint Ruin and Wiseblood.

To Celebrate Lydia put together a soundtrack sure to get even the biggest misanthrope into the Valentines spirit. In between songs, Lydia and Tim share their thoughts on love, marriage, friendship and divorce.

Guest Joe Coleman is a writer, historian, obsessive collector of things, performance artist and a great painter.  The New York Times described Joe's paintings best:

"If P. T. Barnum had hired Breughel or Bosch to paint sideshow banners, they might have resembled the art of Joe Coleman. Obsessively depicting a grim moral universe of transgression and retribution, Mr. Coleman paints grotesque images of murderers and victims, freaks and monsters, disease, depravity and perversities of every kind."

Just before the premier of her latest film Lydia Lunch - The War is Never Over, filmmaker Beth B sits down with Lydia and Tim to discuss her career as an artist and filmmaker.

Lydia sits down and chats with Stu Spasm(Vocals / Guitars / Unit / Chaos!) and Skeleton Boy(king of two string bass) from the New York Band Art Gray Noizz Quintet.

The Art Gray Noizz Quintet, was originally formed for an afterparty celebrating the New York City premiere of Amphetamine Reptile documentary The Color Of Noise. Playing once was not enough, and The Art Gray Noizz Quintet soon staggered to the streets. The band continues to cut a sleazy, swath through the New York music scene.

Artist Michelle Handelman uses video, live performance and photography to make confrontational works that explore the sublime in its various forms of excess and nothingness. Raised during the 60s/70s, Her mother was a fixture in the Chicago art world. Her father was a player in the counterculture sex industry in LA. Over the years Handelman has voraciously traversed both worlds, developing a body of work that investigates ways of looking at the dark, subconscious layers of outsider agency.

Artist Marilyn Minter makes paintings that explore the complex and contradictory emotions around beauty and the feminine body in American culture.

Marilyn is a supporter of Planned Parenthood. She raised 3 million dollars for the organization when she collaborated with fashion designer Marc Jacobs and pop star Miley Cyrus to make t-shirts that included her art.

Marilyn and Lydia talk about Marilyn's career as an artist and activist, Pamela Anderson, as well as the mess that is politics today.

In the ’80s Richard Kern directed a series of films that are now recognized as the keystone works of the Cinema of Transgression movement.

During '90s, Richard turned to photography. His photographs are in the collection of MOMA, and published in many well known periodicals.

Richard has also directed many music videos including: Death Valley '69(Sonic Youth), Detachable Penis(King Missle), and Lunch Box(Marilyn Manson).

Many people struggle to find that one thing that they are good at, and that they find nourishing. Carla Rhodes has found at least two fulfilling undertakings.

Since 9 years old, Carla has been a respected ventriloquist. Carla has performed at just about every rock ‘n roll, burlesque, and alternative comedy stage in New York City.

Carla is also an award winning nature photographer. She documents wildlife with empathy and understanding in the hopes of raising awareness and educating the public.

Happy holidays to all the listeners of The Lydian Spin! This week is Lydia's Christmas Special. Lydia all by herself, playing some of her favorites from her catalog and others. Enjoy!