The Spark Parade

The irrepressible electro-pop visionary Kiesza sits down with Adam to discuss the album that redefined her understanding of sonic "language": Pink Floyd’s 1973 masterpiece, The Dark Side of the Moon.

Kiesza shares the cinematic story of hearing the album for the first time while hitchhiking through the Canadian mountains under a full moon, an experience that cemented her belief that music should be a holistic, transformative journey rather than a collection of two-minute "streaming slop."

Inside the Episode:

• The "Mad Scientist" Phase: How Pink Floyd’s pioneering use of panning and analog textures inspired the creation of Kiesza's new project, Dancing and Crying: Vol. 3.
• Tactile Creativity: Why Kiesza moved into an analog studio to "live-play" the mixing board like an instrument.
• Breaking the Rules: The story behind the improvised, wordless vocal tracks and the impromptu "hallway sessions" with an opera singer.
• Art as Survival: Kiesza opens up about using dance as a way to process the "unspoken" emotions of her life-altering recovery and creative rebirth.

Check out Kiesza’s latest release, Dancing and Crying: Vol. 3, featuring the hit single "When I'm Dancing" and the atmospheric closer "After Party."

The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.

Follow us on social media:

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Copyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Gene Kelly redefined what it meant to be a leading man." 🕺✨

On today’s episode of The Spark Parade, Adam Unze welcomes the Grammy-winning powerhouse and original Hamilton cast member, Sydney James Harcourt.

Sydney joins the pod to celebrate his personal Spark: the legendary Gene Kelly and the 1952 cinematic masterpiece, Singin' in the Rain. We dive deep into Kelly’s athletic, effortless masculinity, the resilient optimism of that iconic title sequence and how Sydney channels that same grace today on Broadway.

Sydney is currently starring as the legendary Rum Tum Tugger in Cats: The Jellicle Ball at the Broadhurst Theatre (Opening Night: April 7, 2026!).

In this episode, we discuss:

• The transition from Hamilton to Hollywood.
• How Gene Kelly made athleticism look like art.
• Breaking down the "stoic leading man" trope.
• Sydney’s approach to playing the Rum Tum Tugger in NYC’s most talked-about revival.

The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.

Follow us on social media:

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Copyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is it about a fedora, a whip, and a "history avenger" that sparks a lifelong obsession? This week on The Spark Parade, host Adam Unze is joined by Broadway powerhouse and star of HBO’s The Gilded Age, Claybourne Elder.

Claybourne takes us back to a small-town theater in Utah to revisit the 1989 masterpiece, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. We dive deep into the "virile" energy of Harrison Ford, the brilliance of Sean Connery and why this film provided a vital sense of adventure for kids growing up in the 80s.

From secret script polishes by Tom Stoppard to Clay’s surreal experience acting alongside Indy legend John Rhys-Davies, this episode is a celebration of the "monoculture" blockbuster and the art that shapes who we become.

What We Discuss:

• [00:05] Growing up in Springville, Utah, and the magic of the Villa Theater.
• [01:05] Harrison Ford: The "Whip Daddy" and history’s sexiest Avenger.
• [02:55] Defining a "type": How Indy influenced Clay’s taste in men and mentors.
• [04:40] Why "straight-boy coded" adventures resonated so deeply with queer kids.
• [05:15] The Father-Son dynamic: Family legacy and the heart of The Last Crusade.
• [09:08] The Golden Age of Practical Effects (and the truth about the "clean" rats).
• [13:14] Missing the Monoculture: The community experience of the summer movie.
• [19:17] From Fan to Adventurer: How Indiana Jones inspired Clay’s world travels.
• [21:20] Behind the Scenes: Working with John Rhys-Davies on set.

Connect with Claybourne Elder:

• New Album: Pre-save/Listen to If The Stars Were Mine (Out April 3!)
• Live in NYC: Get tickets for Clay’s April residency at 54 Below.
• Instagram: @claybourneelder

The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.

Follow us on social media:

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Copyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"You don't have glass bones. You can take life's knocks." ✨

In this episode of The Spark Parade, host Adam Unze sits down with Michelle Joy, the mesmerizing frontwoman of the dream-pop sensation Cannons. As the band prepares to release their highly anticipated new album, Everything Glows, Michelle joins us to deep-dive into the 2001 French masterpiece that shaped her artistic identity: Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Amélie.

Michelle opens up about discovering the film during a lonely first year of college and how the quirky, observant world of Amélie Poulain provided a "warm blanket" during a time of personal family trauma. We discuss the transition from being a "shy, daydreaming girl" to performing on global stages, and why the film’s message of vulnerability is the ultimate creative catalyst.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "Glass Bones" Epiphany: How one line of dialogue helped Michelle face her fears and step into the spotlight.
• Visual Magic: The influence of Amélie’s iconic color palette and cinematography on the aesthetic of Cannons.
• Magical Realism in Music: Why "small pleasures" and "mini-mysteries" are essential to the dream-pop sound.
• Overcoming Trauma: The profound connection between the film’s narrative and Michelle’s own experience with parental illness.
• Style & Identity: The "Amélie Phase" that led to a lifelong love for French culture and Doc Martens.

The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.

Follow us on social media:

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Copyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can 90s camp actually save classical art? This week on The Spark Parade, host Adam Unze sits down with classically trained soprano and celebrated video essayist Khadija Mbowe to dive into their "Spark": Baz Luhrmann’s neon-soaked, 1996 cinematic fever dream, Romeo + Juliet.

From reenacting Juliet’s death scene on a suburban couch at age five to mixing "WAP" with "Habanera" in their own operatic productions, Khadija explains how this film gave them the ultimate creative permission to "commit to the cuckoo."

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The Baz Style: Breaking down the "drug shot" pacing and the iconic 1996 costume design that still dominates mood boards today.
• Mercutio’s Cultural Reset: The radical impact of Harold Perrineau’s performance and the "Alt-Black Girl" aesthetic in 90s cinema.
• Classical Training vs. Creative Freedom: Khadija’s journey from rigid opera school to founding Operatica, where Rachmaninoff meets Cardi B.
• #JusticeForNia: A passionate deep dive into the brilliance of director Nia DaCosta and why her work (including 28 Years Later) is the modern spiritual successor to the 90s "chaos" aesthetic.
• The Rumi Philosophy: Why "words spoken from the heart will enter the heart" is the guiding principle for modern creators.
• 
  

• YouTube: Khadija Mbowe
• Instagram: @khadija.mbowe
• Website: Operatica

• Instagram/TikTok: @sparkparade
• YouTube: The Spark Parade Channel
• Support the Show: Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

Keywords: Khadija Mbowe, Baz Luhrmann, Romeo and Juliet 1996, Leonardo DiCaprio, Harold Perrineau, Nia DaCosta, 28 Years Later, Opera Fusion, Alt-Black Girl Aesthetic, Video Essayist, Shakespeare Modernized, Creative Process, The Spark Parade, Adam Unze.

The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.

Follow us on social media:

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Copyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Another Cinderella Story actually the best adaptation of all time? Rising pop icon Hemlocke Springs (the mind behind the viral hit "Girlfriend") joins Adam to explain why this 2008 Selena Gomez classic is her ultimate creative "Spark." 🥀✨

From the depths of the $5 Walmart DVD bin to the high-stakes choreography of the "Mary and Joey" dance-off, Hemlocke breaks down how this movie defined an entire generation’s pop aesthetic. We dive into the genius of Jane Lynch as the ultimate pop-star stepmother, the "leather and tutus" style of the character Tati, and the tech-debate that will forever date the film: Was the Zune actually a better "glass slipper" than the original?

But it’s not all nostalgia—Adam drops a "childhood-ruining" truth bomb about the real-life age gap between the lead actors that leaves Hemlocke (and maybe you) questioning everything. 💀

In this episode, we discuss:

• The $5 Origin Story: How a random Walmart purchase fueled a DIY pop career.
• Nostalgia Tech: The rise and fall of the Microsoft Zune.
• Fashion Sparks: Why "Tati" is the unsung style hero of the 2000s.
• The Joey Parker Reveal: Navigating the "icky" side of teen movie casting.
• New Classic: Why the soundtrack (featuring Drew Seeley) still hits in 2026.

The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.

Follow us on social media:

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Copyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a brief hiatus, The Spark Parade is back! To kick off our new season, we are joined by a literal legend, the Mother of Mothers and RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15 winner, Sasha Colby. Sasha joins host Adam Unze to deep-dive into the album that provided her blueprint for survival: Janet Jackson’s 1997 masterpiece, The Velvet Rope.

In this raw and deeply personal interview, Sasha Colby opens up about her journey from Waimānalo, Hawaii, to the global stage. She reveals how she used dance as therapy to navigate family trauma and why Janet’s "gay-coded" interludes gave her a sense of belonging long before she found her community. From the nostalgia of Sam Goody listening stations to the revolutionary choreography of Tina Landon, this episode explores the intersection of art, identity, and queer joy.

• Sasha Colby’s Early Inspirations: Discovering Janet Jackson at 13 and the magic of 90s record stores.
• Dance as Healing: How the "What About" performance at the VH1 Fashion Awards helped Sasha process domestic abuse and trauma.
• The Velvet Rope Legacy: Why this album remains the "Queer Bible" and a foundational text for sexual freedom.
• Radical Allyship: Janet’s fearless commitment to the AIDS crisis and the LGBTQ+ community in 1997.
• The Art of Longevity: Why Janet Jackson deserves her "flowers" for a career built on authenticity rather than chasing fame.
• Cultural Connections: Comparing the "explicitly queer" energy of The Velvet Rope to Beyoncé’s Renaissance.

Sasha Colby is a world-renowned drag performer, activist, and the winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 15. A Miss Continental 2012 titleholder, Sasha has spent decades as a leader in the trans and drag communities, known for her "Goddess" stage presence and mastery of contemporary dance.

Released in 1997, Janet Jackson’s sixth studio album tackled depression, social issues, and domestic violence while blending R&B, trip-hop, and electronic sounds. Featuring the hit "Together Again," it is cited by many as one of the most influential pop albums of all time.

✨ SUPPORT THE PARADE: If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review us on Apple Podcasts! It’s the best way to help new listeners find the show.

📺 WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW: For the visual experience, including archival clips of Janet and Sasha, subscribe to The Spark Parade on YouTube.

FOLLOW US: Instagram: @sparkparade TikTok: @sparkparade

Sasha Colby: @sashacolby

The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.

Follow us on social media:

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Copyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this high-voltage episode of The Spark Parade Podcast, host Adam welcomes actor Jefferson White (Yellowstone, Chicago Fire) to dive deep into the film that ignited his creative "spark": the 2003 sci-fi action epic, The Matrix Reloaded.

Jefferson shares his vivid, almost electric memory of seeing the trailer for the first time—calling it his favorite movie before the film even released! The discussion explores the incredible cultural phenomenon of The Matrix and the immense pressure and excitement surrounding the sequel.

This is an episode for anyone who felt the thrilling, transformative power of The Matrix trilogy. Get ready for a deep dive into pure, unadulterated cinematic excitement!

Don't forget to check out Jefferson's new movie Drink And Be Merry! Just in time for the holiday season.

The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.

Follow us on social media:

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Copyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Indie-pop songwriter and producer Carter Vail joins Adam to talk about how Wes Anderson’s film The Royal Tenenbaums became a major creative Spark in his life.

Carter shares how discovering the movie in high school—and being struck by its soundtrack, meticulous visual style and mix of whimsy and deep sadness—reshaped the way he thinks about storytelling, world-building and emotional honesty in his own music and videos.

From his “Richie Tenenbaum” headband phase to the way he uses color palettes and character details in his visual work, Carter explains why this film still feels endlessly rewatchable and creatively energizing.

You’ll also hear Adam and Carter dig into Wes Anderson’s evolution as a filmmaker, the balance between style and substance and why The Royal Tenenbaums might be Anderson’s most emotionally effective film. They discuss grief, family dynamics, taboo romance, and what it means to make art that’s specific, vulnerable and sometimes polarizing instead of “digestible slop.”

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How The Royal Tenenbaums blew Carter’s mind as a teen and pushed him toward being an artist
• Why Wes Anderson’s visual style and color choices are so influential for musicians and filmmakers
• The emotional impact of balancing whimsy, humor, and devastating moments
• How Carter channels character-driven storytelling and big feelings into his songwriting and videos
• Thoughts on risk-taking, originality, and not playing it “cool” in creative work
• 
  

About Carter Vail:

Carter Vail is an American indie-pop songwriter, producer, and content creator known for blending melodic, emotionally rich songs with offbeat humor and viral musical sketches. After studying audio engineering at the University of Miami, he began releasing music in the late 2010s and has since put out projects including Red Eyes, The Interstellar Tennis Championship and 100 Cowboys, building a devoted audience across streaming platforms and social media.

About The Royal Tenenbaums:

Released in 2001, The Royal Tenenbaums is a comedy-drama directed by Wes Anderson about a dysfunctional family of former child prodigies navigating failure, grief and reconciliation. Featuring an ensemble cast led by Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller and Luke Wilson, the film is celebrated for its symmetrical framing, carefully curated color palettes and eclectic soundtrack. It has become a defining work in Anderson’s filmography and a lasting influence on contemporary visual storytelling.

The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.

Follow us on social media:

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Copyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Award-winning songwriter and composer Jeremiah Fraites, co-founder of The Lumineers, joins Adam to explore the powerful impact of Bruce Springsteen’s minimalist masterpiece, Nebraska.

Jeremiah reveals how Springsteen’s stripped-down storytelling and raw, lo-fi production inspired his own creative journey—from writing chart-topping hits with The Lumineers to scoring the feature film Deliver Me From Nowhere, which tells the story behind Nebraska’s creation.

Discover how Nebraska’s themes of vulnerability, artistry, and blue-collar Americana resonate across generations of musicians and why Jerome believes this album changed the musical landscape forever. This candid conversation also delves into Jeremiah’s process composing for film (including The Long Walk), lessons learned from Springsteen’s risk-taking and the lasting influence of home-recorded innovation.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How Nebraska transformed Jeremiah’s views on songwriting and vulnerability
• The creative spark and intention behind scoring Deliver Me From Nowhere
• The continued influence of Nebraska’s lo-fi recording techniques
• The parallels between Springsteen’s career-defining risks and The Lumineers’ artistic choices
• Reflections on authenticity, musical legacy, and American storytelling
• 
  

About the Guest:

Jeremiah Fraites is a Grammy-nominated composer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, known for his work with The Lumineers and acclaimed film scores including Deliver Me From Nowhere and The Long Walk.

About Nebraska:

Released in 1982, Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska is an influential, stripped-back album recorded solo on a four-track cassette recorder. Its stark, narrative-driven songs—and themes of isolation, honesty and hope—have earned it a place among the most celebrated works in rock history.

The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.

Follow us on social media:

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Copyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.