Q with Tom Power

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Katori Hall: Telling Tina Turner’s story in The Tina Turner Musical Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

When the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall was approached to write a musical about Tina Turner, she got to fly to Switzerland to spend some one-on-one time with Tina herself. Katori joins Tom to discuss the concerns the late music icon had about the way her story would be told, what they learned they have in common, and why it’s important to look at our favourite musicians and artists as people — not as myths.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Stretching into dramatic work, therapy with her mom, and her new film Tuesday Jun 14, 2024

Show notes

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld, Veep) is best known for her quick wit, physical comedy and — when it comes to her character Elaine Benes — her dance moves. But in her new film, “Tuesday,” the Emmy-winning actor flexes her dramatic chops. Julia joins Tom to discuss the film, why she’s more comfortable talking about death these days, and what happens to your comedy when you get mentally healthy.

Walter Scott: Why he’s saying goodbye to Wendy, his most famous creation Jun 14, 2024

Show notes

How do you step away from your most famous creation? Mohawk artist Walter Scott is about to find out. More than a decade after creating his beloved “Wendy” series of graphic novels, Walter is taking a long hiatus from his cartoon alter-ego. He joins Tom to tell us how he came up with Wendy — a neurotic young party girl who’s trying to make it as an artist — and why his latest book, “The Wendy Award,” is going to be her final adventure for now.

Ally Pankiw: Comedy and tragedy, depression snacks, and her new film I Used to Be Funny Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

The Canadian director Ally Pankiw is no stranger to working with funny people. She’s directed comedian Mae Martin in their series “Feel Good” as well as comedy actor Annie Murphy in the dark satire “Black Mirror.” Now, she’s released her debut feature film, “I Used to Be Funny,” which stars real-life comedian Rachel Sennott as a stand-up comedian who’s struggling with PTSD. Ally joins Tom in studio to discuss the film and why she wanted the story to capture the coexistence of joy and despair.

George McWhirter: The art of translation and his Griffin Poetry Prize win Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

The Griffin Poetry Prize is the world’s largest prize for poetry written or translated in English. This year, it went to “Self-Portrait in the Zone of Silence,” which was written in Spanish by the Mexican poet Homero Aridjis and translated into English by the Canadian poet George McWhirter. Tom catches up with George to talk about his big win, his collaboration with Homero, and the art of translation.

Remembering Françoise Hardy Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

This week, the singer-songwriter and French cultural icon Françoise Hardy died at 80 years old. Back in 2018, she spoke with Tom about her memoir, “The Despair of Monkeys and Other Trifles.” It was a rare English interview that looked back on her decades-long career and her early doubtful days, as well as some incredible stories about Bob Dylan and Iggy Pop. Today, we revisit Françoise's conversation with Tom in honour of her passing.

Kamasi Washington: Fearless Movement, fatherhood, and his biggest jazz influences Jun 12, 2024

Show notes

The award-winning jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington is back with a new album, “Fearless Movement.” His distinct sound has captured the imagination of many listeners outside of the traditional jazz audience, including a younger crowd. Kamasi grabbed people's attention after collaborating on Kendrick Lamar’s groundbreaking record “To Pimp a Butterfly,” and releasing his own three-hour long opus, “The Epic,” just a few months later. He even scored Michelle Obama’s documentary “Becoming.” Kamasi joins Tom to talk about his life in music, his new album, and how being a father has limited his time but expanded his approach.

Ahmed Moneka: His debut album, Afro Sufi music, and the death threat that forced him to seek asylum in Canada Jun 12, 2024

Show notes

Nine years ago, the multidisciplinary artist Ahmed Moneka was forced to seek asylum in Toronto after his life was threatened in his hometown of Baghdad. Separated from his family and his heritage, he used music to remember his roots and bridge the language gap he faced in Canada. Ahmed sits down with Tom to talk about his debut album, “Kanzafula,” and how performing his Afro Sufi music helps him remember where he came from.

deadmau5: His accidental EDM career, 25 years in music, and why he wears a giant mouse helmet Jun 11, 2024

Show notes

The Canadian electronic musician Joel Zimmerman, better known as deadmau5, is the latest inductee into Canadian Music Week's Music Industry Hall of Fame. He sits down with Tom for a career-spanning chat that covers his early life in Niagara Falls, how Tears for Fears introduced him to electronic dance music, why his early gig as a studio engineer was so influential on him, and when he thinks he might stop.

Sin Wai Kin: How sci-fi and drag changed their art and helped them realize their true identity Jun 11, 2024

Show notes

The Canadian artist Sin Wai Kin draws on their interests in sci-fi, drag culture and boy bands to make videos that seem to be set in a different universe. Their film “A Dream of Wholeness in Parts” was nominated for the 2022 Turner Prize (one of the most prestigious art awards in the world) and now the Museum of Contemporary Art in Toronto is presenting the piece as a part of its new show, “Greater Toronto Art 2024.” Wai Kin joins Tom to discuss their work and how drag and sci-fi have become important tools for them both artistically and personally.

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