Best Purple Day Art Podcasts (2024)

1
Women and Shakespeare, best beach reads, Black British music exhibition 42:38

8m ago42:38

42:38

The British Library isn’t all books; it has a huge sound archive, one of the largest in the world. It has drawn on this for Beyond the Bassline, the first major exhibition to documenting Black British music. Curators Aleema Gray and Mykaell Riley guide Shahidha Bari through the 500-year musical journey of African and Caribbean people in Britain. Em…

1
Botulus 47:04

19m ago47:04

47:04

*Cough cough*... This week Susie and Gyles explore the language of diseases. From Cholera to Mumps, and Malaria to Influenza, they have you covered. Also, we reveal the WINNERS of our 'To Dent' and 'To Brandreth' competition! We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can ema…

1
Designer Sir Kenneth Grange, Taylor Swift's new album, Venice Art Biennale 43:05

19m ago43:05

43:05

Taylor Swift returns with The Tortured Poets Department, a surprise double album that features 31 tracks that fans are saying is her most intimate and lyrically revealing yet. Joining Tom Sutcliffe to discuss the work are Times music writer Lisa Vericco and Satu Hameenho-Fox, whose new book Into The Taylor-Verse is out next month. The Intercity 125…

1
PATREON! Preview- The Tony Awards with Eila Mell & Heather Hitchens 16:51

2d ago16:51

16:51

Once a year, we share a PATREON! preview on our main feed to showcase the amazing bonus content you might be missing by not being a subscriber! It may only be April, but today's episode was too good not to share. In celebration of over 75 years of Tony Awards excellence, the American Theatre Wing recently commissioned the creation of a new book abo…

1
London Tide with music by PJ Harvey, Salman Rushdie's story of survival: Knife and tenor Ian Bostridge 42:29

2h ago42:29

42:29

Knife is Salman Rushdie’s memoir about surviving a near-fatal knife attack in August 2022 and the long, painful period of recovery that followed. Ben Power’s adaption of the Dickens novel Our Mutual Friend – London Tide – which features songs that he co-wrote with PJ Harvey, has just opened at the National Theatre in London. Baby Reindeer is a new …

1
Lionel Shriver's new book Mania, Tyrell Williams on Red Pitch 42:21

1d ago42:21

42:21

Lionel Shriver on her latest novel Mania, in which she creates an alternative USA where the Mental Parity Movement insists that everyone is equally clever. Can a friendship between two women survive when they hold polarised views on this particular “culture war”? Why are universities all over the country closing arts courses and cutting jobs? Front…

1
X Ambassadors' Spark Is Richard Linklater's Boyhood 36:03

1d ago36:03

36:03

X Ambassador's frontman Sam Nelson Harris was so blown away by Richard Linklater's bold and wildly ambitious film Boyhood that he saw it twice in the same day. And it's a three-hour movie! Sam was struck by the dedication needed to create a film in small increments over 12 years, but it was the end result that really made an impact. He saw himself …

1
Marian Keyes, carrot tarte tatin and purple sprouting broccoli 39:28

7d ago39:28

39:28

Marian Keyes is one of the most successful Irish novelists of all time. She has written more than 20 books and sold over 35 million copies worldwide. Marian studied law in Dublin to placate her parents but had no interest in pursuing a legal career. Instead her rebellious nature took her to the UK where she lived in a squat in East London. It never…

1
Sir John Akomfrah, bicentenary of Byron's death and sped-up music 41:10

2d ago41:10

41:10

Lord Byron died 200 years ago on Friday. Lady Caroline Lamb described him as 'mad, bad and dangerous to know'. Fiona Stafford has edited Byron's Travels, a new selection of his poems, letters and journals. He was only 36 when he died, but had written seven volumes of verse, thirteen volumes of journal and thousands of letters. The poet A. E. Stalli…

1
Fascicles 33:55

3d ago33:55

33:55

This week, Susie and Gyles unravel the intricate history of dictionaries, those indispensable guides that serve as gateways to language. From ancient lexicons to modern compendiums, we explore how dictionaries have shaped our understanding of words and the world around us. And Gyles lets us know how his weight lifting is going... We love hearing fr…

1
The Book of Clarence, Liberation Squares, Northern Ireland's filming boom 42:33

3d ago42:33

42:33

British director Jeymes Samuel discusses his new film The Book of Clarence, a Biblical comedy about a down-on-his-luck young man who tries to escape from a debt by pretending to be a messiah like Christ. Sonali Bhattacharyya on her new play Liberation Square, which just opened at the Nottingham Playhouse and explores the lives of three young Muslim…

1
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS with Sara Gettelfinger 57:17

4d ago57:17

57:17

We have a theme this month! Both of the musicals we're covering this April are powerful examples of "pastiche" in musical theatre. The way the composers of these shows reference styles and works of the past bring depth and context to their stories and characters. First up, the 2004 musical DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, a show as raucous as it is sophist…

1
Ashley Tamar Davis is a Grammy nominated Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Educator, Mentor and Entrepreneur. And her life was forever changed by Prince. This is her story. 24:36

11d ago24:36

24:36

INTRO - Just coming back in late from London, and Houston... 3mins - the elevator pitch on Tamar, '...how would you describe yourself?' 4mins30s - Finding your tribe online 5mins - Tamar's passion as an educator 7mins - Were your parents or your family musical? Where did you inherit your talent from? 8mins - The original line up for Destiny's Child…

1
Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black and Percival Everett's James reviewed 42:24

7d ago42:24

42:24

Back to Black is the Amy Winehouse biopic out this week and directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson. James is Percival Everett’s retelling of Mark Twain’s 1884 novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, narrated by the enslaved Jim.The Wallace collection spotlights Ranjit Singh, the Maharaja of the Sikh Empire and the treasure trove of weapons that kept him in p…

1
Folk musician Martin Simpson, movie icon Anna May Wong, and classical music leaders criticise Arts Council England 42:21

11d ago42:21

42:21

Anna May Wong was an international star who appeared in some of Hollywood’s biggest movies in a career that spanned from the silent films of the 1920s, through the advent of talkies in the 30s, to television in the 1950s, despite all the obstacles in her path. A new biography, Not Your China Doll, examines how against all the odds Anna May Wong fou…

1
Fallout's Ella Purnell and Aaron Moten Sparks are Musical Reinterpretations 22:26

9d ago22:26

22:26

Fallout actors Ella Purnell and Aaron Moten understand the power of artistic re-interpretation. So, when it comes to their respective 'sparks,' both actors chose songs performed by someone other than who originally wrote the piece. Purnell gravitated towards Brandi Carlile’s breakout hit “The Story,” which was originally recorded by members of her …

1
Kaya Scodelario, tagliatelle with cavolo nero, anchovies & pangrattato, & a Lugano 33:12

14d ago33:12

33:12

Kaya Scodelario has grown up in the spotlight. The British-Brazilian actress shot to fame as Effy on E4’s comedy-drama Skins. The show has remained popular with audiences since the early noughties, tackling issues such as teen addiction and mental illness. That success propelled Kaya to the big screen, where she won roles in two massive movie franc…

1
Nathan Hill, Maggie Rogers, International Booker shortlist 42:18

13d ago42:18

42:18

Nathan Hill talks about his new novel Wellness, the follow-up to his acclaimed debut The Nix. Maggie Rogers, the singer-songwriter whose career was launched by a student performance for Pharrell Williams that went viral, talks about her latest album Don't Forget Me. Romesh Gunasekera discusses the novels on the International Booker Prize Shortlist,…

1
Bafflegab 45:13

10d ago45:13

45:13

This week Susie and Gyles get lost in the world of nonsensical language, and embrace the weird, wacky and wonderful ways the English language can be. Your favourite duo also pay homage to the masters of nonsensical language – Dr. Seuss, whose fantastical worlds and playful rhymes have enchanted generations of readers; Spike Milligan, the irreverent…

1
Yinka Shonibare, Sean Shibe, cinema and digital decay 42:55

10d ago42:55

42:55

Artist Yinka Shonibare talks about his new exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery, which explores the legacy of Imperialism. Guitarist Sean Shibe performs early Scottish lute music and previews a new classical guitar concerto live in the Front Row studio. And film experts Stephen McConnachie and Inés Toharia explain how fast changing technology and d…

1
Weston Razooli's Spark is Princess Mononoke 31:12

14d ago31:12

31:12

Riddle of Fire director Weston Razooli first watched Hayao Miyazaki's animated classic Princess Mononoke on a laptop at his boarding school. Even on a small screen, the film transported him to a strange and wonderful world, a world that has continued to inspire his work ever since. On this episode of The Spark Parade, Razooli recalls the magical ex…

1
Beyonce’s new album Cowboy Carter, Netflix drama Ripley, Io Capitano movie reviewed 42:29

14d ago42:29

42:29

Beyonce’s new album Cowboy Carter - Netflix drama Ripley starring Andrew Scott - Io Capitano, the Oscar-nominated movie about teens in Senegal in search of a better life - all reviewed by film critic Leila Latif and music writer Jasper Murison-Bowie. And novelist and critic John Domini remembers the American novelist (and his former teacher) John B…

1
50 years of ABBA’s Waterloo, Harewood House exhibition, Trevor Griffiths remembered, the rise of eco fiction and drama 42:24

15d ago42:24

42:24

Almost 50 years to the day when ABBA's Waterloo triumphed at Eurovision, ABBA specialist Carl Magnus Palm and Millie Taylor, professor of musical theatre, discuss how the song became such an all-conquering hit. A visit to Harewood House to see a new exhibition, Colours Uncovered, which tells the story of this stately home through the prism of colou…

1
Nyambi Nyambi's Spark Is Kim Jung Gi's Marvel Comics Covers 35:11

16d ago35:11

35:11

Night Court actor Nyambi Nyambi was enthralled with Kim Jung Gi's sprawling, interconnected covers for Marvel Comics' Civil War II series not just for their artistry, but for the masterful artistic practices used to create it. He attended multiple live demonstrations of Kim's work before his untimely death and has applied his details to his work as…

1
Jordan North & William Hanson, rarebit mac ‘n’ cheese and a Bourgogne Blanc 33:37

16d ago33:37

33:37

Jordan North and William Hanson are an unlikely pair. They met at the BBC in 2012 and walked away assuming it would be a one-off. However, fate had other plans and today they are best friends and present a very successful podcast together called Help I Sexted My Boss. Each week, their listeners share hilarious dilemmas and Jordan and William respon…

1
Dev Patel on Monkey Man, which books are on the curriculum? 42:37

16d ago42:37

42:37

Actor Dev Patel joins to talk about his directorial debut Monkey Man, a movie inspired by the Indian legend of Hunaman that tells the dark and brutal story of a young man in Mumbai out to avenge the life of his mother. As exam season approaches we ask which books are currently being taught in our schools, and why? We speak to Kit de Waal, whose bre…

1
Oxford, Gibson and Brogue 37:45

21d ago37:45

37:45

This week Susie and Gyles delve back into a favourite topic, shoes. Inspired by purple person Kevin, the origins of all manner of footwear are discussed such as Oxford's, Brogue's and Gibson's. We love hearing from you, find us @SomethingRhymes on Twitter and Facebook, @SomethingRhymesWith on Instagram or you can email us on our email address here:…

1
The National Gallery at 200 42:48

17d ago42:48

42:48

The National Gallery opened its doors on 10th May 1824. The public could view 38 paintings, free. Now there are more than 2,300, including many masterpieces of European art by geniuses such as Rembrandt, Turner and Van Gogh. It is still free. The gallery's director, Gabriele Finaldi, guides Samira Ahmed through the collection. Artists Barbara Walke…

1
STEEL PIER with Colden Lamb 1:29:06

20d ago1:29:06

1:29:06

STEEL PIER didn't win any of its eleven Tony nominations back in 1997, but it was the winner of our PATREON! poll earlier this year. That's why this week we're dedicating a full episode to this golden-aged, millennial musical. Joining us is STEEL PIER's all-time biggest fan, Colden Lamb. No matter what you might think of this show, it might be time…

1
In part 2 we field fan Qs to Owen, he reflects on Prince's demands in the early days, and working with other MPLS artists. Meeting fans on his recent book tour and his feeling on the Purple One's incredible ... 37:59

25d ago37:59

37:59

INTRO 2mins - Fan Questions: what happened at the Rio in Las Vegas? 3mins30s - Early, and unreasonable demands from Prince. Mentors and moving on without malice... 6mins30s - What was it like managing other artists vs managing Prince? Working with Andre Cymone and Jesse Johnson. 9mins30s - Working with the Prince Estate on a potential 'For You' Del…

1
Chicano Batman's Spark is Kid A 31:34

21d ago31:34

31:34

Chicano Batman guitarist Carlos Arévalo was given Radiohead’s seminal album Kid A as a Halloween present from his mother, and amidst the sugar rush, the album absolutely blew his mind. The dramatic shift in Radiohead’s stylistic direction and their experiments with electronic sounds opened Arévalo up to a new world of musical possibilities. Listen …

1
Steven Knight drama This Town reviewed, The Perth Museum re-opening 42:23

21d ago42:23

42:23

Peaky Blinders' writer Steven Knight's new drama, This Town, is out this week. Author Daniel Rachel and art historian Sarah Gaventa review. We'll also review a landmark exhibition on the Italian designer Enzo Mari which opens at the Design museum, showcasing his infinite calendar, self assembly book cases and beautiful children’s books. We take a l…

51
Sathnam Sanghera on why books can save us and how to understand Empire - How to Fail with Elizabeth Day 46:46

22d ago46:46

46:46

Sathnam has written Empireland and more recently Empireworld, two bestselling books which have garnered him critical acclaim, a Channel 4 documentary and which - even more crucially - have changed the national discourse around our colonial past. Without necessarily meaning to, Sathnam has become a historian. But his success has not been uncomplicat…

1
Big Mood, how does comedy work? Bach St John Passion 42:19

22d ago42:19

42:19

Camilla Whitehill on her new Channel 4 sitcom Big Mood, starring Nicola Coughlan and Lydia West, which explores the lives of Millennials. Gareth Malone and Hannah French celebrate Bach's St John Passion, which was first performed in Leipzig 300 years ago this Easter. Joel Morris, author of Be Funny or Die, discusses how comedy works and what makes …

1
Asher Grodman's Spark is Dog Day Afternoon 39:13

23d ago39:13

39:13

Ghosts actor Asher Grodman loves everything about Sidney Lumet's classic Al Pacino starring film Dog Day Afternoon. The story and its themes touch him deeply, but its the legendary performances by the incredible ensemble that really stick with him. Pacino's unselfconscious, honest portrayal of a complicated real-life character is a masterclass in s…

1
Siobhán McSweeney, slow-roast lamb shoulder, potatoes dauphinoise and a Rioja 39:13

23d ago39:13

39:13

Siobhán McSweeney always wanted to be an actor but her parents wanted her to be a teacher. Undeterred, she completed a science degree at University College Cork and moved to London to study at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Siobhán’s big break came in 2018 when she was chosen to play Sister Michael in Derry Girls. The show was a huge…

1
Norah Jones performs, Sir Ian McKellen on Player Kings, Keisha Thompson 42:36

23d ago42:36

42:36

Norah Jones discusses her new album, Visions, and reflects on the song, Come Away With Me, that made her name along with a special performance in the Front Row studio; Sir Ian McKellen and theatre director Robert Icke on tackling one of Shakespeare's greatest characters, Falstaff, in their new production Player Kings; and Keisha Thompson on how her…

51
Happy Birthday Gyles! 43:24

24d ago43:24

43:24

This week it's about the birthday boy, as we celebrate all things Gyles Brandreth. Not only does Gyles spoil us with a plethora of his famous anecdotes, but he becomes the linguistics quizmaster and places Susie in the hot seat to answer questions from his book 'Have You Eaten Grandma'. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GYLES! You are truly one of a kind. We love hea…

1
Poet Nikki Giovanni, Andrew Buchan on TV drama Passenger 42:30

24d ago42:30

42:30

Nikki Giovanni is one of only a handful of poets whose work has been published as a Penguin Modern Classic in their own life time. A key figure of America's Black Arts Movement as both a writer an activist, she speaks to Tom about her life and career. A well-known actor, Andrew Buchan has now turned to writing with Passenger, the new ITV crimes dra…

1
SHAED's Spark is Sylvan Esso 32:22

1M ago32:22

32:22

Ever since hearing their self-titled debut, SHAED felt a special kinship with Sylvan Esso. Both bands came from a folky, acoustic background and were experimenting with electronic sounds -- not to mention they were both family ventures. On this episode of The Spark Parade, SHAED explains how Sylvan Esso helped to further shape their musical style. …

1
Kristen Wiig drama Palm Royale and animation Robot Dreams reviewed, Michael Ondaatje on his new poetry collection 42:27

28d ago42:27

42:27

The Independent’s chief film critic Clarisse Loughrey and the Telegraph’s film critic Tim Robey review the Oscar-nominated animation Robot Dreams which follows the friendship of a dog and a robot - can their bond survive Robot being locked up on Coney Island beach, after his joints rust over following a paddle in the sea? They also give their verdi…

1
Kazuo Ishiguro on jazz, March hares and film ratings 42:27

29d ago42:27

42:27

Writer Kazuo Ishiguro and jazz musician Stacey Kent talk about collaborating on their new book of lyrics, The Summer We Crossed Europe in the Rain. What’s the significance of the hare in art and mythology? To mark the season of the March hare, writer Jane Russ, sculptor Sophie Ryder and musician Fay Hield explain. And following the British Board of…

1
Beth Ditto's Spark is Missy Elliott's Da Real World 46:03

30d ago46:03

46:03

Gossip frontwoman Beth Ditto loves everything about Missy Elliott’s second album Da Real World. The non-stop bangers, the icy production from Timbaland, the tight vocal harmonies -- it's basically flawless. More than just quality music, though, the record also reminds Ditto of a time when her musical taste was starting to truly develop. On this epi…

1
Elizabeth Day, crab and fennel salad and a dirty vodka martini 35:41

30d ago35:41

35:41

Elizabeth Day is a household name, an award-winning writer and presenter of one of the most successful podcasts in the UK. On How to Fail, she speaks to luminaries such as Gloria Steinem, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Bernadine Evaristo about the things that haven’t gone right - and what we can learn from them. It’s fair to say that Elizabeth Day’s supe…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Purple Day Art Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide