Six Podcasts to Keep Your Creative Juices Flowing
Working in quarantine has been a transition for everyone. New routines have impacted the creative flow of artists. If you feel you've hit a creativity wall in quarantine or need a new voice to listen to, here are some options for podcasts to consider:
Delving Into Dance
“Delving Into Dance" is not only a podcast but a website that features images, written articles and conversations that profile choreographers and dancers. Through this full experience, listeners can get a sense of what role dance plays in people's lives while also learning to understand themselves as dancers. In addition to sharing stories of finding their dance passion, guests have also incorporated themes related to masculinity and stereotypes around men, inclusion and safe spaces for gender fluid dancers, self-acceptance, the role of sexuality in society and more. Some recent dancers featured on the podcast include Lloyd Newson, Harper Watters, Juliet Burnett and Aparnaa Nagesh.
Secret Artists with Annie McGrath
Comedic, lighthearted and sometimes a little serious, “Secret Artists” is the perfect podcast to listen to as you create something of your own. Each episode starts with a new guest comedian bringing in an object or idea that inspires them to create a new piece. As they begin their artwork, they engage in conversation with the host about various topics, from how to sound more cultured in art galleries and first kisses, to Wikipedia pages, life drawing, cats, what art is and more. You can check out the finished artwork on the podcast’s Instagram or Twitter.
More Creative Resources
The Artist’s Voice
“The Artist’s Voice” serves as a platform for artists to tell their stories and promote their work. Get deep with actors, writers, gallerists, filmmakers, painters and graphic designers such as Michael Jacobsohn, Natalie Tierce and Todd Powelson. In each episode, listeners hear about the guest's successes and challenges, advice and inspirations. Other topics include, but are not limited to, creative processes, using unusual household items in your pieces, learning to market yourself as an artist, being able to critique your work, naming your pieces and even favorite swear words.
Song Exploder
Always wondered about the inspiration behind Tame Impala's "It Might Be Time?" Or want to hear someone pick Yoyo Ma's mind? Crack the codes for that one song stuck in your head with the podcast "Song Exploder.” Each episode allows artists to zero in on a single track of their own and tell the story about how it was made, as well as their inspirations, insecurities and anxieties that have haunted them throughout their career. Listeners even get the chance to hear stems, acapellas and demo versions. Other featured artists include the likes of Vampire Weekend, Bon Iver, Clairo and Solange.
Artist Decoded
“Artist Decoded” is a podcast dedicated to facilitating casual conversations with various well-established and emerging artists, from filmmakers and painters to songwriters, writers and dancers. This deeply personal and more serious-toned podcast may cover topics such as identity, triggers for inspiration, imposter syndrome, healthy understandings of body image, intimate childhood memories and even thoughts on the coronavirus outbreak and its effect on their practice. Some names we hear from include Christine Yuan, Denna Thomsen, David Cheifetz, and Alexis Marshall, and a band member from “Daughters.”
Commonplace: Conversations with Poets (and Other People)
The interviews with poets and other artists in “Commonplace: Conversations with Poets (and Other People)” are profoundly compelling and personal. Some recent names that have appeared on the show include M. NourbeSe Philip, Darcey Steinke, Maggie Nelson and Christine Larusso. Conversations vary greatly, from politics and advice to experiences and obsessions, as non-literary forms of knowledge are important inspirations to an artist's work. Some sample topics include spiritual practices, the authentic self, literary influences, capitalism and the corporatization of academia, the privilege of being a writer, and writing as a shareable space and a form of connection. Recent episodes ask guests to share personal updates on their experience with COVID-19.
Top Image: Tucker Eason in his studio in New York City | Courtesy of "Artist's Voice"
