Q with Tom Power

What’s your relationship like with holy texts? Growing up, the Canadian poet and novelist Emily Austin attended Catholic school and was an altar server, but as she got older, she started questioning how parts of the Bible made her feel as a woman and a queer person. In her new collection of poetry, “Gay Girl Prayers,” she reclaims Catholic prayers and biblical passages by providing alternate versions through a queer and feminist lens. Emily joins Tom to talk about the collection and read a poem from it.

Sometime between starring in action movies and touring with his band Dogstar, Keanu Reeves created a comic book series called “BRZRKR.” But he wanted to take the story further, so he called up China Miéville, one of the most prolific speculative fiction authors in the world, and convinced him to collaborate. Now, they’ve released their new novel, “The Book of Elsewhere,” which is based on the series. In this Canadian broadcast exclusive interview, Tom chats with Keanu and China about the book and how they felt about stepping outside of their creative comfort zones.

The Canadian actor Qasim Khan has taken on the coveted role of Hamlet for Canadian Stage’s annual Dream in High Park, which sees him performing in an outdoor amphitheatre to an audience of a thousand people, six times a week. Qasim sits down with Tom to talk about the part, his complicated relationship with the iconic “To be, or not to be” soliloquy, and what this production of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy does a bit differently.

For more than 30 years, “Law & Order” has taken viewers inside a dramatized version of the American justice system. While the franchise is most notably associated with New York, it’s now come to Toronto with the Canadian spinoff series “Law and Order Toronto: Criminal Intent.” Actor Karen Robinson talks to Tom about her starring role on the show, her love of telling complex stories, and how it feels making her dad proud.

Two Canadian visual artists, Marigold Santos and Rajni Perera, have come together to create an epic exhibit called “Efflorescence/The Way We Wake” at Montreal's Fondation Phi. The four-floor show includes work by both artists separately as well as pieces they made together. It explores topics like diasporic identity and motherhood through the lens of science fiction and folklore. Marigold and Rajni join guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the exhibit and the trust between them that made it possible.

Jelly Roll’s origin story isn’t that of the average country singer-songwriter. While growing up in Nashville's Antioch neighbourhood in the ‘90s, Jelly Roll developed an interest in hip-hop music and learned to rap. But from 14 to 25, he began cycling in and out of prison for various offences, including felony charges. In the years since getting out, he’s gone from rapping to singing, ultimately finding a home in country music. Jelly Roll sits down with Tom to share his incredible story.

The acclaimed Canadian troubadour Donovan Woods is back with a brand new album, “Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now.” He sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to set up a new song called “When Our Friends Come Over” (featuring Madi Diaz).

Noah Kahan is one of the most successful singer-songwriters in the world right now, but it wasn’t that long ago that he was writing his latest album, “Stick Season,” while isolated on a Vermont farm during the peak of the pandemic. Now, he’s considered the next big thing in music. Noah joins Tom in studio for a conversation about writing the album that would change his life, the power of tapping into his authentic self, and how he’s protected his mental health while on this crazy ride. 

The Summer Olympics in Paris kick off today and right before the opening ceremonies, viewers will be treated to a spoken word piece written by Ontario’s first poet laureate, Randell Adjei. He sits down with Tom in studio to talk about collaborating on the piece with former three-time Olympian Phylicia George, and shares the lessons he thinks everyone can learn from Olympians — even if you plan on spending the summer on your couch.

Chromeo’s Dave 1 and P-Thugg started out as high school best friends making weird music in Montreal basements 20 years ago. They never could have guessed that their interest in electro-funk and ‘80s synths would take them to festival stages and earn them a Grammy nod along the way. Chromeo drops by to chat with Tom about their new album, “Adult Contemporary,” which poses the question: what does it mean to be funky as you approach middle age?

Ian Harnarine is an award-winning Canadian filmmaker who found inspiration for his debut feature film, “Doubles,” in the delicious Trinidadian snack of the same name. The story follows an estranged father and son who are brought back together by difficult circumstances. Ian joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about drawing on his own experiences with his father to make the film, how it challenges clichés about the experience of immigrating to Canada, and what it was like getting Spike Lee’s hand-written notes as a film student at NYU.

Brittany Howard’s new album “What Now” is her second solo release since taking a hiatus with her band Alabama Shakes. Now more than ever, the singer-songwriter is exploring the potential of her famous raspy voice by pairing it with surprisingly poppy songs about love and heartbreak. Brittany sits down with Tom to talk about the record and finding the courage to step into new musical territory.

After finding Martha Baillie’s Giller Prize-shortlisted novel “The Incident Report” in a Toronto bookstore, Naomi Jaye knew almost instantly that she wanted to adapt it into a film. Now, 14 years later, the award-winning Canadian filmmaker has released her sophomore feature, “Darkest Miriam,” which follows a librarian living through a fog of grief while working in a downtown Toronto Public Library branch. Naomi joins guest host Talia Schlanger to tell us more about the film.

Maya Rudolph has been a comedy staple on our screens for decades. She’s impersonated everyone from Donatella Versace to Beyoncé as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live,” and she’s played memorable characters in comedies like “Bridesmaids” and “Sisters.” Now, Maya is back as the divorced billionaire Molly Wells in the second season of her hit Apple TV+ show “Loot.” Maya tells Tom why she was interested in the world of the mega-rich, how she ended up on “SNL” even though her agent told her not to audition, and why she says comedy and music are cousins. 

When Will Butler left his band Arcade Fire, he didn’t know what would happen next. With a Grammy on his shelf and an Oscar nomination for his musical score on Spike Jonze’s “Her,” it seemed like he could do anything — why not Broadway? Now, he’s written and composed the music for “Stereophonic,” a new play that was recently nominated for a record-breaking 13 Tony Awards. Set in the 1970s, it follows a fictional rock band on the cusp of superstardom as they struggle through recording their new album. Will talks to Tom about which moments from the play felt like he was dipping into his own past, how a band’s relationships influence their art, and why it was good he didn’t know anything about ‘70s rock music.

The multi-platinum rapper G-Eazy rose to stardom in 2015 with his hit song “Me, Myself & I” (featuring Bebe Rexha). Since then, he’s been a staple on pop radio with a number of chart-topping hits. But after facing mounting burnout and the death of his mother in 2021, G-Eazy decided to step away from the spotlight. Now, he’s back with his first new album in three years, “Freak Show.” G-Eazy joins Tom to talk about the record, his struggle with fame, and his path in the music industry.

Allison Au is an award-winning saxophonist who decided to step outside her comfort zone to investigate her family history of immigration to Canada. She sits down with Tom to discuss her new record, “Migrations,” and how making music can help you come to peace with your own identity.

On the hit series “The Bear,” Liza Colón-Zayas plays a middle-aged line cook named Tina who’s challenged by her mentors to learn new skills as a sous-chef. In some ways, her character’s story mirrors her own journey as an actor. Liza joins Tom to talk about the scarcity and struggle she’s had to overcome on her path to her breakthrough role, how her setbacks continue to shape her as an artist, and how as an actor you can feel dispensable and invisible as you age.

Luke Gilford is a photographer and filmmaker who grew up in a professional rodeo family in Colorado. But it wasn’t until he discovered America’s thriving subculture of queer rodeo that he truly felt at home with cowboy culture. Now, he’s released his feature directorial debut, “National Anthem,” inspired by his famous photo series of America’s gay cowboys and cowgirls. Luke joins Tom to talk about the film, why it was important to him to write a trauma-free queer love story, and how cowboy culture and drag culture overlap.

The actor and director Osgood “Oz” Perkins (Legally Blonde, Nope) recently released his latest horror thriller, “Longlegs,” which some are calling the scariest movie of the year. Harkening back to films like “Silence of the Lambs” and “Se7en,” it co-stars Nicolas Cage as an occultist serial killer. Oz joins Tom to talk about the film, how he developed one of the most bizarre serial killers ever seen on screen, and what his famous parents (“Psycho” actor Anthony Perkins and photographer Berry Berenson) brought to him as a filmmaker.

In addition to touring as the keyboardist in Maroon 5 and producing music for big-name musicians, PJ Morton is also an artist in his own right, often releasing his solo projects on his label, Morton Records. For his latest album, “Cape Town to Cairo,” the five-time Grammy-winning R&B artist set himself a wild creative challenge to write and record it all in just 30 days while traveling through Africa. PJ joins guest host Talia Schlanger to tell us more about his music and the “life-changing” trip that inspired his new record.

The Canadian singer-songwriter Jim Cuddy, best known as the frontman of the iconic roots-rock band Blue Rodeo, is back with his sixth solo album, “All The World Fades Away.” On the record, he paints a portrait of his present life and explores some of his most meaningful relationships, including the relationship he has with his wife and the one he has with his Blue Rodeo bandmate Greg Keelor. Jim sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger in studio to talk about it.

More than 20 years after Johnny Cash’s death, we’re getting new music from the legendary country music star. His only son, John Carter Cash, joins Tom to talk about finding his dad’s old demos from the ‘90s, and why he decided to release these songs in the form of a new album, “Songwriter.”

The bestselling horror author Stephen Graham Jones is said to have reinvented the slasher genre. His latest novel, “I Was a Teenage Slasher,” puts the reader directly into the mind of a killer. Stephen joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the book, his love of slashers, and why he thinks it’s the job of horror writers to walk into the darkness as far as they can — and then take two steps more.  

The acclaimed Canadian pianist and conductor Gregory Oh knows all about classical music’s quest for perfection. But in that pursuit of excellence, he thinks something else can be lost. Now, Gregory is embracing his own mistakes with his new one-man show, “Lessons in Failure,” which is part recital, part tell-all confessional. He sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to discuss the show, the failures that have defined his career, and his hopes for classical music. 

Before becoming an actor, Jennifer Esposito lived on Staten Island where she grew up around organized crime. Now, she’s released her directorial debut, “Fresh Kills,” which follows the story of the women behind the men in a mafia family. Jennifer joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the film, her career, and her unique perspective on the world of organized crime.

The Canadian art collective Shy Kids just won the 2024 Hi-Fidelity Award from the Prism Prize in recognition of their innovative music videos. Matthew Hornick of Shy Kids joins Tom to set up a new tune off their upcoming album, “A Gathering of Batteries,” which comes out this fall.

For more than four decades, the Vermont jam band Phish has cultivated an incredibly successful career, but more importantly, an incredibly successful relationship with their audience. Lead singer and guitarist Trey Anastasio joins Tom to discuss that relationship, the early days of the band, and why it's so important to be best friends with your bandmates.

“Nanalan” is a Canadian children’s show from the ‘90s that had a resurgence recently thanks to its growing popularity on TikTok. Clips from the show are getting millions of views, and the puppeteers have even revived the character for online skits. The creators of “Nanalan,” Jason Hopley and Jamie Shannon, join Tom to talk about the show’s viral success and legacy. Plus, they bring the puppets that started it all.

Wanda Koop is one of Canada’s most accomplished and influential contemporary painters. With a career spanning more than five decades, Wanda draws inspiration from her world travels, the environment, and our relationship with technology. Now, she has a new solo exhibit in Montreal, titled “Who Owns the Moon.” Wanda joins Tom to tell us how her family’s history in Ukraine inspired the exhibit, how painting provided a much-needed avenue for self expression as a young child, and why exploration and travel is central to her art practice.

After spending nearly half of her life as a touring pop star, Camila Cabello feels like she’s finally stepping into her power as a musician. On her new album, “C,XOXO,” she sharpens her skills as a songwriter and takes sonic swings that some might find surprising. Camila joins Tom to talk about where this record came from, her collaboration with Drake, and how she avoids the worst parts of the internet.

The Canadian singer-songwriter Nemah Hasan, a.k.a. Nemahsis, is back with two singles in advance of her debut album that will be coming out later this year. She tells Tom why she sat in a car wash with total strangers and asked them to listen to her song “You Wore it Better,” what happened when her label dropped her last fall, and what it was like shooting a music video for her song “Stick of Gum” in her family’s home of Jericho in the West Bank.

In the ‘90s, during a time when grunge music reigned supreme, an unlikely album went platinum: “Cracked Rear View” from Hootie & the Blowfish. Since then, Hootie’s frontman Darius Rucker has continued making music, transitioning from alt-rock to country. Darius’s latest record is called “Carolyn’s Boy.” He joins Tom to talk about the massive success of “Cracked Rear View,” what he thinks about the band’s decline in popularity, and why he still pursued country music after being told the fanbase wouldn’t listen to a Black country artist.

Waxahatchee is the solo project of the American singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield. Now, she’s back with her sixth record, “Tigers Blood,” which is already being called one of the best albums of the year. Waxahatchee joins Tom to talk about her early days making punk music with her twin sister, how her 2020 album “Saint Cloud” became the soundtrack to the pandemic for many, and how she learned to trust her instincts and lean all the way into her Americana-inspired sound when it came to her latest record.

Maggie Andrew is a singer-songwriter from Nova Scotia who decided to leave behind her life in Canada to pursue music in Los Angeles. Her new EP, “Day Job,” is partially inspired by that experience as well as the relationships she's had along the way. Maggie joins Tom to set up a song from the EP and tells us what pushed her to bet on herself and her art.

The Canadian comedy legend Tom Green has had an incredible career, from “The Tom Green Show” to “Freddy Got Fingered” to his many stand-up tours. Now, he’s been honoured with this year’s Sir Peter Ustinov Comedy Award from the Banff World Media Festival. Tom Power caught up with Tom live on stage in Banff for a special career-spanning conversation about his journey in comedy, the terrifying cancer diagnosis that changed his perspective on work and ambition, and why he's back in Canada to stay.

Fawn Parker is a Canadian writer whose novel “What We Both Know” was longlisted for the Giller Prize in 2022. Now, her debut poetry collection, “Soft Inheritance,” has won The Fiddlehead Poetry Book Prize at this year’s New Brunswick Book Awards. It follows her mother's journey with cancer, from her mastectomy to her chemotherapy to her death in 2019. Fawn joins Tom to talk about the collection and reads a poem from it, titled “Woof.”

William Stanford Davis is a veteran actor who waited 40 years until his dream of becoming a series regular finally became a reality. He’s the breakout star of the hit sitcom “Abbott Elementary,” on which he plays the school’s enigmatic janitor Mr. Johnson. William joins Tom to share how he landed the role at 70, what his story can tell us about persistence, and how he managed to keep the faith for decades while waiting for his big break.

Old Man Luedecke is one of Canada's most beloved folk musicians. The two-time Juno winner became known for playing the banjo, but on his latest album, “She Told Me Where to Go,” he puts the banjo away. Old Man Luedecke talks to Tom about his decision to trade the five-string for the six-string, how it changed his approach to making music, and what working on a scallop boat during the pandemic taught him about his life choices.

When a band kicks off their career with a hit single about getting stoned and watching TV, it might be surprising to see them 30 years later as one of the biggest bands on the planet. Green Day has beat those long odds. All three members — Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool — talk to Tom about the 30th anniversary of their breakthrough record “Dookie,” how they wanted to create a monumental record when writing “American Idiot,” and why they think their latest album “Saviors” could be that next era of Green Day.

Visual artist Kapwani Kiwanga represents Canada at this year’s Venice Biennale, the Olympics of visual art. Her installation, “Trinket,” uses seven million conteria — small glass beads from Venice — to not only shimmer, but to interrogate a deep history of labour, cultural exchange and class dynamics. She joins guest host Talia Schlanger to discuss how she uses small beads to tell a big story and the motivation behind her Biennale artwork.

The Oscar-nominated actor June Squibb is living her dream at 94 years young. Decades into her career as a character actor, June is now enjoying her first leading role in the action-comedy movie “Thelma.” She joins guest host Talia Schlanger to reflect on the passage of time, the benefits of being an older actor, and why sometimes you need to have a little patience to reap the rewards of your hard work.

The Montreal pianist Alexandra Stréliski was working at an ad agency when the late director Jean-Marc Vallée discovered her music and started using it in his work. That gave her the push she needed to quit her job and pursue music full-time. This year, Alexandra was nominated for album of the year at the Junos. Just before that, she joined Tom to talk about the nomination and chasing her dreams.

Carol Burnett is one of the most adored comedians of all time. In 1967, she broke up the boys club that was network television with her freewheeling variety hour, “The Carol Burnett Show.” Now, more than half a century later, she’s still flexing her quick wit and comedic acting skills on shows like “Better Call Saul” and “Palm Royale.” In this special interview from Los Angeles, Carol sits down with Tom to reminisce about the hard-won lessons and chance encounters that helped her become a star.

When a wildfire ripped through Lytton, B.C., in June 2021, the town burnt almost entirely to the ground. Meghan Fandrich lost her small business, the Klowa Art Café, and turned to writing poetry for the first time in her life to help her cope with the loss. The result is her first collection of poetry, “Burning Sage: Poems from the Lytton Fire.” She joins Tom to talk about it and read a poem from the collection.

Last summer, Sam Smith joined Tom to talk about the release of their latest album, “Gloria.” Since then, the singer-songwriter has announced the re-release of their debut album, “In the Lonely Hour,” which earned them four Grammys when it came out a decade ago. We revisit Tom’s 2023 chat with Sam about their start in music, learning to centre joy in their life, and the highs and lows of finding their identity.

Before making her name as a singer-songwriter, Jennifer Castle worked at a restaurant in Toronto with celebrity chef and restaurateur Matty Matheson. Now, nearly 20 years later, Matty is an executive producer and actor on the hit series “The Bear” and Jennifer has a song featured in the new season. She joins Tom to set up the song, titled “Blowing Kisses.”

Ten years after immigrating to Canada from India, the rapper and singer Karan Aujla made history as the first Punjabi artist to ever win a Juno Award. But he was a global superstar well before then, topping the charts with his blend of Punjabi music over hip-hop and trap beats. Now, Karan is the latest Global Apple Music Up Next Artist, which makes him the first Punjabi artist to join the initiative geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent. Karan talks to Tom about why Canada is a hub for Punjabi hip-hop, and the childhood losses that pushed him towards songwriting.

Jodie Comer is an Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor who you may know as the assassin Villanelle on the show “Killing Eve.” Though she’s been acting since childhood, Jodie treats every role with the intense work ethic of someone who’s still gunning for their big break. In her new film, “The Bikeriders,” she stars opposite Austin Butler, Tom Hardy and Michael Shannon as a woman who married into a biker gang. The film was inspired by an actual Midwestern motorcycle club that started in the ‘60s. Jodie joins Tom to talk about the film, learning a new accent for the project, and the incredible work ethic that’s gotten her this far in her acting career.

The Canadian director Brendan Healy has taken on an epic project: a new production of Matthew López's seven-hour play “The Inheritance,” which has been called the most important play of the 21st century. Brendan sits down with Tom to tell us how the play represents a conversation between generations of gay men, what happens when you don't learn about the past, and how that conversation played out in real life at rehearsals.