The Spark Parade

Singer, songwriter and producer Noga Erez first taste of Kendrick Lamar's masterpiece To Pimp A Butterfly came when its smash hit single Alright was played for her on the set of one of her music videos. From there, she quickly became infatuated with the beats, rhymes and broad range of sonic influences evident in each of To Pimp A Butterfly's tracks. She's drawn inspiration from Lamar's work for her third studio album The Vandalist.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Killer's Game director JJ Perry has idolized Jackie Chan's work throughout his adult life, but it was Chan's career defining film Armor Of God that cemented Perry's devotion to his work. Chan's dedication to his craft, complete fearlessness and infectious joy provided Perry with a template for his career as a stuntman and film director, a template that he continues to apply to his work to this day. 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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Singer/songwriter Ashe sits down with Adam to talk about her Spark, Carole King's record breaking, earth shattering, emotionally devastating masterpiece Tapestry. Ashe talks about the direct impact Tapestry had on her songwriting and the inspiration she drew from it while composing her highly anticipated new album Wilson.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FOALS and Yannis & The Yaw front man Yannis Philippakis was hooked on the singular sounds of Pixies legendary debut album Surfer Rosa from the first time he heard it. Since becoming a musician himself, Surfer Rosa has influenced the way he plays guitar and his approach to writing and recording music. His personal connection to the album even extends to a stint as Kim Deal's pen pal! 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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Singer, songwriter, producer and engineer Sam Evian has always loved The Beatles music, but seeing Peter Jackson's epic Beatles documentary had a profound effect on the way he makes music. The live to tape recording style used by the band (everyone in the same room playing together live) inspired Evian's preferred production set up and laid the groundwork for the recording of his latest album Plunge.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick Carpenter, better known as Medium Build, has been a huge Weird Al Yankovic fan since childhood and he clearly remembers getting Yankovic's tenth album Running With Scissors as soon as it was released. Carpenter loves Yankovic's humor, the way he blends multiple musical genres and his daring use of instruments that are rarely found in pop music like the accordian.Medium Build's latest album Country is out now.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Musical comedian Sarah Hester Ross loves School Of Rock's... music and comedy, which has (perhaps obviously) had a huge impact on her career path. She really admires Jack Black's warm, funny performance, but also recognizes his skilled musicianship and incredible improvisations.Catch Sarah at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this August with her show Sarah Hester Ross Is What? and her special Don't Mess With A Redhead is available right now. 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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Singer, songwriter and front woman of the band Rainbow Kitten Surprise, first saw the film Scott Pilgrim Vs The World as a teenager while living in her home state of North Carolina. She loved the energy of the music and the film's depiction of queerness. The way the onscreen bands played their interest has had an effect on her own playing throughout her career.The new Rainbow Kitten Surprise album Love Hate Music Box is out now. 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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bethenny Frankel doesn't really watch much TV, but she found The Handmaid's Tale during the pandemic and was so drawn to its compelling performances and topical themes that she breezed through the entire series. Bethenny finds The Handmaid's Tale to be both a cautionary tale about the world we could be heading towards and a reflection of the world in which we live.Bethenny appears in the Lifetime Original Movie Danger In The Dorm, which is out now.Our Tribeca Film Festival coverage concludes with a look at mesmerizing music documentary They All Came Out to Montreux, neo-noir crime dramedy Lake George and US Narrative Competition winner Griffin In Summer, a coming of age story about a 14 year old playwright.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Judith Hill has loved Captain EO, the Michael Jackson starring short film that accompanied an attraction at Disney's theme parks, since she was a small child. She loves it's message of spreading joy and positivity through music and has used those principles throughout her career.The first of a two part Tribeca Film Festival series kicks off with a look at queer buddy comedy Rent Free, heart wrenching family drama Color Book, straight buddy comedy Sacramento and moving documentary I'm Your Venus.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Singer, songwriter and queer icon Daphne Guinness first listened to David Bowie's sensational fourteenth album Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) when she bought it with her saved up pocket money as a child. Little did she know she'd later work with the man himself on her own debut album! Scary Monsters provided a template for Guinness' musical output, her work ethic in the studio and her willingness to push the boundaries of her sound.Daphne Guinness' new album Sleep is out on June 21st.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Singer/songwriter Girli started watching the classic Reese Witherspoon movie Legally Blonde as a small child and loved that it embraced a traditionally girlie femininity while still embraces feminist principles like the right to self-determination and self-sufficiency. Legally Blonde mostly adheres to a romantic comedy structure and Girli loved that the romance wasn't between two people, but rather between the lead character Elle Woods and herself.Girli's new album Matriarch is out now!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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Spark Parade, the multi-talented Maya Hawke celebrates Chaos Angel by diving into an old, and we mean old, piece of art that has remained a source of inspired for years -- Euripides' classic Greek tragedy The Bacchae. Listen now.Hawke first became aware of Euripides, expectedly, in school. As a teen, she appeared in a high school production of The Bacchae, and she's been absolutely entranced by the work ever since. The Stranger Things star continues to marvel at the universality baked into the ancient storytelling, as moments in her life consistently echo the themes of the play.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Singer/songwriter Sasha Alex Sloan was so taken by the limited series Fleishman Is In Trouble that it inspired a song on her new album Me Again. Sloan connected with the series' themes of facing middle age, the breakdown of relationships and the pressures put on women to be all things at once.Be sure to check out Me Again which is out now and learn more about Sasha Alex Sloan here. 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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shannon and The Clams vocalist Shannon Shaw has been drawn to Patsy Cline's smooth, sad, devastating voice since she was a small child and the songs on Patsy Cline's 12 Greatest Hits have had a huge impact on her own songwriting. The desperation in the storytelling, the songs' soaring bridges and choices in Cline's vocal delivery have provided a writing and performing template for Shaw. The album also had an profound effect on her personal life by providing an early source of artistic connection with her mother.The new Shannon And The Clams album The Moon Is In The Wrong Place is out now.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dark Matter author, screenwriter, and showrunner Blake Crouch was more than familiar with Cormac McCarthy's bleak but beloved novel No Country for Old Men by the time the Coen brothers adapted it for the big screen. Even still, those dang Coens blew his expectations out of the water. On this episode of The Spark Parade, Crouch gushes about the film No Country for Old Men.Crouch talks about the film adaptation's bold choices, like eschewing a traditional score and downplaying the use of dialogue, as well as how such decisions helped elevate the film's visceral impact. Crouch has since drawn inspiration from the Coen brothers' artistic fearlessness, especially when it comes to adapting the written word, as is the case for his new Apple TV+ series Dark Matter.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Canadian singer-songwriter Jade Bird first took the jagged little pill as a kid -- yes, that Jagged Little Pill. It might have tasted bitter at the time, but ever since, her admiration for Alanis Morissette and her groundbreaking album has only grown. Listen to her chat about the Morissette and her seminal 1995 record on this episode of The Spark Parade.While Bird's first introduction to Jagged Little Pill was as a child, it wasn't until she began to embark on her own creative journey that the record's power truly revealed itself. The more she listened, the more she was in awe of the album's energetic songwriting, feminist themes, and confessional lyrics.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rapper Rico Nasty and producer/DJ Boys Noize have made a habit out of turning genres on their head, stepping outside of drawn lines, and adding a somewhat aggressive bent to whatever project they happen to be currently working on. So, it comes as no surprise that both absolutely love the idiosyncratic, wildly creative, one-of-a-kind artist Arca. Listen to Rico Nasty and Boys Noize explain why they admire Arca so much on this episode of The Spark Parade wherever you get your podcasts.Both Rico Nasty and Boys Noize immediately took to Arca's talents of melding genres, her boundless imagination, and her prolific output. "It's one of my favorite things to see in music," Rico Nasty explains. "It's just something to be studied. The grind is insane, for real.""I'm going to go out there and say that she might be the greatest artist of our generation right now," Boys Noize adds. "When you see her perform or you listen to her music, it makes people so confident, as well, [in] being different or not being afraid to be who you are. That's so powerful."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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 in the story of a young boy growing up and facing all of the joys and challenges of childhood.Be sure to check out the new X Ambassadors album Townie.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 band, while Moten picked Glenn Gould’s recording of the “Goldberg Variations,” which was originally penned by, well, Johann Sebastian Bach. 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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 a visual artist and an actor.Be sure to check out Nyambi Nyambi in Night Court on Tuesday nights on NBC.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. 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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 screen acting. The film has aged incredibly well and was tackling subjects like gay and trans rights in a thoughful and nuanced way nearly fifty years ago.Check out Asher Grodman is in Ghosts, which airs on CBS on Thursday nights.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.SHAED originally started as a straightforward folk band, but after running into trouble finding a drummer, they began looking for other outlets. When they heard Sylvan Esso’s electronic flourishes and programmed percussion, though, a whole new world opened up for them, and the solution to their troubles became clear. Ever since, they've been following their own passion for folktronica.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 episode of The Spark Parade, Ditto explains how the album shaped her young mind. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.Missy Elliott as a whole would go on to heavily influence Gossip, as the group looked to Southern soul music for inspiration. Hear how it manifested on the band's comeback effort, Real Power, here.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian Bassem Youssef, known for his sharp wit and political commentary, discovered Billy Joel's "Pressure" in an unlikely place -- midway through an episode of Amazon's superhero satire The Boys. From the first notes, he knew he had to seek out the song for himself. On this episode of The Spark Parade, Youssef explains how he fell in love with the track once he did. Listen above, or wherever you get your podcasts.The more Youssef dove into "Pressure," the more he connected with its energetic synth-rock vibe, soaring melodies, and themes of dealing with stress.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Self-described drag clown and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars winner JIMBO first got into Pee-wee's Playhouse, predictably, as a child. And yet, even as an adult, the program's unparalleled creativity continues to have a huge influence on her outlook, art, and even home decor. On this episode of The Spark Parade, JIMBO explores her deep connection with the TV show. Listen above, or wherever you get your podcasts.Talking about Pee-wee's Playhouse, JIMBO takes particular note of the show's queer -- or at least drag -- aesthetic, as well as how its content boldly treated kids like adults.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Singer, songwriter, and visual artist Allie X loves Christopher Guest’s highly influential mockumentary Waiting For Guffman so much that it’s become a somewhat of litmus test for her. If she meets someone and they love Guffman, she knows they’ll get along. On this episode of The Spark Parade, Allie X explores her deep connection with the film. Listen above, or wherever you get your podcasts.The artist touches on the emotional component of the film, zoning in on how even though it's hilarious, it also reflects the real struggle of being an artist in an industry that often crushes dreams.The artist also explains her link to the world of theater and recalls the concentrated communities that develop during a production -- something she feels Guffman nails.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The moment he read it, Everything Everything frontman Jonathan Higgs fell in love with the satirical absurdity of Chris Bacheldor's Bear V Shark and its skewering of our modern reliance on technology and entertainment. It inspired the complex backstory underpinning Everything's new album Mountainhead and affirmed Jonathan's broader worldview.Check Everything Everything's new album Mountainhead here.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Take a guess how many times The Holdovers writer David Hemingson has seen the British cult classic film Withnail and I. Maybe 10? Perhaps 20? Try upwards of 40. On this episode of The Spark Parade Hemmingson explains what it about the film that keeps him coming back. Listen above, or wherever you get your podcasts.Hemingson gushes about everything from the sharp dialogue to the charismatic performances (including the incandescent Richard E. Grant in his debut role) to the bleak setting. He even keeps a copy of its screenplay on his desk at all times -- a reminder of how much of an impact it's had on his work (look out for references in The Holdovers).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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Real Estate frontman Martin Courtney had loved Nickelodeon's The Adventures of Pete and Pete as a child, but he was understandably skeptical of how it might hold up when it came time to show it to his own kids. Fortunately, Courtney discovered that it was everything he remembered and more. Listen to the singer chat about his rediscovery on this episode of The Spark Parade above, or wherever you get your podcasts.Courtney dives into how, as an adult, he found that the show's weird, sweet, funny nature helped it transcend the pitfalls similar shows from the time fall into. He ended up being so taken by his reconnection with the show that Real Estate created a Pete and Pete-themed video for their new song "Water Underground."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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Of all places, Mitch Rowland discovered Charles Mingus' seminal jazz album The Clown at a pizza restaurant. The singer, songwriter, and Harry Styles collaborator was scrolling through his coworkers iPod when the album jumped out at him. On this episode of The Spark Parade, Rowland explains just how instrumental that pizza-adjacent moment was. Listen above, or wherever you get your podcasts.Rowland continues to be mesmerized by classic tracks like "Haitian Fight Song" to this day, with the record as whole remaining a core inspiration for the songwriter's own work. As a fan, he comes back to The Clown often to marvel at its audacious take on jazz playing and song structure.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Spark Parade, The Beaches front-woman Jordan Miller recalls the time her tour manager introduced her to True Romance, the cult classic written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Tony Scott. Listen to Miller explain the film's immediate impact above, and don't forget to follow and review The Spark Parade wherever you get your podcasts.Hooked from the first frame, Miller details how she loved the film's bright colors, ultra-violence, and -- most of all -- titular romance. She’s watched and re-watched it so many times, she admits, that it has ultimately shaped her perception of romantic relationships throughout her adult life.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Spark Parade, Atmosphere’s DJ and producer Ant discusses seeing a live performance of Herbie Hancock's instrumental hip-hop classic "Rockit" at age 13, a performance that ultimately led him to become absolutely obsessed with art of scratching. Listen to the full conversation above, and don't forget to like, review, and subscribe to The Spark Parade wherever you get your podcasts.After catching the live performance, the recorded version of the song (as well as the album it came from, Future Shock) became an all-time favorite for the budding producer. Ant reflects on the personal importance of the track, why it inspired him to master the scratching techniques it displayed, and how strange it was that the song became a hit.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Spark Parade, Grammy and Golden Globe-nominated songwriter, producer, and activist Justin Tranter talks about feeling completely entranced the first time they heard Ani DiFranco’s song "Swan Dive." Listen to the full conversation above, and don't forget to like, review, and subscribe to The Spark Parade wherever you get your podcasts.Tranter instantly fell in love with “Swan Dive” and its poetic message of self-empowerment. Ever since, it's continued to shape their taste and songwriting process.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Percy Jackson and The Olympians star Aryan Simhadri was a bit skeptical when he first saw The Devil Wears Prada, but he quickly became enthralled with the incredible acting and sharp storytelling. On this episode of The Spark Parade, the actor explains how it wasn't just the glitz, glamour, and fashion that drew him, but the powerhouse that is Meryl Streep.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ted star Max Burkholder might have been born in the '90s, but the 1980 cult classic Airplane! still resonated with him like few other comedies before or since. On this episode of The Spark Parade, Burkholder gushes about the silly world of Airplane!, a style of comedy that grabbed him and never let go.The actor admits that, upon first viewing, the performances in the film were so subtle he didn't realize it was a comedy. He's since grown to adore its blend of deadpan humor, slapstick, and surrealism, and it's proven to be a major influence for his work on Ted, a show from another one of his creative heroes, Seth MacFarlane.All episodes of Ted are streaming on Peacock and you can learn more about Max Burkholder here.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Sleater-Kinney's Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker discovered Patti Smith's legendary debut album Horses, an artistic earthquake occurred in both of their lives. They were blown away by Smith's fearless, challenging lyrics and melodies and Robert Mapplethorpe's stunning portrait on the album's cover. Horses has remained a constant source of inspiration in Sleater-Kinney's decades long career, as the band has travelled the globe playing iconic venues infused with the spirit of Smith's music and that of her contemporaries.Be sure to check out Sleater-Kinney's new album Little Rope, a record that was completed in the aftermath of a deadly car accident involving Brownstein’s mother and stepfather in late 2022, which is releasing 1/19 here!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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a lifelong Janet Jackson stan, actress, singer, and drag superstar Peppermint loves Janet's entire back catalog. But her self-titled fifth album has a special place in Peppermint's heart. It represents a major leap forward in Janet's style and sound, as well as her public advocacy for the queer community. And, Peppermint has been so inspired by Janet's choreography that she's recreated two of her videos!Learn more about Peppermint here and be sure to check her out in Peacock's The Traitors, a competition show, hosted by Alan Cumming, where contestants play the ultimate murder mystery game to win a prize of up to $250,000.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Actor and content creator Sam Song Li (The Brothers Son, Never Have I ever, and Better Call Saul) was bowled over when he first saw Damien Chazelle's frenetic music school nightmare Whiplash. Li was even compelled to seek out acting classes that mirrored the film's hard-edged approach to artistic practice - albeit a less extreme version. In look back, he still sees the value of brutal honesty in furthering artists' careers, but he also sees the drawbacks and limitations of relentless negative feedback.Learn more about Sam Song Li here and be sure to check him out in Netflix's The Brothers Son starring alongside Michelle Yeoh and Justin Chien.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Holidays! The Spark Parade is off this week, but, in honor of the release of the movie musical version of The Color Purple, we are doing an encore presentation of this amazing interview with the one and only Bob The Drag Queen.Bob The Drag Queen has seen/read every iteration (book, film, and stage), but she's found herself coming back to Steven Spielberg's Oscar-nominated adaptation over and over. Whoopi Goldberg's breakout role as Celie is at the heart of Bob's attraction to the film. It's a striking, subtle, heartfelt performance that's touched Bob so deeply she's become a huge Whoopi stan.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Singer, songwriter and producer Jesse Boykins III was introduced to The Fifth Element by his college roommate (who happened to be Jonah Hill!). He was hooked on the film's style and storytelling from the first frame and has continually revisited it as a source of creative inspiration throughout his career. Jean Paul Gaultier's costume design combined with Luc Besson's unique storytelling to create a distinctive sci-fi landscape, one that showed Boykins the power of combining masculine and feminine energies in his artistry.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drag Race superstar Trinity the Tuck loves the bonkers campiness of the queer classic movie Death Becomes Her for lots of reasons; the deliciously over-the-top performances by Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn, the iconic fashion, and the ridiculous story have had Trinity hooked since the first time she saw it. She watches it multiple times a year and it's influence has even seeped into her drag.Listen as Trinity tracks the impact Death Becomes Her has had on her own career on this latest episode of The Spark Parade. Please also take the time to like, review, and subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. Keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.For more from Trinity the Truck, check out Trinity Ruins Christmas: The Musical, the accompanying book, and even more on her website.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rapper, singer, and writer Dessa first came across Dave Eggers' memoir A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genious as a college student and was immediately drawn to its wild, vibrant prose. Eggers' frankness and honesty had a huge influence on Dessa's own writing. Her live performances have also been inspired by his unusual, subversive book readings.Check out Dessa's new album Bury The Lede here!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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian and actor Amanda Seales loved The Cosby Show as a child and it had a profound effect on the development of her own comedy. It taught her to bring a personal slant to her stand-up. It's also incredibly important to her because it was a huge step forward for Black representation across all media and was one of the most successful sitcoms of all time.Of course, the legacy of the show has been severely tarnished by disgraceful revelations about its namesake. Seales and host Adam Unze address the elephant in the room and whether it’s possible to separate art from artist. At the same time, they acknowledge that The Cosby Show was more than just one individual, and its influence on young Black people in the the ’80s like Seales was very real.Check out Seales' new documentary In Amanda We Trust here!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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a young man, The Polyphonic Spree's Tim DeLaughter found a strong connection with a small piece of Ennio Morricone's score to The Good, The Bad And The Ugly. Il Forte (The Strong) is an instrumental piece that has moved and inspired DeLaughter in a way that no other music has. It acted as entrance music for The Polyphonic Spree concerts and provided an emotional foundation for much of his own writing.The new The Polyphonic Spree album Salvage Enterprise is out now learn more about the band and the album here.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cold War Kids' Nathan Willett and Matt Maust are obsessed with all things U2, so it's no surprise that they love Davis Guggenheim's documentary about the making of one of the band's biggest albums, Achtung Baby. Seeing U2's creative process and the intraband turmoil that ensued at the height of their fame gave Willett and Maust a different perspective on their own careers and musical methodology.The Cold War Kids self-titled Cold War Kids album is out know and you cand find 2024 tour dates here.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian, actress, and author Phoebe Robinson first saw Sex In The City as a college freshman and has binge-watched the whole series annually ever since. She loves the camaraderie between the four leads, the sex positivity, and the nuanced take on romantic relationships. She is not, however, a fan of the SATC big screen outings or the poorly received sequel series And Just Like That...Phoebe Robins is currently on her Messy AF tour through 12/7 find out here.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Singer-songwriter Angie McMahon watched the mycelium-centered documentary Fantastic Fungi during the height of COVID and it radically changed how she sees the world. It brought the interconnectedness of the natural world into sharp focus for McMahon and that concept served as a major inspiration for her new album Light, Dark, Light Again.Check out Angie's new album today!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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first time she saw David Lynch's neo noir classic Blue Velvet, singer and songwriter Slayyyter was immediately drawn to its distinctive visual style. The saturated colors and dramatic lighting acted as a mood board for her new album STARFUCKER. She was particularly captivated by Isabella Rossellini's lounge singer character Dorothy and incorporated elements of her story into the album's songwriting process.Check out Slayyyter's new album STARFUCKER and you can catch her on tour from now through mid-November by following this link.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: @sparkparadeSubscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.comCopyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.