x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

The Spark Parade

Adam Unze - Music & Film Interviews

What’s the one album or film that changed everything for you? On The Spark Parade, host Adam Unze sits down with actors, musicians and other cultural icons to explore the music and movies that ignited their creative journeys. Each episode is a deep dive into a single transformative work of art — from cult classics to chart-topping albums — and how it continues to shape their lives and careers.You’ll hear from artists like Margaret Cho, Maya Hawke, Chris Gethard, Beth Ditto, Bob The Drag Queen, Ella

music music interviews

All Episodes

30:13

Yoke Lore’s Spark is Snow Crash

The Spark Parade ·

2023/09/20

Yoke Lore (aka Adrian Galvin) has always been interested in philosophy and religion, so Neil Stephenson's seminal cyber-punk novel Snow Crash may not have seemed like a natural fit for him. But it's a book full of references to spiritual practices, linguistics, and other areas that piqued his interest. It's also a book that predicted the concept of the metaverse and other technological advancements, thereby bridging the gap between ancient rituals and futurism.Listen to the full

en

34:34

Taking Teen Angst From Print To Screen: Speedy...

The Spark Parade ·

2023/09/13

Speedy Ortiz founder and frontwoman Sadie Dupuis has always loved comics, so when she spotted a French language version of Ghost World as a tween, she didn't let the language barrier stand in the way of her enjoyment. Her connection to the book grew exponentially when she bought a copy in English and she felt a kinship with its teenage protagonists. She was initially disappointed by Terry Zwigoff's film, a radical departure from the source material, but has since come to appreciate it as an

en

32:19

Whoopi Goldberg Is Everything: Bob The Drag Queen's...

The Spark Parade ·

2023/09/06

Bob The Drag Queen loves The Color Purple. She's 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.Listen to the full interview for all this and more in the new episode

en

32:43

Beachy Sounds and Self-Discovery: Jaboukie's Spark Is...

The Spark Parade ·

2023/08/30

Comedian, actor, writer, and musical artist Jaboukie was already a fan of The Drums when their second album was released, but Portamento was the project that solidified his relationship with the band. Singer Jonny Pierce had just come out publicly and Jaboukie immediately saw the connection between Pierce's queerness and Portamento's thematic landscape. He was drawn to the vulnerable honesty in the lyrics and his high school years were powered by its sparse, beachy sound.Listen to the full

en

30:31

Breaking The Mold: Nicholas Maggio's Spark Is...

The Spark Parade ·

2023/08/25

Mob Land director Nicholas Maggio first saw Quentin Tarintino's directorial debut Reservoir Dogs at the tender age of 13 and it was the coolest thing he had ever seen. His affection for it has grown as his own career as a filmmaker has developed. When he revisited it as an adult, he has been awestruck by the audacious storytelling, novel plot devices, and incredible performances. It's had a profound impact on his career path and provided endless inspiration for his own work.Listen to the

en

32:17

The Sound Of A New Century: Tone Stith's Spark Is...

The Spark Parade ·

2023/08/23

The sounds of '90s and 2000s RnB have always spoken to singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Tone Stith and Usher's career-defining third album 8701 is at the top of his list for albums of that era. It produced mega-hits like "U Remind Me" and "U Got It Bad" and featured production from superstars like The Neptunes and Jermaine Dupri, ensuring its global success. In addition to Usher, Tone's influences extend to artists like Jazmine Sullivan, Michael Jackson, and

en

22:35

A Dramatic Evolution In Sound: Dreamin' Wild director...

The Spark Parade ·

2023/08/18

Dreamin' Wild director Bill Pohlad first had his mind blown by Radiohead's OK Computer while working in Dublin and it's been one of his go-to albums ever since. Not just for the pleasure of listening to it, but also for the inspiration it provides while Pohlad is editing his films. It's a cinematic album that provided inspiration while he worked on his new film Dreamin' Wild about musicians Donnie And Joe Emerson whose lost album was rediscovered and brought to a new audience

en

33:54

Taking Stock of a Spotlit Life: Winning Time's Max...

The Spark Parade ·

2023/08/16

Showrunner, producer, and writer Max Borenstein (HBO's Winning Time: The Rise of te Lakers Dynasty) was always drawn to WB Yeats work, but one poem resonated with him above all the others. "The Circus Animals' Desertion," one of Yeates' final published works in his lifetime, is about looking back on a lifetime of achievements, grappling with writer's block, and the perils of trying to match past successes in the final years of your life. Max found parallels to celebrity

en

29:47

Where It All Began: Kylie Cantrall's Spark is...

The Spark Parade ·

2023/08/09

With a music producer father and a dancer/choreographer mother, Kylie Cantrall grew up with a front-row seat in the entertainment industry. As a result, music biopics struck a particular chord with her. None moreso than VH1's megahit CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story. Cantrall loved the eerily accurate performances and music video recreations, but the incorporation of TLC's phenomenal back catalog was the clincher. She was so hooked on the movie that she watched it dozens of times and still

en

34:28

Wise Beyond Her Years: The Aces' Cristal Ramirez's...

The Spark Parade ·

2023/08/02

The Aces' front woman Cristal Ramirez's was obsessed with Paramore's Riot! from the moment it was first played for her. The energy and lyrics both blew her pre-teen mind, but it was Hayley Williams who really caught her attention. A flame-haired teenager who lead a successful rock band in a male-dominated industry, Williams provided endless inspiration for Ramirez as her own musical aspirations took flight. As a dedicated Paramore fan, she's always seen the band as a beacon of light

en

21:25

Teenage Dreams: Kenzie's Spark Is 10 Things I Hate...

The Spark Parade ·

2023/07/26

Singer and actor Kenzie was home-schooled, so she didn't have a typical high school experience. As a result, teen movies really struck a chord with her and 10 Things I Hate About You was at the top of the list. She loved the characters, the love story, and all of the stereotypical late 90's high school drama. The movie has brought her massive amounts of joy and she rewatches it whenever she gets a chance.Kenzie’s new single, “Anatomy” is out now. Listen and learn more here.Listen to the full

en

27:16

Dawn Of The Comedic Everyman: David Gborie's Spark Is...

The Spark Parade ·

2023/07/19

The relentless silliness of Todd Phillip's smash hit comedy Old School is contrasted by the relatable everyman characters played by its breakout stars Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn. Comedian, actor, and podcaster David Gborie saw Old School as the moment when comedic leads became less polished and more like normal people who happened to be joke machines. It was one of the era-defining films that set him on a comedy career path and helped him to believe he could make it in the industry.Please be

en

28:39

Sensual And Surreal: Morgan Kibby's Spark Is Tipsy...

The Spark Parade ·

2023/07/12

Singer/songwriter Morgan Kibby was already a huge fan of GaHee Park's work when she discovered Tipsy Lovers hanging in her aunt's home! She was immediately drawn to the painting and its playful, voyeuristic depiction of lovers embracing while peering through martini glasses. Kibby is enamored with Park's ability to infuse her work with a unique blend of eroticism and surrealism, a delicate balance that few artists are able to achieve.Listen to the full interview for all this and more in

en

27:41

Punk, Pop And The Dawn Of MTV: Bratmobile's Allison...

The Spark Parade ·

2023/07/05

As a teenager, Bratmobile frontwoman Allison Wolfe was drawn to bands led by powerful, magnetic women. When Bow Wow Wow released their second album When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Gets Going, she was mesmerized by the raw energy of its twelve short, sharp songs. The newly launched MTV left her in awe of singer Anabella Lwin's commanding stage presence and distinctive style, which proved a huge source of inspiration in Wolfe's own work as a musician.Listen to the full interview for all

en

24:54

Finding Joy In The Blues: Acantha Lang's Spark Is...

The Spark Parade ·

2023/06/28

Unlike many of her peers, soul singer Acantha Lang’s primary inspiration didn’t come from R’n’B. Her musical foundation is rooted in the blues and the first time she heard Koko Taylor’s legendary album I Got What It Takes. The distinct rawness in Taylor’s vocal performance spoke to Lang in a way that’s stuck with her for her entire career. Taylor's ability to transform the blues into joyful, life-affirming music is unparalleled and her music continues to influence artists across a wide spectrum

en

21:17

Pride Month Bonus! A Spectacle To End All Spectacles:...

The Spark Parade ·

2023/06/23

Actor and Comedian Hal Sparks (Queer As Folk) has been a KISS mega-fan for as long as he can remember. He saw the poster for KISS' monster hit album Destroyer and his jaw dropped. He's been in awe of its artistry and musicianship ever since. Destroyer helped to cement KISS as globe-dominating rock superstars. It produced a string of hits and provided a perfect vessel for KISS' particular brand of rock theatricality. Hal's love for the band has only grown since the release of

en

28:39

Tribeca Special!! Blurring The Lines Between Fact And...

The Spark Parade ·

2023/06/21

Director Katherine Propper's Lost Soulz, a meditative film about music making, self-discovery, and friendship, had its world premiere at this year's Tribeca film festival. Its star, rising rapper Sauve Sidle, saw parallels between his personal journey, his character arc in the film, and the story of Eminem's much-lauded, Oscar-winning turn in Curtis Hanson's 8 Mile. Finding a community of like-minded artists can have a huge impact on a musician and that collaborative spirit runs

en

35:28

Dancing to a Queer Feminist Beat: Dream Wife's Spark...

The Spark Parade ·

2023/06/14

Le Tigre's self-titled debut album holds a special place in the hearts of Dream Wife's Alice Go and Rakel Mjöll. The punk-meets-electro-pop sound and queer feminist overtones of the album struck a chord with both of them as teenagers and eventually helped to inspire the sound of their own music. Then, a chance encounter with Le Tigre member JD Samson led to an ongoing mutual lovefest between the two bands, culminating in Dream Wife's opening slot on Le Tigre's long-awaited reunion

en

30:04

The Heart Of The Human Condition: Brian J. Smith's...

The Spark Parade ·

2023/06/07

Actor Brian J Smith was in awe of Asghar Farhadi's Oscar-winning film A Separation after he saw it for the first time. Subsequent viewings have only increased his admiration for the complex story of the acrimonious dissolution of a couple's relationship and the repercussions that follow. A Separation refuses to pass judgment on its characters. Every one of them is fully realized and makes both good and bad decisions throughout. It's a true reflection of the human condition and the

en

30:06

A Tear-Jerking Space Quest: Jon Lovett's Spark Is...

The Spark Parade ·

2023/05/31

Podcaster and comedian Jon Lovett is an avid gamer who discovered the acclaimed Outer Wilds in the thick of COVID lockdown. The game's sweet simplicity provided a perfect escape from the pandemic bleakness surrounding him and it quickly became his favorite game of all time. Eschewing the violence that is so prevalent in many of the gaming world's biggest titles, it is a meditative space adventure broken up into 22-minute cycles. The joy of low-stakes exploration struck such a chord with

en

290 results

Similar Podcasts

Pasquale Maassen Soundcloud

Pasquale Maassen

Marian Klose

Marian Klose

sevenism

sevenism

Dean Delray"s LET THERE BE TALK

Cactus Radio Network

Word In Your Ear

Mark Ellen, David Hepworth and Alex Gold