Q: The Podcast From Cbc Radio

Good Kid are a band of computer programmers who are changing the way fans communicate online. Nick Frosst and Jacob Tsafatinos from the band join Tom to talk about the intersection between computer programming and music, creating a community with their fans on Discord, and making their music available to use royalty free on Twitch.

After writing songs for the likes of Adele and The Chicks, Dan Wilson has returned to his band Semisonic to make their first album in more than 20 years. Dan tells Tom about Semisonic’s breakout hit “Closing Time,” how it felt to get the band back together, and what it’s been like to write smash hits for other artists.

Zabrina Douglas is a full-time nurse and mother of five who started doing stand-up comedy to help with her intense anxiety. She talks to guest host Saroja Coelho about the shock of being nominated for comedy album of the year at the 2023 Juno Awards, and what she did to prepare for her newest live comedy special, “Nurse on Nights.”

Edgar Wright (Baby Driver, Shaun of the Dead) talks to Tom about “Scott Pilgrim Takes Off,” a new animated spin-off of his beloved film “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.” Plus, he tells us what it’s been like to watch the cast of that movie go on to build massive careers, and where he draws his directorial inspiration from.

Canadian alt-comic Bobbi Summers is the star and creator of the new CBC series “I Hate People, People Hate Me.” The show follows best friends Jovi and Tabitha as they struggle to find purpose in their lives. Bobbi talks to guest host Saroja Coelho about how his own life inspired the series, how he went from being a recording artist in L.A. to making his own Canadian TV show, and why he thinks being considered “weird” is a good thing.

Rush frontman and bassist Geddy Lee talks to Tom about his memoir, “My Effin’ Life.” He discusses his experience as the son of Holocaust survivors, dropping out of high school, and what he remembers about the late Neil Peart’s audition to be the band’s drummer.

Anne Michaels is an award-winning Canadian poet and novelist who just published her long-awaited third novel, “Held.” The story spans 115 years and deals in themes familiar to her work: history, grief and the power of love. Anne tells Tom why it took nearly 15 years to write the novel, why she’s so interested in writing about war, and why she chooses to live an intensely private life.

The beloved alt-rock band Wilco has just released their latest record, “Cousin.” Frontman Jeff Tweedy talks to Tom about his creative process, why he doesn’t want to perform a song he wrote about mass shootings in front of an audience, and why he doesn’t feel beholden to his past music when writing new songs.

Twenty years ago, Metric burst onto the scene with an undeniably infectious album called “Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?” Metric’s Emily Haines and Jimmy Shaw tell Tom about the early days of the band, their unlikely hit that changed everything, and their new album, “Formentera II.”

In just a few years, d4vd went from making music in his sister’s closet to performing in arenas around the world. d4vd talks to Tom about growing up homeschooled, how a copyright strike led to him making his own music, and how the first concert he’d ever gone to was his own.

Elliot Page (Juno, Inception, The Umbrella Academy) sits down with Tom to talk about his memoir, “Pageboy,” how finally writing his story helped him heal from years of having to hide his true self, and what brings him joy now that he’s living openly as a trans man. Plus, Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Charlotte Cardin tells Tom what happens when your debut album wins a prestigious prize, and what was on her mind while writing her sophomore record, “99 Nights.” Charlotte also gives a stripped back performance of one of her latest songs “Confetti.”

The duo Majid Jordan met while studying at the University of Toronto and quickly realised they had a creative kinship. Not long after, the two were signed to Drake’s record label OVO Sound and started touring the world, touted as the next big thing. Majid Jordan’s new album, “Good People,” is out now. They joined Tom to talk about writing a hit song with Drake, their creative process, and why surrounding yourself with Good People is so important.

Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp are the creators and stars of the most absurd and raunchy movie to hit theatres this year, “Dicks: The Musical.” It’s a profane spoof of the movie “The Parent Trap,” based on a show that Aaron and Josh created while they were young improv comedians with the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York. They talk to Tom about coming up with the idea, getting Megan Thee Stallion to be in their movie, and why it’s time for queer cinema to embrace more absurdity.

“The Guide to Being Fabulous” is the new play created by and starring the stage and screen actor Sandra Caldwell. It follows her journey, including the glamorous and gritty parts that led her to becoming the successful artist she is today. But within Sandra’s story of artistry is her fear that her identity as a trans woman would be discovered. She joins Tom in studio to talk about her life and work – and what it’s like to finally openly talk about her true identity.

Since the ‘90s, DJ Shadow has been known for his scratching, sampling and crowd-inciting beats. The musician and producer’s 1996 debut album, “Endtroducing.....” is considered one of the best albums of all time. Now, nearly 30 years later, he’s releasing a new album, called “Action Adventure.” DJ Shadow talks to Tom about what it felt like to put out “Endtroducing.....,” how his views on sampling have changed over the years, and what’s required to make compelling instrumental music.

In just a handful of years, The Glorious Sons have gone from playing dirty rock clubs to sold out arenas all across Canada. Band members and brothers Brett and Jay Emmons tell Tom about their latest album, “Glory,” how the band came to be, and how criticism can be motivating.

You might know Roy Wood Jr. from his time as a correspondent on “The Daily Show.” But for years, Roy has honed his comedy as a travelling stand-up comic. This month, he headlines the Just for Laughs Comedy Tour, with shows across Canada from St. John’s to Victoria. Roy drops by the studio to talk to Tom about his life in comedy, why it was time for him to leave “The Daily Show,” and what he thinks is in store for late-night TV. Plus, the Canadian rapper Classified tells the story behind his latest single, "Wonder."

Patti LuPone is one of the most decorated Broadway performers of our time. Ahead of bringing her show “Don’t Monkey with Broadway” to Toronto, she joins Tom Power for a career-spanning interview that ranges from her early years to the state of Broadway today. British singer-songwriter Jorja Smith is back with her sophomore album, “Falling or Flying.” She joins Tom Power to discuss growing up in the spotlight, moving back home to the town she grew up in, and the key events in her life that inspired her new record.

Broken Social Scene’s co-founder Kevin Drew has just released his third solo record, “Aging” – a project all about love, loss and grief. Kevin joins Tom Power to reflect on his early days in Toronto, how he looks back on the success of Broken Social Scene, and what inspired him to dedicate an entire record to aging.

While dreaming of pop stardom, Reneé Rapp built a resume that most performers dream of. She made her Broadway debut at nineteen in the Mean Girls musical, and starred in Mindy Kaling’s HBO series “The Sex Lives of College Girls.” But these days, she’s bringing her focus back to her original passion: music. Reneé speaks with guest host Talia Schlanger about her first full-length album, “Snow Angel”, and building an online following of millions.