The Classics 30: Bobby Gillespie

Soosan Lolavar, Morten Strøksnes and Alex Preston

We speak to musician and composer Soosan Lolavar about her new opera on immigration “ID, Please”. Plus, Norwegian author Morten Strøksnes reflects on his new book “Shark Drunk” and writer Alex Preston joins us to talk about…

The Classics 31: Nahlah Ayed

We have another listen to our discussion with the Canadian journalist, who visited one of the most diplomatically isolated nations on Earth: North Korea.

Original air date: 5 June 2016

Fabrizio Ballabio, Matthew Engel, Danny Goldberg

We discuss Milanese entrance halls with Fabrizio Ballabio, Americanisms with Matthew Engel and the idealism of the 1960s with Danny Goldberg.

The Classics 30: Bobby Gillespie

We listen back to last year’s conversation with musical shapeshifter and rock’n’roll survivor Bobby Gillespie, lead singer of UK band Primal Scream. Original air date: 22 May 2016.

Phyllida Lloyd, Daniel O’Sullivan and Adam Wagner

We speak to film and stage director Phyllida Lloyd, creator of such screen hits as ‘Mamma Mia!’ and ‘The Iron Lady’, about her newest project: Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar’ performed by an all-female cast. Plus, musician…

The Classics 29: Gillian McCain

A relisten to our discussion with writer Gillian McCain who, along with co-author Legs McNeil, is responsible for one of the most influential books on music writing of the past 20 years: ‘Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral…

Andy Hamilton, Peter Randall-Page and Clare Conville

We’re joined by comedy and satire writer Andy Hamilton to talk over his podcast ‘Inside Donald Trump’. Plus: sculptor Peter Randall-Page discusses his career and his new work that’s part of London’s Sculpture in the City…

The Classics 28: Neil Hannon

We listen back to a chat with musician Neil Hannon from The Divine Comedy that touches on history, humour and, of course, pop music.

Original air date: 13 August 2016

Lydia Polgreen, Gregory Crewdson and Pete Brown

We’re joined by editor in chief of ‘HuffPost’ Lydia Polgreen, speak with photographer and artist Gregory Crewdson about his show ‘Cathedral of the Pines’ and welcome back beer expert and writer Pete Brown to discuss his new…

The Classics 27: Flume

Australian dance-music producer and beatmaker Flume joined ‘The Monocle Weekly’ in June 2016 to discuss collaborating with the likes of Beck and how to please audiences in the digital era.

Original air date: 5 June 2016

Brian Dillon, Tamsie Thomson and Tom Oldham

Photographer Tom Oldham, whose new exhibition ‘The Herder Boys of Lesotho’ looks at life in the southern African country, joins us to talk about his career. Plus: we also meet Tamsie Thomson, director of the the London…

The Classics 26: Rod Nordland

We listen back to a discussion with correspondent at large and Kabul bureau chief for ‘The New York Times’, Rod Nordland. He spoke with Monocle’s editor Andrew Tuck about his book, ‘The Lovers’, which focuses on a young…

Terry Stiastny, Guy Delisle and Jules Evans

Journalist and author of political thrillers such as ‘Acts of Omission’, Terry Stiastny, joins us to discuss the chaos that was this week’s UK election. Plus, Canadian cartoonist, illustrator and animator Guy Delisle talks…

The Classics 25: Eden Collinsworth

A chat with US publisher, author, entrepreneur and etiquette expert Eden Collinsworth. She was at Midori House to talk to us about her move to China and the best-selling books she wrote that followed.

Original air date: 21…

Patrick Gyger, Thomas Page McBee and Stuart A Staples

Historian and writer Patrick Gyger joins us to talk through London’s Barbican Centre’s new sci-fi showcase ‘Into the Unknown: A Journey through Science Fiction’. Plus, author Thomas Page McBee discusses gender and his book…