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Monocle on Culture

367 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 30 ratings

Robert Bound and his guests discuss what has piqued their interest in our one-stop shop for lively reports and in-depth interviews on the newest and finest in art, film, books and the media business.

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Episodes

Leading the charge: A journey down the French riviera in the Cadillac Lyriq, part 2

July 12, 2024 11:00 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MB

Alongside General Motors, partner of ‘Monocle on Culture’, we share the second in our three-part series of special programmes. In this episode, we continue our journey down the Côte d’Azur, with time to ponder a quick dip at the Club Dauphin. Along the way we tap into the design world of the Cadillac Lyriq with designer Magalie Debellis. Plus: we hear from design guru Stephen Bayley and colour expert and historian Kassia St Clair. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looking ahead to the summer in culture

July 08, 2024 17:35 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MB

Rhianna Dhillon, Ammar Kalia and Matt Wolf join Robert Bound to preview this summer’s best music, theatre and television. They discuss a TV show set in the murky waters of Baltimore, an upcoming album from one of the UK’s most revered producers and the Broadway debut of an actor fresh from an Oscar-winning role. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leading the charge: a journey down the Côte d’Azur in the Cadillac Lyriq. Part 1.

July 04, 2024 12:10 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MB

Alongside Monocle on Culture’s partner, General Motors, we share the first in a three-part series of special programmes. In this episode, we jump in the new Cadillac Lyriq to begin a stunning road trip down the Côte d’Azur. En route, we find out about the sound world of the new marque with General Motors’ creative sound director, Jay Kapadia, and hear about the perfect driving playlist from composer Max Richter and chef Massimo Bottura. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pearl Lam

July 01, 2024 18:06 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MB

We meet Pearl Lam, one of the world’s leading experts on Asian art. Over the past two decades, her eponymous galleries in Hong Kong and Shanghai have become top destinations for collectors drawn in by her exquisite taste, international outlook and commitment to rewriting narratives about Eastern art. Lam joins Robert Bound at Midori House to discuss her journey into the art world, how her gallery plans to support up-and-coming African artists and her new podcast.  See omnystudio.com/listene...

Art and democracy: Agnieszka Holland and Nadya Tolokonnikova

June 24, 2024 19:30 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MB

We meet two figures in the cultural world known both for their creative practice, as well as their brave attitude towards speaking truth to power. Robert Bound speaks to Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland about her new film ‘Green Border’ and Alexei Korolyov meets Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova to discuss her new exhibition in Linz, Austria.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Bye Bye Tiberias’, artist Zanele Muholi's new exhibition and a novel by Gabriel García Márquez’s grandson

June 17, 2024 17:19 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

We hear from Lina Soualem about her new film, ‘Bye Bye Tiberias’, which documents the life of her mother, the actress Hiam Abbass, and four generations of Palestinian women. Plus: we head to Zanele Muholi’s new show at Tate Modern and find out about the darkly funny debut novel by Mateo García Elizondo.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Bye Bye Tiberias’, artist Zanele Muholi’s new exhibition and a novel by Gabriel García Márquez’s grandson

June 17, 2024 17:19 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

We hear from Lina Soualem about her new film, ‘Bye Bye Tiberias’, which documents the life of her mother, the actress Hiam Abbass, and four generations of Palestinian women. Plus: we head to Zanele Muholi’s new show at Tate Modern and find out about the darkly funny debut novel by Mateo García Elizondo.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard Linklater

June 10, 2024 12:21 - 28 minutes - 26.1 MB

Richard Linklater is known for both small-budget, big hitting films like ‘Dazed and Confused’ and box-office hits such as ‘School of Rock’. His latest film, ‘Hit Man’, is a comedic thriller starring Glen Powell as the mild-mannered Gary Johnson. He is a college professor who leads an extraordinary double life working undercover for the police as a fake hitman. We meet director Richard Linklater and hear from ‘Monocle on Culture’ regular Hannah Strong for her take on the film.      See omnys...

The inescapable influence of Franz Kafka

June 03, 2024 14:38 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MB

On the centenary of his death, we reflect on the legacy of Czech writer Franz Kafka. Alongside writer and literary critic Chris Power, we celebrate Kafka by way of his unexpurgated diaries which have recently been translated into English for the first time. Then screenwriter and short-story author Charlie Kaufman discusses his story in his new collection, ‘A Cage Went in Search of a Bird’.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Venice Biennale 2024, part 2

May 27, 2024 19:00 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MB

We bring you the second part of our coverage from this year’s Venice Biennale. We hear from the artist representing Great Britain, whose work reconsiders the act of listening, find out about the works of the Greenlandic photographer in the Denmark Pavilion and explore Turkey’s politically engaged presentation. Plus: we head to an uninhabited Venetian island for a special performance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Art legends Gilbert & George, Tunis’ new cultural scene and singer-songwriter Richard Thompson

May 20, 2024 17:57 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MB

We hear from contemporary art legends Gilbert and George, at their new exhibition in East London. Then we head to Tunis to take the temperature of the art scene and meet gallerist Selma Feriani. Plus: Richard Thompson drops into Midori House to play a song from his new album.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fraud and fortune in today’s art market

May 13, 2024 17:48 - 30 minutes - 27.6 MB

We meet Orlando Whitfield, once the best friend of Inigo Philbrick, to hear about the story of how Philbrick, a young contemporary art dealer, was convicted of wire fraud. Whitfield’s new book, ‘All That Glitters’, details the pair’s friendship, Philbrick’s downfall and Whitfield’s experience of the world of fine art. Plus: commentator Melanie Gerlis puts the story of Inigo Philbrick into the wider context of today’s art market.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘The Fall Guy’ and a celebration of stunt performers

May 06, 2024 11:07 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MB

We discuss David Leitch’s new film, ‘The Fall Guy’, starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. We explore how the film celebrates the art of stunt performance, meet a stuntman to find out more about the job and ask how stunts affect the legalities of film production. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Venice Biennale 2024

April 29, 2024 18:35 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MB

We bring you our dispatch from the 60th edition of the world’s most prestigious art event, which takes the temperature of contemporary art right now. In the first of two programmes, we meet the artists behind the Ethiopian, South Korean and Romanian pavilions.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Star style: the art of crafting a look

April 22, 2024 18:00 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MB

Robert Bound visits Tate Britain’s ‘Sargent and Fashion’ exhibition to explore the painter’s role as a pioneer of the art of styling. We also speak to Suzi Ronson about her memoir, ‘Me and Mr Jones: My Life with David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars’, and how she crafted many of the singer’s iconic looks. Plus, we hear from stylist Emily Evans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maggie Rogers

April 15, 2024 16:52 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MB

We meet American singer-songwriter and producer Maggie Rogers, who shot to fame after a 2016 video showed her wowing Pharrell Williams with her track ‘Alaska’. In the years since, she has released two albums, amassed a legion of fans and a Grammy nomination. Her third record, ‘Don't Forget Me’, was written with co-writer and co-producer Ian Fitchuk over five days. Rogers discusses the process of making the album, its road-trip feel and the notion of genre. See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Spring preview

April 08, 2024 17:25 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MB

Toby Earle, Susannah Butter and Natty Kasambala join Robert Bound in the studio to discuss the best upcoming releases of this season in TV, books and music. These include the latest work from one of the UK’s most popular romantic novelists, the long-awaited debut album from an indie-pop darling and a drama starring Kate Winslet as the leader of an unnamed Central European nation.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maggi Hambling

April 01, 2024 10:13 - 24 minutes - 22.9 MB

In the course of her 50-year career, British artist Maggi Hambling has made a name for herself with her dynamic, expressionist paintings and often controversial public sculptures. Hambling joins Robert Bound in the studio to discuss everything from her new show in Hong Kong and her very first cigarette to the elusive nature of the muse.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Staves

March 25, 2024 15:47 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MB

Jessica and Camilla Staveley-Taylor, the sisters behind English indie-folk band The Staves, join Robert Bound in the studio. Their John Congleton-produced fifth LP, ‘All Now’, is lyrically rich and full of moments of euphoria. They discuss how to work with your siblings, finding the confidence to make bold decisions and why they always return to an early influence: ‘Sister Act’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lauren Oyler

March 18, 2024 16:04 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MB

Cultural critic and novelist Lauren Oyler’s essays and reviews have caused a stir online. She joins Robert Bound in the studio to discuss her new book of essays, ‘No Judgement’. Oyler muses on gossip, Goodreads, expat life in Berlin and her experience of trying ‘jaw yoga’ to ease her anxiety-fuelled teeth-grinding. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spain’s international contemporary art fair Arco Madrid

March 11, 2024 18:42 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MB

We head to the Spanish capital for a special edition of the programme from Arco Madrid. As well as being a major contemporary art market platform, the fair has a strong curatorial core and deep connections with the Latin American scene. We meet the fair’s director and one of its leading curators. Plus: we find out about a major merger in Spain and hear from the artist representing the country at this year’s Venice Biennale.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Io Capitano', Lana Lubany and the first AI-created artworks

March 04, 2024 18:00 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MB

 We meet the director and script consultant of ‘Io Capitano’, the stirring Oscar-nominated film that follows two Senegalese teenagers as they try to make their way from their homeland to Europe. Plus: we catch up with the Palestinian-American singer Lana Lubany, and find out about a computer program that used AI to create artworks 50 years ago.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hans Zimmer

February 26, 2024 17:39 - 28 minutes - 26.1 MB

Ahead of the release of ‘Dune: Part Two’, we speak to the legendary film score composer and music producer, Hans Zimmer. He discusses his love for Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel, his approach to world building and how he was once fired by the BBC. Plus: ‘Monocle on Culture’ contributor Leila Latif shares her thoughts on the new film.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yoko Ono’s endless imagination

February 19, 2024 17:37 - 28 minutes - 25.9 MB

We head to London’s Tate Modern gallery for ‘Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind’. The UK’s largest-ever exhibition on the work of the artist and activist, it brings together her performances, films, music, photography and more. Robert Bound speaks to its curator, Juliet Bingham, arts journalist Andrew Male and broadcaster Jennifer Lucy Allan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The untold story of Cymande and the return of Pina Bausch’s ‘Nelken’

February 12, 2024 17:47 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MB

We explore the world of Cymande, a 1970s jazz-funk group that is the subject of a new documentary, ‘Getting It Back: The Story of Cymande’. Robert Bound meets band members Patrick Patterson and Steve Scipio, and catches up with the documentary’s director, Tim Mackenzie-Smith. Plus: as ‘Nelken’, Pina Bausch’s signature work of contemporary dance, returns to the stage, we hear from dancer Christopher Tandy.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Last Dinner Party

February 05, 2024 18:27 - 26 minutes - 24.7 MB

We meet Abigail Morris, Georgia Davis and Lizzie Mayland from UK indie band The Last Dinner Party. After signing with Island Records, the group won the Rising Star Award at the Brits and topped the BBC’s Sound of 2024 list – all without having released an album. Now that their debut, ‘Prelude to Ecstasy’, has arrived, Robert Bound meets them to discuss their influences, outfits and penchant for guitar solos.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘The Zone of Interest’

January 29, 2024 17:24 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MB

We discuss ‘The Zone of Interest’, the latest film by UK film director Jonathan Glazer. Loosely based on Martin Amis’s novel of the same name, the film tells the story of Rudolf Höss, camp commandant at Auschwitz-Birkenau, and his wife as they build an idyllic life for their family as the Holocaust unfolds. We speak to Christian Friedel, who plays Höss, and film critic Jason Solomons. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A deep dive into the career and character of Werner Herzog

January 22, 2024 18:00 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MB

We dive into the unique career and personality of filmmaker Werner Herzog. We catch up with Thomas von Steinaecker, the director of a new documentary, ‘Werner Herzog: Radical Dreamer’, which paints a portrait of the man behind the camera. Plus: we hear from one of Herzog’s friends and collaborators, Herbert Golder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Treading the boards in 2024

January 15, 2024 18:13 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MB

Nancy Durrant and Matt Wolf join Robert Bound in the studio to preview the very best theatre to look forward to in 2024. They discuss a lively ska musical, a new play about the architect of the NHS, a Broadway debut from one of America’s biggest comedic actors and much more.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looking ahead at the year in culture

January 08, 2024 18:23 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MB

Ashanti Omkar, Ossian Ward and Chris Power join Robert Bound in the studio to round up the TV shows, art exhibitions and books that you should have on your radar this year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Review: ‘The Boy and the Heron’

January 01, 2024 15:38 - 29 minutes - 26.8 MB

Film critics Simran Hans and Tim Robey join Robert Bound in the studio to review Hayao Miyazaki’s new film, ‘The Boy and the Heron’.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Best of Monocle on Culture 2023

December 25, 2023 20:00 - 29 minutes - 27 MB

We bring you the best of this year’s Monocle on Culture, including singer Jessie Ware, ‘Oppenheimer’ director Christopher Nolan and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Colson Whitehead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2023 in review

December 18, 2023 17:57 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MB

Laura Snapes, Andrew Male and Leila Latif join Robert Bound in the studio to round up the best of this year’s albums, books and films. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The best Christmas music of 2023

December 11, 2023 18:06 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MB

Georgie Rogers and Will Hodgkinson join Robert Bound in the studio for our annual review of the season’s best festive music releases, including albums and singles from Cher, Blue Man Group and Wheatus. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

200 episodes of ‘Backlisted’

December 04, 2023 16:37 - 29 minutes - 27.5 MB

We celebrate 200 episodes of books podcast ‘Backlisted’. Launched in 2015, it features books that have fallen out of fashion, favour or print. Alongside their guests, hosts John Mitchinson and Andy Miller breathe new life into these old books with generosity and warmth, creating the perfect environment to learn about your next favourite author.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Review: ‘The Eternal Daughter’

November 27, 2023 17:51 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MB

British director Joanna Hogg’s ‘The Eternal Daughter’ stars Tilda Swinton as a mother and daughter pairing who book into a grand but chilly country house hotel for a birthday holiday. Robert Bound is joined in the studio by Clarisse Loughrey and Christina Newland to review the eerie new film, which swirls in a gothic fog.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An encyclopaedia of The Cure and the surprising world of rabbi portraiture

November 20, 2023 18:16 - 28 minutes - 26 MB

We meet Simon Price, author of ‘Curepedia: An A-Z of The Cure’, a lavish new chronicle of all things related to the British rock band. Plus: we head to Los Angeles to delve into the world of rabbinical portraiture and meet a collector-turned-creator of the unusual works. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John le Carré and the nature of truth

November 13, 2023 17:07 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MB

We discuss the world and words of spies on today’s show. Robert Bound sits down with Errol Morris to discuss his new film about John le Carré, ‘The Pigeon Tunnel’. Then John Mitchinson explores the author’s works and their legacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leading the charge: introducing the new Cadillac Lyriq

November 08, 2023 10:29 - 8 minutes - 7.72 MB

Alongside Monocle on Culture’s new partner, General Motors, we introduce you to the company’s first electric vehicle for the European market: the Cadillac Lyriq. In the first part of a special series of shows, we give you a flavour of the car, reflect on Cadillac’s impressive contribution to visual culture and dream up some future roadtrips.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turin, from dawn to dusk

November 06, 2023 20:30 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MB

‘Monocle on Culture’ hits the road and heads to Turin for the most exciting cultural week in the Italian city’s calendar. We roam around the contemporary art fair, Artissima, and meet its director, as well as a Turin-based gallery and artist. Then, as night draws in, we head to avant-pop festival C2C. Founder Sergio Ricciardone gives us a quick history of the event before we speak with musicians Rachika Nayar and Marina Herlop as they warm up for their sets. See omnystudio.com/listener for ...

Hiroshi Sugimoto

October 30, 2023 17:03 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MB

Hiroshi Sugimoto is famed for mixing wit and commentary with exquisitely tuned craftsmanship and bold conceptual thinking. The Japanese artist is the subject of a new exhibition at London’s Hayward Gallery. We speak to Sugimoto, plus the show’s curator, Ralph Rugoff, and the director of photography gallery Black Box Projects, Kathlene Fox-Davies.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Review: ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’

October 23, 2023 16:12 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MB

Critics Hannah Strong and Tim Robey join Robert Bound in the studio to review Martin Scorsese’s latest film. ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ is an American epic based on David Grann’s book of the same name. It tells the true story of a series of murders of members of the Osage tribe in Oklahoma in the 1920s.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twenty years of Frieze London

October 16, 2023 19:30 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MB

We raise a glass to celebrate Frieze London’s 20th anniversary. François Chantala of Thomas Dane Gallery tells us what it’s like to have taken part since its very first edition, while we ask up-and-coming galleries and artists how significant Frieze is to the art scene today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Autumn album releases

October 09, 2023 16:40 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MB

We showcase three new releases: a country-inspired tour de force by Canadian singer-songwriter Bahamas, a new collection by shoegaze pioneers Slowdive and the second record by synth-pop group Nation of Language.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short stories with Tessa Hadley and Lawrence Osborne

October 02, 2023 14:55 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MB

We explore the medium of short stories through the prism of two new collections by two UK writers. Tessa Hadley’s new book, “After the Funeral”, is characteristically full of sharp observations about personal and familial relationships. Meanwhile, Lawrence Osborne’s “Burning Angel and Other Stories” is the first collection of short stories from the novelist, in which characters find themselves up against forces they can’t control.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Stop Making Sense’ and the enduring appeal of the concert movie

September 25, 2023 17:28 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MB

We celebrate the 40th anniversary of ‘Stop Making Sense’ – Jonathan Demme’s film with Talking Heads – which is often regarded as the greatest concert movie of all time. Robert Bound is joined in the studio by Will Hodgkinson and Simran Hans to discuss the new 4K restoration of the film, the impact of ‘Stop Making Sense’ more widely and to recommend the best of the concert movie genre.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feist, São Paulo’s art scene and ‘Fremont’

September 18, 2023 16:30 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MB

This week we take a spin around the Americas. Sheena Rossiter speaks to indie-pop singer Feist at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. Then we head to Brazil to explore São Paulo’s art scene and catch a new film depicting the life of an Afghan refugee in the Californian city of Fremont.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Review: ‘The Fraud’, Zadie Smith

September 11, 2023 16:35 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MB

In more than two decades since Zadie Smith burst onto the literary scene with her debut novel, ‘White Teeth’, her books, essays and short stories have continued to enjoy commercial and critical success. Her latest novel brings to life the story of the Tichborne case – one of the lengthiest trials in British history and one that enthralled Victorian England. Robert Bound is joined by Alex Peake-Tomkinson and Alex Preston to review Smith’s first foray into historical fiction. See omnystudio.c...

Look ahead to autumn: TV, books, art

September 04, 2023 15:58 - 31 minutes - 29 MB

Robert Bound is joined in the studio by Scott Bryan, Holly Black and Chris Power to share the TV, art exhibitions and books to watch, see and read this season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Summer blockbusters: How did they fare?

August 28, 2023 16:26 - 28 minutes - 26.1 MB

As summer comes to an end, we look back at the season’s biggest blockbusters. Robert Bound is joined in the studio by Alex Ritman of ‘The Hollywood Reporter’ to discuss how the films fared at the box office and what this means for the future of cinema. Plus: BFI Imax programme manager, Madeleine Mullett, examines how big-ticket movies reach audiences.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Books

Out of the Woods
1 Episode