The Leisure Society With Gemma Cairney

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Ben Watt

20200105

20200819 (6M)

Benn Watt is a musician, singer, songwriter, author, DJ-remixer and label boss whose best known as being part of duo Everything but the Girl with Tracey Thorn. In his spare time he is also an amateur bird-watcher.

In this episode of The Leisure Society Gemma Cairney joins Ben for a walk around Hampstead Heath for a bit of bird spotting. They also discuss the early days of Everything But The Girl, his life on the DJ circuit and running his label Buzzin' FLy, and the themes behind Ben's fourth solo album, Storm Damage.

Gemma Cairney goes birdwatching with Ben Watt

Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.

Bonnie Greer

20200112

20200820 (6M)

Gemma Cairney joins playwright and author Bonnie Greer at the British Museum, a place she loves to spend her leisure time.

Bonnie will be discussing the intricate designs of Anglo-Saxon objects that have multi-layered symbolic meanings and tell stories that can relate to arts and culture today.

Originally from Chicago Bonnie moved to New York in mid 70s to study in New York at the Actors Studio. She moved to London in the mid 80s inspired by an article on the Jazz Warriors, and acquired British Citizen ship in 1997. She was awarded an OBE in 2010 for her contribution to the arts.

Bonnie will be sharing her life stories from frequenting clubs like the Paradise Garage and Studio 54 in Manhattan, witnessing the rise of the early Hip Hop scene in the South Bronx, meeting Madonna in the early 80s and her love of Kurt Cobain.

Gemma Cairney joins Bonnie Greer at the British Museum

Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.

Cosey Fanni Tutti From Throbbing Gristle

20180204

20190413 (6M)
20200812 (6M)

Gemma Cairney continues The Leisure Society, a new series interviewing cultural icons, tastemakers, artists and musicians about their pastimes, hobbies, collections and loves beyond what they are known for. This week Gemma visits the home of Cosey Fanni Tutti, performer from avant-garde group Throbbing Gristle, whose art and music inspired a generation and rocked the establishment - to talk about her passion for gardening. As well as a guided tour around her garden, Cosey discusses her background in stripping, sexual politics how she was hired to dance in Sylvester's video for Mighty Real, and how she maintained her resilience in the face of adversity.

First broadcast in 2018.

Cosey Fanni Tutti from Throbbing Gristle. First broadcast in 2018.

Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.

Damon Albarn

20190421

20200818 (6M)

Gemma Cairney joins Damon Albarn at 13, his studio under the Westway in West London, filled with artefacts and eclectic objects picked up from his many far-flung travels. Gemma will be chatting with him about his adventures including a recent trip to a remote village in Guinea to find the sacred balafon, an African wooden xylophone only brought out once every seven years to be played by the chief of the village. They also discuss his travels to North Korea and discovering the book The art of cinema by kim jong Il , recording for Gorillaz in Geejam Studios Jamaica ,his long relationship with Mali, and how he relaxes in his spare time.

Gemma Cairney joins Damon Albarn at his studios

Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.

Goldie

20171231

20190409 (6M)
20200705 (6M)

The Leisure Society is a series presented by Gemma Cairney, interviewing cultural icons, tastemakers, artists and musicians about their pastimes, hobbies, collections and loves beyond what they are known for. The weekly show will discover how each person's passions influence what they create beginning with musician, DJ and visual artist Goldie. After a ninety minute Hot Yoga session Goldie opens up to Gemma about a range of topics from the legendary Blue Note Metalheadz night in Hoxton, to how he got his gold teeth in Miami, meeting his graffiti idols in New York, to his relationship with Bjork, his first forrays into yoga and how he got over his addictions after the death of his mother.

Goldie discusses his passion for hot yoga after a session in a south London yoga studio.

Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.

Jason From Sleaford Mods

20180909

20190414 (6M)

Gemma Cairney begins a new series of The Leisure Society, interviewing cultural icons, tastemakers, artists and musicians about their pastimes, hobbies, collections and loves beyond what they are known for.

For this programme Gemma joins Jason Williamson one half of Electro punk duo Sleaford Mods. Named by Iggy Pop as 'undoubtedly, absolutely, definitely the world's greatest rock'n'roll band' their influences range from mod culture to the Wu-Tang Clan with lyrics that deal with working class life and culture and autsterity-era Britain.

Gemma joins Jason in his home town of Nottingham at his local gym, to find out more about his passion for weightlifting where he discusses overcoming addiction and the role that exercise has played in helping him with that. They also discuss punk culture, clubbing, social media addiction, Toris Amos and his grime heroes.

Gemma Cairney joins Jason from Sleafords Mods in his gym in Nottingham.

Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.

Kathy Burke

20200119

20200726 (6M)

Gemma chats to actress and director Kathy Burke round at her house in North London about her passion for TV and how she spends her leisure time. From her first love of the early TV series I, Claudius to Big Brother and the Wire, Kathy discusses the TV shows that she loves as well as the shows she avoids.

Kathy will also be discussing some of the songs that have shaped her life, how seeing Lady Gaga reignited her interest in music and her work in the theatre with Frantic Assembly for a forthcoming project I Think We Are Alone, a major new play by Sally Abbott which she is co-directing with Scott Graham.

With actress and director Kathy Burke.

Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.

Kelley Deal

20180114

20190411 (6M)
20200712 (6M)

Gemma Cairney continues The Leisure Society, a new series interviewing cultural icons, tastemakers, artists and musicians about their pastimes, hobbies, collections and loves beyond what they are known for. This week Gemma joins Kelley Deal lead guitarist with The Breeders, in a wool and craft shop, where she describes how she swapped her heroin habit for knitting. From her work with the Breeders and beyond, Deal has created powerful, inspiring rock music and served as a positive influence for young women looking to get into bands. She also won the 2017 Gibson Les Paul Award which honors guitar playing and innovation. During the programme she speaks about growing up with twin sister Kim Deal in Dayton Ohio, and how she once auditioned as drummer for her band the Pixies, leaving her job as a defense contractor with top-secret clearance to go on tour with Nirvana and being introduced to knitting through a support band.

Kelley Deal from The Breeders.

Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.

Kristin Hersh

20190414

20200817 (6M)

After founding her inﬂuential art-punk band Throwing Muses, at age 14, Kristin Hersh went on to spend the next 25 years confounding expectations and breaking rules - both her own and others. In addition to Throwing Muses, Kristin performs with her other band 50FOOTWAVE and as a solo artist.She has just released her tenth studio album, Possible Dust Clouds.

Kristin's writing career has also flourished with the highly acclaimed Paradoxical Undressing and the award winning Don't Suck, Don't Die, a personal account of her long friendship with the late Vic Chesnutt, as well as the enchanting books which now accompany each of her record releases.

In this programme Gemma joins Kristin at the London Zoo snake house where Kristin chats about her love of snakes and the reptiles her and her children have grown up with including her pet water monitor, and how they have infiltrated her creative output.

She also opens up about female mental health, (she was formerly diagnosed as bi-polar) and music being her therapy, the song she couldn't perform, as well as the impact her music has on her fans.

Gemma Cairney joins Throwing Muses frontwoman Kristin Hersh at the snake house.

Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.

Laurie Vincent From Slaves

20180121

20190412 (6M)
20200811 (6M)

Gemma Cairney continues The Leisure Society, a new series interviewing cultural icons, innovators, artists and musicians about their pastimes, hobbies, collections and loves beyond what they are known for. This week Gemma visits Laurie Vincent, best known as one half of the Kent punk band Slaves whose have been building up their following writing songs which confront their apathy-affected generation. Laurie Vincent isn't just the guitarist in Slaves, the 24 year old is also a visual artist who had his first proper exhibition in Hoxton last year. Gemma visits Laurie in his studio in Brighton to find out about how the relationship works between his art and his music, they also discuss street art and the work of American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, what makes someone iconic, his admiration for Paul Simonon of the Clash, education and the pressures of social media for young people.

Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.

Michael Stipe

20180923

20190416 (6M)
20200815 (6M)

Gemma Cairney continues a new series of The Leisure Society, interviewing cultural icons, tastemakers, artists and musicians about their pastimes, hobbies, collections and loves beyond what they are known for.

For this programme Gemma joins R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe at the ICA in London to discuss his love of photography. He studied photography and painting at University of Georgia before leaving school to form the band R.E.M., serving as frontman and singer-songwriter until the band dissolved in 2011. The sensibility he began developing during his time as an art student transferred to his work for R.E.M. – from art directing their graphics, videos and stage design, to writing, composing and performance.

His new book Volume 1, brings together nearly 40 years of creating and collecting photographic materials, in addition to posing as a subject in the photographs of others. He discusses the stories behind the photos of River Phoenix's dreadlocks as they traversed the US in 1993 shortly before Phoenix died, Kurt Cobain's hands, his first love Jeremy Ayers, Patti Smith, William Burroughs, and what happened when he met Andy Warhol for the first time.

He also discusses love and loss, producing New York artist Fischerspooner's new album, recently discovering the music of Nils Frahm and why he's leaving Instagram.

Gemma Cairney joins Michael Stipe to talk about his passion for photography.

Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.

Santigold

20180930

20190417 (6M)
20200719 (6M)

Santigold is the moniker of Philadelphia-born musician and producer Santi White. She released her debut album Santogold in 2008, followed by Master of My Make-Believe in 2012. She has since collaborated with the likes of Jay Z, Q Tip, Kanye West, Beastie Boys and Lykke Li. She joins Gemma at the Wallace Collection in London to talk about her loves beyond music including interior design.

Songwriter and record producer Santigold joins Gemma to talk about her hobbies

Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.

Sir Paul Smith

20190407

20200816 (6M)

For the first in a new series of The Leisure Society Gemma Cairney joins one of Britain's foremost designers Sir Paul Smith in his London headquarters, a veritable Aladdin's cave of eclectic memorabilia, artwork, books and presents, and home to his collection of bicycles. Renowned for his creative aesthetic, which combines tradition and modernity Smith opened his first men's clothing store in Nottingham in 1970. Since then he has expanded into over 70 countries. But before he started designing clothes he had a very different ambition; to be a professional cyclist.

Gemma will be finding out how he first got into cycling and what made him switch to fashion, as well as hearing from some of the artists that have shaped his career including David Bowie, Led Zeppelin and Christine And the Queens.

With fashion designer Sir Paul Smith.

Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.

Theresa From Warpaint

20180916

20190415 (6M)
20200814 (6M)

For this programme Gemma joins Theresa “TT ? Wayman from LA band Warpaint at the Science Museum in London to discuss how she discovered a love of marine biology and astronomy at an early age but went into a musical career with Warpaint the band she has been in for fourteen years.

They also discuss her debut solo album Lovelaws, balancing having a child with being a touring musician and her introduction to frogs in Oregon when she was growing up.

Theresa Wayman from Warpaint discusses how she discovered her love of science.

Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.

Tracey Emin

20180107

20190410 (6M)
20191201 (6M)
20200810 (6M)

Gemma Cairney continues The Leisure Society, a new series interviewing cultural icons, tastemakers, artists and musicians about their pastimes, hobbies, collections and loves beyond what they are known for. This week Gemma joins Turner Prize nominated artist Tracey Emin at one of her favourite haunts in her home town of Margate, the Shell Grotto. Discovered in 1835, the winding passages are covered in mosaics created entirely of millions of seashells but how they got there is still a mystery. Tracey discusses her love for the shell grotto and why she will be relocating to her hometown, the infamous Walpole Bay parties she used to host, the music she listens to when she's painting in her studio, her passion for sea swimming and how it has shaped her life and work.

Tracey Emin joins Gemma Cairney in Margate's mysterious Shell Grotto.

Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.

Zawe Ashton

20190428

20200802 (6M)

Actress Zawe Ashton joins Gemma Cairney to the talk about how she spends her leisure time shopping in retail parks and how these seemingly menial non-artistic places calms her.

Born in Hackney in London, Zawe attended Manchester University School of Theatre, where she gained her degree in acting. Her portrayal of Vod in Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong's Fresh Meat won her a cult following and the diversity of her work across television, film and stage has attracted numerous accolades.

As well as talking about her love of shopping, Zawe also shares with us her childhood memories of Africa, why she loved playing the part of Vod and the importance of connecting with both your art and your audience.

Zawe Ashton will be in conversation with author Candice Carty-Williams in Shapeshifters at Brighton Festival on Sunday 12 May, 2019.

Zawe Ashton joins Gemma Cairney at her local retail park.

Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.

Episodes

Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
Ben Watt	20200105	20200819 (6M)	Benn Watt is a musician, singer, songwriter, author, DJ-remixer and label boss whose best known as being part of duo Everything but the Girl with Tracey Thorn. In his spare time he is also an amateur bird-watcher. In this episode of The Leisure Society Gemma Cairney joins Ben for a walk around Hampstead Heath for a bit of bird spotting. They also discuss the early days of Everything But The Girl, his life on the DJ circuit and running his label Buzzin' FLy, and the themes behind Ben's fourth solo album, Storm Damage. Gemma Cairney goes birdwatching with Ben Watt Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.
Bonnie Greer	20200112	20200820 (6M)	Gemma Cairney joins playwright and author Bonnie Greer at the British Museum, a place she loves to spend her leisure time. Bonnie will be discussing the intricate designs of Anglo-Saxon objects that have multi-layered symbolic meanings and tell stories that can relate to arts and culture today. Originally from Chicago Bonnie moved to New York in mid 70s to study in New York at the Actors Studio. She moved to London in the mid 80s inspired by an article on the Jazz Warriors, and acquired British Citizen ship in 1997. She was awarded an OBE in 2010 for her contribution to the arts. Bonnie will be sharing her life stories from frequenting clubs like the Paradise Garage and Studio 54 in Manhattan, witnessing the rise of the early Hip Hop scene in the South Bronx, meeting Madonna in the early 80s and her love of Kurt Cobain. Gemma Cairney joins Bonnie Greer at the British Museum Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.
Cosey Fanni Tutti From Throbbing Gristle	20180204	20190413 (6M) 20200812 (6M)	Gemma Cairney continues The Leisure Society, a new series interviewing cultural icons, tastemakers, artists and musicians about their pastimes, hobbies, collections and loves beyond what they are known for. This week Gemma visits the home of Cosey Fanni Tutti, performer from avant-garde group Throbbing Gristle, whose art and music inspired a generation and rocked the establishment - to talk about her passion for gardening. As well as a guided tour around her garden, Cosey discusses her background in stripping, sexual politics how she was hired to dance in Sylvester's video for Mighty Real, and how she maintained her resilience in the face of adversity. First broadcast in 2018. Cosey Fanni Tutti from Throbbing Gristle. First broadcast in 2018. Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.
Damon Albarn	20190421	20200818 (6M)	Gemma Cairney joins Damon Albarn at 13, his studio under the Westway in West London, filled with artefacts and eclectic objects picked up from his many far-flung travels. Gemma will be chatting with him about his adventures including a recent trip to a remote village in Guinea to find the sacred balafon, an African wooden xylophone only brought out once every seven years to be played by the chief of the village. They also discuss his travels to North Korea and discovering the book The art of cinema by kim jong Il , recording for Gorillaz in Geejam Studios Jamaica ,his long relationship with Mali, and how he relaxes in his spare time. Gemma Cairney joins Damon Albarn at his studios Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.
Goldie	20171231	20190409 (6M) 20200705 (6M)	The Leisure Society is a series presented by Gemma Cairney, interviewing cultural icons, tastemakers, artists and musicians about their pastimes, hobbies, collections and loves beyond what they are known for. The weekly show will discover how each person's passions influence what they create beginning with musician, DJ and visual artist Goldie. After a ninety minute Hot Yoga session Goldie opens up to Gemma about a range of topics from the legendary Blue Note Metalheadz night in Hoxton, to how he got his gold teeth in Miami, meeting his graffiti idols in New York, to his relationship with Bjork, his first forrays into yoga and how he got over his addictions after the death of his mother. Goldie discusses his passion for hot yoga after a session in a south London yoga studio. Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.
Jason From Sleaford Mods	20180909	20190414 (6M)	Gemma Cairney begins a new series of The Leisure Society, interviewing cultural icons, tastemakers, artists and musicians about their pastimes, hobbies, collections and loves beyond what they are known for. For this programme Gemma joins Jason Williamson one half of Electro punk duo Sleaford Mods. Named by Iggy Pop as 'undoubtedly, absolutely, definitely the world's greatest rock'n'roll band' their influences range from mod culture to the Wu-Tang Clan with lyrics that deal with working class life and culture and autsterity-era Britain. Gemma joins Jason in his home town of Nottingham at his local gym, to find out more about his passion for weightlifting where he discusses overcoming addiction and the role that exercise has played in helping him with that. They also discuss punk culture, clubbing, social media addiction, Toris Amos and his grime heroes. Gemma Cairney joins Jason from Sleafords Mods in his gym in Nottingham. Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.
Kathy Burke	20200119	20200726 (6M)	Gemma chats to actress and director Kathy Burke round at her house in North London about her passion for TV and how she spends her leisure time. From her first love of the early TV series I, Claudius to Big Brother and the Wire, Kathy discusses the TV shows that she loves as well as the shows she avoids. Kathy will also be discussing some of the songs that have shaped her life, how seeing Lady Gaga reignited her interest in music and her work in the theatre with Frantic Assembly for a forthcoming project I Think We Are Alone, a major new play by Sally Abbott which she is co-directing with Scott Graham. With actress and director Kathy Burke. Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.
Kelley Deal	20180114	20190411 (6M) 20200712 (6M)	Gemma Cairney continues The Leisure Society, a new series interviewing cultural icons, tastemakers, artists and musicians about their pastimes, hobbies, collections and loves beyond what they are known for. This week Gemma joins Kelley Deal lead guitarist with The Breeders, in a wool and craft shop, where she describes how she swapped her heroin habit for knitting. From her work with the Breeders and beyond, Deal has created powerful, inspiring rock music and served as a positive influence for young women looking to get into bands. She also won the 2017 Gibson Les Paul Award which honors guitar playing and innovation. During the programme she speaks about growing up with twin sister Kim Deal in Dayton Ohio, and how she once auditioned as drummer for her band the Pixies, leaving her job as a defense contractor with top-secret clearance to go on tour with Nirvana and being introduced to knitting through a support band. Kelley Deal from The Breeders. Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.
Kristin Hersh	20190414	20200817 (6M)	After founding her inﬂuential art-punk band Throwing Muses, at age 14, Kristin Hersh went on to spend the next 25 years confounding expectations and breaking rules - both her own and others. In addition to Throwing Muses, Kristin performs with her other band 50FOOTWAVE and as a solo artist.She has just released her tenth studio album, Possible Dust Clouds. Kristin's writing career has also flourished with the highly acclaimed Paradoxical Undressing and the award winning Don't Suck, Don't Die, a personal account of her long friendship with the late Vic Chesnutt, as well as the enchanting books which now accompany each of her record releases. In this programme Gemma joins Kristin at the London Zoo snake house where Kristin chats about her love of snakes and the reptiles her and her children have grown up with including her pet water monitor, and how they have infiltrated her creative output. She also opens up about female mental health, (she was formerly diagnosed as bi-polar) and music being her therapy, the song she couldn't perform, as well as the impact her music has on her fans. Gemma Cairney joins Throwing Muses frontwoman Kristin Hersh at the snake house. Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.
Laurie Vincent From Slaves	20180121	20190412 (6M) 20200811 (6M)	Gemma Cairney continues The Leisure Society, a new series interviewing cultural icons, innovators, artists and musicians about their pastimes, hobbies, collections and loves beyond what they are known for. This week Gemma visits Laurie Vincent, best known as one half of the Kent punk band Slaves whose have been building up their following writing songs which confront their apathy-affected generation. Laurie Vincent isn't just the guitarist in Slaves, the 24 year old is also a visual artist who had his first proper exhibition in Hoxton last year. Gemma visits Laurie in his studio in Brighton to find out about how the relationship works between his art and his music, they also discuss street art and the work of American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, what makes someone iconic, his admiration for Paul Simonon of the Clash, education and the pressures of social media for young people. Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.
Michael Stipe	20180923	20190416 (6M) 20200815 (6M)	Gemma Cairney continues a new series of The Leisure Society, interviewing cultural icons, tastemakers, artists and musicians about their pastimes, hobbies, collections and loves beyond what they are known for. For this programme Gemma joins R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe at the ICA in London to discuss his love of photography. He studied photography and painting at University of Georgia before leaving school to form the band R.E.M., serving as frontman and singer-songwriter until the band dissolved in 2011. The sensibility he began developing during his time as an art student transferred to his work for R.E.M. – from art directing their graphics, videos and stage design, to writing, composing and performance. His new book Volume 1, brings together nearly 40 years of creating and collecting photographic materials, in addition to posing as a subject in the photographs of others. He discusses the stories behind the photos of River Phoenix's dreadlocks as they traversed the US in 1993 shortly before Phoenix died, Kurt Cobain's hands, his first love Jeremy Ayers, Patti Smith, William Burroughs, and what happened when he met Andy Warhol for the first time. He also discusses love and loss, producing New York artist Fischerspooner's new album, recently discovering the music of Nils Frahm and why he's leaving Instagram. Gemma Cairney joins Michael Stipe to talk about his passion for photography. Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.
Santigold	20180930	20190417 (6M) 20200719 (6M)	Santigold is the moniker of Philadelphia-born musician and producer Santi White. She released her debut album Santogold in 2008, followed by Master of My Make-Believe in 2012. She has since collaborated with the likes of Jay Z, Q Tip, Kanye West, Beastie Boys and Lykke Li. She joins Gemma at the Wallace Collection in London to talk about her loves beyond music including interior design. Songwriter and record producer Santigold joins Gemma to talk about her hobbies Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.
Sir Paul Smith	20190407	20200816 (6M)	For the first in a new series of The Leisure Society Gemma Cairney joins one of Britain's foremost designers Sir Paul Smith in his London headquarters, a veritable Aladdin's cave of eclectic memorabilia, artwork, books and presents, and home to his collection of bicycles. Renowned for his creative aesthetic, which combines tradition and modernity Smith opened his first men's clothing store in Nottingham in 1970. Since then he has expanded into over 70 countries. But before he started designing clothes he had a very different ambition; to be a professional cyclist. Gemma will be finding out how he first got into cycling and what made him switch to fashion, as well as hearing from some of the artists that have shaped his career including David Bowie, Led Zeppelin and Christine And the Queens. With fashion designer Sir Paul Smith. Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.
Theresa From Warpaint	20180916	20190415 (6M) 20200814 (6M)	Gemma Cairney continues a new series of The Leisure Society, interviewing cultural icons, tastemakers, artists and musicians about their pastimes, hobbies, collections and loves beyond what they are known for. For this programme Gemma joins Theresa “TT ? Wayman from LA band Warpaint at the Science Museum in London to discuss how she discovered a love of marine biology and astronomy at an early age but went into a musical career with Warpaint the band she has been in for fourteen years. They also discuss her debut solo album Lovelaws, balancing having a child with being a touring musician and her introduction to frogs in Oregon when she was growing up. Theresa Wayman from Warpaint discusses how she discovered her love of science. Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.
Tracey Emin	20180107	20190410 (6M) 20191201 (6M) 20200810 (6M)	Gemma Cairney continues The Leisure Society, a new series interviewing cultural icons, tastemakers, artists and musicians about their pastimes, hobbies, collections and loves beyond what they are known for. This week Gemma joins Turner Prize nominated artist Tracey Emin at one of her favourite haunts in her home town of Margate, the Shell Grotto. Discovered in 1835, the winding passages are covered in mosaics created entirely of millions of seashells but how they got there is still a mystery. Tracey discusses her love for the shell grotto and why she will be relocating to her hometown, the infamous Walpole Bay parties she used to host, the music she listens to when she's painting in her studio, her passion for sea swimming and how it has shaped her life and work. Tracey Emin joins Gemma Cairney in Margate's mysterious Shell Grotto. Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.
Zawe Ashton	20190428	20200802 (6M)	Actress Zawe Ashton joins Gemma Cairney to the talk about how she spends her leisure time shopping in retail parks and how these seemingly menial non-artistic places calms her. Born in Hackney in London, Zawe attended Manchester University School of Theatre, where she gained her degree in acting. Her portrayal of Vod in Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong's Fresh Meat won her a cult following and the diversity of her work across television, film and stage has attracted numerous accolades. As well as talking about her love of shopping, Zawe also shares with us her childhood memories of Africa, why she loved playing the part of Vod and the importance of connecting with both your art and your audience. Zawe Ashton will be in conversation with author Candice Carty-Williams in Shapeshifters at Brighton Festival on Sunday 12 May, 2019. Zawe Ashton joins Gemma Cairney at her local retail park. Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons about their pastimes, hobbies and loves.