Talk to Peter

In this highly personal interview, electronic musician and visual artist Felix Laband spoke to me about the emotional and intellectual processes behind his music, as well as addiction, insecurity, and our mutual love for Bruce Springsteen.

American photographer Roger Ballen and South African filmmaker Gabriella Blumberg talk to Peter Machen about 'Spirits and Spaces', a short film based on Ballen's recently published photographic book of the same name. 00:00 Chapter: The Genesis of Collaboration 03:02 Chapter: Creative Process and Production Dynamics 05:53 Chapter: Navigating Artistic Roles and Responsibilities 09:00 Cha...

I spoke to writer and underwater photographer Helen Walne - whose work recently graced the cover of Time magazine - about the the world below the surface that she documents so exquisitely. 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:35 The Artistic Process of Underwater Photography 00:14:45 The Relationship with Kelp and Its Ecosystem 00:17:45 The Sentience of Nature 00:20:10 Safety in the Kelp Forest 00:23:58 Th...

I spoke to David Tilman about the central importance of biodiversity to life on earth. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:46 Hi David 1:22 What is biodiversity and why is it so important? 2:55 Why are there so many species? 3:30 The ways in which biodiversity is threatened 5:13 The impact of what we eat? 7:04 The role of protein 8:16 Biodiversity loss is accelerating 9:38 Do we really need to change the way...

I spoke to Patti Smith about being the high priestess of counterculture. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:03 Hi! Is that Patti? 5:22 Feeling like an alien 7:13 The things that make me feel strange, I've transformed into work 8:55 It's not about perfection 10:15 What do you do? What are you interested in? 11:28 No barriers 15:33 Artists aren't kings 16:47 Horses 20:41 The origins of loss 23:56 The fight fo...

I spoke to Will Oldham aka Bonnie 'Prince' Billy about his parallel journeys in film and music over the course of the last two decades. 00:00 Introduction 00:32 Exploring Acting and Musical Roles 01:19 The Relationship Between Music and Acting 05:26 The Freeing Process of Creation 10:03 Authenticity in Creative Work 25:45 Impact of Early Film Experiences 25:45 Considering a Directorial Rol...

I spoke to Botswana novelist Unity Dow about her novel 'Screaming of the Innocent' and her multiple roles as writer, activist, politician, and lawyer. 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Exploring Personal Experiences in Writing 04:00 Women and Power in Botswana 05:58 Violence and Society: Nature vs. Nurture 07:29 Women’s Role in Their Own Oppression 09:38 Challenges for African Writers 10:46 The Imp...

I spoke to director Mira Nair about her film 'Monsoon Wedding', which won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. 00:00 Introduction to Meera Nair 00:50 The influence of Bollywood 03:09 Cultural Shifts and Modern Bollywood 06:21 Navigating Hollywood and Independence 08:52 Collaborative Filmmaking 10:05 South African cinema 12:01 Recognition from Hollywood 13:46 Rehearsal and Intimacy...

I spoke to jazz legend Hugh Masekela - who died in 2018 - about his time in exile and the complexities of cultural production in post-apartheid South Africa. 00:00 Introduction 01:32 The State of South African Music 05:46 Cultural Marketing and Colonialism 10:56 The Importance of Cultural Identity 14:30 Reflections on Exile and Return 19:35 The Role of Art in Social Change 24:01 Politics and the A...

I spoke to filmmaker and writer Doris Dörrie about her film 'Greetings from Fukushima', which was shot in the evacuation zone around Fukushima after the nuclear disaster. 00:00 Introduction to Doris Dorrie and Her Work 03:01 Experiencing Fukushima: The Aftermath of the Meltdown 07:35 Cultural Perspectives: Telling Stories Across Borders 12:15 Dark Humor and Surrealism in Film 20:12 The Bea...