Shows
We Can Be WeirdosThe Twin Peaks of Twin Peaks: Dan Smith from Bastille and the Song of SpidermanDan Smith is the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of the British band Bastille, known for their anthemic, cinematic pop-rock sound. Born on July 14, 1986, in London, England, he rose to international fame with Bastille’s breakout single, "Pompeii," in 2013, followed by the success of their debut album Bad Blood. Influenced by literature, film, and history, Smith's lyrics often explore themes of human emotion, social issues, and storytelling. Beyond Bastille, he collaborates with other artists and works on side projects, showcasing his versatility and passion for creative expression.Bastille's latest album, '&' (Ampersand), released on October 25, 2024, is a...2025-01-0953 min
Headliners with Nihal ArthanayakeEmma Nagouse and Dan SmithHistorian Emma Nagouse and Bastille's Dan Smith join Nihal for an in-depth conversation.They talk about their new show, discussing the historical figures from Dan's new album.Nihal Arthanayake presents his new Sunday evening show and podcast, featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with headline guests across entertainment, sport, culture and politics.2024-12-291h 01
MusesIntros & Narrators - LIVEIt's the last episode of this series of Muses: An Ampersand Podcast, and so Emma (You're Dead To Me) and Dan (Bastille) are here to talk about the roles of narrators in art and academia. Can you write about people and communities to whom you don't have personal connection? What are the ethics of storytelling? Where do you start with telling someone else's story? All of these questions are reflected in Dan's song Intros & Narrators, which you can hear on Bastille Presents... "&": https://bastille.lnk.to/ampersandstore.Recorded at London's Bush Hall, this slightly longer than...2024-12-051h 24
MusesEslanda & Paul Robeson (Essie & Paul)In this episode Dr. Emma Nagouse (You're Dead To Me) and Dan Smith (Bastille) are talking about two of the most accomplished people to have ever lived: Eslanda & Paul Robeson, who inspired Dan's song Essie & Paul, which you can hear on Bastille Presents... "&": https://bastille.lnk.to/ampersandstore.Actor, a singer, activist; doctor, author, manager. Catch the Robeson bug from Emma and Dan, as they tell you just how amazing they were. We also hear from Ciara Ismail of Bolt Strings, about the sound of the song.Due to the live recording next...2024-11-271h 01
MusesMarie Curie (Marie & Polonium)In this episode Dr. Emma Nagouse (You're Dead To Me) and Dan Smith (Bastille) are talking about scientific genius and double Nobel Prize-winner Marie Curie, who inspired Dan's somewhat accurate song Marie & Polonium, which you can hear on Bastille Presents... "&": https://bastille.lnk.to/ampersandstore.Rejected by her country, she named her (first) world-changing discovery after it; rejected by the academic establishment, she won two Nobel Prizes. But just how brilliant WAS she?(This episode contains a potentially upsetting description of Pierre Curie's death.)You can find out more about...2024-11-2053 min
MusesJulie d'Aubigny, with guest Kelly Gardiner (Mademoiselle & The Nunnery Blaze)In this episode Dr. Emma Nagouse (You're Dead To Me) and Dan Smith (Bastille) are talking about Julie d'Aubigny, a renowned seventeenth century opera singer, duellist, fake nun, bisexual icon and probable arsonist, who grew up in the court of the Sun King but who couldn't stay our of trouble with the law for long, and who inspired Dan's song Mademoiselle & The Nunnery Blaze, which you can hear on Bastille Presents... "&": https://bastille.lnk.to/ampersandstore. How much do we actually know about her life, and how much of it is legend?They're joined by Kelly...2024-11-131h 04
MusesHomework UpdateIt's time to check Dan's homework! Every week, Dr. Emma Nagouse been suggesting to Dan Smith - at Dan's request - a new idea for a song. And after eight episodes, it's time to check in and ask: how is Dan doing?Spoiler alert: you're going to hear clips from Dan's new songs about Sojourner Truth, Echo, Artemisia Gentileschi and Bathsheba. Emma and Dan also answer some listener emails - if you have more, get in touch at muses@leadmojo.co.ukListen to all the songs on Bastille Presents: Ampersand: https://bastille.l...2024-11-0639 min
MusesKAOS, with guest Charlie CovellIn this spooooooooky bonus episode of Muses, Dr. Emma Nagouse (You're Dead To Me) and Dan Smith (Bastille) take a trip into the underworld in the company of Charlie Covell - the creator of the Netflix series KAOS, a re-telling of Greek myths for which Dan wrote a song, Eurydice.This interview was recorded before news broke that KAOS would not be returning to Netflix, but they still cover why Charlie wanted to retell this story and how they went about it - from casting to production design and, yes, how they used the music (and...2024-10-3151 min
MusesOscar Wilde (Red Wine & Wilde)In this episode Dr. Emma Nagouse (You're Dead To Me) and Dan Smith (Bastille) talk about Oscar Wilde, who perhaps needs no introduction: literary icon, celebrated playwright, convicted criminal. But how did he go from one to the other, and why did Dan write Red Wine & Wilde - which you can hear on Bastille Presents: Ampersand: https://bastille.lnk.to/ampersandstore - about him?Dan and Emma view Oscar's legacy through the lenses of two very different films - Wilde and The Happy Prince - and there's a reading by poet Lemn Sissay of one of...2024-10-301h 01
MusesZheng Yi Sao, with guest Dr. Leon Rocha (Zheng Yi Sao & Questions For Her)In this episode Dr. Emma Nagouse (You're Dead To Me) and Dan Smith (Bastille) talk about the world's greatest-ever pirate: Zheng Yi Sao, who rose from working in a 'floating brothel' to controlling the South China Sea and China's salt trade, and the inspiration for Dan's song Zheng Yi Sao & Questions For Her which you cannot hear yet - it's not out until the album "&" is released on Friday - but there are clips all the way through this episode, so this is your first chance to hear this song.They are joined by Doctor Leon...2024-10-231h 03
MusesLeonard Cohen & Marianne Ihlen, with guest Nick Broomfield (Leonard & Marianne)In this episode Dr. Emma Nagouse (You're Dead To Me) and Dan Smith (Bastille) are musing about a muse: Marianne Ihlen, who inspired Leonard Cohen to write many of his most famous songs, such as Bird On A Wire and So Long, Marianne. Their relationship inspired Nick Broomfield's documentary Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love, which in turn inspired Dan/Bastille's song Leonard & Marianne, which you can listen to here: https://bastille.lnk.to/LeonardEmma and Dan are delighted to be joined in the studio by Nick himself, who explains how he first came to meet...2024-10-161h 00
MusesEdvard Munch (Blue Sky & The Painter)In this episode of Muses: An Ampersand Podcast, Dr. Emma Nagouse (You're Dead To Me) and Dan Smith (Bastille) are talking about the painter of The Scream, Edvard Munch, the inspiration for Bastille's song Blue Sky & The Painter, which you can hear here: https://bastille.lnk.to/BlueSkyHow did his mental health affect his art? Did his work get worse when he was happy? Was he a Nazi? How happy would he be that his legacy is the Home Alone poster?Say hello at muses@leadmojo.co.uk.Muses...2024-10-091h 00
MusesEmily Dickinson (Emily & Her Penthouse In The Sky)In this episode of Muses: An Ampersand Podcast, Emma and Dan are talking about the American poet Emily Dickinson, who inspired Dan's/Bastille's song Emily & Her Penthouse In The Sky, which you can hear here: https://bastille.lnk.to/EmilyThey talk about Emily's life and work, including her "friendship" with a "gal pal", and why she may not have been as much as a recluse as her reputation suggests - as well as who is to blame for that reputation. They also talk about Hey Arnold a surprising amount (ie: at all), and whether Dan...2024-10-021h 06
MusesNarcissus (Seasons & Narcissus)In this episode of Muses: An Ampersand Podcast, Dr. Emma Nagouse (You're Dead To Me) and Dan Smith (Bastille) take a long, slow look at Narcissus, who inspired Dan's song Seasons & Narcissus, which you can hear here: https://bastille.lnk.to/SeasonsThey look into the different versions of the myth of Narcissus, and how and why it's changed over the years; they also look at the myth of Echo, who Dan did NOT write a song about. They also cover the history of narcissism, and why middle eights are brilliant.You can...2024-09-251h 06
MusesEve (Eve & Paradise Lost)In this first episode of Muses: An Ampersand Podcast, Dr. Emma Nagouse (You're Dead To Me) and Dan Smith (Bastille) look at the life of Eve, who inspired Dan's/Bastille's song Eve & Paradise Lost, which you can hear here: https://bastille.lnk.to/EveEmma and Dan talk about exactly what the Bible (and the Qur'an) say about her; the different interpretations of her story; and the impact her story has had on popular culture, from Desperate Housewives to No Doubt's Tragic Kingdom; and Dan talks about the process of turning the story into the song...2024-09-181h 01
MusesMuses: An Ampersand PodcastMuses: An Ampersand Podcast sees Dan Smith (Bastille) and Dr. Emma Nagouse (You're Dead To Me) take a deep dive into the lives of some amazing people from history and mythology, all of whom Dan wrote songs about for his latest project, Ampersand. Each episode is a conversation about history, music, mythology and popular culture, and how those things overlap.Muses: An Ampersand Podcast is a Lead Mojo production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-09-0301 min