The Leisure Society with Gemma Cairney

The Leisure Society with Gemma Cairney

Gemma Cairney interviews cultural icons, tastemakers, artists and musicians about their pastimes, hobbies, collections and loves beyond what they are known for.
Kathy Burke

Kathy Burke

Gemma joins Kathy Burke round at her house to talk about her love of television.

19 gen 2020 - 41 min 16 sec

 
Bonnie Greer at the British Museum

Bonnie Greer at the British Museum

Gemma Cairney joins Bonnie Greer at one of her favourite places, the British Museum.

13 gen 2020 - 38 min 41 sec

 
Ben Watt birdwatching

Ben Watt birdwatching

Gemma joins musician Ben Watt for a spot of birdwatching

6 gen 2020 - 36 min 17 sec

 
Zawe Ashton on shopping

Zawe Ashton on shopping

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.

28 apr 2019 - 39 min 58 sec

 
Damon Albarn

Damon Albarn

Gemma Cairney joins Damon Albarn for a chat about travel and adventure at his studios.

21 apr 2019 - 32 min 47 sec

 
Kristin Hersh on snakes

Kristin Hersh on snakes

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

14 apr 2019 - 31 min 58 sec

 
Sir Paul Smith on cycling

Sir Paul Smith on cycling

Gemma Cairney is joined by fashion designer Paul Smith to discuss his love of bicycles.

7 apr 2019 - 24 min 44 sec

 
Santigold on interior design

Santigold on interior design

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.

1 ott 2018 - 37 min 24 sec

 
Michael Stipe on photography

Michael Stipe on photography

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.

23 set 2018 - 37 min 35 sec

 
Theresa from Warpaint on science

Theresa from Warpaint on science

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.

17 set 2018 - 31 min 24 sec