SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING

STOP PRESS!Neil and Simon talk to brilliant British photographer Chris Floyd about the creative stories behind his portraits of the great and the good. Chris really has photographed everyone, from Bowie to Blanchett, McCartney to McQueen and he talks candidly about the processes and dynamics of getting a photograph that reveals a truth about his subject. Treading the fine line of collaboration and confrontation to get the best creative results.We talk about passive aggression with Damon Albarn, winding up Paul McCartney, selling an idea to Keira Knightley and revealing the real Graham Norton. Oh, and the futility of existence of course... happy listening!LINKSwww.chrisfloyd.comwww.instagram.com/chrisfloyd/Paul McCartneyhttps://www.chrisfloyd.com/good-weekend-monday/Damon Albarnhttps://www.chrisfloyd.com/triptych-confrontations/Graham Nortonhttps://www.instagram.com/p/CNGD91mgo9R/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linkKeira Knightleyhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BFxBXG4pyO0/

Can you see a brilliant idea on a brain scanner? What brain state do we need to be in to be at our most creative? Can drugs and booze really aid creativity? Do we get more creative as we get older? Can a bump on the head turn you into a genius? Are dreams nonsense or signs of creativity at work? And is the whole left side vs right side of the brain thing just a load of old bollocks?Who better too ask than Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience Dr Catherine Loveday, as she joins Neil and Simon and cuts through some of the usual free range waffle with the ordered precision of her scientific scalpel, and gives us a little bit of insight into the extraordinary abstract connection machine that is the human brain.https://www.westminster.ac.uk/about-us/our-people/directory/loveday-catherinehttps://twitter.com/cathloveday?lang=en-GB

BBC TMS stalwart Dan Norcross joins Neil and Simon to discuss the ins and outs and umpire's calls of cricket on the radio.We chat about the enduring appeal of TMS, the inherent silliness of sport, Dan's punk broadcasting beginnings on ‘The Sofa', working with intimidating ex professionals, sport as a greek tragedy, Hitchcock's hidden bomb, Romero's zombies, the other kind of corpsing – Pants, Willeys, and cricket's peculiar relationship with double entendres.www.danielnorcross.com@norcrosscricket

Colourful lettering artist Rachel Joy Price talks to Neil and Simon about her creative mix of fine art and graphic design over tea and cake. We chat about type through the ages, useless objects, serendipity, haters hating, graffiti and painting ‘en plein air' on the mean streets of Brixton. Rachel has been commissioned by Adidas, Apple and Google among many others.This episode also features the worst Brian Blessed impersonations you'll ever hear.LINKSwww.racheljoyprice.com@racheljoyletteringwww.beneine.co.uk

Award-winning and big selling writer Rhidian Brook chats about his creative philosophy and the processes involved in writing novels, screenplays and Thought For The Day on Radio 4. We talk about the collaboration and compromises involved in a big-screen adaptation of his successful and personal novel The Aftermath for Ridley Scott’s production company. Rhidian busts some myths about the writing process and entertains the idea that there might just be some woo-woo involved. We talk about Rhid’s journey from ad man to novelist and broadcaster and the importance to being a professional creative of simply turning up.This episode is a whopper and has been divided into two delicious helpings. Our chat also features the merits or otherwise of 100% chocolate, cynical commercial manipulation via pop songs, and a thorough exploration of Neil’s ill-advised, brightly coloured, cut off green wellies. Splat.Linkhttp://www.rhidianbrook.com/

Award-winning and big selling writer Rhidian Brook chats about his creative philosophy and the processes involved in writing novels, screenplays and Thought For The Day on Radio 4. We talk about the collaboration and compromises involved in a big-screen adaptation of his successful and personal novel The Aftermath for Ridley Scott’s production company. Rhidian busts some myths about the writing process and entertains the idea that there might just be some woo-woo involved. We talk about Rhid’s journey from ad man to novelist and broadcaster and the importance to being a professional creative of simply turning up.This episode is a whopper and has been divided into two delicious helpings. Our chat also features the merits or otherwise of 100% chocolate, cynical commercial manipulation via pop songs, and a thorough exploration of Neil’s ill-advised, brightly coloured, cut off green wellies. Splat.Linkhttp://www.rhidianbrook.com/

Top BBC broadcaster and sports commentator Ali Bruce-Ball joins Neil and Simon for an especially long free ranging chat about his craft and creativity. Ali gives us an insight into covering the Premier League, how to cope with big game nerves, and what goes into preparing for the unpredictable, live improv of commentating on elite sport.We talk about the difficulties of accurately describing moments of genius on the pitch, the heritage of sports commentary on the radio, and how to make sure ex-professionals don’t commandeer the mic at the crucial moment.Listen to the end for some bonus commentary on very much non-elite sport, as Neil and Simon demonstrate that sports commentary is harder than it sounds. BANG!

Neil and Simon have a good old yakety yak with Bristol-based musician Nadine Gingell, AKA Lady Nade. She gives us an insight into the creative processes involved in writing and performing and tells us how to stay independent when the shadowy forces of Folk, Soul, Country and Americana come calling and want to put you in a convenient box. Listen and make up your own mind, as she performs Looking for Love from her album Safe place to an audience of two silly men.We talk about the stereotyping black female artists, pure forms, cubist bricklayers and what happens when you’re a bit cross with the tools of your trade. WARNING: this episode also features a truly awful Louis Armstrong impression.LINKSwww.ladynade.co.ukwww.wiltshirecreative.co.uk

Neil and Simon are invited in to one of the most prestigious advertising agencies in the land for a chat with Art Director and Creative Director and real life Don Draper (he’s really not) and way-back-in-the-day old colleague of Si’s, Phil Holbrook. We discuss the unspoken contract between consumer and advertiser, why success comes through standing out, not fitting in, and Phil and his partner’s tasty and timely idea for flogging burgers to a hungry electorate. This episode also features Nick Kamen’s game changing underwear, a disappointing lack of cocktails and fags before midday, and a hearty recommendation of what to do when the world zigs.LINKS:www.bartleboglehegarty.comhttps://www.thedrum.com/news/2019/12/04/burger-king-burns-westminster-whoppers-ahead-the-general-election

A chat with Interior Architectural Designer Hannah Soulsby about creating unique spaces that improve peoples lives.We chat about the psychology of interior design, how restaurants control our brains, grouting obsessions and designing away a problematic night in with the lads. This episode also features some hipster-bashing and a trip to IKEA. Wait come back!LINKSwww.animaandamare.com

Star comedian Simon Evans invites us temporarily into his lockdown bubble to talk about his creative process. We chat about poking hornets nests, edgy comedy, ranting and raving at seagulls and why the lunacy of middle class parenting might just inspire his next big show. This episode also features a foolproof method for writing your own comedy ‘bit’. What more could you want?LINKSwww.thesimonevans.com

Artist and Animator Caroline Rudge talks about her process, influences and inspiration, including her intensive and free reign animation collaboration with media superstars Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer. We also cover the evolution of her unusual and inventive animation style, money, success and failure, post war confectionary and painting with egg yolk. You know, from actual chickens.LINKSThe Mushroom Hunters’: https://youtu.be/ak6sdSAcNkwCaroline’s website: www.carolinerudge.comCC Animation Studio: https://www.ccanimationstudio.comPounds Arts: https://poundarts.org.uk

Dr Phil Mathews has created monsters for blockbuster movies and now lectures in screenwriting at Bournemouth University. We talk about working with Sylvester Stallone, making body parts for Steven Spielberg, and the pros and cons of screen-writing manuals. Also, the temporal nature of art and faith-based narratives! I know!LINKSBU profile: https://staffprofiles.bournemouth.ac.uk/display/pmathews#overviewPhd: http://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/31468/‘Soft’ short: https://vimeo.com/19705053

Andy Potter gives an insight into the creative life of a professional corporate film maker, producer, editor and cameraman. We cover the importance of people skills, being obsessed with kit and the key to making your clients weep with joy. And working with hedgehogs, of course.LINKSAndy’s media production company, Ground Up Productions: https://groundupproductions.co.uk

Fine artist, illustrator and teacher Jamel Akib gives a fascinating insight into the life and mindset of an artist. We cover discipline and working method, the lucky break that set him up for life, snobery around drawing, technique and craft, and can you teach anyone to draw?LINKSJamel’s website: https://www.jamelakib.com/Jamel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamel_akib/‘Sad girl looking down with her arms up’ https://www.jamelakib.com/gallery.html#photos_id=13868940 The specific gold technique we talk about: https://www.jamelakib.com/gallery.html#photos_id=15516141

A taster for the forthcoming Something out of Nothing podcast