Category: Podcasts

Singaporean Arts with Musician Kevin Lester (Podcast)

We spend a lot of time talking about the pros and cons of technological disruption in the creative industries.  And each of us has our theories and predictions as to what the future might look like for a market like the United States.  And to be honest, the discussions often revolve around how we should or should not be responding to the fact that technological forces have been shrinking the industries we built through the 20th century.  In this context, I think it’s very interesting to watch what emerging artists are doing in countries where there has been no creative industry to date.

My guest in this podcast is Singapore musician Kevin Lester, an award-winning hip hop artist, writer, and producer. Personally, I think Singapore is a fascinating market to watch because artists like Kevin are really the first generation to want to build a homegrown creative industry from the ground up.  This tiny city-state only gained full independence from British colonial rule in 1965, and its robust economy has largely been built on shipping, financial services, and exports of electronics and pharmaceuticals.   Now, it is the children and grandchildren of that first generation of independent Singaporeans who want to make music and filmed entertainment and other artistic works.  And artists like Kevin are determined to see Singapore develop a sustainable industry out of what can presently be called a local scene.

Kevin has played multiple festivals around the world, and he has received numerous honors as an emerging artist.  Just last month, he released his latest EP, Put Your City On, which contains the hit song “Forever,” a piece all about Kevin’s determination as an artist and as an activist for promotion of the arts in Singapore.  After signing with the new Asian-focused label BMBX, founded by Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas, Kevin Lester rebranded himself as The Lion City Boy in honor of Singapore’s nickname The Lion City.

I spoke to Kevin at his home studio via Skype.

Learn more about The Lion City Boy at his website.

Talking TV Series Writing with Gene Grillo (Podcast)

Gene Grillo Part I
Gene Grillo Part II

Since 1996, Gene Grillo has been a staff writer and series editor for a variety of hit, animated TV series, including Johnny Bravo, Jimmy Neutron, and Back at the Barnyard, and Kung Fu Panda.  Like many comedy writers, Grillo began as an actor working with Second City in Chicago — a sketch comedy/improv group where performers are also writers.  Presently, Grillo is working on the new show Breadwinners for Nickelodeon.

I spoke to Gene via Skype at his home in Pasadena, CA.

Visit Gene Grillo’s IMDB page here.

Smart Design & Women in Engineering with Carla Diana (Podcast)

Carla Diana Part I
Carla Diana Part II

I’ve mentioned a few times that I don’t really get GoldieBlox CEO Debbie Sterling’s motivation in allowing herself and her brand to become the face of what may be a years-long copyright battle with the Beastie Boys, but these are strange and volatile times.  Still, the controversial story has brought the subject of women in engineering and technology design into the foreground, and it occurred to me that I know a really cool woman engineer/designer, who has smart things to say on that subject as well as the future of technology itself — especially robotics.  This is one of my favorite conversations I’ve had to date.

In Part I, we talk about design, smart objects, and the responsibility of designers to consider the social implications of their products.  In Part II, we talk a bit about GoldieBlox and about 3D printing.

Carla Diana originally studied mechanical engineering, but early in her career, she shifted her focus to industrial design, which demands a broad set of disciplines that sound more sociological than technological.  In January of 2013, Diana wrote an article for The New York Times about how we interact with robotic machines, how that interaction is anticipated by designers in the early stages of development.  Most recently, Diana published a book called LEO the Maker Prince, a children’s story meant to spark interest in the possibilities of 3D printing and that works in conjunction with projects kids can do using a consumer-grade 3D printer. Diana also teaches at the University of Pennsylvania and School of Visual Arts in New York City. She spoke to me via Skype from her home in Manhattan. (Apologies for the couple of Skype dropouts, but the context is still clear).

To learn more about Carla Diana or LEO the Maker Prince, go to: www.leothemakerprince.com