Art Histories

Drum roll, maestro.... hello, and welcome back to Art Histories, the series finale! We made it! The promise of summer lingers in the air, we have a (mostly) intact podcast host, and a truly incredible last episode to share with you. What a feeling (when we're dancing on the ceiling). We've lost a lot of sleep making this series, but we've gained new dimensions to pre-existing friendships, discovered artistic loves that have moved and enlightened us, and made some shows, and some memories, that we'll treasure forever. We think that's a pretty fair deal. If you've come along for the ride, we can't thank you enough. Art Histories aims to provide a raw, intimate study of the power of the arts by inviting one guest on a week to talk about three pieces of art that have moulded them or shaped the course of their lives. For the series finale, Olivia grabs a cuppa, a blanket, and an industrial box of tissues, and sits down with her mother, the incomparable Shona Fahy, to take a deep dive into one of the most monumental literary works she's ever come across with Stephen King's 'The Stand', learn more about the musical love of Shona's life Bruce Springsteen through his unashamedly gritty 1978 album 'Darkness on the Edge of Town', and receive a lesson in empathy from Peter Weir's singularly poignant film 'Witness'. There's talk of good, evil, and the level of autonomy we as humans have over our own fates, how the 'ordinary' life can be lived in an extraordinary way through the places you go and the people you meet, and Olivia is reminded once more of the importance of the idiom 'walking a mile in someone else's shoes'. Recorded in Dorset, their favourite place in the world, this episode is truly a love letter to Shona and Olivia's relationship, and indeed to mothers and daughters everywhere. We hope it moves you. That's it from us for now, aside from an impending Series 1 roundup. It's been absolutely dynamite, and we'll see you soon for Series 2. That's right, we're just getting started...  Original jingle for 'Art Histories' composed and performed by Fran Birkby. Cover photography as seen on Spotify and Instagram by Anna Emslie. Follow us on Instagram @arthistoriespod for episode updates and bonus content, and Spotify so you never miss an upload!

Hello, and welcome back to Art Histories, the podcast! Full transparency, there's no guest and no interview this week, but instead a little piece from your host Olivia sharing some advice she's really needed herself over the past few weeks. If you've ever struggled with not feeling good enough, or like you can't produce anything that falls short of perfection, this interlude is for you. Here at Art Histories HQ it's something we've definitely fallen victim to, and it's taken a few trusted friends and family members to remind us to step back and breathe a bit. So, that's what we're doing! We hope you don't mind the lack of an interview episode this week. Hopefully next week makes up for it, as we look towards the Grand Finale of Art Histories Series 1 - an episode which is definitely not to be missed, for a number of reasons. We couldn't think of a more triumphant ending to what has been an incredible creative experience. There'll probably be more on this in the coming weeks, with some sentimental reminiscing from Olivia, so if that's your bag, stay tuned for some bonus end-of-the-series content.  In the meantime, take this episode as a reminder to slow down, and cut yourself some slack. You deserve it. We'll see you next week - as always, thanks for listening! Original jingle for 'Art Histories' composed and performed by Fran Birkby. Cover photography as seen on Spotify and Instagram by Anna Emslie. Follow us on Instagram @arthistoriespod for episode updates and bonus content, and Spotify so you never miss an upload!

Welcome back to Art Histories, the podcast! This show marks 75% of the way through the series and nobody finds that thought more terrifying than Olivia. We're not saying we've saved the best guests 'till last (that would be unfair), but rest assured you'll want to keep tuning in as we hurtle towards the finale of Series 1. Your continued support is so appreciated! Art Histories aims to provide a raw, intimate study of the power of the arts by inviting one guest on a week to talk about three pieces of art that have moulded them or shaped the course of their lives. For Episode 6 Olivia meets Mother Hen and all-round-wonder Jennie Wellerd, who sends her across the galaxies, to heaven and hell, with a bumpy crash-land on Earth somewhere in-between for the show - she gets cosy with David Tennant as The Doctor for the Russell T Davies era of 'Doctor Who' (tough job, but someone's got to do it), listens to symphonies in New York and is moved by the tale of 'August Rush', and returns to a decidedly less benevolent DT (joined by Michael Sheen) as mischievous demon Crowley in Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett's 'Good Omens'. There's chats about the world of cosplay, and how it proves transformative for self-confidence and fostering community, the touching thought that music can be found in the most mundane of everyday life, and how you can write your life into a symphony with the right attitude, and both Jennie and Olivia concede that you can't have Good without at least a little bit of Bad (and it's more fun that way). Jennie is such a warm and soothing presence and the world of fandom has been well and truly scoured in this episode. Enjoy! Original jingle for 'Art Histories' composed and performed by Fran Birkby. Cover photography as seen on Spotify and Instagram by Anna Emslie. Follow us on Instagram @arthistoriespod for episode updates and bonus content, and Spotify so you never miss an upload!

Welcome back to Art Histories, the podcast! The warmer weather has hit and this episode should prove to be a wonderful audio accompaniment to sunny afternoons in the garden soaking in some Vitamin D - we all need it after the past eighteen months. Although that might be slightly ambitious, today's show covers some lofty texts... Art Histories aims to provide a raw, intimate study of the power of the arts by inviting one guest on a week to talk about three pieces of art that have moulded them or shaped the course of their lives. For Episode 5, Olivia records with the deliciously funny James Hunter and prepares herself mentally and emotionally for a Stephen King sandwich - she treks over train tracks and dirt roads with the boys from 'Stand by Me' to find Ray Brower's body, goes 'Blue in the Face' with American Punk band Alkaline Trio, and returns to King with the singularly moving 'The Green Mile', softened by Tom Hanks' soothing presence. There's a touching discussion around the frailty of boyhood, and how seemingly insignificant events can rob us of our innocence, Olivia learns just how much a particular Alkaline Trio lyric means to James (spoiler: it's a lot), and an impassioned defence of the emotional significance of a mouse named Mr Jingles (yes, really). This episode was as interesting as James is and prompted some of the most heartfelt and involving confessions Olivia's been privy to on the show, proof that you can never judge a book by its cover (particularly a Stephen King book). Enjoy! Original jingle for 'Art Histories' composed and performed by Fran Birkby. Cover photography as seen on Spotify and Instagram by Anna Emslie. Follow us on Instagram @arthistoriespod for episode updates and bonus content, and Spotify so you never miss an upload!

Warmest of welcomes back to Art Histories, the podcast, everybody! We're well and truly into Spring and the series now, hopefully you're enjoying the episodes outside with five or less friends as you delicately sip tinned cocktails and count down the hours until the pubs reopen. That's forming a large part of Olivia's plans, anyway... Art Histories aims to provide a raw, intimate study of the power of the arts by inviting one guest on a week to talk about three pieces of art that have moulded them or shaped the course of their lives. Episode 4 is our first genre-based show, and first in-person recording (so forgive any microphone issues) and Olivia can hardly contain her excitement. Sitting in her garden with the incomparable Tom Holton, Olivia launches herself with reckless abandon into the world of EDM and Trance music, beginning with vintage 2011 Monstercat compilations (which make an interesting backdrop to a Sunday afternoon, that's for sure), travels via YouTube to Miami for Armin van Buuren's Ultra Festival set in 2018 (no Red Bull required), and gets up close and personal with Tom's self-proclaimed idol Martin Garrix (but not too close and personal - social distancing). There's debates around the responsibility of the music industry to uplift and promote new talent and how EDM specifically fulfils this, the art of constructing a DJ set and how it is as much reliant upon context and environment as the music itself (although Olivia had a great time head-banging in her room), and how a musician's personal ideals can be as impactful on a fan as the records they release. This episode was truly music madness, and Olivia came away a changed woman - appreciating the wildness and weirdness of one of her oldest friends Tom more than ever before. Enjoy! Original jingle for 'Art Histories' composed and performed by Fran Birkby. Cover photography as seen on Spotify and Instagram by Anna Emslie. Follow us on Instagram @arthistoriespod for episode updates and bonus content, and Spotify so you never miss an upload!

Welcome back, friends, to Art Histories, the podcast! Shut the door behind you, there's a dear. We'll pop the kettle on. Episode three of the series now, so you should be well acquainted with our host Olivia and her affinity for giggling too much/'mm'ing too enthusiastically. Art Histories aims to provide a raw, intimate study of the power of the arts by inviting one guest on a week to talk about three pieces of art that have moulded them or shaped the course of their lives. In Episode 3, Olivia pops on her reading glasses (she doesn't have any) and dusts down her bookshelves for the virtual arrival of the wonderful Isi Tucker and travels through history and art (fittingly for the show) with V.E. Schwab's 'The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue', marvels at the starry sky and other works from the infamous van Gogh, and realises she probably should have paid more attention to the lyrics of one of her favourite Bleachers songs, 'I Wanna Get Better'. There's a heartfelt discussion around memory and how to live forever through the people you love, Olivia is forced to re-examine her relationship to 'traditional art' and view it as a medium that is always shifting, and an emotive ode to the powerful feeling of being surrounded by friends, belting out lyrics to a song you care about in the darkness, and knowing that you did get better. This episode contains a segment of 'The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue' read aloud by Isi and if you don't tear up listening to it, I'm not sure what to tell you. Isi is like Spring verbalised and it was such a joy to have her on the show. Enjoy! Original jingle for 'Art Histories' composed and performed by Fran Birkby. Cover photography as seen on Spotify and Instagram by Anna Emslie. Follow us on Instagram @arthistoriespod for episode updates and bonus content, and Spotify so you never miss an upload!

Welcome back to Art Histories, the podcast! Episode two of eight and we're feeling fun and fancy-free. Well, ish. At least Olivia is slightly less nervous this week. Art Histories aims to provide a raw, intimate study of the power of the arts by inviting one guest on a week to talk about three pieces of art that have moulded them or shaped the course of their lives. For Episode 2, Olivia spends a glorious ninety minutes (it's a beast, this episode) with the one and only Fran Birkby and gets up close and personal with legwarmers in Andrew Lloyd's Webber's 'Cats', brushes up on her French (it's still awful) with Jean-Pierre Jeunet's 2001 film 'Amelie', and discovers there's far more to Italian restaurants than spaghetti and meatballs with Billy Joel's 1977 record 'The Stranger'. Fran's mission of acquiring 'justice for Cats' is accomplished as Olivia finds herself becoming a fan, there's an ode to the smallest of pleasures and the power of human connection amidst a global pandemic, and an emotive discussion around the weight of words and narrativizing your life through song. Fran is a vocal and intellectual powerhouse and makes her Spotify debut at the end of this episode with original song 'Just Wait' (which, trust me, is worth waiting for). Thanks for listening! Original jingle for 'Art Histories' composed and performed by Fran Birkby. Cover photography as seen on Spotify and Instagram by Anna Emslie. Follow us on Instagram @arthistoriespod for episode updates and bonus content, and Spotify so you never miss an upload!

Hello, and welcome to Art Histories, a brand new podcast! Here's a little introduction from your host, Olivia Fahy, explaining what you can expect from this eight-part series. We hope you like what you hear enough to stick around. Thanks for listening! Original jingle for 'Art Histories' composed and performed by Fran Birkby. Cover photography as seen on Spotify and Instagram by Anna Emslie. Follow us on Instagram @arthistoriespod for episode updates and bonus content, and Spotify so you never miss an upload!

Welcome to Art Histories, podcast edition! Finally, we have the long-procrastinated rebirth of Olivia's radio show, and boy is it exciting. (And nerve-wracking. And terrifying. And scary.) It's the end of Pisces season, Spring Solstice, and Olivia's birthday. We're feeling all kinds of optimistic about this new project.  Art Histories aims to provide a raw, intimate study of the power of the arts by inviting one guest on a week to talk about three pieces of art that have moulded them or shaped the course of their lives. For the debut of Series 1, Olivia is lucky enough to be joined (virtually of course) by the gorgeous Anna Emslie and takes a deep-dive into modern love with Jason Robert Brown musical 'The Last Five Years', is exposed to far more interpretive dance than she's ever seen before with Kate Bush's 1979 'Tour of Life', and negotiates understated romance and tins of pineapples in Wong Kar Wai film 'Chungking Express'. There's discussions around the nuance and complexity of marriages and their artistic depictions, a passionate defence of all things weird and championing your own creativity, and a touching realisation that the mundane truly can be magical. Anna fully embraced everything Art Histories and was a true delight to chat to. Enjoy! Original jingle for 'Art Histories' composed and performed by Fran Birkby. Cover photography as seen on Spotify and Instagram by Anna Emslie. Follow us on Instagram @arthistoriespod for episode updates and bonus content, and Spotify so you never miss an upload!