The Truants: Recent Episodes
The Truants
Welcome to The Truants, a podcast providing bitesize insight into creative scenes and the cultures that surround them. Expect an unpredictable ride as you are thrown into conversations with a range of people from unique creative scenes, each with their own stories to tell.
Series 1 will cover topics including the lack of diverse representation in fashion and TV, growing up in the diaspora, the early 90’s rave scene, British cinema, the metaverse, comics and the circular economy.
We sat down with Jay and John, co-founders of the AI Creative Studio, Solarflare, to talk the world of AI. From helping brands understand how they can use new tech to their advantage, to learning about the problems we may face in the future, this chat covers it all.
Specialising in cutting-edge tech installations and collaborations with major brands like F1 and UEFA, Jay and John shared their knowledge on how AI is transforming creative industries day by day.
We spoke about the ethical ramifications of AI along with all the positives that’ll come with it too.
Our jobs are changing, and whether we like it or not, AI will play a key role in our lives at some point. So here we are, jumping on the curve before it passes us - come listen in so you can too!
(00:01:47) Who is SolarFlare?
(00:03:25) The Impact and Future of AI in Brand Activations
(00:08:51) Exploring the Metaverse and AI Integration
(00:22:29) The Future Workforce and AI's Role
(00:25:40) The Evolution of CGI and VFX
(00:26:53) Adapting to AI in the Creative Process
(00:27:57) Tech for Good vs. Tech for Bad
(00:30:32) Hiring for Hybrid Skill Sets
(00:32:20) What Happens to Coding?
(00:41:41) AI in the Music Industry
(00:43:48) The Future of Live Performances
(00:50:24) Looking Forward: AI's Potential
Founder of the Adidas sponsored, Romance FC, Trisha Lewis breaks down how the creative football team is driving grassroots sport culture around London.
Built to provide an active meeting space for women and non-binary people who are also filmmakers, musicians, designers and all other walks of creativity, Romance FC has become a thriving community in its own right.
They’ve worked closely with music and fashion legend, Pharrell Williams, for his HUMAN RACE FC campaign, which also saw the likes of Arsenal FC involved.
We talk about Trisha's relationship with Adidas, what it’s like in the world of community football, the struggles, the successes and what the future of Romance FC holds.
After selling Depop to Etsy for $1.6 billion in 2021, Simon Beckerman took on a new challenge, to fix the food industry.
With his dedicated team, including Community and Partnerships Manager, Sam Wong, DELLI set out to champion small independent food & drink makers, providing them with a means to sell their products.
We spoke with Simon and Sam to uncover how DELLI is leading the charge in reshaping the broken food industry, why Simon believes DELLI will be more successful than his previous venture, Depop, and how they’re creating a community of foodies turned friends along the way.
Timestamps
(00:00:00 Intro
(00:02:15) What is DELLI?
(00:05:17) Sam’s Intro to DELLI
(00:07:29) The Importance of Storytelling
(00:12:09) Where Did The Idea of DELLI Come From?
(00:15:23) Overcoming Problems In Business
(00:21:15) Food is the New Fashion
(00:22:38) The influence of Depop
(00:24:09 Relatability with DELLI Makers
(00:29:03) Discovering New Food on DELLI
(00:31:16) What Will Supermarkets Look Like in 10 Years?
(00:35:10) Moving Away From Alcohol
(00:40:02) Staying Authentic
(00:42:15) How to Build a Community
(00:43:24) Creating a Healthy Work Environment
(00:44:36) “We Don’t Follow, We Create”
(00:46:27) Understanding What’s Happening In Culture
(00:48:14) Importance of Content Creators
(00:54:03) Brands Using Slogans
(00:55:53) Going Viral
(01:00:18) DELLI’s Photography
(01:02:04) Outro
DELLI’s Website
DELLI’s Instagram
Truant's Website
In part 2 with BAFTA award winning filmmaker, best-selling author and extreme sports veteran, Christian Stevenson, we talk about how his friendship with Jamie Oliver led to his book deal.
We also cover how he became a best-selling author in the barbecue world, DJing at A-list celebrity parties, and how he interviewed music legends such as Coldplay, The Cult, Aerosmith and more
BAFTA award winning filmmaker, best-selling author and extreme sports veteran, Christian Stevenson talks on what it was like to watch skateboarding legend, Tony Hawk, land the 900, his tv show 'RAD' that ran for 17 seasons and how he started in filmmaking to become a world famous name in snowboarding, skateboarding, DJing and BBQ.
He also reveals how he networked to get music by Radiohead, Oasis, Stone Roses, DJ Shadow, Moloko and more for his snowboard movie, Odd Man Out.
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Davina McCall and Noel Gallagher
(00:00:34) Introduction to Christian Stevenson
(00:01:50) Making a baby at the BAFTA’s
(00:03:38) Tony Hawk's 900 at X-Games
(00:07:40) Skateboarding in the 70s and 80s
(00:09:36) Filming Action Sports as a Career
(00:11:19) Creation of the Show ‘Rad’
(00:13:14) Challenges in Filming ‘Rad’
(00:13:57) Longevity of ‘Rad’
(00:14:19) Wing Walking, Hovercraft & Robin Reliant Racing
(00:18:43) Getting Music Legends on His Soundtrack
(00:23:26) Networking for Soundtracks
(00:27:53) Snowboarding Stories
(00:30:25) Meeting Jamiroquai
(00:32:02) Filming with Celebrities
(00:34:45) Traveling and Touring
(00:36:06) Rad Tour Adventures
(00:38:12) The Cool Bus
(00:39:52) Barbecue Memories
(00:42:03) Deejaying and Barbecue Career
Christian's Instagram
Truant's Website
Truant's Instagram
Truant's TikTok
What do you think of when I say opera? Yep, we thought the same thing before we spoke to professional opera singer, Galina Averina.
Kostie and Max sat down with Galina, who had just finished her UK tour, to get a feel for the history of opera, understand the stereotypes and gain an insight into just what goes into becoming a professional opera singer.
Rated as the Hottest Brand of 2023 (Lyst), luxury fashion brand, LOEWE, is taking the fashion world by storm. Kostie and Max sat down with Charlie Smith, Chief Marketing & Comms Officer at LOEWE, where he gave some insight into the secrets behind the brand's success.
With the sales of chess boards increasing by 400% in 2020, it’s safe to say the sport is on the rise amongst younger generations. We spoke to Phil Makepeace, a professional chess coach and ex-professional player, about the sports gender gap, its funding and the monumental influence of ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ on the chess world.
Kostie and Ruby are joined by Craig Santicchia, a gaming and eSports enthusiast, who started his career at the worlds leading esports brand Fnatic. helping shape the future of sports entertainment. Now running his own company, Wolfpad Gaming - who support brands, agencies and rights holders on all things gaming & esports.
Lennie and Ruby are joined by Dr. Matt Lodder, a lecturer, curator and author of artist history, who specialises in body art and tattooing, who takes them through his journey into academia, his incredible debut book ‘painted people,’ get a glimpse into history through tattooing, discuss what Gen Alpha’s relationship to the art form might look like, and how changing your body changes your relationship with the world.
Dr Matt Lodder online:
Book:
Painted People
Podcast:
Beneath The Skin
Other Links:
Franko B
Ron Aithy
Lal Hardy
Madeline Altman
Samuel O’reilly
Aimee Crocker
Joe Carstairs
Marlene Dietrich
Bang Bang
Sutherland mcdonald
Jessie Knight
Tattooed mummies from Siberia
Soundtrack:
Moss Gatherer - One
Truant Online:
@TruantLondon / Website / Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn
Lennie and Ruby are joined by sports photographer Duncan Nicholls, who takes them through his journey from banking to photography, what it takes to be an elite level athlete and his desire to leave a lasting impact.
Duncan is a London based creative specialising in lifestyle and sports photography and motion. He has worked with some of the World’s finest sports people - from olympic gold medalists, to world record breakers, world cup holders, super bowl winners and major champions. On top of that he creates award winning short films about individuals and subcultures pushing themselves beyond the limit of what we perceive to be humanly possible.
Duncan Nicholls online:
Website / Instagram / Good Planets
Films:
Wali
The Speed Project
Other Links:
1% for the Planet
Soundtrack:
Moss Gatherer - One
Truant Online:
@TruantLondon / Website / Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn
Lennie is joined by Lenny and Sophie from Sister Midnight who share what life has been like since they decided to create a community benefit society, the impact of grass root venues, southeast London’s unique music scene and the importance of funding in culture.
Sister Midnight online:
Website / Instagram / Twitter / Youtube
Recommendations:
Grants/Funding
Cultural Recovery Fund, Arts Council
Power to Change
Boosting Community Business London Fund
Co-Operatives UK
Community Shares Company
National Lottery Community Fund
South East London Culture
Solidarity Tapes
Steam Down at Matchstick Piehouse
The Ivy House
leather.head
The Fox and Firkin
Corsica Studios
Carpet Shop Peckham
Charities
MASS Action
Soundtrack:
Moss Gatherer - One
Truant Online:
@TruantLondon / Website / Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn
Lennie is joined by record label owner and jazz enthusiast Will Abell, who shared his take on the jazz scene: touching on record collecting, inclusivity and open mindedness within the community, breaking down the inaccessible stigma surrounding it, jam sessions, the impact it has had on other genres and how important jazz is as a medium to communicate personal voice.
Ostrich Records online:
Website / Instagram / Events
Recommendations:
Artists
Xhose Cole
Sultan Stevenson Trio
Jelly Cleaver
Léa Mondo (⅓ of Peng Femme Jam, Léa + The Sunflowers)
Will Markham
AKU
Harry Weir
Ornette Coleman
John Coltrane
Kamasi Washington
Events
Peng Femme Jam @ The Shacklewell Arms
Orii Jam @ The Colour Factory
Records
IBEJI - Xhosa Cole
A Love Supreme - John Coltrane
Power to the People - Joe Henderson
Soundtrack:
Moss Gatherer - One
Truant Online:
@TruantLondon / Website / Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn
Lennie is joined by podcaster, DJ, photographer, director and artist Almass Badat, whose collaborators include Dazed, The BBC, Netflix, Boiler Room and The British Council. Almass takes us on a journey through the transgender community in India, the flow state, discovering her roots, gender fluidity, the importance of being fearless with being curious, her incredible podcast ‘What Is This Behaviour,’ Disney’s process of ideation and building a community of South Asian people going against the grain.
Almass online:
Website / Instagram / Spotify
Hijra’s Hustle / WITB Podcast / WITB101
Recommendations:
A Quick Ting On Afrobeats by Christian Adofo
Freedom Skatepark in Ghana
Soundtrack:
Moss Gatherer - One
Truant Online:
@TruantLondon / Website / Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn
Lennie is joined by musician and drag queen Douglas Dare, who takes us on a journey through drag culture, its evolution, the contrast in his music career, the importance of being silly and the impact of his Dorset upbringing.
Douglas online:
Website / Instagram / Twitter / Spotify
Recommendation:
Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart
Soundtrack:
Moss Gatherer - One
Truant Online:
@TruantLondon / Website / Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn
Season 2 is almost upon us!
Soundtrack:
Moss Gatherer - One
Truant Online:
@TruantLondon / Website / Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn
Lennie is joined by drum and bass pioneer Andy C, who takes takes us on a journey through the birth of drum and bass, how the scene has evolved over the last 30 years, the importance of an underground following, breaking Ibiza, the impact of Covid and the power of human connection.
Andy C online:
Website / Instagram / Twitter / Spotify
Recommendations:
Radio Babylon by Meat Beat Manifesto
Shut Up And Dance
Other Links:
Origin Unknown - Valley of the Shadows
RAM Records
Soundtrack:
Moss Gatherer - One
Truant Online:
@TruantLondon / Website / Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn
Lennie is joined by contemporary artist Alice Von Maltzhan, who takes us on a journey through temporality, the environment, her practice with the medium of paper, life in the art world and the importance of reframing the way we experience our surroundings.
Alice Online:
Website/ Instagram
Recommendations:
Film - Wendy
Book - The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham
Museums - V&A, British Museum, Science Museum
Soundtrack:
Moss Gatherer - One
Truant Online:
@TruantLondon / Website / Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn
Lennie is joined by creative director and co-founder of Concept Object, Jack Moolark, who takes us on a journey through his love of audio, sound system restoration, the power of collaboration within music, the circular economy and the value we put on the art of making.
Jack's Projects:
Concept Object
Jacks Recommendations:
Cornford Amps / Fiona Coupe / Armstrong Audio
Film - The Mustang
Documentary - Sound City
Soundtrack:
Moss Gatherer - One
Truant Online:
@TruantLondon / Website / Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn
Lennie is joined by political cartoonist, puppet animator and the youngest artist in The Beano's history Zoom Rockman, who takes us on a journey through comic book culture, political satire, puppet animation and blues music.
Zoom's Projects:
Zoom's Website
Doctor Hammond’s Covid Casebook
The Prime Ministers by Iain Dale
Zoom's Recommendations:
The Cartoon Museum
Soundtrack:
Moss Gatherer - One
Lennie is joined by musician, DJ, producer and music supervisor, Lol Hammond, who takes us on a journey through the correlation between punk and acid house, the early 90’s rave scene leading up to the 1994 criminal justice act, British cinema and life as a music supervisor.
Lol’s Projects:
Heather Small - United Together
Are We Superheroes?
Lol’s Recommendations:
Film - City of God
Film - Nomadland
Film - Nocturnal Animals
TV - Black Mirror
Music - A Winged Victory For The Sullen
Soundtrack:
Moss Gatherer - One
Lennie is joined by co-founder of Imagen Insights Jay Richards, who takes us on a journey through rejection, humility, mental health and start-up culture, what it means to be Gen Z and how our future will be shaped by the Metaverse.
Imagen Insights
Jay's Recommendations:
Book - The Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Eiger
Quora
Music:
Moss Gatherer - One
Lennie is joined by director, filmmaker, writer and fashion stylist Basma Khalifa. As a Sudanese multi-disciplinary creative raised in Northern Ireland and Scotland, Basma provides an insight into growing up as a child of the diaspora, the lack of diverse representation in fashion and TV, her debut documentary and working with Louis Theroux.
Basma's BBC Three Documentary:
Inside the Real Saudi Arabia: Why I Had to Leave
Basma's Recommendations:
Book - Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi (Basma meant to say Burnt, not Black)
Documentary - Living Goddesses
Music:
Moss Gatherer - One