X Ambassador's frontman Sam Nelson Harris was so blown away by Richard Linklater's bold and wildly ambitious film Boyhood that he saw it twice in the same day. And it's a three-hour movie! Sam was struck by the dedication needed to create a film in small increments over 12 years, but it was the end result that really made an impact. He saw himself in the story of a young boy growing up and facing all of the joys and challenges of childhood.

Be sure to check out the new X Ambassadors album Townie.

Listen to X Ambassador's frontman Sam Nelson chat on this episode of The Spark Parade wherever you get your podcasts.

Also, make sure to follow and review to support The Spark Parade, and keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

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Fallout actors Ella Purnell and Aaron Moten understand the power of artistic re-interpretation. So, when it comes to their respective 'sparks,' both actors chose songs performed by someone other than who originally wrote the piece. Purnell gravitated towards Brandi Carlile’s breakout hit “The Story,” which was originally recorded by members of her band, while Moten picked Glenn Gould’s recording of the “Goldberg Variations,” which was originally penned by, well, Johann Sebastian Bach. Listen to the two chat on this episode of The Spark Parade wherever you get your podcasts.

Also, make sure to follow and review to support The Spark Parade, and keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

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Riddle of Fire director Weston Razooli first watched Hayao Miyazaki's animated classic Princess Mononoke on a laptop at his boarding school. Even on a small screen, the film transported him to a strange and wonderful world, a world that has continued to inspire his work ever since. On this episode of The Spark Parade, Razooli recalls the magical experience and its lasting effects. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Razooli talks about falling head over heels for the detailed storytelling, gorgeous animation, and unforgettable voice work. Just as important, however, is how he admires the strength of Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli's negotiating tactics when dealing with difficult Hollywood distributors.

Listen to Weston Razooli dive into Princess Mononoke on your preferred podcast provider. Also, make sure to follow and review to support The Spark Parade, and keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

Be sure to check out Weston Razooli's Riddle Of Fire here.

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Night Court actor Nyambi Nyambi was enthralled with Kim Jung Gi's sprawling, interconnected covers for Marvel Comics' Civil War II series not just for their artistry, but for the masterful artistic practices used to create it. He attended multiple live demonstrations of Kim's work before his untimely death and has applied his details to his work as a visual artist and an actor.

Be sure to check out Nyambi Nyambi in Night Court on Tuesday nights on NBC.

Listen to Nyambi Nyambi gush over the album on this episode of The Spark Parade wherever you get your podcasts.

Also, make sure to follow and review to support The Spark Parade, and keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

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Chicano Batman guitarist Carlos Arévalo was given Radiohead’s seminal album Kid A as a Halloween present from his mother, and amidst the sugar rush, the album absolutely blew his mind. The dramatic shift in Radiohead’s stylistic direction and their experiments with electronic sounds opened Arévalo up to a new world of musical possibilities. Listen to him gush over the album on this episode of The Spark Parade wherever you get your podcasts.

Also, make sure to follow and review to support The Spark Parade, and keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

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Ghosts actor Asher Grodman loves everything about Sidney Lumet's classic Al Pacino starring film Dog Day Afternoon. The story and its themes touch him deeply, but its the legendary performances by the incredible ensemble that really stick with him. Pacino's unselfconscious, honest portrayal of a complicated real-life character is a masterclass in screen acting. The film has aged incredibly well and was tackling subjects like gay and trans rights in a thoughful and nuanced way nearly fifty years ago.

Check out Asher Grodman is in Ghosts, which airs on CBS on Thursday nights.

Listen to Asher Grodman dive into Dog Day Afternoon on your preferred podcast provider. Also, make sure to follow and review to support The Spark Parade, and keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

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Ever since hearing their self-titled debut, SHAED felt a special kinship with Sylvan Esso. Both bands came from a folky, acoustic background and were experimenting with electronic sounds -- not to mention they were both family ventures. On this episode of The Spark Parade, SHAED explains how Sylvan Esso helped to further shape their musical style. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

SHAED originally started as a straightforward folk band, but after running into trouble finding a drummer, they began looking for other outlets. When they heard Sylvan Esso’s electronic flourishes and programmed percussion, though, a whole new world opened up for them, and the solution to their troubles became clear. Ever since, they've been following their own passion for folktronica.

Listen to SHAED dive into Sylvan Esso's self-titled debut on your preferred podcast provider. Also, make sure to follow and review to support The Spark Parade, and keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

Check out SHAED's new single “Rocket in the Sky” here and stay tuned for their upcoming album Spinning Out, which drops on June 14th.

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Gossip frontwoman Beth Ditto loves everything about Missy Elliott’s second album Da Real World. The non-stop bangers, the icy production from Timbaland, the tight vocal harmonies -- it's basically flawless. More than just quality music, though, the record also reminds Ditto of a time when her musical taste was starting to truly develop. On this episode of The Spark Parade, Ditto explains how the album shaped her young mind. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Missy Elliott as a whole would go on to heavily influence Gossip, as the group looked to Southern soul music for inspiration. Hear how it manifested on the band's comeback effort, Real Power, here.

Listen to Beth Ditto dive into Missy Elliott's Da Real World on your preferred podcast provider. Also, make sure to follow and review to support The Spark Parade, and keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

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Comedian Bassem Youssef, known for his sharp wit and political commentary, discovered Billy Joel's "Pressure" in an unlikely place -- midway through an episode of Amazon's superhero satire The Boys. From the first notes, he knew he had to seek out the song for himself. On this episode of The Spark Parade, Youssef explains how he fell in love with the track once he did. Listen above, or wherever you get your podcasts.

The more Youssef dove into "Pressure," the more he connected with its energetic synth-rock vibe, soaring melodies, and themes of dealing with stress.

Listen to Bassem Youssef dive into Billy Joel's "Pressure" on your preferred podcast provider. Also, make sure to follow and review to support The Spark Parade. You can also keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

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Self-described drag clown and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars winner JIMBO first got into Pee-wee's Playhouse, predictably, as a child. And yet, even as an adult, the program's unparalleled creativity continues to have a huge influence on her outlook, art, and even home decor. On this episode of The Spark Parade, JIMBO explores her deep connection with the TV show. Listen above, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Talking about Pee-wee's Playhouse, JIMBO takes particular note of the show's queer -- or at least drag -- aesthetic, as well as how its content boldly treated kids like adults.

Listen to JIMBO gush over Pee-wee's Playhouse on your preferred podcast provider. Also, make sure to follow and review to support The Spark Parade. You can also keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

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Singer, songwriter, and visual artist Allie X loves Christopher Guest’s highly influential mockumentary Waiting For Guffman so much that it’s become a somewhat of litmus test for her. If she meets someone and they love Guffman, she knows they’ll get along. On this episode of The Spark Parade, Allie X explores her deep connection with the film. Listen above, or wherever you get your podcasts.

The artist touches on the emotional component of the film, zoning in on how even though it's hilarious, it also reflects the real struggle of being an artist in an industry that often crushes dreams.

The artist also explains her link to the world of theater and recalls the concentrated communities that develop during a production -- something she feels Guffman nails.

Listen to Allie X gush over Waiting For Guffman on your preferred podcast provider. Also, make sure to follow and review to support The Spark Parade. You can also keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

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The moment he read it, Everything Everything frontman Jonathan Higgs fell in love with the satirical absurdity of Chris Bacheldor's Bear V Shark and its skewering of our modern reliance on technology and entertainment. It inspired the complex backstory underpinning Everything's new album Mountainhead and affirmed Jonathan's broader worldview.

Check Everything Everything's new album Mountainhead here.

Listen to Everything Everything's Jonathan Higgs talk about all this and more above, or on your preferred podcast provider, and make sure to follow and review to support the show. You can also keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

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Take a guess how many times The Holdovers writer David Hemingson has seen the British cult classic film Withnail and I. Maybe 10? Perhaps 20? Try upwards of 40. On this episode of The Spark Parade Hemmingson explains what it about the film that keeps him coming back. Listen above, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hemingson gushes about everything from the sharp dialogue to the charismatic performances (including the incandescent Richard E. Grant in his debut role) to the bleak setting. He even keeps a copy of its screenplay on his desk at all times -- a reminder of how much of an impact it's had on his work (look out for references in The Holdovers).

Listen to The Holdovers writer David Hemingson talk about Withnail and I above, or on your preferred podcast provider, and make sure to follow and review to support the show. You can also keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

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Real Estate frontman Martin Courtney had loved Nickelodeon's The Adventures of Pete and Pete as a child, but he was understandably skeptical of how it might hold up when it came time to show it to his own kids. Fortunately, Courtney discovered that it was everything he remembered and more. Listen to the singer chat about his rediscovery on this episode of The Spark Parade above, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Courtney dives into how, as an adult, he found that the show's weird, sweet, funny nature helped it transcend the pitfalls similar shows from the time fall into. He ended up being so taken by his reconnection with the show that Real Estate created a Pete and Pete-themed video for their new song "Water Underground."

Listen to Real Estate's Martin Courtney talk about The Adventures of Pete and Pete above, or on your preferred podcast provider, and make sure to follow and review to support the show. You can also keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

When you are done listening, be sure to check out Real Estate album Daniel, out 2/23 here.

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Of all places, Mitch Rowland discovered Charles Mingus' seminal jazz album The Clown at a pizza restaurant. The singer, songwriter, and Harry Styles collaborator was scrolling through his coworkers iPod when the album jumped out at him. On this episode of The Spark Parade, Rowland explains just how instrumental that pizza-adjacent moment was. Listen above, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Rowland continues to be mesmerized by classic tracks like "Haitian Fight Song" to this day, with the record as whole remaining a core inspiration for the songwriter's own work. As a fan, he comes back to The Clown often to marvel at its audacious take on jazz playing and song structure.

Listen to Mitch Rowland talk Charles Mingus' The Clown above, or on your preferred podcast provider, and make sure to follow and review to support the show. You can also keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

Make sure check Rowlands tour which kickoffs in San Francisco on 2/25, all dates and links to purchase tickets can be found here.

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This week on The Spark Parade, The Beaches front-woman Jordan Miller recalls the time her tour manager introduced her to True Romance, the cult classic written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Tony Scott. Listen to Miller explain the film's immediate impact above, and don't forget to follow and review The Spark Parade wherever you get your podcasts.

Hooked from the first frame, Miller details how she loved the film's bright colors, ultra-violence, and -- most of all -- titular romance. She’s watched and re-watched it so many times, she admits, that it has ultimately shaped her perception of romantic relationships throughout her adult life.

Listen to Miller talk Tony Scott's True Romance above. You can also keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

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On this episode of The Spark Parade, Atmosphere’s DJ and producer Ant discusses seeing a live performance of Hancock's instrumental hip-hop classic "Rockit" at age 13, a performance that ultimately led him to become absolutely obsessed with art of scratching. Listen to the full conversation above, and don't forget to like, review, and subscribe to The Spark Parade wherever you get your podcasts.

After catching the live performance, the recorded version of the song (as well as the album it came from, Future Shock) became an all-time favorite for the budding producer. Ant reflects on the personal importance of the track, why it inspired him to master the scratching techniques it displayed, and how strange it was that the song became a hit.

Listen to Ant talk about Herbie Hancock's "Rockit," scratching, and more above, or on your preferred podcast provider. You can also keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

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On this episode of The Spark Parade, Grammy and Golden Globe-nominated songwriter, producer, and activist Justin Tranter talks about feeling completely entranced the first time they heard Ani DiFranco’s song "Swan Dive." Listen to the full conversation above, and don't forget to like, review, and subscribe to The Spark Parade wherever you get your podcasts.

Tranter instantly fell in love with “Swan Dive” and its poetic message of self-empowerment. Ever since, it's continued to shape their taste and songwriting process.

Listen to Tranter talk about DiFranco, their songwriting, and more above, or on your preferred podcast provider. You can also keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

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Percy Jackson and The Olympians star Aryan Simhadri was a bit skeptical when he first saw The Devil Wears Prada, but he quickly became enthralled with the incredible acting and sharp storytelling. On this episode of The Spark Parade, the actor explains how it wasn't just the glitz, glamour, and fashion that drew him, but the powerhouse that is Meryl Streep.

Listen to the full conversation with Simhadri above, and please take the time to like, review, and subscribe to The Spark Parade wherever you get your podcasts. You can also keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

Host Adam Unze (The Opus) explores creativity in all its forms on The Spark Parade by asking musicians, artists, comedians, and other creators to share the single cultural work that has most inspired them. Whether it comes from the world of music, film, comedy, visual art, or literature, we all have something that sparks our own creative desires. On The Spark Parade, guests reveal the single piece of art that ignites within them to fire of creation.

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Ted star Max Burkholder might have been born in the '90s, but the 1980 cult classic Airplane! still resonated with him like few other comedies before or since. On this episode of The Spark Parade, Burkholder gushes about the silly world of Airplane!, a style of comedy that grabbed him and never let go.

The actor admits that, upon first viewing, the performances in the film were so subtle he didn't realize it was a comedy. He's since grown to adore its blend of deadpan humor, slapstick, and surrealism, and it's proven to be a major influence for his work on Ted, a show from another one of his creative heroes, Seth MacFarlane.

Listen to Max Burkholder talk about Airplane! via the player above. Please also take the time to like, review, and subscribe to The Spark Parade wherever you get your podcasts, and keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

All episodes of Ted are streaming on Peacock and you can learn more about Max Burkholder here.

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