Ep. 40: The New Paris w/ Comedian Jean-Pascal Zadi; Author Lindsey Tramuta; Literature w/Lucie Camara & Celine Leroy; Musician Chassol and Podcasts: Melting Pot, Dinner For One & VOXXX
Jean-Pascal Zadi
In our travels to Paris, we catch up with comedian, actor, rapper and director Jean-Pascal Zadi. Staring and co-directed by Jean-Pascal, Tout Simplement Noir or Simply Black is a scathing yet funny take on French society's attitudes on race and police brutality with a host of famous French actors. The film follows a wannabe actor, JP, played by Jean-Pascal, who’s tired of this and decides to organise a Black Man’s March to raise awareness. We speak with Jean-Pascal to find out more.
Lindsey Tramuta by Joann Pai
We met with writer and Philadelphia native, Lindsey Tramuta who’s called Paris home since 2006. Her book, The New Parisienne: The Women and Ideas Shaping Paris has just been released to wide ranging praise. We met her in the capitals 11th arrondissement.
The New Parisienne: The Women and Ideas Shaping Paris book cover
Melanie Hong
Podcasts are one of the many ways the French are expressing themselves more freely, with a huge rise in representation from voices that traditional radio have been slow to recognise. The first of these voices is Melanie Hong the host of Melting Pot. Melanie’s show was created to raise awareness around racism towards Asian communities in France and aims to share perspectives on first and second generation immigrants of all backgrounds in France.
Melting Pot Podcast logo
COVEN Bookstore owner Lucy Camara
Our next guests are Paris residents Lucie Camara and Celine Leroy who are equally passionate about books, texts, words and the ideas they express. Lucie Camara runs the virtual feminist bookshop Coven and joining her is Celine Leroy who has worked as a professional translator for over 15 years specializing in literary texts and essays.
Professional translator in literary texts and essays Celine Leroy
Chassol by Flavien Prioreau
We spoke with Parisian pianist and composer Christophe Chassol. His interdisciplinary background spans contemporary classical, pop, television, film and contemporary art. He is well known for coining the term Ultrascore, a form of composition where he creates tunes by harmonizing audio from an eclectic selection of video clips. His mastery of this technique has led to collaborations with artists such as Frank Ocean, Solange and Sébastien Tellier. We spoke to him to chat about his new album Ludi as well as what makes his hometown of Paris so special.
Chassol Ludi album cover
VOXXX Podcast
The French are well known for being romantic, sensual and openminded but what do you know about audioporn? VOXXX is a podcast exploring female pleasure for your ears and imaginations. It is a collaboration of feminist pornographer Olympe de G. and porn performer Lélé O and is described as a “Jerk Off Invitations for ears & pussies.” We spoke to Karl Kunt VOXXX’s producer and co-founder Lélé O to discuss their growing popular platform.
Lélé O
Music used throughout this programme is from Chassol's Ludi record
Chassol - Les règles
Chassol - Savana, Céline, Aya, Pt.1 & 2
Chassol - Slowcoaster
Chassol - Une Marseillaise
Chassol - Les Anneaux de Saturne
Chassol - Poltergeist