Secret Artists podcast returns today with a double-bill to kickstart Series Two. Host Annie McGrath is joined by national treasure Jenny Eclair in episode one, and by comedian couple Nish Kumar & Amy Annette in episode two.
Series two was due to be recorded in an exciting new live format at various festivals around the UK (Machynlleth Comedy Festival, Latitude Festival, the Edinburgh Fringe etc.), but due to lockdown restrictions the podcast- like everything else- had to take place on Zoom.
The same format as usual applies: comedians doing art, whilst having a chat. Only this time, whilst recording the podcast, there was a global pandemic. So, McGrath- who was locked down on a potato farm- has been having virtual meet-ups with fellow comedians from their respective quarantine homes. As well as Jenny Eclair, Nish Kumar and Amy Annette, guests for Series Two include Jayde Adams, Jack Barry, Lloyd Griffith, Sunil Patel, Olaf Falafel and more.
Though at times, the comedians have been limited by their lockdown materials and have faced artistic challenges with the virtual format, new possibilities have arisen and conversations are more candid than ever. The digital format has meant new ways of working, such as iPad drawings and drawing portraits ‘from life’ online.
The process of creating has helped a large proportion of the population with their mental health throughout the pandemic and the hope is that this series offers listeners a brief respite from the current horrors of the outside world.
When it launched at the end of last year, Secret Artists was named one of the Evening Standard’s Best New Podcasts. It has since amassed an impressive and enthusiastic following, reaching over 40,000 downloads. It was recommended by podcast king, Adam Buxton, has frequently been recommended in the national press by such publications as The Guardian and iNews. The podcast was featured in The Art Newspaper’s Top Culture Podcasts, where it was described as “a hugely enjoyable podcast” where “philosophical nuggets emerge unexpectedly amid off-the-cuff conversations.”
Secret Artists Series One is made up of 20 episodes, with guests including: Phil Wang, Katy Wix, Alex Horne, Ellie White, Rhys James, Harriet Kemsley, Adam Hess, Mae Martin, Jamie Demetriou, Lolly Adefope, Brett Goldstein, Lou Sanders, Rob Auton, Rose Johnson, Dan Cook, Holly Burn, Stuart Laws, Lucy Pearman, Pierre Novellie, Joel Dommett & Hannah Cooper.
All Secret Artists Series One episodes are available to download on Acast, Spotify & Apple Podcasts:
Acast: https://play.acast.com/s/secretartists
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/secret-artists/id1484654152
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2m6f51spHzc12crk1Rs2Yz
