Jade talks to Eri Maeda, a Japanese 'Self-Love Artist' based in Paris. Eri creates sculpture, ceramics and homeware based on inclusive representations of human bodies and sexuality. Jade and Eri discuss the message of her work - "Everyone is different and everyone is beautiful" and talk about how she started to create art to fight against the beauty standards and social pressure with which she grew up. Find out more about Eri and purchase her products: Website Instagram TikTok Music and producti...
Feb 07, 2023•45 min•Season 3Ep. 8
It may be harder to make a living as an artist than ever before. On this episode, David and Jade explore the exploitation of artists in modern society, discussing: self-worth and the energy of receptivity the role of technology in the undervaluing of art working for ‘likes’ defining your purpose as an artist processing shame around selling your work Music and production by David Mackenzie FOLLOW AND SUPPORT US Buy us a coffee Join our Patreon for uncut interviews, bonus episodes and exclusive mu...
Jan 24, 2023•50 min•Season 3Ep. 7
We continue our conversation on fiction writing with Jade Green. David talks to Jade about the ups and downs of writing novels and short stories, how her definition of feminism has changed through running a literary journal, and turning challenges into gifts. Music and production by David Mackenzie FOLLOW AND SUPPORT US Buy us a coffee Join our Patreon for uncut interviews, bonus episodes and exclusive music Find us on socials: Twitter Instagram Facebook TikTok Email us at pivotalslice@gmail.com...
Jan 10, 2023•59 min•Season 3Ep. 6
We continue our conversation on writing music with composer David Mackenzie. Jade talks to David about what he has learned over the last year of running a new music brand, how he approached collaboration while working as a sound designer/composer for Wake the Tiger , and developing his sound through use of vocals. We play a selection of David’s new music throughout the episode. 05:59 The Underside 24:42 Wallflower 49:20 Atmosphere, Satellites and Dreams 1:08:31 Circles, Squares and Stripes FOLLO...
Dec 19, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Season 3Ep. 5
David chats to Cyrus Shahrad (Hiatus) about finding his way to writing and making music, differentiating language and musical form, and the role of the ‘self’ in artistic output. Cyrus is an electronic music producer and writer based in London. His musical work combines Iranian instrumentation, poetry, nostalgia and modern ambient sounds. He has worked as a journalist and written for various acclaimed magazines and newspapers on a range of subjects, including music and movie reviews. Read Cyrus’...
Dec 05, 2022•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 4
We often over-think the end result of our art, and forget to enjoy the process. From childhood we've measured our worth based on external achievements - such as money, qualifications and job titles - but how do we undo this conditioning to get the most out of our passion? In this episode David and Jade discuss: - the difference between setting goals and obsessing over end results - maximising your enjoyment of the creative process - how our culture conditions us to seek external validation Share...
Nov 21, 2022•47 min•Season 3Ep. 3
It’s an oranges journal takeover! Jade invites five writers to share excerpts from stories published on orangesjournal.com and talk about their inspiration. oranges is an intersectional feminist journal dedicated to amplifying marginalised voices. The writers joining us are based all over the world and represent a cross-section of the work featured on the journal. Stories: 06:00 Bathtup Kinship by Lukas Kofoed Reimann 11:30 The Other Side of Styx Street by Rebecca Kilroy 20:48 Oatman by Inés G. ...
Nov 07, 2022•55 min•Season 3Ep. 2
It’s Halloween, it’s our one-year anniversary, and we’re delving into the scariest of subjects! Jade and David talk about the fears we must overcome in our creative lives. They discuss getting comfortable with the uncomfortable and how vulnerability is the key to powerful creative work. Jade also chats to Ellen Huang , a writer of horror and speculative fiction, about spirituality in stories and what makes the perfect ending. Read Ellen's short stories: “The Sticklerman” “Prized Possessions” “ H...
Oct 23, 2022•59 min•Season 3Ep. 1
On this bonus episode (unlocked from the Patreon feed) David and Jade talk about the role of rejection in the creative process, the energy of ‘I am enough’, and not taking rejections personally. Keep trying, keep submitting, and know that by living your truth, you are bringing huge value to the world! We’ll be back soon with a brand new season of the pod, a fresh look, and more insightful guests and conversations. Music: ‘Awakening’ by Stantz Follow your hosts: https://linktr.ee/davidmackenzie h...
Aug 28, 2022•32 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Stress is a blockage to creativity. How can we manage the daily stresses and anxieties of life, so that we can give ourselves fully to our creative practice? Meditation is one of the best techniques you can learn to help you cope with stress and other mental health issues, and clear space in your mind to get the most out of your imagination. Jade and David talk about the techniques they use, the impact of meditation on their lives, and the powerful role of intuition and the subconscious mind in ...
Aug 14, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Our guest today is Helen Bowie, a performer, multidisciplinary writer and creative facilitator. Through her work she explores the fluidity between these areas, and the way that words interact with the world. Jade speaks to Helen about puzzles and word games, interactive performance, and the comedy of mundanity. Pre-order Helen’s new book Exposition Ladies , ‘a love letter to the poorly-scribbled female characters of Hollywood and beyond, who exist solely to move the plot along.’ You can also fol...
Jul 31, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 7
WARNING! This episode covers some deep, and possibly triggering, topics including drug addiction, alcoholism, suicide and mental illness. We also swear a lot. Please only listen if you are in a stable mindset. ------- The story of the ‘tragic artist’ is a dangerous myth in our society, and carries a morbid fascination for many onlookers. But the true roots of addiction are rarely discussed; it is a subject shrouded in shame. In this episode, Jade and David discuss why artists often struggle with...
Jul 17, 2022•56 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Our guest today is Melissa James, a singer-songwriter, activist and mind-health advocate. She has organised many charity projects and events, and brought together artists and influencers to discuss social issues through ‘Stronger on Sundays’. Jade talks to Melissa about finding her way to her truth and how she uses music, spiritual practice and authentic communication to heal the wounds of society. Follow Melissa: http://melissa-james.com/ Instagram: @melissajamesuk Twitter: @MelissaJamesUK Davi...
Jul 03, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 5
David and Jade are in full deconstruction mode today, as they discuss how structure works in the contexts of storytelling, music and Hollywood movies. They ask the question: ‘How can we use structure to trigger emotional reactions in our audience?’ and talk about the works that have inspired their own process. David shares his new release, ‘Virtuoso’, at the end of the episode. You can purchase the single on Bandcamp: https://davidmackenzie.bandcamp.com/ Follow your hosts: https://linktr.ee/davi...
Jun 19, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Jade and David speak to Mary in the Mirror, a singer-songwriter who weaves evocative storylines into her music, using her life experiences as inspiration in her writing process. With a distinctive Bristol sound, she infuses hip-hop, trap and drill beats with jazz soul vocals and a Celtic twist. Mary talks about her experiences as a woman in a male-dominated industry and how she has adapted her process to fit the changing landscape of live music. At the end of the episode Mary shares her latest s...
Jun 05, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 3
David talks to Rob MacDonald, a stonemason, sculptor, drummer, writer of poetry and political artist. Rob’s goal is to build an international movement of revolutionary artists. He does this through organizing Outa-Space arts podcast, community participation monuments like Solidarity Park, and creative teaching and workshops. Discover more about Solidarity Park: https://solidaritypark.com/ Listen to Outa-Space: https://outaspacearts.libsyn.com/ Support Rob on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RobM...
May 22, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Welcome to Season 2 of Pivotal Slice! In this episode Jade and David reflect on Season 1 of the pod, talk about what they've learned and why 'the art life' is so important to them. They also discuss society's view of artists and the beliefs we carry about pursuing a career in the creative industries. Music by David Mackenzie Follow your hosts: https://linktr.ee/davidmackenzie https://linktr.ee/jade_green Support us on Patreon NOW and you can suggest a topic for an exclusive mini-episode, availab...
May 08, 2022•40 min•Season 2Ep. 1
David chats to poet, photographer and filmmaker Janet Lees about her artistic process and the path she has taken through recovery and spiritual growth. Janet’s work is published in journals and anthologies around the world, and her own book of poetry and photography is entitled ‘House of Water’ (2019). View Janet’s work and purchase her book: https://janetlees.weebly.com/ Follow Janet’s Instagram: @janetlees2.0 David’s new single, ‘The Agreement’ is available to purchase on Bandcamp: https://dav...
Apr 17, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 11
It’s ‘Childhood Month’ on Pivotal Slice! Your hosts discuss the link between past experiences and present beliefs about art, work and self-worth. They ask the question: ‘Are all children inherently creative?’ and explore the genesis of their own relationships to creativity. In the second half of the episode, Jade and David share pieces of work inspired by childhood and talk about how they created them. You can read ‘Voices’, by Jade Green, in full here: https://www.orangesjournal.com/fiction/voi...
Apr 05, 2022•55 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Jade speaks to prolific writer Irenosen Okojie about her unique path into the literary world, finding a mentor and tips for staying inspired. Irenosen is the author of novel Butterfly Fish and two short story collections, Speak Gigantular and Nudibranch . She is known for her forays into surrealism, richly complex characters and vividly poetic imagery, and is one of the most exciting Black female voices in the world of contemporary literature. Find out more about Irenosen: https://www.irenosenok...
Mar 23, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 9
David and Jade debunk the cringey corporate buzzspeak we all dread to hear as artists, and discuss how the principles of business can be applied to building a following. CHAPTERS: 16:05 - Finding your unique story 30:45 - Writing a mission statement 40:30 - Marketing and self-promotion Support us on Patreon NOW and you can suggest a topic for an exclusive mini-episode, available only to Patrons! Subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/pivotalslice Email us at pivotalslice@gmail.com and follow us...
Mar 09, 2022•59 min•Season 1Ep. 8
We’re overjoyed to be joined by Caitlin Durante! Caitlin is a writer, comedian and co-host of the hugely successful Bechdel Cast, a podcast about the representation of women in film. As a stand-up she has performed all over America as well as the Edinburgh Fringe festival. She teaches screenwriting workshops from her home in L.A., drawing on her knowledge as a story analyst and script expert. Jade talks to Caitlin about her writing process, tips for forming solid characters from a range of backg...
Feb 21, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Our guest today is writer and podcaster Zoe Fox, who founded ‘The Curl Squad’ with the intention of sharing stories about natural curly hair and empowering underrepresented women to become the best versions of themselves. Through conversation, community and self-development, Zoe inspires her audience to face their fears and overcome limitations that may be holding them back. In her podcast, she speaks candidly about the incredible challenges she has overcome – including experiencing a life-chang...
Feb 07, 2022•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 6
Today we are digging into David’s process of writing music. He has been working as a composer for over two decades and shares his wisdom, including tips for breaking through creative barriers and incorporating self-development practices into your work. David draws inspiration from many sources, and his recently launched brand fuses classical and electronic sounds. We’ll be playing a selection of his new releases throughout the episode. You can buy David’s tracks on Bandcamp: https://davidmackenz...
Jan 17, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 5
We’re mixing things up by putting our host, fiction writer Jade Green, in the hot seat. David talks to Jade about her process for planning and outlining a novel, how to form daily habits and set realistic goals, and the similarities between writing and running. Jade is currently working on her second novel, a multi-generational story about three women coming face-to-face with their unresolved trauma. You can read her most recent short fiction in Occulum magazine: https://occulum.net/2021/12/12/t...
Dec 20, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 4
A very special guest joins us for an episode delving into the elusive process of comedy writing. Bill is known for his work as a writer, producer and showrunner on the ‘classic’ era of The Simpsons , as well as contributions to Futurama , Regular Show , Portlandia and his own creation Mission Hill . More recently he has made a name for himself as a connoisseur of fast food, becoming an Influencer of sorts and taking on popular chains as well as local cuisine in his hometown of Portland, Oregon. ...
Nov 29, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 3
On this episode we will be getting fluid as we talk about dance and movement with guest Lucie Lee, a dancer, artist and choreographer based in the North of England. Lucie leads an impressive life, balancing being a mother with running her business, teaching and studying for a PhD. Her work incorporates themes of psychology, meditation, neuroscience and digital technology, which makes for a fascinating discussion. MUSIC ‘A Glimpse Above the Clouds’ – Stantz ‘Luminosity’ – Stantz ‘In Praise of Sha...
Nov 15, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 2
At the behest of the Halloween Gods, your hosts have put together this frightfully fiendish special episode where they discuss all things horror! Joining them to talk about indie horror filmmaking, and his new movie ‘Sacrilege’, is Bristol director David Creed. As a spooky bonus they will also play music from Indian short film ‘Twenty-five’, and exclusive sound design from an immersive theatre production. MUSIC 'Break Out' - Stantz 'Twenty-five Suite' - David Mackenzie Sound design for 'Veil of ...
Oct 25, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 1
