This week is our inaugural artist takeover show with guest host, Michael Stipe and his friend, Jem Cohen. Michael and Jem open the show talking about the role artists have in politics and activism and how artists want their work to carry on for generations. Fame is great, but infamy is really what an artist strives for. They talk about infamous works of art, like Moby Dick, that they simply haven't read, and notorious movies that Jem honestly wished that he had time to watch. Later, Michael reveals one of his most significant regrets and the greatest compliment he has ever received. Tune in as Jem explains how chance plays a significant role in his work, and Michael gives his advice to Jem.

In This Episode:

• [02:10] The role that artists have in politics and activism.  
• [16:15] How art will carry on for thousands of years.  
• [23:00] Who has really read Moby Dick?  
• [35:20] Michael reveals one of his most significant regrets.  
• [44:00] Jem explains that there’s nothing bigger than chance in his work. 
• [68:10] Michael gives advice to Jem. 

Key Takeaways:

• Sometimes it’s beautiful being in a hateful space; every place is part of our world, and there can be beauty in terrible things. 
• We need to keep discovering new artists because we never know how much more joy we could have.
• The thing about street photography and about documentaries that matters so much is that you can't control it.

MICHAEL STIPE:

Artist Website: https://michaelstipe.com ; https://www.remhq.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/remhq

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7eaRqtonpyiYw0Pns0Au_g

JEM COHEN:

Artist Website: https://jemcohenfilms.com

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/gravityhill/vod_pages

-------------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE https://www.launchleft.com LAUNCHLEFT PATREON https://www.patreon.com/LaunchLeft TWITTER https://twitter.com/LaunchLeft INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/launchleft/ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/LaunchLeft --------------------- LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a label, a podcast, a curation engine. LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism that enlists famed creatives to launch emerging bands. LaunchLeft begins with music, but ultimately aims to launch left-of-center artists in all creative fields.