Starts and Grafts

It's the final episode of the series and our guest is poet, playwright and performer Ella Dorman-Gajic! Ella is also the host and Co-Founder of the Off the Chest poetry nights, and joins Connor to discuss the beauty of online spoken word, balancing different creative roles and her upcoming one woman show 'Until He Comes'. Starts and Grafts is a series of conversations looking into the highs and lows of forging a creative career during a global pandemic. Throughout the series Connor chats to an array of exciting emerging talent, exploring their journeys so far, the impact of the pandemic and what lies ahead. Join Connor in supporting up and coming talent by tuning in to discover some of the UK’s most exciting emerging artists. Follow us on instagram/twitter @startsandgrafts Get in touch: [email protected] Music Credit: Z - Recorded Words and Sound / https://www.pop-z.com/

This week's guest is the wonderful Luca Manning, a singer with a big voice and a story to tell! In this episode Connor and Luca reflect on his journey so far, from being dubbed a rising star to releasing a debut album at just 19! The two discuss the Glasgow arts scene, collaborations and post lockdown performances! Starts and Grafts is a series of conversations looking into the highs and lows of forging a creative career during a global pandemic. Throughout the series Connor chats to an array of exciting emerging talent, exploring their journeys so far, the impact of the pandemic and what lies ahead. Join Connor in supporting up and coming talent by tuning in to discover some of the UK’s most exciting emerging artists. Follow us on instagram/twitter @startsandgrafts Get in touch: [email protected] Music Credit: Z - Recorded Words and Sound / https://www.pop-z.com/

Our eighth guest of the series is Alice Eklund, a director and dramaturg based in Cardiff! Alice is the founder of @Bolshetc, a collective led by women for women and she joins Connor to discuss all things community theatre, Welsh female creatives and finding new ways to make connections during the pandemic! Starts and Grafts is a series of conversations looking into the highs and lows of forging a creative career during a global pandemic. Throughout the series Connor chats to an array of exciting emerging talent, exploring their journeys so far, the impact of the pandemic and what lies ahead. Join Connor in supporting up and coming talent by tuning in to discover some of the UK’s most exciting emerging artists. Follow us on instagram/twitter @startsandgrafts Get in touch: [email protected] Music Credit: Z - Recorded Words and Sound / https://www.pop-z.com/

This week’s guest is the fabulous Helena Debono, a singer-songwriter who's been making waves on the UK Jazz scene! Join Connor and Helena as they chat about her debut single ‘Little Life’, performing at the notorious Ronnie Scott’s during lockdown and the issues facing women in jazz. Starts and Grafts is a series of conversations looking into the highs and lows of forging a creative career during a global pandemic. Throughout the series Connor chats to an array of exciting emerging talent, exploring their journeys so far, the impact of the pandemic and what lies ahead. Join Connor in supporting up and coming talent by tuning in to discover some of the UK’s most exciting emerging artists. Follow us on instagram/twitter @startsandgrafts Get in touch: [email protected] Music Credit: Z - Recorded Words and Sound / https://www.pop-z.com/

Next up we’ve got Ahmed Hamad who, since leaving drama school just two years ago, has performed in some of the UK’s biggest musicals! Join Connor and Ahmed as they discuss his West End debut alongside Sheridan Smith, taking on a new one-man show and his journey into the world of musical theatre!  Starts and Grafts is a series of conversations looking into the highs and lows of forging a creative career during a global pandemic. Throughout the series Connor chats to an array of exciting emerging talent, exploring their journeys so far, the impact of the pandemic and what lies ahead. Join Connor in supporting up and coming talent by tuning in to discover some of the UK’s most exciting emerging artists. Follow us on instagram/twitter @startsandgrafts Get in touch: [email protected] Music Credit: Z - Recorded Words and Sound / https://www.pop-z.com/

This week’s guest is the wonderful Rubee Samuel, a Nigerian-London based photographer whose been tipped as one to watch for 2021! Tune in to hear Connor and Rubee discuss how she’s been using photography to connect with the family over lockdown, her self-funded project in Nigerian schools and recently featuring on this year’s Manju x i-D hotlist! Starts and Grafts is a series of conversations looking into the highs and lows of forging a creative career during a global pandemic. Throughout the series Connor chats to an array of exciting emerging talent, exploring their journeys so far, the impact of the pandemic and what lies ahead. Join Connor in supporting up and coming talent by tuning in to discover some of the UK’s most exciting emerging artists. Follow us on instagram/twitter @startsandgrafts Get in touch: [email protected] Music Credit: Z - Recorded Words and Sound / https://www.pop-z.com/

Our fourth guest of the series is Henry Weekes, a Saxophonist, DJ and Events Producer currently based in Berlin. Henry, mid pre-drinks, joins Connor to discuss Henry’s love for Brazilian music, moving abroad during a pandemic and taking creative control. Starts and Grafts is a series of conversations looking into the highs and lows of forging a creative career during a global pandemic. Throughout the series Connor chats to an array of exciting emerging talent, exploring their journeys so far, the impact of the pandemic and what lies ahead. Join Connor in supporting up and coming talent by tuning in to discover some of the UK’s most exciting emerging artists. Follow us on instagram/twitter @startsandgrafts Get in touch: [email protected] Music Credit: Z - Recorded Words and Sound / https://www.pop-z.com/

This week Connor is joined by movement artist and choreographer Ken Nakajima! Ken and Connor discuss the importance of physical connection, his love for street dance and feelings of being bored of being bored. Ken also reflects on his experiences regularly performing at The Royal Opera House in Tokyo as a child and how he’s missed being in front of a live audience this past year. Starts and Grafts is a series of conversations looking into the highs and lows of forging a creative career during a global pandemic. Throughout the series Connor chats to an array of exciting emerging talent, exploring their journeys so far, the impact of the pandemic and what lies ahead. Join Connor in supporting up and coming talent by tuning in to discover some of the UK’s most exciting emerging artists. Follow us on instagram/twitter @startsandgrafts Get in touch: [email protected] Music Credit: Z - Recorded Words and Sound / https://www.pop-z.com/ Photo taken by Munotida Chinyanga.

This episode we’ve got the brilliant Georgina Ambrey, an actor who racked up some incredible stage credits and awards nominations prior to the pandemic! Join Connor and fellow Boltonian Georgina as they chat about her professional debut playing the lead role in ‘The Rise and Fall Of Little Voice’, her drama school training in Moscow and the challenges that working class creatives face. Starts and Grafts is a series of conversations looking into the highs and lows of forging a creative career during a global pandemic. Throughout the series Connor chats to an array of exciting emerging talent, exploring their journeys so far, the impact of the pandemic and what lies ahead. Join Connor in supporting up and coming talent by tuning in to discover some of the UK’s most exciting emerging artists. Follow us on instagram/twitter @startsandgrafts Get in touch: [email protected] Music Credit: Z - Recorded Words and Sound / https://www.pop-z.com/

To kick off this series we have not one but TWO guests lined up! Connor is joined by Sam Toller and Josh Barnet, founders of Onsen Presents, a comedy sketch group and production company. Tune in to hear them discuss all things comedy, short films and the exciting projects they’ve been working on during lockdown!  Head over to @onsenpresents for new sketches every week. Here you can also find ‘Fever: Love In The Time of Corona’, an award winning Covid-19 inspired short film the group worked on alongside writer and director @clemdelaclem.  Starts and Grafts is a series of conversations looking into the highs and lows of forging a creative career during a global pandemic. Throughout the series Connor chats to an array of exciting emerging talent, exploring their journeys so far, the impact of the pandemic and what lies ahead. Join Connor in supporting up and coming talent by tuning in to discover some of the UK’s most exciting emerging artists. Follow us on instagram/twitter @startsandgrafts Get in touch: [email protected] Music Credit: Z - Recorded Words and Sound / https://www.pop-z.com/