Questlove sat down with director and composer John Carpenter in Hollywood to discuss Cathedral, a graphic novel and heavy metal album inspired by a single dream. Carpenter tells how a bongo lesson from his father led to the iconic Halloween theme. He also talks about casting Kurt Russell after their Elvis TV movie, why The Thing was his hardest shoot, and says The Exorcist remains the scariest movie ever made.

Along the way, Carpenter turns the tables and interviews Questlove, sparking a lively debate about The Beatles and whether music has reached “creative diminished returns.” It’s a funny, engaging conversation between two directors who work in different worlds but share a love of making music.

Questlove sat down with director and composer John Carpenter in Hollywood to discuss Cathedral, a graphic novel and heavy metal album inspired by a single dream. Carpenter tells how a bongo lesson from his father led to the iconic Halloween theme. He also talks about casting Kurt Russell after their Elvis TV movie, why The Thing was his hardest shoot, and says The Exorcist remains the scariest movie ever made.
Along the way, Carpenter turns the tables and interviews Questlove, sparking a lively debate about The Beatles and whether music has reached &ldquo;creative diminished returns.&rdquo; It&rsquo;s a funny, engaging conversation between two directors who work in different worlds but share a love of making music.

The Questlove Show builds on the award-winning Questlove Supreme podcast, bringing listeners into intimate, one-on-one conversations with peers, influences, and friends. Hosted by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, each episode uncovers the unexpected — from morning rituals and hidden talents to the art and experiences that shaped a guest’s journey. Sometimes playful, sometimes profound, always curious, QLS offers rare insight into leaders in music, film, television, comedy, literature, mental health, and beyond. It’s a fresh, unpredictable spin from a trusted source — a place where randomness is encouraged, tangents are welcomed, and conversations are anything but ordinary.

The Questlove Show builds on the award-winning Questlove Supreme podcast, bringing listeners into intimate, one-on-one conversations with peers, influences, and friends. Hosted by Ahmir &ldquo;Questlove&rdquo; Thompson, each episode uncovers the unexpected &mdash; from morning rituals and hidden talents to the art and experiences that shaped a guest&rsquo;s journey. Sometimes playful, sometimes profound, always curious, QLS offers rare insight into leaders in music, film, television, comedy, literature, mental health, and beyond. It&rsquo;s a fresh, unpredictable spin from a trusted source &mdash; a place where randomness is encouraged, tangents are welcomed, and conversations are anything but ordinary.

The Questlove Show

John Carpenter

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8c96bb9b-61dd-42fe-8c8b-b4e700de5574/transcript

In early 2022, Questlove and Team Supreme spoke to one of the most beautiful voices in all of music — Deniece Williams. She recalls her working with Stevie Wonder and Earth Wind & Fire, before breaking out into a Grammy-winning solo career that has spanned decades and multiple genres. Hear the stories behind the songs and relive the greatness.

In early 2022, Questlove and Team Supreme spoke to one of the most beautiful voices in all of music &mdash; Deniece Williams. She recalls her working with Stevie Wonder and Earth Wind &amp; Fire, before breaking out into a Grammy-winning solo career that has spanned decades and multiple genres. Hear the stories behind the songs and relive the greatness.

Deniece Williams talks about her Grammy-winning solo career after working with Stevie Wonder and Earth Wind & Fire

QLS Classic: Deniece Williams

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3f72c316-bbb6-4bcc-b2ff-ae4c006be7d8/transcript

The Questlove Show hoped to record an episode with DJ Shadow while he was on the East Coast for the 30th-anniversary tour of Endtroducing….., but scheduling didn’t work out this time. Instead, Open Mike Eagle—who is performing on some of Shadow’s current tour dates—and Cousin Jake celebrate Shadow’s landmark debut, its lasting impact, and more.

They talk about crate-digging in dollar bins, Shadow’s little-known production work for Paris, Gift of Gab’s verse on “Midnight in a Perfect World,” and the difference between a beatmaker and a producer. They also explain why Shadow’s music demands active listening—not background or the dreaded “beats to study to.”

The Questlove Show hoped to record an episode with DJ Shadow while he was on the East Coast for the 30th-anniversary tour of Endtroducing&hellip;.., but scheduling didn&rsquo;t work out this time. Instead, Open Mike Eagle&mdash;who is performing on some of Shadow&rsquo;s current tour dates&mdash;and Cousin Jake celebrate Shadow&rsquo;s landmark debut, its lasting impact, and more.
They talk about crate-digging in dollar bins, Shadow&rsquo;s little-known production work for Paris, Gift of Gab&rsquo;s verse on &ldquo;Midnight in a Perfect World,&rdquo; and the difference between a beatmaker and a producer. They also explain why Shadow&rsquo;s music demands active listening&mdash;not background or the dreaded &ldquo;beats to study to.&rdquo;

A Quick Salute To 30 Years Of DJ Shadow's Endtroducing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/22a7ddfc-d269-4d82-9280-b4e500df8ea3/transcript

A real tycoon is in the building. Questlove sits down with Vallejo’s own E-40, the Yay Area legend who was selling records out of his trunk back when getting a major-label deal felt impossible. He built his own label, financed his projects independently, and gave Hip-Hop an entire dictionary of slang and similes. Now, with Turning My Money Over—a historic 40-song quadruple album—Earl Stevens isn’t slowing down.

E-40 talks about growing up on Magazine Street in Vallejo’s Hillside neighborhood, the New York and Bay Area rappers who shaped his voice, and the year at Grambling State that taught him how to make it on his own. He explains how The Click navigated distribution through consignment sheets, mom-and-pop stores, and even rim shops—and how VHS duplication helped change the game for independent artists. 40 Water recalls his dealings with Tupac, advocates for members of the Hieroglyphics crew, and shares how being doubted by a room full of DJs decades ago only pushed him to go harder.

A real tycoon is in the building. Questlove sits down with Vallejo&rsquo;s own E-40, the Yay Area legend who was selling records out of his trunk back when getting a major-label deal felt impossible. He built his own label, financed his projects independently, and gave Hip-Hop an entire dictionary of slang and similes. Now, with Turning My Money Over&mdash;a historic 40-song quadruple album&mdash;Earl Stevens isn&rsquo;t slowing down.
E-40 talks about growing up on Magazine Street in Vallejo&rsquo;s Hillside neighborhood, the New York and Bay Area rappers who shaped his voice, and the year at Grambling State that taught him how to make it on his own. He explains how The Click navigated distribution through consignment sheets, mom-and-pop stores, and even rim shops&mdash;and how VHS duplication helped change the game for independent artists. 40 Water recalls his dealings with Tupac, advocates for members of the Hieroglyphics crew, and shares how being doubted by a room full of DJs decades ago only pushed him to go harder.

E-40

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/24c9bf97-bb08-452d-ad10-b4a60133d044/transcript

John Carpenter

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