Artifice

Artifice Podcast by Emily Merrell
  • 5.0 (22)
  • ARTS
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

Great art almost feels like magic—it opens our minds to brand new ideas, and teaches us to see ourselves and our world more clearly. Of course, behind all great art, there are artists. And that’s where the real magic happens… As we go beneath the art itself to explore how different artists do what they do, we see glimpses of the sorts of creativity, resilience, and bravery that lead to the art that moves our world. And maybe we can learn to borrow some of that magic for our very own thinking. Join professional musician Emily Merrell for conversations with artists of all kinds. Together, we examine the mysteries of our own experiences, our muses and fears, our gifts and foibles, our beliefs about the origins of creativity, and the secret magic we’ve discovered in our unique creative processes. Mediums include: studio art, graphic design, dance, cooking, illustration, creative writing, storytelling, comedy, music composition, music performance, film making, acting, production, fashion design, photography, and more. Visit https://emilymerrellmusic.com/artifice-podcast/ for more information. - Theme Song "As You Are" by Emily Merrell @emilymerrellmusic - Illustration and Graphic Design by Sarah Keele @sarahkeeleart - Photography by Jen Palmer @jenpalmerphoto - HMU by Shawna Turner @shawnaturnerdesigns

  1. Ep. 226: Elodie Durande

    JAN 13

    Ep. 226: Elodie Durande

    Meet Elodie Durande, a French Perfumer whose journey into the captivating world of scents began in a quaint countryside village in Normandy, France, where she spent her childhood. With a creative mind and a rational scientist's brain, perfumery emerged as the perfect fusion of both her passions. Elodie's academic journey led her to study chemistry before she embarked on a transformative two-year Perfumery course at the University of Montpellier, France. During this pivotal period, she immersed herself in the fragrant world of Grasse, working as an intern. Fate intervened when she encountered Master Perfumer François Robert on the Île Sainte-Marguerite. From that moment, François became her mentor, guiding her on the path to realizing her dream of becoming a Perfumer. In February 2014, Elodie commenced her journey with Quintessence Fragrances as an intern. Swiftly rising through the ranks, she joined the evaluation team within six months. Three years later, an opportunity to continue her training as a Junior Perfumer presented itself, with François as her mentor. In January 2019, she officially earned the title of Perfumer. Elodie finds joy in the perpetual process of learning. A self-proclaimed globetrotter, she draws inspiration from her travels, reveling in the diverse cultures and natural wonders our planet has to offer. Her unique ability lies in finding beauty in the ordinary, turning the "ugly" into a masterpiece through the transformative art of perfumery. With a palette boasting hundreds of ingredients, Elodie is captivated by the alchemical process of discovering the hidden charm of scents that may challenge conventional notions. She perceives scents not just as fragrances but as textures, shapes, and colors, infusing each creation with a multidimensional allure. Her mission is to craft fragrances that transcend the olfactory senses, eliciting emotions and transporting individuals to distant landscapes or cherished memories. Elodie Durande has been the nose behind Ffern since 2018. Together with Owen Mears, the founder of Ffern, and his sister Emily Cameron, the creative director, the team conceive and develop each seasonal scent. As Ffern’s in-house head nose, Elodie is fuelled by a passion for experimental and innovative natural perfumery. Beyond perfumery, Elodie's eclectic tastes manifest in an array of hobbies, from cooking and pottery to leather work and acroyoga. Her life rhythm is complemented by a love for music, series, films, and the serene embrace of paddleboarding. LINKS: https://ffern.co/ https://quintessencefragrances.com/ https://www.fragrantica.com/noses/Elodie_Durande.html https://www.instagram.com/elodie.durande/

    2h 10m
  2. Ep. 225: Chris Ramos

    11/18/2025

    Ep. 225: Chris Ramos

    Christopher Ramos is currently serving as Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He conducts the UVU Wind Symphony and directs instrumental studies within the music education area. He additionally teaches courses in conducting, music education, and music appreciation. He received the DMA in instrumental conducting at The Hartt School, studying with Glen Adsit and Edward Cumming. While at Hartt, he assisted in conducting Hartt's instrumental performing ensembles and the Greater Hartford Youth Wind Ensemble, and as part of the adjunct faculty he taught courses for graduates and undergraduates in conducting, brass methods, diversity and belonging, jazz pedagogy, and in the core music theory sequence. Before Hartt, Chris served as a band director at Dalat International School in Penang, Malaysia where he taught Western classical and jazz music in performing and theory courses across grades 6-12, and his students were invited to perform in international festivals across Southeast Asia. He is also an active scholar working at the intersection of musicology, wind band studies, and music education with his latest publications forthcoming in the Music Educators Journal (NAfME) and the Utah Music Educators Journal (UMEA). In 2022 he received the Goldstein Award from the University of Hartford, and in 2016 he received the Joanne Kealinohomoku Prize from the Society of Ethnomusicology Southwest for his scholarship. He holds additional degrees from the University of New Mexico where he studied with Eric Rombach-Kendall, and from East Texas A&M University (formerly Texas A&M University-Commerce) where he studied with Phillip Clements (conducting), Luis Sanchez (piano), and Mike Morrow (horn). In addition to his conducting, researching, and teaching, he actively performs both on the French horn and at the keyboard. He has produced, performed, and conducted on records for the Naxos, Summit, and Parma record labels, and he has performed in and conducted ensembles in concert halls, stages, forests, and patios across the United States and Asia. An avid supporter of new music, he has been part of numerous commissioning projects for solo horn, chamber ensembles, and wind ensembles. He is a second-place winner in The American Prize for conducting and in 2025-27 he holds the Harry Begian Conductor Scholar Award at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. He is an active member in the College Band Directors National Association, Utah Music Educators Association, Utah Bandmasters Association, National Band Association, American Musicological Society, and National Association for Music Education, and is an honorary member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Music Fraternity.

    2h 5m
  3. Ep. 224: Wade Ronsse

    11/11/2025

    Ep. 224: Wade Ronsse

    "Wade Ronsse is a touring drummer, private drum teacher, session musician, and a small but enthusiastic part of Boise, Idaho's vibrant music scene. He tours nationally with Americana/Jam troubadour Jeff Crosby and has been a part of many (mostly locally) well regarded bands, including Lounge on Fire, Wend, Sun Blood Stories, Freeman Dejongh, and Rider & Rolling Thunder. This more band-focused drumming has led to creative applications on projects spanning from heavy psychedelic rock, horn-driven R&B, psychedelic to avant-garde harp and string quartet experimental music, all the way to Honkey Tonk Country. His recording career is rooted in a deep appreciation for Boise-based musical creators, resulting in a small but cherished catalog of over 100 recordings with his favorite local musicians, collaborators, and friends. His 2025 record contributions include the surfy/twangy Day for Night with femme-fronted group Cactus Moon as well as the indie/folk and art rock Wait, Sky by Jesse Blake Rundle (released on DOE Records). When he's not behind the kit, Wade spends his time working on a small urban farm, taking long walks, reading and learning about mysticism and magick, consuming far too much Star Wars, and, of course, being a forever student of the drums." instagram: @darth_wade.r

    2h 4m
  4. 223: David Singer

    11/04/2025

    223: David Singer

    David Singer is an internationally acclaimed clarinetist whose career has included two performances at the White House and more than 150 appearances in Carnegie Hall. Joseph Horowitz in The New York Times wrote about David Singer, “To describe his playing would be to enumerate a catalogue of virtues.” Mr. Singer’s recording of the Aaron Copland Clarinet Concerto was praised by Lawrence A. Johnson from Gramophone Magazine in the UK as “one of the finest accounts around,” and his performances have been featured on the BBC and on Sirius XM as a principal performer of the Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, NYC. Professor Singer taught as a guest teacher at both the Yale and Princeton Schools of Music as well as at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, and is Emeritus Professor of Clarinet/Coordinator of Chamber Music at Montclair State University, NJ. He continues to coach young musicians across Southern California and performs with the Singer Chamber Players and the Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra. His debut memoir, From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall, chronicles his remarkable journey of overcoming obstacles and ultimately becoming successful in music and life. From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall has just been chosen among many ten’s of thousands of books to be part of the Los Angeles Public Library collection. “From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall shows how effort and perseverance can turn dreams into reality.” “This book is a testament to inspiration and resilience.” Diana Lopez, Readers’ Favorite Five Star Review A Courageous Story of a Life in Music - This is an excellent view of an inspired life in the turgid world of classical music in the late 1960’s – 2000’s. Reading of his struggles and triumphs to reach the top of his field and survive is stirring. Baron, Five Star Amazon Review “An intimate, candid look at the highs and lows of one musician’s artistic pursuit.” Kirkus Reviews Links Website: https://singerclarinet.com https://singerclarinet.com/events-media/ https://www.facebook.com/singerclarinet

    2h 8m
  5. Ep. 222: Ann Wood

    10/21/2025

    Ep. 222: Ann Wood

    Ann Wood@Woodlucker is a paper botanical artist who graduated from Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1986. She also earned a two year degree from Hawkeye Institute of Technology in photography. Before creating botanical pieces, she was an exhibitor at craft shows with her husband, Dean Lucker, all over America. Some of the shows include the Smithsonian Craft Show, The Philadelphia Museum Show, and many of the American Craft Expo venues such as the Baltimore Craft Show. She started an Instagram account 10 years ago creating paper botanicals that currently has 375,000 followers. Her work focuses on creating flowers, food, mushrooms, and even some paper animals all paper. During the pandemic, her paper botanical wall was shown with Royal Delftware at a museum in the Netherlands. Ann has been featured in many national and international magazines, including Martha Stewart Living and Better Homes & Gardens. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woodlucker/ Website: www.woodlucker.com

    1h 53m
  6. Ep. 221: Amy Reader

    10/14/2025

    Ep. 221: Amy Reader

    Amy Reader is an Asheville-based fiber artist and educator. She works primarily with wool, yarn, felt, and thread. Her work explores tiny moments of joy found in the natural world, translated through her vivid sensory experience as an autistic artist. Amy has been a professional artist since 2018. She was named one of The Rising Tide’s 20 On The Rise in 2019. In 2023, her solo show Beneath the Surface was featured on the Hello, Rose City! Artist Corner on KGW in Portland, OR. Amy splits her time between creating her artwork, teaching workshops, and creating educational content for her Patreon.

    2h 6m
  7. Ep. 220: Dhyana Ziegler

    10/07/2025

    Ep. 220: Dhyana Ziegler

    Lady Dhyana Ziegler, DCJ, Ph.D., is currently President and CEO of Z/Creators, LLC and Professor Emerita of Florida A&M University, U.S.A. . She has worked in the field of higher education and technology for more than 35 years as a professor and administrator. Dr. Ziegler is the author of four books, more than 60 scholarly publications - including book chapters - and has produced more than 100 videos and other multimedia works. She has presented at numerous national and international conferences. Besides her academic career, Dr. Ziegler is a multimedia writer, digital content producer, and songwriter (to name a few). She serves on several boards and other professional organizations.

    2h 12m
  8. Ep. 219: Katrina Cain

    09/16/2025

    Ep. 219: Katrina Cain

    Hailing from the vibrant city of Austin, Katrina Cain is a Texas-rooted artist with a voice shaped by the open road. Born in Dallas and raised across many statelines, she grew up without a hometown, and that search for belonging runs deep through her songwriting. Now finding herself at home in Austin, Katrina's sound captures the raw truth of Americana with the polished grit of modern country. Katrina first caught national attention on NBC’s The Voice with a standout rendition of “Rhiannon,” and her journey has only grown more compelling since. Her 2024 EP Gold introduced her as a fearless storyteller, inviting new audiences to share in the honesty- and often, humor- of life’s struggles. With the lead single’s music video, “New Mercedes,” amassing over two million views, Katrina proves she’s a rising star who’s here to stay. Her upcoming, full-length album, recorded in early 2025, features an impressive lineup of talent including Matt Hubbard (Willie Nelson), Philippe Bronchtein (Chase Rice), Doug Pettibone (Lucinda Williams), Andy Rogers (The Wilder Blue), with engineering by Chris Bell (The Eagles, Reba, Jim Lauderdale) With this new release, Katrina continues to venture into her own authentic sonic palette, embracing Texas-country textures and stories steeped in wanderlust. You can hear her music on all streaming platforms and follow her journey on Instagram and Facebook.

    2h 13m
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5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Great art almost feels like magic—it opens our minds to brand new ideas, and teaches us to see ourselves and our world more clearly. Of course, behind all great art, there are artists. And that’s where the real magic happens… As we go beneath the art itself to explore how different artists do what they do, we see glimpses of the sorts of creativity, resilience, and bravery that lead to the art that moves our world. And maybe we can learn to borrow some of that magic for our very own thinking. Join professional musician Emily Merrell for conversations with artists of all kinds. Together, we examine the mysteries of our own experiences, our muses and fears, our gifts and foibles, our beliefs about the origins of creativity, and the secret magic we’ve discovered in our unique creative processes. Mediums include: studio art, graphic design, dance, cooking, illustration, creative writing, storytelling, comedy, music composition, music performance, film making, acting, production, fashion design, photography, and more. Visit https://emilymerrellmusic.com/artifice-podcast/ for more information. - Theme Song "As You Are" by Emily Merrell @emilymerrellmusic - Illustration and Graphic Design by Sarah Keele @sarahkeeleart - Photography by Jen Palmer @jenpalmerphoto - HMU by Shawna Turner @shawnaturnerdesigns

Information

  • Creator
    Artifice Podcast by Emily Merrell
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    241
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Artifice