An Evening with Kae Tempest (Part Two)

In this intimate and powerful second part of a live conversation at St George's Bristol, poet and author Kae Tempest reflects on the profound connections between storytelling, time, identity, and the enduring influence of art and music. Drawing from personal memories of childhood inspiration—ranging from Michael Jackson to the quirky rhythms of Zig and Zag—Tempest reveals how creative works have served as lifelines through personal crises. The discussion deepens into a meditation on the spiritual presence of their dog, Murphy, who becomes a symbol of timelessness and ancestral memory, rooted in the ancient limestone hills of Somerset. Tempest shares how their characters are not fictional constructs but living companions who offer emotional and psychological insight, teaching them how to relate more deeply to real people. The episode culminates in a breathtaking, unbroken performance of a passage from their novel, where the narrative voice of Rothko unfolds in poetic verse, exploring themes of trauma, survival, addiction, and the fragile possibility of rebirth. The performance, raw and immersive, underscores Tempest’s belief that art is not born from the self but flows through us—charged by the collective light of those who came before.