Rephonic
Artwork for Art of Darkness
Nina Simone
William S. Burroughs
Mary Shelley
Civil Rights Movement
Yukio Mishima
Joan Vollmer
John Lennon
Tarot
Aleister Crowley
The Beatles
Mental Health
Occultism
Esotericism
Jazz
Sea Of Fertility
Allen Ginsberg
Jack Kerouac
Beatlemania
John Milton
Nietzsche

Hosted by very online writers Kevin Kautzman and Matt Taylor, Art of Darkness is a podcast about the dark side of (dead) artists, creatives, intellectuals, and the people who made history and continue to move culture. AoD features well-researched Core Episodes, Dark Room discussions with guests, plus special After Dark, Book Club, Post-Mortem, and Watch Party episodes for our beloved Patreon and S... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes187Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksHistoryArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Art of Darkness

Latest Episodes

Filmmaker Josh David Jordan talks about his Orthodox film El Tonto Por Cristo, and inspirations (including Tarkovsky).

Get the After Dark episode and more at:

patreon.com/artofdarkpod or substack.com/@artofdarkpod.

eltontoporcristo.com

instagram.co... more

Kevin and Matt introduce the plan for Art of Darkness Season VI (2026), including Freud, Jung, Tolkein, and Lewis. More to come.

Get the After Dark episode and more at patreon.com/artofdarkpod or substack.com/@artofdarkpod.

There Will Be Books on S... more

Matt Taylor (There Will Be Books) joins the Dark Room to talk about Roald Dahl, the Witches, James and the Giant Peach and our coming Season VI (2026) as the new co-host of the show.

Get the After Dark episode and more at patreon.com/artofdarkpod or... more

Kevin and Abbie traverse the life and the work of the incomparable genius of the American theatre, the granddaddy American playwright of them all: Eugene O’Neill.

And get the After Dark episode and more at patreon.com/artofdarkpod or substack.com/@a... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Josh David Jordan
Filmmaker and director of El Tonto Por Cristo
Independent filmmaker
Episode: The Dark Room: Josh David Jordan Talks Tarkovsky and El Tonto Por Cristo
Matt Taylor
Co-host of There Will Be Books and author of a children's book
There Will Be Books
Episode: The Dark Room: All of Them Witches w/ Matt Taylor
Jan Willem van Kaathoven
A teacher and philosophy enthusiast from the Netherlands with a passion for literature and language.
Episode: The Dark Room: All Dahl’d Up w/ J.W. van Kaathoven
Kenan Meral
Author of *A Rash Impulse*, a collection of short stories.
Episode: The Dark Room: Kenan Meral Talks Mishima
Kieran Saint Leonard
Musician and author of 'A Muse'
Hyperridian Press
Episode: The Dark Room: Kieran Saint Leonard Talks Crowley, Kubrick & Magic
Jay Luxemburg
Playwright and author writing YA fantasy.
Episode: The Dark Room: Ursula K. Le Guin’s 80 Days in the Tent
Simon Muller
Actor and co-host of the YouTube channel Dragons Plus Aliens.
Dragons Plus Aliens
Episode: The Dark Room: Ursula K. Le Guin’s 80 Days in the Tent
Jack BC
Podcaster and novelist, known for the Book Club from Hell
Book Club from Hell
Episode: The Dark Room: Jack BC Talks Jünger’s On the Marble Cliffs
Big Mac McCarthy
Musician and Twitter personality, known for his project Heavy Body
Heavy Body
Episode: The Dark Room: Big Mac McCarthy Talks Hemingway

Hosts

Kevin Kautzman
Host of the podcast, Kevin Kautzman is known for insightful discussions about the darker aspects of creativity and its champions, often serving as a guiding voice in the show.
Abbie Lucas
Co-host of the podcast, Abbie Lucas engages in discussions about arts and history, contributing a dynamic voice to explore the intricate lives of historical creatives and intellectuals.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 390 ratings
  • Awesome show

    This pod is very smart and entertaining. The hosts always have very informative shows about past creators and their works. You won’t be disappointed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Charles Martel III
    United Statesa year ago
  • The Future

    Twin Peaks

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TheFallopians
    United Statesa year ago
  • Ice-nine (or Ice Ice Baby)

    Anna Kavan lured me into this place and then decided to stay for lunch—naked or otherwise. I invited Thomas Ligotti to join us if the hosts don’t mind.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    conaninspace
    United Statesa year ago
  • Incredible show

    Brad and Kevin do The Lord’s work. The Patreon is well worth it, too

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DomKennedy1990
    United States2 years ago
  • I want to love the show

    I want to love the show, I really wish I could, but Kevin is intolerable. If he could stick to his script, I think it could be ok, but the guy just can’t help himself. The veneer hiding his politics fades every episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    billtaylorthird
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The hosts are praised for their engaging and entertaining commentary, often balancing humor with serious topics.
Listeners appreciate the intelligent and in-depth discussions about dark themes surrounding creative figures.
Some listeners, however, have expressed mixed feelings about the balance of personal anecdotes and the academic nature of the content.
The podcast is recognized for its unique approach to exploring the lives of both famous and lesser-known artists, providing fresh perspectives on their struggles and achievements.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#224
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#227
Denmark/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Dark Room: Josh David Jordan Talks Tarkovsky and El Tonto Por Cristo
Q: What do you think coming to film as a theatre practitioner has given you?
It has provided a unique approach to character development and storytelling, emphasizing preparation and building relationships with actors.
The Dark Room: Josh David Jordan Talks Tarkovsky and El Tonto Por Cristo
Q: When you look at your first film and your second film side-by-side, is there anything that has surprised you?
There's a recurring theme where characters have their own hero's journey, showing that storytelling can be more effective with ensemble casts.
The Dark Room: Josh David Jordan Talks Tarkovsky and El Tonto Por Cristo
Q: What is it about Tarkovsky's films that resonates so much with you?
Tarkovsky's films demand several viewings and resonate with different meanings as you grow older, reflecting on life experiences.
Eugene O'Neill: To Be an Artist or Nothing
Q: Are illusions necessary for our survival?
Yes, because without them, we may fall into despair. We need something to believe in.
Eugene O'Neill: To Be an Artist or Nothing
Q: What do you know about Eugene O'Neill?
O'Neill is a playwright known for writing Long Day's Journey into Night.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Art of Darkness

What is Art of Darkness about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast explores the complex and often shadowy aspects of notable historical figures in the arts, literature, and intellectual realms. With hosts known for their insightful commentary, listeners can expect thorough research and engaging discussions that reveal the darker sides of creativity, including themes of personal struggle, societal context, and the influence of trauma on artistic expression. Each episode frequently features both core content and guest discussions, covering a wide array of figures from various cultural backgrounds, providing a deep dive into their lives and works.

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How many listeners does Art of Darkness get?

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How many subscribers and views does Art of Darkness have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Art of Darkness?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Art of Darkness:

1. Hermitix
2. Weird Studies
3. Why Theory
4. The Nietzsche Podcast
5. The J. Burden Show

How many episodes of Art of Darkness are there?

Art of Darkness launched 5 years ago and published 187 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Art of Darkness?

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What guests have appeared on Art of Darkness?

Recent guests on Art of Darkness include:

1. Josh David Jordan
2. Matt Taylor
3. Jan Willem van Kaathoven
4. Kenan Meral
5. Kieran Saint Leonard
6. Jay Luxemburg
7. Simon Muller
8. Jack BC

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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