Christophe Lebold on Leonard Cohen
Canadian singer, composer and writer Leonard Cohen died on 7 November 2016. He was one of the most influential artists of his time. Christophe Lebold was close to him and wrote an in-depth biography and analysis of his work. He will be speaking with Klara presenter and Cohen fan Lies Steppe.
writer
Troubadour, philosopher, ladies’ man, Buddhist monk, painter, dandy: Leonard Cohen had many guises and he wore them all with style, but the guise that suited him best was that of writer. Indeed, he wrote novels and poetry long before he released his first album in 1967, and his lyrics deserve a place in world literature.
biographer
Christophe Lebold is an expert in American literature who got to know Cohen personally. With The Man Who Saw the Angels Fall, he wrote the definitive biography of the high priest of pathos, as Cohen was known, and a well-informed analysis of his work. Lebold shed light on Cohen’s turbulent love life and struggle with drugs as well as on his endless fascination with religion and his philosophical and poetic side.
performer
Almost ten years to the day after Cohen’s death, we look back with Lebold on all these facets of the enigmatic performer that was Cohen. Klara presenter and musician Lies Steppe grew up with a love for Leonard Cohen and will be the ideal conversation partner.
about the author
Christophe Lebold, an expert in American literature, is a senior lecturer at the University of Strasbourg. His PhD centred on the work of Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. Driven by his deep admiration for Cohen, Lebold journeyed extensively in the poet’s footsteps. Alongside his academic work, Lebold is a theatre actor and Zen practitioner who finds joy in poets, cats and, when he’s in a cheerful mood, all living creatures.
about the moderator
Lies Steppe is a radio producer, presenter, voice-over artist and singer. Her voice and her love of music are the common thread running through everything she does: in her jazz programmes on Klara, as MC at a number of (jazz) festivals, and as a host and presenter. She likes to move between radio and stage, music and narrative – leaving some room for adventure and surprise. She wants to stimulate people, surprise them and, above all, leave them with something to ponder. She recently produced the podcast Miles: Badass and Jazz Icon about Miles Davis. Lies has had a soft spot for Leonard Cohen ever since she was a child.
portaits: Lies Steppe © Jan Van Hecke
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