Author Archive
May 25, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast: Episode 117 – Emily Fairlight
Welcome to episode 117 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, Yeastie Boys and Le Petite Chocolat. Here’s a chat I had with Emily Fairlight. She’s a Wellington-based singer/songwriter and poet. She’s recently released the fantastic Mother of Gloom album. And before that, a few years ago now, there was a self-titled debut.
May 24, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 404
Luis Alberto Del Parana y su Trio Los Paraguayos, Famous Latin American Songs (1960) I’ll always have a look in a charity store or the tip shop or if passing a garage sale; I can count on one hand the number of ‘good scores’ I’ve had digging in the bins. But I’m a sucker for […]
May 23, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Short Story: Exit Music (For A Hotel)
They’d had their chat. And that was that. He lifted the bag up over his shoulder and steadied himself, taking with him a far heavier load. “You should go now”, she encouraged. “I’m about to take my clothes off”. He stopped. They each took a turn to stare at one another. No words. Nothing for […]
May 23, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 62: Jorge Ben – “África Brasil”
He’s known now as Jorge Ben Jor but this record was released when he was still Jorge Ben – though he was born Jorge Duilio Lima Menezes. And though I’d heard of África Brasil I had not, until this challenge, ever heard it. And man it’s a cracker. So good! Reminds me of discovering Arthur […]
May 21, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The Ghost of Electricity: War Stories by Jon McLeary # 206 Split Enz
I saw them at some key gigs in their strange career. At the Great Ngarauawahia Music Festival when they were Split Ends. I was fourteen and like most people there to see Black Sabbath but I do remember they were interesting. Dressed pretty much like everybody else there – a much different spectacle than what […]
May 20, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Wellington Film Society: Preview – Only Angels Have Wings (May 21)
The Wellington Film Society’s program continues – last week it was Wild, and after a few contemporary stories we return to film-history and historic movies to view Only Angels Have Wings. This is a Howard Hawks film starring Cary Grant. Considered one of Hawks’ best films it is notable for its special effects of the […]
May 19, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 405
Chris Isaak, Wicked Game (1991) The first three Chris Isaak albums introduced a great new talent – and then this compilation album pulled together all the highlights, on the back of the title track reaching a new audience. I loved this album back in the day, so much so that the first big gig I […]
May 19, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Poem: Quotient
scales of empathy, incorrectly weighted; justice cannot be buoyed, white burden so laden
May 18, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
An Evening with Sam Cutler: Film Screening and Q&A
UPDATE: The Wellington show has now been cancelled due to low ticket sales. Sam Cutler was tour manager for The Rolling Stones during the tumultuous Altamont show that capped the 1969 tour. He was left to clean up the mess – and eventually wrote about it, along with so many other stories from his life […]
May 18, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast: Episode 116 – Mark Cubey
Welcome to episode 116 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, Yeastie Boys and Le Petite Chocolat. This one’s a conversation I had with Mark Cubey. His most recent job was managing Writers & Readers as part of the NZ Festival. Before that, for more than a decade, he was the producer of Saturday Mornings on […]
May 17, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Melvins: Pinkus Abortion Technician
Melvins Pinkus Abortion Technician Ipecac Recordings Keeping up with Melvins albums is a little like following Mark Kozelek – there are similar dips in quality too, all over the place, mostly gloriously so, and defiance is their right; one long ago earned. I’ve got a lot of work to do catching up with both – […]
May 16, 2018 by Simon Sweetman