Author Archive
February 28, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Poem: Truant
there at the bar, inhibitions truant hanging on to only what was never really there hard work never really his thing… overrated he’d loudly proclaim to everyone surely underrating him.
February 27, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Stubs: # 246 – Miranda July, Wellington, 2016
When I rented Me And You And Everyone We Know back in 2005 I had no idea who Miranda July was – I was just renting a quirky indie film. But the writer, director and star of the film made an impression and a couple of years later I was buying her book of short […]
February 27, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 163
Neil Young, TRANS (1982) Neil Young is great – but they have thrown some curveballs over the years. This is one of their best albums though. I firmly believe that. It’s in the top 5 or 6 for me. They’ve made lots of crap along the way too of course, that’s just part of their process […]
February 27, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Poem: Art Appreciation
There was a painting down the road in the local thrift store – $45. My dad spotted it on a trip last year. He said, “that looks like that one you’ve got – the same birds” I stopped myself mid eyeroll because he was right this time. It was the same artist. And it was […]
February 26, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Sonny Landreth: Blacktop Run
Sonny Landreth Blacktop Run Provogue Sunny Landreth is a master slide guitarist with just enough of a voice left to offer rootsy, interesting songs too. But for the most part he’s an instrumentalist – and that’s where he really ‘sings’.
February 26, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast # 209: Lucien Johnson
Welcome to episode 209 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T and Yeastie Boys . Now – as you probably know, as well as the usual platforms (this site, soundcloud, iTunes/Apple) you can now get to Sweetman Podcast on Spotify – follow it there and have it saved in your […]
February 26, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 164
Van Halen, Panama [Single] (1983) The first Van Halen stuff I would have heard would have been this era – the 1984 album, a masterpiece; one of several from the band. And this song – Panama – what an anthem, a driving classic (by which I mean not only is it a great song to […]
February 25, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Nick Waterhouse: Nick Waterhouse
Nick Waterhouse Nick Waterhouse Innovative Leisure On this, his fourth album – Nick Waterhouse’s musical world sounds as good as it ever has; this feels like a culmination. He’s got a similar retro and soul and jazz-blues vibe to Amy Winehouse but with more rock in there – stinging guitar lines and hints to classic […]
February 25, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Tedeschi Trucks Band: High & Mighty (ep)
Tedeschi Trucks Band High & Mighty (ep) Fantasy I’ve said it before – but here goes again: The decision for Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks to meet and marry, and then to marry their music together making a supergroup they co-lead has been good for all. The fans win. I liked what Trucks was about […]
February 24, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Review: Kate Tempest (February 24, Wellington)
Kate Tempest MFC, Wellington Monday, February 24 I’d had people asking me about Kate Tempest ever since she was announced to be part of the 2020 NZ Festival. I’d seen her five years back when she was lesser known out here and it was one of the best gigs I’ve ever seen. So all I’d […]
February 24, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Poem: Slack
so much slack cut nothing left but the memory of glistening silver shears over your shoulder
February 24, 2020 by Simon Sweetman