Author Archive
October 21, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Even More Talking about Dancing about Architecture
This weekend just been, Saturday, October 20, I was invited to speak at the Cabana in Napier with Nick Bollinger and Jamie Macphail was our chairperson – part of the Hawke’s Bay Art Festival. The talk was music-writing, music-journalism, blogging, our histories, the role of criticism, how we went about it – and so on. […]
October 20, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Steel House: Steel House
Steel House Steel House ArtistShare Scott Colley (bass), Edward Simon (piano/keys) and Brian Blade (drums) are all master musicians and on their self-titled debut as Steel House they make a set of lithe, loping, languid jazz noises that s are alternately buoyed by Colley’s bass, gliding along under Simon’s strident piano glissandos or pulled into […]
October 19, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Review: Steve Gadd, James Carter & The Rodger Fox Big Band (October 17; Palmerston North)
Steve Gadd, James Carter & The Rodger Fox Big Band Globe Theatre; Palmerston North Wednesday, October 17 Rodger Fox has been trying to get Steve Gadd to New Zealand for at least two decades – and finally it happened, he has Gadd in town for a series of shows, the first of which was in […]
October 18, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast # 138: Ross Jolly
Welcome to episode 138 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, Yeastie Boys and La Petite Chocolat. Now – 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 Spotify library to access each new episode; or […]
October 17, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
RNZ Music Feature: Steve Gadd
I’m usually on RNZ once a month to have a chat about some new albums. But the other day I got the call up to present a Music Feature for the Afternoons show. Well, actually, I was on-air talking about some albums in my regular review slot and I was promoting the back that legendary drummer Steve […]
October 17, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Connan Mockasin: Jassbusters
Connan Mockasin Jassbusters Kemado Records, Inc./d/b/a/ Mexican Summer Connan Mockasin’s latest album is so languid as to make Kurt Vile seem like a Gordon Gekko/Patrick Bateman/Jordan Belfort-type. You can almost hear Mockasin washing away anything he’s done before as he paints over the sounds from Caramel – the closest antecedent to this; it’s as if […]
October 17, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 95: The Birthday Party – “Junkyard”
Breathless Nick Cave fans make me want to not like him at all. (And while we’re on it, that fucking song of his, Breathless, that’s just about the single fucking worst thing he’s done!) But I am not not-a-Nick-Cave-fan. I am a fan. And I first heard about The Birthday Party by reading about Cave. […]
October 16, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Anika Moa: Anika Moa
Anika Moa Anika Moa Diamond & Kowhai Ltd./ Universal Anika Moa is many things – TV host, kids music specialist, sensitive singer/songwriter, total clown, irreverent and indelicate yet there’s heart and soul in her work; huge heart in her as a person too. And that’s clear in her zest, the relish, and she’s always heart-on-sleeve […]
October 15, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 366
Schnell-Fenster, Love Hate Relationship [Single] (1988) I’m collecting up the Schnell-Fenster singles now; had a couple earlier on and sold them – got them again now. And picking up others. Just an incredible band. And it felt like such a secret to me – back when I discovered this group, and the connections leading to […]
October 15, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
RNZ Reviews: October 2018
Once a month or so I have a chat on RNZ on their Afternoons show with Jesse Mulligan. These things start – randomly and stop in much the same way. I hope to keep doing this. For a while at least. I think I started in December of 2015, so now nearly three years into […]
October 14, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Eminem to play Wellington: One NZ Show Only
Eminem will grace our shores for a massive stadium show in New Zealand, performing for the very first time in Wellington at Westpac Stadium, on Saturday 2 March 2019, presented by TEG DAINTY. Eminem’s Rapture 2019 New Zealand: Saturday 2 March, Westpac Stadium, Wellington Tickets to Eminem’s Rapture Tour go on sale 10am on Tuesday […]
October 14, 2018 by Simon Sweetman