Author Archive
August 14, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Drugdealer: Raw Honey
Drugdealer Raw Honey Mexican Summer/Southbound This, the second album by Drugdealer – a name given to a project helmed by late-blooming wunderkind Michael Collins – is another clever selection of Record Collection Pop; songs you could fool yourself into thinking you’re sure you’ve heard before. A trace of Beach Boys here, some summer 70s feel-good daze there. But actually it’s […]
August 13, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 266
Daryl Hall & John Oates, Voices (1980) Just a great run of singles here – but also some weird folly-stuff too. Oddly a cover of You’ve Lost That Lovin Feeling (which no one really needs) was very popular. And yet their own Everytime You Go Away had to wait to be covered to really be a hit. Strange. Loads of gems here though […]
August 13, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Nils Frahm to play one NZ Show (Akld, Nov 22, 2019
Nils Frahm will perform at Auckland Town Hall on Friday 22 November 2019. Tickets are on sale from Friday 16 August at 10am (local time) via Ticketmaster.co.nz. Just one show. A once in a lifetime event. The great Nils Frahm – in New Zealand! First time. And finally. Wow!
August 12, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Poem: The Weekend With Mum and Dad
It was lovely to see the folks and we didn’t fight much a wee disagreement about the rugby player that dropped his shoulder, turned his elbow and was red-carded and a difference in opinion about drivers in the art-market and the price of a piece and how artists should just accept whatever someone is willing to pay – or do anything else since they haven’t met the market. That was […]
August 12, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Review: Jennifer Stumm & Te Koki Trio (August 8, Wgtn)
Jennifer Stumm & Te Koki Trio: Secrets & Hidden Messages MFC Thursday, August 8 This Chamber Music NZ concert featured touring American violist Jennifer Stumm with local musicians Inbal Megiddo (cello), Jian Liu (piano) and Martin Riseley (violin): Te Koki Trio. The opening piece was just for the trio, a Chamber Music-commission by local composer Michael Williams. Over a see-sawing frenzy of violin the piano provided […]
August 9, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 267
Beastie Boys, The In Sound From Way Out! (1996) I’m never not loving the Beastie Boys – but right now I’m right back into them, the 30th Anniversary of Paul’s Boutique had me sharing some memories – just how important this band has been in my life. And this instrumental compilation – which sorta deeply legitimised them, as producers and players and tastemakers, was a big part […]
August 8, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Five Songs For Friday: # 32 – The Tao of Neil
I guess Neil Young’s been on my mind a lot this week – I rediscovered the Weld album which took me to writing about how I first discovered. And before that I enjoyed the Live Rust tribute concert. Sitting there, hearing so many of those great songs got me to thinking about how so often there’s a line – just a […]
August 8, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
R.I.P. David Berman
Awful news. Just awful. David Berman has died. The songwriter behind the Silver Jews and the brand-spanking new “comeback” Purple Mountains was 52. Silver Jews became known as a Pavement-side-project. Given it was started with two musicians that would go on to create one of the best-nown slacker-indie bands of the 90s. Silver Jews rolled on. Bob Nastonovich and Stephen Malkmus weren’t the […]
August 8, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
V/A: Better Already – The Songs of Al Park
Various Artists: Better Already: The Songs of Al Park ALP Records/Southbound An intriguing compilation, this. One that works very well too – the songs are fine, strong, interesting. Sometimes great. But the talent involved would mean fans would want to get on board anyway. Delaney Davidson, Marlon Williams, Barry Saunders, Adam McGrath….it’s a package-tour without the tour. This […]
August 7, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast # 179: Jan Preston
Welcome to episode 178 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, Yeastie Boys and La Petite Chocolat. 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 Spotify library. Jan Preston is a Kiwi-born, Australian-based pianist. She’s a […]
August 7, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
It Was The Worst: # 21 Reading A Book About James Blunt
I’ve read some really bad music books. This is the worst. Please understand that I wish I was joking when I tell you that a publisher sent me a copy of a book called Different Country, Same State: On The Road With James Blunt. Please understand I wish I was joking when I tell you that I read the entire thing.
August 7, 2019 by Simon Sweetman