The Wellington Film Society’s program resumes – following the world’s oldest existing feature-length animated film, The Adventures of Prince Achmed we move to the world of Jacques Tati and the first of his colour films, Mon Oncle. The film centres on the socially awkward yet lovable character of Monsieur Hulot and his quixotic struggle with post-war France’s infatuation with […]
Flanders & Swann, The Bestiary of Flanders & Swann (1963) I got onto Flanders & Swann – the comic-songwriting duo of Michael Flanders and Donald Swann – as part of my tenure at the CD Store. Reviewing music and then listening to it all day as a retailer I was burnt out! But I was […]
I’ve never really listened to Mott The Hoople – I mean sure, I know their big David Bowie-penned hit, because, frankly who doesn’t?! It’s great too. And I’ve listened to a bit of what Ian Hunter has done since – including covering his old band. But I guess I’ve just never really listened to them […]
Digging Bucket Rock Bucket V Bucket Cleanup Bucket Hardpan Bucket Skeleton Bucket Standard Water-carrying Bucket Situla Loader Buckets…
John Cage said a lot of things – sometimes he said it best, when he said nothing at all – (or was that Ronan Keating?) Anyway, it’s amazing how he could speak right to the heart: “Each something is a celebration of the nothing that supports it” consider this, then, today’s something. Even – and […]
Welcome to episode 111 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, Yeastie Boys and Le Petite Chocolat. I had a chat with Gil Eva Craig – a sound engineer, producer, tech and musician. She was in the band Sugarbug (I loved them!) and she continues to make music in a variety of sporadic projects including as […]
I own Rick Astley’s Whenever You Need Somebody on tape. I bought it when it was released. I found that old tape just recently. (I have it on vinyl as well – nutcase!) Buying tapes – it dates you. I mowed lawns to earn money to buy tapes. Then I’d listen to the new tape […]
Soccer Mommy Clean Fat Possum Records From those earliest bedsit staples by Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen on through to the discovery of the likes of Liz Phair and Juliana Hatfeld (both logical touchstones here) there’s something about the discovery of nascent songwriting; fragility – an attempt at catharsis through laying down the line and […]
“Not this band – they’re always on. CRAP!” “What about some Hawkwind or Marillion!?!” That’s my reference point. For Hawkind. (And I guess Marillion). I’ve never – knowingly – bumped into either band since hearing about them on that episode of The Young Ones. I hold The Young Ones as dear to my heart as my […]
Particle Kid Everything Is Bullshit Particle Kid/Gnar Tapes One of two Particle Kid albums ripped out in the same year, Everything Is Bullshit is a strange world of magic. It reminds me of One Foot In The Grave-era Beck, not so much for the sound as for the surprises. It’s as wilful as Neil Young […]
They weren’t actually steel caps but they looked like they were Originally they were tramping boots I got at an op shop I wore them for the two years I was working with urethanes and fiberglass on the Hobbit So they were covered with different coloured substances, dripped over a long period At the end […]
The Lie Direction: Ross Jolly (written by Florian Zeller; translated by Christopher Hampton) Circa Theatre; Circa One (April 7 – May 5) The Lie is the latest by the brilliant French novelist and playwright Florian Zeller. Here, again, translated by Christopher Hampton and directed for Circa by Ross Jolly – as was the case, last […]
