Posts Tagged John Key
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May 24, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Poem: The Nightwatchman
There he is at the crease, no runs on the board, but he won’t be ignored – as he aims for the middle and never heads too far down the pitch. He is always able, just, to dig it out from the block-hole, best foot forward, which is obviously right. He’s left with the bat, […]Archive
May 16, 2016 by Simon Sweetman
Thanks Mum: A Kiwi Celebration
Thanks Mum: A Kiwi Celebration A heartfelt collection of letters, memories, poems and tributes written by everyday people from across the country Penguin Random House In what you could only assume is a sort of early-warning R.I.P. to publishing – created by the mainstream publishing industry’s very own, crowd-plundered Trojan horse – the Mother’s Day […]Archive
February 23, 2016 by Simon Sweetman
Rock music is freedom, the Eagles are shit, John Key’s a liar and we’re getting what we put up with – which is why we’re getting shit; Jaz Coleman talks…and talks…
I’ve interviewed Jaz Coleman once before. So when it comes to the worlds of this Killing Joke frontman, industrial music pioneer, post-punk godfather, record producer and classical composer, conductor and arranger, well, I know the score. I remind him of this, and he cuts me off by saying, “Yes, yes, I know who you are, […]Archive
August 9, 2015 by Simon Sweetman
Stubs: #126 – Off-Key: Concert For Artistic Freedom, Wellington, 2014
Last year Darren Watson released a satirical song called Planet Key (with a video by Jeremy Jones). It was banned. And so a bunch of Wellington bands got together and put on the Off-Key: Concert for Artistic Freedom show. It was great to be in a pub on a Sunday afternoon with like-minded people; people […]Archive
March 30, 2015 by Simon Sweetman
Third Term Blues: Could we fix voter apathy with a two-term cap?
Regardless of the way you vote, a huge problem with power – and the way that absolute power corrupts absolutely – is the fact in this country a Prime Minister can, seemingly, rule forever. Whether it’s a Labour leader or a National one, there’s such a thing as Third Term Blues. It’s when the person […]Archive
March 23, 2015 by Simon Sweetman
Steve Braunias: Madmen – Inside The Weirdest Election Campaign Ever
Madmen: Inside The Weirdest Election Campaign Ever Steve Braunias Luncheon Sausage Books Hilarious, sharp, a bit bonkers – often perfect. I am of course referring to Braunias’ brand of satire/coverage in this election campaign diary as taken from the pages of Metro and padded out to standalone volume with new intro and outro. But I […]Archive
November 16, 2014 by Simon Sweetman
No Joke: John Key’s Priorities
John Key made a joke about a paedophile and convicted murderer. He could barely keep a straight face, so pleased with himself, the chuckle starting before he had finished his line. It was serious news – just a week after the NZ justice system had looked silly by being so desperate to charge a plotted […]Archive
September 14, 2014 by Simon Sweetman
Nurture’s Best – Great NZ Music on the eve of the election: DJ Set
This coming Friday, September 19, I’ll be playing some records down at the San Fran for a late show directly following Jeremy Elwood’s Election Special comedy show. Since it’ s the eve of the election the theme will continue and it’ll be a set of my favourite New Zealand music. Late last year I did […]Archive
September 13, 2014 by Simon Sweetman
V/A: Election EP – 2014
Various Artists: Election EP (2014) Powertool Records I have one problem with this EP – and it’s as glaringly obvious as that crude-collage cover – this has been created in the hope that they’ll get in a bit of trouble, get a bit noticed. That’s not to say there aren’t some great songs here – […]Archive
September 3, 2014 by Simon Sweetman
Off Key: Concert For Artistic Freedom
In early August renowned blues musician Darren Watson released his original song Planet Key, a satirical take on New Zealand Prime Minister John Key’s own description of what a ‘Planet Key’ would look like. Planet Key went viral on the internet, accompanied by a video created by Jeremy Jones from Propeller Motion, depicting John Key set amongst a […]Archive
August 20, 2014 by Simon Sweetman