Posts Tagged New Zealand
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July 26, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Ten of My All-Time Favourite Kiwi Songs
When I wrote these notes I was planning for the start of my book about favourite NZ songs. All of these songs made it into that book – and were written about in further detail. In most cases I spoke with the songwriters or key players/producers involved with the music. On Song featured 30 tunes, […]Archive
September 1, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Don’t Fight It – It’s Bigger Than The ID
We don’t know how lucky we are. The music that means the most to me from New Zealand artists is barely ever the product of a funding body, doesn’t have corporate sponsors, isn’t major label-endorsed. It’s the battlers. It’s about brave hearts and (sometimes) troubled souls. It’s about an energy. An anger. A feeling. It’s […]Archive
January 1, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 345
Michael Houstoun, Piano (1979) This is my favourite $1 op-shop find. For now at least. I love Michael Houstoun – amazing talent, I feel lucky thinking about the number of times I’ve seen him perform. He threatens retirement this year but I always enjoy his playing. I love classical piano and Beethoven too – so it’s […]Archive
March 13, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
NZ Festival Writers & Readers: CK Stead – In Full Stride
CK Stead: In Full Stride Circa 2, Circa Theatre Saturday, March 10 This Writers & Readers session, featured CK Stead in conversation with Steve Braunias. The reason for the talk was Stead’s latest novel, Necessary Angel; reviewed well, largely, received well, Braunias joked in his intro that it should be boring, shouldn’t work but somehow […]Archive
March 13, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Marching To The Beat Of Their Own Drums: Short Interviews With Ari Hoenig, Anthony Donaldson and Dave Weckl
There are drummer jokes for most musical occasions but almost all of them feature a punchline mocking the drummer’s intelligence. Talk to a good player and they’ll be thoughtful and wise; focussed and passionate. I talked to three great drummers – all set to be the star of the show for a few moments or […]Archive
March 12, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
NZ Festival Writers & Readers: Francis Spufford & Elizabeth Knox Talk About God
Francis Spufford & Elizabeth Knox Talk About God Circa One, Circa Theatre Saturday, March 10 This Writers & Readers session featured a conversation about God between long-time correspondents Francis Spufford (UK) and Elizabeth Knox (NZ). It was, if you’ll pardon the pun, a spirited conversation. It was lively, funny and often irritating. For a start, […]Archive
January 14, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 449
V/A, Heed The Call! (Whakarongo, Nga Tamariki): Soul, Funk & Disco From Aotearoa, 1973-1983 (2017) This is a new release, or was at the end of last year – I guess it was my Christmas present to myself. A must-have just for the long version of Dalvanius & The Fascinations’ Voodoo Lady. But so much […]Archive
December 13, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Playlist: Great Kiwi Driving Playlist
There are several great Kiwi roadtrip albums that I always pack for a trip – but how about a single playlist? Well, ahem, For Today, I thought this would do…50 songs that should get you from A to B with even enough time if you plan to head on to C or have to pull […]Archive
October 25, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
On Song: Five Years Old/Five Years On
Five years ago I released a book. On Song looked at 30 of the best New Zealand songs, 30 of my favourites. We started with a long list of at least 100 songs and whittled and whittled. I say ‘we’ – I am referring to the publisher, Penguin. And me. I was commissioned to write […]Archive
October 11, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Brötzmann/Leigh: NZ Tour (Nov/Dec 2017)
Altmusic and the Audio Foundation are proud to present a nationwide tour of renowned saxophone/pedal steel guitar duo, Brötzmann / Leigh. Peter Brötzmann is a living legend of improvised music who has embodied the leading edge of the European avant-garde for over 50 years, challenging audiences and convention alike with a relentless intensity. On pedal […]Archive
October 5, 2017 by Simon Sweetman