Posts Tagged New Zealand
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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
Sweetman Podcast: Episode 84 – Midge Marsden
Welcome to episode 84 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, Yeastie Boys and Le Petite Chocolat. Up in Auckland recently I finally got to have a sit-down chat with Midge Marsden. We’ve talked about doing this a few times, he and I have corresponded over the years – but this was the first time we’d […]Archive
August 15, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Norman Meehan: New Zealand Jazz Life
New Zealand Jazz Life Norman Meehan Victoria University Press Norman Meehan – an amazing musician in his own right, working, largely in and around jazz – is also an accomplished writer and educator. And his books, to date, have focussed around conversations. But where previously, it was all conversations with one person for a published […]Archive
May 5, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast: Episode 61 – Phil Judd
Welcome to episode 61 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, L’affare and Yeastie Boys. This one is a conversation with Phil Judd. Founding member of Split Enz, creator of the mighty Mental Notes album, and its wonderful cover image too, Judd should need no introduction. But I’ve given him […]Archive
March 13, 2017 by Simon Sweetman