Posts Tagged Songwriter
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August 17, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast: Episode 129 – Suzanne Vega
Welcome to episode 129 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, Yeastie Boys and La Petite Chocolat. Here I talk with one of my all-time musical heroes, Suzanne Vega. We are in a hotel restaurant and there is some background noise. Just a warning. What a thrill to meet her and speak with her. I flew […]Archive
July 21, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast: Episode 125 – Russell Self
Welcome to episode 125 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, Yeastie Boys and La Petite Chocolat. Here I had a chat with Russell Self. He’s a Wellington-based, English-born musician and poet. Russell’s held many jobs, let many more go, he’s been a busker, a troubadour, he recites his own poems and sings covers – he also […]Archive
June 22, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast: Episode 121 – Barry Saunders
Welcome to episode 121 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, Yeastie Boys and Le Petite Chocolat. I reckon I first met Barry Saunders some 15 years ago or so. He used to come in for chats in the music store where I worked. He was a new dad. His little girl – now a university […]Archive
June 11, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Suzanne Vega to Play Two NZ Shows: August 2018
Anyone reading this will know I’m such a huge Suzanne Vega fan. So it’s huge news – to me anyway – that she is going to be playing two shows in New Zealand in August this year. I’ve already booked tickets to see her play in Australia in late-July. I’ll return home with the chance […]Archive
May 10, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast: Episode 115 – Fane Flaws
Welcome to episode 115 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, Yeastie Boys and Le Petite Chocolat. Here’s a chat I had with Fane Flaws. This was a great conversation – and it was a long time in the making. I hadn’t met Fane, we’d corresponded, I grew up listening to Blerta and The Crocodiles, was […]Archive
April 27, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
His Evolution Was Never Televised: The Anger and Poetry of Gil Scott-Heron
The first I was really aware of Gil Scott-Heron – and I mean really aware– was hearing Paul Ubana Jones perform an a cappella take on Home Is Where the Hatred Is. (Here’s the Gil Scott-Heron original.) I had heard of Gil Scott-Heron; I knew this famous piece. But hearing Jones speak and sing the words…well, that really made me take notice. The compilation […]Archive
March 28, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 47: David Ackles – “American Gothic”
Here’s one of those ones – I’d heard the name David Ackles, knew about him, knew – vaguely – what to expect, the sound, etc. I’m sure I’ve heard a few songs here and there but I do know I had never heard this – nor any of his albums right through. And wow, this blew […]Archive
March 21, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
On: Giving Up Everything
Elton John had it wrong – or rather Bernie Taupin if you prefer. Sad songs are not the ones that say so much – it’s only a special type of sad song; where there’s hope peeking through, where there’s an attempt at stoicism – the head being held high, an aim to move on, an attempt at rebirth or a […]Archive
March 17, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 44: John Prine – “John Prine”
John Prine – class act. Songwriter’s songwriter. I feel like everyone knows this. Or should. Some don’t – but then they’ll know some of his songs at least. Like Sam Stone, famously covered by many and perhaps in particular Johnny Cash. But the original is here. This is Prine’s first album and I say all […]Archive
March 8, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast: Episode 106 – Andrew Fagan
Welcome to episode 106 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, Yeastie Boys and Le Petite Chocolat. I nabbed a wee chat with Andrew Fagan – he of the Mockers and of course his own career, poetry, songs, a life on the seas – a stint as a radio programmer and DJ, first as a Kiwi […]Archive
February 28, 2018 by Simon Sweetman