An in-depth chat with actor/writer/director/musician Aidee Walker. She's just finished the Wellington season of the play "Lungs" so we talk about that, and trace her career back through Step-Dave and Outrageous Fortune, the films The Locals and How To Meet Girls From A Distance and we talk also about her charity work, numerous short films and music videos and the days when she played drums in the bands Duchess and Handsome Geoffrey. She's working on scripts for short and feature films and develo...
Dec 02, 2016•1 hr 8 min
An in-depth chat with Wellington filmmaker, critic and teacher Costa Botes. We talk through his association with Peter Jackson, his time as a film critic for Wellington's newspaper, his extensive work in documentary and as a tutor and we talk about film piracy and the frustrations around working as a creative; that hideous term "content provider" which neither makes us content nor provides...We talk about life in general and his life through the lens. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonswee...
Nov 25, 2016•2 hr 9 min
A windy wee conversation with Robert Forster, caught on tape in the garden bar out the back at The Southern Cross. It's not the best sound-quality, there's a bit of wind but we had a nice chat and talked about the band and his solo recordings and the book ("Grant And I") just ahead of his two great Wellington performances (a book launch and separate concert). It would have been nice to have a bit longer, we were just getting going - but I wanted to present this to you still, consider it a "bonus...
Nov 17, 2016•27 min
An in-depth chat with Wellington singer/songwriter and artistic director Charlotte Yates. Through her earliest experiences with music we get to a started solo career, the breakaway success of the band When The Cat's Been Spayed, a return to solo albums, teaching, writing and then the creation of theatre shows and albums celebrating the works of some of New Zealand's greatest poets. We talk too about her time working with the great Mahinarangi Tocker and to the future with another album to plan a...
Nov 09, 2016•2 hr 3 min
An in-depth chat with Kiwi-born, Australian-based pianist and composer Mike Nock. We talk about his years in America, opening for Miles Davis, playing in Dionne Warwick's band and working with Yusef Lateef. We talk about growing up in New Zealand in the 40s and 50s - and finding jazz. We talk also of his life now in Australia (for the last 30 or so years) where he is in a teaching role but continues to tour and record and his regular visits back to New Zealand. Get full access to Sounds Good! at...
Oct 26, 2016•1 hr 40 min
An in-depth chat with Delaney Davidson - singer/songwriter, producer and touring musician. We talk about growing up with a great record collection, we talk too about his new band Manos del Chango and his solo work too. His collaborations with Marlon Williams and Tami Neilson, his time away from New Zealand with Reverend Beat-Man, The Dead Brothers and The Voodoo Rhythm Records crew. We talk about a life on the road and dividing time between New Zealand and America. And we talk about the special ...
Oct 13, 2016•1 hr 25 min
And in-depth chat with Wellington writer, artist and musician Jon McLeary. We talk about the 35 year history of his band, the Spines. We talk about songwriting and his other writing pursuits including the novel "Manslaughter" and his weekly guest-post series at Off The Tracks, "The Ghost of Electricity. We talk influences and inspiration, playing music live and rehearsing. We talk about the artist's life and the need to create. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscr...
Sep 27, 2016•2 hr 2 min
An in-depth chat with musician Jan Hellriegel. We talk about her bands - Working With Walt and Cassandra's Ears - and her solo career. We talk about the long gap between records, the need to get "real jobs" and the growing up that was done before he re-entry to the world of releasing albums (a record called "All Grown Up"). We talk about Jan's role in music publishing and there's some advice for entry-level musicians and songwriters, a few tips for getting the business side of the house in order...
Sep 16, 2016•1 hr 25 min
An in-depth conversation with Wellington-based comedian, actor and podcaster Jonny Potts. He hosts regular stand-up nights, performs sets as often as he can (the aim is once a week this year, minimum) and he's also hosted and created podcasts including last year's "The Year of Reading Massively" and been a guest-blogger, writer, actor and all-around pop-culture enthusiast. We continue a conversation we never officially started and will likely never finish...buckle up for three hours somewhere in...
Sep 08, 2016•3 hr 2 min
An in-depth chat with Matt Vickers, author of "Lecretia's Choice: A Story of Love, Death and The Law". We talk about the writing of the book and his furthering of the campaigning started by his wife Lecretia. We talk about her life, her illness and death and we talk about Matt - who he is, where he's going next in life, what he's been through, what his hopes are - for Lecretia's story, for the future. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe...
Aug 31, 2016•1 hr 33 min
An in-depth chat with Sylvie Simmons, legendary music writer - biographer of Serge Gainsbourg and Leonard Cohen, staff writer for MOJO, former queen of Heavy Metal, Americana columnist, ukulele enthusiast and transplanted Brit. We talk, in her home in San Francisco, about her career and life and also the burgeoning political situation in America. We reminisce over Sylvie's visit to New Zealand and our first meeting four years ago when she was busy writing her Cohen tome. We talk about her album ...
Aug 23, 2016•1 hr 57 min
An in-depth conversation with Jeff Boyle, guitarist for Napier-based, internationally revered post-rock/ambient-metal trio Jakob. We talk about the history of the band, they way they work together, some of their stories of touring NZ and internationally with bands like ISIS, Tool and Russian Circles and the heartbreak around the 8-year gap between records most recently. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe...
Aug 13, 2016•1 hr 26 min
A wee chat with my good friend Fraser Agnew - despite knowing each other for over 20 years, through school and university eras, we'd never really talked about work; specifically his. So this was a chance to catch up and find out his path into the wine industry, a passion that's always been in his blood. It's a short chat. Just 20 minutes. I hope you like this informal interview. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe...
Jul 25, 2016•21 min
An in-depth chat with Melbourne-based Kiwi-born singer/songwriter Lisa Crawley. We talk about her various roles - backing singer, solo artist, band member, songwriter-for-hire, wedding singer. We talk sexism and challenges in the industry as well as the difficulties (and rewards) of being an independent artist. We talked around some of her own releases and influences and some of the high profile acts she's shared the bill with as opening/support. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman....
Jul 11, 2016•1 hr 43 min
An in-depth conversation with "the luckiest music fan in the world" Roger Shepherd, author of the memoir In Love With These Times: My Life With Flying Nun Records, creator of the record label, Flying Nun. We talk about his brand new memoir, about the process of writing, and about all of that great, great music that he helped to usher into the world. We also talk about his frank discussions around drinking and mental illness. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe...
Jun 29, 2016•1 hr 44 min
To celebrate the first birthday of Sweetman Podcast I do some shout-outs and give thanks, then play the aborted first attempt at podcasting and a 'song' from The Winter. Join us, won't you, in laughing at what the podcast might have been... Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe
Jun 19, 2016•26 min
An in-depth conversation with Ben Fulton, founder and director of Red Witch Analog Guitar Pedals, musician who has worked as a solo singer/songwriter, in covers bands and experimental music, and as support or sideman for the likes of Paul Ubana Jones, Jan Hellriegel, Ahoribuzz and Wild Bill Rickets, also creator of the Led Zeppelin tribute act, Lead Zeppelin. We talk guitars and guitar pedals and music. But we also trace back our friendship over 20 years. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simon...
Jun 13, 2016•1 hr 41 min
An in-depth chat with Wellington-based Registered Music Therapist, Pip Algie. She works one-on-one with children exploring language, communication, emotion and other learning targets and connections through music. She also hosts a weekly knees-up for toddlers called "Strummy Time". We talked about my son Oscar, a regular of Strummy Time for a couple of years now, we talked about the path to music therapy and listened to some examples of her work. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman....
Jun 03, 2016•1 hr 31 min
An in-depth chat with British-based Kiwi singer/songwriter Jesse Sheehan. He has two EPs to his name currently, but his Neil Finn-produced debut full-length album is in the can and will be released later this year. He's toured the world as part of Neil Finn's band and played UK and NZ dates with Dave Dobbyn, opening the shows also. He's a real talent. It's a "watch this space" situation with this guy - he's going to take on the world. There's no head up in the clouds for him either. He's very gr...
May 20, 2016•57 min
An in-depth chat with Jim Wilson, owner of Phantom Billstickers, (unofficial) patron saint of poetry in New Zealand, arts enthusiast and sponsor. We talk about the postering work that Phantom Billstickers does, and about Jim's life - from growing up in Dunedin to robbing chemists for drug supplies, to stints in jail and rehab, to American travel. We talk about his time running venues, managing bands and now as overseer of an empire. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/s...
May 04, 2016•1 hr 28 min
An in-depth chat with Tami Neilson, singer/songwriter - country musician. Tami grew up in Canada and hit the stage just as she could walk, from there it's been to a career playing with icons of the genre and then a move to New Zealand to start all over again. We talked about her albums, and touring, her family and the fact that she's gone from being on my Worst of the Year list with her debut album to the Best of the Year with her last two records... Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweet...
Apr 20, 2016•1 hr 29 min
An in-depth chat with Julia Deans, singer/songwriter, ex-Fur Patrol frontperson, singer across musicals and tribute shows...we talk about the highs and lows of a 20-year career making music in - and out of - New Zealand. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe
Apr 04, 2016•1 hr 17 min
An in-depth chat with American blues guitarist and singer Chris Cain. He's a regular visitor to New Zealand in recent years, collaborator with Rodger Fox and the Big Bands that Rodger directs. Cain discusses his life and career and the life-long love of blues, of his guitar, of the feel and thrill of playing music and of giving it as gift, creating it with and for others. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe...
Mar 18, 2016•1 hr 19 min
An in-depth chat with Dave Dobbyn - we talk about his brand new album, Harmony House, his career across Th' Dudes, DD Smash and solo, battles with depression and crises of confidence. We talk "National Treasure" status and the pressures associated with that, his love of his audience, of having an audience ready and waiting for new material. We talk about Brian Eno. We talk about his aims for the future with a new recording facility at home and plenty more music inside him... Get full access to S...
Mar 08, 2016•1 hr 53 min
An in-depth chat with Leila Adu - musician: singer/songwriter, improviser, composer - we talk music and mindfulness, we talk internet and unpacking...we talk about what artists are trying to achieve and Leila's own journey (as well as her many travels) Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe
Feb 18, 2016•1 hr 27 min
An in-depth chat with 'Emily Writes' - mummy-blogger, journalist, writer, advocate and activist; creator of the initiative 'Ballet Is For Everyone' and total Twitter fanatic. We talk social media, journalism and blogging. We talk about nasty comments and creating communities online. We talk parenting and having our voices heard. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe...
Feb 03, 2016•1 hr 34 min
An in-depth chat with Ian (drums) and Paul (guitars) of Wellington post-rock instrumental duo, Into Orbit. We talk about their brand new single, the upcoming re-release of their debut album, Caverns, on vinyl, 2016's shows and what went into making this band. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe
Jan 24, 2016•1 hr 13 min
Episode 12 of Sweetman Podcast - a chat with Reece Morrow of Set Piece; caterer, chef, restaurateur, business-owner...brother-in-law...yes, we were in Sydney and we decided to sit amongst the street-noise and talk shop, something, as brothers-in-law, we almost never do. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe
Jan 08, 2016•39 min
Episode 11 of Sweetman Podcast - an in-depth chat with my friend, fellow bloggers and cultural critic Alan Stuart. We talk about his experiences growing up in England, the music he loved and lived through, the music he went on to make and his appreciation and understanding of art, comedy, films, politics, fatherhood. It's a long chat. One I really enjoyed. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe...
Dec 16, 2015•2 hr 44 min
Episode 10 of Sweetman Podcast - an in-depth chat with Wellington-based comedian, Alice Brine. We talk about comedy and reviewing, about comedy-writing and the state of the NZ Comedy Industry, we talk about ADHD, we took about pursuing a creative life, about performance and performing. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe
Dec 02, 2015•2 hr 14 min
