Sweetman Podcast

An in-depth conversation with composer and musician Lucien Johnson. We talk theatre and his upcoming NZ festival show with partner (dancer/choreographer) Lucy Marinkovich - but we go back to discuss his time served in the Wellington jazz scene of the late-90s and across the 00s, including a stint in France and a money-gig touring with The Black Seeds among many other musical activities and pursuits.

An in-depth conversation with businessman, guitar teacher and musician Charlie Wallace. We talk through the building of his empire, from high school dropout to owner of Guitar Mastery Method, via teaching himself every facet of web development to create online guitar courses. We talk, too, of his own musical aspirations, including the debut release from his band Black Smoke Trigger.

An in-depth conversation with Meg Williams, Executive Director of Tawhiri (The NZ Festival, Jazz Festival, Lexus Song Quest and Second Unit). We talk about the festival and her history with event planning and festivals, working her way up from a volunteer at various UK and European festivals through to her time over the last decade in Wellington, climbing the ladder to the top job as festival director.

An in-depth conversation with Kev Fitzsimons, lead singer of Wellington band Anxiety Club. We talk about our time together - 20-something years ago - playing in a university covers band and from there to his time working in Scotland and England, including a stint working under a pseudonym (Thom Cross) singing vocal hooks on dance tracks and attempting to build a solo career. And now, back in Wellington, he has a family and is keeping music as something on the side.

An in-depth conversation with American guitarist and singer/songwriter Steve Gunn. We talked through his life and career and the harshness of solo touring. We had a big old geek-out over The Beatles and many other legendary songwriters and recording artists too.

A phone-interview with Margo Timmins, lead singer of the Cowboy Junkies. We talk through the history of the band, the songwriting dynamics, the family story - the decision to take a break to raise their own families and then the return to touring and recording. We preview their upcoming 2020 May tour of NZ - the band's first visit here in 20 years.

An in-depth conversation with Wellington writer Dave Armstrong. We plug and preview his new play, "The Surprise Party" but talk also about theatre in general and his various roles as a columnist, satirist, musician, scriptwriter for TV and film - a busy life writing for hire and writing for love. We discuss his time working on Shortland Street, playing with various bands in the 1980s including The Holidaymakers ("Sweet Lovers") and making TV (Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby, Spin Doctors) and movies (Kiwi Christmas) as well as the role of the satirist in modern society. Big chat. Great chat. Great guy.

An in-depth conversation with Matthew Bannister - founder of the band Sneaky Feelings and now working under the name One Man Bannister, creating track-by-track covers of Beatles albums. We talk about his Beatles fascination, his time in Dunedin, moving there from Scotland - and then to Auckland. We talk about his memoir, Positively George Street and his other musical work (Dribbling Darts, Moth) as well as the reunion records by Sneaky Feelings.

An in-depth conversation with poet and photographer Mary Macpherson. We discuss and hear readings from her brand new poetry book, "Social Media". We discuss her work as both a writer and a photographer and her philosophies and approach towards both: subjects that she likes to keep distinct, very separate.

In-depth conversations with both David Kilgour and Hamish Kilgour, brothers, members of The Clean - solo performers also. I talk to David, first, backstage at a bar in Wellington ahead of his soundcheck. Less than a week later I'm down an alley-way with construction happening around us as I capture some thoughts from his brother Hamish Kilgour; coincidentally touring the country. These two conversations are presented together here to celebrate episode 200 of Sweetman Podcast.

An in-depth conversation with former rapper (Tourettes) and poet and novelist Dominic Hoey. He reads from his new book, I Thought We'd Famous and we talk all things poetry and literary festivals and writing classes as well as his mental and physical health and the challenges that have motivated him along the way.

An in-depth conversation with Fifi Colston: "Freelance Creative". We talk children's books, writing, drawing, painting, design, TV (What Now and Good Morning), advertising, stand-up comedy, fashion, WOW, the works...you name it...Fifi Colston has done it, helped to do it or has an opinion on it. An inspiring and hilarious chat about creativity.

An in-depth conversation with Marnie Karmelita, Creative Director of Tawhiri. We had chatted previously about her life and work, here we preview the 2020 NZ Festival, talking through the decision to involve guest curators and discussing highlights from the program.

An in-depth conversation with Wellington-based, Christchurch-raised playwright Victor Rodger. We preview his new work, Uma Lava and talk through some of his earlier works (At The Wake, Black Faggot, Sons) as well as his background in TV writing (Shortland Street), acting (Toi Whakaari) and working in newspapers as a film critic and arts reporter.

An in-depth conversation with Wellington-based writer Linda Burgess. We talk about her new book, the memoir "Someone's Wife". We talk, too, of her work as a journalist and critic, her novels, script-writing and short stories. We talk of life and family and travel - the happy and sad stories that have filled her life. We talk about the role of the critic and the art of criticism and all things writing...

An in-depth conversation with Fergus Barrowman, publisher at VUP. We talk about his time with Victoria University Press, the creation of literary journal, Sport and his relationship - as partner and publisher - with one of NZ's most successful novelists, Elizabeth Knox. We talk creative writing courses, poetry, literary festivals, all things writing. And then we geek-out over jazz music for a bit.

An in-depth conversation with journalist and broadcast Sean Plunket. From his early days in the press-gallery to stints on Fair Go and RNZ, including 14 years co-hosting Morning Report. We talk journalist, TV, radio and the changes over the years. We talk, too, of his move towards a more "entertainment"-style of talkback. And of course his stint near politics liaising for TOP (The Opportunities Party)

An in-depth chat with Joan As Police Woman (Joan Wasser). We talk about her first NZ tour, about the making of her debut record, the release of her compilation, "Joanthology" and all points in-between. We talk Dylan and Prince. We talk songwriting and covers.

An in-depth conversation with Barnaby Weir - lead singer/songwriter for The Black Seeds and creator of the Fly My Pretties ensemble. We talk music; growing up with his famous storyteller/radio announce father, Dick Weir. We talk about the music he's made, including his "Flash Harry" solo persona and other projects like LOOP's "OE: Brazil" as well as the formation and international touring of The Black Seeds and the success of Fly My Pretties, including the brand new debut studio recordings.

An in-depth conversation with Wellington playwright, director, actor, singer, producer Cassandra Tse. She is the artistic director of Red Scare Theatre Company. We talked through her life and training and her passion for musical theatre to arrive at a plug for the upcoming Red Scare final show of 2019, "Four Nights In The Green Barrow Pub" and to look back on this year's successful stagings of "MoodPorn" and "The Aliens".