Sweetman Podcast

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. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman....

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...

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) a...

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. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe

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 convers...

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. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.subs...

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. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.su...

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 writ...

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 Pa...

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. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe

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 B...

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 "Mo...

An in-depth conversation with musician, composer, arranger and producer Claire Cowan. She is the leader of the Blackbird Ensemble, she is writing a brand new score for the Royal New Zealand Ballet, she is a soundtrack composer for TV and film and is both a writer and performer (cello, piano, guitar, percussion). So we talked through her life and work and plugged the current Blackbird Ensemble Bjor...

An in-depth conversation with Wellington actor Simon Leary. We talk through his life and the steps he took to train and learn the craft of acting. We talk improv, drama, comedy, writing, the pantomime, via touchstones including The Simpsons and The Office. And we plug the brand new Circa Theatre show, "COCK" and the upcoming pantomime which Simon is not only starring in but is also co-writing. Get...

An in-depth conversation with Japanese/Kiwi musician Mark de Clive-Lowe. We chat about his journey through his bi-cultural heritage and Kiwi upbringing to being an international jazz citizen of the world, currently living in America. We talk about meeting heroes, making music with them, working with Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe

An in-depth conversation with Dean Chandler. The Wellington-based singer/songwriter released his self-titled debut album in the early/mid-00s and it featured guest appearances by Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, Bic Runga, Larry Campbell and was produced by Brady Blade. The album ran its course and disappeared. It's largely forgotten. And Dean has full time employment far away from the music industry....

An in-depth conversation with investigative journalist, reporter, producer Paula Penfold. We talk journalism - we talk about some of the cases she's cracked and worked on, about the work pressures and the stress of trolls. We talk about producing and what goes on behind the scenes, about dedication to the story and the work she's doing now at Stuff Circuit as well as the work she's done as broadca...

An in-depth conversation with songwriter and musician Don McGlashan. We talk through his various bands and projects including the Blam Blam Blam reunion. We talk songs and writing and the shaping of music. We talk, leaning against a wall in Wellington while the world's passing by. We are almost there on the edge of a scene in a Don McGlashan song. If only... Get full access to Sounds Good! at simo...

An in-depth conversation with musician Nathan Haines. We talk right through his life from his child-prodigy days in a musical family through to working in the UK as both featured star and a sideman - so many collaborations and connections. Haines also talks addiction and a recent cancer diagnosis. He has survived, is grateful and is seeking to move forward with many musical projects and a young fa...

An in-depth conversation with GInette McDonald. We talk acting, we talk Lyn of Tawa, we talk OE - the early experience in London - and to recent theatrical successes ("Joan") and the upcoming Pink Hammer. We talk theatre, TV, movies - acting techniques - and I just generally enjoy being in the presence of a living legend of both serious acting and comedic monologues. Get full access to Sounds Good...

An in-depth conversation with Marek Peszynski. He is now the Marketing Manager for Orchestra Wellington. He's also a DJ, a former record store worker, member of the group Eastern Bloc and radio-show host. Marek held many DJ residencies around Wellington in the early/mid-00s before moving overseas for a bit, returning to become an occasional tour promoter and tastemaker in local hip-hop circles. We...