What Do We Know?

Joe Walsh is the energetic frontman of Ekko Park and member of the Jordan Luck Band. Less than a week before this episode was recorded, Ekko Park finished recording their new album. Danny and Joe sat down on a Tuesday afternoon and discussed how the album was made and the events that inspired the bands new musical direction. They also discussed Joe’s childhood and family, what it was like growing...

It’s our first episode of 2018 and in keeping with tradition we’re kicking the year off by talking to each other! Our conversation winds like New Zealand’s roads, which happens to be one of the subjects we touch on. We also discuss the ‘Me Too’ movement, the day to day of our careers as musicians and the upcoming reunion of Bobby’s band Opshop. Get it in ya! Send us Fan Mail Support the show

We’re wrapping up 2017 with out Christmas Special! In this episode we talk to Allister Meffan and Jayden Lee from Alae, Molly Rowlandson from Molly & The Chromatics and Brandon Dickert from Save Ferris who first appeared on Episode 7. We also listen to several clips from the year, including segments with Scotty Pearson (Elemeno P), Cherie Mathieson, UK Producers Dave Eringa & Guy Massey, L...

Michelle Bakker is a passionate and forward thinking music manager who has been working internationally for more than two decades and is proactively and vocally rethinking her approach to the music business. We talk extensively about her current band Dead Poet Society who she’s been working with for the last three years. She also talks about her time managing Greg Johnson, working with Prince and...

Paul WalshWe have a really interesting guest on todays episode. Paul Walsh works in private security and his clients have included Metallica, Slipknot and Just Bieber. He’s also worked for the Police and The Special Tactics Group all over the world. We talk about his time in Afghanistan and Tanzania, the psychology behind his work, the close call with Metallica in Mexico and much more. We’ve also...

Stephen Gallagher is an award winning composer and music editor based in Wellington, New Zealand. His music is haunting and he’s one of these people that makes it look easy. Of course in reality his life as been one of dedication and hard work. In this episode we talk about the process of writing soundtracks, how Stephen’s career came to be, his work on The Hobbit, The Lovely Bones and Human Trace...

We’re celebrating our 50th episode with guitar legend Tommy Emmanuel. Tommy is an Australian icon with an enthusiastic international audience. Everyone who sees him play, knows they’re witnessing something special. His music is a rare mix of feel, emotion and technical ability, all delivered with energy and personality. He is a profound musician and a great guy. Over the years Danny toured with To...

Rachel LaFond is a pianist and composer from Seattle, who recently moved to New Zealand. Rachel’s mother was a piano teacher so her relationship with the piano started when she was very young. When she was a teenager she studied music in Austria before returning to the US. Several years ago Rachel and her husband gave up their day jobs (that’s right folks!!) to travel the world. Their travels brou...

Scotty Pearson is best known as drummer for New Zealand band Elemeno P. The band’s abrupt and controversial ascent (as some people saw it) earned them a solid fan base, significant album sales and more than their fair share of criticism. We go back to the start. We talk about Scotty’s beginnings in the punk days of the late 70s, touring with christian bands, Ringo Starr, forming Elemeno P, getting...

Gray Bartlett has been a prominent and unrelenting force in the music industry for over fifty years. He is a highly respected guitarist who has performed regularly around the world since the sixties. As a music promoter he brought some the the biggest names in music to New Zealand (including Michael Jackson) and as an artist developer he launched the careers of numerous artists including Hayley We...

Dave Johnston is a Tui-Award winning professional drummer and composer who plays and writes for alternative rock bands The Zoup and Villainy. He is also a freelance mixing engineer and during the day works as Industry Liaison for the SAE Institute. We discuss his beginnings in music, the inner workings of Villainy, his experience being produced by Tom Larkin (Shihad) and his role at SAE. Dave is v...

Alex Leighton & Ryan Cooper are the brains and good looks behind Mukpuddy Animation. Tenacity is an understatement for these guys. Mukpuddy is an independent studio that launched over fifteen years ago and has stubbornly worked through many set backs and false starts before finally getting the green light on their biggest project to date; The Barefoot Bandits (TVNZ) a show they’ve affectionate...

As well as being a musician and luthier, he’s worked at Disney World, on Antartica, as a business mentor and use to sky dive for fun. Talk about an interesting life! American Tomm Stanley now lives in Christchurch, New Zealand and owns Stonefield Music, building top quality, beautifully crafted bass guitars. With lots of experience in marketing and business Tomm is launching his company with an in...

Malika Tirolien is an extraordinary singer and songwriter who gained international acclaim when she sang on Snarky Puppy’s album Family Dinner. She grew up in Guadeloupe before relocating to Montreal. She soon established herself on the local jazz scene and performed with many great bands including Groundfood and The Brooks. Since her performance with Snarky Puppy, Malika has released her own albu...

Keyboardist and vocalist Lucy Graves has played for CeeLo Green, Printz Board, she currently plays for the Black Eyed Peas as well as her new duo Parker Lane. Lucy grew up in west Auckland and attended Avondale College, followed by the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Having relocated to Los Angeles, Lucy is a great example of a dedicated, successful New Zealand musician that you’ve probably ne...

Having started in radio and programme production, including a number of iconic music radio initiatives for NZ on Air, industry insider Peter Dickens went on to become the general manager for The New Zealand Music Foundation. In 2016 The New Zealand Music Foundation conducted their first ‘Wellbeing Survey’ to try and further understand the extent of the mental health issues in the entertainment ind...

Today we release our 40th episode and this is one we can all relate to. Nicole Slater is an L.A. based social media & branding consultant who specialises in the entertainment industry. Her background includes TV and radio work as well as being the marketing and promotions manager for the legendary House of Blues. She now runs her own consultation company and works with a variety of high calibr...

DJ Gene Rivers has been committed to his craft and pursuing his journey from his youngest days. Most known as former DJ on George FM and KFM, Gene has seen many sides of the DJ and radio industries. We discuss the beginnings of hip hop and the way some of New Zealand culture adopted and imitated the emerging American trends. We also discuss George FM and the internal changes that arguably caused t...

Today’s episode is a journey, a rollercoaster of a ride through Pele Nili’s life and mind. His experiences growing up in south Auckland, his ventures in music and eventual achievement in writing and directing the movie Groove City. We talk ghosts, religion, cheese burgers, winning a Tui, sleep paralysis and much more. Strap in for a fascinating conversation. Pele is an individual, a visionary and...

He’s a comic book artist and a professional wrestler! Naturally. Michel Mulipola was quiet kid with a passion who grew up to become a professional who does what he loves. As well as wrestling and releasing his own comic book series, he’s currently working on the U.S comic book Headlocked: The Last Territory. We discuss comic books, wrestling, 13 Reasons Why, Comic-con, punching receipts, killing S...

Actor Stelios Yiakmis has made a name for himself in both New Zealand and Australia playing roles on Shortland Street, McLeod's Daughters, All Saints, Underbelly, Street Legal, The Blue Rose and acclaimed 2006 movie Jindabyne. Does he really believe he’s a lesbian, an embodiment of God and a spectator to the end of the world? We find out! We also speak briefly to Nick Poortman as he waits to...

Yoko-Zuna! Not the Wrestler, not the Mexican metal band… the innovative, highly reputed instrumental New Zealand band who have quickly made a great name for themselves on the local scene. These guys are impressive, not just because of their music, but also because of their attitude and the approach they have taken behind the scenes. Upcoming musicians can learn a lot from these guys and we really...

Professional singer, vocal coach, producer and entrepreneur Cherie Mathieson is our latest guest and we were thrilled to have her on the show. She’s collaborated with a long list of great artists including a very successful album with with Mark de Clive Lowe. She regularly tours with Sola Rosa, does session work and directs high profile shows like the APRA Silver Scroll Awards and Christmas In The...

Paddy Milner is a world class piano player who’s worked with Tom Jones, Jack Bruce, David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) Eric Burdon (The Animals) Van Morrison, Joss Stone and many more. He was recently in New Zealand touring with The Last Waltz show and kindly made time to chat to us. Great guy, great player, great chat! Do it.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show

In this special two-guest episode, UK producers Dave Eringa & Guy Massey join us for a fascinating conversation about making records and a lot more. Dave Eringa has worked with Manic Street Preachers, The Who, Kylie Minogue, Tom Jones & The Proclaimers. Guy Massey worked at Abbey Road and his resume includes The Beatles Remasters, Ed Sheeran, James Blunt and Paul McCartney. Get into it!  S...