New Zealand independent record label
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Today we'll be looking back at the career of one of the most formative rock bands in Kiwi music history, The Clean. Formed in the late 1970s, they were pioneers of the "Dunedin sound" and instrumental in getting Flying Nun Records off the ground in the 80s. In 2017 they were inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame. To take us through the music is Geoff Stahl, a lecturer in Media and Communication at Victoria University of Wellington, a DJ, and the host of 'Music Without Subtitles' on Radioactive.fm. He's just authored a book about the band for the popular 33 and 1/3 series focusing on their 1981 EP 'Boodle Boodle Boodle', which is officially launching next Thursday at Flying Nun Records.
This week, we are joined by New Zealand musician & composer LUKASZ PAWEL BUDA (Hunt For The Wilderpeople; The Phoenix Foundation), who picked the Dave Markey music documentary 1991: THE YEAR PUNK BROKE to discuss. We talk about discovering Nirvana & Sonic Youth, what it's like for Luke to compose music for director Taika Waititi's films, 1991's director Dave Markey's history with SST records, Luke taking the teenage trek to see grunge bands live and does Pearl Jam count as a grunge band, how this movement captured in the film eventually became a world wide sensation, the Sonic Youth Goo VHS tape, Thurston's stream of conciousness rants in the movie, the start of documenting everything with film & video, how Sonic Youth did not come off as goofballs on their albums but did in their videos, Meat Puppets Up On The Sun, the Sub-Pop situation, selling out, Jawbreaker, what was selling out in New Zealand like, Flying Nun Records, Bad Moon Rising, the ceiling of the underground, Nirvana's Bleach, hearing Smells Like Teen Spirit for the first time, Chris's Sub-Pop band playing with Mudhoney and Nirvana the day their album went gold, seeing Sonic Youth wearing shorts, The Crucifucks, Steve Shelley's drumming, Markey's knack of knowing where to film at any given moment, the incredible coolness of Kim Gordon, how the film gloriously shows how Sonic Youth actually made these songs come to life, how impressive it is that Sonic Youth could still hold onto what made them singualr while moving into a more accessable world, Miles Davis' Bitches Brew, how Nirvana ecplised Sonic Youth's popularity by the time this film came out, Courtney Love, the overwhelming Redding Festival lineup that year, how the Super 8mm format enhanced the film, blind spots in musical cultutre, The Pixies and the melancholy that happens as your tour ends.So grab the tiny mic and scream straight into the camera on this week's episode of Revolutions Per Movie!!!LUKASZ PAWEL BUDA:https://thephoenixfoundation.bandcamp.comhttps://www.monikermusic.nethttps://lukebuda1.bandcamp.com/REVOLUTIONS PER MOVIE:Host Chris Slusarenko (Eyelids, Guided By Voices, owner of Clinton Street Video rental store) is joined by actors, musicians, comedians, writers & directors who each week pick out their favorite music documentary, musical, music-themed fiction film or music videos to discuss. Fun, weird, and insightful, Revolutions Per Movie is your deep dive into our life-long obsessions where music and film collide.The show is also a completely independent affair, so the best way to support it is through our Patreon at patreon.com/revolutionspermovie. By joining, you can get weekly bonus episodes, physical goods such as Flexidiscs, and other exclusive goods.Revolutions Per Movies releases new episodes every Thursday on any podcast app, and additional, exclusive bonus episodes every Sunday on our Patreon. If you like the show, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing it on your favorite podcast app. Thanks!SOCIALS:@revolutionspermovieX, BlueSky: @revpermovieTHEME by Eyelids 'My Caved In Mind'www.musicofeyelids.bandcamp.com ARTWORK by Jeff T. Owenshttps://linktr.ee/mymetalhand Click here to get EXCLUSIVE BONUS WEEKLY Revolutions Per Movie content on our Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On today's episode, I talk to guitarist and composer Roy Montgomery. Originally from London, Roy grew up in Christchurch, New Zealand, and his first band, The Pin Group, was part of the forefront of the New Zealand post-punk scene in the early-1980s, that, along with bands like The Clean and The Chills, centered around Flying Nun Records. After this, he began recording on his own, and he began to draw acclaim by his second solo album, Temple IV, which was released on Kranky. Since then, he has recorded any number of fantastic albums, collaborated with groups like Bardo Pond and Flying Saucer Attack, and become a lecturer - and head of the Environmental Management Department at Lincoln University. His most recent work Camera Melancholia was released on Grapefruit a few years ago, and like everything else Roy does, it's wonderful! This is the website for Beginnings, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow me on Twitter. Check out my free philosophy Substack where I write essays every couple months here and my old casiopop band's lost album here! And the comedy podcast I do with my wife Naomi Couples Therapy can be found here! Theme song by the fantastic Savoir Adore! Second theme by the brilliant Mike Pace! Closing theme by the delightful Gregory Brothers! Podcast art by the inimitable Beano Gee!
On this week's show, we... Bid adieu to the late Duke Fakir of The Four Tops Pour one out for the late Martin Phillipps of The Chills Spend qualtiy time with superlative new records from Jack White, Parlor Greens & Johnny Blue Skies All this & much, much less! Debts No Honest Man Can Pay started in 2003 at WHFR-FM (Dearborn, MI), moved to WGWG-FM (Boiling Springs, NC) in 2006 & Plaza Midwood Community Radio (Charlotte, NC) in 2012, with a brief pit-stop at WLFM-FM (Appleton, WI) in 2004.
"Construyendo, a través de fragmentos, un testimonio apasionante de la creatividad y la diversidad que caracterizan a este género musical, tan amado como desconocido. Bandas, sellos discográficos, canciones, discos, estéticas, etc. Aquí cabe todo: Donosti sound, Caledonia Dreaming, Postcard Records, Labrador, tontipop, Dunedin sound, Laptra, Piloto, Sarah Records, Elefant, 53rd & 3rd, twee pop, cuddlecore, shoegaze, blonde pop, jangle pop, Flying Nun Records, postpunk indiepop, revolt into childhood, chamber pop, baroque & roll, indiepop progresivo, indietrónica, Bus Stop Label, post rock, C86, Creation, protoindiepop, Shibuya-kei, J-pop, nu-indiepop, college pop, antifolk, Subway Organization, etc." Conversamos en el #TraficantesDeCultura con el escritor y académico Ricardo Martínez-Gamboa, autor de Indiepop: Una historia, libro editado por SANTIAGO-ANDER EDITORIAL. Conduce: Humberto Fuentes
Flying Nun Records has been around for over 40 years, and although it has had some ups and downs, the label has endured throughout. The first release to gain prominence for the label was Tally Ho by the Clean, and throughout the 80's it released some of the most iconic indie music to come out of Aotearoa. Morning Report producer Simon Wraight finds out what they are releasing these days.
Labour Party finance spokesperson Grant Robertson admits to overspending in one area, his own personal home sound system, but he doesn't regret it. “I probably spent more money on stereo equipment than [I should've], but I get a great deal of joy out of it,” he said, after Interest.co.nz asked for an example.It turns out he is something of an audiophile and a huge fan of Flying Nun Records and the Dunedin Sound which were a pop culture phenomenon in the 1980s. Robertson also doesn't regret using the Crown's borrowing power to insulate New Zealand's economy and workers from the worst effects of the pandemic and its response.Steering the country through the crisis and coming out the other end with a bigger economy and record employment rates was his greatest accomplishment, he said. More than $70 billion was spent on wage subsidies, low-interest loans for small businesses, the health response, vaccines, managed isolation, and other pandemic related things. This caused net debt to climb from just $5.4 billion in 2019 to about $71 billion today, or from 1.8% of gross domestic product to 18.1%. Despite the sharp increase, debt is forecast to remain below the 30% ceiling recommended by the Treasury. This is a ceiling for business-as-usual debt and leaves room for a crisis response. “You could go above but you wouldn't want to be there for very long, was Treasury's advice, essentially,” Robertson said. In a serious economic shock, the Government could potentially raise debt levels to 40% or 50% of GDP without threatening the financial stability of the country. “It's not desirable. It's not what you want to do. But in a crisis, the government will always step up … Our economy is resilient. The reason we can do that is because the underpinnings of it are strong”.“But there's also an obligation for a Minister of Finance to make sure that we don't unnecessarily strain the economy, especially at a time when cost of borrowing is quite high”.Duelling mandatesBorrowing costs are high because central banks around the world have been hiking interest rates to stave off a post-pandemic inflation shock. Inflation is incredibly unpopular with voters and it has given political momentum to a pre-existing critique of the Labour's decision to broaden the Reserve Bank's mandate. In 2019, the Government amended the central bank's legislation to make monetary policy a committee decision and to formalise its role in supporting employment. This dual-mandate, price stability and full employment, has been the model used by the US Federal Reserve since 1977 and the Australian Reserve Bank since 1957. The National Party has promised to remove employment from the RBNZ's mandate in its first 100 days, if elected.Robertson said this would be a step backwards. The central bank's primary job is to keep annual inflation between 1% and 3% — but that is a fairly wide channel to swim in. “We also believe that when decisions are being taken about [price stability], the broader economy also needs to be borne in mind”. The best proxy for economic well-being was employment and so the RBNZ was told to ‘support' the maximum sustainable level, as determined by the bank itself. It is also inherently linked to price stability, as inflation tends to pick up when employment is above sustainable levels and fall away when it is below those levels. Robertson said the dual mandate was important and could have a significant impact on monetary policy in the future, but it hadn't done so yet. “Adrian Orr has made clear that in the period since the mandate changed, they wouldn't have changed an individual decision because of that,” he said. “There's no problem here. The Reserve Bank knows what its job is, and if the Federal Reserve can do it, and the Reserve Bank of Australia can do it, and to a certain extent, the Bank of England can do it, then I think RBNZ can do it as well”.
Richard Langston inn conversation with David Eastaugh https://hozacrecords.com/product/pull-down-the-shades/ https://hozacrecords.bandcamp.com/merch/pull-down-the-shades-garage-fanzine-1984-86-compendium-book-by-richard-langston The incredible sound of New Zealand from Flying Nun Records and Xpressway in the 1980s-90s is the stuff of legend. Hozac Books proudly presents Richard Langston's ultra-obscure fanzine GARAGE, capturing the original six issues from 1984-86 at long last, in book form. Including new interviews and essays from the NZ underground's luminaries among the likes of Alec Bathgate, David Kilgour, Roy Montgomery, Shayne Carter, Bill Direen, George Henderson, Francisca Griffin, Ronnie van Hout, Chris Heazlewood, Peter Jefferies, Stephen Cogle, Hamish Kilgour, Tom Lax, Stuart Page, Martin Phillipps, Bruce Russell, John Halvorsen, Dean Allen, Robert Scott, Brian Turner, Gary Olson, David Swift, Roger Shepherd, and don't forget those incredible photos of The Clean from Carol Tippet.
On the first episode of the Music Book Podcast, Marc talks to Matthew Goody, author of the book “Needles and Plastic: Flying Nun Records 1981-1988." It's a history of the first seven years of this amazing New Zealand record label, told through chronological entries that cover all of the releases in that span of time. Matthew gets into the details of each record but also tells a story across the book of how this label worked and why it was so important. Enjoy!
Patrick looks into the amazing new discography book by Matthew Goody, Needles and Plastic, Flying Nun Records, 1981-1988. It was published by Third Man Books. Subscribe to Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, including audioBoom, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon, iHeart, Stitcher and TuneIn. Or listen at SuburbsPod.com. Please rate/review the show on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends. Visit our website at SuburbsPod.com Email Jim & Patrick at rock@suburbspod.com Follow us on the Twitter, Facebook or Instagram @suburbspod If you're glad or sad or high, call the Suburban Party Line — 612-440-1984. Theme music: "Ascension," originally by Quartjar, covered by Frank Muffin. Visit quartjar.bandcamp.com and frankmuffin.bandcamp.com.
Led by brothers David and Hamish Kilgour, The Clean is one of New Zealand's defining bands. Reflecting on the band in light of the recent passing of drummer Hamish Kilgour, our own Marc Masters called the band's songs "charmingly rough and buoyantly catchy." That signature sound was in place from the very beginning, as this week's episode of the Spindle, dedicated to The Clean's 1981 single "Tally Ho!" backed with "Platypus," makes clear. Join John and Marc as they drop the needle on a Kiwi indie rock classic and reflect on what makes The Clean and Flying Nun Records so special. About The Spindle: The 7-inch record isn't just a format—it's an art form. On each episode of The Spindle podcast, music writer Marc Masters (Pitchfork, The Wire, Bandcamp) and music historian (and music maker) John Howard dive into a great 7-inch, dissecting its background, impact, and the reasons why it stands out as a small plastic piece of music history. What's your favorite 7″? Call us at 1-877-WASTOIDS and weigh in!
Sometimes when we don't plan, an episode completes with all sorts of chat. Hertz Van Rental is not a Dutch footballer! We talk about our health checks and regimes. Find out why El Tele is sentenced to read Ian MacDonald's Beatles book five times.El Tele goes to the theatre twice (a pantomime and pop-scientist Brian Cox's latest show) and gets back into Arrested Development. The Captain reviews family-oriented Addams Family spinoff Wednesday, commenting on the viral spread of another old pop song, and the Scott Walker documentary 30 Century Man.We speculate on the musical direction Jimi Hendrix would have moved in, and we say goodbye to Christine McVie, Wilko Johnson, Hamish Kilgour and Kirstie Alley. And we'd like to know examples of music you dismissed at the time it came out, but came to love in later years.Show notes and links at https://www.onlyapodcast.com/episode-29-christine-wilko-hamish-kirstie-scott-brian-and-wednesday/https://linktr.ee/onlyapodcast
Indie record label Flying Nun Records was founded in Christchurch in 1981 by music store owner Roger Shepherd. Since then, Flying Nun has brought us artists like The Chills, Headless Chickens, The Verlaines, and Chris Knox. The early days of Roger Shepherd's iconic Kiwi label have now been compiled into a book, it's called Needles and Plastic: Flying Nun Records, 1981-1988. Author Matthew Goody, a Canadian editor, publisher and fanatical record collector talked us through the book and the history of the label itself. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
George Henderson - The Puddle & The New Existentialists - in conversation with David Eastaugh https://thenewexistentialists.bandcamp.com The Puddle are a New Zealand rock band originally formed in Dunedin in 1983 by George D. Henderson. They had a mini-album, a live album, a studio album and a single released on New Zealand independent record label Flying Nun Records between 1986 and 1993. The group has continued to exist since then, with several line-up changes and periods of inactivity. Since 2006 the group has released four albums on Dunedin independent record label Fishrider Records.
You knew it had to happen soon or later. Here's the story of the first release on New Zealand's Flying Nun label, which we may have talked about a little bit on this podcast in the past. Thanks to a pair of Nicks and one Liam for this suggestion. Hit play and get ready to dance on the head of a pin. Subscribe to Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, including audioBoom, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon, iHeart, Stitcher and TuneIn. Or listen at SuburbsPod.com. Please rate/review the show on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends. Visit our website at SuburbsPod.com Email Jim & Patrick at rock@suburbspod.com Follow us on the Twitter, Facebook or Instagram @suburbspod If you're glad or sad or high, call the Suburban Party Line — 612-440-1984. Theme music: "Ascension," originally by Quartjar, covered by Frank Muffin. Visit quartjar.bandcamp.com and frankmuffin.bandcamp.com
1981, au magasin de disques Records Factory à Christchurch en Nouvelle-Zélande, Roger Shepperd, un jeune homme de 21 ans s'ennuie. Il découvre des artistes internationaux comme Can et passe son temps en fréquentant les salles de concerts. Malgré les 18000 km qui séparent Londres d'Auckland, le post-punk fait alors des vagues jusqu'en Nouvelle-Zélande. Pere Ubu, Joy Division, mais aussi Talkings Heads ou Television en sont les groupes phares. Un soir, Shepperd se rend dans une salle de la ville pour jeter un oeil à un groupe d'une ville universitaire du sud. Leur nom ? The Clean. Il les a déjà vus en 1ere partie de The Enemy en 78 à Dunedin. Il vient juste de fonder un tout jeune label Flying Nun Records, dans le but de documenter ce qui se passait dans le pays et avec qui il espère vendre assez de disques pour couvrir les frais du label. Avant même que le concert de The Clean ne se termine, Roger Shepperd est déjà sur scène un crayon à la main pour signer les frères Kilgour. En Nouvelle-Zélande, Flying Nun, c'était un peu Rough Trade, Creation, Mute, Factory et 4AD en un seul label. Un monopole dans un pays où il n'y a rien à faire à part lire, écouter de la musique et fumer de la weed. Une conjoncture propice au développement d'un label indé. Au début des années 80, une flopée de groupes arrivent de Dunedin, la fameuse ville universitaire décrite comme l'Edimbourg de la Nouvelle-Zélande. Certains puisent dans la folk sixties comme The Verlaines, sur le Velvet comme The Clean et d'autres mélangent les Stooges aux Beatles comme The Bats, Snapper ou Jean-Paul Sartre Experience. En 82, Flying Nun sort la compilation Dunedin Double qui réunit les groupes de la cette ville. Les groupes et le label tentent de percer à Londres mais l'Angleterre résiste à contrario des États-Unis. Les radios universitaires diffusent les groupes du label en boucle. Mais si une partie de l'industrie musicale est aux pieds du label, les finances restent le nerf de la guerre. Shepperd migre à Auckland et crée des liens avec d'autres labels pour se faire distribuer en Europe et aux USA. En 91, six groupes dont The Verlaines ont des contrats de distribution avec des majors. Le Flying Nun des débuts est loin derrière. Un peu dépité et clairement pas meilleur ami avec son banquier, Roger Shepperd vend le label à Mushroom Records, un label australien qui a des bureaux à Londres. Entre temps Warner a racheté Mushroom Records. Sheeperd craint que son catalogue finisse par être oublié et à la surprise générale Warner accepte de lui revendre. Depuis 2005, Flying Nun est de nouveau indépendant et a recommencé à sortir des disques de la nouvelle génération comme Aldous Harding ou Purple Pilgrims. Qui aurait parié sur le fait que le label soit encore en vie aujourd'hui ? En 2021, Flying Nun à fêté ses 40ans. The Clean/Getting Older Phantom Forth/March The Chills/Pink Frost Look Blue Go Purple/Cactus Cat The Jean-Paul Sartre Experience/Flex Queen Meanie Puss/Contracts Snapper/Gentle Hour The Bats/North By North Bailter Space/Grader Spader Reb Fountain/Faster
Welshman John Cale is a founder member of The Velvet Underground and a prolific solo artist. Over a career spanning seven decades, he sings and plays a multitude of instruments (viola, piano, guitar, et al), always questing for something new. His work, though sometimes challenging, has moments of rare beauty and musical virtuosity. Mick and the Phatman discuss the breadth of Cale's career, pointing out highlights for those new to Cale, and giving insights into a career that has never settled for the easy road. References: COVID Immunity, “1001 Albums You Must Hear before You Die”, Robert Dimery, Bob Dylan, “Blood on the Tracks”, Chris Knox, Flying Nun Records, “Ghost Story”, Vintage Violence, Jonathon Richman, John Cage, La Monte Young, Aaron Copland, The Primitives, Mo Tucker, Close Watch, Hallelujah, Paris 1919, “The Island Years”, “Music for a New Society”, Sam Shepard, “Heartbreak Hotel”, Brian Eno, “Wrong Way Up”, The Bottom Line, New York, Andy Warhol, Scorgie's Rochester, Enmore Theatre, “Songs for Drella”, “Autobiography”, “What's Welsh for Zen?”, Le Bataclan, Patti Smith, “Horses”, Nico, Hit us up on our email: MickandthePhatman@Gmail.com Playlist (Spotify) John Cale - A More Accessible Collection Fears Just a Mans Best FriendFragments of a Rainy SeasonBooks What's Welsh for Zen? – The Autobiography of John Cale - Victor Bockris & John Cale VideoCale: Bowie TributeContact us If you enjoy this podcast, share it with a friend who loves music. Or leave us a review and a 5-star rating as it helps our audience grow. What do you think of the podcast? What would you like us to talk about? Ask questions, or even let us know if we got something wrong!! Facebook Instagram mickandthephatman@gmail.com
Released Friday, New Zealand alternative folk artist, Reb Fountain's 2021 record IRIS is the award-winning artist's second release with Flying Nun Records. The perfect extension of her 2020 self-titled record, IRIS elevates Reb Fountain's music to new heights. Reb effortlessly combines pop elements with her trademark noir folk-punk sound; weaving authentic and anthemic tunes that create an instant and indelible impression. Reb also has released the visual counterpart to this week's lead single, and title-track 'Iris'; the video directed and filmed by Lola Fountain-Best. IRIS is out now via Flying Nun Records on both black and turquoise vinyl, CD and digitally. LISTEN ABOVE
Roger Shepherd, the founder of iconic Kiwi independent record label Flying Nun, joins lifelong music fan, journalist and TV personality John Campbell to share the story of his life with the independent and much loved music label that has been taking the sounds of Aotearoa New Zealand to the world for nearly 40 years. For a worldwide community of music fans, Flying Nun is one of the most iconic independent record labels from outside the mainstream, defining a particular voice and sound of New Zealand. In 2016, the label's founder penned his memoir In Love with these Times: My Life with Flying Nun Records. We invited Roger along to Going West for an animated and good-natured discussion with Flying Nun fanboy (and award winning journalist) John Campbell. The session begins with a heartfelt monologue from John, recounting his own discovery and deep love for “the Dunedin Sound”, as Flying Nun's iconic output has often been called. Roger's dry humour, honesty and humility shine through in the course of the conversation as he tells some fascinating tales from the label's formative years. This session was a classic example of Going West at its best. A bright and sunny Titirangi afternoon, a friendly and engaged crowd, two relaxed guests swapping stories and jokes and insights, with the occasional interruption from a feral rooster strutting back and forth past the doors of the Titirangi War Memorial Hall.
Gomorrha - Trauma (from the Strain, Crack & Break - Volume 2 of the Nurse With Wound List - Germany) Flohr Otis - Stirb In Deinem Rasenmäher (underground German band from 90s - self released 2LP Vierteiler) NZ mini set inspired by Erewhon Calling - Experimental Sound in New Zealand BOOK (available at Carbon Records link below) Toy Love - Squeeze (from the AK79 2LP compilation on Ripper Records, Propeller, and Flying Nun Records - originally from 1979) Chris Knox - Wanna (from Seizure LP - reiisue on Captured Tracks - originally on Flying Nun 1989) Tall Dwarfs - Skin of My Teeth (from Weeville reissued on Captured Tracks) Wreck Small Speakers on Expensive Stereos - Rain (from Xpressway Pile-up - A Compilation of NZ Music) The Verlaines - Angela (from Dunedin Double 4 way 2LP, The Chills, Sneaky Feelings, The Stones, and The Verlaines - reissued on Flying Nun - originally released in 1982) Rambutan - System 5 (Walker Martin • Michael Kiefer • Chris Robert • Glen Galloway • Eric Hardiman) Rambutan - System 20 (Mike Watt • Anla Courtis • Michael Kiefer • Jon Schlesinger • Thomas Lail • Patrick Weklar • Eric Hardiman) Rambutan - System 32 (Euan Currie • Holland Hopson • Jenifer Gelineau • Ali Robertson • Pete Fosco • Eric Hardiman) Links: Rambutan - Parallel Systems - https://rambutan.bandcamp.com/... Carbon Mailorder - https://carbonrecords.com
On the 40th anniversary of Flying Nun Records we spoke with Richard Langston of 1980s Dunedin fanzine Garage about the sublime sounds emanating from the Kiwi underground.
An in-depth conversation with Auckland-based actor, voice talent, DJ, artist, stone carver, glass blower and storyteller Greg Smith. We chart his life as a series of happy accidents moving from one town to another, one girlfriend to another, one story to another - threaded through it a tale of drugs and art and happiness. We talk about his time as a glass blower, actor, voice talent, DJ and musician signed to Flying Nun Records. Greg finishes this podcast with a spoken-word yarn of his own. Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe
An in-depth conversation with Auckland-based actor, voice talent, DJ, artist, stone carver, glass blower and storyteller Greg Smith. We chart his life as a series of happy accidents moving from one town to another, one girlfriend to another, one story to another - threaded through it a tale of drugs and art and happiness. We talk about his time as a glass blower, actor, voice talent, DJ and musician signed to Flying Nun Records. Greg finishes this podcast with a spoken-word yarn of his own.
Episode 150 of Look At My Records! features an interview with New Zealand indie rock legends The Bats. As the band nears their 40th anniversary, they show no signs of slowing down. They just released their tenth full length, Foothills, on Flying Nun Records. The album, which was recorded entirely in the Canterbury foothills of the Southern Alps of Aotearoa, continues the band’s trend of songs that are reflective and tranquil while still maintaining their signature jangly guitar-driven sound.
Flying Nun Records special with Roger Shepherd in conversation with David Eastaugh The label was formed in the wake of a flurry of new post-punk-inspired labels forming in New Zealand in the early 1980s, in particular Propeller Records in Auckland. The intention was to record the original local music of Christchurch, but soon the label rose to national prominence by championing the emerging music of Dunedin. The Pin Group's "Ambivalence" 7" (the first band of Roy Montgomery) was the first release from Flying Nun, although it is widely assumed that "Tally Ho" by The Clean was the first release, as it unexpectedly reached number nineteen in the New Zealand charts, bringing the label unanticipated profile and income. This was followed by the seminal Dunedin Double, a release which cemented the place of the southern city in the forefront of New Zealand independent music. Flying Nun moved into the full-length album market in 1982 with the Ego Gratification Album by Chris Knox and Beatin Hearts by Builders (recorded 1982, Auckland). Many of the most prominent kiwi rock and alternative bands have been signed to Flying Nun at some stage in their careers. In 2000, Australian youth radio network Triple J produced a list of the thirty "Greatest New Zealand acts of all time", twenty of which were Flying Nun artists. The label has been home to various styles of music, including the much-debated Dunedin sound, "high-end pop with a twist", lo-fi experimentation, strongly Velvet Underground-influenced pop, minimalism, industrial, and rock-electronic crossover.
The Verlaines special with Graeme Downes in conversation with David Eastaugh The Verlaines were noted for their angular, "difficult" song structures, wordy and downbeat lyrics, unusual subject matter, which was all contained in often frantic up-tempo playing. The Verlaines were led by songwriter and vocalist/guitarist Graeme Downes, although many other New Zealand musicians played guitar, bass, drums and brass instruments during the different stages of the band. Downes is an academic at the University of Otago, where he is head of the Department of Music. He teaches contemporary music and has research interests in Mahler and Shostakovich. He has released one solo album, Hammers and Anvils, which came out on Matador Records in 2001. Their signature songs include "Death and the Maiden", "C.D. Jimmy Jazz & Me", "Bird-dog" and "Ballad of Harry Noryb." The band's recorded debut was on the seminal Dunedin Double EP, which was released by Flying Nun Records and was the debut of several bands who would go on to be central to the mythology of the Dunedin sound. In 2003, a career retrospective, You're Just Too Obscure for Me, was released. The Verlaines contributed the soundtrack to the film Eden, collaborating with actor Adetokunbo Adu, and screenwriter Rebecca Tansley. A song from Eden, What Sound is This? appeared on their album Untimely Meditations in 2012.
Roger Shepherd, the founder of iconic Kiwi independent record label Flying Nun, joins lifelong music fan, journalist and TV personality John Campbell to share the story of his life with the independent and much loved music label that has been taking the sounds of Aotearoa New Zealand to the world for nearly 40 years. For a worldwide community of music fans, Flying Nun is one of the most iconic independent record labels from outside the mainstream, defining a particular voice and sound of New Zealand. In 2016, the label's founder penned his memoir In Love with these Times: My Life with Flying Nun Records. We invited Roger along to Going West for an animated and good-natured discussion with Flying Nun fanboy (and award winning journalist) John Campbell. The session begins with a heartfelt monologue from John, recounting his own discovery and deep love for “the Dunedin Sound”, as Flying Nun's iconic output has often been called. Roger's dry humour, honesty and humility shine through in the course of the conversation as he tells some fascinating tales from the label's formative years. This session was a classic example of Going West at its best. A bright and sunny Titirangi afternoon, a friendly and engaged crowd, two relaxed guests swapping stories and jokes and insights, with the occasional interruption from a feral rooster strutting back and forth past the doors of the Titirangi War Memorial Hall.
We're joined by guitarist, music history expert, and surprise Kiwi, Matt Silcock (@Blastitude) for what is surely the most dizzying whirlwind of knowledge you'll step in all week. Picture this: your glitch-hop/hypnagogic-pop power trio ensemble is the talk of your mid-size town; having sold out of all 30 copies of your cassette-only EP and all but conquered the Missouri-Arkansas DIY touring circuit, you're now getting calls from record label A&R men. But which deal should you take? Make an informed decision and listen in to consider the histories, ethos, and rosters of the following legendary record labels: (1) Chess Records (2) SST Records (3) Flying Nun Records (4) Drag City Take a tour with us through a brief history of Chicago blues and R&B, American underground punk, New Zealand guitar-pop, Midwestern indie, and so much more in between. Featuring music from Fontella Bass, Ty Segall, Dinosaur Jr., and more. Find full songs and more through our Linktr.ee. Links mentioned in the episode: • Listen to Matt's music (on the Saddle Creek label!) on Spotify with Opium Taylor and Lullaby for the Working Class; his most recent work is with the Crippled Masters. • Check out his long-running zine/blog Blastitude, now in a new home on Substack, where you can subscribe to immerse yourself in even more of his monumental music knowledge. • Rolling Stone interview with Greg Ginn. • Spin article by Jon Dolan on SST and more, "The Revival of Indie" (2005) • Greg Kot article about the 1993 Drag City Invitational: "BANDS CARVE OUT OWN TURF AT DRAG CITY" • Don Howland's Spin feature on Drag City circa 1993
Sisters Valentine & Clementine Nixon had an unusual upbringing, splitting their time between Christchurch and Hong Kong, before relocating to a valley in Coromandel. Their second album as Purple Pilgrims, Perfumed Earth, came out on Flying Nun Records this year. Tony Stamp talked to Valentine after she had left the valley and found somewhere with better phone reception.
Wax Chattels: Wax Chattels are a trio of former jazz students hailing from Auckland, New Zealand. Several years after meeting at the University of Auckland, Amanda Cheng, Peter Ruddell and Tom Leggett formed Wax Chattels and were quickly snatched up by legendary New Zealand record label Flying Nun Records. With the band releasing their debut, self-titled album in 2018, the Live Delay crew was on the ground to capture their BIGSOUND showcase performance at The Foundry. Recorded at The Foundry on the 5th of September, 2018. The Stress of Leisure: Originally the solo home recording project of musician Ian Powne, The Stress of Leisure has grown into a full fledged band since forming in the early 2000s. Over six albums, the group has steadily evolved into its present form of singer/guitarist Powne, singer/keyboardist Pascalle Burton, bassist Jane Elliott and drummer Jessica Moore. Recorded at The Bearded Lady on December 22, 2018 at 4ZZZ's end of year party.
Canadian punk band F***ed Up are about to play two New Zealand shows. Frontman Damian Abraham talked to Tony Stamp about his love for kiwi label Flying Nun, whose roster he calls "the best music ever'.
Nick Scalera and Patrick Foster continue down the Flying Nun Records rabbit hole, this time talking about solo projects and spinoffs by David Kilgour (the Clean), Chris Knox and Alec Bathgate (Tall Dwarfs), Robert Scott, the Magick Heads and Minisnap (the Bats). Subscribe to Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, including audioBoom, Spotify, Google Play, SoundCloud, Stitcher and TuneIn. Or listen at SuburbsPod.com. Please rate/review the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes and share it with your friends. Become a Rockin' the Suburbs patron - support the show and get bonus content - at Patreon.com/suburbspod Visit our website at SuburbsPod.com Email Jim & Patrick at rock@suburbspod.com Follow us on the Twitter, Facebook or Instagram @suburbspod If you're glad or sad or high, call the Suburban Party Line — 612-440-1984. Theme music by Quartjar. Visit quartjar42.com (c) 2019, Artie S. Industries LLC
Jim is off this week, so Nick Scalera joins Patrick to discuss his favorite topic: Flying Nun Records. It's become an annual tradition. (Listen to episodes 330-334 for the first installments.) Today, they examine some early bands, including The Pin Group, Sneaky Feelings, The Stones, The Great Unwashed, Bird Nest Roys, Children’s Hour, The Doublehappys and This Kind of Punishment. Subscribe to Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, including audioBoom, Spotify, Google Play, SoundCloud, Stitcher and TuneIn. Or listen at SuburbsPod.com. Please rate/review the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes and share it with your friends. Become a Rockin' the Suburbs patron - support the show and get bonus content - at Patreon.com/suburbspod Visit our website at SuburbsPod.com Email Jim & Patrick at rock@suburbspod.com Follow us on the Twitter, Facebook or Instagram @suburbspod If you're glad or sad or high, call the Suburban Party Line — 612-440-1984. Theme music by Quartjar. Visit quartjar42.com (c) 2019, Artie S. Industries LLC
We conclude Greatest Hits Week with our most popular episode of 2018. You all really enjoyed hearing Nick Scalera talk about the current bands in the Flying Nun Records galaxy of stars. We get it - the Courtneys, Aldous Harding, Fazerdaze, Wax Chattels - they're great bands. Subscribe to Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, including audioBoom, Spotify, Google Play, SoundCloud, Stitcher and TuneIn. Or listen at SuburbsPod.com. Please rate/review the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes and share it with your friends. Find us on the web at SuburbsPod.com Email Jim & Patrick at rock@suburbspod.com Follow us on the Twitter, Facebook or Instagram @suburbspod If you're glad or sad or high, call the Suburban Party Line — 612-440-1984 Theme music by Quartjar. Visit quartjar42.com
Gussie shares her early years in music, the formation of Mermaidens and signing to Flying Nun Records. We also discuss her creative process, her live setup, and being self sufficient. LISTEN HERE: WATCH HERE: GET IT ON: iTUNES STITCHER MERMAIDENS: Facebook | Bandcamp EARTH TONGUE: Bandcamp ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Unsanitary Napkin - Bandcamp
The season finale everyone's talking about (.... that doesn't involve dragons)! To mark this special occasion, we've decided to do a slightly different episode so, instead of exalting one of our favourite bands, we've decided to salute the people behind the scene(s) who made it possible for us to even hear the music we love.... the all too often unsung heroes: RECORD LABELS! We go through the history of some of our favourite indie labels, how important they were in kicking off a sound, a feel, and a scene for some of our faves. We go to New Zealand to cover the revered Flying Nun Records, then cross to Australia to check out Au Go Go records, before heading to Hollywood to eulogise the mighty Epitaph Records. And along the way we'll check out some of the cooler bands on their rosters! See you in Season 3, amigos. Expect dragons.
Sneaky Feelings were one of the first bands signed to Flying Nun Records. Over thirty years later they're gearing up to play their first shows in ten years, in support of a new album, Progress Junction. Guitarist and singer David Pine joins Tony Stamp for an hour of chat, and some of his favourite tunes.
Last Friday Mermaidens released Perfect Body, the Wellington band's first album on Flying Nun. We gave guitarist/singer Gussie Larkin a sound recorder in the week leading up to the release, to give an insight into what can be a busy, anxious, and giddy time for a band.
Dr Graeme Downes speaks about the godfather of the dunedin sound, Roy Colbert.
Spinoff Music editor Henry Oliver talks to Ben Howe, founder of Arch Hill Recordings, managing director at Flying Nun Records and partner in record store/distributor Flying Out about Record Store Day and producing and selling vinyl in New Zealand.
Outsider syndrome, New Zealand as the liberal idyll and is truth factual? It’s EP022 with Lawrence Arabia! Lawrence Arabia AKA James Milne is a singer-songwriter from Christchurch, New Zealand with an ear for skewed indie pop melodies and an ability to write cuttingly insightful, darkly humorous lyrics. He has released four albums, spent time living in the UK and New York and appears to be able to conjure awe-inspiring harmonic arrangements from the lifeless air. His most recent album is 2016’s Absolute Truth, which (we’re near-obligated to say) was released on legendary New Zealand label Flying Nun Records and represents a slightly less playful, more mature sound for the songwriter. Matt and James sat down to talk about his musical past and present, growing up on the edge of the earth and surviving the modern world.
Music from New Zealand sounds like Dub and Reggae? Well, that's not totally wrong. At least there are a lot of bands on the Kiwi Islands dropping laid back vibes und doing it the smooth way. But there was also a huge Indie and Rock scene with bands like Split Enz, The Chills and the outshining label Flying Nun Records. Not to mention the exciting Fusion scene and those Psychedelic bands from The Sixties. You see, there is a lot to discover. So have fun with Edition Nr. 17 which shows an impression of how NZ can sound: Listen to Lord Echo, Fat Freddys Drop and the Black seeds, just to name a few . And Welcome Gunnar! He is UV Funk's first time co-host, that will join Philipp also in future editions from time time. UV Funk is a radio show which is broadcasted every third Friday from 9:30 pm to 11:00 pm on Dresden based community radio station coloRadio. Radio listeners in Dresden can tune in to the program on 98,3 or 99,4 MHz. Any other listeners can recall it here. The show is hosted by Philipp Demankowski and for the first time Gunnar. It's all about stories, interviews and tracks out of the world of Cosmic Electronic Music. And watch out! This time it's in German. More Infos: www.uncannyvalley.de/category/radio/ There are slight sound skipping issues on the show every now and then due to the recording system at coloRadio. Sorry for that! This show was aired on 15th November 2013.
Part 1 of my conversation with guest Ric Dube as we discuss an unlikely number one single from 1973. I've also got the Bonehead of the Week and music from Pixies, Quasi, The Julie Ruin and Ghost Wave. Show notes: - Recorded at More Lost Time world HQ - Talking about Vicki Lawrence's "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" - We forgot to watch the movie - This was her only hit - Written by Bobby Russell - Lawrence was already a regular on The Carol Burnett Show - Later starred in Mama's Family and her own talk show - Very confusing story song about murder and infidelity - Song was offered to Cher but Sonny Bono nixed it - Later covered by Reba McEntire - Ric: Should've been an animated movie with animals - Revenge and death throughout - We're confused - Casey Kasem would've been annoyed - Bobby Russell had two top 40 songs of his own - "1432 Franklin Pike Circle Hero" hit #36 - Could've used an oompah band - Satire on suburban life - "Saturday Morning Confusioon" got up to #28 in 1971 - Merging Charlie Rich and Harry Nilsson - Ric: This guy might be a genius - Next up: Tony Orlando and Dawn - To be continued - Bonehead of the Week Music: Pixies - Indie Cindy Quasi - You Can Stay But You Got to Go The Julie Ruin - Oh Come On Ghost Wave - Here She Comes Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review! The Pixies song is on the self-released EP-1. The Quasi song is on the album Mole City on Kill Rock Stars. The Julie Ruin song is on the album Run Fast on TJR Records. The Ghost Wave song is on the album Ages on Flying Nun Records. All four songs can be downloaded for free at KEXP. The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.