Take 5

Latest Episodes:

Bodyjar's rituals Feb 04, 2022

Show notes

Bodyjar are a band many of us grew up with; seeing them at all ages shows and festivals, hearing their music on Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, and voting them into many a Hottest 100. Eight years on from their last album, they’re back with New Rituals, and on the day of it’s release lead singer Cam Baines joined me to share his rituals across five songs. From their heroes Descendents, to the inspiration of Adalita, this is a coming of age story – not just of Cam, but all of us.

Descendents – 'Coolidge'

Ramones – 'Too Tough To Die'

Face to Face – 'Disconnected'

Magic Dirt – 'Ice'

Brand New – 'Not The sun'

Best of 2021 Dec 10, 2021

Show notes

We’re wrapping up the Take 5 for another year and even though 2021 still kept a lot of us apart, these conversations helped me find a community again. Maybe they did for you, too. We connected a lot over Zoom, we bonded over the music that made us who we are today, and we learned a whole lot more; not just about the guests who joined us to Take 5, but also about the songs and artists they picked.

Every year around this time I like to share my favourites. It’s always hard to whittle it down, but in this episode you’ll hear from the conversations that floored me when I had them, and still resonate with me now. From across the world, and many different personal stories, here are some of my favourite moments of the Take 5 this year.

Billie Holiday - Strange Fruit (chosen by Shirley Manson)

The Beatles - I Am the Walrus (chosen by Danny Elfman)

The Beatles - Eleanor Rigby (chosen by Ruby Wax)

Hot Chip - I Feel Better (chosen by Tony Armstrong)

Björk - Hyperballad (chosen by Julia Stone)

Go-Betweens- Your Turn My Turn (chosen by Lindy Morrison)

The Supremes - Stoned Love (chosen by Billy Bragg)

Beverly Glen-Copeland - Ever New (chosen by Sufjan Stevens and Angelo De Augustine)

Fran Kelly's life (so far) Dec 03, 2021

Show notes

When Fran Kelly announced she was leaving RN Breakfast after 17 years, everyone I know had a little cry. Maybe it was the same for you too, because this legendary journalist has been waking up with us for a long time. Fran has held those in power to account and told stories we may never have heard otherwise.

But it’s not often you hear Fran’s stories. That’s why I was so stoked and honoured to have her Take 5 with me, the day after she wrapped her final show on RN Breakfast. The theme was simple; life, so far. And from singing around the kitchen table, to hitting the road to get to her great love, this is a beautiful capture of an extraordinary human.

The Tokens – The Lion Sleeps Tonight

The Easybeats – Friday On My Mind

Lucinda Williams – I Just Want To See You So Bad

Yothu Yindi – Treaty

Gurrumul - Wiyathul

Stella Donnelly's songs that belong Nov 19, 2021

Show notes

The first time I heard Stella Donnelly, I knew she was a star. Then I saw her live, and the heavy weight and brutal honesty of her songs made way for comedy interludes, even cabaret. There’s more to Stella Donnelly, than meets the eye.

For all of these reasons, I’ve long wanted her to Take 5. Her music has given many a sense of community, a home, so I wanted Stella Donnelly to tell me about the songs that belong, for her. From Billy Bragg to Jenny Hval to male choirs from Wales, this is a beautiful and charming insight into her musical heart.

Valentine's Day Is Over - Billy Bragg

Hiraeth - Morriston Orpheus Choir

Lance Jr - Courtney Barnett

Spells - Jenny Hval

Seabird - Alessi Brothers

Damon Albarn's universe Nov 12, 2021

Show notes

Damon Albarn is one of the busiest men in music. We first met him as frontman for Blur, he kicked off Gorillaz a decade or so after that, and in between collaborated with Malian musicians, wrote operas based on Monkey, and formed supergroups with members of The Clash and Tony Allen. You get the sense that he doesn’t like to sit still, so it was a coup to ask him to do that, for a spell, to Take 5.

On the day he released his new solo album, Damon invited you into his universe across songs. There are not many people that can mention legends like Lou Reed and Bobby Womack as friends, but it’s the reverence he holds these makers in, that makes this truly special.

Ghost Town – The Specials

Trench Town - Bob Marley

Lou Reed – Dirty Blvd.

Bobby Womack – Across 110th Street

The Clash – Rock the Casbah

Amy Taylor's Australia Nov 05, 2021

Show notes

As soon as I heard Amyl and the Sniffers, I was hooked. The name for one: genius. And this band out of Melbourne, with a phenomenal frontwoman and wild live show, held a lot of promise. They delivered on their debut, and kept that fire alive on the follow up too. Amy Taylor is the lead singer of Amyl and the Sniffers, and every time I’ve spoken to her I’ve been left feeling giddy afterwards. As we kick off Ausmusic Month for another year, who better to ask to Take 5? From Slim Dusty to Barkaa to AC/DC and beyond, this is Amy Taylor’s Australia.

AC/DC – If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)

Maureen Elkner - Rak off, Normie!

Barkaa & Mackridge - 22Clan

Slim Dusty - Looking Forward Looking Back

Yothu Yindi - Treaty (Radio Mix)

Billy Bragg's songs for the soul Oct 29, 2021

Show notes

When people ask me who’s on my bucket list to Take 5, Billy Bragg is up there. The poet and activist has been part of my life since I was born. He’s a regular visitor to Australia, and his activism, songs and stories have captivated me for decades. So having him join me on the day he released his new album, was a dream come true.

The Million Things That Never Happened is a pandemic album, and we all leaned on songs to get us through the last two years. So I asked Billy to share his songs for the soul. From The Supremes to Laura Nyro to Curtis Mayfield, this is a grounding and beautiful convo about the power of music to keep us afloat

Willin' - Little Feat

Stoned Love - The Supremes

Move On Up - Curtis Mayfield

Save the Country - Laura Nyro

Musical Communion - The Skatalites

Ruby Wax's survivor songs Oct 22, 2021

Show notes

Ruby Wax is an icon of comedy and interviewing.

Through the 90’s and early 00’s Ruby’s BBC TV specials saw her chatting with the most famous people of the times: Madonna, Jim Carrey, Imelda Marcos, Donald Trump, OJ Simpson, and Pamela Anderson.

Her disarming docu-interviewing style preceded people like Louis Theroux, and when she wasn’t getting up in people’s grill, she was script editing Absolutely Fabulous.

These days Ruby is an author and mental health advocate, but she still does it all with that acerbic wit. And it was on show in this brilliant conversation, as Ruby took us through her survival songs from childhood to today.

Ride of the Valkries - Wagner

Creep - Radiohead

Eleanor Rigby - Beatles

Fire and Rain - James Taylor

Heal - Lady Gaga

Chanelle Henderson's music therapy Oct 15, 2021

Show notes

Have you ever seen those videos online where someone hears a song, and they’re instantly transported back to a moment? It could be someone with Alzheimers or Dementia, or with a brain injury or trauma that language can’t reach, but music can. Maybe you’ve known someone with autism, who is non verbal but can communicate with song.

It’s called music therapy, and the science behind it, is incredible. Usually the Take 5 is with a muso, or person in the public eye. But I wanted to step into another realm, and get inside the brain of a registered music therapist. Chanelle Henderson is just that. She works with a really broad array of people too, from elderly clients to little kids and preterm babies and their parents. And across five songs, she invites you into this world and tells you the stories of some incredible breakthroughs. From three chord simplicity, to bonding with babies, and the music that takes us back instantly as a sensory memory, this is a beautiful conversation about the scientific and emotional power of song.

You Are My Sunshine - Johnny Cash

Stop - Spice Girls

Raining on the Rock - Warren H Williams

Song for Sammy - Missy Higgins

Sitting On The Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding

James Blake's heartbreak anthems Oct 08, 2021

Show notes

Over the past decade, James Blake has gone from grabbing our hearts with the Wilhelm Scream, to collaborating with some of the biggest names on the planet. The London born producer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist has always kept it moving; expanding his sound, testing new waters, and through it all remaining grounded in what matters.

I first met James back in 2011, just as the hype around him was beginning to grow. And I’ve been lucky to catch up with him over the years at various points. But he’s never done a Take 5, until now.

On the day he released his fifth album, he joined me to play over people’s tunes. Specifically, his favourite heartbreak anthems. From Stevie Wonder to Pink Pantheress to Al Green, this is a capture of an incredible music mind and heart.

Stevie Wonder - Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer

Jeff Buckley - I Know It’s Over

Dijon - Many Times

Pink Pantheress - Break It Off

Al Green - How Can You Mend A Broken Heart