Take 5

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Sufjan Stevens & Angelo De Augustine absolute beginners Oct 01, 2021

Show notes

Sufjan Stevens is one of the most prolific songwriters working today, and it feels as though his drive to write songs is as much about the creation of music, as it is the understanding of creativity itself, and finding different ways to explore it. He first heard Angelo De Augustine a few years ago, and when you hear Angelo’s voice you’ll understand why Suf signed him to his label. And why they decided to make an album together.

A Beginner’s Mind is a record inspired and created by a few forces. Sufjan and Angelo holed up in a cabin in upstate New York to write it. They would watch old movies at night; classics like Point Break, She’s Gotta Have It, Silence of the Lambs, even Bring It On Again. Then they’d use these stories to write their own. But they also threw in the I Ching, and a Zen Buddhist principle of Shoshin, or A Beginner’s Mind.

What’s come out of it is a beautiful collection of songs, and the inspiration behind my Take 5 theme of Absolute Beginners. From an epic recording of Nina Simone, to the short and surreal world of Ivor Cutler, and the incredible world of Prince, this is a beautiful journey with two absolute angels.

Judy Garland - 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow'

Prince - 'The Ballad of Dorothy Parker'

Nina Simone - 'My Sweet Lord / Today Is A Killer'

Ivor Cutler - 'Sharks'

Beverly Glenn-Copeland - 'Ever New'

Grunge heroes Sep 24, 2021

Show notes

It’s a special Take 5, as we mark the 30th anniversary of Nirvana releasing Nevermind. This was the record that brought grunge into the mainstream, it changed the game not just for the Seattle sound, but catapulted it into a worldwide movement. To celebrate this iconic moment, I dug up some of my most treasured conversations from the Take 5 archives, with the people at the centre of the scene.

You’ll hear from Butch Vig, the producer who shaped Nevermind. From Jonathan Poneman, who signed Nirvana and co-founded Sub-Pop; the label at the centre of the scene. Billy Corgan will pop up, whose Smashing Pumpkins were another huge player in the scene. And we’ll revisit my chat with Michael Azzerad, who penned a bestselling biography of Nirvana and also an iconic capture of the late '80s and early '90s indie scene in America, with Our Band Could Be Your Life. Nirvana’s connection to Australia is significant too, and photographer Sophie Howarth will bring it close to home with her memories of hanging with the band and seeing them play on their only Australian tour.

It’s a wild ride, and I feel so privileged to have shared this space and these stories. So don the flanny, pull on the cords, let your dirty hair down, and revisit one of music’s most loved era’s.

Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit

Smashing Pumpkins – Disarm

Neil Young – Ambulance Blues

Fugazi – Waiting Room

Feedtime – Shovel

Matthew E. White's full spectrum Sep 10, 2021

Show notes

Matthew E White is a jack of all trades. A producer hailing from Richmond, Virginia, he’s worked with everyone from Sharon Van Etten to Natalie Prass, Justin Vernon to The Mountain Goats. A few years ago he set up Spacebomb, a studio and label which also acts as a community space for artists to experiment.

This all feeds off his own work, as a multi-instrumentalist, former jazz player, and songwriter for whom music has no boundaries. In short, Matt is the kinda guy you love to get stuck talking to in the kitchen at a house party, which I why I asked him to Take 5.

From ESG to Frankie Valli to Marvin Gaye, crawl inside the full spectrum of Matthew E White’s mind.

ESG - You're No Good

Augustus Pablo - King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown

Miles Davis - Rated X

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)

Marvin Gaye - Mercy Mercy Me (the Ecology)

Gracie Otto's island songs Sep 03, 2021

Show notes

The AIR studios in Montserrat are the stuff of legend. Back in the 80’s, Sir George Martin set up a place to record in the middle of the Caribbean. It was an escape for the likes of Paul McCartney, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and Dire Straits. The Police captured one of their biggest albums there, and Duran Duran hung out for a spell too. This haven in the West Indies was short lived though; a hurricane then a dormant volcano that became active, changed the island forever. Now this story is being told, by Australian director Gracie Otto. Under the Volcano is a capture of time, when big money was being spent making albums and some of the biggest personalities were making them. But it’s also the story of an island and it’s people, and how they impacted the lives and sounds of these musicians forever. From Arrow to Dire Straits to Elton, Gracie Otto shares her island songs and the stories behind sharing this magical tale.

Hot Hot Hot - Arrow

Grace Jones - Slave to The Rhythm

Ride Across The River - Dire Straits

Stevie Wonder - I just Called To Say I love You

Elton John - I’m Still standing

Steph Tisdell's greater good Aug 27, 2021

Show notes

Comedian Steph Tisdell is here to help. Literally. The proud Ydinji woman may be up on stage telling jokes these days, but a few years ago she was at uni, and looking ahead to a career in human rights law.

That all changed one fateful day, and what led her to stand up comedy is a story you’ve gotta hear yourself.

The comedy path has seen her win multiple awards, and appear on TV and radio across Australia, but social justice remains at the core of all she does. And you’ll hear why this local legend is so captivating to listen to, as she Takes 5 with the greater good. From Miiesha to Sam Cooke, this is a heartfelt and hilarious conversation about creating change.

Lane 8 – Stir Me Up

Miiesha - Drowning

Future island - Seasons

Kelis & Andre 3000 - Millionaire

Sam Cooke - A Change is Gonna Come

John Parish's great ideas Aug 20, 2021

Show notes

John Parish has crafted some of the indie music’s most acclaimed albums. The Bristol producer has been behind Aldous Harding’s last two records, he co-wrote and produced Eels “Souljacker”, and Giant Sand’s “Chore of Enchantment”, and recently he’s been working with The Goon Sax and Parquet Courts. He’s a composer and musician too, releasing his own works and soundtracking beautiful scenes on stage and screen.

But John’s longest creative relationship is also his most celebrated, a lifelong musical partnership with PJ Harvey. You’ll hear the story of how they met, and why their collaboration has been so fruitful, as well as tales from the studios of Aldous Harding, and Mark Linkous, in this beautiful insight into capturing the intangible magic of song.

Dry Cleaning – Scratchcard Lanyard

Sparklehorse – Piano Fire

Aldous Harding - Blend

John Murry – I Refuse To Believe (You Could Love Me)

John Parish & PJ Harvey - April

Danny Cohen's fantasy songs Aug 13, 2021

Show notes

Danny Cohen is the creator of wild dreams. His music video’s have seen King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard crawl inside a giant custom built vulture, his photography has beckoned Mac DeMarco into a bathful of cigarettes, and his video for Kirin J Callinan, with a screaming Jimmy Barnes over the hills, has clocked more than sixty two million views. The Melbourne based photographer and filmmaker has also just directed his first feature length film. It’s a doco on another regular collaborator, Courtney Barnett, and is a beautiful and vulnerable account of a tough and transitory time for the songwriter. That was the catalyst for asking Danny Cohen to Take 5. But to be honest, I had questions about all of his work. From crazy experiences in Cuba, to an instant bond over a bagful of smokes, and hiring an army tank for an indie band, this is an amazing conversation about realising some truly fantastical visions.

Courtney & Kurt – Continental Breakfast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHCtH15dpmU&ab_channel=CourtneyBarnettandKurtVile

Mac DeMarco – The Stars Keep Calling My Name https://dannycohen.com/Mac-DeMarco-Bath-time-with-Mac

Kirin J. Callinan – Big Enough (ft Alex Cameron, Jimmy Barnes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvrZJ5C_Nwg

Loose Tooth – Keep On https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFamqrm0nHo&ab_channel=LooseTooth

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – Catching Smoke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L3-HOdMeuM&ab_channel=KingGizzardAndTheLizardWizard

Mr Jukes and Barney Artist's songs for us Aug 06, 2021

Show notes

You might know Jack Steadman as frontman for British indie band, Bombay Bicycle Club. But for the past few years he’s stepped out as a solo artist, going under the moniker of Mr Jukes. It’s a project that’s allowed him to go beyond the indie realm and produce music that’s full of classic soul, funk, and hip-hop. And his latest album, features new young MC Barney Artist.

On the day they released “The Locket”, the two of them joined me from London to Take 5. I’m a big fan of their sound, but I also love the driver behind this record; it’s all about unity, and hope. Something we all need right now. And whether you’re a super fan or new to their sound, I can guarantee this convo will spark joy and give you a big belly laugh too.

A Tribe Called Quest – Scenario

Westside Gunn & Joey Bada$$ - 327 (ft. Tyler, The Creator & Billie Esscco)

Kano - Class of Deja (Feat D Double E & Ghetts)

Queen Latifah - U.N.I.T.Y

Jay-Z & Kanye West - The Joy (ft. Curtis Mayfield)

Tony Armstrong's tales Jul 30, 2021

Show notes

You know when someone comes along, and everyone who meets them falls under their spell? Tony Armstrong is that someone. The freshly minted sports presenter for ABC News Breakfast has been making waves for the past couple of years, commentating the footy on Triple M and the National Indigenous Radio Service, and making bad news more palatable, on The Weekly.

But before all of this, Tony was in the game, playing AFL Footy with three teams and spending his childhood working towards that goal. Everyone wants to know Tony, and Tony’s story, and what better way to tell it than through song? From Donna Summer to Hot Chip, Yeah Yeah Yeah’s to LCD Soundsystem, this is an extaordinary conversation about passion, learning from failure, and remaining true to yourself.

Donna Summers – I Feel Love

Hot Chip – I Feel Better

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Runaway

Miike Snow – Black and Blue

LCD Soundsystem – Home

Stephen Page's unbroken songs Jul 09, 2021

Show notes

Stephen Page is a force of nature. As artistic director for Bangarra Dance Theatre, he’s told the stories of Indigenous Australia through movement, for more than thirty years. Bangarra began in the late 80’s, but it was Stephen’s appointment as the first Aboriginal artistic director that shaped what it has become today. And the story of Bangarra is not only one of dance, but of brothers.

Stephen comes from a big family in Meanjin. A descendent of the Nunukul people and the Munaldjali clan of the Yugambeh Nation. Two of his brothers came with him to Sydney, to Gadigal Land, and would shape what he did from that moment forth. His younger brother Russell was renowned for his incredible talent, and a body that could express story like no other. Older brother David, was the songman. He composed beautiful scores to every Bangarra production, laced with language and culture, until his death in 2016.

Stephen has a big story, so I was hugely grateful when he joined me to Take 5 and share it. His theme, was unbroken songs. The music that had marked big moments in his life, and continued the stories of him and his culture. From Elvis to Rihanna to his brother’s beautiful compositions, this is a heartfelt conversation about family, storytelling, and passion.

Elvis Presley – Jailhouse Rock

Warumpi Band – Fitzroy Crossing

David Page – Gift (from Bangarra’s 2003 work “Bush”)

Whitney Houston – Why Does it Hurt So Bad

Rihanna – Love on the Brain

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