Take 5

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Ariel Rechtshaid's studio Apr 09, 2021

Show notes

When Ariel Rechtshaid fronted a ska pop band called The Hippos, I doubt he had any clue where his musical path would take him. They had a big hit in 2000 with “Wasting My Life”, which scored a spot in the Hottest 100. But playing on stage wasn’t to be his destiny. After some time in the band Foreign Born, he stepped back and started crafting other people’s songs. As a writer and producer, his CV has ballooned from indie artists like Cass McCombs, Blood Orange and Sky Ferreira, to huge names like Usher, Kylie Minogue, U2, and Adele. His collaborations with Vampire Weekend extend back to their last two, for HAIM it’s their entire catalogue. When you think back over the past decade in music, Ariel Rechtshaid is responsible for so many of the songs you love.

Which is why I asked him to Take 5, and take us into his studio to peel back the layers of five of his biggest songs. Even if you’re not a gear head, this is an amazing conversation, and it reflects the grounded nature of Ariel, who works alongside his best mates one day, and some of the world’s biggest artists the next. Through it all, his drive to find that sweet spot, to solve that problem, answer that question, guides him always.

Cass McCombs - 'County Line'

Usher - 'Climax'

Adele - 'When We Were Young'

Vampire Weekend - 'Ya Hey'

HAIM - 'The Wire'

Anne Edmonds and Lloyd Langford's songs that shaped them Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

Have you ever wondered what it’d be like to live with a comedian? You’re about to find out. Anne Edmonds and Lloyd Langford both make people laugh for a living. You would have seen Eddo on stage and screen over the past ten years, she reached a whole new audience as her alter ego Helen Bidou, and is part of the hugely popular podcast The Grub. Lloyd Langford hails from Wales, and has popped up on QI, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and countless over TV shows as he’s plied his trade in stand up. Recently, he moved to Melbourne. To be with Anne. Cos they’re a couple. As the Melbourne International Comedy kicked off, I asked the two of them to join me to Take 5. See, they’re doing a show together, so why not continue the theme? Two songs each, one together, and a barrel of laughs.

Kasey Chambers – Captain

Lee “Scratch” Perry – Clint Eastwood Rides Again

Chuck Berry – Let It Rock

Emmy Lou Harris – The Boxer

Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash – Jackson

Femi Kuti's legacy Mar 19, 2021

Show notes

If I say Afrobeat, what’s the first name that comes to mind? Fela Kuti. The polyrhythmic prince who coined the term, and pioneered a movement that would stretch it’s tentacles far beyond Nigeria and into the decades, and genres, that would follow. Afrobeat was a swarm of sounds. Western African highlife, American jazz and funk, and a big dose of Black power. It came to life with Fela but continues through his sons, and grandsons, and through the rhythms of bands all over the globe.

Fela’s eldest son, is Femi Kuti. As a child he would watch, then play with his father. As an adult, he has carved his own path… continuing and expanding Afrobeat through eleven albums. His latest, he paired with his eldest son, as he released his debut. And so, Made and Femi continue the legacy Fela set out all those years ago.

Having Femi Take 5 is a huge honour. Afrobeat has directly and indirectly influenced so much of the music I love. Across this Take 5 you’ll hear the foundations from where it was born, and the incredible stories, the sweat, and the passion that brought this movement to life. It’s an education, a celebration, and a tribute all in one.

E.T. Mensah – 'Nkebo Baya'

Haruna Ishola – 'Oroki Social Club'

Duke Ellington – 'Take the "A" Train'

Miles Davis – 'Milestones'

James Brown – 'Say it Loud - I’m Black and I’m Proud'

Eskimo Joe's songs to unite Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

Eskimo Joe are a band that need little introduction. If you grew up in the late 90’s or noughties they were all over the radio, a trio from Fremantle making catchy indie guitar rock that stepped up to stadium sounds as their career progressed.

They were voted into Hottest 100 countdowns, they toured consistently around Australia and became one of the best known bands from the West Coast scene. Then around seven years ago, they took a break. In 2021, they returned with two new songs, and a catalyst for me to ask Kav to Take 5. What were the songs that united a band who had worn so many hats? From Supergrass to PJ Harvey, to Haim, this is a cracking convo about what it takes to have a long term relationship with your musical mates, and the soundtrack to some incredible moments.

Supergrass - 'Moving'

Wilco - 'A Shot In The Arm'

PJ Harvey - 'Big Exit'

DJ Shadow - 'Six Days'

Haim - 'Summer Girl'

Ione Skye's firsts Mar 05, 2021

Show notes

Ione Skye has been on our screens for decades. As a teen she starred in the legendary high school movie “Say Anything”. She’d pop up on “Fever Pitch” and “Arrested Development”, and behind the scenes directed her own short films and music videos. From the beginning, music has been a big part of Ione’s life. Her father is Donovan, and while he wasn’t around when she was a kid, her brother would become a songwriter and Ione would immerse herself in the scene in the 80’s and 90’s.

As she admits herself in this Take 5, she’s dated a few muso’s too. Her first marriage was to a Beastie Boy, and a longer union has been forged with Australian songwriter Ben Lee. For all of these reasons and more, I asked Ione Skye to Take 5. I wanted to explore some of the “firsts” in her adventurous creative life. And draw back to how those moments have shaped the person she is today. From The Go-Go’s to U2 to Stevie Wonder, this is a rainbow patchwork life filled with incredible stories.

The Go-Go's - Our Lips Are Sealed

Stevie Wonder - Maybe Your Baby

Beastie Boys - Get It Together

U2 - The Unforgettable Fire

Harry Nilsson - Me And My Arrow

Max Richter's songs to compel Feb 26, 2021

Show notes

Max Richter is one of the most loved modern composers in the world. He’s sold millions of albums, and been streamed billions of times. Max’s work is just as likely to be heard in prestigious concert halls as through your tv speakers, and his scores for shows like Leftovers and Bridgerton, or films like Ad Astra, have been critically acclaimed. Richter’s compositions are as comfortable in the catwalks of Paris as the hallways of your home, and his music has been a beautiful saviour and release to me for many years.

For all of these reasons, asking Max to Take 5 was a bucket list. I wanted to get a window into his mind, and hear the songs that compelled him. As someone whose music can make me cry, swoon, and think differently about the world around me, what are the tunes that do that for Max Richter? From Kraftwerk to Joni Mitchell, to Bach, this is as much a conversation about songs as it is the creative lifeblood of one of the world’s greatest living composers.

Kraftwerk – 'Computer World'

Joni Mitchell – 'Chelsea Morning'

Johann Sebastian Bach – 'Concerto in D Minor for two violins'

Soft Machine – 'Why Are We Sleeping?'

Nina Simone – 'I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free'

Kate Mulvany's backstory Feb 19, 2021

Show notes

Kate Mulvany is a professional storyteller. An award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and actor, she’s built a name for herself in her incredible performances, whether in The Great Gatsby, The Little Death, or opposite Al Pacino in the Amazon series Hunters. On stage she’s redefined roles like Richard III, and Kate is acclaimed for her writing, holding a knack for adapting and reinterpreting Australian classics. The latest, is her version of Playing Beatie Bow, and in the week before her sold out season at Sydney Theatre Company kicked off, I asked her to Take 5.

Away from her CV, Kate has lived an extraordinary life; filled with challenges and heartaches, but also hope and opportunity. For all of these reasons, I was so excited to sit down with her. If you love a good yarn, you’re in the right place. I asked Kate to share her backstory across five songs, and from The Muppets to Bowie to Ben Salter, this is a beautiful conversation about the transformative power of story.

'Can You Picture That?' - Dr. Teeth & The Electric Mayhem (from The Muppet Movie soundtrack)

'Science Fiction' - The Divinyls

'Randwick Bells' - Jimmy Little

'Space Oddity' - David Bowie

'The Stars My Destination' - Ben Salter

Tana Douglas' songs from the road Feb 12, 2021

Show notes

What do Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ice Cube, Status Quo, and Neil Diamond all have in common? Tana Douglas. She’s recognised as the world’s first female roadie, and got her start as a teenager working with a young band who were about to release their debut album. The band was AC/DC, and that story is just one of hundreds that have filled her extraordinary life. Tana would go on to tech for The Who at Wembley Stadium, Iggy Pop in Amsterdam, even Elton John, playing a birthday party at Windsor Castle.

She’s just published her story, a memoir titled LOUD, which captures not just the wild tales from the road but also the spirit of the crew who make magic happen every night on stage. It’s a brilliant read, and I was so excited to meet Tana when she joined me to Take 5. She didn’t disappoint. This is as much about a trailblazer as it is a testament to the many roadies who bring our favourite music to life on stage.

Foo Fighters - Darling Nikki

Urge Overkill - Girl You'll Be a Woman Soon

The Who - Who Are You

INXS - Never Tear Us Apart

Social Distortion - Story of My Life

Fat Mike's no rules Feb 05, 2021

Show notes

Fat Mike from NOFX is a bit of a legend. As frontman for the band for almost four decades, he’s been the soundtrack to countless generations of punk fans. He set up Fat Wreck Chords, championing other bands for the past 30 years. And when he’s not doing that, he’s getting around with supergroup Me First and the Gimme Gimmes.

If you know anything about Fat Mike, you know he doesn’t play by the rules, so that’s where his theme led us. From formative songs by Meatloaf, to re-energising moments from Propoghandi, this is a rare peek into the music that fuels one of music’s risk takers.

The Dickies - 'Paranoid'

Meat Loaf - 'Hot Patootie - Bless My Soul'

Operation Ivy - 'Yellin' In My Ear'

Propagandhi - 'Anti-Manifesto'

The Spits - 'Tired & Lonely'

Brendan Cowell's turning points Jan 29, 2021

Show notes

There are only a handful of people I ask back to Take 5. Brendan Cowell is one of them. The actor, author, playwright, and poet is a master storyteller who lives a full life. And in the decade since we last met on air, he’s starred alongside Billie Piper in hit plays on Broadway and the West End, had a key role on Game of Thrones, written a book, and scored a major part in the two new Avatar sequels shooting in New Zealand.

It’s no surprise though, Brendan has an electricity about him. He draws you in as an audience member and fires off the inspirations in his daily life, no matter where in the world he finds himself. From growing up in Cronulla, to living in New York and London, this is a conversation about the moments that were turning points for him, from Pearl Jam to Drake to Bob Seger.

Pearl Jam – 'Animal'

Sharon Van Etten – 'Give Out'

Drake – 'God’s Plan'

Justin Townes Earle – 'Lone Pine Hill'

Bob Seger – 'Night Moves'