Music

Songs behind silent films

The combination of music and pictures has long fascinated people.I remember a particular urban legend that did the rounds for several years which held that Pink... Read More

Let's play musical mayors

In a few short weeks the epic reign of Stuart Crosby as Tauranga Mayor will come to an end and a grieving public will vote for his replacement. There are 11 candidates.... Read More

Chatting with Josh

Josh Durning. Having a chat with Josh Durning is an education. Which is nothing but a good thing, as Josh's current gig is teaching. But it's hard not to feel as... Read More

Just get to the chorus!

When an apology is needed I always wonder whether to put it first or last. Both have problems. If it comes at the end it's possible that those of y'all who object... Read More

Reasons to be cheerful – Part 38

We continue the occasional series wherein Winston expounds on things currently making him happy. In convenient soundbite-sized portions. And once again he's featuring... Read More

You’re a poet and didn’t know it

Hey, hey, it's National Poetry Day! And there you have it, a rhyming one-line poem to kick off the column.John Donne.Sure, it's not the longest or most profound... Read More

Expanding audiences

It's always a famine or a feast; there's either nothing happening or everything. The plan was to spend this week talking about the International Film Festival, which... Read More

Reasons to be cheerful – Part 37

We continue the occasional series wherein Winston expounds on things that currently make him happy. Last time it was three gigs; this time it's three albums. One... Read More

Simon, sounds and Slydogmania

The music business in New Zealand is full of people you've never heard of unless you're in the music business. This week I'm writing about one of them.His name is... Read More

Reasons to be cheerful – part 36

We continue the occasional series wherein Winston expounds on things that currently make him happy. This week it's three shows. During three weekends. Is that enough... Read More

Honouring French singers

News of France's Bastille Day horrors arrived too late for last week's deadline.So, slightly belatedly, I thought we'd make this week French Week and look at a great... Read More

Touring is tough

So what did you do in June? A real ale festival in Kent? A day wandering the streets of Venice? Win $400 at bingo? Hang out with UK blues legend Paul Jones? Probably... Read More