Just mucking around with stories — so these are two different readings of the same story. The audio and video are separate recordings, so you can listen to the audio above on its own, or with reading the story below. Or you can watch the video. Or any combo…

Click:

They’d met at a café. First impressions were awful. But by coffee number three, things had reset. She’d spilled a drink on his lap. He laughed it off. She blushed and grinned. It was already a story.

The click was instant. Like a fridge magnet finding its place. A done deal.

One month later, they were living together — one main room and one bedroom, a third flatmate named Mike. A quiet mechanic who mostly kept to himself. Cheap rent, just for the couch, but every little bit helped them.

Tama didn’t have much of a job — calling himself a musician was generous. A keyboard player in a band that scored bar gigs twice a month if lucky. Miri was at polytech, studying photography. She worked harder than him, that was clear. Mike often loaned Tama money.

One night, Mike brought his workmates around for drinks. Miri wandered through, taking photos, ignoring a few crude shouts. Tama came home when the drinking games were mid-chant, whisked her away for coffee and cake.

It was over a slice of pecan pie that she told him.

“I’m pregnant.”

Tama choked. Coughed. Wiped his mouth. “Come again?”

“You won’t actually need to”, she said, with a laugh. “Two months,” she said more calmly.

“What the fuck are we gonna do?” His voice cracked.

“Become parents.”

He stared at the table. His chest fluttered with something between panic and awe. “Seriously, Miri…”

“I’ll finish my course. You’ll get a job. We’ll figure it out.”

And somehow, that calmed him. They hugged in the middle of the café. Someone clapped. They left grinning.

Back home, Mike and the other mechanics were stoned in the lounge, listening to Genesis. Tama muted Phil mid-scream. The word “mama” left hanging in the air that night. “I’m gonna be a dad!?

Mike blinked. “Huh?”

“We’re pregnant!” Miri confirmed.

“Fuckin’ A. Wanna toke?”

“No thanks,” Tama said. “Big night. Early to bed for me.” He looked at Miri. “Coming?”

“In a sec,” she said. “I wanna finish this roll.”

He left.

Mike turned to her. “You wanna toke?”

“No thanks,” she said. “Weren’t you listening? I’m pregnant.”

“So?”

“I’m having a kid, Mike. I can’t smoke pot.”

He shrugged.

Then she walked over. Took his arm.

She whispered, “it’s yours”.

“What?”

“The baby. Mike.”

He stared at her. “It was one time.”

“I know!”

“I was wasted. That never even… I didn’t even…” He trailed off. “Fuck.”

“I couldn’t tell him.”

“You should’ve. It was just once!”

“I can’t lose him. He’s the one. He’ll be an amazing dad. You know it.”

He slumped into the couch. Ready now for bed also. “What are you asking me?”

“Nothing. Just your silence.”

He nodded. “Okay.”

“And you’ll move out. Before the baby’s born.”

Another nod.

“I’ll never ask for money. This is my life. His life. We’ll make it work. He doesn’t need to know.”

“What about a paternity test?”

She slapped him.

He didn’t flinch. Just looked at the floor. “Alright,” he said. “I’ll move out.”

Four months later, he did.

Tama had paid him back. Gigs were steadier. He’d started giving piano lessons too. Miri finished her course, took a job at a front desk. They turned half of their bedroom into a nursery. It was working. But the baby monitor wasn’t. Tama could not work out how to set that up.

Trina arrived, no troubles. Seven pounds, four ounces. The couple wept. Mike visited once. Brought flowers. Held the baby longer than Miri expected.

“She’s got her father’s eyes,” Miri said. And her father smiled.Tama had to get ready for rehearsal. But first, one more check on the baby.

Mike whispered, “You think he’ll ever know?”

“No”, Miri hissed.

Mike nodded. “He’s a good dad.”

Miri smiled. “He is her father.”

Tama was holding Trina close, just listening. Mostly awe, not much panic. The heartbeat a tiny miracle.

The baby monitor buzzed softly. Voices. Words fading in and out, but one part he heard clearly.

He is her father.

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I haven’t made a bit of music for a while. Some would say I never have — including after hearing any of the pieces. Fair enough.

With that in mind, here’s my most recent. A wee piece I call New Coat. I guess I tried to address the question no one was asking — what would happen if Moby and Robert Miles collaborated after they’d both been hit in the head a bit?

My (“musical”) answer is above.

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I popped along to the New Zealand Society of Authors — Wellington’s first event of 2025, an open mic at Undercurrent bookshop. There were all sorts of readings from all sorts of readings, including from novels and short stories and memoir and children’s books, and poetry.

For my five-minute set, I read four poems from my latest collection, The Richard Poems. And you can listen to the recording here.

It was also — of course — a chance to plug the upcoming show:

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An in-depth conversation with businessman, guitar teacher and musician Charlie Wallace. We talk through the building of his empire, from high school dropout to owner of Guitar Mastery Method, via teaching himself every facet of web development to create online guitar courses. We talk, too, of his own musical aspirations, including the debut release from his band Black Smoke Trigger.

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An in-depth conversation with Meg Williams, Executive Director of Tawhiri (The NZ Festival, Jazz Festival, Lexus Song Quest and Second Unit). We talk about the festival and her history with event planning and festivals, working her way up from a volunteer at various UK and European festivals through to her time over the last decade in Wellington, climbing the ladder to the top job as festival director.

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An in-depth conversation with Kev Fitzsimons, lead singer of Wellington band Anxiety Club. We talk about our time together - 20-something years ago - playing in a university covers band and from there to his time working in Scotland and England, including a stint working under a pseudonym (Thom Cross) singing vocal hooks on dance tracks and attempting to build a solo career. And now, back in Wellington, he has a family and is keeping music as something on the side.

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An in-depth conversation with American guitarist and singer/songwriter Steve Gunn. We talked through his life and career and the harshness of solo touring. We had a big old geek-out over The Beatles and many other legendary songwriters and recording artists too.

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A phone-interview with Margo Timmins, lead singer of the Cowboy Junkies. We talk through the history of the band, the songwriting dynamics, the family story - the decision to take a break to raise their own families and then the return to touring and recording. We preview their upcoming 2020 May tour of NZ - the band's first visit here in 20 years.

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An in-depth conversation with Wellington writer Dave Armstrong. We plug and preview his new play, "The Surprise Party" but talk also about theatre in general and his various roles as a columnist, satirist, musician, scriptwriter for TV and film - a busy life writing for hire and writing for love. We discuss his time working on Shortland Street, playing with various bands in the 1980s including The Holidaymakers ("Sweet Lovers") and making TV (Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby, Spin Doctors) and movies (Kiwi Christmas) as well as the role of the satirist in modern society. Big chat. Great chat. Great guy.

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An in-depth conversation with Matthew Bannister - founder of the band Sneaky Feelings and now working under the name One Man Bannister, creating track-by-track covers of Beatles albums. We talk about his Beatles fascination, his time in Dunedin, moving there from Scotland - and then to Auckland. We talk about his memoir, Positively George Street and his other musical work (Dribbling Darts, Moth) as well as the reunion records by Sneaky Feelings.

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An in-depth conversation with poet and photographer Mary Macpherson. We discuss and hear readings from her brand new poetry book, "Social Media". We discuss her work as both a writer and a photographer and her philosophies and approach towards both: subjects that she likes to keep distinct, very separate.

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In-depth conversations with both David Kilgour and Hamish Kilgour, brothers, members of The Clean - solo performers also. I talk to David, first, backstage at a bar in Wellington ahead of his soundcheck. Less than a week later I'm down an alley-way with construction happening around us as I capture some thoughts from his brother Hamish Kilgour; coincidentally touring the country. These two conversations are presented together here to celebrate episode 200 of Sweetman Podcast.

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An in-depth conversation with former rapper (Tourettes) and poet and novelist Dominic Hoey. He reads from his new book, I Thought We'd Famous and we talk all things poetry and literary festivals and writing classes as well as his mental and physical health and the challenges that have motivated him along the way.

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We are back with the ninth episode of We All Float Down Here — A Stephen King podcast. Our first of 2025 is the classic Pet Sematary, and the slightly less classic film adaptations (plural). Will they ever get this book right on screen? We think not.

The podcast goes out on YouTube first and foremost — so we’d love you to like and subscribe over there.

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An in-depth conversation with Fifi Colston: "Freelance Creative". We talk children's books, writing, drawing, painting, design, TV (What Now and Good Morning), advertising, stand-up comedy, fashion, WOW, the works...you name it...Fifi Colston has done it, helped to do it or has an opinion on it. An inspiring and hilarious chat about creativity.

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An in-depth conversation with Marnie Karmelita, Creative Director of Tawhiri. We had chatted previously about her life and work, here we preview the 2020 NZ Festival, talking through the decision to involve guest curators and discussing highlights from the program.

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An in-depth conversation with Wellington-based, Christchurch-raised playwright Victor Rodger. We preview his new work, Uma Lava and talk through some of his earlier works (At The Wake, Black Faggot, Sons) as well as his background in TV writing (Shortland Street), acting (Toi Whakaari) and working in newspapers as a film critic and arts reporter.

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An in-depth conversation with Wellington-based writer Linda Burgess. We talk about her new book, the memoir "Someone's Wife". We talk, too, of her work as a journalist and critic, her novels, script-writing and short stories. We talk of life and family and travel - the happy and sad stories that have filled her life. We talk about the role of the critic and the art of criticism and all things writing...

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An in-depth conversation with Fergus Barrowman, publisher at VUP. We talk about his time with Victoria University Press, the creation of literary journal, Sport and his relationship - as partner and publisher - with one of NZ's most successful novelists, Elizabeth Knox. We talk creative writing courses, poetry, literary festivals, all things writing. And then we geek-out over jazz music for a bit.

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An in-depth conversation with journalist and broadcast Sean Plunket. From his early days in the press-gallery to stints on Fair Go and RNZ, including 14 years co-hosting Morning Report. We talk journalist, TV, radio and the changes over the years. We talk, too, of his move towards a more "entertainment"-style of talkback. And of course his stint near politics liaising for TOP (The Opportunities Party)

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An in-depth chat with Joan As Police Woman (Joan Wasser). We talk about her first NZ tour, about the making of her debut record, the release of her compilation, "Joanthology" and all points in-between. We talk Dylan and Prince. We talk songwriting and covers.

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An in-depth conversation with Barnaby Weir - lead singer/songwriter for The Black Seeds and creator of the Fly My Pretties ensemble. We talk music; growing up with his famous storyteller/radio announce father, Dick Weir. We talk about the music he's made, including his "Flash Harry" solo persona and other projects like LOOP's "OE: Brazil" as well as the formation and international touring of The Black Seeds and the success of Fly My Pretties, including the brand new debut studio recordings.

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An in-depth conversation with Wellington playwright, director, actor, singer, producer Cassandra Tse. She is the artistic director of Red Scare Theatre Company. We talked through her life and training and her passion for musical theatre to arrive at a plug for the upcoming Red Scare final show of 2019, "Four Nights In The Green Barrow Pub" and to look back on this year's successful stagings of "MoodPorn" and "The Aliens".

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An in-depth conversation with musician, composer, arranger and producer Claire Cowan. She is the leader of the Blackbird Ensemble, she is writing a brand new score for the Royal New Zealand Ballet, she is a soundtrack composer for TV and film and is both a writer and performer (cello, piano, guitar, percussion). So we talked through her life and work and plugged the current Blackbird Ensemble Bjork shows.

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Another rehearsal, so a few more teaser clips of the show developing…

On Friday, February 21, I’ll be performing poems from my latest book as part of a Fringe Festival show:

The show is taking place at Photospace Gallery in Courtenay Place, Wellington, at 7.30pm. I’m being backed by musicians John Kingston and James Gilberd of the duo Filtersphere. Their ambient, improvised wash of music is the perfect soundscape for my Richard Reimagining — a kind of poetry remix where I take about a third of the poems in the book and re-arrange them to tell the same story-arc of the poetry sequence’s narrative, but in a whole new shape.

We are rehearsing the material to build up an idea of how it will go on the night. And I’m really thrilled with it so far. I couldn’t have better support and understanding and intuition from my musician pals.

Anyway, work in progress, but have a look and let me know what you think. And maybe see you there on the night? Or tell your friends in the Wellington vicinity.

See below for the details again about the show, in a link. And also there’s a previous rehearsal clip to click on if you missed it at the time, or wish to compare.

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An in-depth conversation with Wellington actor Simon Leary. We talk through his life and the steps he took to train and learn the craft of acting. We talk improv, drama, comedy, writing, the pantomime, via touchstones including The Simpsons and The Office. And we plug the brand new Circa Theatre show, "COCK" and the upcoming pantomime which Simon is not only starring in but is also co-writing.

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An in-depth conversation with Japanese/Kiwi musician Mark de Clive-Lowe. We chat about his journey through his bi-cultural heritage and Kiwi upbringing to being an international jazz citizen of the world, currently living in America. We talk about meeting heroes, making music with them, working with

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An in-depth conversation with Dean Chandler. The Wellington-based singer/songwriter released his self-titled debut album in the early/mid-00s and it featured guest appearances by Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, Bic Runga, Larry Campbell and was produced by Brady Blade. The album ran its course and disappeared. It's largely forgotten. And Dean has full time employment far away from the music industry. We revisited his story and how all of this happened.

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An in-depth conversation with investigative journalist, reporter, producer Paula Penfold. We talk journalism - we talk about some of the cases she's cracked and worked on, about the work pressures and the stress of trolls. We talk about producing and what goes on behind the scenes, about dedication to the story and the work she's doing now at Stuff Circuit as well as the work she's done as broadcaster and producer on radio and TV.

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An in-depth conversation with songwriter and musician Don McGlashan. We talk through his various bands and projects including the Blam Blam Blam reunion. We talk songs and writing and the shaping of music. We talk, leaning against a wall in Wellington while the world's passing by. We are almost there on the edge of a scene in a Don McGlashan song. If only...

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An in-depth conversation with musician Nathan Haines. We talk right through his life from his child-prodigy days in a musical family through to working in the UK as both featured star and a sideman - so many collaborations and connections. Haines also talks addiction and a recent cancer diagnosis. He has survived, is grateful and is seeking to move forward with many musical projects and a young family. A huge conversation.

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An in-depth conversation with GInette McDonald. We talk acting, we talk Lyn of Tawa, we talk OE - the early experience in London - and to recent theatrical successes ("Joan") and the upcoming Pink Hammer. We talk theatre, TV, movies - acting techniques - and I just generally enjoy being in the presence of a living legend of both serious acting and comedic monologues.

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An in-depth conversation with Marek Peszynski. He is now the Marketing Manager for Orchestra Wellington. He's also a DJ, a former record store worker, member of the group Eastern Bloc and radio-show host. Marek held many DJ residencies around Wellington in the early/mid-00s before moving overseas for a bit, returning to become an occasional tour promoter and tastemaker in local hip-hop circles. We once worked together, going back over 15 years now. So we talk through all of this and more.

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An in-depth conversation with comedian Jerome Chandrahasen. We talk open-mics and getting started, from school debating teams to the Edinburgh Fringe and to mental health and understanding the highs and lows associated with speaking from the stage. We also talk about reviews and criticism and some of his favourite comedians as well as some of his favourite music gigs.

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An in-depth conversation with Kiwi-born, Australian-based pianist Jan Preston. We talk through her recent double wrist-break injury and then back to her classical training and her time spent with Red Mole and Coup d'Etat ahead of reinventing herself as film soundtrack composer (often collaborating with her sister Gaylene) and to the stride and boogie woogie styles that have captivated her as a solo pianist across the last two decades.

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We are back with the eighth episode of We All Float Down Here — A Stephen King podcast. A bit delayed here sorry, we actually put this up first on YouTube in late 2024, but then, you know, summer holidays, etc… And we are talking Christine — from 1983, the classic movie version from the same year too (John Carpenter). It’s a big book too, so as always that is the focus of the chat.

We’ll be back as quick as we can with Pet Sematary, the first proper pod of 2025…

The podcast goes out on YouTube first and foremost — so we’d love you to like and subscribe over there.

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An in-depth conversation with drummer, Heavy Metal fan, tour promoter, swim-coach, horror-movie obsessive and the driving force behind the band Bulletbelt, Steve Francis. We talk about his childhood in Masterton his addictions to metal, horror films and tattoos - and his time spent in and around the Wellington heavy metal scene. We talk about Bulletbelt's song for the movie "Deathgasm" and his hopes and ambitions for music.

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An in-depth conversation with violinist Miles Golding. A classically trained chamber musician, Golding, born in Australia, lived in New Zealand during his childhood and was an original member of Split Ends/Enz - he left the group in 1973 (before they'd recorded a full album) and moved to England to continue his classical studies. We talk through his memories of the early Enz and his musical upbringing, his classical music pursuits and his reconnecting with both Tim Finn (playing on 2008's "The Conversation") and Phil Judd (recording on Judd's recent works).

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An in-depth conversation with writer (and friend) Carl Shuker. We talk about the long road to his new book, A Mistake. We go back to his childhood in Timaru and work from there to the IIML in Wellington when Bill Manhire was at the helm. To Carl meeting Katy (now my wife) and Anna Smaill (his wife). To the influences that shaped him and the insecurities that can still plague. This is a long chat - over many drinks - discussing our friendship, parenting, writing and many shared experiences as well as Carl's journey from Timaru to being one of New Zealand's greatest living novelists.

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An in-depth conversation with actor Sophie Hambleton. We talk about her role as "Carol" on popular TV show, Westside. Her training and work - to this day - in theatre. We preview the upcoming "Burn Her" theatre work at Circa and discuss here recent turn as Nora in an updated rendition of Ibsen's classic, "A Doll's House". We talk, too, of what it was like growing up with her actor dad, Peter Hambleton (The Hobbit).

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An in-depth conversation with Beastwars' lead singer Matt Hyde. We talk through his early life and careers including his stints in hospitality and music; he was all but ready to chuck the towel in (again) when he found himself fronting the Wellington-based metal/rock band Beastwars. They released three great albums and then broke-up. Matt was diagnosed with cancer. He responded well to the treatment and the band gathered to record new songs, to be together. Now, a year on that album has been readied for release. We talk about all of this and more.

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An in-depth conversation with comedian and podcast host and producer Tim Batt. We talk through his journey into comedy and focus on "The Worst Idea Of All Time" - a podcast by Tim and Guy Montgomery that sees them reviewing the same film every week for a whole year. We talk about the seasons to date and the lack of an exit plan from that podcast. We chat all things comedy including criticism and reviews and the uneasy nature and obvious tension between reviewers and comics.

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An in-depth conversation with Split Enz keyboardist, songwriter and arranger Eddie Rayner. We talk through his life and times including stints with Space Waltz and Crowded House. We talk through the career of Split Enz and to ENZSO, solo albums, recording with Paul McCartney and the many other highlights in Rayner's long musical career.

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An in-depth conversation with Wellington-based, Auckland and Far North-raised poet Sugar Magnolia Wilson. We talk about - and she reads from - her book, "Because a Woman's Heart is Like a Needle at the Bottom of the Ocean" and we talk about poetry in general and have a big discussion also about critics and criticism. We talk too about her life and upbringing and all of the elements that go into poetry; hers and the poetry of others.

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An in-depth conversation with American session drummer Gregg Bissonette. We talk through his incredible career and how through his timing, talent, luck - and faith - he has played with many of his heroes. He went from being a Maynard Ferguson fan to playing in his band, from wishing he could join Van Halen to playing with David Lee Roth and he's currently the touring drummer for Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band. It seems like manifest destiny with the young Bissonette taken to see The Beatles at Shea Stadium as an eager drum-devotee. We talk about his time doing sessions with Joe Satriani and subbing for Toto. And his current NZ tour with Rodger Fox's Jazz Gala.

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An in-depth conversation with Jon Toogood - frontman for Shihad and creative mind behind The Adults. We talk through his life and career, also on his mind was the Christchurch terrorist attack and we talked a lot about that and about Jon's conversion to Islam.

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We are back with the seventhepisode of We All Float Down Here — A Stephen King podcast. And we are talking Cujo — from 1981, the classic movie version, and the sequel story Rattlesnakes, from the brand new story collection, You Like It Darker. But, as always, it’s the book that matters most.

And for this conversation we were joined by our first guest, one of New Zealand’s greatest authors, Pip Adam.

The podcast goes out on YouTube first and foremost — so we’d love you to like and subscribe over there.

But also adding it here so you can find it on Substack, and your favourite podcast providers like Spotify if you just want the audio.

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An in-depth conversation with Hawke's Bay based art critic, collector, commentator and former high school art teacher Roy Dunningham. Roy taught Phil Judd - also among his four top students are Matthew Couper, Freeman White and Regan Gentry. I was at school with all of them, they're friends, two of them are previous podcast guests. So I wanted to talk to Roy about his philosophy, his teaching secrets, his memories of teaching Phil and Buster Stiggs (also of the Swingers) and a conversation around what he looks for and how he teaches art.

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An in-depth conversation with Marnie Karmelita, the new head of programming at the NZ Festival and Wellington Jazz Festival. We discuss Marnie's background in arts administration and preview the upcoming Wellington Jazz Festival (June 5-9, 2019)

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An in-depth conversation with musician, audio engineer, record label owner, curator and archivist Rob Mayes. From Christchurch to Japan, via a stint in the UK, Rob has dedicated his life to music - playing, recording, capturing. He has an archive of important recordings from New Zealand bands and he curates collections via his label, Failsafe. He's also a musician in his own right, playing bass in the reformations of The Children's Hour and Beat Rhythm Fashion, a former member of Throw and many other bands beside. First and foremost Rob reckons he's a music fan. We talk about the bands he loves, the sounds he's searching for and many of his varied musical projects.

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