Posts by Peter Johnston
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Hard News: Friday Music: Lorde's Mixtape, in reply to Russell Brown,
Maybe a pirated copy of Ableton Live is this generation's version of Doug Hood's trusty four-track!
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Speaking as Eddie's Dad, I have appreciated the respect and support that Lorde has given her musical friends back home while she conquers the world. It has also been a privilege to get to know some of the other artists on this list - there is a LOT of talent out there,... Thanks to Russell for sharing this!
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Hard News: Friday Music: The First Time, in reply to Simon Bennett,
I went to both those shows - made a special trip down to Wellington to see The Boomtown Rats at the Town Hall and ended up going to Gary Numan as well. The Blams were very impressive at the Enz show - especially Don McGlashan the amazing singing drummer!
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First international concert: Gary Glitter and the Glitter Band, Napier Municipal Theatre, 1975?, aged 12. (they were glam-tastic, but little did we know...)
First real gig: Space Waltz, Napier Municipal Theatre 1974? aged 11 (they were glam-tastic too)
Also saw Sharon O'Neill around this time supporting Leo Sayer (aargh!) - she was a class act even then.
Another memorable Napier show a bit later on that I'm happier to own up to was Citizen Band supported by Get Smart, an early incarnation of The Spelling Mistakes. They played a great version of Magazine's Shot by Both Sides.
And yes, like Russell my first exposure to live music was also Certain Sounds... live at Taradale High some lunchtime!
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My son told me about the Sweetman post last night - I can't bring myself to read it.
As a 50-year old male I can't quite explain why I have been so caught up in the Lorde story. Partly it's been almost a paternal interest - because she is part of a peer group of young Kiwi musicians that my son is also part of, who don't see age or geographic isolation as being any barrier to them pursuing their musical dreams. They just get on with it.
Partly it's just national pride - I don't follow the ABs or America's Cup, but treasure any Kiwi musical success.
And partly it's because it has all been such an amazing ride. Everything seems possible now. Number 3 in America? No probs - what's next?
In the past I have also been a supporter of Simon Sweetman's - even when he has attacked my own sacred cows. But judging by the quotes you have presented here, this time he has gone way too far. NZ's tall poppy syndrome lives on, sadly...