Counting The Beat Podcast Feed

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 22 May 2012 03:52:41 PDT

To mark New Zealand Music Month Waiheke Library hosted a series of music performances each Saturday during May. On Sat 5 May I DJed a set of rare and interesting kiwi vinyl showcasing some of the more unusual items in my collection alongside new and classic NZ records.

Download the Counting The Beat - Waiheke Library DJ Set

Record Store Day Radio Show

countingtb@gmail.com — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 15:04:01 PDT

The Counting The Beat radio show returned on Record Store Day 2012 celebrating the day with 2 hours of kiwi music on vinyl.

Download the Counting The Beat - Record Store Day radio show

Putting NZ on the MAP 2

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 11:53:06 PST

Late in 2008 I was approached by Jason, a Scottish music blogger, asking Counting The Beat to become the New Zealand contributor to an exciting international initiative, the Music Alliance Pact. On a monthly basis music bloggers from around the globe select a track from their own country which is then posted collectively and simultaneously on those blogs - giving each nation's track international exposure. This podcast gathers the NZ MAP contributions for the last 12 months, Dec 2009 to Nov 2010 and marks the end of Counting The Beat's involvement with the project.

Download the Counting The Beat - Putting NZ on the MAP 2 podcast

Roger Shepherd from Flying Nun

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 11:34:30 PDT

Recently I got the chance to have a chat with Roger Shepherd, founder and owner of New Zealand's iconic Flying Nun record label. Having formed the label in 1982 Shepherd was at the helm until he sold it 1999. In the new century Flying Nun lost it's spirit and direction as it shifted through a range of corporate owners but in late 2009 Shepherd bought back the label and has embarked on a mission to not only release a wealth of long lost gems from the vaults but also to sign and release new material.

Download the Counting The Beat - Roger Shepherd podcast

Silver Scrolls Awards 2010

countingtb@gmail.com — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 13:44:41 PDT

The APRA Silver Scrolls are New Zealand's annual songwriting awards. APRA is an organisation of songwriters and each year it's members nominate and vote on the songs that they believe to be the best songs of the year. The ceremony itself is an annual highlight. Each of the nominated songs is performed by another musical act, leading to some unique and surprising interpretations.

Download the Counting The Beat - Silver Scrolls podcast

Live-to-Air

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 03:23:41 PDT

Over all the years I've been involved with making radio programmes some of the most thrilling moments have been when I've had a musician or band just inches away from me performing live, while I've been trying to capture the energy and get it on air. And I also like hearing live music on the radio. Maybe it's the tension of knowing there's no second take and the unknown factor of nor knowing just who is listening that means so many live to air performances positively crackle. In this episode I feature recording of live-to-air performances, some of which I've been involved with, and others that have either been commercially released or I've come across as a radio listener.

Download the Counting The Beat - Live-to-Air podcast

New and Recent Releases June 2010

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:53:45 PDT

New and recent releases June 2010

Download the Counting The Beat - New Releases June 2010 podcast

New & Recent Releases May 2010

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:36:54 PDT

New and recent releases - May 2010

Download the Counting The Beat - New Releases May 2010 podcast

Hey Ladies

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:14:43 PDT

Songs about girls have been a mainstay of rock and pop music since the forms began. And some of New Zealand's best loved songs are about girls - songs like The Dance Exponent's 'Victoria'.

There's something particularly striking about songs that have an individual girl or woman as the subject. It seems so bold, and tender, to focus on an individual in that way. As John Rowles sang about Tania - "our song will go on forever, my song is for you".

Download the Counting The Beat - Hey Ladies podcast

Record Store Day 2010

countingtb@gmail.com — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 03:41:31 PDT

April 17th is Record Store Day, an occasion for recognising and celebrating the role of (a diminishing number) of record shops in nurturing and championing music that you won't find on TV or commercial radio. In this episode I'm taking a look at Slow Boat Records in Wellington. By the way, I don't have any association with Slow Boat other than being a customer and fan, but it's a great shop and I make a special effort to visit each time I'm in Wellington.

Download the Counting The Beat - Record Store Day podcast

Hey Seuss

countingtb@gmail.com — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 20:03:29 PDT

I thought that I'd mark Easter with a special episode of Counting the Beat. No, it's not songs about bunnies, buns or chocolates, but songs about Jesus. Well, not strictly about Jesus, I've kept away from the Christian rock genre, and in fact many of these songs merely make reference to Jesus rather than being about him.

Download the Counting The Beat - Easter podcast

See You Round Like A Record Baby

countingtb@gmail.com — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:45:22 PDT

I've always been a vinyl fan, and nowadays, when most of my music acquisitions are digital, I'm finding that when I do pick up music in hard copy the format is more likely than not a record. There are some really lovely releases about, and in this episode I highlight I few that I've recently picked up.

Download the Counting The Beat - Vinyl Round Up

Episode 100

countingtb@gmail.com — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:43:50 PDT

Welcome to the centennial episode of Counting the Beat. For 100 podcasts, over around 2 and a half years, I've been bringing you NZ music rarities, obscurities and new releases. To mark the 100th episode I thought I'd take a look back at some of my favourite features and tracks from the Counting The Beat back catalogue.

Download the Counting The Beat - Episode 100 podcast

Troublegum

countingtb@gmail.com — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 01:12:19 PST

The Mint Chicks are an astounding band - over their eight years of existence they have been indie darlings, reached the finalists of the countries top song writing awards, and won a slew of Tuis. All the while they've been incredibly innovative and not afraid to try new things or turn expectations on their head. The Mint Chicks often have more ideas in one song than some bands do in an album.

Download the Counting The Beat - Troublegum podcast

Bruce Blucher

countingtb@gmail.com — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:26:15 PST

Bruce Blucher's name won't be known to many but to my mind he's a key New Zealand musician, having been in some of the best Dunedin bands of the 80s and 90s.

Download the Counting The Beat - Bruce Blucher podcast

Putting NZ on the MAP

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:45:34 PST

Late in 2008 I was emailed by a Scottish guy called Jason who runs a blog called Popcop. He had started up an international project called the Music Alliance Pact. The idea being that music bloggers from around the world would select a song from their country each month to contribute to an international on-line compilation. We each post all of the songs simultaneously on the 15th of each month with info on the artists and a link to their myspace page. This episode compiles the 1st year of Counting The Beat contributions to the Music Alliance Pact.

Download the Counting The Beat - Putting NZ on the MAP podcast

The Nun Flies Home

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:55:40 PST

I was pleased to hear that Flying Nun founder Roger Shepherd has recently bought back the label from Warners Music who acquired it in 2005 from Festival Mushroom who Shepherd originally sold it to in 1999. Under Warners the label has languished. There have been a handful of new bands released under the label such as the Mint Chicks and a pretty impressive 5 CD boxset but the rich back catalogue has been largely ignored.

I'm hopeful that with Shepherd back at the helm some of the great music recorded and released, often in pretty short runs, will again see the light of day so I put my mind to some of the Flying Nun releases, long unavailable, that I'd like to see re-released

Download the Counting The Beat - Nun Flies Home podcast

Merry Christmas from Counting The Beat

countingtb@gmail.com — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:48:28 PST

There's a new kiwi Christmas compilation out called Merry Christmas Baby. It features the likes of Jordan Luck, Jackie Clarke and Shona Laing and I won't be playing any of it in this Christmas episode of Counting the Beat (I do, however, support the cause it's raising money for - Plunket - and I suggest you make a donation). Instead I've dug around to find some my favourite, more interesting and obscure kiwi Christmas tracks.

Download the Counting The Beat - Kiwi Christmas 2 podcast

Jordan Reyne

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:29:29 PST

Jordan Reyne has few peers in the New Zealand music scene. She brings together folk, sound collage, electronica and industrial noise in unique and haunting music that she describes as experimental folk/noir.

Download the Counting The Beat - Jordan Reyne podcast

New and Recent Releases Dec 09

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:05:03 PST

More new and recent releases from kiwi artists

Download the Counting The Beat - New & Recent Releases Dec 09 podcast

New & Recent Releases Nov 09

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:28:23 PST

This episode is another typically eclectic collection of new and recent releases

Download the Counting The Beat - New & Recent Releases Nov 09 podcast

In the Belfry

countingtb@gmail.com — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:45:53 PST

They've been around since 1982, releasing their first recordings in 1984. They've been in the American college radio charts over three decades and they're still going strong - releasing a new album and retrospective EP and playing around the world this year. They are the Bats.

Download the Counting The Beat - The Bats podcast

New & Recent Releases Oct 09

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:06:16 PDT

I'm long overdue for a run through new and recent releases and I've a got a great bunch that range from pop to pomp and a couple with some rough edges too.

Download the Counting The Beat - New Releases Oct 09 podcast

Free Music Archive

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:32:10 PDT

The Free Music Archive(FMA) is a fantastic project initiated by one my favourite radio stations in the world, WFMU, a freeform non-commercial station from New York. The Free Music Archive is a curated on-line collection of music that is free and legal to listen to and download. The music in the collection reflects the wide-ranging and left-field approach of WFMU and the other stations that are contributing. Being a US initiative there's not a lot of New Zealand music on there, but there is a bit. I've been following the FMA since it was started trying to keep track of any kiwi contributions.

Download the Counting The Beat - Free Music Archive podcast

CTB meets EMJ

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:30:27 PDT

Einstein Music Journal is one of my favourite New Zealand music websites. It's run by Aucklanders Nick Fulton and Sarah Gooding. Their blog showcases indie and alternative music from New Zealand and around the world. Recently Nick and Sarah visited Waiheke Island and i asked them along to the radio station where we recorded a live episode of Counting The Beat. I asked Nick and Sarah to select some of their current kiwi favourites.

Download the Counting The Beat - CTB meets EMJ podcast

Rock'n'Reo

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:28:52 PDT

Songs featuring Te Reo Maori

Download the Counting The Beat - Rock'n'Reo podcast

7 " singles

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:27:56 PDT

New and classic New Zealand 7"singles

Download the Counting The Beat - 7 inch singles podcast

New Releases Aug 09

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:09:33 PDT

New releases August 09

Download the Counting The Beat - New Releases Aug 09 podcast

Giddy Up

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:08:36 PDT

In the past I've featured songs about Rugby on Counting The Beat, but there's another sport which is just as, if not more, strongly represented in the kiwi songbook and that's horse racing.

Download the Counting The Beat - Giddy Up podcast

It Was A Dark and Stormy Knight

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:07:50 PDT

The inspiration for this episode was a crazy record I picked up recently in Wellington - The New Zealand Weather Forecast as sung by St Mary's Cathedral Choir. This episode features NZ songs about the weather.

Download the Counting The Beat - Dark & Stormy Night podcast

The Art of Noise

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:05:38 PDT

Some of New Zealand's most acclaimed musicians are virtually unknown at home. The music they produce appeals to such a niche audience that it is only on the international stage that there are sufficient numbers of people interested that they can make a mark. This is particularly true of artists producing what could be described as post-rock, experimental, avant-garde punk.

Download the Counting The Beat - The Art of Noise podcast

Covers Special - International Chris Knox

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:04:42 PDT

I expect that by now you're all up with the news that Chris Knox has suffered from a stroke. Since forming The Enemy in Dunedin in 1977 Knox has earned a crust as a musician, cartoonist and critic. His stroke has meant he can't do any of those things at present so fans are being called on to support him by buying his music. Some of Knox's more talented fans are currently working on a fundraising album of Knox covers. The list of contributors to that tribute album are an indication of the high regard with which he is held by musicians around the world. So it's no suprise that his songs have already been covered by many kiwi and international artists. This episode of Counting The Beat gathers some of those covers.

Download the Counting The Beat - Chris Knox covers podcast

The Ones That Got Away

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:01:50 PDT

Sometimes I feel like there's almost too much music to listen to. And that means I miss things that deserve greater attention. In this episode I go back and take a listen to some recent-ish releases that I overlooked. They're the ones that got away.

Download the Counting The Beat - One That Got Away July 09 podcast

New and Recent Releases July 09

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:59:43 PDT

New and recent releases July 09

Download the Counting The Beat - New Releases July 09 podcast

I've Been Everywhere Man (Round Hamilton)

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:58:29 PDT

I've got a bit of a thing about collecting songs named after New Zealand towns and locations and every once in a while I put together a Counting the Beat special featuring some of those songs. In this episode I focus in on a specific part of our country, the Waikato.

Download the Counting The Beat - Waikato podcast

Boys in Blue

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:57:31 PDT

The police are a surprisingly popular subject choice for musicians, albeit usually those at the punkier end of the spectrum.

Download the Counting The Beat - Boys In Blue podcast

I Like Both Kinds of Music, Country & Western

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:56:20 PDT

Regular followers of Counting The Beat will know that I'm not averse to slipping the odd country number into the mix. Liking country music kind of took me by surprise. A few years back I would sooner have poked my eyes out with a rusty fork than listen to anything with a twang. Something happened though and now there are country albums in my all-time top 10.

Download the Counting The Beat - Country Music podcast

New Releases June 09

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:54:37 PDT

It's time for a round-up of new and recent releases. This time I've got an eclectic collection ranging from lounge bar chic to drunken revelry to the hushed tones of a museum hall.

Download the Counting The Beat - New Releases June 09 podcast

Sam Hunt

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:53:45 PDT

Sam Hunt is arguably New Zealand's best known poet. Helped along by his irreverence, distinctive style and iconic delivery he's almost certainly the only living poet to have household name status. His talent as a poet is recognised across generations from the literati to the bloke at the pub. With his stovepipe trousers, open shirts and unruly long hair Hunt looks like a seventies rock star. In fact Hunt has been closely associated with the NZ music scene, he has often shared the bill with rock acts and on occasion has collaborated on musical projects.

Download the Counting The Beat - Sam Hunt podcast

Formula One

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:52:08 PDT

A retrospective of the band Grand Prix

Download the Counting The Beat - Grand Prix podcast

New Releases April 09

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:51:02 PDT

New releases April 09

Download the Counting The Beat - New Releases April 09 podcast

Second (Arc)life

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:49:10 PDT

My recent rediscovery of the Arclife Records catalogue unearthed some amazing female artists, some of whom featured in a recent Counting The Beat episode. However, that wasn't all that deserved an airing so this episode continues the exploration of the Arclife catalogue, the recording offshoot of Dunedin's Arc cafe.

Download the Counting The Beat - Arclife 2 podcast

Arclife

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:48:04 PDT

Arclife was the recording and distribution arm of a Dunedin not-for-profit community organisation run by a charitable trust as an adjunct to their cafe and performance space, Arc Cafe. From 1997 until the mid 2000s the label released a number of albums and compilations, mainly from artists that performed at the cafe itself. I recently had a listen to some of the recordings that came out on this label and I was really taken by the strength of the female artists on the label's catalogue.

Download the Counting The Beat - Arclife podcast

Waiheke: My Home Town

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:46:40 PDT

The music scene on Waiheke used to be dominated by older white guys playing the blues but in more recent times that's changed with some great new and recent releases from Waiheke musicians.

Download the Counting The Beat - Waiheke: My Home Town podcast

We Don't Like Hip Hop

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:45:39 PDT

"We don't like hip hop, Oh no, We love it" - Three the Hard Way, 'Hip Hop Holiday'

You don't hear a lot of hip hop on Counting The Beat, so to put that right I've put together a few songs from that genre that have a uniquely kiwi sound and perspective.

Download the Counting The Beat - We Don't Like Hip Hop podcast

Out of Print: Startrackers

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:43:29 PDT

I was rummaging around in the record cupboard under the stairs looking for a single I wanted to feature in the podcast when I came across a magazine in one of the record crates. It was Spunkzine, issue 4 of an Australian alternative music fanzine that usually went by the title Spunk Magazine. This particular issue included Startrackers, a giveaway cassette (remember those) featuring 22 bands from around the world, bands that were breaking through on the alternative scene of 1995.Most of the songs on the cassette are exclusives, including the five contributions by New Zealand acts.

Download the Counting The Beat - Out of Print: Startrackers podcast

New Releases March 09

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:42:12 PDT

New releases March 09

Download the Counting The Beat - New Releases Mar 09 podcast

New Releases Feb 09

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:40:59 PDT

I haven't had a catch up on new releases for a while so here's some new songs and some that aren't so new that I've just caught up with.

Download the Counting The Beat - New Releases Feb 09 podcast

Lost For Words

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:40:16 PDT

Lost for Words features great kiwi instrumentals, songs sans vocals.

Download the Counting The Beat - Lost for Words podcast

Megawatt

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:39:16 PDT

Campaign songs about hydro-electricity

Download the Counting The Beat - Megawatt podcast

NZ? Isn't That Part of Australia? - International Covers

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:38:01 PDT

Many NZ musicians have tried to make it overseas, but the reality of competing in a global market from the bottom of the earth means the successes are few. So it's nice when the musical and songwriting talent of our musicians is recognised overseas. In a bit of depature from the norm this episode of Counting The Beat features overseas artists- but performing New Zealand songs.

Download the Counting The Beat - International Covers podcast

Wishing You A Counting The Beat Kiwi Christmas

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:36:18 PDT

Merry Christmas

Download the Counting The Beat - Kiwi Christmas podcast

New Releases Dec 08

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:34:44 PDT

This episode is my final round-up of new and upcoming releases for 2008.

Download the Counting The Beat - New Releases Dec 08 podcast

Phoenix Foundation Alumni

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:33:55 PDT

The Phoenix Foundation are one of the country's most acclaimed bands, although that hasn't necessarily translated into sales or awards. At the heart of their success is the fact that the band is made up of a bunch of incredibly talented songwriters and musicians. The guys from the Phoenix Foundation are bursting with songs, so much so that no fewer than four solo albums have emerged this year from band members.

Download the Counting The Beat - Phoenix Foundation Alumni podcast

2008 Alternatuis

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:32:59 PDT

It's that time you've all been waiting for - the 3rd annual Counting The Beat Alternatuis.

Download the Counting The Beat - 2008 Alternatuis podcast

Auckland

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:31:23 PDT

City of Sails, the Queen City, the Big Smoke, latte supping drain on the nation, call it what you will but everyone in the country has some kind of opinion on Auckland. And some of our musicians have expressed this in song, ranging from odes to the city's suburbs to ferocious attacks on the city's decay with the odd bit of strangeness in between. Here's a very localised version of one of my favourite Counting the Beat topics - a Place Name Special

Download the Counting The Beat - Auckland podcast

Free and Legal

countingtb@gmail.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:30:07 PDT

You know, not all music downloading is stealing - and Radiohead aren't the only band to give away music for free.

Download the Counting The Beat - Free and Legal podcast

Bad Politics Baby

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:07:35 PDT

The level of political support and funding for NZ music has been one of the successes of the last nine years of the Labour govt. While there are legitimate arguments that the NZ On Air model leads to a glut of sound-a-like commercial fare there has also been a huge surge in interest in NZ music, a dramatic increase in airplay and subsequently the kiwi music scene has become more sustainable for musicians and record labels alike. Never-the-less, despite the current political support for music, very few contemporary kiwi musos are making songs about politicians.

Download the Counting The Beat - Bad Politics Baby podcast

Shiny Radio

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:05:41 PDT

Songs about radio to mark the launch of Waiheke Radio.

Download the Counting The Beat - Shiny Radio podcast

New and Recent Releases Oct 08

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:03:08 PDT

It's been a little while since I caught up with new releases, in fact some of the songs in this episode don't even feel that new any more, so it's catch up time.

Download the Counting The Beat - October 08 New Releases podcast

Covering The Beat 4

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:02:08 PDT

This episode is another instalment in an occasional Counting The Beat series, Covering The Beat, where I feature kiwi bands covering kiwi bands.

Download the Counting The Beat - Covering The Beat 4 podcast

Silver Scrolls Part 2

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:00:59 PDT

I've got more from the 2008 Silver Scroll awards ceremony this week.

Download the Counting The Beat - Silver Scrolls Part 2 podcast

Silver Scrolls 2008

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:59:33 PDT

I was lucky enough to attend the recent Silver Scroll Awards

Download the Counting The Beat - Silver Scrolls podcast

Solar

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:57:58 PDT

Charting a musical course around our solar system.

Download the Counting The Beat - Solar podcast

Vinyl Crackle - Out of Print 2

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:56:52 PDT

I was talking to someone about stereos the other day and we got on to talking about turntables. I love listening to vinyl but, like many people I suppose, the convenience of CDs and digital music, not to mention the busy fingers of the household toddler mean that I don't do it that often. However, the conversation prompted me to scramble around in the cupboard under the stairs to which my records have been banished by the toddler's mother and pull out a few gems.

Download the Counting The Beat - Vinyl Crackle podcast

Kia Ora

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:55:32 PDT

Us New Zealanders generally like to think of ourselves as a pretty welcoming bunch. And music has played an important part in welcoming visitors round these parts for centuries with the karanga being the first part of the process of being called onto the marae.

Download the Counting The Beat - Kia Ora podcast

New Releases August 08

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:54:43 PDT

This episode of Counting The Beat is a catch up on some recent releases - from dance punk to country folk and a live release from some old favourites.

Download the Counting The Beat -New Releases Aug 08 podcast

Sea Shanties

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:53:50 PDT

As an island nation it's no suprise that New Zealanders have carried on the sea shanty traditions of our first European arrivals and written plenty of songs about the ocean and seafaring.

Download the Counting The Beat - Sea Shanties podcast

Postie Plus

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:52:57 PDT

It's always a bit of buzz when you get a parcel in the mail. For one thing, no-one ever sends a bill in a parcel. And there's likely to be some goodies inside. I especially enjoy getting parcels containing CDs. Here are some of the recent arrivals in my letterbox.

Download the Counting The Beat - Postie Plus podcast

Computer Games

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:52:03 PDT

Considering that half the music we listen to nowadays is made on a PC, and that the internet has become the primary means of getting hold of music for many, it's surprising that there aren't that many songs about computers or the web.

Download the Counting The Beat - Computer Games podcast

Sorry, What's Your Name Again?

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:51:05 PDT

It must be hard to come with a band name. Anything half decent has probably already been used. So, it's no suprise that there are some pretty unusual bands names out there. More by accident than design this episode features bands with strange names.

Download the Counting The Beat - What's Your Name podcast

Sorry, What's Your Name Again

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:48:57 PDT

Extended Play - New Releases June 08

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:47:28 PDT

These days with cheap recording and CDs that can hold 80 minutes of music some releases just go on and on. But, just because you can, doesn't mean you should. That's why I like the EP as way for artists to present their music. Short and sharp, all killer, no filler.

Download the Counting The Beat - Extended Play podcast

Rugby Was The Winner On The Day

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:45:55 PDT

Rugby may be New Zealand's national game and the All Blacks revered with fervour by many kiwis but when it comes to inspiring songwriters the Men in Black seem to stimulate more hackneyed cliches than lyrical grace. Some of the better songs about rugby and the All Blacks come about when the songwriter is taking a critical rather than hagiographic stance. This episode features great and ghastly songs about rugby.

Download the Counting The Beat - Rugby podcast

John Guy Howell

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:43:06 PDT

Sometimes it can be interesting to take a look how a musician's work has evolved over time. In this episode I cover the varied musical career of the main songwriter of the Broken Heartbreakers John Guy Howell

Download the Counting The Beat - John Guy Howell podcast

What's On The Governor General's iPod?

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:40:44 PDT

The release of the Queens Birthday and New Years Honours lists may be not be an event that many kiwi music fans hang out for, but actually, over the years many musicians have been recognised. This episode of Counting The Beat features some of the music of those who have received royal or state recognition for their musical contribution to the country. Think of it as taking a listen to the Governor General's iPod.

Download the Counting The Beat - On the Governor General's iPod podcast

On The Counting The Beatmobile Stereo

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:38:38 PDT

I've being doing a lot of long distance driving lately, which is a drag. The upside is that it gives me lots of time for listening to music. He's a few new things that have been getting repeat play in the Counting The Beatmobile.

Download the Counting The Beat - On the Counting The Beatmobile Stereo podcast

Covering The Beat 3

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:37:11 PDT

This is the third in an occasional series that focuses on kiwi musicians covering kiwi songs

Download the Counting The Beat - Covering The Beat 3 podcast

More May Music Month Madness

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:35:57 PDT

Here's a quick run-down on yet more new releases that have tickled my fancy in the last week or two.

Download Counting The Beat Podcast - More May Music Month Madness

New Releases From Old Rockers

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:35:02 PDT

As NZ Music Month dawns the new releases keep coming thick and fast as bands and labels hope to capitalise on the combination of publicity and parochialism that can see local acts' sales figures soar during May. Here's another selection of great new releases - all from acts who have been on the scene for a good while.

Download Counting The Beat Podcast - New Releases From Old Rockers

New Releases April 08

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:22:07 PDT

What's going on? There is an avalanche of great new releases at the moment. In fact, there are too many to cover in one episode of Counting the Beat. Watch out for a second April round-up coming soon.

Download the Counting The Beat - New Releases April 08 Podcast

Record Store Day

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:11:57 PDT

On April 19 independent record stores across the USA are marking Record Store Day. The purpose is to highlight and celebrate the role independent record stores play in promoting and providing an outlet for the music that your supermarket, chain store or Warehouse doesn't stock. These stores are under threat world wide. In Auckland probably more record stores have closed in the last ten years than remain open. The result isn't just a decline in convenience. When small and specialist record stores disappear there is an impact on the kind of music that can be made, distributed and purchased. Chain stores just don't stock music from outside of the mainstream, their focus is on the dollar. While the people who run really good independent stores definitely want to make a buck they are also music fans and that makes all the difference. One of the greatest record shops I've ever known was Crawlspace Records on K Road in Auckland.

Download the Counting The Beat - Record Store Day Podcast

Like an Illuminated Ping Pong Ball

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:07:46 PDT

In late 1978 / early 1979 there were a series of sighting of mysterious moving lights over the Kaikoura Range that many believed were extra-terrestrial craft. However, unlike many flying saucer sightings, these unexplained objects were seen by credible witnesses and were caught on film by a TV crew. There were even unexplained radar readings that coincided with their appearance. The event caught the imagination of the country and the world. The Kaikoura lights were behind the title of the 1991 Flying Nun compilation Pink Flying Saucers Over the Southern Alps and 28 years after the event The Mysterious Tape Man recorded a track, 'Kaikoura U.F.O.'. This episode features NZ songs about UFOs.

Download the Counting The Beat - U.F.O. Podcast

New Releases March 08

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:32:23 PDT

Another month and another batch of great new releases.

Download the Counting The Beat - New Releases March 08

NZ @ SXSW

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:30:57 PDT

Every year the New Zealand Music Commission makes a big fuss about the kiwi bands making an appearance at the auspicious South by Southwest(SXSW) music conference in Austin, Texas. I've always been a little cynical about this. The way it's been spun makes it sound like even getting on the bill is a sign of making it when in fact thousands of bands appear and I've yet to hear about an NZ act that made it big as result of making the trip. However, this year I've been following the conference on-line and it does sound like one hell of a good party. My plan now is to find some way of getting someone to pay for me to go to the next one. There are a host of Counting The Beat favourites in this year's line up and this podcast episode will feature some of them.

Download the Counting The Beat - NZ @ SXSW podcast

Covering The Beat 2

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:28:45 PDT

If you spend a bit of time wandering around the internet reading music blogs (and since you're reading this, I presume you do) you'll find that there are a number of bloggers obsessed with covers. I'm pretty fond of them myself so a while back I decided that I would run an occasional series called Covering The Beat - NZ bands covering NZ bands. The first Covering The Beat featured three bands covering The Chills. This episode casts a wider net although Flying Nun originals still feature.

Download the Counting The Beat - Covering The Beat 2 podcast

What The Folk

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:25:25 PDT

Last year saw an interesting development in the local music scene - the revival of folk music. Well, not so much folk as folk influenced indie pop. And while it would be fair to say that this isn't an overwhelming trend (I'm not arguing this is the new Dunedin Sound or anything) there were a notable number of, mainly pretty young, groups picking up acoustic guitars and counting in with a "one, two, folk you".

Download the Counting The Beat - What the Folk! podcast

New & Recent Releases Feb 08

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:04:19 PDT

This episode features a bunch of new and recent releases.

Download the Counting The Beat - New & Recent Releases Feb 08 podcast

International Songwriting Competition

countingtb@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:23:05 PDT

With judges including Tom Waits, Robert Smith (The Cure), Loretta Lynne and Frank Black (Pixies)and a US$25,000 first prize the International Songwriting Competition is a big deal. Kiwi acts have a history of doing well in the contest and soem of those entries are featured in this episode.

Download the Counting The Beat - International Songwriting Competition podcast

Shopping Spree

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:49:24 PDT

Ever since I had kids my record shopping has slowed down. But every once in a while I go on a bit of a splurge. A recent trip to Wellington gave me the opportunity to check out the record stores and pick up a couple of new releases and some I had missed from the last year or two.

Download the Counting The Beat - Shopping Spree podcast

Rare As Hens Teeth

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:48:11 PDT

I like to go hunting for records in garage sales. Mostly I find crappy James Last, Roger Whittaker or My Fair Lady albums but there is the occasional gem. The best two finds have been the Toy Love album and The Gordons Future Shock EP. 50 cents each! However, there are a number of records that haven't seen release that I still desperately hang-out for, hoping that they will be sitting right behind that Genesis or Neil Diamond LP - records by say, Bored Games, Marie and the Atom or Sam Hunt's 70s outing with Mammal. So, I was thrilled when my neighbour Craig said he had some records I could borrow for Counting The Beat. Amongst them were some treasures such as the Dunedin Double EP and the second Gordons album. I didn't even know that one existed!This episode of Counting The Beat features some of those rare and out of print records.

Download the Counting The Beat - Rare As Hen's Teeth podcast

In Memory of Hone Tuwhare

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:45:14 PDT

Lyrics are quite different from poetry, you only have to read most lyric sheets to figure that out - they often make lousy poems. But sometimes poems are set to music - with interesting results. In memory of Hone Tuwhare this episode of Counting the Beat focusses on musical interpretations of NZ poetry.

Download the Counting The Beat - Hone Tuwhare podcast

True Crime Stories

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:43:43 PDT

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David Mitchell Special

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:42:57 PDT

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I Read The News Today

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:42:08 PDT

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New Releases Dec 07

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:41:25 PDT

Download the Counting The Beat - New Releases Dec 07 podcast

HDU et al

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:40:33 PDT

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Covers Special part 1

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:16:48 PDT

NZ bands covering The Chills

Download the Counting The Beat - Covers Special pt1 podcast

New Releases Nov 07

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:39:57 PDT

Download the Counting The Beat - New Releases Nov 07 podcast

Nuclear Free NZ

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:38:52 PDT

Download the Counting The Beat - Nuclear Free NZ podcast

Alternatuis 07

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:38:34 PDT

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Silver Scrolls 07 part 2

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:38:18 PDT

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Silver Scrolls 07 part 1

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:38:02 PDT

Download the Counting The Beat - Silver Scrolls 07 pt 1 podcast

17 Sept 07

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:37:40 PDT

Download the Counting The Beat - 17 Sept 07 podcast

Wild Things

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:37:22 PDT

Download the Counting The Beat - Wild Things podcast

New Releases Sept 07

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:37:06 PDT

Download the Counting The Beat - New Releases Sept 07 podcast

City Scenes

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:36:45 PDT

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26 Aug 07

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:36:25 PDT

Counting The Beat radio show 26 Aug 07

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Silver Scroll Finalists 07

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:36:05 PDT

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12 Aug 07

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:35:40 PDT

Counting The Beat radio show 12 08 07

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6 Aug 07

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:35:22 PDT

Counting The Beat radio show 6 Aug 2007

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29 July 07

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:34:59 PDT

29 July 2007 Counting The Beat radio show

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Everywhere and Back

countingtb@gmail.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:30:51 PDT

A NZ Music special featuring songs named after New Zealand towns and locations. First broadcast on The Beach 99.4fm, a community radio station on Waiheke Island, New Zealand, on Sunday July 22, 2007

http://podcasts.countingthebeat.gen.nz/001070727Everywhereandback.mp3