Play it Strange the organisation founded in 2003 to nurture and mentor budding musicians in their teens, launches a podcast series to lay foundations for the next decades.
The zeitgeist of the turbulent times and the diktat is Carpe Diem. If the…future’s uncertain and the end is always near (Roadhouse Blues, Doors), you must dwell in the Present Time.
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Stephanie Brown the CEO of Play it Strange introduces the series which kicked the previous day, with host Rei.
There follows a series of guests who each comment on different facets of the music industry in New Zealand. The guides who provide inspiration and point out the minefields to navigate.
Paige Tapara uses her Christian name as her artist handle. A talented prodigy from Clarkes Beach in Auckland.
I recall seeing her perform at Tuawahine on the Civic Theatre stage in 2021. Sharing company with Tami Neilson and Anna Coddington for a special night of Matariki and New Zealand female artists.
Paige is a judge for Play It Strange. On her podcast she gives advice about negotiating the way around social media to gain exposure.
She performs her bedroom Pop hit Waves.
Just prior, Don McGlashan made short appearance on video, talking about the day-to-day process of writing a song you would be happy to put your name to.
Chris van de Geer is a musician initially (Stellar*) and founder of Bigpop Studios, where the podcast has been recorded.
How to approach the studio and the recording time you have been given to maximize your experience. Let all ideas break the surface of the water.
Or to quote Captain Beefheart, may the good Lord shut your mouth and open your mind.
Heidi Ettema contributes her valuable perspective as promotions contact. We all want to keep on her good side.
How to sell your song, or EP. The album when the time comes. Like any successful venture, the key is the amount of background research and preparation you put in.
The definition of success is someone who has failed five times already.
Emily Wheatcroft-Snape has her artists handle as Em. Has produced several songs for Play It Strange.
Her episode breaks down the studio process directly. How to achieve the final product that you had envisaged before you even stepped into the studio. What the role of a producer is, in relation to a sound engineer.
Em performs rarely these days, she tells us. Plays Lucky Star for us, piano accompaniment by Arahi. I’m not sure if this is a new one, an emotional Pop tune. To live for the day to run away.
Anika Mohi details how to get your song played on the radio. When to canvas the original student radio, 95bFM.
Mike Hall is currently the bass guitar for the highly regarded Come Together ensemble, who play tributes to great artists and their iconic albums.
Looking forward to Dark Side of The Moon and Led Zeppelin II, after polishing off Live Rust already this year.
Talks about another minefield of publishing rights and royalties. Important to get right as this is where the money is.
Joined this afternoon by Jol Mulholland, the musical director of Come Together. He has a long involvement with Play It Strange, as most years he heads down to Gisborne Girls High School to record their contributions.
They duet on Hall’s own song, from a recent and rare solo album. One called Everything, as in I wish I could give you everything. As a parent that’s fine but it may not be the way to build resilience.
Especially in this industry.
Teresa Patterson spoke to funding via NZ On Air, as the current Head of Music at the organisation. She brings a wealth of knowledge from the industry, including management, festivals, advocacy and touring.
She is currently abroad so we heard a short clip from her episode
Hollie Smith is a wonderful and intense Pop singer who brings a lot of Soul and some Jazz elements to her music.
I attended a memorable performance at the Ponsonby Social Club in 2020, where she performed solo. After the first lockdown, and before the country got hit by the full totalitarian force.
She sings with similar intensity tonight. Was it really called Message in A Bullet?
Her episode is about mental well-being, self-care and the building of resilience.
A close friend had told me earlier, a lot of the cohort of songwriters in their forties and fifties have committed suicide over the past virus madness years.
Then it is Dave Johnston, A professional drummer and composer who plays in the band Villainy. He has worked as a sound engineer and producer.
How to multi-task in the industry. Really, a prescriptive guide to any discipline where you want to succeed.
Helpful mantra. Stay on the scene/ Like a sex machine. I’m talking about the differentiation from A.I.
Rounding out the afternoon is the podcast presenter Rei, otherwise known as Callum McDougall
An alumnus of Play It Strange, he performs an energetic urban Rap with Gangsta-era vibes.
The last article I wrote on Play It Strange, I had stated that the phrase came from Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, who recorded Luther’s Boogie at Sun Studio with Sam Phillips.
I was assured by one of the founders Bill Moran, that it’s an old Split Enz number. I found it on YouTube.
Some rough, grainy live and demo takes of a song written by Phil Judd, circa 1977. The year Punk broke big in New Zealand. Judd recorded it again much later.
Early inspiration for the Enz. Then with original Punk groups when he became disillusioned with first band. An idiosyncratic Syd Barrett type figure in New Zealand music.
Play It Strange (the song) has a certain cult reputation.
Rev. Orange Peel
