Radio, et al

I was in Wellington over the last week, and as usual, it was great. Beth and I had some groovy times, and I'm heading back down again on my way to Christchurch this weekend.
Probably the best part of the trip was heading in to the Radio New Zealand offices, and meeting the lovely people behind Music 101.  It was really great to meet them, have a look around, and check out the music catalogue (wowza). It seems like I was everything they were looking for, so I'll be making stories for the show with a bit of a Christchurch spin. I was ecstatic.
Now seems like a good time to check in on some goals for the year:
Budget well - Going pretty well. Though it seems to take ages to 'get started' on the savings front
Read more - Hmmm, about the same
Get involved with RNZ - Yay!
Complete my degree - Pretty close... and grades have been good
Spend more time outdoors - Hmmm, outside, maybe not 'outdoors', like in 'nature'
Kiss a stranger - Still waiting... It feels like it's been close a few times
Keep living - Check

Media

My family are television watchers. The kind where television will be watched each night, regardless of what's on. At my flat, we don't have a television, and I like it that way. It's not he focal point of a room; it's not the default activity. I remember a few months back, there was a television in my flat's living room for some reason. During a commercial break, we all cried out in offense as we were bombarded with aggressive words and images. I don't like being shouted at. Last night, I got the horrible feeling I usually do - watching television feels like waiting for death.
Also lately, I've listened to a bit of commercial radio, such as on the ride home from Kaikoura. I was really surprised at how many commercials there were, and how the hosts seem compelled to share 'wacky' anecdotes. Plus, I knew none of the popular songs, which is a little odd. The kinds of songs where people say 'oh come on, you must know this song'. It's interesting what you don't hear when you don't watch television, don't go to the mall, and you're a host on student radio, and listen to Radio New Zealand. I like it this way.

Radio interviews

I'm a radio host on RDU in Christchurch, and I really like interviewing people. I was pretty lucky to talk to a few bigger names recently, Ben Power from Fuck Buttons, and Florence Welch from Florence and The Machine.
I arranged the chat with Ben myself. They're not touring here any time soon, and haven't released an album too recently, but I really wanted to talk to them. In spite of their questionable name (which I initially baulked at), they make fantastic music. It was 10am for Ben in London, and 9pm for me. He was a great guy, and you can listen to our chat here. It was my first go at using the editing software, and I was kind of learning as I went. I also wrote an article based on the chat for Einstein Music Journal.
I was asked a couple of weeks back if I'd like to talk to Florence. She played a show in Auckland last week, and I spoke with her that morning. I'd only heard her album once, but it sounded quite nice. Florence probably has the sweetest voice of anyone I've ever spoken with. Swoon. Have a listen for yourself here. I put an intro and outro on this interview, and now have a much better idea of what I'm doing in terms of editing.
Possible upcoming dream interviews: Miranda July, and Stuart Murdoch from Belle & Sebastian

Snapshots

Last night, I made a card for my friend Alana. Tomorrow is her birthday, the cover said simply, 'yours is a melodious life', with a clipping of sheet music beneath it. She often amazes me - she makes the world a more amazing place.

I told her about something I was considering doing, and she asked me what it meant. I didn't know. I don't know. "Look after this," she said, touching my chest, "because it's so precious."

I also had Drive today. The show went well, but I was quite hungry. Eamonn showed up, and bought me dinner. It was nice spending time with him. He is such a great friend, and one day I know he'll realise that. He suggested I play 'Needle in the Hay' by Elliott Smith, which is one of my favourite songs. It was perfect, and went with a nice string of sad songs. A listener text in to ask if I was okay, noting that they were good, but sad songs. He wished me a good evening. It made me feel happy.

I cycled home, and leaves were blowing everywhere. I went through Hagley Park, and stopped to look at the moon, flirting behind drifting clouds. The cars travelling on Harper Ave sounded like waves on the shore.

At the last set of lights before my house, I stopped behind a lady on her bike, and told her that her rear light was hard to see. She seemed really pleased that I'd told her.

Top 10 Gigs, Songs and Albums of 2009

It's been a pretty great year in music I think, and it's always fun (and a little tricky. Maybe even pointless) to make lists. These are my 'Top 10' lists, and are my favourites, rather than any sort of critical evaluation. This was on my Wednesday Drive radio show, and it was great fun. I wish I could 'podcast' this, but the recorder machine was not working!

Gigs

I think gigs especially are really variable as to how much you enjoy them - who you're with, the crowd, the band, how you're feeling - all can change your perception of a show.

10 - Bonaparte @ Camp A Low Hum

9 - Tommy @ The Dux

8 - Teacups @ Camp A Low Hum

7 - So So Modern @ Goodbye Blue Monday

6 - Ruby Suns @ Playskool

5 - Mint Chicks @ any of three shows I saw

4 - Metronomy @ Bodega

3 - Neil Young @ Big Day Out

2 - Animal Collective @ Powerstation

1 - The Brunettes @ Als' Bar

This was a tricky list to whittle down. Quite a few good ones didn't make the cut, but these are my absolute favourites.

Songs

10 - St. Vincent - The Strangers

9 - Atlas Sound (w/Noah Lennox) - Walkabout

8 - Tourettes - Letting Go

7 - David Bryne & Dirty Projectors - Knotty Pine

6 - Here We Go Magic - Tunnelvision

5 - Moron Says What?! - Natalie

4 - EAR PWR - Future Eyes

3 - Camera Obscura - French Navy

2 - Los Campesinos! - The Sea Is A Good Place To Think Of The Future

1 - Animal Collective - Summertime Clothes

There's been heaps of good albums out this year, and it was tough to pick just 10. Here are my favourites.

Albums

10 - Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

9 - Summer Cats - Songs for Tuesdays

8 - Haunted Love - Darkness in Diamond City

7 - Atlas Sound - Logos

6 - The Gladeyes - Psychosis of Love

5 - Woods - Songs of Shame

4 - Fuck Buttons - Tarot Sport

3 - Mint Chicks - Screens

2 - Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion

1 - God Help The Girl - God Help The Girl

Radio

When I moved to Christchurch in 2007, I decided to get involved with RDU, the b-Net station. I helped out a bit, doing promotional work during Orientation Week at uni. When the station found out I studied astronomy, I began doing a segment called Astroboy on Breakfast with Kate Gorgeous.

That was heaps of fun, and after I while, I ended up learning the ropes, and getting my own show.

After hosting a bunch of different shows, I started on Wednesday Drive. That was a year ago.

I find it quite surprising to be on the radio - I couldn't of imagined doing this before I moved to Chch. And at the same time, it's something I really love. It's been great learning as I go, rather than at Broadcasting School. My style has been described as 'earnest', which I guess is how I am most of the time.

Tomorrow is my one year anniversary of Drive, and I've got a great show planned. I'll be talking with Nick and Sarah from Einstein Music Journal, Lawrence Arabia is dropping by to say 'hi', I'll be previewing the Silver Scrolls (which I get to go to, yeah!), and the Grand Final of RounDUp - as well as my favourite tracks of the last year. Woah!

You can tune in Wednesday, 4-7pm NZST, on 98.5fm, or www.rdu.org.nz