Don't Give Up

Next year, Danny and Ben will have known each other for forty years. Their friendship as has been quite the adventure, that’s included the Masters Of The Universe, G.I. Joe, skateboarding, fist fights, forming their first band together at the age of twelve, both dropping out of school, scratching out a living as professional musicians, supporting the likes of Bryan Ferry, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton and these days, both finding more perspective and calm in their lives. On this epis...

Danny met Chris Melville twenty five years ago when they were both regularly performing at The Temple Bar in Auckland’s CBD. Chris didn’t realise he was playing an important role in Danny’s career, giving Danny lots of great advice about how to build a career in the arts. They went on to collaborate on several projects together and now, after having not seen each other for a few years, they have reconnected to record this episode of the podcast. This one goes deep. Enj...

Saxophonist Thabani Gapara grew up Zimbabwe and eventually moved to South Africa to further his studies. While he was studying, his parents had been living and working in the UK, but despite much effort, Thabani was unable to secure a visa to join them. So, the whole family moved to New Zealand so they could be together and our local music scene is now fortunate to have this dedicated, professional and joyful musician in our midst. Thabani is a thoughtful and kind-hearted gu...

Danny sits down with bandmates Jasper de Roos and Dan Antunovich to discuss how The Beatles and Covid initiated the creation of their band Noise Play and how they produced their new album Junk. They discuss the success and failure of their 2021 theatre show, recording the drums for one song with only three mics, the guest performances by Mark Steven, Stephen Small and Eddie Rayner and they also talk musicianship, song writing, session work, live performance, and their unique approach to...

In a past life Jody Garrett managed record stores. Now he’s the General Manager of DRM (Digital Rights Managers), New Zealand’s go to aggregator for digital music releases. We have an in-depth conversation about the streaming platforms and navigating a music career in the digital age. Support the show

Podcast cofounder and Opshop drummer Bobby Kennedy is back to talk about the rebranding of the podcast, grieving his music career, societal divisions and Indiana Jones. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ueh8rYaE9cQ www.dontgiveup.co.nzSupport the show

Dixon Nacey is a highly respected guitarist, music director and tutor, who has worked with a long list of great people and has racked up a wealth of experience. We sit down for a wide-reaching conversation about guitar playing, gigging war stories, our music careers, our families and Fonzie from Happy Days. Great guy, lots of laughs, good times. Support the show

Scott Parker from The Boondocks travels in from the sticks to talk about moustaches, kids’ toys, vocal techniques, surviving with no money, living with Tourette’s, Tall Poppy syndrome and 1980s TV Shows. Support the show

I recently sat down with Rodney Fisher and chatted about the beginnings of Goodshirt, getting bottled at his first Auckland gig, how Goodshirt recorded their albums themselves before everyone else was doing it, the making of their iconic music videos, his work with Breaks Co-Op and how and why he made his new solo album Art School Dropout. Support the show

Episode #154 is now available! Rajneel Singh is a director who has worked on short films, music videos and TV commercials and as an editor for television dramas and documentaries. He helped create the oldest active torrent, the pre-YouTube-era, viral video sensation The Fanimatrix. He’s also the first guest on the show who went to school with Danny. The two haven’t spoken for almost 30 years, and this recording starts a minute or so into them first meeting again. ...

Dave Thomson from Brother Sister joins us to talk about being in a band of siblings, how they created their fantastic music videos, his work as a videographer and his involvement in the Smokefree Rockquest. Support the show

Monique Bradley is an incredibly inspiring person with an unstoppable attitude. Monique and her partner Pete Ward, provide training, coaching and consulting services through their company We Do Famous Ltd. Monique is also the CEO of Sky Channel 83 Face TV and they both produce several TV shows including the third season of lifestyle show Guide To Better Living and ecommerce infomercial show Guide To Better Shopping. On this episode we discuss making a living in the arts, bul...

On our 150th episode, Fiona McDonald joins me to talk about the new Strawpeople album Knucklebones - their first release in nineteen years! We also discus writing lyrics, the innovative approach of both the Headless Chickens and Strawpeople, Bosom FM (?) and a whole lot more!Support the show

Lorenzo Hazelwood is a young singer who fronts the band Silcrow and is in the full swing of trying to establish his career. With a new single out and an upcoming move to London, Lorenzo dropped by to chat about the highs and lows of being a young rock band trying to find their feet in the current musical industry. This is a very pointed, hard hitting, fun chat. Support the show

Jemilah and Koen from up-and-coming band Marmalade, stop by to talk about their thoughts and experiences as they work to get their band off the ground, progress their careers and navigate their way through the music industry. We also learn about bed socks.Support the show

Australian songwriter, musician and guitar tutor Mark Moldre, joins us to talk about his new album Nambucca Fables. We discuss song-writing, the story of the lost 1940s Tex Morton guitar, the trappings of genre and branding and much more. Check out his fantastic new album and enjoy the chat!Support the show

Drummer and fellow podcaster Andrew Rooney joins Danny for a wide ranging conversation about all things music. The conversation swings from Toto to Ringo, the Dunning–Kruger effect to making money, and Andrew gives Danny a pep talk. Support the show

Tracey Collins is a professional accordionist with a wealth of experience. We discuss her work touring with Operatunity, meeting her husband in Venice, her early gigs on K’ Road as a young teenager, building a restaurant in a tree and her life as a fulltime musician and Mum. Fast paced, lots of laughs, great chats. Support the show

Songwriter Damien Binder joins us to chat about his new album Bright Side. We talk about song writing, gigging, lyrics, production and much more. Great album, great guy, great chats!Support the show

In September 2022 renowned vocalist Caitlin Smith, returned to our podcast studio with more to say about her latest thoughts and musings. On this second instalment she talks about anxiety and addiction, musical identity, navigating the music business and Danny and Caitlin debate their slightly different views on lyric writing.Support the show