Rhythms Magazine

Episode 5 of On The Record, and the conversation has hit its sweet spot: loose, curious, opinionated—and occasionally interrupted by reality. There’s a healthy scepticism about hype, a refusal to confuse longevity with importance, and a shared belief that some things still genuinely matter—even if the algorithm disagrees. Brian Wise brings context and deep musical memory; Michael Mackenzie brings reflection, curiosity, and the occasional philosophical swerve. Together, they interrogate nostalgia without fully surrendering to it, defend enthusiasm when it’s earned, and question why so much modern culture feels like it’s passing time rather than saying something. There are laughs, strong opinions, thoughtful pauses, and moments where the conversation snaps into focus just long enough to land a point before wandering off again. It’s not a panel show, not a lecture, and definitely not a hot take factory. Episode 5 doesn’t shout. It knows what it’s doing. Sort of. Important links Norma Tanega - Walkin' My Cat Named Dog  Stray Cats - Runaway Boys  Ram Jam - Black Betty  The Rolling Stones - Not Fade Away (Mono)  The Uncool - the new memoir from award-winning filmmaker and journalist Cameron Crowe  Grover Lewis article - Hitting The Note With The Allman Brothers Band (first published in 'Rolling Stone', November 25, 1971, Issue No. 96)  Kid Creole & The Coconuts website  Kid Creole & The Coconuts - Stool Pigeon   Du Fermier Restaurant website Florry - First It Was A Movie, The It Was A Book  Florry website  David Bowie - Lazarus  David Bowie website

Brian Wise talks to Paul Kelly in depth about Paul's latest album Seventy. 

Episode 4 of On The Record opens exactly as listeners now expect: however, the technology relents and the Christmas episode is officially underway. What follows is a warm, rambling, oddly moving conversation about Christmas music, memory, faith, food and survival, with plenty of laughs along the way. Michael Mackenzie declares Christmas music a minefield of bad taste, arguing passionately for carols, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Otis Redding and Silent Night—while firmly rejecting novelty songs, forced cheer and anything involving Santa “rocking.” Brian revisits his Catholic childhood as an altar boy, including midnight mass duties, Latin confusion, and the moral courage it took to tell an aunt that Sadie the Cleaning Lady was, frankly, not a great gift for a teenage boy. There are transistor radios from Liverpool, early playlists, and the dawning realisation that taste can arrive early—and stay stubbornly intact. Michael counters with one of the great Christmas stories: a white Christmas spent working illegally in the Swiss Alps, dodging passport checks, sledding home from work, eating communal meals by candlelight, and throwing snowballs under fir trees. It’s nostalgic, cinematic, and only mildly incriminating. Things take a darker, funnier turn with memories of Christmas stress, maternal meltdowns, and the single most divisive festive dish ever discussed on the podcast: mango pie with gelatin—described as having the texture of a stuntman landing on cardboard boxes. The episode winds down with gift ideas, band-of-the-year talk, the weaponisation of Santa for child behaviour management, and a surprisingly tender close as the year ends and real life intrudes. It’s funny. It’s nostalgic. It’s messy. And it’s the most On The Record Christmas you could hope for. Important Links: Elvis Christmas Album  Alligator Records - A Genuine Houserockin' Christmas (2003 Full Album)  Los Lobos Llegó Navidad  Otis Redding - White Christmas  Sister Rosetta Tharpe Silent Night

Episode 3 of On The Record once again proves that no matter how long you’ve worked in media, technology will always sense weakness.  Once operational, the episode quickly becomes a rallying cry for the quietly furious demographic known as Grumpy Older Men Who Have Had It With Banks. Michael officially embraces his new identity after discovering his bank changed everything without warning, while Brian counters with tales of frozen debit cards, vanished tellers, and the most devastating bank exit in history... From there, the conversation widens—considerably. There’s a surprisingly heartfelt discussion about the best technology of 2025, which turns out not to be AI, crypto or anything with a subscription fee, but a lightweight laptop, a digital library card, and apps that simply work. Radical. Travel takes centre stage next, with Michael recounting a punishing but transcendent hike through Albania’s Accursed Mountains, involving donkeys, snow-capped peaks, dodgy knees and a journey that somehow includes minibuses, boats and a black Mercedes. Brian counters with a pitch for Tulsa, Oklahoma—a city with no tourists, no traffic, a Bob Dylan Centre, a Woody Guthrie Centre, and an offer to pay you $10,000 to move there (family approval not guaranteed). Music eventually breaks through—this is a Rhythms podcast after all—with Christmas gift recommendations ranging from Mavis Staples and Paul Kelly to Dylan box sets, Patti Smith anniversaries, Springsteen gloom, and vinyl for hipsters aged anywhere between 30 and 60. There are also book tips, documentary detours, and a shared belief that Brad Pitt shirtless does not automatically equal a good movie. By the end, Episode 3 has covered banks, libraries, hiking, Dylan, Tulsa, laptops, Formula One, Christmas shopping and the philosophy of buying technology like a V8 Mustang—all without ever fully sticking to a plan. Which, frankly, is exactly the plan. Essential Links Brian's fave tech of 2025   Michael's fave tech of 2025 Michael's Journey through Albania's Accursed Mountains  Tulsa's Bob Dylan Center  PBS Documentary on the Tulsa Race Massacre  Live, work, and grow in Tulsa (incentive program) The Watchmen TV series that is built around the real life Tulsa massacre  Louis Theroux talks with David Byrne on Apple Podcasts  Adam Buxton talks with David Byrne on Apple Podcasts  Formula 1: Drive to Survive - Season 7 | Official Trailer | Victorian Record Stores to shop at or online for Christmas  Captain Stomp  Greville Records  Rocksteady Records  Rathdowne Records  Brian's Musical Christmas Recommendations Mavis Staples Sad And Beautiful World  Van Morrison 70  Loretta Miller Loretta  Geese Getting Killed  Recommended Box Sets Bob Dylan Through The Open Window: The Bootleg Series Vol. 18 Patti Smith 50th anniversary of Horses Rolling Stones Black and Blue Remixed Bruce Springsteen Nebraska Re-released on vinyl Chris Wilson King For A Day Recommended Books Patti Smith: Bread of Angels Cameron Crowe: Uncool Peter Wolfe: Waiting On The Moon Tom Piazza: John Prine - Living In the Present Mike Campbell: Heartbreaker

Episode two of On The Record begins exactly where great podcasts are born: with the crushing realisation that nothing has been recorded. After a brief collective sigh (and a generous decision to “power through”), Michael Mackenzie, Brian Wise and guest Nick Corr regroup and press on—braver, wiser, and still dangerously unsupervised. What follows is a gloriously eclectic ramble through: A shamelessly persuasive plug for Rhythms Magazine, which somehow doubles as relationship advice A sold-out theatre talk about fungi, proving that mushrooms now draw bigger crowds than indie bands A deep dive into Pluribus, the Apple TV series that turns hive minds into a philosophical Rorschach test (Michael finds it calming; Brian finds it terrifying) The long-awaited final album from Chris Bailey of The Saints, hailed as a dignified, and moving farewell Lucinda Williams, political defiance, and why some albums are necessary whether America’s ready or not A prolonged, reverent detour into Tom Waits, including birthdays, movies, glitter-filled pockets, and the universal agreement that everyone would still fly overseas to see him Talking Heads nostalgia, Bluesfest ticket shock, and the unsettling concept of “cover bands with original members” The episode wraps with movies (Dead of Winter, Train Dreams), tears shed in unexpected places, and the firm belief that art about love, loss, and grief is best discussed at length—preferably after checking the record button. On The Record is a podcast where culture is taken seriously, and tangents are treated as the main event. Useful Links Rhythms Subscription For Your Loved One At Christmas  Order Your Rhythms T Shirt For Christmas   Merlin Sheldrake Interview  The Saints Long March Through The Jazz Age  Lucinda Williams new album World's Gone Wrong  Lucinda's Honky Tonk in NYC  Documentary: Finding Lucinda   Jay Buchanan - Caroline (Official Music Video) Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery | Official Trailer | Netflix  Tom Waits - "Come On Up To The House"  Tom Waits Glitter and Doom Live  Tom Waits - The Acting Years  Snocaps band site  The Lemonheads New Album Remain In Light feat. Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew | Full Set | Hollywood Arts Park | 3-2-2024  Caught Stealing Trailer  Dead of Winter Trailer  Train Dreams Trailer 

In a gloriously shambolic podcast debut of On The Record, Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie briefly wrestle with technology; however, once the cockpit stops flashing warnings, they settle into a free-wheeling conversation about music, ageing audiences, dodgy voting scandals, Patti Smith, Beatles archaeology, sci-fi mind melds, and why matinee gigs are the greatest invention since the flat white. Wise and Mackenzie first teamed up when they co-presented Dig On The Radio, a summer season of music and performances on ABC Local Radio between 2003 and 2006. Since then, the pair have kept in touch both on and off the air, and decided there might be literally dozens of people eager to hear their meanderings in this new addition to the Rhythms stable. In this debut episode Michael and Brian meander through: The annual Rhythms Readers Poll, which, shockingly, people have actually tried to rig. (Move over Florida.) Why older gig-goers prefer concerts that end before the evening news, and the uncertain future for finding new music audiences via radio. Mavis Staples’ new album, Sad and Beautiful World, which both agree is so good it may actually restore faith in humanity. A detour into Tom Jones, who’s made excellent records while the world wasn’t looking. Todd Snider, the mayor of East Nashville and patron saint of long, funny songs. Paul Kelly’s new album and gig, celebrated for making audiences actually listen because they didn’t know the lyrics yet. The Beatles Anthology reboot, where Apple Records proves once again that there is no bottom to the barrel if you have AI and Giles Martin. Final season of Stranger Things:  getting so dark it may require night-vision goggles Pluribus, the new Vince Gilligan sci-fi series about humanity becoming one hive mind—an idea Brian finds horrifying and Michael could really get behind. Cowboy Junkies live, who apparently sound so good Brian is still vibrating. The Springsteen biopic Deliver Us From Nowhere, prompting the important philosophical debate: Is it bi-OH-pic or BYE-opic? Patti Smith, whose writing has Michael crying and whose life stories have Brian reading again. Subscribe to here Substack here. A CNN Live Aid documentary, featuring Bob Geldof, Margaret Thatcher, and the invention of global-scale concert viewing way before GoFundMe. Watch on 9Now.

Acclaimed singer songwriter Gregory Porter, who will be touring Australia in October, spoke to Rhythms editor Brian Wise. Porter talks about his recording career and his influences, including Nat King Cole and Donny Hathaway.

This week’s guest is Texas singer songwriting legend James McMurtry, son of the author Larry McMurtry, who has just released his 11th studio album, The Black Dog & The Wandering Boy (via New West Records). Produced by Don Dixon, whom McMurtry worked with on his third album in 1995, the latest album is McMurtry’s first in four years. Rhythms editor Brian Wise met up with McMurtry on Zoom. This podcast has been produced by Jasmine Griffiths. You can find out more about Rhythms and the special subscription offer as well as catch up on the latest music news at rhythms.com.au

Pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph talks about his brand new album Preacher Kids, released as a solo album with a new band and a forthcoming tour. (Produced by Jasmine Griffiths).

Taj Mahal and Keb Mo join Rhythms Editor Brian Wise to talk about their new album together Room On The Porch. 

Allison Russell, multi-award winning singer, songwriter, poet, activist, and multi-instrumentalist will be in Australia this month for concerts in Melbourne (April 15) and Sydney (April 17) as well as appearances at Bluesfest (April 19-20). Rhythms editor Brian Wise spoke to Allison about her recent work, which included an appearance in the Broadway musical Hadestown.

Sly Lives! is a 2025 documentary about the life of Sly Stone and the band Sly and the Family Stone.  The film is also known as The Burden of Black Genius.  It was directed by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson and premiered at Sundance in January 2025. It's the second documentary directed by Questlove, following his Oscar-winning documentary Summer of Soul. It was released on Hulu and Disney+ on February 13, 2025 and Michael Mackenzie and Brian Wise discuss the enormous influence this troubled genius has had on funk, soul, psychedelia since his multi-gendered, multi-racial band became superstars in the late 1960s.

Texas-born and bred singer Leon Bridges has just began his Australian tour in Bowral on Sunday January 19 and he has appearances in Sydney (January 21) and at at the Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on Thursday January 23. Brian Wise spoke to Leon about his career and his latest album, simply titled Leon. The interview also contains music from the latest album. Concert details and tickets at: leonbridges.com

Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie discuss A Complete Unknown, James Mangold's biopic on Bob Dylan starring Timothy Chalamet as Bob, Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo (Suze Rotolo), Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Edward Norton as Pete Seeger. Is this the best music biopic of all time?

  Paul Kelly joined Brian Wise in the studio at Triple R in Melbourne to talk about his recent American our, the film How To make Gravy based on his song of the same title and his latest album Fever Longing Still. He also performs two songs from the new album for us: 'All Those Smiling Faces' and 'Down To The River With Dad'. 

Michael Connelly is the American author of thirty-seven novels,  including the Harry Bosch series, the Lincoln Lawyer series, and the Renée Ballard series. They alone have sold more than eighty million copies worldwide. Michael Connolley was in Australia for the Sydney and Brisbane Writers Festivals and spoke to Rhythms Editor Brian Wise about the use of music, especially jazz, in his Bosch series and other works. It was produced by Michael Mackenzie.

Michael Connelly is the author of thirty-seven novels, including #1 New York Times bestsellers Desert Star, The Dark Hours, and The Law of Innocence. His books, which include the Harry Bosch series, the Lincoln Lawyer series, and the Renée Ballard series, have sold more than eighty million copies worldwide. Connelly is a former newspaper reporter who has won numerous awards for his journalism and his novels. He's the executive producer of three television series: Bosch, Bosch: Legacy, and The Lincoln Lawyer. He spends his time in California and Florida. Michael Connolley was in Australia for the Sydney and Brisbane Writers Festivals and spoke to Rhythms Editor Brian Wise about the use of music, especially jazz, in his Bosch series and other works. Produced by Michael Mackenzie.

Our guest in this Rhythms podcast is Boo Mitchell, the son of legendary Memphis producer Willie Mitchell, whose Royal Studios featured the incredible Hi Rhythm Section playing behind a myriad of hits from the likes of Al Green, Ann Peebles and many more. Boo has his own formidable career working with many high profile musicians at Royal and producing the acclaimed 2014 documentary Take Me to the River, celebrating the intergenerational and interracial musical influence of Memphis, in the face of pervasive discrimination and segregation. There is also a New Orleans version and in this podcast Boo reveals plans for another documentary in an overseas location.  Boo Mitchell is bringing some of the remaining Hi Rhythm Section members to Blues on Broadbeach this weekend (May 16-19)with guest vocalists Lina Beach and Jerome Chism. Boo will also be showing Take Me To The River and taking about the documentary.   

Martha Wainwright is touring Australia this month and Rhythms Editor Brian Wise caught up with her by Zoom to talk about the tour, her return to touring, writing new songs and a tribute to singer/songwriter Connie Converse. The podcast starts with music from Martha's lates studio album Love Is Reborn.  Songs: Hole In My Heart/Getting Older/Love Will Be Reborn - Martha Wainwright (Love Will Be Reborn), Five Years Old - Loudon Wainwright III (Fame & Wealth), One By One - Martha Wainwright, Wild Mountain Thyme (feat. Anna McGarrigle, Chaim Tannenbaum, Lily Lanken, Lucy Wainwright Roche & Martha Wainwright) - Rufus Wainwright (Folkocracy). You can find Martha's tour dates at: https://www.marthawainwright.com/shows  

Jon Cleary is currently touring Australia with his Absolute Monster Gentlemen. Rhythms Editor Brian Wise spoke to him just before he set off for the tour and just after he had played The Bitter End in New York, which is s story in itself.  Jon is also appearing at Blues On Broadbeach this weekend, May 16-19, 2024. You can check out Jon's touring dates here: https://www.joncleary.com/tour