Music Industry News

Across 10 episodes of new podcast and radio programme Song Navigator, respected music journalist Nick Bollinger takes elemental New Zealand themes and examines the ways different songwriters and composers have interpreted them over the past century.

Part music discovery, part social history, each episode is fun and eclectic, crisscrossing decades and styles from pop songs to symphonies, haka to hip-hop.

The podcast draws on archive material as well as new interviews, linked by a compelling and entertaining narrative. It features a wide range of voices, sheds fresh light on the familiar and offers an accessible entry point to the unknown.

In a first for RNZ Podcasts, music will feature within the series across podcast platforms with the support of APRA NZ, celebrating a century of NZ songwriting.

RNZ’s Head of Audio Pip Keane says it’s exciting to be able to bring this piece of music storytelling to the airwaves and podcast audiences.

“This is another brilliant series by Nick Bollinger, celebrating music, songwriters, and the stories behind the songs that mean so much to us.”

Listen to all 10 episodes here or on podcast apps, with a new episode weekly from Wednesday 16 September. Also broadcast on Sundays from 27 September at 4pm on RNZ National and 4:30pm on Saturdays from 17 October on RNZ Concert.

Episode 1 – Utopian Dreams

Aotearoa has a long history of people arriving in search of a better life. This episode examines songs inspired by utopian dreams. Songs by OMC, Dave Dobbyn, The Kini Quartet, and Crowded House, plus an interview with Ryan Raggett.

Episode 2 – On the Land

The land means different things to different songwriters. In this episode we hear songs about rivers, mountains, famous streets, and the spirit of the land itself. Songs by The Warratahs, Anthonie Tonnon, Te Kaahu and the New Zealand Youth Choir, plus interview with composer Tuirina Wehi.

Episode 3 – Heroes and Villains

Every country has its heroes and villains. Who are ours? What can our songs tell us about them – and ourselves? Songs by Trillion, the Howard Morrison Quartet, Dudley Benson, Helen Henderson, and Sven Olsen’s Brutal Canadian Love Saga. Interviews with songwriters Helen Henderson and Nigel Beckford.

Episode 4 – Journeys and Arrivals

Anyone coming to this country has made a journey – for some, a journey to the unknown. This episode compares journeys and arrivals, and different types of song they inspired. Compositions by Tipene, Naked Spots Dance and Douglas Lilburn. Interviews with rapper Tipene Harmer, music professor Robert Hoskins and members of 80s post-punk group Naked Spots Dance.

Episode 5 – Loneliness

Loneliness is one of the universal themes of popular song. But do New Zealanders have their own variety of loneliness? This episode compares a 19th century waiata aroha – addressed to an absent whaler – to a Dave Dobbyn hit. Tiny Ruins, Princess Chelsea and Don McGlashan express their own varieties of loneliness. Chelsea Nikkel talks about how loneliness informs her songwriting, and we hear archival recordings of Paeroa Wineera.

Episode 6 – Celebration

What is Aotearoa’s idea of a party, and what is its soundtrack? Why is a song about excessive drinking embraced while the national anthem sung in te reo causes offence? These questions are discussed and illustrated with songs by Th’ Dudes, The Exponents, Daphne Walker and the Harmonic Resonators. Dudes frontman Peter Urlich reflects on the life of ‘Bliss’.

Episode 7 – Creatures

From ngā manu to mythical monsters, creatures have inspired songwriters across all genres. Features songs by Hirini Melbourne, the Topp Twins, Phoenix Foundation, Gareth Farr and Bill Manhire. Interviews include Phoenix Foundation members Conrad Wedde and Sam Scott.

Episode 8 – Roots

In a land of immigrants, everyone has roots that lead back to somewhere else. One way to maintain those roots is to sing about them. Songs by Six60, Mahinarangi Tocker, Shayne Carter, Tha Feelstyle and Little Bushmen. John Psathas talks about the old and new roots of his music.

Episode 9 – Oceans of Sound

The sea has inspired many kinds of song, from waiata to symphonies. Celebrations of nature to warnings of ecological destruction, and fantasies from the ocean of the imagination. This episode showcases examples from Split Enz, Gareth Farr, Nathaniel Otley, Jess Chambers, Maisey Rika and more.

Episode 10 – Protest and Dissent

Music can be a powerful way to express anger and dissatisfaction with the status quo. This episode explores local composers and performers of protest, including Herbs, Mokotron, Anthony Ritchie, Whirimako Black and Richard Nunns.

Nick Bollinger is an award-winning author and broadcaster from Aotearoa New Zealand. For twenty years, he presented the music review show The Sampler on RNZ National. His books include the music memoir Goneville and Jumping Sundays, his study of New Zealand’s 60s counterculture, which won the Ockham Book Award for Best Illustrated Non-Fiction. His new RNZ podcast series, Song Navigator, combines his deep knowledge of music with his lifelong fascination with cultural history.