Get Excited Peeps .... BIG DAY OUT 2014 NZ is on it's way

BIG DAY OUT 2014 NZ LINEUP

Pearl Jam * Arcade Fire * Blur * Snoop Dogg aka Snoop Lion
* Major Lazer * Steve Angello * The Lumineers * Tame Impala Dillon Francis * Mac Miller Ghost * Grouplove * Flosstradamus *Portugal. The Man * Toro Y Moi * DIIV * The Naked And Famous Mudhoney * The 1975 * The Phoenix Foundation * SJD * P-Money * Ladi6 * Beastwars * Concord Dawn * Clap Clap Riot * Kody Nielson * Randa * PleasePlease

There are NO added booking fees and no sneaky surcharges. $165 flat at www.bigdayout..com and $165 plus only credit card charges at Ticketmaster. But only 10,000. After that, you’re set to pay $185 – but again, no added booking fees or sneaky surcharges.

For the full skinny go to https://www.facebook.com/bigdayout or http://www.bigdayout.com/

PIXIE WILLIAMS, the singer who gave voice to the Kiwi classic Blue Smoke, has ‘‘drifted by into the deep blue sky’’.

PIXIE WILLIAMS, the singer who gave voice to the Kiwi classic Blue Smoke, has ‘‘drifted by into the deep blue sky’’.

She died aged 85 last Friday at Fergusson Rest Home and Hospital in Upper Hutt, after suffering from dementia, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.

Pikiteora Maude Emily Gertrude Edith Williams was born on July 12, 1928, in Mohaka, northern Hawke’s Bay. Her parents died young and, in 1945, she shifted to Wellington and into the YWCA Hostel in Oriental Parade.

There, her beautiful voice came to the attention of 28th Maori Battalion veteran Ruru Karaitiana, who was looking for a singer to bring his song Blue Smoke to life.

Karaitiana composed the song while on a troop ship in 1940. It was popular at troop concerts long before it was recorded by Pixie Williams and the Ruru Karaitiana Quintette at the Radio Corporation’s Columbus Recording Studio in 262 Wakefield St in 1949.

Blue Smoke, sung by Williams, was the first record wholly processed and recorded in New Zealand. It was a huge hit, topping the charts for six weeks and selling 50,000 copies. Dean Martin was one of several international artists who covered it.

Williams’ love of hockey almost scotched the recording programme, as one weekend she preferred her weekly hockey game to a recording ses-
Blue Smoke, the first record wholly made in New Zealand. sion. Teenage crew member John Shears was sent to find her, and recalled yesterday how delighted he was to cajole her back to the studio.

In the summer of 1951, Williams headed south to Dunedin, where she met Irishman Paddy Costello. It was love at first sight. Her promising singing career soon took second fiddle to raising their four children.

Daughter Amelia and friend Julie Powell recently put out a Pixie Williams CD collection comprising 13 songs. Powell runs the Big Bad Wolf Charcuterie in 262 Wakefield St, the same building in which Blue Smoke was recorded. In pride of place on the wall is the original imprint of the 78rpm vinyl Blue Smoke record.

A funeral service for Williams will be held at St Joseph’s Church Upper Hutt at 1pm today. She will be buried beside her husband in Dunedin.

No Adventures this Thursday Night / Duncan Sarkies/Demolition of the Century (Penguin $30)

Demolition of the Century

Sorry Folks, the Kid is otherwise detained this Thursday and there will be no adventures this week. But we thoroughly recommend you get along to the Book Launch of Duncan Sarkies' new Mystery Novel: The Demolition of the Century at Mighty Mighty.

http://mightymighty.co.nz/

The Kid will have Duncan as his guest next week. In the meantime here's a few notes the Kid scrambled together:

It was one of the great southern scandals of the 1990s. Dunedin's beloved Century cinema was pulled down in 1993 to make way for a tyre shop that's never been built.

A pocket carpark still taunts film-lovers as they head along Princes or Jetty streets. While this sorry episode from Duncan Sarkies' hometown wasn't the direct inspiration for his new, second novel The Demolitionof the Century, he says the story was very pertinent. "I interviewed quite a lot of people from the demolition industry and it was very interesting chatting to them about it and how it happened." Those discussions helped form the character of Spud, whose wrecking ball is taking down the movie theatre of the book's title. He is also one of the men following Tom Spotswood, an insurance investigator who has lost his socks, suitcase, career, ex-wife and son Frank.



Duncan Sarkies

Despite still featuring a main cast of "loser" characters ("I've always been drawn to characters who are a little bit ugly and aren't necessarily going anywhere"), the detective novel represents a departure for the now over-40 Sarkies. "I bit off several challenges here and also had to research for the first time. While I love that I can read my own books and go 'Oh, that comes from here, that comes from there', I thought I'd mined my own life for all it's worth...

"With this, I had to pull a lot of stuff from outside my own life. I'm not an expert on demolition, and I wasn't an expert on horse insurance, so many aspects of the book involved a massive research job. I thoroughly enjoyed all of it, but it took a long time."

He describes the novel- writing process as similar to marathon-running. "A weird mental marathon - you've got to push yourself through, even though you know the end is a long, long, long way away, and the first draft is not one you are going to enjoy reading for posterity." Having taken a long time to get to the writing phases this time, Sarkies set himself goals via a reward system.

"I'd say, 'in this hour I'm going to write 750 words or a full hour, depending on what comes first', which is a good motivation to get the words done so you can knock off early. Setting time goals isn't a good idea because it encourages you to procrastinate." In Sarkies' case, that involved an addictive online game he refuses to name for fear of encouraging others. "I don't know why my brain needs to organise balls and colours, " he lets slip.

He was pretty fit and his Wellington home spotless during Demolition's construction phase.

"I didn't set out to write a detective novel but suddenly it turned into this major piece of structuring and I've always found that the most challenging part of writing. I tried to turn it into a fun process but spent a long time putting cards on the wall and reorganising them - it just turned into a big mess of cards." Ad Feedback Some things are familiar. As in his first novel, Two Little Boys, Demolition uses multiple narrators. "I haven't explored that style of writing of where you play God and get into the thoughts of everyone. I'm quite curious to try that at some point in the future. I do really love getting locked in someone's head, I guess that's the secret buzz of the whole thing in terms of writing prose - getting lost in someone else's thoughts. I have to engage those thoughts, so I guess it's method writing."

With that in mind, Sarkies admits that at times Demolition was quite stressful to write. "When I was writing well that was very painful. That Spud character is really wound up." Although Sarkies currently has no plans for Demolition to follow Two Little Boys' footsteps to the big screen ("I've written too many film scripts that haven't been made"), he's working on projects for both TV and radio. "I've written two episodes for a kung fu comedy for the ABC (currently titled Maximum Choppage) - one features an aphrodisiac duck recipe that causes all sorts of chaos and the other has a fighting fish. It's set in Cabramatta, which is a Vietnamese, Chinese and Cambodian district of Sydney . . . All the whiteys used to be too scared to go there. "When I went there years ago I went to a video game parlour and within two minutes someone was offering to sell me drugs. I think it has changed vastly."

Meanwhile, The Mysterious Secrets of Uncle Bertie's Botanarium is an audio collaboration with artist Stephen Templer and musician Lawrence Arabia. Jemaine Clement plays a fictional Joseph Banks who is on a voyage to look for his long-lost Uncle Bertie who believed he had discovered a plant known to be the source of all pleasure. Having made one episode so far, Sarkies says they're trying to work out what to do with it. "We might pitch it to the BBC or go the podcast route and sell it for $1.99 online."

The Demolition Of The Century by Duncan Sarkies, Penguin, $30.

Idealog's "An open letter to Judith Collins about government website ‘hacks’"
By Ben Gracewood, July 31, 2013 @ 12:44 pm

Some here at Groove are not happy about the path this is taking.
I for one agree with Ben's comments. I condone hacking any website, but i do note that the protest action, in this case was a situation of ends justifying the means. This Government's disregard for citizen rights and it's aproach seems very 1991. Why, when America is challenging the whole homeland security approach are we now starting to go on the same journey overy 12 years later? Havs we learn't nothing about diplomacy and tact. And really what is the point of the GCSB anyway. Why not strengthwen the SIS, given them the right powers and be open and transparent about their activities, whether that affects internal or extenal players. I wonder still if Kim Dotcom has something to hide. But, at the same time what is it? And why can't the exrrdition court make this transparent, too. If he is a threat, if the new laws to the GCSB are a threat, why all the misguided secrecy. All this proves what a bungling mess. I would have to agree with the hackers on this point. Freeze all new legistlation until a proper Select Committee Hearing can be conducted.

To see the full open letter click here: http://www.idealog.co.nz/blog/2013/07/open-letter-judith-collins


Coffeebar Kid

It's all Rock'n'Roll in Wellington

Well, by the grace of Groove, we are still on air.  The Groove towers may have been under threat from the great elements but we are still online - TG for that!

Keep tuning @ www.groovefm.co.nz

Wellington was hit by a 6.5 rs earthquake and many aftershocks from Sunday night and they are still occuring.  The epicentre is 30KM out in Cook Strait, near Seddon.  Seddon was hit realitively har.  Yealands Vinyards, a local business lost a reported $100K worth of wine. Wellington's Featherston St was the hardest hit, with broken windows and falling masonry.  No loss of life, four minor injuries.  As a precaution everyone was discouraged to remain away from the CBD yesterday whilst the engineers checked for structural damage. Wellington faired well with very little in the end.  Thank the Creator for that!

Groove's programming may be upset this week wilst the shaking settles down.  We'll still be on air ( www.groovefm.co.nz) Stay tuned Groovers!

On the Adventures of the Coffee Bar Kid this week - Christine Hunt Daniell - "Just an Orange for Christmas" Harper Collins $34.95

This week we explore the territory and history of one of Dean's Favourite tramping grounds - the Wairarapa.  We talk to Author/Historian Christine Hunt Daniell.

When Christine Hunt Daniell sat down with pen and paper and talked with the ‘old- timers’ for this book, her motivation was to preserve more than the bland surface details of regional history. The stories are from the Wairarapa, but their core is essential New Zealand experience, exposing something universally human. They describe how it felt to live over the last century, how it feels to be near the end of life, how today’s world measures up. Each character is a survivor, recalling often raw or touching personal details. To Stan’s insistence , “I’m amazed you keep wanting to come back and get information from an ordinary old fellow like me,” this book is an extraordinary testament. These stories reflect our spirit. Our heritage. A carefully unravelled web of facts and feelings, earthy yarns, shrewd perceptions, tomfoolery, fantasy and faith. Our folk history. Who we are. Our backbone.

After graduating, Christine Hunt Daniell spent three years in Europe, working in isolated rural communities. While absorbing the distinct flavour and spirit of each culture, she became determined to capture New Zealand’s equivalent - a heritage or folk history we still tend to deny we have. She produced three books: Something In The Hills, Speaking A Silence and I’m Ninety Five - Any Objection? Christine and her husband farm in the hills north of Masterton and on the White Rock coast.

See you at 7.30PM This Thursday only on www.groovefm.co.nz

Thursday night on the Adventures of the CoffeeBar Kid

We interview English Author, Kat Mosse - writer of the Labyrinth series. 

The complex history of the Languedoc has proved fertile territory for Kate Mosse in her recent trilogy of adventure novels, beginning with the phenomenally successful Labyrinth in 2005, shortly to be a mini-series, and now reaching its conclusion in Citadel.

1. Labyrinth was concerned with the Albigensian crusade and the destruction of the Cathar heresy in the 13th century, weaving historical truth with the legends of the holy grail that flourished after the final massacre of the Cathars at their fortress of Montségur.

Citadel is a deeply satisfying literary adventure, brimming with all the romance, treachery and cliffhangers you would expect from the genre. It is also steeped in a passion for the region, its history and legends, and that magical shadow world where the two meet.

For the full review - click here .....

All this and another episode of The Men From the Ministry. See You at 7.30.Thursday night only on www.Groovefm.co.nz

Adventures of the CoffeeBar Kid is Back tonite!

Slightly weather beaten but still standing!  Groove is back to power and normal service has resumed! So we return to our regularly scheduled programme.  Tonite we'll play a fascinating intrview with historian and writer Mark Derby about his new book 'White Collar Radical: Dan Long and the rise of white collar unions'.  This is a brilliant documentary of one of New Zealand's gentleman unionists.  A man responsible for the success of New Zealand's largest union the PSA, and a leader credited with significant gains for Women in pay and equality in the work place.  He's also the one behind the dress code for public servants: walk shorts, brown cardigans, socks and roman sandals!  If you grew up surrounded by anti-unionist rhetoric of the Muldoon government in the 80's then join us, from 7.30 tonight, for a slightly different history of New Zealand. 

You can also find out more about Mr Long here:  http://www.psa100.org.nz/stories/people/l-z/dan-long/#

Also, just to add to the flava we'll be featuring an episode of the Men From the Ministry, a British radio comedy series that ran on the BBC between 1962 and 1977. 

These are the hilarious, stiff upper lipped adventures into pure incompentancy.  The most ironic thing about the series was the ability of a highly state owned service such as the BBC to laugh at it's own public service which in the post war years was both hated for its officious bueracracy and reverred as the largest employer in Brittain.  There was also a deep suspicion fo socialist activity afoot and a deep mistrust of any one in a bowler hat!  Ultimately it was this series that provided the ferile ground for the Goons and Monty Python to make fun ofof the British demeanor. 

Of course New Zealand also had it's version, Roger Hall's emmensely polpular Gliding On which was first a play, then a TV series.  It launched the careers of Ross Jolly and Ray Henwood (Commedian Dai Henwoods Welsh dad).

You can still catch a few of the shows at NZonscreen.co.nz (http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/gliding-on-1981---1985/series)

Tally ho and all that.  See you at 7.30.

This thursday on the Adventures of the CoffeeBar Kid

Due to Wellington's worst storm 40+ years we missed out last week so this week (27/6/13) we interview historian and writer Mark Derby about his new book 'White Collar Radical: Dan Long and the rise of white collar unions'.  This is a brilliant documentary of one of New Zealand's gentleman unionists.  A man responsible for the success of New Zealand's largest union the PSA, and a leader credited with significant gains for Women in pay and equality in the work place.  He's also the one behind the dress code for public servants: walk shorts, brown cardigans, socks and roman sandals!  If you grew up surrounded by anti-unionist rhetoric of the Muldoon government in the 80's ten join us, from 7.30 tonight, for a slightly different history of New Zealand.  See you then!

On the Adventures of the Coffee Bar Kid this week

It's time for the Wellington Jazz Festival.  This week the Kid and Festival Director Shelagh Magadza have a chat about what's happening this weekend.  Hold on to your groove-shoes the festival is coming.  They discuss the artists and play some of the music just to get you in the mood. 

Tune in from 7.30 Thursday Night to get the lowdown. 

http://jazzfestival.co.nz/

Wellington Jazz Festival - Thu 6 Jun 2013 — Sat 8 Jun 2013

We're stoked that the festival is finally here!  New Zealand’s hottest little jazz festival – in the world’s coolest little capital.

The Wellington Jazz Festival is an event of true international standard, with hundreds of musicians will be turning up the heat in the capital’s famous Cuba Quarter. From contemporary and traditional jazz to soul, rhythm & blues, reggae, latin and gospel, this Festival is not just for the aficionado but for a broad selection of tastes.

There are major international acts, home-grown super groups, relaxed afternoon sessions and riotous late-night jams – all crammed into some of our capital’s best loved music venues, bars and eateries.

Here are a few highlights. See individual events for venue information.  Events in this festival ordered by starting date.  For full info go to the website: http://jazzfestival.co.nz/

  

Chucho Valdés and the Afro-Cuban Messengers - One of Cuba’s greatest jazz pianists and bandleaders - Thu 6 Jun 2013 8pm  - The Opera House

The Session - A rocking WJF edition of The Matterhorn's monthly jazz jam. Free 10pm Matterhorn

Karen and Her Fellow Sinners - From '50s divas to jazzed up Nirvana. Thu 6 Jun 2013 — Sat 8 Jun 2013 8:30pm BATS Theatre

The Bandits Take Havana - A young and energetic seven-piece Latin jazz ensemble.
Free - Thu 6 Jun 2013 9pm - Havana Bar

A Roomfulla Blues - A WJF version of The Hotel Bristol's regular Thursday bluesfest.
Free Thu 6 Jun 2013 - 8:30pm, Hotel Bristol

Duelling Boogie-woogie Pianos - This eclectic array is brought to you by a set of drums & two pianos. Free - Thu 6 Jun 2013 - 8pm - Meow

The Nigel Patterson Trio - This trio combines expert musicianship with passion and creativity. Thu 6 Jun 2013

Free - 7:30pm - The Southern Cross Bar and Restaurant

Roger Sellers - One of this country's greatest jazz percussionists. Free - Thu 6 Jun 2013 9:30pm - Hashigo Zake

Cassandra Wilson - A contralto as rich and supple as vintage leather - Fri 7 Jun 2013 7pm - The Opera House - Ticketek

The Opera House Session Featuring Estère - an edgy Erykah Badhu for the next generation. Fri 7 Jun 2013 - 10pm - The Opera House - Ticketek 

Chocolate Box - WJF Special With vocalists Lisa Tomlins and Vanessa Stacy. Free Fri 7 Jun 2013 10pm - Matterhorn

Roseneath Centennial Ragtime Band - Bring your dancing shoes! Bring your dancing shoes! Fri 7 Jun 2013

8pm - Mighty Mighty

Dinner and Cabaret with Alana Zivanov With Alana Zivanovic. Free Fri 7 Jun 2013 — Sat 8 Jun 2013 - 7pm - Daddy O's

The Wellington City Shake-'Em-On-Down - Ah, Dixieland, the terrific toe-tapping era. Free - Fri 7 Jun 2013 - 9pm - Hotel Bristol

Adam Page Trio - Songs for Sonny - Celebrating the influence of the great Sonny Rollins. Fri 7 Jun 2013 8pm, Meow

Tessa Quayle & Nick Granville Trio - Jazz and swing with funk, soul and blues grooves. Free - Fri 7 Jun 2013 — Sat 8 Jun 2013 - 10pm - Hashigo Zake

Mantis: The Music of Drew Menzies - Honouring the music of one of NZ's best double bassists. Sat 8 Jun 2013 - 3pm - The Opera House

The Rodger Fox Wellington Jazz Orchestra - Celebrating turning 40 with vocalists Glenn Walter & Erna Ferry - Sat 8 Jun 2013 - 6pm - The Opera House

Iva Lamkum & Jennifer Zea - One night, one stage, two red hot vocalists -  Sat 8 Jun 2013 - 9pm - The Opera House

Upright Jazz Trio - With Julien Wilson, Brett Hirst and Reuben Bradley - Free - Sat 8 Jun 2013 10pm - Matterhorn

Omri Mor Trio - Andalou Jazz - A blend of jazz improv & traditional North African music - Free - Sat 8 Jun 2013 - 8pm - Mighty Mighty

James Illingworth Trio - Perfect for ending your night on an awesome high! - Free - Sat 8 Jun 2013 — Sun 9 Jun 2013 - 11pm - Hashigo Zake

Hot Cafe - Returning with their swinging brand of gypsy jazz - Free - Sat 8 Jun 2013 - 8:30pm - The Lido Cafe

Soul for Survivors - Soulful and upbeat service in historic St Peter’s Church. Free - Sun 9 Jun 2013 - 10am - St Peter's on Willis

The Boptet - Smooth grooves with the longest-running jazz residency in town - Free - Sun 9 Jun 2013 - 7:30pm - The Lido Cafe

John Rae All Star Band - A night of top jazz. Free - Sat 8 Jun 2013 - 9pm - Meow

Jazz Nights with Cumulonimbus - Settle in to a night of saxy jazz with jazz quartet Cumulonimbus - Fri 7 Jun 2013 — Sat 8 Jun 2013 - 6pm, 7pm - Amora Hotel

The Trio with Vocals - Afternoons of acoustic jazz! Free - Thu 6 Jun 2013 — Sat 8 Jun 2013 - 4:30pm - Meow

Jam Session - The Jazz Festival presents a jam session every night of the Festival… Free - Thu 6 Jun 2013 — Sat 8 Jun 2013 - 11pm - Meow

Friday Night Dress Up - As if Wellingtonians need an excuse to get creative with a costume! Free - Fri 7 Jun 2013 - 6pm - Cuba Mall

Free Pop-Up Jazz Jams - Pop-up jazz jams on Friday and Saturday. Free - Fri 7 Jun 2013 — Sat 8 Jun 2013 - 12pm, 10am - Cuba Mall

Free Friday Jazz with Nick Granville - A sweet blend of jazz, R&B, soul grooves and goodtime funk Free  -

Fri 7 Jun 2013 - 5pm - Vivant Restaurant & Bar

The Uprights - A small piano trio with a mighty sound! Free - Sat 8 Jun 2013 - 4pm - The Southern Cross Bar and Restaurant

Karen and Her Fellow Sinners - Sink into a sultry evening of smoky jazz - Thu 6 Jun 2013 — Sat 8 Jun 2013 - 8:30pm - BATS Theatre