Don't Give Up Your Day Job's Podcast

He helped build one of the greatest rock bands of all time, so why does everyone seem to hate him?  This week, drummer extraordinaire Andrew Rooney joins us to dig into the Lars Ulrich debate. Great drummer or overrated? Visionary leader or certified jerk? And does he actually deserve the hate he gets?  Send us Fan Mail Support the show

This week Danny and Mike dig into one of the most powerful and often overlooked tools in music: dynamics. Not just in how you play, but in your songs, your band, how a record is made and how a live show breathes. They pick up the guitar and work through some examples together before Danny plays Mike a number of iconic tracks that show dynamics done right. The kind of conversation that will genuinely change how you listen to music. Worth your time. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

On this special bonus episode, Stephen Gallagher returns to the show to discuss his work on Peter Jacksons Beatles documentary Get Back, and his recent gig scoring the soundtrack for the new animated Lord Of The Rings entry, The War of the Rohirrim.  Original cohost Bobby Kennedy also returns to illuminate the conversation.  This episode was recorded just because Christmas 2024.  Since we last had Stephen on the show, he’s won an Emmy, grown a beard and been on a date with Danny… Dig it. Support the show

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 episode, Danny sits down with his oldest friend to chat about their hilarious and dramatic journey together.  www.dontgiveup.co.nz Support the show

Twenty-six years ago, Danny bought Chris Bourke’s book Something So Strong, which tells the highly entertaining and informative story of Crowded House.  So much about the book stayed with Danny and gave him some very important tips about how to navigate the music industry.  All these years later, Danny got to talk to Chris Bourke about Crowded House, his books Something So Strong (1998), Blue Smoke (2010) and Good-bye Maoriland (2017) and his work at AudioCulture.  Chris is like a living library of NZ music.  Great chat!  www.dontgiveup.co.nz   Support the show

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 guy who loves what he does and loves the people he works with.  Enjoy! www.dontgiveup.co.nz Support the show

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.  Enjoy! Support the Show.

Danny first met Jenni Smith when he was tutoring guitar at Auckland University.  Jenni was a first-year student on the Popular Music course and years later, Jenni is now celebrating a recent chart placement and is working hard promoting her new, upbeat single ‘T-Shirt’.  A proud ‘Swifty’, Jenni developed a fascination with pop and country music when she was young and has spent the years since learning to play a variety of instruments, while developing her songwriting skills.   Support the Show.

Mike Baker is a songwriter who was involved with the Flying Nun scene in the late 80s (primarily with the band Not Really Anything) before relocating to Sydney to manage bands and create a career as a chef, including cooking for White Stripes, Dandy Warhols, Henry Rollins, Boss Hogg, Lloyd Cole and many others, before returning to NZ. He’s now got a debut EP out under the name BAkeR. Support the Show.

Originally from Canada, Joanne currently holds the position of Director, Artistic Planning & Participation, at New Zealand Opera in Auckland, New Zealand where she has been a department head since 2014.  On this episode the two musicians talk about craft, technique, the business of music and they discuss the differences and the similarities between their careers.  Find out more about Joanne and New Zealand Opera at www.nzopera.com Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cIK_3xtfHBY  www.dontgiveup.co.nz Support the Show.

Graham Reid has been an important part of the fabric of the New Zealand music scene for several decades.  He’s a journalist, an author, a writer and a music reviewer who has consistently delivered intelligent and well-considered perspectives, with class and integrity.  He’s written for Metro Magazine, The Listener and the New Zealand Herald (back when it was good) as well as his legendary website Elsewhere.co.nz  Graham knows his stuff and isn’t afraid to speak honestly.  He also happens to be a cool guy! Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UFXVDSIffn4 www.dontgiveup.co.nz Support the Show.

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 recording the album.  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ehtXV8otIDg www.dontgiveup.co.nz Support the show

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.nz 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 say 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.  They talk extensively about The Matrix films, The Terminator sequels, The Corridor Crew and our local film industry.   Support 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

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, bullying, the stories we tell ourselves (about ourselves), cancel culture, freedom of speech and much more.   Support the show