Documentary director Pietra Brettkelly drops in (choosing bFM over The Oscars™, hah) to talk about her new feature, Yellow Is Forbidden, the story of fashion designer Guo Pei and her rise from Cultural Revolution China to independent Haute Couture threat. Penelope Noir, 95bFM's resident Fashun expert, reviews Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist, a documentary on the notorious titular Ms. Vivienne that once had the Westwood family's co-operation... but now, upon release, does not. What went wrong?
When you think of an archetypal bFM DJ in the late 80s and early 90s, you think of a character very much like Owen 'The Jackal' Harris; a dedicated musical omnivore who would go hungry rather than pass up on buying records. Buying LOTS of records. Owen also was partly responsible for the world's first-ever documentary series on Split Enz, as well as frequently hosting The "surprise" and "special" parts of 95bFM programming, focusing on one artist, label, or era. He has been a resident of the USA this century, where he works for the space program (we think). (Episode 23 Parts 1-2 of 2)
Our European correspondent Mary-Margaret Slack is back for another week. We’re talking all the latest on Brexit plus what is Jacinda Ardern doing in the UK. Fiona McNamara from the Sexual Abuse Prevention Network speaks about a news story from last night about the Roastbusters… Should we be promoting a sex offender on the 6 o clock news? The Green Desk is back for another week: Mitch is speaking about the Conference of the Parties that was held in Poland last November. Junior Doctors are going on a second strike next week regarding employment disputes with the District Health Boards. Liv speaks with two unions, the Resident Doctors Association and the Specialty Trainees of New Zealand, regarding the upcoming strike. And finally, Duncan Grieve from the Spinoff speaks with me about the future of NZ media, following the news Stuff is being sold.
This week on the first Green Desk of the year, new producer Bronwyn Wilde interviews with Rebecca Diederichsen from Kotahi Aviary, a captive breeding facility for the critically endangered shore plover bird. Formed in 2018 by the Department of Conservation and local Hawke's Bay philanthropist Andy Lowe, the aviary is the third of its kind in the country. With seven resident birds, its goal is to breed 40 chicks a year for release onto offshore islands. Rebecca, the sole employee at the aviary, talks about some of the successes and challenges of the project so far.
If you’re thinking - what on earth is a shore plover!?!? Then you’re probably in the same boat as a lot of New Zealanders. An endemic shorebird, they are very much in need of the spotlight, as there are only around 250 birds left. Rebecca begins by telling us a bit more about what exactly a shore plover is.
Zoë shares with us her favourite (virtual) theatre picks for the weekend and it's looking pretty Shakespear heavy (no surprises there). King Lear is playing through the Stratford Festival, Twelfth Night is play on the National Theatre at Home, and Silo Theatre's Instagram Artist in residence is always good to check out, this week is Hamish Parkinson.
We pay tribute to Kraftwerk's Florian Schneider, master drummer Tony Allen, as well as being joined for a guest mix by Misa of the Run with the wolves radio show (BaseFM). Enjoy and keep safe!
The Green Party has written an open letter to the Immigration Minister calling for a broad amnesty programme for people who've overstayed their visa, and for temporary visa holders to be granted residency.
The party's immigration spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March spoke to Justin.
Last week, Immigration New Zealand annoucned that it may begin to cancel visas and refund the individuals who have applied for residency in Aotearoa. The government says there are over 50,000 applicaton's to be processed. Louis Macalister speaks to immigration lawyer Elly Fleming about the decision.
Blind Mango Chutney plays some bFM faves, including a selection from The Residents' label Ralph Records, King Crimson, Pharoah Sanders and Dr. Lonnie Smith with Iggy Pop. Plus a deep dive into Impulse!
Playlist:
Charlie Hunter Quartet - Lively Up Yourself
Oscar Brown Jr - Bid Em In
Koko Taylor - Wang Dang Doodle
Nina Simone - Revolution Parts 1 & 2
Ray Charles - One Mint Julep
Oliver Nelson - Stolen Moments
Charles Mingus - Solo Dancer
McKinney's Cotton Pickers - I'd Love it
Michal Urbaniak & Urbanator - Chameleon ft Muckhead, Herbie Hancock
Marc Johnson - Union Pacific
King Crimson - Thela Hun Ginjeet
The Club Foot Orchestra - Wild beasts
Emma Jean Thackray - Sun
Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra - Promises Movement 4
Pharoah Sanders - The Creator Has a Masterplan
John Heartman - Slow, Hot Wind
Chico Hamilton - Larry of Arabia
Lena Horne - A Song For You
Karen Dalton - Sweet Substitute
Burt Bacharach - South American Getaway
Dr Lonnie Smith & Iggy Pop - Why Can't We Live Together
Ruby Rushton - Where Are You Now?