On The Record Debuts: Two Friends. Dodgy Tech. Endless Cultural Zig-Zagging. Zero Apologies.
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.
