Campaign songs about hydro-electricity Download the Counting The Beat - Megawatt podcast

Many NZ musicians have tried to make it overseas, but the reality of competing in a global market from the bottom of the earth means the successes are few. So it's nice when the musical and songwriting talent of our musicians is recognised overseas. In a bit of depature from the norm this episode of Counting The Beat features overseas artists- but performing New Zealand songs. Download the Counting The Beat - International Covers podcast

Merry Christmas Download the Counting The Beat - Kiwi Christmas podcast

This episode is my final round-up of new and upcoming releases for 2008. Download the Counting The Beat - New Releases Dec 08 podcast

The Phoenix Foundation are one of the country's most acclaimed bands, although that hasn't necessarily translated into sales or awards. At the heart of their success is the fact that the band is made up of a bunch of incredibly talented songwriters and musicians. The guys from the Phoenix Foundation are bursting with songs, so much so that no fewer than four solo albums have emerged this year from band members. Download the Counting The Beat - Phoenix Foundation Alumni podcast

It's that time you've all been waiting for - the 3rd annual Counting The Beat Alternatuis. Download the Counting The Beat - 2008 Alternatuis podcast

City of Sails, the Queen City, the Big Smoke, latte supping drain on the nation, call it what you will but everyone in the country has some kind of opinion on Auckland. And some of our musicians have expressed this in song, ranging from odes to the city's suburbs to ferocious attacks on the city's decay with the odd bit of strangeness in between. Here's a very localised version of one of my favourite Counting the Beat topics - a Place Name Special Download the Counting The Beat - Auckland podcast

You know, not all music downloading is stealing - and Radiohead aren't the only band to give away music for free. Download the Counting The Beat - Free and Legal podcast

The level of political support and funding for NZ music has been one of the successes of the last nine years of the Labour govt. While there are legitimate arguments that the NZ On Air model leads to a glut of sound-a-like commercial fare there has also been a huge surge in interest in NZ music, a dramatic increase in airplay and subsequently the kiwi music scene has become more sustainable for musicians and record labels alike. Never-the-less, despite the current political support for music, very few contemporary kiwi musos are making songs about politicians. Download the Counting The Beat - Bad Politics Baby podcast

Songs about radio to mark the launch of Waiheke Radio. Download the Counting The Beat - Shiny Radio podcast