Don't Look Back Podcast

Ivan Aristeguieta says every comedian has two jobs. Ivan is also a food technologist and it’s his knowledge in the culinary arts that’s helped him break through cultural barriers in his adopted Aussie homeland. But the sights, smells and sounds of his birthplace are never far away from his thoughts. Join Ivan Aristeguieta as he takes you on a trip to Venezuela to hear the broad musical influences that he absorbed in his teens and how one song from a very special concert changed him forever.

‘The last plane out of Sydney’s almost gone…’, an unmistakable lyric that playwright Kate Mulvany recalls hearing everywhere from radio through to blue light discos growing up. However, it wasn’t until she heard the word ‘Vietnam’ in the Cold Chisel classic, Khe Sanh, that she sat down to really listen to the story that was being told. It brought emotional demons out of the woodwork, opened up a dialogue with her Vietnam Veteran father’s life and was a catalyst for great personal upheaval.

Over Sean Lennon's career he’s had three solo albums but what he’s found is that at heart, he’s a collaborator. He’s recently teamed his surreal guitar licks with the brilliance of Les Claypool for a psych-pop partnership called The Claypool Lennon Delirium. As a musician, he’s constantly exploring and intrigued by how melodies and lyrics interact to produce something wholly unique. As a guitarist he finds one of rock's greatest, Jimi Hendrix, a continuous source of learning and inspiration.

Dr Karl loves the sound of loud guitars, but he can't tell us why.

From Elvis and Chuck Berry to The Sex Pistols and The Beatles, with plenty of 80s influences in between, they’ve all been a part of Chris Cheney’s musical landscape. But there’s a certain flamboyant Piano Man who continues to intrigue and inspire him to this day.

Peggy Frew tells the story of how PJ Harvey’s ‘Sheela-Na-Gig’ empowered her as a shy and quiet teenager.

Arj Barker knows a thing or two when it comes to making people laugh. Much of it comes down to understanding human behaviour. But sometimes life throws some curveballs which test one’s resolve and emotional capabilities. Arj shares his story of a devastating heartbreak which coincided with one of the highest points of his comedy career and how Radiohead’s ‘Paranoid Android’ came to soundtrack this turbulent time.

Jason Isbell is a songwriter who approaches his craft with a strong, honest work ethic. It’s a reflection of his childhood roots. Growing up around hard working Southern folk, he would overhear conversations about their daily troubles or just everyday observations. To his young eager ears, there was something magical about the simplicity of what was said as well as the hidden layers of meaning within them.

American songwriter and harpist Joanna Newsom developed her musical concepts and sensibilities very early in life, long before she really began to actively listen to other people’s music. She realises that she was very fortunate to develop her own expressive style, mostly free from external influences. But there was one larger than life 80s anthem which also played a vital role in shaping the artist she is today.

Sammy J went from class clown to comedy stardom. As a musical comedian, he trades in subverting serious subject matter with catchy bright melodies, direct conversational lyrics and a bright eyed smile. He tells the tale of how he came to the understanding that laughter can bring empowerment and the song that showed him the limitless possibilities of music and comedy.