Gavin Wood's Podcast

Gavin Wood's Podcast

By Jan CampbellMusicMusic Commentary
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Gavin Wood's Podcast episodes

  • Tania Doko - Bachelor Girl - Gavin Woods Podcast - Series 7 Episode 3
    Tania Doko become a pop sensation in 1998 as one half of Melbourne duo ‘Bachelor Girl’.
    Their 1998 debut single, "Buses and Trains", was a top-10 hit in Australia and New Zealand; it peaked in the top 30 in Sweden and charted in the UK. The follow-up single, "Treat Me Good", reached the top 40 in Australia and New Zealand and their debut studio album, Waiting for the Day, was released in 1998 and reached the top 20 on the ARIA Albums Chart and achieved platinum certification.
    A successful songwriter in her own right, Tania went on to write hit records with The Veronicas, Jessica Mauboy, Eric Bazilian, Delta Goodrem, Sheppard, and Tina Arena, to name a few. She was also a judge on Channel 7’s Popstars.
    In 2012, Tania moved to Sweden where she worked as a singer/songwriter and vocal coach and is now an official APRA AMCOS Ambassador for the Nordic region.
    Bachelor Girl had already sold a total of more than 500,000 albums and singles worldwide when they reformed in 2017. In 2018 they released “Speak”, exactly 20 years to the day of their debut single. In February 2023, Bachelor Girl released "Calling Out Your Name", and in July this year she released “Harder Now”, her first single from her upcoming EP.
    29 min
  • Lee Simon - Gavin Woods Podcast Series 7 Episode 2

    Lee (Vassilis) Simon was born in 1954 in Melbourne to Greek

    immigrant parents. At age five, he changed his first name to Lee, as "it
    was easier to use." He worked as an audio engineer from 1971 at local
    radio station, 3AW. His first job as a DJ was for radio 2BE in Bega, New South
    Wales followed by stints at 7HT (Hobart), 2NX (Newcastle) and 2SM (Sydney).

    Simon returned to Melbourne as a DJ and announcer for radio

    station 3XY (from 1975) and then EON FM (from 1980), where he became their programme director. He hosted Nightmoves, claimed as Australia's first adult and album-orientated music TV program for HSV 7, from 13 May 1977.

    Initially trialled for six weeks it was subsequently transmitted nationally via the Seven Network for late Friday night programming from about midnight to 1:00 a.m. By 1982 it was being broadcast on Network 10 at about 10:30 p.m. Monday nights. In 1985 it was re-branded as Rockit for the Nine Network.

     In 1995 Simon, as Program Director, was instrumental in

    Triple M Melbourne (formerly EON FM) beginning live radio broadcasts of AFL matches. As from 2010 he presented the retro music programme, Rock of Ages on Triple M. In 2018 he retired and was inducted into the Australian Commercial Radio Awards Hall of Fame later that year.

    42 min
  • Mike Brady - Gavin Woods Podcast Series 7 Episode 1

    Mike Brady was born in England and moved with

    his family to Australia when he was 11 years old. His recording career began in
    the mid 60’s with the formation of MPD Ltd (Mike, Pete & Danny).
    After MPD Ltd, Mike spent the majority of his
    time building his career as producer and writer of jingles for Television and
    Radio. One such jingle brought Mike back into the public spotlight. He was
    asked to record a promotional song for Channel Seven’s Football program. This
    song being “Up There Cazaly” went on to be the biggest selling local single of
    its time, with sales in excess of 250,000 and has become the unofficial Anthem
    of all Australian Rules Football Fans. 
    Over the years, he has been responsible for some
    of Australia’s most catchy advertising jingles.
    During the 70’s Mike formed his own Record Label
    and Record Production Company, Full Moon Records., and publishing company,
    Remix Publishing. Two hugely successful singles released by Full Moon were Mark
    Jackson’s “I’m An Individual” and Joe Dolce’s “Shuddap You Face”. “Shuddap You
    Face” broke the record previously held by Mike’s “Up There Cazaly” as the
    biggest selling single in Australian History and has been translated into many
    different languages. 
    Mike and his company have produced albums for
    artists such as Tina Arena, Colleen Hewett, Mark Gillespie and Mike Rudd and
    Bill Putt. Many of Mike’s songs have been recorded by leading artists including
    Tina Arena, and John Farnham. 
    In June 2013 Brady was appointed a Member of the
    Order of Australia (AM) for services to the community and to music as a
    composer and performer.
    On Monday 3rd July 2017 Mike was honored to be
    named Victorian of the Year in a ceremony in Melbourne.

    37 min
  • Bill Armstrong Part Two - Gavin Woods Podcast Bonus

    Bill Armstrong - Legendary Music Producer was born  in 1929.

     

    The Melbourne audio technician-turned-producer has been at

    the forefront of the local music industry for more than 60 years.

     

    In the mid-50s, Armstrong was working as a "balance

    officer" at ABC Radio, producing live-to-air programs, outside broadcasts
    and variety shows and working with the likes of Graham Kennedy. In 1956, he was
    charged with overseeing the PA system at the main stadium of the Melbourne
    Olympic Games.

     

    In 1965, Armstrong opened his own studio in a small terrace

    house in Albert Rd, South Melbourne. One of the first pop recordings made there
    was the backing track for The Easybeats' 1965 breakthrough hit "She's So
    Fine", which was overseen by British-born engineer Roger Savage.   Over the next few years the studios  expanded into six adjoining properties,
    including four studios equipped with 4-track machines. In 1968 Armstrong
    installed one of the first 8-track recorders in Australia, followed by 16 and
    then 24-track machines, together with state-of-the-art mixing desks in the
    early '70s. During this time, many of Australia's most distinguished producers
    and engineers worked there. The original engineering team were Roger Savage,
    Allan Pay and Philip Webster. Armstrong's studios soon overtook two other major
    studios in Australia at the time - the EMI and Festival Records facilities in
    Sydney - to become the most sought-after recording venue in the country, and
    the "engine room" of Australian pop and rock recording. Many of the
    most popular and successful Australian recordings from the mid-1960s to the
    mid-1980s were made there, including hit albums and singles by The Masters
    Apprentices, The Twilights, The Groove, The Groop, Zoot, The Aztecs, Russell
    Morris, Brian Cadd, Daddy Cool, Franciscus Henri, Hans Poulsen, Spectrum, John
    Farnham, Skyhooks, Little River Band, The Sports, Models and many others. Many
    famous overseas artists also recorded there while visiting Australia, including
    Earl Hines, Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, and Stephane Grapelli.[2]

     

    Armstrong left the company in 1977 and stuck with the music

    industry, working as the manager of SBS Radio in Sydney and Melbourne before
    establishing the first commercial FM radio station in 1980, EON FM, now Triple
    M. His contribution to the industry has been well recognised – an ARIA for
    Lifetime contribution to the Australian Music Industry, the Advance Australia
    Award for outstanding contribution to the industry and commerce, an APRA for
    Outstanding Contribution to the music industry and the National Film and Sound
    Archive's Cochrane-Smith award for his contribution to Sound Heritage, among
    them.

    18 min
  • Bill Armstrong Part One - Gavin Woods Podcast Bonus

    Bill Armstrong - Legendary Music Producer was born  in 1929.

     

    The Melbourne audio technician-turned-producer has been at

    the forefront of the local music industry for more than 60 years.

     

    In the mid-50s, Armstrong was working as a "balance

    officer" at ABC Radio, producing live-to-air programs, outside broadcasts
    and variety shows and working with the likes of Graham Kennedy. In 1956, he was
    charged with overseeing the PA system at the main stadium of the Melbourne
    Olympic Games.

     

    In 1965, Armstrong opened his own studio in a small terrace

    house in Albert Rd, South Melbourne. One of the first pop recordings made there
    was the backing track for The Easybeats' 1965 breakthrough hit "She's So
    Fine", which was overseen by British-born engineer Roger Savage.   Over the next few years the studios  expanded into six adjoining properties,
    including four studios equipped with 4-track machines. In 1968 Armstrong
    installed one of the first 8-track recorders in Australia, followed by 16 and
    then 24-track machines, together with state-of-the-art mixing desks in the
    early '70s. During this time, many of Australia's most distinguished producers
    and engineers worked there. The original engineering team were Roger Savage,
    Allan Pay and Philip Webster. Armstrong's studios soon overtook two other major
    studios in Australia at the time - the EMI and Festival Records facilities in
    Sydney - to become the most sought-after recording venue in the country, and
    the "engine room" of Australian pop and rock recording. Many of the
    most popular and successful Australian recordings from the mid-1960s to the
    mid-1980s were made there, including hit albums and singles by The Masters
    Apprentices, The Twilights, The Groove, The Groop, Zoot, The Aztecs, Russell
    Morris, Brian Cadd, Daddy Cool, Franciscus Henri, Hans Poulsen, Spectrum, John
    Farnham, Skyhooks, Little River Band, The Sports, Models and many others. Many
    famous overseas artists also recorded there while visiting Australia, including
    Earl Hines, Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, and Stephane Grapelli.[2]

     

    Armstrong left the company in 1977 and stuck with the music

    industry, working as the manager of SBS Radio in Sydney and Melbourne before
    establishing the first commercial FM radio station in 1980, EON FM, now Triple
    M. His contribution to the industry has been well recognised – an ARIA for
    Lifetime contribution to the Australian Music Industry, the Advance Australia
    Award for outstanding contribution to the industry and commerce, an APRA for
    Outstanding Contribution to the music industry and the National Film and Sound
    Archive's Cochrane-Smith award for his contribution to Sound Heritage, among
    them.

    23 min
  • John St Peeters - Gavin Woods Podcast Bonus

    John St Peeters was born in Melbourne, in 1956, to

    Italian-born parents, Pasqualino Lo Piccolo – a greengrocer – and Giovanna (née
    Basile). He grew up in Richmond with a younger sister, Josephine
    "Jo".  Early in his career he
    performed as Johnny Lo Piccolo. From the age of 11 he played piano accordion on
    TV talent quests, such as Brian and the Juniors, New Faces, variety shows,
    including In Melbourne Tonight, and at clubs in Melbourne.

     

    John St Peeters and the Sharells were formed in 1974, as a

    vocal trio, with two female vocalists, Niki Nicholls and Kim Julin. They
    performed "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" on the Ernie Sigley Show
    in May 1975. They toured Australia, North America and South-East Asia before
    issuing a single, "Take Me if You Want Me", in October on the Astor
    label. He resumed his solo career in 1976 with a disco-based single, "You
    Know that You're Sexy", in November of that year.

     

    Peeters signed with EMI Records, which issued his next three

    singles, "Shiny Side Up" (June 1977), "Fadin' Away"
    (October) and "Love the Way You Move" (December):  At the King of Pop Awards of 1977 St Peeters
    won Most Popular New Talent. In the following year his contract was taken up by
    RCA Records. He released his next single, "Deep Inside of Me",
    co-written by Peeters and Aldo Lennard, 
    He followed with his debut album, So Many Ways (1978), produced by
    Spencer Lee. In 1979 he formed the John St Peeters Band and toured the
    Australia club circuit.  He appeared on
    teen pop music TV show, Countdown, from 1976, he co-hosted an episode in June
    1978. He later reflected "The biggest thrill of all, though, was making it
    on the biggest television music show that existed during those years —
    Countdown, hosted by Molly Meldrum. What a fantastic experience that was."
    He premiered his single, "Wonder World", on the show in March 1980;
    it is the theme song for Simon Townsend's Wonder World, a children's variety TV
    series.

    38 min
  • Shane Howard Goanna - Gavin Woods Podcast Series 6 Episode 8

    For over 40 years Shane Howard has established himself as one of Australia's most

    influential writers and singers and created a uniquely Australian voice.

    From the red heart, where he penned his enduring song ‘Solid Rock, Sacred Ground’, to the

    wilds of Tasmania that gave birth to ‘Let the Franklin Flow’, Howard's songs have created a

    new map of Australia.

    His songs challenge existing social paradigms and dig down into what it means to be a

    modern Australian. They also reach across the globe and champion the cause of the

    common people, the environment and the injustices of colonisation.

    He's played for Prime Ministers, Aboriginal Elders and Environmental campaigners, from

    concert halls to protest sites and remote campfires.

    Howard released his 14 th solo album, ‘Dark Matter’ in 2020

    In 2022, his legendary band, Goanna, embarked on an extensive national tour, paying

    homage to their classic Spirit of Place album and reigniting the Goanna spirit that

    championed Aboriginal rights and environmental justice in the 1980’s.

    Howard is a respected senior statesman in Australia who continues to work as a poet,

    musician, writer, singer, producer and mentor.

    He is currently writing his autobiography.

    40 min
  • Mark Gable Choirboys - Gavin Woods Podcast Series 6 Episode 7

    Mark Dixon Kitchen (born 8 September 1950), known professionally as Mark Gable, is an Australian musician who serves as the frontman and a founding member of the rock band The Choirboys. The band was formed in Sydney in 1979.

    Mark was born in Captains Flat, New South Wales.

    Starting in 2012, Mark hosted The Awesome Eighties on 107.7 2GO in The New South Wales Central Coast, with assistance from Mike Duncan. In 2008/9 Gable hosted and co-produced a weekly series for smoothfm, The Sunday Session where he interviewed many international and local artists. The show was aired on a Sunday afternoon in Sydney and Melbourne.

    In 2008 Gable become an ambassador for Beyondblue.

    Gable is married to country singer-songwriter Melinda Schneider, they were married on September 10 2022 on Killcare Beach NSW after 14 years together. They had their first child Sullivan James Gable in August 2012. Gable has five children from a previous relationship.

    34 min
  • Tim Finn - Gavin Woods Podcast Series 6 Episode 6

    Tim Finn was born in 

    New Zealand.  In 1971 he completed
    a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Auckland. It is there that he
    met Mike Chunn, Robert Gillies, Philip Judd and Noel Crombie. Phil and Tim
    formed a band called Split Ends, which became Split Enz before they started to
    tour Australia.

    Finn recorded his first solo album, Escapade, in 1983. This

    album was very successful in Australia and New Zealand,  he then decided to leave Split Enz in
    1984.   In early 1985, Tim moved to
    London.  He  wrote some music for movies, and acted in a
    few movies. His role in The Coca-Cola Kid was about five minutes long. He had a
    bigger role in the movie La Donna della Luna (The Moon Woman).

    In late 1989, he went to live in Melbourne. He recorded his

    third album, Tim Finn. In early 1990 he joined Crowded House, the group Neil
    had formed after Split Enz split up. The band recorded Woodface with him. He
    left Crowded House after the album.

    Because of their success, Tim Finn and Neil Finn were made

    OBE for services to New Zealand music in the 1993 Queen's Birthday Honours
    List.

    The album Finn was released in 1995. This was an album made

    by Neil and Tim as the Finn Brothers. Also in 1995, Finn worked with singers
    Andy White and Liam Ó Maonlaí. They formed the band ALT. They released the
    album Altitude, and more recently collaborated with Andy White to release New
    Single 'The Happiness Index'.

    30 min
  • Adam Duritz Counting Crows - Gavin Woods Podcast Series 6 Episode 5

    Counting Crows is an American rock band from San Francisco, California. Formed in 1991, the band consists of guitarist David Bryson, drummer Jim Bogios, vocalist Adam Duritz, keyboardist Charlie Gillingham, multi-instrumentalist David Immerglück, bass guitarist Millard Powers, and guitarist Dan Vickrey.Counting Crows gained popularity following the release of its first album, August and Everything After (1993). With the breakthrough hit single "Mr. Jones" (1993), the album sold more than 7 million copies in the United States. The band received two Grammy Awards nominations in 1994, one for "Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal" (for "Round Here") and one for "Best New Artist". The follow-up album, Recovering the Satellites, reached number one on the US Billboard 200 album chart and reached number one in several other countries. All but one of their subsequent albums reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200 list.

    Their hit singles include the aforementioned "Mr. Jones" as well as "Rain King", "A Long December", "Hanginaround", and a cover version of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi".Counting Crows received a 2004 Academy Award nomination for the single "Accidentally in Love", which was included in the film Shrek 2. The band has sold more than 20 million albums and is known for its dynamic live performances. Billboard has also ranked the band as the 8th greatest Adult Alternative Artist of all time.

    The band's most recent full album, Somewhere Under Wonderland, was released in 2014. They released a four-song EP in 2021 titled Butter Miracle:Suite One, which is expected to be expanded to a full album.

    20 min

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