Take 5

One of my favourite artists is Kurt Vile. His music has been a friend to me for years; a familiar voice and drifting guitar that always makes you feel like you’re home. He’s been a frequent visitor to Australia too, and on his fifth visit I asked him to join me to Take 5. Kurt wears his heart on his sleeve, you’ve always been able to hear certain influences in his songs (both in the way he plays and sings) and he’s unafraid of paying homage to his heroes. So the chance to share their songs, was too good to pass up. Get ready to hear Kurt Vile as fan boy; the kind of convo you can imagine having late at night, with a friend, about your favourite songs.  

John Prine – Way Back ThenTownes Van Zandt – Flyin’ Shoes

Joni Mitchell – Last Time I Saw Richard

Terry Allen – Cortez Sail

Neil Young – Ambulance Blues

Simon Amstell is a funny guy. That's literally his job; as comedian, TV host, and recent feature film maker. He got his start as the scathing host of UK TV show Popworld, and made a name further afield when he hosted Never Mind the Buzzcocks in the late noughties. But he's been a stage performer his whole life, and in between whippity quick barbs on set, he’s invited audiences into longer and deeper conversations via his stand up. He's known for his sometimes existential, sometimes neurotic, and always highly analytical comedy. It's fair to say, Simon Amstell doesn't take things at face value.That questioning has led him through a life of therapy (in rooms and in public) and when he came to write and direct his first feature film, it spilled over to the big screen. With all of that in mind, I asked Simon Amstell to pick five songs that tell his story. Music that has soundtracked moments of personal narrative, or songs that have helped him understand the world. From anthems to ballads, to charming soundtrack throwbacks, this is a peek into Simon’s coming of age.

Patrick Wolf - ‘This City’

Adele - ‘Someone Like You’

Cardigans - ‘Lovefool’

Whitney Houston - ‘I Will Always Love You

James Righton - ‘I Still Don’t Know'

Who knew cooking competitions would take over Australian television? Back in 2010 the finale for the second season of Masterchef became the most watched non-sporting event of that year. And the winner? Adam Liaw. This Malaysian-Australian lawyer had been working in Japan when he decided to enter the Masterchef competition. He became a firm favourite, and after that victory… everything changed. Adam published a handful of cookbooks, became the host of a brilliant cooking show on SBS called Destination Flavour, started a family, and kept everyone entertained on his always active Twitter account. He’s has been in to Take 5 before, back in 2013. And he was so good, I asked him to return. Across five songs, Adam shared the moments in his life where things changed. Whether it was playing tennis air guitar in a childhood bedroom, or bonding with his wife over a new fave, this co-host will make you fall in love with this legend even more.

Starship – ‘We Built This City’

Smashing Pumpkins – ‘Bullet With Butterfly Wings’

Beastie Boys – ‘Check It Out’

Montaigne – ‘Fantastic Wreck’

Wiley, Stefflon Don & Sean Paul – ‘Boasty (ft. Idris Elba)’

Lucy Dacus is one hell of a songwriter. Her second album Historian, brought a whole heap of new ears to her songs, it was considered by many as one of 2018's best. Life has been pretty busy for Lucy Dacus. As well as her own music, she collaborated with Julien Baker and Phoebe Bridgers on the boygenius project, and has been recording a new EP of cover songs based around significant holidays. That was the catalyst for her Take 5 theme; I wanted to know what her dream covers would be. From Yo La Tengo to Louis Armstrong to The Cure, Lucy’s choices told the story not only of her musical background, but the artists who had helped her understand the world. 

Yo La Tengo - ‘Tom Courtenay’

Jesse Pearson - ‘One Last Kiss’

Louis Armstrong - ‘When You’re Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You)’

The Cure - ‘Close To Me’

Sixpence None The Richer - ‘Kiss Me'

Every now and then I like to dip into the Take 5 archives and share some gold. In the thirteen years I’ve been doing this, I’ve had the chance to speak with some incredible people, many of whom have shaped modern music. One of them is Butch Vig. As a muso, he drums with Garbage. But as a producer, he’s crafted the sound of some of the biggest records of our time. Sonic Youth’s “Dirty”, Smashing Pumpkins’ “Gish” and “Siamese Dream”, and of course “Nevermind". Butch has been in the room at some amazing moments in music, and lucky for us, he remembers them all. This conversation takes you into the studios and garages of Butch Vig’s memory; you can see the faces of these legends as he regales tale after tale from a life less ordinary. From witnessing Roxy Music from an early age, to recording with Stevie Nicks and getting drunk with Bono… dive into the world of Butch Vig. It’s a mindblowing ride.

Roxy Music - 'Virginia Plain'

U2 - 'Even Better Than The Real Thing'

Foo Fighters - 'I Should Have Known'

Fleetwood Mac - 'Landslide'

Smashing Pumpkins - 'Disarm'

Jake Shears is a boundary breaker. As frontman for Scissor Sisters he and his band pushed queerness into the mainstream, way before it became the norm. Their flamboyant performance paired with killer pop songs, and with his falsetto voice Jake Shears became bigger than even he himself could imagine. The Scissors called it a day in 2012, and Jake went through plenty of other life changes. He split from his long term boyfriend, moved to New Orleans, and a second life began. One filled with Broadway, books, and a solo record. Off the back of all of that, he joined me to Take 5 and share the boundary pusher’s who had fuelled his musical identity. Casting each of them under their own subcategories - sexuality / image / taste / pop / production – Jake showed not only how these artists helped make him the musician he is today, but the man.

D’Angelo - ‘Ain’t That Easy’

Gorillaz - ‘Tranz’

Grimes - ‘We Appreciate Power’

Exile - ‘Kiss You All Over’

David Bowie - ‘Boys Keep Swinging’

In 2018 Christine and the Queens broke through. Already a big star in her native France, it was her second album Chris that made her a household name everywhere else; a big, late 80’s and early 90’s pop album full of lyrics about sex, gender identity, and every grey area in between. It was one of the best albums of the year. With it’s success, came finally an Australian tour, and while she was in town I invited Chris in to Take 5. The day was International Women’s Day, one where we push girls to the front across the radio; in the songs we play, the people we speak to, and the women who bring it. I couldn’t think of a better person to Take 5 with me on this day, than Chris. This conversation is as much about her connection to music, as it is a searching exploration of what it means to be an artist. How you can find your true self in the theatre of the stage, and that conversation you’re constantly having with the audience in front of you.

Laurie Anderson – 'O Superman'

Desireless – 'Voyage, Voyage'

070 Shake - 'Glitter'

Sophie – 'Immaterial'

Kate Bush – 'Wuthering Heights'

Mia Dyson is one of those people I could talk with all day. It’s not just the timbre of her voice, it’s her stories; filled with pinch yourself moments and gratitude for the experiences she’s had. Her last album was recorded at the legendary Muscle Shoals studios in Alabama, a place where Bob Dylan, The Stones, Aretha Franklin and many more have layed down songs. It’s a place where the sound, and soul of the surroundings fill every recording and for Mia, it was a bucket list moment. I wanted to know what else was on that list, which experiences had made her head spin and her heart soar. Across songs from Bonnie Raitt and Jimi Hendrix, Little Feat and Ralph Stanley, Mia took us into some beautiful moments from a life of music.

Jimi Hendrix - ‘The Wind Cries Mary’

Bonnie Raitt - ‘Love Letter’

Jackie Marshall - ‘Excuse Me Mister (That’s My Heart)’

Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys - ‘Gloryland’

Little Feat - ‘Willin’’

One of my favourite artist discoveries of the past few years, is Gordi. From the get go, her music has always been beautifully textured; she dances with layers and effects and takes you into this sonic quilt with every song. But strip it back, and at its heart is incredible writing, and a perspective that gives each song new light. That’s what we played with, when I asked Gordi to come in and Take 5. I wanted her to choose five songs that, for her, had showed a new perspective – maybe years after she’d first discovered them. From Carole King to Bon Iver, Sharon Van Etten to The Tallest Man on Earth, this is as much a new perspective on these amazing songs, as it is a reflection on a remarkable few years for Sophie Payten.

Carole King - ‘Tapestry’

Bon Iver - 715 - ‘CR∑∑KS’

Sharon Van Etten - ‘Afraid of Nothing’

Mitski - ‘Geyser’

The Tallest Man On Earth - ‘The Gardener’

Murray Cook is one of the most watched and loved musicians in the world. As a founding member of The Wiggles, he would don the red turtleneck and entertain millions, but his love of music and entertaining stretches way back. Murray played in bands before, and after his time as the Red Wiggle, and when he’s not on stage, he’s in the crowd; constantly out seeing bands and supporting live bands big and small. With that in mind, I wanted to take a trip to Murray’s mosh pit, and hear about some of the defining live shows he’s been lucky to witness. Murray Cook is one of those humans who is a drop of sunshine – you can hear in his voice how much he loves music and the chance to soak up as much as he can of it. From Patti Smith to AC/DC, Four Tops to The Flaming Lips, this is the music and the magic that forged Murray.

AC/DC - 'Live Wire'

Blondie - 'Rip Her To Shreds'

Patti Smith - 'Free Money'

Four Tops - 'Reach Out I’ll Be There'

The Flaming Lips - 'Do You Realize??'