Podcasts · Music

Song Navigator

RNZ

8 episodes · in order

Crisscrossing music styles from pop songs to symphonies, haka to hip-hop, each episode takes a theme and explores how New Zealand songwriters and composers have interpreted it over the past century.

Episodes

  1. Introducing: Song Navigator

    · 1:51 · Trailer

    Join Nick Bollinger as he takes an elemental New Zealand theme and examines the ways different songwriters and composers have interpreted it over the past century. Part music discovery, part social history, Song…

  2. Utopian Dreams

    · 23 min · S1 E1

    Aotearoa has a long history of people arriving in search of a better life. This episode examines songs inspired by utopian dreams. Featuring songs by OMC, Dave Dobbyn, The Kini Quartet, and Crowded House, plus an…

  3. On the Land

    · 27 min · S1 E2

    The land means different things to different songwriters. In this episode we hear songs about rivers, mountains, famous streets, and the spirit of the land itself. Songs by The Warratahs, Anthonie Tonnon, Te Kaahu and…

  4. Heroes and Villians

    · 28 min · S1 E3

    Every country has its heroes and villains. Who are ours? What can our songs tell us about them – and ourselves? Featuring songs by Trillion, the Howard Morrison Quartet, Dudley Benson, Helen Henderson, and Sven Olsen’s…

  5. Journeys and Arrivals

    · 28 min · S1 E4

    Anyone coming to this country has made a journey – for some, a journey to the unknown. This episode compares journeys and arrivals, and different types of song they inspired. Featuring compositions by Tipene, Naked…

  6. Loneliness

    · 25 min · S1 E5

    Loneliness is one of the universal themes of popular song. But do New Zealanders have their own variety of loneliness? This episode compares a 19th century waiata aroha – addressed to an absent whaler – to a Dave…

  7. Celebration

    · 26 min · S1 E6

    What is Aotearoa’s idea of a party, and what is its soundtrack? Why is a song about excessive drinking embraced while the national anthem sung in te reo Māori causes offence? These questions are discussed and…

  8. Creatures

    · 29 min · S1 E7

    From ngā manu to mythical monsters, creatures have inspired songwriters across all genres. Featuring songs by Hirini Melbourne, the Topp Twins, Phoenix Foundation, Gareth Farr and Bill Manhire. Interviews include…

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