See Hear

The origins of popular American and English music forms like blues, jazz, rock and folk are well documented in the English-speaking world (and possibly the non-English speaking world). So, when a film comes along that looks at something outside of that realm, I find my interest piqued. Welcome to episode 135 of See Hear Podcast. Greek-Australian film maker and academic Mary Zournazi decided she wanted to make a personal documentary about the history of Rembetika music, and its origins. I say “personal” because the story she presents is through the lens of her family history. This is no ordinary documentary about “this thing happening leading to that thing happening”. She goes back to the story of her grandmother being a refugee during the Greco-Turkish war of the early 1920s, and how that war led to the environment of Greek diaspora refugees resettling in Piraeus and Thessaloniki. Many of these people brought their musical expertise and started playing in hash dens, singing songs of hard times – hence, why Rembetika is often called the blues of Greece. Mary’s 2021 documentary My Rembetika Blues does what all good music documentaries should do – it tells us as much about social circumstances as it does about music. She tells her family story, speaks to historians, musicians, instrument makers, a rap artist who links Rembetika to his modern style of performing, and a clergyman who is also a musicologist explaining the structure of the ancient Middle Eastern styles that led to Rembetika. Tim is still on leave, but Kerry and I had a brilliant time chatting with Mary about her film and personal history. This is a film that should be seen by anyone with a wider interest in music, and how history dictates its development. We’re hugely grateful for her time. You can watch the film on Video On Demand at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/myrembetikablues2 or if you’re a Kanopy member (and why wouldn’t you be), check to see if it’s on your library’s film catalogue. If you want to watch the Costas Ferris film Rembetiko directed by Costas Ferris that served as Mary’s inspiration to investigate Rembetika music, it’s on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZXSjtZ0P1I See Hear is proudly part of the Pantheon Network of music podcasts. Check out all the other wonderful shows at http://pantheonpodcasts.com Send us feedback via email at seehearpodcast@gmail.com Join the Facebook group at http://facebook.com/groups/seehearpodcast You can download the show by searching for See Hear on whatever podcast app you favour (except Spotify). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've recently lost one of the great directors over the last few decades in David Lynch who was known for showing the dreamy and nightmarish side of America (and we need you now, David). The other great tellers of American stories over the same period have been Joel and Ethan Coen. They have protagonists who start out in precarious positions in life....then things go downhill. Welcome to episode 124 of See Hear Podcast. There's definitely a rhythm to the Coen Brothers' films....even if their films are not ABOUT music or musicians, they feel musical (and having Carter Burwell score many of their films doesn't hurt in that regard). Two films, however, stick out as music films in their catalogue – O Brother, Where Art Thou and Inside Llewyn Davis – it's the latter that is the focus of this episode. Sadly, neither Kerry nor Tim were available to record this show, but I welcome back film professor, author, and fellow podcaster Neil Fox back to the show. He selected Inside Llewyn Davis for our discussion, and I couldn't have been happier to revisit this 2013 film that has seemingly divided people on its merits (spoiler alert – we both love it). The film starts off in Greenwich Village in 1961, and is about a few days in the life of folk musician Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac) as he moves from couch to couch, gig to gig, kindness to kindness....and he responds poorly despite being the recipient of others' good nature towards him. Is he an awful human being, or is he lashing out due to a terrible event regarding a former musical partner? Neil and I had a great conversation about this film and a variety of related issues. Since the film is Bob Dylan adjacent, we had to bring in our thoughts about the recently released Dylan biopic focusing on his early years, A Complete Unknown and see how its tone contrasts with the Coens outlook. I am grateful for Neil giving over his time to chat with me. He brings a perspective I was fascinated to hear. If you wish to hear more of Neil, you should tune into his show The Cinematologists hosted with Dario Llinares. Info at https://cinematologists.com/ Also, look into his great book “Music Films: Documentaries, Concert Films and Other Cinematic Representations of Popular Music”. If you’ve been enjoying the show, please consider giving us a favourable review on iTunes and let your friends know that our show exists. If you don't enjoy the show, tell your adversaries to tune in. We don't care who listens..... See Hear is proudly part of the Pantheon Network of music podcasts. Check out all the other wonderful shows at http://pantheonpodcasts.com . Send us feedback via email at seehearpodcast@gmail.com Join the Facebook group at http://facebook.com/groups/seehearpodcast You can download the show by searching for See Hear on whatever podcast app you favour (except Spotify). You can also download from the website at https://seehearpodcast.blogspot.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you attended high school, did you have a music program? If so, were you enthusiastic about playing what was selected for you? In the early days of music tuition, chances are you had to play dull tunes that were in line with your limited abilities....on a recorder!!!!! Within 3 or so months of picking up an instrument, could you play tunes made famous by, say, Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman? No? The girls (and a boy) at Yamakawa High School did. Welcome to episode 122 of See Hear Podcast. Kerry was unavailable, but Tim and myself carried on to discuss the 2004 film “Swing Girls”, directed by Shinobu Yaguchi. Beat for beat, this is the same film as Yaguchi’s 2001 film “Waterboys”, but replacing a group of inept boys learning synchronised swimming with a group of inept girls learning to play jazz and form a swing band. A jazz version of School of Rock? It seems similar on the surface, but these kids are motivated differently to learn their music.....their only drive IS the music, not to win a competition. They learn to love swing jazz (essentially, it's pop music) and realise it's not – as they first surmise – for “brandy snifters”. Cards out on the table – we adore this film. We look at its universality (Japanese school kids playing a distinctly American art form), how a film with no villains or conflict can still be compelling, and mostly we celebrate a love of music. Tim rightly compares this film to an earlier one we discussed about a love of music for its own sake but the style was vastly different – home is here your musical interests lie.....the rest is detail. Swing Girls is available in full to watch on Youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEz_TNtkCRc&t=381s If you’ve been enjoying the show, please consider giving us a favourable review on iTunes and let your friends know that our show exists. If you don't enjoy the show, tell your adversaries to tune in. We don't care who listens..... See Hear is proudly part of the Pantheon Network of music podcasts. Check out all the other wonderful shows at http://pantheonpodcasts.com. Send us feedback via email at seehearpodcast@gmail.com Join the Facebook group at http://facebook.com/groups/seehearpodcast You can download the show by searching for See Hear on whatever podcast app you favour (except Spotify). You can also download from the website at https://seehearpodcast.blogspot.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Movie music – any movie fan will acknowledge that a film score or a soundtrack can make or break how well a film works. The acting and cinematography and production values all count obviously, but imagine putting the 3 Stooges theme in place as “Mother” goes to see how Marion Crane is faring in the shower scene of Psycho. Welcome to episode 120 of See Hear. If you haven't caught up with the previous episode of the show, Tim, Kerry and myself were joined by our great friend Paul Ryan to talk about our favourite film scores, and they were widely diverse stylistically. That's what made the conversation so exciting. We had such a long conversation, I felt it best to split it up into two shows, so what you have downloaded / are about to download is part 2 of that chat. Like last time, we are rapt to also present segments spread throughout the show featuring hosts of some truly excellent podcasts in the Pantheon Network. These hosts enlighten us as to THEIR favourite soundtracks. You will hear from: Brett Vargo (Only Three Lads) Jesse Jackson (Set Lusting Bruce / Perfectly Good Podcast) Jason Whissell ( It's Not That Bad / There Can Only Be One) More film score recommendations than you can poke a pointed stick at. These conversations incorporate what makes the music work in context of the films they represent, and we go off on tangents to discuss similar scores or others by the same composers. Sounds interesting? We look forward to any feedback you may provide about the shows. Please, email us or post in the Facebook group with YOUR favourite soundtracks and scores. If you’ve been enjoying the show, please consider giving us a favourable review on iTunes and let your friends know that our show exists. If you don't enjoy the show, tell your adversaries to tune in. We don't care who listens..... See Hear is proudly part of the Pantheon Network of music podcasts. Check out all the other wonderful shows at http://pantheonpodcasts.com. Send us feedback via email at seehearpodcast@gmail.com Join the Facebook group at http://facebook.com/groups/seehearpodcast You can download the show by searching for See Hear on whatever podcast app you favour (except Spotify). You can also download from the website at https://seehearpodcast.blogspot.com. Proudly Pantheon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every major city with a healthy music scene will have hometown heroes….that band or artist that the locals love and wish the whole world knew about. One of those bands is Toronto’s “The Lowest Of The Low”. Welcome to episode 118 of See Hear. The Lowest of the Low started in the early 90s as a follow up to the band punk band, Popular Front. Ron Hawkins had previously written overtly political songs, but for the debut album Shakespeare My Butt (one of the best album names ever), he wrote songs about ordinary people facing everyday pressures – so still political in its way. The history of the band is not an uncommon tale – friends get together based on common musical and ideological points of reference, members have “differences” and they split apart, years after the fact they reunite remembering the spark that got them started. However, their tale is still fascinating because they were true independents and were never going to sell their ideals downstream for a quick buck. Big companies came calling, but LOTL dictated terms all the way. Kerry was away, but Tim and I spoke with musician, tour manager for many Canadian bands, and film director Simon Head about his documentary “Subversives: The History of Lowest Of The Low”. As well as talking about the film, we spend time devoted to discussing the Toronto music scene of the early 90s and where it is now, friendship, Weddings Parties Anything and Billy Bragg, and Toronto as a film character. A huge thanks to Simon for joining us. As I mention in our discussion, I perceive from watching the film that the story of the wider Toronto scene was reflected in the Melbourne scene of the 90s….watch the film or listen to our conversation and see how it reflects your own city’s live music environment. The film is now available to stream on Apple TV or you can get a blu ray with a bunch of great extras. If you’ve been enjoying the show, please consider giving us a favourable review on iTunes and let your friends know that our show exists. If you don't enjoy the show, tell your adversaries to tune in. We don't care who listens..... See Hear is proudly part of the Pantheon Network of music podcasts. Check out all the other wonderful shows at http://pantheonpodcasts.com. Send us feedback via email at seehearpodcast@gmail.com Join the Facebook group at http://facebook.com/groups/seehearpodcast You can download the show by searching for See Hear on whatever podcast app you favour (except Spotify). You can also find us on https://seehearpodcast.blogspot.com/ Proudly Pantheon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all have musicians that we wish everyone else knew about. THAT person who deserves a wider audience, but life circumstances didn't allow for it. Knowledge of that musician seems to be like the secret handshake into a special club. Nick Drake was one of those people until a TV car advertisement that used his music got more people curious....thank goodness. Judee Sill's music is not likely to be used in a car ad. Welcome to episode 116 of See Hear Podcast. When people talk about the musicians of the American West Coast in the early 70s, they talk about Jackson Browne, Carole King, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, CSN or Bonnie Raitt. Few people beyond the faithful have spoken about Judee Sill. This leaves fans of Sill scratching their heads because even among those more well known musicians, they recognise Judee was a master songwriter, orchestrator and arranger. Her early life was one filled with abuse, drug use, prostitution, armed holdups, and prison time. It's amazing to think that the lady who lived that life wrote some of the most beautiful music of the pop era (I'll stand on my soapbox and suggest The Kiss is one of the most beautiful songs ever written – change my mind). She mixed country and Bach and gospel into one beautiful package. Sounds unworkable? Check out her albums and get back to me. A new documentary was released this year about Judee called Lost Angel: The Genius of Judee Sill. This episode of See Hear features guests associated with the film. Kerry, Tim and I chat with one of the two directors of the film, Brian Lindstrom. He describes the process it took to make this great film, working with Judee's relatives, the nature of creativity, what her music has meant to current performers, and a lot more. This could easily have been a dark film (and it has its moments), but it really is a celebration of Judee's life and work. Brian and his co-director Andy Brown have made a wonderful tribute to an artist that will hopefully now find a wider audience. But wait.....there's more. The film's music supervisor is Pat Thomas. Pat has quite a few strings to his bow – drummer, album reissue supervisor, historian and author. He joins me for a discussion on the role of a music supervisor in film and specifically what he did for this documentary. Kerry, Tim and I are hugely grateful for the time Brian and Pat gave to us. Give this a listen, then absorb yourself in the albums of Judee Sill. As of May 2024, the film is streaming on Prime, in North America only (grrrr), but I am informed that moves are being made to get a wider distribution for the film....and of course you can always get the DVD anywhere in the world. If you’ve been enjoying the show, please consider giving us a favourable review on iTunes and let your friends know that our show exists. If you don't enjoy the show, tell your adversaries to tune in. We don't care who listens..... See Hear is proudly part of the Pantheon Network of music podcasts. Check out all the other wonderful shows at http://pantheonpodcasts.com. Send us feedback via email at seehearpodcast@gmail.com Join the Facebook group at http://facebook.com/groups/seehearpodcast You can download the show by searching for See Hear on whatever podcast app you favour (except Spotify). Proudly Pantheon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a song performed by Peter Allen that seems to be more relevant than ever: Everything Old Is New Again. Film plots are recycled, songs are recycled (through covers or the same chord structures).....and the media we use to play those films and songs are back in fashion. Records have been popular again for a while, some people are rediscovering VHS, and as this month's film focus shows us, the Compact Cassette is the new medium of choice for music recording and listening. Welcome to Episode 114 of See Hear Podcast. In 2016, Zack Taylor released a film called “Cassette: A Documentary Mixtape” which looks at the humble invention which meant so much to those of us who grew up with the tape as a dominant medium for music listening (and recording music and audio letters and.....) The film features a new generation who were probably not born or at least cognisant of the tape singing its praises. Importantly, the director also sought out Lou Ottens and his colleagues who invented the compact cassette in the early 60s. While proud of their achievements, Ottens is somewhat puzzled that the cassette appeals so much to a new generation – he truly believes (as inventors do) that the cassette's time is done and the next thing should be focused on. False nostalgia? A genuine appeal to new eyes? The film gently explores all these things. The fans, the inventors, the musicians only releasing their music on cassette.....they're all here. Tim, Kerry and myself are joined by Mike White of The Projection Booth to talk as much about our own experiences and thoughts on tapes as well as the film. Give it a listen, then gather your friends together to reminisce (if you're of that age) about your own mixtapes, the times you became cassette surgeons, and how much you miss your old Walkmans. The film is available for you to watch on Tubi or on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmClZ7SMfBo Mike has a number of shows running under the banner of the Weirding Way Media network, but the flagship is The Projection Booth, essential listening for film fans of any type of cinema – tentpole, arthouse, Sci-fi, Czech, theme months, early cinema, obscure, mainstream.....all discussed with people passionate about films. It's a favourite of ours at See Hear. On your favourite podcast app or at the website: https://www.projectionboothpodcast.com/ If you’ve been enjoying the show, please consider giving us a favourable review on iTunes and let your friends know that our show exists. If you don't enjoy the show, tell your adversaries to tune in. We don't care who listens..... See Hear is proudly part of the Pantheon Network of music podcasts. Check out all the other wonderful shows at http://pantheonpodcasts.com. Send us feedback via email at seehearpodcast@gmail.com Join the Facebook group at http://facebook.com/groups/seehearpodcast You can download the show by searching for See Hear on whatever podcast app you favour (except Spotify). Proudly Pantheon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you think of American folk songs of the 60s, you'd think of political injustice, civil rights, hardships due to economic burdens, and war, right? Or do you think about the comforts of food always being laid out on the table, boundless optimism 'cos “its THAT kind of day” or kissing at the end of an optical illusion caused by the dispersion of light in water droplets? 'Cos both work, ya know. Welcome to episode 112 of See Hear Podcast. In 2003, Christopher Guest released A Mighty Wind, the third of his mockumentaries – not counting Rob Reiner's “This Is Spinal Tap”. He had an ensemble cast all highly skilled in improvisation weave the story of what happens when 3 folk groups reassemble for a tribute concert dedicated to their recently deceased manager. Personal frailties, egos, catch phrases, rivalries and decidedly non-issue songs are all focused on in this very funny film. Tim was unavailable, but Kerry and I were joined by her daughter Sarah Fristoe. We debated the accusation that Guest's comedies can be cruel to their characters. We also discussed the songs, the use of Yiddish, the origins of many of the cast members via Second City, and we ask the important question....Wha' Happened? One point of trivia we forgot to mention about art jumping into real life.....supposedly, The Folksmen would be the support act for Spinal Tap on American tours. The crowd not realising it was the same bunch of gents, booed them offstage. I hope this isn't just urban legend.... Many thanks to Sarah for being an enthusiastic See Hearian and bringing great insight to what is a favourite film. You can watch the original Folksmen sketch that appeared on Saturday Night Live nearly 20 years before A Mighty Wind at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LztVpOOhEY A Mighty Wind is on many of the usual streaming services (or possibly in your DVD collection.....) If you’ve been enjoying the show, please consider giving us a favourable review on iTunes and let your friends know that our show exists. If you don't enjoy the show, tell your adversaries to tune in. We don't care who listens..... See Hear is proudly part of the Pantheon Network of music podcasts. Check out all the other wonderful shows at http://pantheonpodcasts.com. Send us feedback via email at seehearpodcast@gmail.com Join the Facebook group at http://facebook.com/groups/seehearpodcast Check out the Instagram page at www.instagram.com/seehearpodcast You can download the show by searching for See Hear on whatever podcast app you favour. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices