Everest's shadow
Everest's shadow
A new book sheds light on the build-up to Ed Hillary’s Everest conquest. Out of a legend’s shadow step two mountaineers worthy of attention, writes Shane Gilchrist.
Shane Gilchrist
Ritchie, Strang finalists in music awards
Ritchie, Strang award finalists
Take a bow, Otago.
The art of a mystery
The art of a mystery
What’s real? What’s not? British ‘‘transmedia’’ artist Simon Wilkinson thinks outside the box for his Arts Festival Dunedin productions, writes Shane Gilchrist
CD review: James Vincent McMorrow
CD review: James Vincent McMorrow
Irish singer-songwriter James Vincent McMorrow's third album documents a change of approach that is less a U-turn than a swerve towards textures hinted at in his previous collages.
CD review: Robert Glasper Experience
CD review: Robert Glasper Experience
Having already released two albums this year, including the soundtrack for the Miles Davis biopic Miles Ahead, Robert Glasper takes an intriguing trip with regular band the Experiment.
CD review: Wilco
CD review: Wilco
The jury is out: Jeff Tweedy either possesses one of the least versatile voices in rock, or one of the most distinctive.
Dunedin singer invited to US competition
Price invited to Texas competition
Dunedin singer Kylie Price has been invited to represent New Zealand at the Texas Sounds International Country Music Awards next month.
The devil’s in the details
The devil’s in the details
Slapstick musical Spamalot might be silly, yet it requires attention to detail too, writes Shane Gilchrist.
Simply good vibrations
Simply good vibrations
Singing is the result of a phenomenal piece of machinery, writes Shane Gilchrist.
Chewing the fat
Chewing the fat
From streaker-tackling chicken to beige-clad cricket dancer, Andrew James’ passion for sport continues to take him places, the latest spot being a television series, writes Shane...
CD review: Descendents
CD review: Descendents
"I just quit this jerk of a life plan," singer Milo Aukerman announces on Victim of Me, from the first album in more than a decade from these articulate Los Angeles punk veterans.
Tough at the top
Tough at the top
High in our mountains, a range of forces are colliding. It seems erosion comes in various guises, writes Shane Gilchrist.
Changing landscape
Changing landscape
In a battle with gravity and tectonics, New Zealand’s Southern Alps are constantly on the move, writes Shane Gilchrist.
CD review: Omar Rodríguez-Lopez
CD review: Omar Rodríguez-Lopez
Having formed Mars Volta in 2001, guitarist and producer Omar Rodriguez-Lopez has established a reputation as someone unafraid of twisting soundscapes into forms both brutal and beautiful.
CD review: Gang of Youths
CD review: Gang of Youths
The Sydney-based outfit’s follow-up to last year’s breakthrough album The Positions, which earned it five Aria nominations, is more an addendum to that effort than a fresh start.
Watching for war
Watching for war
The 5th Eye, a feature-length documentary examining the role of New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau, focuses on events near and far, writes Shane Gilchrist.
A family affair (+ video)
A family affair (+ video)
From family-friendly fare to risque ruminations, Otago's premier arts festival continues to evolve, writes Shane Gilchrist.
Head first
Head first
From All Blacks to amateurs, the issue of concussion lurks on the sidelines of sport. It's also a key topic at the New Zealand International Science Festival in Dunedin, writes Shane Gilchrist.
Rolling in the deep
Rolling in the deep
Lucy Collins struggles to keep her head above water. Not that she's worried. Shane Gilchrist talks to one of the special guests of the NZ International Science Festival.
Attitude at altitude
Attitude at altitude
There are many stories appended to Cardrona Valley entrepreneur John Lee's can-do narrative. So many, in fact, that they demanded a book be written. Shane Gilchrist reports.