Episodes
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Fontaines D.C. are in a real purple patch. Over the last few years, they’ve become one of the most compelling bands around, and their latest album Romance topped our list at Double J of the 50 Best Albums of 2024.
Back in 2023, lead singer Grian joined Zan to Take 5. He doesn’t do a whole lot of interviews, but he really embraced this one. Maybe because it was all about poetry, which is the very foundations of Fontaines DC.
Sinéad O'Connor – TroyListen to the full episode here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/double-j-zan-rowe-take-5-fontaines-dc-verse/101926856
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2024 was a massive year for Take 5.
We reached all over the world to chat with extraordinary people about the music that's shaped their lives.
Some of the best moments from Take 5 in 2024 include (but are not limited to!):
Beth Ditto's triumphant return with a new Gossip album, Bill Bailey's take on the future of humanity and Artificial Intelligence, Angie McMahon's stand-out year, DOBBY's brilliant debut record, and in a true bucket-list moment, Zan welcomed the legendary Laurie Anderson to Take 5.
Beth Ditto: Bikini Kill – 'Rebel Girl'Bill Bailey: Johnny Cash – ‘Hurt’Angie McMahon: Joni Mitchell - 'Circle Game [Live at Universal Amphitheater, Los Angeles 1974]'DOBBY: No Fixed Address - 'We Have Survived'Laurie Anderson: Lou Reed – 'Magic And Loss (The Summation)'Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe
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Episodes manquant?
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We’re winding out 2024 with a beautiful Take 5.
Jamie xx is one of my favourite producers, so it’s really special to cap off what’s been a big year, with the man himself. Looking back the last couple of years, the final Take 5 has been really reflective. Caroline Polachek was poetic at the end of a huge 2023, and he year before Jon Hopkins gifted us a transcendent set of songs. All three artists came to that conversation at the top of their game, but with a wisdom and calm that comes with age, with experience, and freedom.
For Jamie, I asked him to choose songs of surrender. He embraced the theme and then some, and his songs confirmed why music is such a beautiful language for him. From vintage surf movies, to legendary Brazilian music, deep house cuts and Jonathan Richman, this is a beautiful meditation on life, and a life in sound.
G. Wayne Thomas – Morning of the Earth Phillip Glass – The Grid Milton Nascimento – Um Gosto De Sol Marshall Jefferson vs. Noosa Heads – Mushrooms (Justin Martin remix) Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers – The Morning Of Our Lives -
Katie Crutchfield has been making music as Waxahatchee for almost 15 years. In the early days she self-released on cassette, lo-fi indie music that would blossom into Americana around a decade later. That foray, with her acclaimed album Saint Cloud, brought her a whole new audience. But she has always been a brilliant songwriter.
Katie doesn’t waste a word, which is why I love chatting with her about songs. And why I asked her to Take 5. From classic country to the heavenly voice of Michael Stipe, let Waxahatchee take you into her record collection and foundations.
Rilo Kiley – Portions For FoxesTrisha Yearwood – She’s In Love With The BoyFleetwood Mac – LandslideR.E.M. – Sweetness FollowsLady Wray – Guilty -
10 years ago, a fellow called Nick Murphy put out his debut album. The Melbournian traded on the name Chet Faker, buzz was building, but when Built on Glass was released, no one knew how big it would become.
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There aren’t many Australian bands who have sold 23 million copies of their albums.
Cast your mind back to the late 90’s, and a duo from Brisbane called Savage Garden.
Darren Hayes was the angel-voiced frontman, and after putting out two hugely successful albums he went solo. Now many years later he’s published a memoir titled Unlovable, and the story of his life as a little kid growing up in the South Brisbane suburbs, to becoming a worldwide pop star, and finally coming out, is one we’ve never heard like this before.
Diana Ross - 'Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)'Peter Gabriel - 'Love To Be Loved'Madonna - 'Mother And Father'Taylor Swift - 'exile [Ft. Bon Iver]'George Michael - 'Jesus To A Child'There are parts of this conversation that explore Darren’s experiences with family violence. It’s a big part of his story, so please be warned. And if you need support, here are some resources who provide it:
1800 Respect National Helpline on 1800 737 732Lifeline on 131 114Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491Mensline on 1300 789 978Full Stop Australia on 1800 385 578Emergency services on triple-0 if you need immediate care -
It’s hard to believe that 20 years ago Casey Donovan won Australian Idol. Just 16 years old, she was thrust into the spotlight and every high and low was captured for all to see. She took away the main prize, but in the years following would be working as a medical receptionist and a rideshare driver to pay the bills.
Casey threw her hat back in the reality show ring with I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here, and won again. And in the past few years, she’s had a kind of second life starring in hit musicals across the country.
Through it all, her powerhouse voice and grounded nature has endeared her to millions of Australians. For me, watching her belt out huge songs every New Years Eve proves she’s unparalleled. In music and life, Casey can take just about anything thrown at her.
But what is the music she retreats to, when she needs it most? This is a beautiful conversation with a resilient Queen, and the stories that led her here.
Mr. Big - 'To Be With You'Maggie Rogers - 'Light On'Allen Stone - 'Bed I Made'Maddie Zahm - 'You Might Not Like Her'James Bay - 'One Life'Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe
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Bernard Fanning is no stranger to the limelight. With Powderfinger he sold millions of albums and rocked out to stadiums of adoring fans.
Then he stripped it back as a solo artist and went Number 1 again. Bernard holds the record for the most amount of Hottest 100 number 1’s, he is adored by generations of Australians, and is one of the most enjoyable people to chat music with.
Bernard’s new project with Paul Dempsey proves he’s still compelled to create music, and with all of this history, we sat down in Melbourne’s legendary Bakehouse Studios to Take 5.
Interestingly, Bernard came up with his own theme for this one; he was super keen to explore the world’s of vulnerability and bravado. And from Bowie to Nina Simone, AC/DC to Bob Dylan, we unpacked a whole lot more. Settle in for this special extended cut of Bernard Fanning's Take 5.
AC/DC – ‘Jailbreak’David Bowie – ‘Sound And Vision’Nina Simone – 'I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free’Prince – ‘1999’Bob Dylan – ‘Most Of The Time’Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe
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Neil Finn is one of our greatest living songwriters. In Split Enz and Crowded House, solo and in his collaborations, his tunes have become the soundtrack to our lives.
I’ve been chasing Neil to Take 5 for the TV series since the beginning, and finally he said yes. Even better, he invited us to film at his own studios. Roundhead, a pale green building on an Auckland street that has seen some incredible music history go down.
Bunker down in the basement of Roundhead, as Neil Finn shares the DNA of his songwriting heart, and the music that soars for him.
David Bowie – ‘Quicksand’Ludwig van Beethoven – Piano Sonata No.8 “Pathétique” in C minor, Op. 13, 2nd Movement: Adagio cantabile (performed by Arthur Rubinstein)Split Enz – ‘Time for a Change’The Beatles – ‘Across the Universe’Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong – ‘Summertime’Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe
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Many of us have grown up with Claudia Karvan. She's been on our screens since she was 10 years old, starring in films like The Big Steal and The Heartbreak Kid. And we’ve fallen in love with her on the small screen, in her long running roles on The Secret Life of Us and Love My Way. These days, Claudia is not only an actor but a hugely successful producer behind TV shows like Doctor Doctor and Bump.
Through all she does there is a great sense of optimism, so I gave her the theme of hope. And from John & Yoko to The Velvets to BARKAA, she confirmed once again why she is universally loved.
John Lennon – ‘Hold On’Ibrahim Ferrer – ‘Marieta’The Velvet Underground – ‘I’m Sticking With You’BARKAA – ‘We Up’Sinéad O’Connor – ‘Thank You for Hearing Me’Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe
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Bill Bailey is one of the most loved comedians in the world. From his breakout role as Manny in the cult TV show Black Books, to his exceptional talent for playing multiple instruments, he always leaves his audiences feeling brighter. Bill is fascinated with natural history and humanity, his curiosity knows no bounds and music has been a constant companion.
I asked him to Take 5 with songs that reflect humanity, and he gifted me an extraordinary conversation about life, death, risk taking and memory making. I was buzzing after this chat, and I hope you will be too.
The Kinks – ‘You Really Got Me’PJ Harvey – ‘Big Exit’Johnny Cash – ‘Hurt’Foals – ‘Mountain At My Gates’Talking Heads – ‘Once In A Lifetime’Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe
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We’re diving into a new season of Take 5 on ABC TV and ABC iview, with all of season three now up to stream! And while Take 5 comes back to your screens, you’re gonna hear special extended cuts right here on the podcast.
Season 3 is a ripper. Comedian Bill Bailey, beloved actor Claudia Karvan, rock legends Neil Finn and Bernard Fanning, performer extraordinaire Casey Donovan… and to kick it all off, the one and only Dannii Minogue.
Dannii has been in the public eye since the age of 10. As a kid on Young Talent Time, she jumped into soap opera Home & Away then hit the pop charts with her dance hits. She designed her own fashion line, judged rising stars to 20 million people in the UK, and now hosts the UK’s first ever queer dating show. Dannii Minogue has lived many lives. So what were the catalysts that drove her extraordinary career?
From an icon who set her path, to victorious songs of survival and reminders of living life to the full, this is a beautiful conversation that will show Dannii Minogue in a whole new light.
Olivia Newton-John – ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’Madonna – ‘Into the Groove’Robbie Williams & Kylie Minogue – ‘Kids’Ultra Naté – ‘Free’Agnes – ‘Selfmade’Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe
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Irish singer CMAT has been taking the world by storm. Shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize and counting Elton John as a fan, her country-twinged songs capture heartbreak with a healthy dose of humour.
A couple of albums in, and an Australian visit on the way, I thought it was high time we got to know the woman from Ireland, born Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson. After listening to this, you'll want to be her bestie. With an extraordinary music knowledge and plenty of craic, dive into CMAT's suckerpunch songs.
Dory Previn - 'The Lady With The Braid'Belle and Sebastian – 'Expectations'Gary Stewart – 'She’s Actin' Single (I’m Drinkin' Doubles)'Car Seat Headrest – 'Maud Gone'Brenda & The Big Dudes – 'Weekend Special' -
Michelle Brasier is a comedian, actor, writer and singer. You might have seen her on Aunty Donna, Mad As Hell and Thank God You're Here, or caught one of her award winning stand-up shows.
Michelle has also just published her first book; it’s a memoir titled My Brother's Ashes are in a Sandwich Bag, and it’s beautiful, it’s funny, and it's filled with hope. It reminds us of the little moments in life that make it shimmer. And from Bonnie Tyler to Bo Burnham, Michelle will share the right song for the right moment, with you.
Bonnie Tyler - 'Total Eclipse of the Heart'Bo Burnham - 'Look Who’s Inside Again'Lady Gaga - 'Paparazzi'Johnny Cash - 'Ring of Fire'Arcade Fire - 'Wake Up' -
Dan Kelly is one of our best songwriters. He's whimsical, charming, and with indie-pop hooks for days. Almost 10 years since his last album, he’s now back with GOLDFEELS, and a decidedly more serious outlook. But Dan still knows how to draw you into a yarn and make you smile.
He also looks to some heroes for inspiration, grounding, and to follow their arrow. So dig into his 'story time' Take 5 with five incredible songwriters.
Joni Mitchell – 'Carey' The Pogues – 'Medley: The Recruiting Sergeant/The Rocky Road to Dublin/Galway Races'Emma Donovan & The Putbacks – 'Pink Skirt' World Party – 'Ship Of Fools'Irma Thomas – 'It’s Raining' -
Noel Gallagher is just like you.
Putting aside the fame and fortune, the hit records and the very public family issues, at his heart he's a big music nerd. As a kid he idolised the songs on the record player and worshipped the legends who wrote them.
His Take 5 theme was 'escape', and growing up in a council estate in The North, music was Noel’s escape. He’d be transported by older kids' records and dance till dawn at the infamous Haçienda nightclub. But even as his fame grew and he moved to big houses in the leafy parts of London, the desire for music to whisk him away remained.
Pink Floyd – 'Nobody Home'The Smiths – 'Asleep'Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass – 'This Guy's In Love With You'Air – 'All I Need'The Beatles – 'I Am The Walrus'Contains strong language. This episode was originally broadcast in 2023.
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A special little treat for you in the feed this week; a conversation with Nick Cave. After years away, he's returned to doing interviews, and Zan Rowe was lucky to get the only Australian radio interview with him. They spoke about Wild God, the legacy of the Bad Seeds, people lost, and things found. About frogs.
Settle in for a beautiful conversation with one of the greatest artists and poets of our time. A fella who has been through it, and emerged with new purpose. The one and only, Nick Cave.
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Emily Wurramara is one of my favourite Australian musicians.
The Warnindhilyagwa woman writes from the heart, sings with the smokiest voice around, and has a laugh that is truly infectious. This is a glorious Take 5. Settle in for some beautiful energy, lots of laughs, and real insight into the songs that tell her story of new beginnings.
It’s been six years since Emily’s debut album, a lot has changed in her life but now she’s back with NARA, and on the day she released it I invited her to Take 5.
From John Fogerty to Brandy to The Cure, take a ride through the musical map of Emily Wurramara's big heart.
John Fogerty – ‘I Will Walk With You’Brandy – ‘Sittin' Up In My Room’Inner Circle – ‘Bad Boys’Cat Power – ‘Sea of Love’The Cure – ‘Friday I'm In Love’ -
In 2004, a rock doco came out that was pure chaos. Dig! captured 7 years in the life of The Dandy Warhols and Brian Jonestown Massacre as they tried to break it big. Made by a young first-time filmmaker called Ondi Timoner and her brother David, it's a wild story about growing up, art vs commerce, friendship and bust ups.
20 years later it's been re-cut as Dig! XX, with over 40 minutes of never-before-seen footage, and shown for the first time in Australia at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF). I jumped at the chance to get Director Ondi Timoner into the studio to Take 5. Because Ondi has stories. Dig in, and revel in this curious, creative mind.
New Order - 'Temptation'The Manish Boys - 'Take My Tip'Bob Marley & The Wailers - 'High Tide Or Low Tide'Max Richter - 'Prelude 2'The Waterboys - 'Fisherman's Blues'If you enjoyed Max Richter's 'Prelude 2' check out his Take 5 here.
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Ever since I first heard them, Middle Kids have been a favourite.
Exceptional songwriting, brilliant playing, and Hannah Joy’s beautiful voice.
They’ve now got three albums under their belt, the latest of which is called Faith Crisis Pt 1. I’ve wanted to invite Middle Kids in to Take 5 for a while, and when Hannah said yes, and sent her songs back, I knew we’d be in for a treat. Strap in for a beautiful wander across some incredible songs, and a heartfelt chat about finding faith again.
Radiohead - 'Let Down'Enya - 'Caribbean Blue'IDLES - 'The Wheel'Simon & Garfunkel - 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'Kendrick Lamar - 'Money Trees [Ft. Jay Rock]' - Montre plus
