Don't label us

Welcome to Idealog Weekly, the free email newsletter for New Zealand commercial creatives, entrepreneurs and anyone rich with ideas.

Don’t label us

Kiwi musos going to London is nothing new, but there’s an indie twist to Stephen’s Jewell’s tale about Cut Off Your Hands, So So Modern, The Checks and Ladyhawke making it in Britain. Read why it pays to stay anonymous, and not signing in New Zealand while preserving that unique Kiwiness in your music. Stephen’s story is now on our website.

Depressed? Not us

We raise our glasses to wine maker George Fistonich in the latest instalment of Idealog TV. Fistonich has never been afraid to embrace change—like introducing screw caps on Villa Maria’s award-winning wine, despite predictions of doom. He also managed to do very nicely, thank you, through the crash of ’87 … which might have some relevance today. Fistonich talks to Vincent Heeringa on Idealog TV.

Bang the gongs

Congrats go this week to Alan Broadbent and Phil Keoghan, both of whom are being rewarded for some outstanding work in their respective fields.

A pianist, Broadbent is being made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) by Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen for his services to Jazz; Broadbent has played with Nelson Riddle, Henry Mancini, and arranged for stars like Natalie Cole and Elvis Costello, and even has two Grammies under his belt. You can catch the Alan Broadbent Trio in Auckland at the SkyCity Theatre on September 28.

The Lincoln-born host of The Amazing Race reality show, Phil Keoghan, added to his Emmy collection this week by earning his sixth consecutive award. Well done Phil—but how come you didn’t put Emmies on your Life List?

Cure for viral disease

You probably have no idea how to make a viral about leaked cats that will earn you massive Internet fame, so here’s how. Thank us later.

On shaky ground

Speaking of virals, we like this particular one … kind of shows how Google can monetise YouTube as well, no? Don’t click away too soon. (Via AdRants).

Slackers of the world

… unite and take over? Michael Moore’s as controversial as they come, but there’s no doubt he’s got the skills and ability to ignite the apathetic voters of Gen Y or C or whatever they are nowadays. And what better way to speak to that particular audience than offering a free feature download on the Internet? (It’s supposed to be for the US and Canada only, but any kid with a clue can work around that.)

Moore’s Slacker Uprising is quite heavy on 80s and 90s celebs though—could he not find anyone younger to front up for it?

Mustaneer?

In a galaxy not so far away, someone has access to huge amounts of Lego pieces and way too much time on his hands …

Swype it good

Here’s some truly lateral thinking: instead of fighting the way people use onscreen keyboards, use it to make typing faster. That’s what Swype’s eponymous technology promises: around 50 words per minute by swiping instead of tapping away. You use either a stylus or your finger, and we expect Swype will be a hit with mobile device developers.

Sly Hats and Blackman at the Whammy

Friday sees Guy Blackman and the Sly Hats—both from Melbourne—slink down into the Whammy Bar in K Road, St Kevins Arcade, Auckland, at 8pm, to deliver some dulcet tones. Sounds good to us. $10 door sales.

Quote of the week

“One of the problems in New Zealand is that artists try to sounds like bands from somewhere else because they want to get radio play. But when you go out there in the world, sounding like everybody else isn’t helpful. There’s a lot of international opportunities for New Zealand artists and one of the key things they have going for them is their New Zealandness”

—Andrew Dubber keeps the faith.

More at Idealog online

Read more on our website: web exclusives, opinion, creative directory, Idealog TV, the Idealog blogs and the Idealog podcast. See you at idealog.co.nz.

  Juha Saarinen
  Ideologue, Weekly