Don't Give Up
298 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsDon’t Give Up is a podcast series hosted by kiwi musician Danny McCrum.
The idea of this podcast is to give people an insight into the real lives and careers of creative professionals, with a focus on problem solving and finding solutions in the arts, in our lives and in these unpredictable times.
Welcome to the conversation. Welcome to Don’t Give Up.
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Episodes
Episode #123 Caitlin Smith
September 02, 2021 22:00 - 1 hour - 140 MBCaitlin Smith is one of New Zealand’s local music legends. Being a professional musician is challenging enough, but if you’re also a blind, female, jazz singer, with a big personality and an honest heart, it’s a rollercoaster. Caitlin talks candidly about her experiences in the business, her struggles with addiction and mental health and the psychology of singing and performance. This is a funny and thought-provoking episode. Enjoy. Support the show
122. Bobby & Danny talk promoting gigs!
August 12, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 129 MBOrganising and promoting gigs! One of the biggest challenges a musician has to face is how to manage and promote their own shows. We certainly don't claim to have all the answers, but recently Bobby Kennedy organised and promoted a show for Opshop and Gorilla Biscuit in Christchurch and back in March, I promoted our first Noise Play show. Bobby suggested we get together and compare notes, so that's what we did. We would love to hear your thoughts and experiences too, so feel free to emai...
Episode #122 Bobby & Danny talk promoting gigs!
August 12, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 129 MBOrganising and promoting gigs! One of the biggest challenges a musician has to face is how to manage and promote their own shows. We certainly don't claim to have all the answers, but recently Bobby Kennedy organised and promoted a show for Opshop and Gorilla Biscuit in Christchurch and back in March, I promoted our first Noise Play show. Bobby suggested we get together and compare notes, so that's what we did. We would love to hear your thoughts and experiences too, so feel free to emai...
121. Steven Crooks
July 22, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 110 MBBeatbox champion Steven Crooks only discovered beatboxing a few years ago and ever since his life has drastically changed. Finding purpose, identity and clarity through his craft, Steven quickly became the national champion and is now a co-organiser of the Beatbox Championships. On this episode we talk about Stevens life, the positive impact beatboxing had on him and his plans to continue growing the beatbox community here in New Zealand. This is an honest and inspiring chat. Support the show
Episode #121 Steven Crooks
July 22, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 110 MBBeatbox champion Steven Crooks only discovered beatboxing a few years ago and ever since his life has drastically changed. Finding purpose, identity and clarity through his craft, Steven quickly became the national champion and is now a co-organiser of the Beatbox Championships. On this episode we talk about Stevens life, the positive impact beatboxing had on him and his plans to continue growing the beatbox community here in New Zealand. This is an honest and inspiring chat. Support the show
120. Nick Douch
July 01, 2021 02:00 - 1 hour - 105 MBEkko Park drummer Nick Douch drops in for a fun conversation about all things music. We talk bands, drummers, getting started in the business as well as Nicks journey from Te Awamutu to being a professional touring drummer and drum tutor. Nick’s a great example of how it should be done. Great guy, great chat. Support the show
Episode #120 Nick Douch
July 01, 2021 02:00 - 1 hour - 105 MBEkko Park drummer Nick Douch drops in for a fun conversation about all things music. We talk bands, drummers, getting started in the business as well as Nicks journey from Te Awamutu to being a professional touring drummer and drum tutor. Nick’s a great example of how it should be done. Great guy, great chat. Support the show
119. Tim Balme
June 10, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 93.8 MBActor, writer and director Tim Balme has had a full and varied career. His work has included Braindead, Shortland Street, Outrageous Fortune, Mercy Peak, The Almighty Johnsons and his current project The Brokenwood Mysteries. We chatted about how Tim got his start in acting, working with Peter Jackson, how he approaches his craft and his experience stripping! Great chat! Support the show
Episode #119 Tim Balme
June 10, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 93.8 MBActor, writer and director Tim Balme has had a full and varied career. His work has included Braindead, Shortland Street, Outrageous Fortune, Mercy Peak, The Almighty Johnsons and his current project The Brokenwood Mysteries. We chatted about how Tim got his start in acting, working with Peter Jackson, how he approaches his craft and his experience stripping! Great chat! Support the show
Episode #118 Cassandra Tse
May 20, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 104 MBCassandra is a director, playwright and performer, and the artistic director of the Wellington-based Red Scare Theatre Company. She recently directed Single Asian Female and her previous work includes Bloodlines (2014), Long Ago, Long Ago (2015), Ordinary Days (2016), Yellow Face (2017), M'Lady (2017), A New Brain (2017), The Bone Thief (2018), Gutenberg! The Musical! (2018), The Aliens (2019), Four Nights in the Green Barrow Pub (2019) and That’s All She Wrote (2020). We had a great chat ...
118. Cassandra Tse
May 20, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 104 MBCassandra is a director, playwright and performer, and the artistic director of the Wellington-based Red Scare Theatre Company. She recently directed Single Asian Female and her previous work includes Bloodlines (2014), Long Ago, Long Ago (2015), Ordinary Days (2016), Yellow Face (2017), M'Lady (2017), A New Brain (2017), The Bone Thief (2018), Gutenberg! The Musical! (2018), The Aliens (2019), Four Nights in the Green Barrow Pub (2019) and That’s All She Wrote (2020). We had a great chat ...
Episode #117 Frank Gibson Jnr.
May 06, 2021 02:00 - 1 hour - 111 MBLegendary New Zealand drummer Frank Gibson Jnr. has had an astonishing career and has deservedly earned the upmost respect from his peers. He’s worked with a long list of artists including Shona Lang, Diana Krall, Joe Henderson, Leo Sayer, John Scofield, Dusty Springfield, The Temptations and Glen Campbell. He’s dedicated, grounded and an all-round good guy. It was a thrill to talk to him. Support the show
117. Frank Gibson Jnr.
May 06, 2021 02:00 - 1 hour - 111 MBLegendary New Zealand drummer Frank Gibson Jnr. has had an astonishing career and has deservedly earned the upmost respect from his peers. He’s worked with a long list of artists including Shona Lang, Diana Krall, Joe Henderson, Leo Sayer, John Scofield, Dusty Springfield, The Temptations and Glen Campbell. He’s dedicated, grounded and an all-round good guy. It was a thrill to talk to him. Support the show
Episode #116 Mike Chunn
April 22, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 107 MBMike Chunn needs no introduction. He played in Split Enz and Citizen Band, he was the director for APRA NZ, he founded and still runs Play It Strange, he's been a loud voice for many important subjects including mental health and the need for music to be given a higher priority in New Zealand culture. This was an exhilarating chat. There was laughter, there were tears and we even wrote a song. Get on it! Support the show
116. Mike Chunn
April 22, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 107 MBMike Chunn needs no introduction. He played in Split Enz and Citizen Band, he was the director for APRA NZ, he founded and still runs Play It Strange, he's been a loud voice for many important subjects including mental health and the need for music to be given a higher priority in New Zealand culture. This was an exhilarating chat. There was laughter, there were tears and we even wrote a song. Get on it! Support the show
Episode #115 Greg Haver
April 08, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 132 MBDrummer & Producer Greg Haver returns to the show to talk about his recent review of certain areas of the music industry and to discuss the new producers funding initiative called The New Music Development Scheme. We have a good laugh while tackling some hotly debated subjects. Dig in. Support the show
115. Greg Haver
April 08, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 132 MBDrummer & Producer Greg Haver returns to the show to talk about his recent review of certain areas of the music industry and to discuss the new producers funding initiative called The New Music Development Scheme. We have a good laugh while tackling some hotly debated subjects. Dig in. Support the show
Episode #114 Joe Walsh
March 25, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 109 MBJoe & Danny get drunk. Joe Walsh is constantly touring with Jordan Luck Band and his own band Ekko Park. Almost two years ago Joe was sitting on a completed Ekko Park album (Horizon) that hadn't yet been released. In the lead up Joe suggested we record an episode with a focus on the lyrics and back story to the album and in true Irish style, we met at the pub for a pre-recording drink. Five Guinness each later we Ubered back to the studio, opened a bottle of red and fell backwards into a...
114. Joe Walsh
March 25, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 109 MBJoe & Danny get drunk. Joe Walsh is constantly touring with Jordan Luck Band and his own band Ekko Park. Almost two years ago Joe was sitting on a completed Ekko Park album (Horizon) that hadn't yet been released. In the lead up Joe suggested we record an episode with a focus on the lyrics and back story to the album and in true Irish style, we met at the pub for a pre-recording drink. Five Guinness each later we Ubered back to the studio, opened a bottle of red and fell backwards into a...
113. Alex Leighton
March 11, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 124 MBOur guest is Alex Leighton, one of the creators and directors of New Zealand's premiere 2D animation studio Mukpuddy. We spoke to Alex and his business partner Ryan Cooper a few years ago about their then new show Barefoot Bandits and now Alex returns to talk about their brand new show 'The Adventures Of Tumeke Space' which has just launched on TVNZ OnDemand. We have a very real and honest chat about the good, the bad and the Jelly. You’ll know what I mean when you get to it! Support th...
Episode #113 Alex Leighton
March 11, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 124 MBOur guest is Alex Leighton, one of the creators and directors of New Zealand's premiere 2D animation studio Mukpuddy. We spoke to Alex and his business partner Ryan Cooper a few years ago about their then new show Barefoot Bandits and now Alex returns to talk about their brand new show 'The Adventures Of Tumeke Space' which has just launched on TVNZ OnDemand. We have a very real and honest chat about the good, the bad and the Jelly. You’ll know what I mean when you get to it! Support th...
112. Barnaby Weir
February 25, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 90.1 MBEpisode #112 is now available! Our guest is Barnaby Weir. Barnaby leads two of New Zealand’s most popular bands (The Black Seeds and Fly My Pretties) and we had a great chat about life/work balance, his childhood, his creative process and the rise of The Black Seeds and the Wellington Reggae / Dub scene. Barnaby is a kind and thoughtful guy and this turned out to be a really interesting conversation. Enjoy! Support the show
Episode #112 Barnaby Weir
February 25, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 90.1 MBEpisode #112 is now available! Our guest is Barnaby Weir. Barnaby leads two of New Zealand’s most popular bands (The Black Seeds and Fly My Pretties) and we had a great chat about life/work balance, his childhood, his creative process and the rise of The Black Seeds and the Wellington Reggae / Dub scene. Barnaby is a kind and thoughtful guy and this turned out to be a really interesting conversation. Enjoy! Support the show
111. Jason Peters
February 11, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 94.4 MBIn the 1990s Christchurch based drummer Jason Peters and his band Pumpkinhead became a popular touring act with a loyal following and more than their fair share of Rock n Roll stories. In more recent times Jason has been making music with Hunt The Witch and Kong Fooey and recently organised a series of tribute shows for the late, great Aaron Tokona. This was a fun chat. Enjoy! Support the show
Episode #111 Jason Peters
February 11, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 94.4 MBIn the 1990s Christchurch based drummer Jason Peters and his band Pumpkinhead became a popular touring act with a loyal following and more than their fair share of Rock n Roll stories. In more recent times Jason has been making music with Hunt The Witch and Kong Fooey and recently organised a series of tribute shows for the late, great Aaron Tokona. This was a fun chat. Enjoy! Support the show
110. Bobby Kennedy, Emme Lentino & Dan Antunovich
January 27, 2021 22:00 - 1 hour - 122 MBIn keeping with tradition we're opening 2021 with a chat between myself and our shows cofounder Bobby Kennedy. This episode also features a short interview by Emme Lentino, with myself and Dan Antunovich. Good times! Support the show
Episode #110 Bobby Kennedy, Emme Lentino & Dan Antunovich
January 27, 2021 22:00 - 1 hour - 122 MBIn keeping with tradition we're opening 2021 with a chat between myself and our shows cofounder Bobby Kennedy. This episode also features a short interview by Emme Lentino, with myself and Dan Antunovich. Good times! Support the show
Episode #109 Christmas Special with Molly Devine
December 16, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 120 MBOur 2020 Christmas Special is out now with special guest Molly Devine. Molly is a singer, songwriter and music professional from Dunedin who impressed us with her interesting and very musical style of pop music and her pragmatic approach to her career. We had a great chat about her background and her relationship with music. Be sure to look her up! We also play some notable moments from some of this year’s guests including Wayne Bell, Alan Brown, Jim hall, Bonnie Hurunui, Dr Siouxsie Wil...
109. Christmas Special with Molly Devine
December 16, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 120 MBOur 2020 Christmas Special is out now with special guest Molly Devine. Molly is a singer, songwriter and music professional from Dunedin who impressed us with her interesting and very musical style of pop music and her pragmatic approach to her career. We had a great chat about her background and her relationship with music. Be sure to look her up! We also play some notable moments from some of this year’s guests including Wayne Bell, Alan Brown, Jim hall, Bonnie Hurunui, Dr Siouxsie Wil...
Episode #108 Jimi Kara (Kara Gordon)
December 02, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 90.1 MBGuitarist Kara Gordon who now goes by the stage name Jimi Kara, regularly performs around the country and never seems to slow down. He's opened for Slash, Elton John, Ozzy Osbourne, George Clinton, toured New Zealand, Australia and the UK with Alabama 3, performed many times with Fly My Pretties and has recently been a part of the tribute shows for the late Aaron Tokona. He's a big character, an unforgettable presence and has even claimed to be Jimi Hendrix re-incarnate. This one's a wild...
108. Jimi Kara (Kara Gordon)
December 02, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 90.1 MBGuitarist Kara Gordon who now goes by the stage name Jimi Kara, regularly performs around the country and never seems to slow down. He's opened for Slash, Elton John, Ozzy Osbourne, George Clinton, toured New Zealand, Australia and the UK with Alabama 3, performed many times with Fly My Pretties and has recently been a part of the tribute shows for the late Aaron Tokona. He's a big character, an unforgettable presence and has even claimed to be Jimi Hendrix re-incarnate. This one's a wild...
Episode #107 Alex Ferrier
November 19, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 109 MBAlex is the guitarist / singer for alternative rock band Skinny Hobos. Alex Ferrier (aka Alex Elvis) and drummer Sam Holdom first met at high school and didn’t immediately click. Alex put’s it simply “He kind of thought I was a dick and I probably was.” Some years later they ended up working at the same instrument store and during a jam one night after the store closed, the two discovered their musical kinship. Skinny Hobos went on to become a popular band on the local touring scene and ...
107. Alex Ferrier
November 19, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 109 MBAlex is the guitarist / singer for alternative rock band Skinny Hobos. Alex Ferrier (aka Alex Elvis) and drummer Sam Holdom first met at high school and didn’t immediately click. Alex put’s it simply “He kind of thought I was a dick and I probably was.” Some years later they ended up working at the same instrument store and during a jam one night after the store closed, the two discovered their musical kinship. Skinny Hobos went on to become a popular band on the local touring scene and ...
106. Hammond Gamble
November 05, 2020 00:00 - 1 hour - 117 MBIconic New Zealand guitarist, singer and songwriter Hammond Gamble joined us for a fantastic conversation about all things music. We talked guitars, we dove into Hammonds background and the psychology behind playing and performing. Hammond came to prominence during the 1970s with Street Talk and went on to tour extensively with the Hammond Gamble Band and The Disappointments. Joe Cocker even covered one of his songs. To top off a fun and engaging episode, Hammond gave us a special solo p...
Episode #106 Hammond Gamble
November 05, 2020 00:00 - 1 hour - 117 MBIconic New Zealand guitarist, singer and songwriter Hammond Gamble joined us for a fantastic conversation about all things music. We talked guitars, we dove into Hammonds background and the psychology behind playing and performing. Hammond came to prominence during the 1970s with Street Talk and went on to tour extensively with the Hammond Gamble Band and The Disappointments. Joe Cocker even covered one of his songs. To top off a fun and engaging episode, Hammond gave us a special solo p...
105. Darren Watson
October 22, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 108 MBWellington musician, songwriter and bandleader Darren Watson isn't afraid to speak his mind and why should he be? Darren has worked relentlessly over the years; touring, recording, connecting with audiences and making a living. He's put his money where his mouth is and has well and truely earnt his stripes. On a recent trip to Auckland to promote his new album 'Getting Sober For The End Of The World' Darren swung by and we got right to it. What followed was an action-packed conversation ...
Episode #105 Darren Watson
October 22, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 108 MBWellington musician, songwriter and bandleader Darren Watson isn't afraid to speak his mind and why should he be? Darren has worked relentlessly over the years; touring, recording, connecting with audiences and making a living. He's put his money where his mouth is and has well and truely earnt his stripes. On a recent trip to Auckland to promote his new album 'Getting Sober For The End Of The World' Darren swung by and we got right to it. What followed was an action-packed conversation ...
104. Marshall Smith
October 07, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 117 MBMarshall Smith is a composer, a songwriter, a producer, Musical Director of The Sound Room and Chairperson of the Screen Composers Guild of New Zealand. He started out in bands, pursuing a career as a recording artist and soon moved into producing and soundtrack work, establishing a studio and creating music and advertisements for a long list of New Zealand and international clients. We dive right into to an energetic conversation about his journey in music, building his company, social me...
Episode #104 Marshall Smith
October 07, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 117 MBMarshall Smith is a composer, a songwriter, a producer, Musical Director of The Sound Room and Chairperson of the Screen Composers Guild of New Zealand. He started out in bands, pursuing a career as a recording artist and soon moved into producing and soundtrack work, establishing a studio and creating music and advertisements for a long list of New Zealand and international clients. We dive right into to an energetic conversation about his journey in music, building his company, social me...
Episode #103 Harry Lyon
September 23, 2020 23:00 - 58 minutes - 81 MBHarry Lyon is the guitarist and founding member of iconic New Zealand band Hello Sailor. The band formed in 1975 and lasted five years before going separate ways. Each member remained busy forming other bands and releasing solo albums and soon Hello Sailor reunited and continued to record and tour up until the untimely passing of Dave McArtney in 2013 and Graham Brazier in 2015. For many years Harry was the Director of MAINZ (Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand) and in 2018 Harry rel...
103. Harry Lyon
September 23, 2020 23:00 - 58 minutes - 81 MBHarry Lyon is the guitarist and founding member of iconic New Zealand band Hello Sailor. The band formed in 1975 and lasted five years before going separate ways. Each member remained busy forming other bands and releasing solo albums and soon Hello Sailor reunited and continued to record and tour up until the untimely passing of Dave McArtney in 2013 and Graham Brazier in 2015. For many years Harry was the Director of MAINZ (Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand) and in 2018 Harry rel...
102. Andrew Thorne
September 10, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 95.2 MBAndrew Thorne is a great guitar player who’s worked with a long list of fine artists including Jan Hellriegel, Greg Johnson, Dave Dobbyn, Tim Finn and he was the guitarist on Bic Runga’s first hit album Drive. His own bands have included Splitter and the Calico Brothers, he’s played support for international acts like Radiohead, Bryan Adams and Jeff Buckley and he’s currently performing with the touring show 80s X. We had a great time discussing all things guitar, moments from his career a...
Episode #102 Andrew Thorne
September 10, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 95.2 MBAndrew Thorne is a great guitar player who’s worked with a long list of fine artists including Jan Hellriegel, Greg Johnson, Dave Dobbyn, Tim Finn and he was the guitarist on Bic Runga’s first hit album Drive. His own bands have included Splitter and the Calico Brothers, he’s played support for international acts like Radiohead, Bryan Adams and Jeff Buckley and he’s currently performing with the touring show 80s X. We had a great time discussing all things guitar, moments from his career a...
101. Debbie Harwood Part 2
August 26, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 148 MBPart 2 with Debbie Harwood is here! Debbie came back to share some of the wilder stories from her career. Some are heartbreaking, most are hilarious. She talks about touring with When The Cats Away right after having throat surgery, her eventful night trying to get home from Waiheke Island after being stranded, dancing evocatively on stage with Jimmy Barnes as Jimmy's wife stood in the wings, making dinner for Paul Hewson on the night he quit Dragon and the time a ghost tried to reclaim h...
Episode #101 Debbie Harwood Part 2
August 26, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 148 MBPart 2 with Debbie Harwood is here! Debbie came back to share some of the wilder stories from her career. Some are heartbreaking, most are hilarious. She talks about touring with When The Cats Away right after having throat surgery, her eventful night trying to get home from Waiheke Island after being stranded, dancing evocatively on stage with Jimmy Barnes as Jimmy's wife stood in the wings, making dinner for Paul Hewson on the night he quit Dragon and the time a ghost tried to reclaim h...
100. Debbie Harwood Part 1
August 13, 2020 03:00 - 1 hour - 145 MBDebbie Harwood is a triple threat; she’s a fantastic musician, highly intelligent and as kind and honest as they come. Debbie spent her early years performing constantly, making a name for herself in the local music scene. She held her own in a male dominated industry and stood strong against the patronising and dismissive, who sniffed at the ‘cute female covers band’ When The Cats Away, which would become one of the most successful NZ touring shows in the 1980s. Debbie toured the world s...
Episode #100 Debbie Harwood Part 1
August 13, 2020 03:00 - 1 hour - 145 MBDebbie Harwood is a triple threat; she’s a fantastic musician, highly intelligent and as kind and honest as they come. Debbie spent her early years performing constantly, making a name for herself in the local music scene. She held her own in a male dominated industry and stood strong against the patronising and dismissive, who sniffed at the ‘cute female covers band’ When The Cats Away, which would become one of the most successful NZ touring shows in the 1980s. Debbie toured the world s...
99. Hinerongonui Kingi
July 30, 2020 03:00 - 1 hour - 98.7 MBHinerongonui Kingi is a multi-talented musician, writer, dancer, journalist and even a body builder! There seems to be nothing she can’t do, and her positivity and optimism is inspiring. Hailing from Rotorua, Hine started performing at a very young age and has already performed around the world. We talk about her time in Dubai, her strategies in setting and realising her goals and her can-do approach. Included in this episode is a little bit of information about our special upcoming 100t...
Episode #99 Hinerongonui Kingi
July 30, 2020 03:00 - 1 hour - 98.7 MBHinerongonui Kingi is a multi-talented musician, writer, dancer, journalist and even a body builder! There seems to be nothing she can’t do, and her positivity and optimism is inspiring. Hailing from Rotorua, Hine started performing at a very young age and has already performed around the world. We talk about her time in Dubai, her strategies in setting and realising her goals and her can-do approach. Included in this episode is a little bit of information about our special upcoming 100t...
98. Rikki Morris
July 15, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 100 MBEpisode #98 is now available! Our guest is Rikki Morris. Rikki is a highly respected, multitalented singer, songwriter, musician, producer & live sound engineer. He joined Th’ Dudes as a roadie back in 1979 and went on to have a huge hit as a solo artist with the song Nobody Else. He appeared on TV shows like 3.45 Live, Alive and Kicking, Get Your Act Together and Super City and he ran his recording studio The Bus (Depot) for many years. His brother was the legendary musician and produce...