Celebrating Generation X

THE BREAKFAST CLUB, Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, 1985. ©Universal Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

THE BREAKFAST CLUB, Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, 1985. Photo: Universal Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Today we are celebrating the music of Generation X, inspired by Generation X: 50 Artworks from the Chartwell Collection opening today at Te Papa.

Born between 1965 and 1980, Generation X was raised in an analogue world, becoming the first early adopters of the internet.

We talk to painter Liz Maw who features in the exhibition and play some of the best loved tracks from Generation X.

1:40  Exhibition features 'old school' Gen X artists

Generation X: 50 Artworks from the Chartwell Collection includes works drawn from one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most significant contemporary art collections, the Chartwell Collection, itself a member of Gen X.

Started in 1974, the Chartwell celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.  The artworks, made during the 90s and early 2000s, span painting, sculpture, installation, sound and video. 

The collection is seen not as an art historical document, but an attitude, a way of looking at the cultural contribution of an unruly group of artists who are now ‘old school.’

Painter Liz Maw is among the exhibitors and joins Charlotte.

Satan, Liz Maw 2003

Satan, Liz Maw 2003 Photo: Chartwell Collection, Auckland City Art Gallery

2:20 The Black Seeds Barnaby Weir is back with TRiPS

TRiPS is a new musical collaboration from Barnaby Weir (The Black Seeds and Fly my Pretties) and Andrew Christiansen (The Black Seeds).

Their debut self-titled album is out this week and Charlotte talks with Barnaby about starting a new project midlife, and the meanings behind the name TRiPS; psychedelic sound and having an adventure.   

TRiPS, a new musical collaboration from Andrew Christiansen and Barnaby Weir pictured in the studio with producer Lee Prebble

TRiPS, a new musical collaboration from Andrew Christiansen and Barnaby Weir Photo:

3.15 Cassandra Jenkins on her midlife crisis: ‘Music seemed like a foolish thing to follow’

After saying she was not going to release music anymore, New York-based artist and musician Cassandra Jenkins is back with a new album My Light, My Destroyer

Her previous album An Overview on Phenomenal Nature was one of the best-reviewed on Pitchfork and also made it into many playlists here in NZ. She has since toured with Mitski and Courtney Barnett.

Cassandra talks to Charlotte Ryan about the challenges of making music and touring midlife, and how she’s doing things on her terms. 

Cassandra Jenkins stands in a New York street holding back her hair

Cassandra Jenkins Photo: Dead Oceans

3:40 Review: Still Here Season 2 - a warm reflection of Auckland's Pasifika community

The soundtrack to the web series focusing on Auckland's inner-city Pasifika community features music performed by members of Leao and Noa Records.

Hanisi Garue

Photo: Heard and Seen

4pm The Mixtape: Beloved book reviewer Kiran Dass

Our guest picking the music is Kiran Dass, one New Zealand’s most trusted book reviewers and literary champions. 

Kiran is the programme director of WORD Christchurch, a festival which is about to fill Ōtautahi’s cup from August 27 with theatre, guest authors, and lots of wonderful discussions about books. 

Kiran has written about books and culture for the NZ Herald, NZ Listener, The Guardian, North & South, Metro, The Spinoff, Pantograph Punch, The Sunday Star-Times and is a regular book reviewer on RNZ’s Nine to Noon show.  

She is a judge for many writing awards and was awarded a Michael King Writers Centre residency in 2021 and was the VERB Wellington writer's resident at Katherine Mansfield House last year. 

Alongside her work elevating writers, Kiran Dass is a true music lover, writing for UK magazine The Wire and DJing around town. 

WORD Christchurch runs from Aug 27 - Sept 1st. Full programme here: https://wordchristchurch.co.nz/ 

WORD Festival Programme Director Kiran Dass

WORD Festival Programme Director Kiran Dass Photo:

 

Music featured on today's show:

1-2pm 

John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers  - Out Of Reach

Simple Minds - Don't You Forget About Me  

Fiona Apple - Criminal

Primal Scream - Love Insurrection

The Clash  - Rock the Casbah

The Cure - Lullaby

Nick Cave and the Bad seeds - Long Dark Night

Thompson Twins - Hold Me Now

Kim Deal - Coast

2-3pm 

Gaslamp Killer - Nissim With Amir Yaghmai

Porno For Pyros - Pets

Tex Pistol - The Game Of Love

INXS - Never Tear Us Apart

Barnaby Weir - Wishes

Barnaby Weir  - Way of My Flow

Bronski Beat -  Smalltown Boy

Lenny Kravitz - It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over

The Stone Roses: She Bangs The Drums

Us3 - Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)

3-4pm 

Childish Gambino - Happy Survival feat Khrungbin

The Orb - Little Fluffy Clouds

Cassandra Jenkins - Hard Drive

Talk Talk - Life’s What You Make It

Deee-Lite - Groove Is In The Heart

 

Kiran's Mixtape songs:

Dr Who original theme - BBC Radiophonic Workshop/Delia Derbyshire 
Taste the Floor - Jesus and Mary Chain
I.C.Y.' - Bailter Space
Ethics - 23 Skidoo 
Happening for Lulu - Kraus
Don't Let Our Youth Go to Waste - Galaxie 500 (Peel Session)