Rhythms Magazine

On The Record Debuts: Two Friends. Dodgy Tech. Endless Cultural Zig-Zagging. Zero Apologies.

In a gloriously shambolic podcast debut of On The Record, Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie briefly wrestle with technology; however, once the cockpit stops flashing warnings, they settle into a free-wheeling conversation about music, ageing audiences, dodgy voting scandals, Patti Smith, Beatles archaeology, sci-fi mind melds, and why matinee gigs are the greatest invention since the flat white.

Wise and Mackenzie first teamed up when they co-presented Dig On The Radio, a summer season of music and performances on ABC Local Radio between 2003 and 2006.

Since then, the pair have kept in touch both on and off the air, and decided there might be literally dozens of people eager to hear their meanderings in this new addition to the Rhythms stable.

In this debut episode Michael and Brian meander through:

• The annual Rhythms Readers Poll, which, shockingly, people have actually tried to rig. (Move over Florida.)
• Why older gig-goers prefer concerts that end before the evening news, and the uncertain future for finding new music audiences via radio.
• Mavis Staples’ new album, Sad and Beautiful World, which both agree is so good it may actually restore faith in humanity.
  
• A detour into Tom Jones, who’s made excellent records while the world wasn’t looking.
  
• Todd Snider, the mayor of East Nashville and patron saint of long, funny songs.
  
• Paul Kelly’s new album and gig, celebrated for making audiences actually listen because they didn’t know the lyrics yet.
• The Beatles Anthology reboot, where Apple Records proves once again that there is no bottom to the barrel if you have AI and Giles Martin.
  
• Final season of Stranger Things:  getting so dark it may require night-vision goggles
• Pluribus, the new Vince Gilligan sci-fi series about humanity becoming one hive mind—an idea Brian finds horrifying and Michael could really get behind.
  
• Cowboy Junkies live, who apparently sound so good Brian is still vibrating.
  
• The Springsteen biopic Deliver Us From Nowhere, prompting the important philosophical debate: Is it bi-OH-pic or BYE-opic?
  
• Patti Smith, whose writing has Michael crying and whose life stories have Brian reading again. Subscribe to here Substack here.
  
• A CNN Live Aid documentary, featuring Bob Geldof, Margaret Thatcher, and the invention of global-scale concert viewing way before GoFundMe. Watch on 9Now.
  
  

Gregory Porter

Acclaimed singer songwriter Gregory Porter, who will be touring Australia in October, spoke to Rhythms editor Brian Wise. Porter talks about his recording career and his influences, including Nat King Cole and Donny Hathaway.

James McMurtry

This week’s guest is Texas singer songwriting legend James McMurtry, son of the author Larry McMurtry, who has just released his 11^th studio album, The Black Dog & The Wandering Boy (via New West Records). Produced by Don Dixon, whom McMurtry worked with on his third album in 1995, the latest album is McMurtry’s first in four years. Rhythms editor Brian Wise met up with McMurtry on Zoom.

This podcast has been produced by Jasmine Griffiths.

You can find out more about Rhythms and the special subscription offer as well as catch up on the latest music news at rhythms.com.au

Robert Randolph

Pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph talks about his brand new album Preacher Kids, released as a solo album with a new band and a forthcoming tour. (Produced by Jasmine Griffiths).

TAJMO - TAJ MAHAL & KEB MO

Taj Mahal and Keb Mo join Rhythms Editor Brian Wise to talk about their new album together Room On The Porch. 

ALLISON RUSSELL

Allison Russell, multi-award winning singer, songwriter, poet, activist, and multi-instrumentalist will be in Australia this month for concerts in Melbourne (April 15) and Sydney (April 17) as well as appearances at Bluesfest (April 19-20). Rhythms editor Brian Wise spoke to Allison about her recent work, which included an appearance in the Broadway musical Hadestown.

Sly Lives! Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie review the latest streaming doco on Sly and The Family Stone

Sly Lives! is a 2025 documentary about the life of Sly Stone and the band Sly and the Family Stone. 

The film is also known as The Burden of Black Genius. 

It was directed by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson and premiered at Sundance in January 2025. It's the second documentary directed by Questlove, following his Oscar-winning documentary Summer of Soul.

It was released on Hulu and Disney+ on February 13, 2025 and Michael Mackenzie and Brian Wise discuss the enormous influence this troubled genius has had on funk, soul, psychedelia since his multi-gendered, multi-racial band became superstars in the late 1960s.

LEON BRIDGES IN CONVERSATION

Texas-born and bred singer Leon Bridges has just began his Australian tour in Bowral on Sunday January 19 and he has appearances in Sydney (January 21) and at at the Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on Thursday January 23. Brian Wise spoke to Leon about his career and his latest album, simply titled Leon. The interview also contains music from the latest album. Concert details and tickets at: leonbridges.com

A COMPLETE UNKNOWN REVIEW - BRIAN WISE & MICHAEL MACKENZIE

Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie discuss A Complete Unknown, James Mangold's biopic on Bob Dylan starring Timothy Chalamet as Bob, Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo (Suze Rotolo), Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Edward Norton as Pete Seeger. Is this the best music biopic of all time?

Paul Kelly

 

Paul Kelly joined Brian Wise in the studio at Triple R in Melbourne to talk about his recent American our, the film How To make Gravy based on his song of the same title and his latest album Fever Longing Still. He also performs two songs from the new album for us: 'All Those Smiling Faces' and 'Down To The River With Dad'.