A Band Called Halfway
By John Busby
A podcast about critically acclaimed Australian band Halfway. Hear about twenty years of writing, recording and touring in an indie rock band. Including interviews with Robert Forster (Go-Betweens), Rob Younger (Radio Birdman) Mark Nevers (Lambchop/George Jones), Nick Barker (The Wreckery/The Reptiles), J.C. (Powderfinger), Simon Homer (Plus One Records) and Peter Jesperson (Twin Tone/New West Records)
A Band Called HalfwaySep 04, 2022
00:00
01:07:50
20. Interview with Michael Baker (The Clergy - The Perfect Lovers - Record Collector)
John Busby talks to Michael Baker, a rock n roll friend and fellow member of late 80s indie rock band, The Clergy. They chat about regional indie rock, record collecting and a life of loving music.
Sep 04, 202201:07:50
19. On the Ghostline with Hands of Lightning Pt 2 - Ben Johnson (Halfway)
John talks to founding Halfway member Ben Johnson about playing in an indie rock band for more than 20 years and co-writing and recording the bands eighth album, 'On the Ghostline with Hands of Lightning'.
Aug 28, 202201:07:40
18. On the Ghostline with Hands of Lightning Pt 2 - Malcolm Burn (Engineer - Producer)
John talks to legendary Canadian/American Producer Malcolm Burn about his life in music & producing the bands 8th album 'On the Ghostline with Hands of Lightning'. Covering everything from his travels to New Orleans to work with Daniel Lanois, to making records for everyone from Bob Dylan and Neville Brothers to Midnight Oil and Archie Roach.
Aug 21, 202201:09:08
17. Restless Dream - Part 2 - John Willsteed (Xero/The Go Betweens/Halfway)
John talks to Halfway member John Willsteed about making the 'Restless Dream' album, making music for film and playing in the legendary Brisbane bands Xero & The Go Betweens.
Aug 14, 202201:08:45
16. Restless Dream - Part 1 - Bob Weatherall (First Nations Elder - Activist - Musician)
John Busby chats to Kamileroi First Nations elder, Bob Weatherall. They talk about collaborating to make the 'Restless Dream' album and Bobby's 30+ years of work in the repatriation of indigenous remains and artefacts from museums & galleries all over the world.
Aug 07, 202257:44
15. Interview with Tim Steward (Screamfeeder - We All Want To)
In the final episode for this series, John Busby talks to great Australian songwriter and long time friend, Tim Steward. They first met in Rockhampton in 1989 when Tim was touring with his band 'The Madmen' who later morphed into JJJ favourites 'Screamfeeder'. In more recent times, Tim has also released four albums with indie rock band 'We All Want To'. Together they chat about making music and playing in bands for for the past 30 years.
Oct 30, 202052:38
14. Interview with Clinton Walker (Music writer - TV host)
John chats to legendary music writer Clinton Walker about Brisbane in the the 1970's, his seminal books Inner City Sound and Buried Country and what it was like to host his late night ABC TV show, Studio 22.
Oct 22, 202040:36
13. Interview with John Collins (Powderfinger - The Triffid)
John Busby talks to John Collins (JC), part owner of Brisbane live venue The Triffid & member of one of Australia's most successful rock bands, Powderfinger. They talk about being in bands, touring, the Brisbane music scene and the advantages of a home ground venue.
Oct 15, 202040:24
12. Interview with Stuart Coupe (Journalist - Music writer)
John talks to journalist and record label guy Stuart Coupe about his career in rock and roll, from writing for RAM magazine, to managing bands in the 80's, signing Halfway to Laughing Outlaw Records in 2003, to his recent book on Paul Kelly.
Oct 08, 202001:00:15
11. Rain Lover - Part 2 - Yanto Browning (Engineer - Producer)
John talks to renowned Brisbane recording engineer Yanto Browning about engineering the bands 6th album 'Rain Lover'. Along the way they cover Yanto's career recording everyone from Kate Miller-Heidke to Jeremy Oxley and Halfway's yet to be released collaboration with Bob Weatherall, 'Restless Dream'.
Sep 10, 202053:13
10. Rain Lover - Part 1 - Production Outline
John Busby gives a guide to the songwriting, production and recording of Halfway's 6th Album, 'Rain Lover'. Along the way covering everything from Brian Eno's Oblique Strategies Cards to the Panvale's win in the 1970 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Sep 01, 202048:53
9. The Golden Halfway Record - Part 2 - Mark Nevers (Engineer - Producer)
John Busby talks to legendary record producer and Lambchop band member, Mark Nevers about working with Halfway on their albums, 'The Golden Halfway Record' and 'Rain Lover'. And along the way they chat about his 30 year career recording in Nashville, from working with indie rockers like Bonnie Prince Billy and The Silver Jews, to making an album for Charlie Louvin and even recording the Grammy winning song 'Choices' by George Jones.
Jul 21, 202043:40
8. The Golden Halfway Record - Part 1 - Simon Homer (Tour Manager - USA Nashville Recording)
John Busby talks to Plus One Records label guy, Simon Homer about Halfway's trip to Nashville in 2015. Where the band played at The Americana Music Festival and they recorded their fifth album, 'The Golden Halfway Record' at Beech House Studios with Mark Nevers.
Jul 16, 202001:02:47
7. Any Old Love - Part 2 - Peter Jesperson (Twin Tone Records - New West Records)
John Busby talks to music industry legend Peter Jesperson. Peter outlines his early days in Minneapolis, from managing the influential record store Oar Folkjokeopus (Oar Folk), to co-founding Twin Tone Records which became home to seminal indie rock acts such as The Replacements, Soul Asylum, The Jayhawks and The Suicide Commandos. They also chat about Peters work managing The Replacements, his long standing position as V.P. of A&R at New West Records, and his trip to Australia to co-produce Halfway's fourth album 'Any Old Love' with the help of Robert Forster & Phil Graham.
Jul 09, 202001:00:41
6. Any Old Love - Part 1 - Phil Graham (Engineer - Producer)
John talks to Phil Graham who recorded and mixed 'Any Old Love' the band's fourth album from 2014. John and Phil talk in detail about the unconventional nature of the recording process and the conceptual elements of the album. On the way they cover Phil's background in music, which includes everything from commercial work as a session musician in the 1980s, to recording Ed Kuepper's solo album from 2015, 'Lost Cities'.
Jul 02, 202048:50
5. An Outpost of Promise - Part 2 - Robert Forster (The Go-Betweens)
John talks to Go-Betweens founding member and Halfway producer, Robert Forster about his work on two of the bands albums, 'An Outpost of Promise' (2010) and 'Any Old Love' (2014). The conversation details the pre-production and recording process of the records, and on the way they cover everything from 1970's AM radio, to Glen Campbell and Metallica.
Jun 25, 202054:10
4. An Outpost of Promise - Part 1 - Simon Homer (Plus One Records)
John Busby talks to Simon Homer, (manager of Brisbane based record label Plus One Records) and they chat about the machinations of the band, touring with eight members and the release of Halfway's third album, 'An Outpost of Promise'. John also gives a run down on the pre-production and recording process for for the bands third album and talks about a couple of the key tracks in detail.
Jun 18, 202044:15
3. Remember the River - Part 2 - Rob Younger (Radio Birdman - The New Christs)
John Busby chats to Rob Younger, the Radio Birdman front man and record producer who co-produced the bands second album 'Remember the River' along with Wayne Connolly. They talk about making the album, punk rock, Gene Pitney and St. George Rugby League Club. John also does a track by track run through of the album, featuring a couple of songs and some halfway band stories along the way.
Jun 12, 202047:45
2. Remember the River - Part 1 - Nick Barker (The Reptiles - The Wreckery)
John talks to Australian rock icon Nick Barker about meeting the band in 2005 and they discuss the highlights of Halfway's second album 'Remember the River' - Stay tuned for Part 2 coming soon.
Jun 02, 202033:35
1. Halfway's first album - Farewell to the Fainthearted
Its 2020, and Halfway band member John Busby is in COVID-19 lock-down in Darwin. To pass the time in isolation, John creates a podcast that provides insight into forming Halfway, and outlines of the process and the people involved in making their debut album 'Farewell to the Fainthearted'.
May 14, 202032:53