Ep 73: Sound Series 1 – James Woods and Nick Ascroft

/ daphnemoran

This is the first of our ten-part Sound Series where I talk to writers and artists about their work in relation to sounds they have chosen.

In this episode I talk to James Woods and Nick Ascroft.

  • James Woods (Image by Stephen Boxhill)
  • Nick Ascroft

James chose Neon Cross by Drunk with Power, which he wrote and recorded. You can listen to here on Spotify

Nick chose Dunedin Spleen by The Verlaines and you can listen and buy this song on Bandcamp

Exercise:

We talk quite a lot about rhyme in this discussion.

So, the exercise is simply this – turn on your recorder, say the line:

‘I listened to a band called Flipper’

And see how long you can go rhyming words with ‘Flipper’. Don’t forget about half-rhymes and don’t be afraid to change the end sound completely if it feels right. The idea is to try and keep composing for 2 minutes.

Better off Read is available on iTunes and Spotify and most podcasting apps.

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Or you can listen to it here:

Ep 158: Eva Wyles and pip adam talk about Deliverywoman at Unity Books Te Whanganui-a-Tara – Better off Read

On 10 February this year at Unity Books Te Whanganui-a-Tara i talked with Eva Wyles about her stunning collection of short stories Deliverywoman (Influx Press, 2025) The event opened with a reading and introduction to Eva's work by another amazing writer Tamara Tulitua. Eva and Tamara were in the same MA creative writing workshop at the IIML and Unity was full of Eva's friends and writing comminties. Eva lives in London now so the night had this amazing feeling as all these fans of Eva's work gathered to hear her talk. i was realy grateful to be there. Deliverwoman is an incredibly adept and emotionally resonant collection which showcases the short fictional form at its finest. i love this book. Te Whanganui-a-Tara i want to acknowledge that this podcast and email is coming to you on 21 April from Te Whanganui-a-Tara which has been experiencing some devasting weather over the last 24 hours. As i record this we are still under a state of emergency. i wanted to send massive love to everyone in this city which i love so much. Action: The Burnett Foundation The Burnett Foundation website i mainly knew the work of the Burnett Foundation through their association with Sweat With Pride which is coming up in May. Burnett Foundation Aotearoa (formerly New Zealand AIDS Foundation & Ending HIV NZ) has been at the forefront of the community response to HIV in Aotearoa for nearly 40 years. Their vision is: An Aotearoa with zero HIV transmission, where all people living with HIV thrive, and rainbow and takatāpui communities enjoy great sexual health. Their Kaupapa has always been to have a human-centred, science-led, sex-positive approach to public health. Key workstreams of advocacy, education, and support have always been and remain their key pillars. They also acknowledge our commitments to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, to people living with and affected by HIV and to our very environment. With the same passion and commitment as those who came before them, Burnett Foundation Aotearoa continues to prevent HIV transmission, combat stigma and maximise the wellbeing of those most affected by HIV. The Burnett Foundation have centres in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington and Ōtautahi Christchurch. They provide HIV and STI testing, counselling, group support and other services at these centres as well as remotely for people anywhere in New Zealand. You can support Better off Read financially at Buy Better off Read a Coffee Music in Better off Read was made by Brent McIntyre.
  1. Ep 158: Eva Wyles and pip adam talk about Deliverywoman at Unity Books Te Whanganui-a-Tara
  2. Ep 157: Jordy Rosenberg and pip adam talk about Night Night Fawn at The Open Book
  3. Ep 156: Ray Shipley and pip adam talk about a tarot deck and 'My Body is a Horror Film'
  4. Ep 155: Jo Randerson, Sarah Maxey and pip adam talk about Secret Art Powers: How Creative Thinking Can Achieve Radical Change
  5. Ep 154: liz breslin and Pip chat about a pair of scissors

Made with the support of Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa

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