The impact of lockdown on the arts sectors' The Big Names and Big Shows has been well documented. Campaigns like the live arts sector’s #VaxTheNation got the kind of swift publicity and attention (and frankly, pure love) that governments dream of. Huge international artists like Elton John are able to continue recording and releasing lockdown albums. But what about artists that are just starting out, or those that are coming towards the ends of their careers? Will they have a ‘way in’? Will they exit out early? Guests Bruce Johnson, Lou Wall and Alaska DeFraine lend us their wisdom and also some of their art. 

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We’ve heard about bread making, knitting and self care during lockdown. But now, a year and a half into the pandemic, we really have exhausted our options. In this episode we dig deep into existing rituals from the ‘beforetimes’, activities we’re using to keep us going.

In this episode we talk to Stephanie Bull, one of the writers of the Good Weekend’s weekly quiz. She gives us insight into how the quiz gets written, how it keeps us together, and answers, once and for all, if half points are allowed. We also talk to Danielle O’Donohue, who has turned to Minecraft as a way to escape the 600 weeks of lockdown in Sydney. Be warned, though, she plays with the sound down - is that ok? Additional music in the episode, ‘Minecraft”, “Sweden”, “Wet Hands” by C418, and “Good Morning Mr Sun” by Tom Smith.

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There’s been lots of panic about how two years of interrupted schooling will impact young people. However when Nina asks her brother what’s getting him through the HSC, she gets a pretty strange answer. It’s KISS. The 1970s hair metal mega group. Yes, Gene and the boys.

This episode considers the current crisis, but also how a band like KISS can help get young people, and all people, through tough times. We start with Nina and her brother, and also Musicologist Dr Adrian Renzo, who talks us through why young people today might be getting inspired by a heritage act like KISS. We also talk to award winning musician, writer and performer iOTA who explains why KISS has been a lifelong personal and professional ‘guiding light’. Oooh Yeah!

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