Take 5

Episode

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  Take 5 with David Byrne 10.09.2026 38mnt

  David Byrne is a music icon. With Talking Heads, or his many wild collaborations, and as an acclaimed solo artist, he's continually pushed the boundaries of sound, crafting some of the most iconic live performances of our time. Over five decades, he's never stopped asking why. His curiosity has driven an extraordinary creative life that stretches way beyond music: on canvas, in writing, filmmaking, composing musicals. He's even designed bike racks. From hearing Bob Dylan's mysterious words on a tiny radio and discovering James Brown's interlocking grooves, to forming Talking Heads at the Rhode Island School of Design and moving to New York's CBGB scene, Byrne has always followed his curiosity wherever it leads. He wrote his very first song, "Psycho Killer," as a test to see if he could write one at all, and it became an instant classic. His collaborations read like a who's who of music history: Brian Eno, Arthur Russell, Parliament-Funkadelic, and even Celia Cruz. His 1984 concert film Stop Making Sense with Jonathan Demme remains one of the most celebrated live performances ever captured. And decades later, he's still rearranging his classic songs, finding new meaning in them, sometimes discovering, as with "Life During Wartime," that they feel more real and more close than ever. This episode was filmed for Season 5 of Take 5 with Zan Rowe in a recording studio in Sydney while David Byrne was in Australia touring over the 2025/26 summer. He was jubilant, fascinating, and so generous in exploring his huge life across five songs. As a lifelong DB fan, the theme was clear: curiosity. And as David himself says, the answers don't come in the songs. They come in the live shows, in how we perform and how we are with one another. David Byrne's song choices:  James Brown - 'Get On the Good Foot' Joubert Singers - 'Stand On The Word' (Larry Levan mix) Celia Cruz - 'Cucala' James Blake - 'The Wilhelm Scream' Caetano Veloso - 'Tropicalia' 00:00 Introduction: A Lifetime of Asking Questions 02:01 Meet David Byrne: Icon, Collaborator, Polymath 02:33 Extended Cut. Watch on ABC iview 02:55 The Theme: Curiosity and the Songs That Spark It 03:25 A Tiny Radio, The Byrds, and the Mysterious Words of Bob Dylan 04:45 James Brown: 'Get On the Good Foot' 05:09 Interlocking Puzzles: "I Treat Every Instrument as a Percussion Instrument" 05:34 The Social Metaphor of Funk. A Penny Drop Moment Decades Later 07:12 First Time Seeing James Brown Live: The Dancing Women Who Weren't Singing 08:37 Art School and Music as a Hobby: "Don't Get Your Hopes Up" 09:23 Rhode Island School of Design: Meeting Chris Frantz 09:52 Putting a Band Together and Writing the First Songs 10:39 Why Write Songs at All? "Just to See If You Could" 11:04 Writing "Psycho Killer" as a Test. And People Liked It 11:31 "Check That Box. I Can Write a Song." 12:12 Influences: James Brown, Disco, Bowie, and the Velvet Underground 12:54 Moving to New York: CBGB, Television, and Patti Smith 13:47 MTV and "Once in a Lifetime": Going Back to Art School for Music Videos 14:26 Joubert Singers: 'Stand On The Word' (Larry Levan mix) 14:53 Gospel in a Disco Club: The Shared Transcendence of Dance and Church 16:31 Hearing Talking Heads in the Clubs: "We've Been Validated" 17:11 My Life in the Bush of Ghosts: When the DJ Picked It 18:00 Losing Yourself: The Body Perceives Music Before the Mind 19:25 Trust and Surrender on the Dance Floor 20:01 Celia Cruz: 'Cucala' 20:41 The Latin Club Down the Street from CBGB 21:06 Dance Music Played Live: Salsa, Hips, and Sensuous Rhythms 21:56 Celia Cruz's Voice: "It Cuts Through Everything" 22:36 A Pinch-Yourself Moment: Recording a Song with Celia Cruz 23:12 Different Worlds: Spangly Outfits, Huge Hairdos, and Skinny Jeans 23:50 Collaborators Expanding: Arthur Russell's Cello Arrangement of "Psycho Killer" 24:44 Adding Parliament-Funkadelic Members: The Universe Keeps Growing 25:23 James Blake: 'The Wilhelm Scream' 26:03 Min
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  Take 5 with Darren Hayes from Savage Garden 03.09.2026 1j

  When you look back at the Australian artists who've made their mark internationally, Savage Garden are right up there.  Two guys from Brisbane who went Number 1 around the world, cracked the notoriously tough U.S. market and sold nearly 30 million albums with hits like 'I Want You', 'To The Moon And Back', and 'Truly Madly Deeply'.  They may have only been together for two albums, but the legacy of their pop breakthrough continues, as does frontman Darren Hayes' incredible story. While he was sailing the highs of global fame, behind the scenes, Darren was dealing with a fractured band relationship, battling depression, and in the closet, unable to be truly himself.  As a now proudly out gay man, he continues to sing his stories as a solo artist, but the road hasn't always been smooth sailing.  Growing up in Logan, Queensland, the youngest of three in a home shadowed by severe domestic violence, who could have predicted that this sensitive kid who loved to sing would one day stand on the world's biggest stages? Darren's story is extraordinary: 250 rejection letters before anyone would sign Savage Garden, a manager who mortgaged his home to make it happen, and a partnership with Daniel Jones that produced some of the most iconic pop of the '90s before it all came crashing down. There have been plenty of lows too; being told by his own record company to hide who he was, the sudden loss of his mother, and a terrifying accident that shattered his jaw and nearly ended his singing career for good. But Darren Hayes is back, and he's got stories. This episode was captured at Chaplin Studios in Los Angeles, which was the building originally built by Charlie Chaplin, later home to A&M Records, and the exact room where "We Are the World" was recorded (Quincy Jones directing Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan, Cyndi Lauper, and a room full of legends). It's a space steeped in music history, and if you believe the people who work there, a few ghosts as well. It was the perfect place to sit down with Darren and travel through a life defined by music, survival, and healing. Darren Hayes' song choices:  The Dream Academy - 'Life in a Northern Town' HAIM - 'Hallelujah' Young The Giant - 'The Walk Home' Coldplay - 'O' Maisie Peters – 'Two Weeks Ago' 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene at Chaplin Studios 02:31 The History of Chaplin Studios: From Charlie Chaplin to A&M Records 04:00 Karen Carpenter's Ghost and the Sacred Walls 05:13 The Theme: Songs of Healing and Music Saving a Life 05:41 Growing Up with Domestic Violence in Logan, Queensland 06:05 Music as Escape: AM Radio, The Carpenters, and Auntie Jenny's Records 06:56 Learning to Sing from Diana Ross and His Mother's Voice 08:01 The Dream Academy - 'Life in a Northern Town' 08:50 Catharsis Through Melancholy and the Sentimentality of Childhood 10:52 Transitions: Missing His Siblings and "The Morning Lasted All Day" 12:12 The End of High School and Not Wanting to Grow Up 14:23 Growing Up in Logan: Feeling Like a Prince Despite Poverty 15:12 A Hyper-Masculine World and Making Star Wars Toys Kiss 15:44 Deciding He Was Famous at Age Ten: Protective Armor Against Bullying 16:38 Being Called the F Word by His Father Before He Knew What It Meant 18:05 Either Be Famous and Magical, or Die 18:27 His Job Was to Keep His Mother Alive 19:21 Hockey Sticks and Midnight Escapes: Surviving His Father's Violence 20:15 Haim - 'Hallelujah' 21:02 The Sound of Grace: Guardian Angels and Being Protected 21:58 Being Uninvited from a Party and His Mother's Comfort 23:30 "You've Got a Hallelujah": Surviving Childhood 24:46 When Did Music Become the Path? High School Choir and Musical Theatre 25:50 Feeling the Molecules Change When He Sang 27:57 The First Band: A Death Metal Audition and Joining Red Edge with Daniel Jones 29:26 Throwing Up on the Way to Toowoomba: Playing Aussie Classics He Didn't Know 30:14 Leaving Red Edge and the Beginning of Savage Garden 31:05 The F
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  Take 5 with Shania Twain 27.08.2026 43mnt

  Shania Twain holds the record for the biggest selling country album of all time: Come On Over.  Growing up poor in a Canadian mining town, who could have foreseen that the woman born Eileen Regina Twain would go on to sell over 100 million records, cross country music into pop, and become one of the most recognisable voices on the planet? Her life has been extraordinary, dotted with hit albums and huge shows, songs known by their opening line worldwide, and fans ranging from country music loyalists to Harry Styles. There've been plenty of lows too, including almost losing her voice completely to Lyme disease. Shania Twain may be a little more raspy, but she's got stories. This episode was captured at the legendary Power Station in Midtown Manhattan (the recording studio where Bruce Springsteen made his biggest albums, where David Bowie recorded Let's Dance, and Madonna crafted Like a Virgin). It was the perfect place to sit down and travel back in time with Shania, as she reflected on the little Miss Twain that became the star. Stick around after the chat for a very funny story about what happened that day at the studio. Let's just say Take 5 alumni Lin-Manuel Miranda may have been involved (and Amanda Seyfried... and Hamilton star Phillipa Soo). Shania Twain's song choices:  Dolly Parton - 'Coat of Many Colors' Tanya Tucker - 'Texas (When I Die)' Olivia Newton-John - 'Hopelessly Devoted to You' Tina Turner - 'What's Love Got to Do with It' Aretha Franklin - 'Respect' 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene at the Power Station 01:50 The Legendary Power Station Studio 02:35 Dolly Parton - 'Coat of Many Colors' 03:15 Growing Up Poor and Dolly Parton's Influence 06:45 Reflecting on Childhood and the New Album 'Little Miss Twain' 07:30 Singing in Bars as a Child and Tammy Wynette 09:01 Tanya Tucker - 'Texas (When I Die)' 09:30 Tanya Tucker: A Voice Beyond Her Years 11:00 First on Stage at Eight Years Old 12:45 Singing in the Bars of Timmins, Ontario 15:30 Mother's Dream: The Next Tanya Tucker 16:00 Dreaming of Horses Instead of Fame 17:05 Olivia Newton-John - 'Hopelessly Devoted to You' 17:45 Olivia Newton-John: Crossing Genres and Breaking Boundaries 20:30 Nashville, Crossing Over to Pop, and Doing It Her Way 24:00 The First Video, a Target Budget, and the Belly Button Scandal 27:10 Tina Turner - 'What's Love Got to Do with It' 28:00 The Queen of Comebacks 29:45 A 15-Year Break and Losing Her Voice 30:30 Lyme Disease, Vocal Cord Surgery, and Finding a New Voice 34:20 Aretha Franklin - 'Respect' 35:00 Aretha's Brilliance and Owning the Song 37:30 Respect, Recognition, and Not Feeling Like a Star 38:30 Finding Peace in the Bush 40:00 Full Circle: A Message to Little Miss Twain 41:00 A Surprise Visit from Lin-Manuel Miranda, Amanda Seyfried & Phillipa Soo 42:30 Next Time: Darren Hayes 43:30 Double J This episode was filmed for season 5 of Take 5 with Zan Rowe on ABC TV and ABC iview. You can stream the whole season on ABC iview now. Watch this episode of Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe
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  Take 5 with Peter Garrett 20.08.2026 56mnt

  Peter Garrett has been an unstoppable force of Australian music for decades. As the iconic frontman of Midnight Oil, a grassroots activist, and a former Federal Parliamentarian, he's spent a lifetime driving change: from the pubs of Sydney to the remote outback communities that reshaped the band's sound, from the floor of Parliament to the world's biggest stages. He's never stopped pushing. But beneath the towering public persona lies something unexpected. When Zan Rowe gave him the theme "Songs of Change," Peter Garrett revealed a softer, surprisingly open side: a man moved to tears by music, still searching for love and meaning, and still driven by hope in a world that often feels hopeless. He traces it all back to a suburban childhood where his parents spun protest records on a gramophone, through the tragic, sudden loss of both parents as a young man, to the formation of Midnight Oil with Rob Hirst and Jim Moginie, a partnership that would define Australian rock for half a century. He recalls the 1986 Blackfella Whitefella tour through remote Indigenous communities with Warumpi Band as the experience that moved him more deeply than playing to 50,000 people in Rio or New York. "Nothing affected me like actually being in that environment," he says. "We were visitors, and we were treated with great generosity." He speaks with raw emotion about the loss of Rob Hirst, his drummer, his sparring partner, his family, and the alchemy that made Midnight Oil undeniable. "If you're gonna die on a hill, die on a hill that's got meaning." On the future of the band without Rob, he's candid but open: "The doors are open. But it may not happen at all." He reflects on his years in federal parliament, the criticism he faced for wearing a suit, and the idea of service that drove him to enter politics in the first place. He connects Bruce Springsteen's live performance of "War" in the Trump era to Australia's own opportunity to be "a different kind of modern nation." And he closes with Sarah Blasko's "Without," landing on a truth that ties everything together: "You can only be a hopeful person if you actually understand what love is." This episode was filmed for the new season of Take 5 with Zan Rowe on ABC TV and ABC iview. Filmed at the Oxford Art Factory in Sydney, Peter Garrett came ready to share, and what unfolded was a conversation about music, loss, service, and love that goes far beyond the public persona. As Peter himself says, the two constants in his life have been music and change. This is the envelope within which he writes all his letters. Peter Garrett's song choices:  Peter, Paul & Mary - 'Go Tell It On The Mountain' Warumpi Band - 'From The Bush' DOBBY - 'Dirrpi Yuin Patjulinya' Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band - 'War' (live) Sarah Blasko - 'Without' 00:00 Introduction: A Life Punctuated by Music and Change 01:46 A New Season of Take 5 with Zan Rowe 02:15 The Theme: Songs of Change, and a Softer Side of Peter Garrett 02:55 "The Two Constants in My Life": Music and Change 03:21 Peter, Paul & Mary - 'Go Tell It On The Mountain' 03:30 Growing Up in a Musical Household: Gershwin, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and a Gramophone 06:40 Hearing Protest Records as a Nine-Year-Old: "I Had No Idea It Was a Protest Song" 09:32 Peter Garrett's First Band: Devil's Breakfast, and How Farm Became Midnight Oil 10:14 Warumpi Band - 'From The Bush' 10:45 "A Very Punk Song": Why This Song Leaves Everything Else in the Dust 12:55 Music That's Self-Absorbed vs. Music That Speaks Directly 15:35 Midnight Oil's 1986 Tour to Remote Indigenous Communities with Warumpi Band 16:30 "Nothing Affected Me Like Being in That Environment": A Sliding Door Moment 18:49 How the Outback Tour Influenced 'Beds Are Burning' and Diesel and Dust 20:45 Returning to Kintore in 2017: "What Took You So Long to Come Back?" 22:33 DOBBY - 'Dirrpi Yuin Patjulinya' 23:10 A Butcherbird Call as the Melodic Heart: "He's Done What I've Been Trying For Years"
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  INTRODUCING: Brand new TV episodes of Take 5 with Zan Rowe 13.08.2026 4mnt

  Take 5 with Zan Rowe is back on your screens from Thursday August 20, and Season 5 is the biggest yet! What song makes Peter Garrett cry?  What was the tune that woke David Byrne up to the full body physicality of music, at Studio 54?  And who do you think a teenage Jacinda Ardern was blasting, as she hooned around her hometown in New Zealand?  You’re about to find out, as Take 5 returns for a 5th season on ABC TV and ABC iview. For the last 6 months Zan Rowe has been zipping around Australia, to New York City and Los Angeles to capture 8 extraordinary conversations with absolute legends.  Like Shania Twain, who revealed a poverty stricken childhood that made her a star. Or Darren Hayes, who laid it all out in a heartbreaking conversation about loss and healing.  You’re going fall in love with Lainey Wilson, the singer who’s selling out arenas with her bell-bottom country and southern charm. And you’ll learn more about Genesis Owusu, a visionary doing completely his own thing and winning all the awards, all at just 28 years old.  If you’ve ever wondered if it’s possible to adore Vika & Linda Bull even more, their Take 5 will confirm. Fall into the worlds of these 8 incredible guests as they Take 5. You’ll catch all the episodes from Thursday August 20 on ABC TV and ABC iview. PLUS: every week, we’ll drop extended cuts of these chats right here on the podcast. All the bits we had to leave out of the TV episodes, the stories that didn’t make the edit, the moments that stayed with us. So hit follow and get ready for a season of Take 5 that’ll shift your perspective, make you laugh, and maybe even make you cry. And while you wait for Season 5, there’s plenty to explore. From Paul McCartney to Trent Dalton, Sophie Ellis-Bextor to Lorde – Take 5 has been a radio and podcast favourite for two decades. Dig in! Watch the first 4 seasons of Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe
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  Best Bits: Paul McCartney on The Beatles and writing a song 30.07.2026 12mnt

  This is one of the best bits from Take 5. One of the greatest songwriters of all time sat down with Zan Rowe to open his songbook and dive deep into the making of five of his greatest.  Paul McCartney has provided the soundtrack to billions of lives. His legacy in song is unparalleled; starting with The Beatles, who changed the game forever, he rolled on with his own solo career while building a new band in Wings, and collaborating with everyone from Stevie Wonder to Johnny Cash and Dave Grohl. Listen to the full episode here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/paul-mccartney-take-5/9230996 SONG The Beatles - 'Blackbird'
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  Best Bits: Kacey Musgraves on Tame Impala and Dolly Parton! 23.07.2026 7mnt

  This is one of the best bits from Take 5. Kacey Musgraves is a straight shooter, a woman of conviction. In person and in song, the bridge she creates with her fans is something else, and it’s made her one of the most loved artists around. For Kacey’s Take 5, Zan wanted to find out about the music that brought her to today, and to borrow a title from her own debut album, helped Kacey “follow her arrow”.  Listen to the full episode here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/kacey-musgraves-take-5-with-zan-rowe/11122692
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  Best Bits: Blink 182’s Tom DeLonge on the 80’s songs that changed his life 16.07.2026 9mnt

  This is one of the best bits from Take 5. Founding member of Blink-182, Angels and Airwaves, and UFO enthusiast, Tom DeLonge hung out with Zan Rowe back in 2012, while in the country to play Soundwave Festival. You don't create a career like that without loving music, so Zan dived into the music that changed his life. Listen to the full episode here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/tom-delonge-take-5/9035742 SONGS The Cure - ‘Friday I’m In Love’ The Police - ‘Every Breath You Take’
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  Best Bits: The songs that renew Emily Wurramara 09.07.2026 11mnt

  This is one of the best bits from Take 5. In 2024 Emily Wurramara released her second album NARA and cemented herself as a powerful indigenous storyteller.  The Warnindhilyagwa woman joined Zan Rowe to Take 5 on the same day her second album was released and the energy in the studio was pumping. It’s very much a record of renewal, and one of Double J's 50 Best Albums of that year. Listen back to Emily talking about her love of John Fogerty and Cat Power, during her Take 5 on songs of renewal. Listen to the full episode here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/emily-wurramara-take-5-songs-of-renewal/104257048 SONGS  John Fogerty – ‘I Will Walk With You’ Cat Power – ‘Sea of Love’
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  Poh Ling Yeow's five sides 28.05.2026 40mnt

  Poh Ling Yeow has been part of our lives for two decades. As a TV chef, a gourmet stall owner, a celebrity in the jungle, and a cookbook author. Poh is a painter and has even popped up an actor, describing herself as having a greed for life experience. Poh is currently hosting and judging on the latest series of Masterchef, and this week she's Taking 5.  Fall into the stories and songs that have shaped who Poh has become. Poh's song choices: The Bee Gees - How Deep Is Your Love Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams - Without Us (Theme from Family Ties) Sade - Like a Tattoo A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxation Jóhann Jóhannsson - A Sparrow Alighted Upon Our Shoulder 00:30 Introduction to Poh Ling Yeow 01:10 Poh's love of being a DJ 03:14 The Bee Gees - 'How Deep Is Your Love' 05:45 Growing up and being unsupervised 12:40 Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams - 'Without Us' 14:07 Wanting to be a popular American teen 21:10 Sade - 'Like a Tattoo' 24:13 Reconstructing how you see the world after religion 29:11 A Tribe Called Quest - 'Electric Relaxation' 31:03 The ending of a shared history 34:23 Masterchef as contestant and host 37:58 Jóhann Jóhannsson - 'A Sparrow Alighted Upon Our Shoulder' Show Notes Watch Poh on Masterchef: https://10.com.au/masterchef Watch Zan on Race Around the World: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/race-around-the-world 
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  Hot Chip jubilant songs from the archive 21.05.2026 33mnt

  2026 marks 20 years since Hot Chip released The Warning. Their second album leapt from the quiet, reflective electro of their debut and catapulted us all onto the dancefloor. To mark the occasion, we share an episode from 2020 when Joe Goddard and Al Doyle dropped in to Take 5. Their theme? Jubilant songs. Their vibes? Pure joy.  From classic to modern gold to deep cuts, settle in with some "heaters" as Hot Chip Take 5! Hot Chip's song choices: Prince – Starfish and Coffee Fever Ray – To The Moon and Back Teyana Taylor – Hurry {Feat. Kanye West} Double Exposure – Everyman (Has to Carry His Own Weight) Hot Chocolate – I Just Love What You’re Doing (Kon Edit) 00:06 Hot Chip introduction and anniversary of The Warning 01:08 Using sampels to create joy 04:10 Prince – 'Starfish and Coffee' 06:22 Innocence and joy in music 07:18 Fever Ray – 'To The Moon and Back' 09:27 20 years of Hot Chip 19:07 Teyana Taylor – 'Hurry {Feat. Kanye West}' 20:49 Freedom and joy 21:34 Double Exposure – 'Everyman (Has to Carry His Own Weight)' 23:53 Hot Chip on stage joy 29:45 Hot Chocolate – 'I Just Love What You’re Doing (Kon Edit)' 31:45 Next week's guest!
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  Gotye Takes 5 from the archives 14.05.2026 27mnt

  This month, Gotye's breakthrough album Like Drawing Blood, turns 20. It was the record that took him from bedroom producer to Hottest 100 favourite, showcasing his incredible talent at sewing sounds. The man behind Gotye, Wally De Backer, has been keeping a low profile for a while. But back in 2007, after a huge year following this album's release, he joined Zan Rowe to Take 5.  This is one of the very first episodes of Take 5, and the first time it's ever appeared on the podcast. So jump in the time machine and travel back to this mid 2000's moment. It was before Gotye released his worldwide smash "Somebody That I Used to Know", Homebake Festival still existed, MySpace was king, and Wally was at a precipice; head spinning from a wild year but with no idea of what was ahead. His theme? His top 5 moments of the last 12 months. His songs, all Australian.  Gotye's song choices: Josh Pyke - Fill You In  Karnivool - Shutterspeed   Faux Pas - For The Trees  Emily Ulman - Upping The Ante The Presets - Are You The One? 00:17 Gotye introduction and 20th Anniversary of 'Like Drawing Blood' 02:30 The songs that soundtracked Gotye's 2006 breakthrough 02:58 Josh Pyke -'Fill You In' 04:55 Gotye and his love of heavy and progressive music 06:08 Karnivool 'Shutterspeed' 07:52 Bringing Gotye's songs to live with a band 11:59 Drummers who sing 14:28 Faux Pas - 'For The Trees' 17:24 Buying your first iPod 18:39 Emily Ulman - 'Upping The Ante' 20:30 What Gotye was about to embark on in 2007 24:15 The Presets - 'Are You The One?' 26:13 Next weeks guests!
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  Tool's unexpected finds in their music library 07.05.2026 18mnt

  This week marks the 20th anniversary of Tool's huge album 10,000 Days. Back in 2013, Tool were in the country playing massive shows when drummer Danny Carey and bass player Justin Chancellor came into the triple j studios to Take 5 with Zan Rowe. As we mark the anniversary of Tool's chart topping album, let's time travel back to a Take 5 classic.The theme? Unexpected finds in their music library. The outcome? Unexpected joy from one of music's heaviest bands. It's Tool time!  Tool's song choices: Deftones - Digital Bath Trans Am - Space Dock Sophia - If A Change Is Gonna Come Meshuggah - The Demon's Name Is Surveillance TV On The Radio - Halfway Home 00:08 Tool anniversary introduction 01:03 Deftones, Chi and ages. 01:35 Deftones - 'Digital Bath' 03:10 Organic technology and Trans Am 04:11 Trans Am - 'Space Dock' 04:28 Downtime for Tool 06:57 Sophia - 'If A Change Is Gonna Come' 08:43 Inspiration in other heavy bands 10:14 Meshuggah - 'The Demon's Name Is Surveillance' 11:40 Surprising music choices for Tool and Neil Diamond 14:45 TV On The Radio -'Halfway Home' 16:52 Next weeks guest!
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  Emma Louise Takes 5 with before and after 30.04.2026 39mnt

  In the fifteen years since Emma Louise wowed us with her debut single 'Jungle', she’s shown all sides of herself, singing her story with vulnerability and reflection. Last year, Emma released the collaborative album Dumb with producer Flume. But it’s been 8 years since her last solo album, the daring and romantic Lilac Everything.  This week, she returns with Sunshine for Happiness, an album that was actually recorded in 2019. Emma Louise joined Zan to talk more about the changes in her life between recording and release and to share her song selections in the theme of 'Before and After'. Emma Louise's song choices: Paul Simon – Still Crazy After All These Years Nick Drake – Pink Moon Bruno Mars – Versace on the Floor Dijon – The Dress Alice Coltrane – Govinda Jai Jai 00:51 Introduction to Emma Louise 05:27 The theme of Before and After 10:15 Paul Simon - 'Still Crazy After All These Years' 11:30 Mexico holiday and Nick Drake 14:35 Nick Drake - 'Pink Moon' 15:45 New album and longlining for things 21:55 How a pricey ride home led to discovering Bruno Mars 25:26 Bruno Mars - 'Versace on the Floor' 27:02 Sneak peak of Djion 29:33 Djion - 'The Dress' 30:45 Suffering, redemption and recognising the good times 37:15 Alice Coltrane – 'Govinda Jai Jai' 38:20 Wrap-up and next weeks guest Show notes: If you need someone to talk to, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Edited by Craig Schuftan.
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  Billy Corgan's songs that make him feel good 23.04.2026 31mnt

  35 years ago, we met a band called Smashing Pumpkins. Rising in the wave of American grunge, the Chicago band were led by the iconic voice of Billy Corgan and would rise and rise like all their contemporaries, over the coming years.  If you know anything about music history, you know the story of the Pumpkins is a tumultuous one. But Billy has continued through it all.  Back in 2012, Billy was in Australia to play Splendour in the Grass with the latest incarnation of Smashing Pumpkins. With a new album under their belt, he was in a buoyant mood and up for an epic conversation when he joined Zan to Take 5 Billy is always good chat, but if you've ever wondered about the music that made him, this conversation is a dream. So settle in, don your flanny, and discover the songs that make Billy Corgan feel good. Billy Corgan's song choices: Yes - And You and I UFO - Love to Love Neil Young - Ambulance Blues David Bowie - Space Oddity Lou Reed - Berlin 00:23 Introduction to Billy Corgan 01:43 Creating music during difficult times 04:25 1972 and guitar supergroup Yes 05:50 Yes - 'And You and I' 07:38 When Billy discovered music 11:43 British Hard Rock inspirations 13:08 UFO - 'Love to Love' 14:30 Moving away from mainstream needs 15:23 Neil Young - 'Ambulance Blues' 16:40 Sad music making you feel better 18:50 The definitive anthem of alienation 19:24 David Bowie - 'Space Oddity' 20:40 Technology and disconnection  28:10 Lou Reed - 'Berlin' 29:47 Next weeks guest
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  Alexei Toliopoulos shares the soundtrack to his life 16.04.2026 49mnt

  Alexei Toliopoulos is a lifelong cinephile. Known for his excellent podcasts including The Last Video Store, he’s a writer, comedian, filmmaker and loves talking about the movies that made us who we are today. The way he speaks about cinema invites everyone into the conversation. But what are the songs that soundtrack his life? And why? Dig into a joyful convo that will have you curating a playlist of songs and movies, for your weekend. Alexei Toliopoulos' song choices: Stewart Copeland - Don’t Box Me In  George Dalaras - Mi Mou Thimonis Matia Mou Mikis Theodorakis - Theme from Serpico  Buena Vista Social Club - Dos Gardenias Grace Jones  - La Vie En Rose 00:26 Alexei Toliopoulos introduction 01:38 When did Alexei fall in love with movies? 05:29 Francis Ford Coppola deep cuts 13:54 Stewart Copeland - 'Don’t Box Me In' 15:40 Coming of Age and George Dalaras  21:40 George Dalaras - 'Mi Mou Thimonis Matia Mou' 24:05 Mikis and the hero of Greek music  30:02 Mikis Theodorakis - 'Theme from Serpico' 31:15 Seeing the world through cinema  36:41 Buena Vista Social Club - 'Dos Gardenias' 37:36 How cinema helped Alexei with communication 45:20 Grace Jones  - 'La Vie En Rose' 47:32 Show notes and next weeks guest! Check out Alexei's podcast and live show details, via his Instagram.
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  Gillian Welch and David Rawlings Take 5 with time 09.04.2026 53mnt

  Thirty years ago the world met Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. Their debut album Revival introduced us to two incredible storytellers, singers and guitarists, and in the three decades since they’ve swept us away in song. It's long been on my bucket list to have them Take 5, and finally here it is. When thinking on a theme, I landed on time. Time, and their ruminations on time, have always swirled in their songs. They love old-time music, and take their time in getting your own songs right. How they responded to the theme, is one for the ages. Settle in for a deep, insightful, and intoxicating conversation with two of music's best. Gillian Welch and David Rawlings' song choices: Robert Johnson - Love in Vain  The Stanley Brothers - Rank Strangers Townes Van Zandt - Pancho and Lefty (Live at the Old Quarter) The Carter Family & Johnny Cash - Will the Circle Be Unbroken John Prine - Angel From Montgomery  00:55 Gillian Welch and David Rawlings introduction 01:52 Three decades since the release of 'Revival' 08:44 Choosing Robert Johnson 12:32 Robert Johnson - 'Love in Vain' 13:22 O Brother Where Art Thou 18:07 Working with The Stanley Brothers 17:59 The Stanley Brothers - 'Rank Strangers' 26:13 Raw versions of songs 28:10 Townes Van Zandt - 'Pancho and Lefty (Live at the Old Quarter)' 32:35 Recording things as live 34:32 The Carter Family & Johnny Cash - 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken' 40:37 Gillian and David finding their harmony 44:33 Hope for something better 48:48 John Prine - 'Angel From Montgomery' 51:33 Show notes and next weeks guest!
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  Ed Le Brocq's songs on the road 02.04.2026 46mnt

  Are you ready for some incredible stories? Take 5 always gifts us with some cracking yarns, but this week’s episode takes the cake. In fact, I’ve had more responses to Ed Le Brocq’s Take 5 than any other, in ages. Ed used to be Eddie Ayers, a legendary ABC Classic FM broadcaster who has shared his life of adventure with us over the past two decades. Ed is a cellist, viola, and violin player, and has gifted his talents to others; teaching school kids in Afghanistan, and playing for Uyghurs in the remote deserts of China. We’ll get to those stories soon… but this might give you a sense of why I asked Ed to Take 5. Across four books, Ed has shared his stories of travel and self-discovery with us, and music has always been at his centre. From Joni Mitchell to shredding violas to Ry Cooder, this is an extraordinary conversation about the power of love, self-belief, adventure and of course, music.  Ed Le Brocq's song choices: Joni Mitchell – A Case of You Maria Theresia von Paradis – Sicilienne Elton John – Your Song Paul Hindemith - Viola Sonata, Op. 25, No. 1: IV. Rasendes Zeitmass Ry Cooder and V. M. Bhatt – Isa Lei 00:33 Ed Le Brocq introduction 01:52 Having a restless spirit 04:55 Memories of the seventies and Joni Mitchell 07:21 Joni Mitchell - 'A Case of You' 07:55 Ed's love of the Cello 14:30 Travelling the world with music 17:59 Maria Theresia von Paradis – 'Sicilienne' 18:50 Interpreting music in your way 20:20 Listening to music as a musician 28:10 Elton John - 'Your Song' 29:10 Music as the universal language 32:30 Classic music with an edge 35:42 Paul Hindemith - 'Viola Sonata, Op. 25, No. 1: IV. Rasendes Zeitmass' 36:45 Classic FM audience and shredding 42:30 Depression and "the cover of grey silt" 44:08 Ry Cooder and V. M. Bhatt – 'Isa Lei' 44:06 Show notes and next weeks guests! Show notes: If you need someone to talk to, call Lifeline on 13 11 14
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  Tim Rogers Takes 5 with "a living" 26.03.2026 49mnt

  Where do you begin with Tim Rogers? For more than 30 years he has been the soundtrack to our lives. As frontman for You Am I, an acclaimed solo artist and keen collaborator, an actor, author and once even a Double J broadcaster. He's made a living in more ways than one, and his approach to living has shifted over the years. A long time coming, I invited Tim to Take 5 and explore this idea of a living; what makes a good life, and what it means to be alive.  And he didn't disappoint. Tim Rogers' song choices: Magic Dirt – Ice Jake Thackray – The Bull Joni Mitchell – Just Like This Train NRBQ – I Want You Bad  Martha Wainwright & Linda Thompson – Or Nothing At All 00:39 Tim Rogers introduction  01:30 Memories of watching Magic Dirt on Rage  04:21 Magic Dirt — 'Ice' 07:45 Making a living as an artist & mowing lawns 10:31 Jake Thackray explainer 15:00 Jake Thackray— 'The Bull’ 21:41 Tim’s later in life love of Joni Mitchell 26:07 Joni Mitchell — 'Just Like This Train' 32:08 Rewriting and revisiting your own songs 33:55 NRBQ explainer & Tim’s obsession 36:27 NRBQ — 'I Want You Bad' 39:05 You Am I ‘Hourly Daily’ anniversary and going pop 46:30 Linda Thompson explainer & inspiring songwriting 53:41 Martha Wainwright & Linda Thompson  — 'Or Nothing At All' 55:20 Conclusion + next week's guest! Show Notes To see Tim perform live, check out his tour dates here: https://tim-rogers.com.au/ 
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  Lizzy Hoo's life escapades 19.03.2026 51mnt

  Comedian Lizzy Hoo has been everywhere the past few years. When she’s not doing stand up, she’s popping up on Have You Been Paying Attention?, and hosting her own podcast The Lizzy Hoo Show. Lizzy has made travel shows, and is even the voice of an airline. She's one of those people who says YES to life.  She also has also got a razor sharp wit, and more than a few adventurous tales which is why I invited her to Take 5.  I didn't realise it'd become a beautiful lesson in how to live. Lizzy Hoo's song choices: Arctic Monkeys — 'Dancing Shoes' Journey — 'Don’t Stop Believin’ The Lemons — 'Monad' Snoop Dogg — 'Who Am I (What’s My Name)?' Camille — 'Ta Douleur' 00:34 Lizzy Hoo introduction and Take 5 prep 02:40 Music's role in Lizzy's life  04:53 North America adventures in a $500 car 09:23 Arctic Monkeys — 'Dancing Shoes' 10:45 The Hoo's as a family 13:30 Karaoke in Japan ski towns 16:40 Journey — 'Don’t Stop Believin’ 18:13 Music and comedy in Lizzys world 19:50 Moving to Mongolia   26:30 The Lemons — 'Monad' 29:13 Lizzy's many careers & falling into comedy 37:48 Snoop Dogg — 'Who Am I (What’s My Name)?' 39:50 Lizzy's life update and having broad shoulders 43:06 Turning travel into career  48:10 Camille — 'Ta Douleur' 49:50 Conclusion + next week's guest!   Show Notes To see Lizzy perform live on her national tour, check out her dates here: https://www.lizzyhoo.com/