Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Great North

Hayden Donnell is the ‘Superman’ of the mellow alt-folk scene here in New Zealand. By day he hits the streets wearing his trusty army parker foraging out stories for the Herald. After long hours in the news- room hunched over a keyboard hacking away at copy about dull politicians he strings up his guitar and, with a twirl, he’s transformed into the passionate lead singer of Great North, who release their second album next week. Oratia based producer and engineer David Parker recorded the sessions for the new record Halves, and, as Nick Atkinson found out,  he’s gotten used to the ups and downs of working with the sometimes tortured song-writer and lead singer of Great North; Hayden Donnell.

Jennifer Zea

With her two career paths of Music and architecture rapidly diverging, Venezuelan composer and performer Jennifer Zea was given the hard word by her band. She had to make a choice between occupations. As you’ll hear she chose Salsa over balsa. Nick Atkinson visited Zea at her home in Auckland to talk about her debut album The Latin Soul. Also in attendance was talented session percussionist and one of her key collaborators, Miguel Fuentes.

Jennifer Zea. Photo: Kathrin Simon