Welcome to Original Material. I’m Gemma Syme, and each episode I ask my favorite musicians to share three songs that blew their minds in high school, three words that described their teenage selves, and one track every young person needs to hear today.

Introducing Today’s Guest

it is only right that our final guest is the mastermind behind the label Sunreturn. Joining me for this podcast is the prominent Tāmaki Makaurau-based broadcaster, publicist, and independent music champion, Zac Arnold!

In this episode, we talk about the early days of being a self-professed after-school "punisher" at the local CD store, and the unexpected pipeline that connects early-2000s animated Eurodance directly to a modern hyperpop obsession.

Zac takes us on a journey through his formative encounters with New Zealand music media - from catching half-played videos on TV to lurking on iconic local punk forums. He shares what it was like experiencing the raw, lawless energy of his very first DIY local hardcore show at a neighborhood church, witnessing a mind-melting live performance by a legendary noise-punk band, and how an artist playing solo bass chords through a wall of distortion completely revolutionized his entire approach to the instrument.

Chapters:

0:00:00 Welcome to Original Material

00:01:45 What were three words that you would use to describe yourself as a teenager

00:08:56 How did you discover new music in high school?

00:12:40 Song #1: The Mint Chicks – “Welcome to Nowhere”

00:19:11 Song #2: Brick vs Face – “Never Give Up”

00:28:48 Song #3: Despot – “Black Leaves”

00:35:18 One song all teens today should hear: Brian Eno – “Discreet Music” (Side A)

Stream or buy the tracks featured in the podcast here: https://www.tunemymusic.com/share/TOqrJmJ6VK

https://instantfantasy.bandcamp.com/

https://www.sunreturn.co.nz/

This podcast is for educational purposes. Any opinions and all that jazz is the hosts only, and not their employers and such.

Created, recorded by Gemma Syme

Edited by Daif King