It's the end of another year so it must be time for a drink. That's not the sort of sentiment that seems especially popular these days. But every day is cocktail... Read More

Assuming the Mayans are right, then last minute Christmas shopping is a somewhat futile activity. On the other hand, there does seem to be a fairly broad consensus... Read More

As the world spirals ever further towards terminal weirdness and Christmas races towards us at an alarming speed, I find myself increasingly reaching for the eggnog. Actually,... Read More

It's always good to see Tauranga musicians achieving in other places; for every one that stays there is another who finds success elsewhere. It's one thing that... Read More

It's been a feast of local music this week, which is always a pleasure. There are recordings going on, exciting stuff being posted online, and the launch of the... Read More

It's always a good day when new local albums arrive; I picked up a couple of interesting ones yesterday from the hallowed offices at No.1 The Strand. One I've been... Read More

The Tauranga music scene is a fragile thing, spluttering along intermittently, wherein most of the practitioners are driven by their love of music. I'm not saying... Read More

'New Zealand's booze culture” has become one of the year's most repeated slogans. Here's a story from the belly of the beast. It's going to be a slightly vague... Read More

We continue the occasional series wherein Winston expounds on things that currently make him happy. 60) WOMAD acts announced. The first three big WOMAD acts have... Read More

I was up at the Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival a couple of months ago and the band people were talking about was Brilleaux. Over the past few years the four-piece... Read More

For many reasons I have long bemoaned the lack of an alternative radio station in Tauranga. There have been various attempts to start such a venture here; the latest... Read More

Feedback keeps coming in from the last couple of weeks' columns, from the backslappingly supportive to the entertainingly abusive. Which is great! Nothing like a... Read More