Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Lot our Cosmas.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
It is seven past dight. Actually was two years ago.
We last talked to Mel Parsons literally to the day
this morning. The news is good. The album is called
Castle Hill, the singles Grain by Grain and the tours
on all of those details will give you shortly, but
Mel Parsons is with us again, Mel, good morning.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
Good morning.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Now Castle Hill? Is it the Castle Hill? Asn't just
outside of Christich or something else?
Speaker 3 (00:31):
That's right, Yes, it is the Castle Hill just outside
of christ Church.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Made who owned a house there and we used to
jump in his series one Land Drover and drive up
to Mount Cheeseman to ski.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
Amazing, amazing.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
So I didn't write an album about it? Why did you?
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Well, I have written an album about it, Mike.
Speaker 5 (00:52):
But it's it's where we made this it's where we
made this album that's coming out. So yeah, Originally it
was just a sort of a place hold a name
and then it stuck.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
So yeah, you didn't make it at my mate's house,
did you? Because there's not many people in Castle Hill?
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Of course, there aren't many people in Castle Hell.
Speaker 4 (01:08):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
What's your mate's name, maybe John John?
Speaker 4 (01:13):
Why didn't you say so much?
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Did you make it at John's house?
Speaker 3 (01:18):
It wasn't.
Speaker 5 (01:18):
We made it a big lodge up there actually, but yeah,
un least. I mean, look, John maywell have a big lodge, Mike,
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
So do you hire it?
Speaker 3 (01:27):
We did?
Speaker 4 (01:28):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Okay? Is that where the video was made? A video
was shot in little wasn't it?
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Watch video video? It's coming out my ears?
Speaker 1 (01:37):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Yeah, yeah? No, have you well the one I was
watching yesterday where you're standing in your group of four?
I think I think it was done at Littleton, wasn't it?
Speaker 3 (01:45):
You're absolutely right?
Speaker 5 (01:46):
Yes, that was at Loans in Littleton, just after sound
check that video was shot?
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Okay? Was that done in one because I was reading
the reviews of that somebody said everyone loves a one shot?
Was it done in one take as well as one shot?
Speaker 4 (02:01):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (02:01):
It was?
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Yep, pressure a little.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Look.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
I'm used to the pressure, Mike. I've been doing this
for years now.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Yes, Yes, we don't muck around, Yes you have. Do
you realize it's been two years, literally to the day,
since you've been on this program.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
That's bananas, isn't it.
Speaker 5 (02:18):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Isn't it just?
Speaker 3 (02:19):
It speeds up? Time just speeds up.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
I think that's true. But that's just us getting old now,
that do explain, because I was doing, as you well know,
my research for this interview. The tape that you got
nominated for was that last year and you missed out
to Marlon?
Speaker 3 (02:32):
I did? Yes?
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Was it? Marlon?
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Was this year?
Speaker 2 (02:37):
When did you get nominated? Met it?
Speaker 3 (02:40):
That was the year before?
Speaker 4 (02:41):
Yes?
Speaker 5 (02:42):
Yeah, and yeah I did mess out. But look, it's
always nice to be in the running for these.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Things because Marlin's and Littleton as well, isn't.
Speaker 5 (02:48):
He Yes he is, well, yes, he's from littletown. He's
he's in the in the close vicinity, for goodness sake.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
So it's all the talents in Littleton these days.
Speaker 5 (02:58):
Yeah, I mean we've we're just kind of been, yeah, exactly,
soaking up the airwaves down there. I don't know what
it is, but yeah, they're sure is a high concentration.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Because the Tate of Courses is named after my old mate, Dylentate. Yes,
and I worked with Dylan Tate for many, many years,
and I could tell you all sorts of riotous stories
about Dylan Tate, but he's one of those people that
when you know him and you love him, and when
you love him you never forget him. So I'm glad
that there's a prize that and it seems like a
beautiful prize in terms of it is what it's required,
(03:27):
you know, for you to win it.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Yes, it is.
Speaker 5 (03:30):
It's a very cool celebration to have every year. And
it's the fact that it's that it's purely based on
you know, creativity and your industry peers rather than any
kind of commercial, you know, sort of measure, I guess
is pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Where are we at with the number of singles from
this album, because I thinking, I'm the album's not out yet,
is it.
Speaker 5 (03:52):
It's not, No, it comes out. It comes out in August,
seventh of August. Look, there's quite a few songs that
have come out from it already.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Mike.
Speaker 5 (03:59):
It's just kind of the way that people are releasing
these days. I think with the you know, the way
that Spotify and the streaming side of things works, is
that you yeah, you just sort of start teasing them out,
I suppose, And yeah, that's that's the way we've done
it for this record.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Hey have you got headphones on?
Speaker 3 (04:19):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (04:19):
I do, Right, do you want to play a gamesh Yeah?
Speaker 4 (04:23):
Great?
Speaker 2 (04:23):
So yesterday the Rolling Stones Its just that sudden occurred
to me. Yesterday the Rolling Stones released an album, right, yes, Now,
I'm going to play your little clip from the single
and just and first of all, i'm going to play
you the clip. I'm going to ask you what does
this remind you of, if anything, and then I'm going
to play you what I think it reminds me of.
So you're happy to play this game with me?
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Absolutely?
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Ok So here's the Rolling Stones? Right? You got that?
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Does that remind you of anything? Of a famous song?
Speaker 5 (05:00):
It sort of sounds like every famous song and kind
of every Rolling Stone song rolled into one, doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Okay, Well let me tell you what I thought it
sounded like. Was this.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
Ah too?
Speaker 4 (05:13):
Right?
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Michael Jackson?
Speaker 3 (05:17):
Oh my god?
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Is that plagiarism?
Speaker 5 (05:21):
Look, it's such a It's a slippery slope, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
I think everyone is.
Speaker 5 (05:26):
We're all just you know, everyone's a product of their influences,
and you're just kind of gathering all the sounds and
bits as you go and then you spit them out
in your own way. Well, if you're a human, that is,
I mean the whole AI thing. That's that's Nextly, I
thought you were going to tell me that that first
song was actually an Ai AI but.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
They're both real. But as soon as I heard the
Rolling Stones, yes, stay, I thought that's Michael Jackson bang
just like that interesting, Yeah, it is, just speaking of Actually,
now you've opened up the whole new thing. Where are
you at with ai You're freaking out about that?
Speaker 5 (05:56):
Oh look, it takes a lot to freak me out, Mike,
I'm not.
Speaker 3 (06:00):
I'm intrigued.
Speaker 5 (06:01):
I'm intrigued by I feel like I mean, you know me,
I'm I'm the eternal optimist. And I feel like for
people like us, you know, touring artists, people who perform
live predominantly, I feel like it's kind of an opportunity
because I think that people actually want you know, your
I r L in real life experiences more, you know,
(06:21):
because you just don't know online what's what's real and
what's not.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
You know, what's touring mean to you? By the way,
because you do a lot of touring. Is touring about
the revenue generation these days? Or you need to be
in front of people.
Speaker 5 (06:35):
I don't know, I mean, you know, I guess it's
on the one hand, it's my job, but also I
genuinely it's my favorite part of the whole thing is
that time with an audience, and and and I don't
I don't think it's I don't think it's being in
front of people. But I think it's it's the what
that opportunity gives you being on stage. Is this this
(06:56):
very very special chance just to connect with people. And
it's like this, I'm not particularly woo wore Mike, but
it's like a bit of an energy kind of transfer,
you know, like get out, it comes around and it's
it's a very very special, unique feeling performing live and
it just yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
I'm not but you know what I mean, I fully
get what you mean. Now you do Grain by Grain
for us? Are you doing something else?
Speaker 3 (07:23):
No, I can do Grain by Grain for you.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Yeah, well, unless you're taking a request. But I want
to hear. I want to hear Grain by Grain. Just
before you start melo, do you want me to read
you the last text? I got?
Speaker 3 (07:33):
Ah? I think so the.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
World needs more mel Parsons. Great, lady, Oh that's so kind.
That lovely?
Speaker 1 (07:42):
Right.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
So the album is Castle Hill, not quite out yet,
but the single is Grained by Grain. Hit us with it?
Here we go?
Speaker 4 (08:03):
Shall I rat along? The tie.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
I close my eye, I change my mind.
Speaker 4 (08:16):
I am an empty.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
Shall you see the waves washing and out of me?
Speaker 4 (08:23):
I am saying I feel no pain?
Speaker 1 (08:27):
The waves wash me over again.
Speaker 6 (08:34):
Grain by grain, by grain by grain.
Speaker 7 (08:37):
New build me up over again, grain by grain by
grain by grain, New build me up over.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
Again and empty? Shall I have no soul?
Speaker 3 (08:59):
I close my.
Speaker 6 (09:02):
Will I ever be whole? Falling off the wagon is.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
Not the end, even when it feels outway, My friend,
I ask, will I ever behold again? You will, my friend,
you will, my friend? Grain by grain, by grain by grain, New.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
Build me up over.
Speaker 6 (09:32):
Begain grain by grained by a grain by grain.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
New build me up over again?
Speaker 4 (09:44):
And shall I feel no pay?
Speaker 1 (09:50):
My intentions are good?
Speaker 6 (09:54):
Then I drift away.
Speaker 4 (09:59):
I have.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
I'm as far as I can see, and no pain
is coming for me here? And I revel in sweet
who waves and sand was show for me?
Speaker 6 (10:22):
Queen by a grain by a grain by a grain.
Speaker 7 (10:25):
New build me up over, begain when by a grain
by a grain by grain, New.
Speaker 4 (10:34):
Build me up over?
Speaker 6 (10:36):
Begin when by a grain by grain by grain.
Speaker 7 (10:41):
New build me up over again, and.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
Shell?
Speaker 6 (10:51):
I have nowhere to be?
Speaker 4 (10:55):
I have him you and you, oh, me.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
Do you want some instant feedback? Hit me more text
Mail opened for training in Auckland last year. She was brilliant.
Loved the interview. Did you open for train?
Speaker 3 (11:13):
I did?
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Yes. Wow, what a beautiful song. Omg. Fifteen seconds into
Mel's song. I loved it. Amazing, world class another one.
Even his speaking voice as melody.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
There you go, Oh too kind tell them to come
to our tour.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Make I will. Indeed, I'll give you all the details
on the tour, because that's not until August September, isn't.
Speaker 5 (11:33):
It's August September. The pre sale the Precyle kicks off Tuesday.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
All right, You're a delight. I always enjoy meeting and
catching up with you, and you singing as a song.
So I'll see you on the seventh of May twenty
twenty eight.
Speaker 3 (11:45):
Okay, that sounds awesome. We'll see you then.
Speaker 2 (11:49):
Good n seeke Mail Parsons A twenty two.
Speaker 3 (12:07):
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