I have no rules. For me, it's a full, full experience to make a movie. It takes a lot of time, and I want there to be a lot of stuff in it. You're looking for every shot in the movie to have resonance and want it to be something you can see a second time, and then I'd like it to be something you can see 10 years later, and it becomes a different movie, because you're a different person. So that means I want it to be deep, not in a pretentious way, but I guess I can say I am pretentious in that I pretend. I have aspirations that the movie should trigger off a lot of complex responses.

The Film Show- David Cronenberg

In part four of our 4 part series exploring the career of kiwi musician Phil Judd we examine his battle with bi-polar disorder and his thoughts of the future. After I had turned the recorder off he asked me why I had not broached the subject of his stalking conviction and his 2 weeks in prison for breaching a restraining order taken out against him by his immediate ex-wife. I replied that I thought the story had been covered enough and that I wanted to concentrate on his positive contributions to Australasian culture. At this point Phil became emotional and admitted that he had handled a difficult situation poorly. He was at pains to confirm that on appeal he was acquitted of culpability, a story that the media did not cover as extensively as his initial conviction.  Those blessed with great creative gifts also often posses complex personalities and in this case it seems that Judd fell victim to his own worst impulses. He has paid a heavy price, now ostracised by his family and often ridiculed publicly he has in my opinion been punished enough for something that in the greater scheme of things amounts to nothing more than a minor social infraction.  The songs in order of appearance are Spellbound written by Phil Judd and Tim Finn and performed by the NZSO, Mental Notes from the Split Enz Album Mental Notes and Tranquillina from Phil’s solo album Play it Strange.

The Life And Times Of Phil Judd Part Four

Welcome to part three of the Life and times of Phil Judd where we continue our exploration of his solo career, his time with Schnell Fenster and his work as a fine arts practitioner. The songs in order of appearance are Ok Alright A Huh Oh Yeah by Schnell Fenster from the album of the same name, Love Hate Relationship by Schnell Fenster from the album the Sound of Trees and Play it Strange from the Phil Judd album of the same name.


The Life And Times Of Phil Judd Part Three

In part two of this wide ranging conversation with iconic NZ musician Phil Judd we continue with the story of the Swingers, the creation of his first solo album Private Lives with legendary LA  producer Al Kooper and his work as a soundtrack composer for film and television. The songs in order of appearance are One Good Reason by the Swingers, Dreaming Away from the album Private Lives and No Ones Best Man from the album Mr Phudd and his Novelty Act.


The Life And Times Of Phil Judd Part Two

The story of contemporary NZ music is informed by many creative characters but perhaps none more so than Phil Judd - fine artist, graphic designer, illustrator, musician, songwriter and composer. In this frank and revealing 4 part interview series we examine the man behind the myth and discover a driven creative artist, philosopher and all round conundrum who is reflecting intently reflecting on the ups and downs of his life. In part one we explore his childhood and his brief but influential tenure as the leader of groundbreaking NZ band Split Enz and his time with the Swingers. The songs in order of appearance in part one are Split Ends and The Sweet Talking Spoon Song from the album the Beginning of the Enz , Time for a Change from Split Enz’s debut album Mental Notes and the Swingers track Certain Sounds from the compilation album AK79.


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