Author: admin

These photos were taken by my friend in Adelaide circa 1987.

I saw a photo frame for sale in Adelaide with this photo inside. Needless to say, I purchased the frame, and never took the photo out! I think this was the 1988 Apollo Stadium gig in Adelaide.

Background:

Jon Casimir, a respected journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald interviewed Neil Finn on May 19th.

As Jon is a friend of mine, I proposed the following: why not see what questions the member of the “Tongue in the Mail” maillist would like to ask Neil … Jon being very ‘net savvy agreed!

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Results:

Jon Casimir’s first article appeared in Wednesday 20th May’s Sydney Morning Herald: Out of the house, Neil Finds a New Muse

There is an article slated for the “Metro” section of the Sydney Morning Herald in about 4 weeks time. Stay tuned.

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My Question for Neil:

‘Try Whistling This’ marks a transition from the acoustic ‘Finn’ album to a more digital sound; how has the digital age altered your craftmanship?

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Here are the Questions Submitted:

With Crowded House it often felt like attempts to be loud and rocky never quite came off, they sounded kind of self-conscious and polite, wheras on your new album it seems to happen much more easily and successfully – what changes have brought this about?

Though I’m sure everyone else will be asking this – why funky dancey grooves now when you’ve never used anything like that before in 20 yrs of making music? is it the radical development it sounds like with respect to your previous work or just a different feel to experiment with?

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Why is Twisty Bass called Twisty Bass?

What event/s inspired the song Try Whistling This?

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I’m a songwriter, and would like to ask Neil which instrument he composes on primarily, and what kind of acoustic guitar(s) he has in his home/studio (not looking for brand endorsement; I just know that there’s usually a single favorite guitar that’s usually close at hand for songwriters).

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How do you see your writing abilities progressing now the new album has been released and was the split of Crowded House any inspiration to the writing of your new material ? How do you feel when you hear Split Enz come on the radio these days ?

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One feature of all your work to date has been the banter at your live shows, either with Tim or with Paul or Nick. Is that changing now you’re solo, or have you already got a ‘banter groove’ happening with your band? And will you be encouraging paper planes?

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The new album is really impressive. What Iâve found interesting is how much my 14 year-old daughter loves your new material. How do you feel about reaching such a young audience and how have you maintained this appeal over the last 20 years?

There are always a group of lines in your songs that, along with a goosebump inducing melody, really stand out, hit home and play on the mind. Do you start with these lines and build the song around them or do you start from the top and they follow naturally from the original idea?

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How do you feel about the success and recognition you’ve earned?

Do you yearn for more high-profile, world-wide recognition (i.e. American success)?

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John Lennon is supposed to have said (about music): “If it’s real, it’s simple usually. And if it’s simple, it’s true.” It is bound to be possible to achieve this no matter what technology you avail yourself of to make your recorded music. It is. It’s not the arrangements or approach or even structure of the song that makes this happen. So what is it? What makes something ring true? And something not? Even different projects by the same person. What do you think is the essence of this simplicity?

Can you have strong personal ambition for your musical career and still maintain integrity as an artist?

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Each time we hear about the death of a celebrity, more recently Linda McCartney – and bearing in mind your contribution to the Princess Diana tribute album – do you ever feel inspired to write songs for the recently departed?

How do you react when a fellow musician/artist has played you a really good demo (or live version) of a new song of theirs and then when you hear the final version, it has been over produced – even ruined – in the studio? Do you tell them what you think?

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When you are in the studio, how much of a perfectionist are you? i.e., do you find yourself recording vocals or other parts over and over again until you get it “just right”? Has your level of perfectionism changed over time in your career (are you more or less of a perfectionist now)?

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How does the sound of the new album compare with Crowded House? Did you intentionally start out writing songs that would not sound like Crowded House, did the difference largely come out in the studio, or are there compelling similarities between your solo work and Crowded House albums?

Tim visited Burlington, Vermont in 1989/90, opening for 10,000 Manaics. Have you ever considered visiting or, better yet, playing here?

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Do you wish to write an album with any other artists in the future?

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In terms of Crowded House, would the songs ‘Black and White Boy’ and ‘In My Command’ and ‘Instinct’ best represent your new songs?

I can’t remember you having any one word titles for your songs. It is the kind of thing i’d expect to see on an REM, Pearl Jam or Radiohead album. Is this because you have focused more on the music and worried less about the lyrics?

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From Split Enz, with songs like ‘Years Go By’ ‘Voices’ ‘History Never Repeats’ and through Crowded House with ‘Love This Life’ ‘Distant Sun’ ‘Private Universe’ ‘Everything Is Good For You’ and ‘Instinct’ for example, it seems you take life as it comes, always looking at the past while wondering what the future holds in a light-hearted manner, while cherishing those special places and moments in your life. Is this true in any way?

The songs ‘Kare Kare’ and ‘Private Universe’ could not have summed up better the place attachment I have to our families bach in the Marlborough Sounds, and the general scenery, memories and atmosphere present there. Is ‘Private Universe’ about place attachment to you?

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Neil, even though you have been a solo songwriter for much of your career, you have always been a musical collaborator with your brother or with a band. How different was writing and recording this solo album from those experiences? Were you expecting to feel more liberated and able to carry through on your own vision, or did you miss the sounding boards that you used to work with?

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Any plans for a few shows in the US?

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How does the sound of the new album compare with Crowded House? Did you intentionally start out writing songs that would not sound like Crowded House, did the difference largely come out in the studio, or are there compelling similarities between your solo work and Crowded House albums?”

Tim visited Burlington, Vermont in 1989/90, opening for 10,000 Manaics. Have you ever considered visiting or, better yet, playing here?

Firstly, thanks for visiting!

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A List Apart – a good commentary

Webmonkey – the best overview of all things web related.

June 1990	As Systems Engineer with AppleCentre Adelaide, provided prime Technical contact for the Co-operative Group bid. AppleCentre Adelaide won this bid over IBM Australia as “it was the safer choice”. This bid involved the integration of a network of Macintoshes into an IBM 4381 host.
April 1990	Attended “A/UX Systems Administration” course at Apple Computer, Sydney.
February 1990	Appointed AppleCentre “Building the Difference” Trainer/Motivator for AppleCentre Adelaide. Attended training course in Sydney in April.

December 1993	Created client/server EIS/Query system called “Sherlock”. Written using VICOM. Macintosh front end displays data and executes Oracle SQL queries. Sherlock also integrates agent-based architecture into Random Access electronic mail system.
December 1993	Sold 200 licenses of VICOM into E&WS after extensive testing of TN3270 emulation at E&WS to Tandem Cyclone and ETSA IBM Mainframe.
November 1993	Installed a uucp-style connection to connect.com. Installed Mail, UseNet news and other services on a Random Access’ Sun server.
September 1993 – October 1993	Assisted DPA Computing in installation of new Sun/Oracle based School Management system for Walford CEGS.
August 1993 – September 1993	Part of team at Random Access Consulting that outsourced to the Cooperative Group in Macintosh, Windows, Netware and IBM Mainframe technical support.
September 1993	Started Newton development research for inhouse projects and evaluation for external consulting.
September 1993	Attended Apple Workgroup Server training, in Sydney.
September 1993	Project Managed and implemented cut over from old single user accounting system to new multiuser Sun/Oracle CFACS system. September was a $1.4 million revenue month for Random Access, very close to the company’s record at that time.
August 1993 – August 1994	Appointed as Technical Consultant and Technical presenter to Technology in Management project at the Douglas Mawson Institute of TAFE. This course will presented over 5 days in March 1994. This project is a joint venture between Random Access Consulting and Douglas Mawson Institute of TAFE.
August 1993	Consulted to Young & Rubicam for Desktop strategy in Melbourne. Also assisted in technical considerations in move to new building in early 1994.
June 1993	Presented Macintosh Futures Debriefing from the Apple World Wide Developers Conference to senior management of Random Access customers.
May 1993	Provided technical Consultation to IPEC Group in the integration of Macintoshes into their Delivery Note EDI system.
May 1993	Attended Apple World Wide Developer Conference, San Jose, USA. The WWDC is a once a year seminar where Apple present their technologies such as System 7, PowerPC and Newton to their developer community.
April 1993	Attended Windows NT Technical Seminar presented in Adelaide by Microsoft Australia.
April 1993	Provided Technical Consultation to CSIRO Division of Soils in Macintosh to Unix/TCP/IP integration.
April 1993	Assisted Mike Seyfang and Fujitsu Australia with the integration of Macintoshes into Novell Netware network and Unix-based PICK system at the City of Henley & Grange.
April 1993	Sold a volume license of VICOM for TV1950 emulation to the E&WS Department.
March 1993	Chose CFACS as product of choice for Random Access Pty Ltd’s new accounting system. Attended training at Cedardata.
March 1993	Attended Quality Auditor’s Course presented by Aptech Australia.
February 1993	Random Access Consulting appointed Australian and New Zealand distributor of VICOM. VICOM is a front ending tool for the Macintosh, written in the UK.
February 1993	Consulted to the Australian Submarine Corporation in Macintosh integration using DECWindows XWindows protocol.
January 1993	Attended the MacWorld Exposition, San Francisco, USA. MacWorld is a one of two major events in the Macintosh community for the display of products and services.

December 1993	Created client/server EIS/Query system called “Sherlock”. Written using VICOM. Macintosh front end displays data and executes Oracle SQL queries. Sherlock also integrates agent-based architecture into Random Access electronic mail system.
December 1993	Sold 200 licenses of VICOM into E&WS after extensive testing of TN3270 emulation at E&WS to Tandem Cyclone and ETSA IBM Mainframe.
November 1993	Installed a uucp-style connection to connect.com. Installed Mail, UseNet news and other services on a Random Access’ Sun server.
September 1993 – October 1993	Assisted DPA Computing in installation of new Sun/Oracle based School Management system for Walford CEGS.
August 1993 – September 1993	Part of team at Random Access Consulting that outsourced to the Cooperative Group in Macintosh, Windows, Netware and IBM Mainframe technical support.
September 1993	Started Newton development research for inhouse projects and evaluation for external consulting.
September 1993	Attended Apple Workgroup Server training, in Sydney.
September 1993	Project Managed and implemented cut over from old single user accounting system to new multiuser Sun/Oracle CFACS system. September was a $1.4 million revenue month for Random Access, very close to the company’s record at that time.
August 1993 – August 1994	Appointed as Technical Consultant and Technical presenter to Technology in Management project at the Douglas Mawson Institute of TAFE. This course will presented over 5 days in March 1994. This project is a joint venture between Random Access Consulting and Douglas Mawson Institute of TAFE.
August 1993	Consulted to Young & Rubicam for Desktop strategy in Melbourne. Also assisted in technical considerations in move to new building in early 1994.
June 1993	Presented Macintosh Futures Debriefing from the Apple World Wide Developers Conference to senior management of Random Access customers.
May 1993	Provided technical Consultation to IPEC Group in the integration of Macintoshes into their Delivery Note EDI system.
May 1993	Attended Apple World Wide Developer Conference, San Jose, USA. The WWDC is a once a year seminar where Apple present their technologies such as System 7, PowerPC and Newton to their developer community.
April 1993	Attended Windows NT Technical Seminar presented in Adelaide by Microsoft Australia.
April 1993	Provided Technical Consultation to CSIRO Division of Soils in Macintosh to Unix/TCP/IP integration.
April 1993	Assisted Mike Seyfang and Fujitsu Australia with the integration of Macintoshes into Novell Netware network and Unix-based PICK system at the City of Henley & Grange.
April 1993	Sold a volume license of VICOM for TV1950 emulation to the E&WS Department.
March 1993	Chose CFACS as product of choice for Random Access Pty Ltd’s new accounting system. Attended training at Cedardata.
March 1993	Attended Quality Auditor’s Course presented by Aptech Australia.
February 1993	Random Access Consulting appointed Australian and New Zealand distributor of VICOM. VICOM is a front ending tool for the Macintosh, written in the UK.
February 1993	Consulted to the Australian Submarine Corporation in Macintosh integration using DECWindows XWindows protocol.
January 1993	Attended the MacWorld Exposition, San Francisco, USA. MacWorld is a one of two major events in the Macintosh community for the display of products and services.

December 1994	Acheived Compaq Accredited Systems Engineer status.
December 1994	Passed External Quality Compliance Audit performed by Quality Assurance Services. 8 of 19 Corrective Actions closed, only 11 Minor Discrepancies raised.
December 1994	Attended Compaq Novell Advanced Performance Integration course, Sydney. Achieved highest marks in the class.
October 1994	Team Leader for Random Access Consulting – appointed three new staff members: Brian Forte’, Phil Dempster and Gary Smith. Assigned job roles, assisted in helping them transition to a consulting environment
October 1994	Achieved Certified Netware Engineer Status.
September 1994	Appointed Quality Manager, Random Access Adelaide.
September 1994	Implemented VICOM for Comcare in Canberra. Involved a small front-end development, and problem solving Unix and Tandem operating system issues.
August 1994	Attended Advanced Netware 4.0 Administration Course, Comtech, Adelaide. Passed Drake CNE certification exam September 1994.
July to September 1994	Assisted Digital Equipment Corporation in implementing Macintosh integration to new electronic messaging system and the Internet.
July to August 1994	Prepared a report for the board of Phillips Fox detailing a technical strategy for the implementation of: WAN, Unix server, new document management application, new word processor and electronic niail application.
June 1994	Achieved Distinction for Financial Management in Post-Graduate Diploma of Management/MBA with Deakin University.
May 1994	Completed First stage of a project for Young & Rubicam. Included Local Area Network cabling vendor Request for Tender documents, and Wide Area Network design. This project included communication with New York head office, selection of network infrastructure providors and exposure to Etherswitching and Frame Relay technologies.
March 1994	Completed a preliminary prototype of a query system into the Oracle-based QCIS application for ASC. Project included a written report being prepared for MIS Management on the impact of such systems. System written using the VICOM application’s scripting language.
March 1994	Completed a Performance Monitoring System for E&WS’s Tandem-based applications. System written using the VICOM application’s scripting language.
March 1994	Presented version 6.0 of the Macintosh Support Expert Course at Random Access, Perth.
February 1994	Attended Novell Netware 4.0 Administrator’s Course. Passed Exam and achieved “Certified Netware Administrator” status.
January 1994	Commenced Post-Graduate Diploma of Management/MBA with Deakin University.
January 1994	Assisted Colliers Jardine design a wide area network for Sydney, and the integration of their existing Ethernet/Token Ring Novell network with Macintoshes.

November 1996	Revelation 96 (Pioneered Internet and Intranet technology presentations for Apple’s customers)
October 1996	Sales Conference, Kaui (this is the famous one where Jean-Louis Gassee attempted to sell Gil Amelio Be, Inc for multiple hundreds of $! I asked Ellen Hancock a question about Solaris support on PowerPC; not knowing she was a fan! My small place in Apple’s history)
August 1996	Apple Technology Symposium; keynote assistance, total technical manager, presentation of “How to Survive 300,000 hits a day” main hall
August to September 1996	Fairfax@Atlanta. Apple Computer Australia sponsored (through my time and donation of hardware- Power Macintosh 7600’s) the creation and management of this web site. It was designed by Brainwaave Interactive; I created the backend content management system using UserLand Frontier (before it was a web content management system) This system, which I termed Rosebud, automatically published static .html pages from a database engine; editors assigned images using a FileMaker front end. Rosebud managed the publishing of the dynamic information into the static site.
May 1996	Response to OptusVision Tender: before they went into the web realm. Wild and wooly presentation of the Apple AIX Network Server range!
May 1996	Attended PANPA Conference, Hobart
January 1996	San Francisco MacWorld
December 1995 January 1996	Consulting, Fairfax Publications, Golden Master

November 1997	End of Year Update Roadshow (tecjhnology update for Apple’s customers in Australia)
June 1997	WWDC Update Roadshow (representing the technologies and strategies of Apple to customers and developers in Australia)
May 1997	WWDC, San Jose
February to April 1997	EasyRider ’97 Roadshow (Internet and Intranet using Apple and Apple-related technology)
January 1997	San Francisco MacWorld

October 1998	Art of Illustration Roadshow: Adobe Systems: Australia and New Zealand
August 1998	Transition to Adobe Systems Pacific as Applications Specialist
June 1998	Re-presentation of Programming WebObjects I Course, Sydney
May 1998-June 1998	WWDC 1998 Update Roadshow, Publishing Update Roadshow
May 1998	Attended WWDC’98, San Jose, California
February 1998	Attended Programming WebObjects I and II course, Cupertino, California. WebObjects is a piece of technology Apple inherited (and still seems to be the forgotten middle child) when it purchased Steve Job’s NeXT, Inc in 1997. WebObjects 3.0 and later uses Java extensively as its programming language. I still miss WebObjects at Adobe …