New Zealander of the Year

Posted 4:26pm Sunday 6th October 2013

There is a medium to strong chance that if you’re currently residing in New Zealand, you know some New Zealanders. Hell, you may even be a New Zealander yourself! If either is true – congratulations! There aren’t many New Zealanders in this world, but the New Zealanders that do exist are odd, Read more...

The Genital Composer

Posted 2:29pm Sunday 29th September 2013

The music scene, particularly its more alternative elements, often claims to be a progressive force that tramples sex and gender underfoot. Despite this, female musicians still struggle with discrimination on a daily basis. Loulou Callister-Baker asked Dunedin musicians about their experiences with Read more...

Interview: Isaac McFarlane (Two Cartoons)

Posted 1:47pm Sunday 22nd September 2013

The lead singer and guitarist of Dunedin band Two Cartoons, Isaac McFarlane is preparing to head off to London for a record label-sponsored soujourn. Loulou Callister-Baker caught up with Isaac after his final Dunedin show to ask about the big move and how he got into music. Let’s start from Read more...

The Emperor's New Art

Posted 2:39pm Sunday 15th September 2013

“What does it mean?” is a common refrain when it comes to contemporary art, not to mention the classic “my kid could have drawn that.” Loulou Callister-Baker explores the modernist and postmodern turns in the art world, and debunks the idea that contemporary art is merely lazy and pretentious. Read more...

Interview: Richard Ley-Hamilton

Posted 4:47pm Sunday 18th August 2013

At the age of 22, Richard Ley-Hamilton has already created a name for himself as a prominent Dunedin musician, performing and making music for an array of interesting bands. Richard also works part-time at a record store, and by the end of November he will have finished his honours dissertation in Read more...

Imperfect Memories

Posted 4:47pm Sunday 18th August 2013

“During the 1980s, Dunedin gained global fame as a centre of musical excellence, and the 80’s now enjoy an almost mythic reputation in Dunedin's collective consciousness. Loulou Callister-Baker speaks to some of the figures from the period to find out if this nostalgia is justified.” Dad Read more...

Polyamory: Fun for you & me & him & her etc.

Posted 4:45pm Sunday 28th July 2013

It Started With a KissOne night I was out drinking with my friend. As the night progressed we decided to join another group of friends to see a gig on the other side of town. As my friend and I walked we verbally stumbled onto the subject of polyamory – a lifestyle choice with which he identified. I Read more...

Interview: Ruban Nielson (Unknown Mortal Orchestra)

Posted 3:59pm Sunday 21st July 2013

In between touring the world and playing gigs with international acts like Grizzly Bear and Wavves, Ruban Nielson has returned to New Zealand to tour with Nielson’s current band, Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Loulou Callister-Baker had a brief and appropriately abstract conversation with Nielson to work Read more...

An Island is an Island

Posted 8:23pm Sunday 14th July 2013

Stuck on an island that even a film crew for Survivor found too rugged (or dull) to film, Loulou Callister-Baker’s head has become swamped with thoughts of the existential-crisis variety. In a quest to maintain her relevance, Loulou explores what it means to be both psychologically and Read more...

Life Online - It's a Beach

Posted 6:05pm Sunday 7th July 2013

A MetaphorHow I use and regard Facebook is similar to the experience of driving alone down a very long street. A person alone in a car is isolated from society by the physical barrier of the car, but that person must still carefully abide by certain rules. The street, called Facebook, is crowded Read more...