A Band Called Halfway

In the final episode for this series, John Busby talks to great Australian songwriter and long time friend, Tim Steward. They first met in Rockhampton in 1989 when Tim was touring with his band 'The Madmen' who later morphed into JJJ favourites 'Screamfeeder'.  In more recent times, Tim has also released four albums with indie rock band 'We All Want To'. Together they chat about making music and playing in bands for for the past 30 years.

John chats to legendary music writer Clinton Walker about Brisbane in the the 1970's, his seminal books Inner City Sound and Buried Country and what it was like to host his late night ABC TV show, Studio 22.

John Busby talks to John Collins (JC), part owner of Brisbane live venue The Triffid & member of one of Australia's most successful rock bands, Powderfinger. They talk about being in bands, touring, the Brisbane music scene and the advantages of a home ground venue.

John talks to journalist and record label guy Stuart Coupe about his career in rock and roll, from writing for RAM magazine, to managing  bands in the 80's,  signing Halfway to Laughing Outlaw Records in 2003, to his recent book on Paul Kelly.

John talks to renowned Brisbane recording engineer Yanto Browning about engineering the bands 6th album 'Rain Lover'. Along the way they cover Yanto's career recording everyone from Kate Miller-Heidke to Jeremy Oxley and Halfway's yet to be released collaboration with Bob Weatherall,  'Restless Dream'.

John Busby gives a guide to the songwriting, production and recording of Halfway's 6th Album, 'Rain Lover'. Along the way covering everything from Brian Eno's Oblique Strategies Cards to the Panvale's win in the 1970 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

John Busby talks to legendary record producer and Lambchop band member, Mark Nevers about working with Halfway on their albums, 'The Golden Halfway Record' and 'Rain Lover'. And along the way they chat about his 30 year career recording in Nashville, from working with indie rockers  like Bonnie Prince Billy and The Silver Jews, to making an album for Charlie Louvin and even recording the Grammy winning song 'Choices' by George Jones.

John Busby talks to Plus One Records label guy, Simon Homer about Halfway's trip to Nashville in 2015. Where the band played at The Americana Music Festival and they recorded their fifth album, 'The Golden Halfway Record' at Beech House Studios with Mark Nevers.

John Busby talks to music industry legend Peter Jesperson. Peter outlines his early days in Minneapolis, from managing the influential record store Oar Folkjokeopus (Oar Folk), to co-founding Twin Tone Records which became home to seminal indie rock acts such as The Replacements, Soul Asylum, The Jayhawks and The Suicide Commandos. They also chat about Peters work managing The Replacements, his long standing position as V.P. of A&R at New West Records, and his trip to Australia to co-produce Halfway's fourth album 'Any Old Love' with the help of Robert Forster & Phil Graham.

John talks to Phil Graham who recorded and mixed 'Any Old Love' the band's fourth album from 2014. John and Phil talk in detail about the unconventional nature of the recording process and the conceptual elements of the album. On the way they cover Phil's background in music, which includes everything from commercial work as a session musician in the 1980s, to recording Ed Kuepper's solo album from 2015, 'Lost Cities'.

John talks to Go-Betweens founding member and Halfway producer, Robert Forster about his work on two of the bands albums, 'An Outpost of Promise' (2010) and 'Any Old Love' (2014). The conversation details the pre-production and recording process of the records, and on the way they cover everything from 1970's AM radio, to Glen Campbell and Metallica.

John Busby talks to Simon Homer, (manager of Brisbane based record label Plus One Records) and they chat about the machinations of the band, touring with eight members and the release of Halfway's third album, 'An Outpost of Promise'. John also gives a run down on the pre-production and recording process for for the bands third album and talks about a couple of the key tracks in detail.

John Busby chats to Rob Younger, the Radio Birdman front man and record producer who co-produced the bands second album 'Remember the River' along with Wayne Connolly. They talk about making the album, punk rock, Gene Pitney and St. George Rugby League Club. John also does a track by track run through of the album, featuring a couple of songs and some halfway band stories along the way.

John talks to Australian rock icon Nick Barker about meeting the band in 2005 and they discuss the highlights of Halfway's second album 'Remember the River' - Stay tuned for Part 2 coming soon.

Its 2020, and Halfway band member John Busby is in COVID-19 lock-down in Darwin.  To pass the time in isolation, John creates a podcast that provides insight into forming Halfway, and outlines of the process and the people involved in making their debut album 'Farewell to the Fainthearted'.