Tara Emelye Needham represents the best of us.
She was in a load of cool bands. Mad Planets, but others too.
She has a day job where she’s an expert on one of the most influential political theorists of the 20th century.
From her house she can gaze across at the parties Jay-Z is holding on the south fork of Long Island. But is waaay too cool and unneedy to actually attend.
Tara is a fan of our podcast.
We share a deep appreciation of the Go-Betweens.
Her favourite song when she was a kid was Funky Town. For too long our podcast has resisted the allure of Lipss, Inc and now we may usher it onto the roll of tracklist honour.
On this episode she has introduced us to a tranche of new bands we might never have discovered.
Now she’s got the next generation of cool bands paying homage; Julie, featured in this episode, amongst them.
For nineteen years she looked after her cat, Pencil, along with her husband, Josh. Sadly, since the episode was recorded Pencil has gone to the great Feline Valhalla in the sky.
Pencil’s favourite toy was a stuffed platypus, so that was highly suitable for our Australian-based pod. Here’s to Pencil – this podcast’s for you.
And thank you, Tara.
Tracklist:
Funkytown, Lipps Inc
Tar baby, Shelleyan Orphan
Slow slow music, The Go-Betweens
Fagetarian and dyke, Team Dresch
Paperchase, The Mad Planets
Lines and lines, The Spinanes
The trouble with me, Lois
Keep your eyes ahead, The Helio Sequence
Spies (no more), The Chandler Estate
April bloom, Julie
Casio, Ibibio Sound Sysytem
Reflections, Diana Ross and the Supremes
The leap, Tara Emelye Needham