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35 years ago, we met a band called Smashing Pumpkins. Rising in the wave of American grunge, the Chicago band were led by the iconic voice of Billy Corgan and would rise and rise like all their contemporaries, over the coming years.  If you know anything about music history, you know the story of the Pumpkins is a tumultuous one. But Billy has continued through it all.  Back in 2012, Billy was in Australia to play Splendour in the Grass with the latest incarnation of Smashing Pumpkins. With a new album under their belt, he was in a buoyant mood and up for an epic conversation when he joined Zan to Take 5 Billy is always good chat, but if you've ever wondered about the music that made him, this conversation is a dream. So settle in, don your flanny, and discover the songs that make Billy Corgan feel good. Billy Corgan's song choices: Yes - And You and IUFO - Love to LoveNeil Young - Ambulance BluesDavid Bowie - Space OddityLou Reed - Berlin00:23 Introduction to Billy Corgan 01:43 Creating music during difficult times 04:25 1972 and guitar supergroup Yes 05:50 Yes - 'And You and I' 07:38 When Billy discovered music 11:43 British Hard Rock inspirations 13:08 UFO - 'Love to Love' 14:30 Moving away from mainstream needs 15:23 Neil Young - 'Ambulance Blues' 16:40 Sad music making you feel better 18:50 The definitive anthem of alienation 19:24 David Bowie - 'Space Oddity' 20:40 Technology and disconnection  28:10 Lou Reed - 'Berlin' 29:47 Next weeks guest

Alexei Toliopoulos is a lifelong cinephile. Known for his excellent podcasts including The Last Video Store, he’s a writer, comedian, filmmaker and loves talking about the movies that made us who we are today. The way he speaks about cinema invites everyone into the conversation. But what are the songs that soundtrack his life? And why? Dig into a joyful convo that will have you curating a playlist of songs and movies, for your weekend. Alexei Toliopoulos' song choices: Stewart Copeland - Don’t Box Me In George Dalaras - Mi Mou Thimonis Matia MouMikis Theodorakis - Theme from Serpico Buena Vista Social Club - Dos GardeniasGrace Jones  - La Vie En Rose00:26 Alexei Toliopoulos introduction 01:38 When did Alexei fall in love with movies? 05:29 Francis Ford Coppola deep cuts 13:54 Stewart Copeland - 'Don’t Box Me In' 15:40 Coming of Age and George Dalaras  21:40 George Dalaras - 'Mi Mou Thimonis Matia Mou' 24:05 Mikis and the hero of Greek music  30:02 Mikis Theodorakis - 'Theme from Serpico' 31:15 Seeing the world through cinema  36:41 Buena Vista Social Club - 'Dos Gardenias' 37:36 How cinema helped Alexei with communication 45:20 Grace Jones  - 'La Vie En Rose' 47:32 Show notes and next weeks guest! Check out Alexei's podcast and live show details, via his Instagram.

Thirty years ago the world met Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. Their debut album Revival introduced us to two incredible storytellers, singers and guitarists, and in the three decades since they’ve swept us away in song. It's long been on my bucket list to have them Take 5, and finally here it is. When thinking on a theme, I landed on time. Time, and their ruminations on time, have always swirled in their songs. They love old-time music, and take their time in getting your own songs right. How they responded to the theme, is one for the ages. Settle in for a deep, insightful, and intoxicating conversation with two of music's best. Gillian Welch and David Rawlings' song choices: Robert Johnson - Love in Vain The Stanley Brothers - Rank StrangersTownes Van Zandt - Pancho and Lefty (Live at the Old Quarter)The Carter Family & Johnny Cash - Will the Circle Be UnbrokenJohn Prine - Angel From Montgomery 00:55 Gillian Welch and David Rawlings introduction 01:52 Three decades since the release of 'Revival' 08:44 Choosing Robert Johnson 12:32 Robert Johnson - 'Love in Vain' 13:22 O Brother Where Art Thou 18:07 Working with The Stanley Brothers 17:59 The Stanley Brothers - 'Rank Strangers' 26:13 Raw versions of songs 28:10 Townes Van Zandt - 'Pancho and Lefty (Live at the Old Quarter)' 32:35 Recording things as live 34:32 The Carter Family & Johnny Cash - 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken' 40:37 Gillian and David finding their harmony 44:33 Hope for something better 48:48 John Prine - 'Angel From Montgomery' 51:33 Show notes and next weeks guest!

Are you ready for some incredible stories? Take 5 always gifts us with some cracking yarns, but this week’s episode takes the cake. In fact, I’ve had more responses to Ed Le Brocq’s Take 5 than any other, in ages. Ed used to be Eddie Ayers, a legendary ABC Classic FM broadcaster who has shared his life of adventure with us over the past two decades. Ed is a cellist, viola, and violin player, and has gifted his talents to others; teaching school kids in Afghanistan, and playing for Uyghurs in the remote deserts of China. We’ll get to those stories soon… but this might give you a sense of why I asked Ed to Take 5. Across four books, Ed has shared his stories of travel and self-discovery with us, and music has always been at his centre. From Joni Mitchell to shredding violas to Ry Cooder, this is an extraordinary conversation about the power of love, self-belief, adventure and of course, music.  Ed Le Brocq's song choices: Joni Mitchell – A Case of YouMaria Theresia von Paradis – SicilienneElton John – Your SongPaul Hindemith - Viola Sonata, Op. 25, No. 1: IV. Rasendes ZeitmassRy Cooder and V. M. Bhatt – Isa Lei00:33 Ed Le Brocq introduction 01:52 Having a restless spirit 04:55 Memories of the seventies and Joni Mitchell 07:21 Joni Mitchell - 'A Case of You' 07:55 Ed's love of the Cello 14:30 Travelling the world with music 17:59 Maria Theresia von Paradis – 'Sicilienne' 18:50 Interpreting music in your way 20:20 Listening to music as a musician 28:10 Elton John - 'Your Song' 29:10 Music as the universal language 32:30 Classic music with an edge 35:42 Paul Hindemith - 'Viola Sonata, Op. 25, No. 1: IV. Rasendes Zeitmass' 36:45 Classic FM audience and shredding 42:30 Depression and "the cover of grey silt" 44:08 Ry Cooder and V. M. Bhatt – 'Isa Lei' 44:06 Show notes and next weeks guests! Show notes: If you need someone to talk to, call Lifeline on 13 11 14

Where do you begin with Tim Rogers? For more than 30 years he has been the soundtrack to our lives. As frontman for You Am I, an acclaimed solo artist and keen collaborator, an actor, author and once even a Double J broadcaster. He's made a living in more ways than one, and his approach to living has shifted over the years. A long time coming, I invited Tim to Take 5 and explore this idea of a living; what makes a good life, and what it means to be alive.  And he didn't disappoint. Tim Rogers' song choices: Magic Dirt – IceJake Thackray – The BullJoni Mitchell – Just Like This TrainNRBQ – I Want You Bad Martha Wainwright & Linda Thompson – Or Nothing At All00:39 Tim Rogers introduction  01:30 Memories of watching Magic Dirt on Rage  04:21 Magic Dirt — 'Ice' 07:45 Making a living as an artist & mowing lawns 10:31 Jake Thackray explainer 15:00 Jake Thackray— 'The Bull’ 21:41 Tim’s later in life love of Joni Mitchell 26:07 Joni Mitchell — 'Just Like This Train' 32:08 Rewriting and revisiting your own songs 33:55 NRBQ explainer & Tim’s obsession 36:27 NRBQ — 'I Want You Bad' 39:05 You Am I ‘Hourly Daily’ anniversary and going pop 46:30 Linda Thompson explainer & inspiring songwriting 53:41 Martha Wainwright & Linda Thompson  — 'Or Nothing At All' 55:20 Conclusion + next week's guest! Show Notes To see Tim perform live, check out his tour dates here: https://tim-rogers.com.au/

Comedian Lizzy Hoo has been everywhere the past few years. When she’s not doing stand up, she’s popping up on Have You Been Paying Attention?, and hosting her own podcast The Lizzy Hoo Show. Lizzy has made travel shows, and is even the voice of an airline. She's one of those people who says YES to life.  She also has also got a razor sharp wit, and more than a few adventurous tales which is why I invited her to Take 5.  I didn't realise it'd become a beautiful lesson in how to live. Lizzy Hoo's song choices: Arctic Monkeys — 'Dancing Shoes'Journey — 'Don’t Stop Believin’The Lemons — 'Monad'Snoop Dogg — 'Who Am I (What’s My Name)?'Camille — 'Ta Douleur'00:34 Lizzy Hoo introduction and Take 5 prep 02:40 Music's role in Lizzy's life  04:53 North America adventures in a $500 car 09:23 Arctic Monkeys — 'Dancing Shoes' 10:45 The Hoo's as a family 13:30 Karaoke in Japan ski towns 16:40 Journey — 'Don’t Stop Believin’ 18:13 Music and comedy in Lizzys world 19:50 Moving to Mongolia   26:30 The Lemons — 'Monad' 29:13 Lizzy's many careers & falling into comedy 37:48 Snoop Dogg — 'Who Am I (What’s My Name)?' 39:50 Lizzy's life update and having broad shoulders 43:06 Turning travel into career  48:10 Camille — 'Ta Douleur' 49:50 Conclusion + next week's guest! Show Notes To see Lizzy perform live on her national tour, check out her dates here: https://www.lizzyhoo.com/

Sophie Ellis-Bextor knows how to fill a dancefloor. Across 8 albums, and a double indemnity hit in "Murder on the Dancefloor", she's made a name for herself as a pop-disco queen. When she’s not on stage or in a recording studio, Sophie is throwing a kitchen disco, hosting her Spinning Plates podcast, and publishing books. Sophie’s latest album Perimenopop takes stock of where she is today. The lessons learned, the way love evolves, and the place she finds herself. It's through-line is liberation, so I asked her to choose her favourite songs of freedom. Sophie Ellis-Bextor's song choices: Sylvester — 'You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)'Madonna — 'Express Yourself'George Michael — 'Freedom 90'Sigrid — 'Mine Right Now'Prince & the Revolution — 'Let's Go Crazy'00:34 Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Musical Journey 02:15 Making new music 25 years after debut 04:55 Disco escapism and the queer community support 09:23 Sylvester – 'You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)' 06:23 Indie rock beginnings and Groovejet  15:40 Obsession with Madonna and pleasure 13:39 Madonna – 'Express Yourself' 19:08 Is it better for women in pop music now? 22:37 Loving completely and opening for George Michael  26:32 George Michael – 'Freedom! '90' 27:18 Writing new album and mid life 29:09 Sigrid – 'Mine Right Now' 29:50 Going through Murder on the Dancefloor resurgence  34:06 The drama of Prince  35:25 Prince & the Revolution – 'Let's Go Crazy' 38:11 Conclusion, Susan Rogers Prince story + next week's guest! Show Notes Check out the Take 5 episode with Prince's sound engineer Susan Rogers!

From bucket list guests to Australian rock royalty and a disco queen, find out who Zan will be Taking 5 with in 2026.

Zan lets you know what's in store for 2026...

It's been a stratospheric rise for comedian, Aaron Chen. Getting his start in stand-up, he won a heap of fans starring in Fisk, and his charming stint on Taskmaster. But at the top of his game, he left Australia to start again in New York City. For his Take 5, Aaron shared one song from a pivotal time in his comedy career. Arcade Fire – 'Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels)'This is one of the Best Bits from Take 5.  You can hear the full episode here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/aaron-chen-take-5/105781008 Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

If you grew up in Australia in the 1980s then you probably grew up with Young Talent Time. It was a springboard for so much talent, and one of its biggest stars was Dannii Minogue. For her Take 5, Dannii shared the one song she loves the most from her sister Kylie Minogue's epic catalogue. Robbie Williams & Kylie Minogue – ‘Kids’This is one of the Best Bits from Take 5.  You can hear the full episode here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/dannii-minogue-take-5-catalyst-songs/104419298 Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

What do Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey and Kendrick Lamar have in common?  Jack Antonoff. The decorated producer has made a name for himself shaping some of the biggest albums in the world.  For his Take 5, Jack Antonoff shared how he brings an artist's vision to life. Waterboys – The Whole Of The MoonThis is one of the Best Bits from Take 5.  You can hear the full episode here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/jack-antonoff-take-5-turning-points/103591368

Irish artist CMAT has got it all: the voice, the songwriting talent, the charm. Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, (aka CMAT), has been shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize and counts Elton John as a fan.  Her Euro-Country songs capture heartbreak with a healthy dose of humour, which is why she gravitated towards country music in the first place.  Gary Stewart – 'She’s Actin' Single (I’m Drinkin' Doubles)'This is one of the Best Bits from Take 5.  You can hear the full episode here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/cmat-take-5-suckerpunch-songs/104404882

Savage Garden frontman Darren Hayes has lived quite the life. Hitting Number 1 around the world in 1997 with their debut album, he recently shared what was going on behind the scenes at that time, in his beautiful and devastating memoir, Unlovable. When he joined Zan Rowe to Take 5 back in 2024, he shared a whole new side of one of Australia's biggest stars. Peter Gabriel - 'Love To Be Loved'This is one of the Best Bits from Take 5.  You can hear the full episode here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/darren-hayes-take-5-love-songs/104604586

Angie McMahon is the kind of songwriter who stops you in your tracks. With two albums under her belt, her most recent record Light, Dark, Light Again is about cycles and the patterns that repeat and renew throughout life. This concept of cycles inspired Angie's Take 5 theme of 'revolution songs' and she responded to it beautifully. Joni Mitchell - Circle Game (live at Universal Amphitheater, Los Angeles 1974)This is one of the Best Bits from Take 5.  You can hear the full episode here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/angie-mcmahon-take-5-revolution-songs/103830806