The first show of series 3 is all about Gravy presenter Warren Maxwell's band Little Bushman in the nervous build up to one of the most important performances of their lives, teaming up with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra to play an extraordinary concert that has been a year in the making. John Psathas (the influential NZ composer previously charged with scoring the opening ceremony of the Athens Olympics) talks us through his process of reworking the Bushies songs to be played with a full symphony orchestra, but he's concerned about what the band will think when they arrive at his studio to hear the music for the first time. We take a break for our grammatically challenged animated segment, in which we discover The Truth about Architecture. Then it's back to Little Bushman and the APO rehearsing. For the band it's a new experience, but for some of the orchestra it's another day at the office, sandwiched between classical concertos. There's a chance to see some of the performance too, played to a packed Auckland Town Hall. It's an astonishing fusion of music - and one of the great kiwi concerts of all time. Sit back and enjoy. And turn it up!
This time, it's an entire episode devoted to artists who have had first-hand experience of UFOs. First up we meet painter and graphic artist Peap Tarr. Peap's cultural heritage has led him to take an interest in the Naga snake - which he describes as a Cambodian relative to the taniwha. Gabe introduces us to the story of New Zealand's most celebrated flying saucer sighting, the Kaikoura UFO. In our animated segment we find out The Truth about UFOs Then it's off to Waiheke island to meet Mike Gibson. Mike and his partner Bridget have both seen unusual objects in the sky and in Mike's case it has led to an enduring interest in forms of communication, and in the past, present and future of the human race.
The Phoenix Foundation are well-established gems of New Zealand music, made up of six innovative musicians who all have solo projects of their own. We hear about the history of the band and how its members have found wildly differing outlets for their creativity - allowing them to return reinvigorated for the next bout of recording and touring. The Truth brings us the amazing untold story of the Legend of the Tyre Swan. Gabe heads to Matamata and Auckland to meet young playwright Tom Sainsbury. She meets Tom's parents on the family farm and finds out how walking and talking comes before writing. We also learn why Tom finds joy in moments of painful embarrassment.
The Gravy brings you the amazing story of painter Matthew Squire from Levin. An accident many years ago left Matthew with no memory of who he had been. What he describes as a 'second life' - a life in which his artistic pursuits have come to the fore - has followed. Ross Liew takes us to meet Kerry-Ann Lee a collage and 'zine maker working with paper, scissors and glue. Kerry pulls out her scalpels and shows us how a punk attitude has brought new perspective to her cultural heritage. The Truth tells the story of Tourism in New Zealand Then it's off to the studio of Gill Gatfield, a conceptual artist working with a wide range of unusual materials. She explains that looking after her work can be a full-time job - you might even need a babysitter.
Ivan Hill, a naïve artist from Dunedin takes us on a journey through his eventful life and his colourful and primitive style of painting. The artist explains why the writer Katherine Mansfield is such an inspiration to him. We meet Sheba Williams, a multi-faceted singer, performer and all-round exuberant personality. She describes how she has peeled back and discarded her many personas to concentrate on the real Sheba beneath. The Truth We find out The Truth about Modern Music Then Ross explores work inspired by the minds of serial killers with sculptor Matt Molloy - a mad professor who thrives in a world that combines human anatomy and horror.
Ross enters the fairytale world of artist and designer Tanja Misery and her colourful menagerie of characters in the build up to her show 'Holly Melancholy and the Night that Saved the Day'. Then it's off to meet deadpan musician Delaney Davidson, a travelling man who was expelled from the special dreamers' school. He tells us about his life, his loves, and of going to see the Rolling Stones as a baby. We find out the Truth about TV shows. Finally we check out the extraordinary oestrogen inspired work of jeweller Kate Woodka. Kate's very personal work incorporates everything from rubber gloves to panty-pads, biology to domesticity.
We meet Martin Horspool, a man whose fascination with rusty old bits of metal has led him to build robots from objects found in junk shops and scrap yards. Gabe heads to New Plymouth to meet Tongan-born sculptor Filipe Tohi. Filipe's work peels back the layers of traditional rope bindings, investigating meaning in the patterns of these ancient forms. The Truth investigates the birth of new languages like Geek Speak and Hip-Hop Blag. Then it's off to NZ fashion week with fashion label '27 Names'. Young designers Anjali and Rachel are just beginning to establish themselves in the rag trade and their first major solo show is a journey into the unknown.
This time on The Gravy, Gabe is taking us to Christchurch for a huge moment in the lives of her community dance troupe, The Real Hot Bitches. These 80s retro soft-rock show ponies are on a mission to take on the world record for the biggest synchronised dance routine. Getting the Bitches to go anywhere has been compared to 'herding cats', and along the way there'll be tantrums and a whole lot of hairspray- but it might all be worth it if they can cement their place in history. The Truth gives us instruction in making a Gangster Hip-Hop video. Later in the show we meet Nikkie Gibson and Jules German, a creative couple with a love for slasher movies. Nikkie is a jeweller whose work is anything but traditional, incorporating elements such as human teeth and roadkill. Her partner Jules is a painter, capturing raw emotions such as terror in his multi-layered works. When the two collaborate the results are more than a little creepy.
This time on the Gravy, we introduce Victoria Birkinshaw, a photographer who immerses herself in her subjects- as diverse as dogs in Samoa, speedway enthusiasts and a Belarusian kick boxer. We travel to Wanganui to meet Andrea du Chatenier, a sculptor and installation artist who's most recent work uses wool, a material with particular relevance to her surroundings. The Truth shows us why Macramé is bigger and better than Craft or Art. Finally we meet Moron Says What?! A girl band with a fondness for the simple things in life- sleep, food and Wikipedia.
Warren and Mark Williams aka 'Slave' take us on a journey to meet the contestants of the MPC Championship. We go into the homes of some of New Zealand's leading DJs as they start to prepare their beats for the big competition. We learn the Truth about the ABC of creativity. Then finish with a blast - the MPC battle itself, the Booty Girl, and the placing performances from the night.
The Gravy introduces Lloyd Wilson AKA Magoo, one of the world's great Hot-Rod designers, and finds out that Hot-Rodding is no longer about rebels and hoons. Ross takes us to Raglan to meet Aaron Kereopa, an artist profoundly inspired by the sea he paddles and surfs each day. Aaron carves his intricate work in the shape of surfboards and explains why to him the surf is another of the sea's many gifts. We find out The Truth about Pirates. Then its time to meet the remarkable Michael Nicholson, an artist born in 1916 who has recently revisited, restored and reworked his pioneering video art of the 1970s.
The Gravy meets lighting designer and photographer Martyn Roberts, as he explains his fascination with the symbiotic relationship between light and darkness. Gabe enjoys the simple pleasures of life over lamingtons, tea, and nu-folk music with Rosy Tin Teacaddy. We hold the ultimate countdown of The Truth's top 10 Kiwi Icons. Then it's time to meet Brent Hayward. We explore his social sexual films, and discuss delivering his message through music and painting.
Warren meets Wellington-based award-winning architect Gerald Melling. Gerald talks about moving to New Zealand, creating a critical eye for architecture, and developing his own stylish yet budget-effective functional homes. The Truth covers the ABC of Creativity. Finally, we follow Gabe on his mission to find out the real story behind Richard Meros and his idealistic love affair with Helen Clark.