Witchdoctor

6 days ago | witchdoctor.co.nz | Gary Steel

Original intro: Peter Gabriel’s Secret World Tour is shaping up to be one of the most visually exciting stage shows, perhaps without precedent, in the history of touring rock. Gary Steel talks exclusively to Gabriel’s super-session bass guitarist Tony Levin on the eve of the group’s gig here on Friday. Gruesome close-ups of tongue, teeth and fillings. The smallest video recorder in the world, probing the outer and inner contours of Peter Gabriel’s face. In real time, to an audience of thousands.

1 week ago | witchdoctor.co.nz | Gary Steel

Cassandra (Netflix) 6/10This six-part German thriller got a 100 percent rating on one of the popular opinion aggregators, and it’s easy to see why. Our TV screens are currently festering with post-apocalyptic sci-fi but Cassandra is a kind of demonic super-computer origin story that will appeal to those who look back to films like 2001: A Space Odyssey with affection.

2 weeks ago | witchdoctor.co.nz | Pat Pilcher

Summary I’ve reviewed my fair share of ear gear over the years, but never a pair of audio glasses. They may sound like an audiophile oxymoron (I mean audio glasses?), but being able to stream audio through a pair of goggles proved surprisingly handy. Besides the obvious advantages of ear-friendly sunglasses (namely keeping the sun out of my peepers), how good are they? Looks-wise, they are a little Joe 90, but also kinda stylee.

2 weeks ago | witchdoctor.co.nz | Gary Steel

While the mainstream music industry crashes, burns, and clunkily consolidates in a vain effort to hold onto its shares in a seemingly dwindling market, there’s a worldwide resurgence of a genuine musical culture once considered marginal. A groundswell of young artists like Jodie Holland and the American ‘free folk’ movement are finding their inspiration in American mountain music, raw blues and English folk styles from the ’60s and ’70s.

3 weeks ago | witchdoctor.co.nz | Pat Pilcher

Summary Choosing the right smartphone has always been tricky. Challenging economic conditions and a bewildering array of brands covering an improbable number of price points make choosing a decent smartphone even tougher. While flagship phones from most manufacturers are a simple buy, what if your budget only allows for a mid-range smartphone? Mid-range smartphones have long been considered a step down from their flagship counterparts.