DJ Dick Johnson is the musical director of Synthony, coming to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch from September. Photo / Supplied
DJ Dick Johnson is the musical director of Synthony, coming to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch from September. Photo / Supplied
High rotation
The music director of Synthony shares his favourite entertainment picks
What is your most listened to album right now?
Okay, so I promise I'm not being forced or paid to say this but my partner, Anna Coddington, released her fourth album, Beams, at the end of last year and I've only really started to listen to it on repeat in the car in the past couple of months. It's a complete contrast to anything that I usually listen to and although we were living in the same house together when it was made, I never really got to hear any of it. The songs relate to our family and are quite personal themes of self-reflection, motherhood and being Māori. Produced by the amazing Lips, the production is edgy but polished, bringing in synthesisers and distorted drums. Check out the title song Beams featuring Louis Baker - it's a beauty.
The White Lotus on Neon. Set in Hawaii at a holiday resort, it's a take-no-prisoners social satire and it's as funny as it is shocking and awkward. Perfectly cast with lots of recognisable actors. What should be a perfect holiday turns into a vision of hell.
The White Lotus is a dark comedy about a holiday resort on a Hawaiian island. Photo / Supplied
What movie can you watch time and time again?
I've always been a De Niro fan, so any of his classics I can watch over and over. Once Upon a Time in America is an all-time favourite and I love everything about it from the music score to the acting, I'm just fascinated by that era of Prohibition and gangsters.
I'm a bit of a cycling nerd and the only regular podcasts I listen to are Lance Armstrong's - The Forward and The Move. He has loads of great guests, both sporting and not, from Matthew McConaughey to Lyle Lovett to various sports legends. He also reviews all the big bike races like Tour de France and Giro d'Italia.
What was the last book you read and loved?
The only books I read are the manuals for my new synthesisers or drum machines that I buy for my recording studio. I'm not a big reader.
Dick Johnson is musical director for Synthony, a collaboration between orchestra, DJs, live vocalists and musicians. Photo / Supplied
What can we expect from Synthony No. 3?
The new show builds on the past five years of Synthony, which have been incredible. There's lots of new music, all with the same euphoric nostalgia you'd expect, new performers and a new orchestra with the Auckland Philharmonia coming on board for the first time. The production is incredible with new lighting, lasers and stage set-up, as well as lots of surprises and features that have never been done before at Synthony. I can't wait for people to see this show.
DJ Dick Johnson is the music director for Synthony, live shows that celebrate the best dance tracks of all time performed with an epic mix of live orchestra, vocals, guest musicians and DJs. Playing Auckland September 17, Wellington October 22, Christchurch November 13, tickets on sale now.
