Out On The Street
Having taken a break from the world of books and writing since 2020's slightly ridiculous tally of three books published, I am delighted to now be beginning work on a title for Bloomsbury UK’s wonderful 33 1/3 series. In this long-established and internationally popular series, each book takes a deep look at an album that is ground-breaking in some way. My proposal to Bloomsbury’s editorial board was to shine the spotlight on the iconic 1975 album by the Kiwi band Space Waltz. To my delight they gave it the thumbs up. Due for submission at the end of May, it’ll be out by the end of 2022. Can’t wait! I’m lucky enough to have the support and invaluable help of each and every one of the original band members. If you’re a Space Waltz fan - like me - it’s gonna be a thrill to see this story finally being told.
I also have two more long term projects on the go: a book about self-empowerment and personal transformation through the power of the performing arts (with a large dollop of personal experience within it, as Dr Glam), plus a lighthearted romp through the ever-challenging world of the mediocre golfer. Also autobiographical :)
Have a great summer everyone!
REcent gigs & appearances
Feedback from Cosmic Jive’s mid year tour of the country:
“An excellent show which was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. Well-known songs interspersed with personal stories and audience participation. Very professional and high quality musicianship. A real pleasure to host Ian, Doug and Pania. It was a thrill for me to have my daughter and her family from Brisbane present. Rebecca had been a student of Ian's at Otago almost 20 years ago. Also observing the reaction and participation of her five year old daughter was sheer delight.”– Hokitika
“Brilliant performance, pity it was a freezing night and only 33 people came, but that’s about 48% of the population!” - Twizel Events Theatre
“Outstanding as usual! Amazing as usual! Lovely to have a packed theatre once again. Wonderful, quirky and enthralling show from some greatly talented people.” – Geraldine
“What a wonderful energy The Cosmic Jive Trio provided our eager audience. Dr Ian Chapman’s voice was amazing, as were the super talented artists Doug & Pania joining him. The band received multiple encores - a wonderful night had by all that attended!” - The Laboratory
“All very good as usual - had good communication between the artists and us directly on this occasion well ahead of time which is useful for our planning given our staff resources are very stretched. A very polished show with good performers. There were 141 attendees in the Great Hall which was a very positive result.” Great Hall, Christchurch
"Ian Chapman and The Cosmic Jive Trio were superb. It was great that they covered the 'not so popular' songs of Bowie as well as the sing-a-longs so to speak. I personally fell in love with 'Bring on the Disco King', I had never heard before. I have since heard this on YouTube and I have to say.... “Cosmic Jive did a beautiful rendition. Ian, Doug and Pania were excellent to work with, which makes everything run smoothly. And lovely people as well." - Smash Palace Bar Gisborne
“Our audience really enjoyed the show. There was a standing ovation at the end and the trio gave an encore. Thank you Arts On Tour, another fabulous experience. Excellent, we were all impressed with Ian's diverse repertoire and doing justice to David Bowie, but not imitating him. Doug and Pania impressed with their musicianship across several instruments.” Church of St George and St John
“The programme was excellent. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the show and meet and greet afterwards” - Te Awamutu
“Another superb performance fully appreciated by the audience. I wish we'd had them here for two nights. Ian, Doug and Pania were three of the most engaging performers we've hosted. They were warm, friendly, and appreciative of both our organisation of the event and the audience” - Coromandel Town
“Audience loved it. Really well received on a very cold night.” Kauaeranga Hall
“Excellent musicians, and Dr Ian Chapman was very articulate, and a polished speaker. Top quality performance, and we were pleased to see a number of younger people in the audience.” - Chanel Arts Centre Motueka
“Wonderful show! Enjoyed by all who attended. We had a great turn out, especially for a Wednesday night! The Theatre said it was the highest attendance they have had for an event like this. We sold all tickets through Opunake - pre sales through the Theatre website and local health centre - and on the door.” Everybodys Theatre, Opunake
“Incredibly polite! A wonder to work with and the show received so many great reviews from the community with a lot of impressive comments regarding his Doctorate. The show provided an in depth insight to the mastery of music and the abilities it has to powerfully impact people in many ways. Thank you for coming!” - Putaruru
“It was a miserable cold, wet night at the quietest time of the year, so a small audience was not unexpected. Those who came loved the show.” - The Mussel Inn
OK, Boomer
“It was the time of pixie cuts, miniskirts, Beatles fanaticism, marching bands and men on the moon. The Swinging Sixties turned 60 this year - and Ian Chapman has marked it with a book jam-packed with photos, essays and funny personal experiences of the decade.” Listen to the interview with Katherine Ryan on RNZ.
David Bowie and the Art of being Different
Due to personnel changes and the uncertain world created by Covid 19, my Bowie act is in mothballs for 2020. Global pandemic-willing, we will be resurfacing in various guises in 2021, including an exciting trio tour during June 2021. More specific details to follow.
Viva David Bowie :)
The Skeleton Family
Ian’s first children’s book, The Skeleton Family has been released! The skeleton family are just like everyone else except that they have no skin. Beautifully illustrated by Cheryl Smith, the book comes with its own soundtrack!
Sparkly Radio Show
Empowerment and motivation through music, art, interviews, and jazz hands! The Sparkly Show with Dr Glam on OAR FM Dunedin is a celebration of “the awesomeness of the arts”. The programme delves into the motivations for making and consuming art, with a focus on art’s transformative and healing qualities.
Podcasts available here or listen live every second Thursday at 6pm.
Photo call for your 1960s images
I’m working on a “delightfully interdisciplinary” mashup about life in 1960s New Zealand and am keen to include a variety of images from around the country. Images (scanned at 300dpi please) can be sent to: ian.chapman@otago.ac.nz. Read more about the project here.
Please note, due to size limitations not all submissions will be published, and the final selection will be made in conjunction with the publisher.
From Jules Verne to David Bowie – "From the Earth to the Moon: A Space Oddity". 1869 Conference and Heritage Festival, University of Otago, 27 September 2019.
Scarfie Flats: Hidden Depths
“Join Scarfie Flats of Dunedin authors, Sarah Gallagher and Dr Ian Chapman, for an entertaining and illustrated conversation. Up for discussion are some of the more meaty themes that emerged from researching and writing the book. Find out about the role of popular culture in this long-lived tradition, and the place of play, humour, and creativity in flat naming. Discover how our city’s character homes and residential campuses have contributed to this practice. In support of the Dare to be Wise exhibition, you will also learn how Sarah’s Dunedin Flat Names Project came about, and what inspired Ian’s interest in named flats, both of which led to the wonderful book, Scarfie Flats of Dunedin.”
22 August 2019, 5.30-6.30, Free
David Bowie, Madness and Transformation (Cosmic Jive Quartet)
Presenting acoustic arrangements of songs of Bowie's that critique the nature of madness, mental illness, and personal transformation.
7 August 2019
Scarfie Flats panel discussion - part of Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival
“Like the ancient art of couch burning (but far safer), flat-naming is a very important and unique part of the overall rite of passage of Otago University students.” So say the authors ofScarfie Flats of Dunedin. Sarah Gallagher was so intrigued by this vibrant aspect of Dunedin’s social history that she spent 18 years researching it before co-writing a lavishly illustrated book on the subject with Ian Chapman. The two will share stories about the flats, the tenants and the colourful goings-on. Chaired by upstanding former Castle St resident (and author of one of the book’s chapters) Aaron Hawkins.
11 May, 1-2pm Hanover Hall, Free
David Bowie: the art of being different (Cosmic Jive Quartet) - part of the Dunedin Fringe Festival
In this sparkling interactive performance and talk, Bowie aficionado Dr Ian Chapman unravels the extraordinary marriage of sound and visual effect that lies at the heart of David Bowie, one of the most complex and enduring performers in popular music. Read more …
New Athenaeum Theatre 10pm on 28, 29, 30 March, book here.
Character flaws provide no grounds for banishing memory of individuals
Thanks to the many people who have got in touch re this opinion piece I wrote about Michael Jackson’s place in academic study, published in the Otago Daily Times this week. It sparked heaps of support, and also a handful of folks with alternate views. Please note: I didn't write the headline - that was supplied by the newspaper. Personally I’d have titled it with something a bit stronger than ‘character flaws’, but nevertheless I appreciate the ODT’s willingness to publish. Otago Daily Times, 13 March 2019. The topic was also discussed on The Panel.
David Bowie: Life Changer, Warner Music Australia
Scarfie Flats of Dunedin - published!
This book, written with Sarah Gallagher of Dunedin Flat Names Project, has been published and is now available in Paper Plus and independent bookshops. University Bookshop will post internationally. Read an extract in published in the Otago Daily Times, Tracing origins of Student flats.
David Bowie: Life changer
I'm pretty thrilled to have been invited to write this piece for Warner Music Australia, for their I Like Your Old Stuff website. Thanks especially to Rachael Botur and Allison Hodge for the opportunity.
Rocking On
“Rock music has been a defining force in Dr Ian Chapman’s life as a musician, performer and academic. It is also the inspiration for his flourishing career as a writer.” Read the full article in Otago Magazine.
Big ups to Lizzy Lukeman, Karen Hogg, Alan Dove, and Nigel Zega for their various roles in bringing this story to fruition in the latest Otago Uni magazine. Thanks you good things! :) - Ian
The Bowie paper is back!
Back by popular demand for 2019 is this paper dedicated in its entirety to David Bowie. An in depth and highly interdisciplinary examination and celebration of the artist’s work, it was a blast when I last ran it as a Summer School paper in 2015 and I’m excited to be running it again in a new and improved format. It came to the attention of Mr Bowie himself last time and it was a buzz to see it featured on his official website, Facebook page, and other bona fide Bowie social media. This time around it's running as a first semester paper in 2019. Get in the Bowie zone, buy your make-up, and enrol now!
And remember, as the great man himself said: "If the homework brings you down then we'll throw it on the fire and take the car downtown . . ."
