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PODCAST

What Do We Know?

Danny McCrum & Mike Harrington

One of them makes music for a living. The other just really loves it. What Do We Know? is hosted by professional musician and producer Danny McCrum and hobby guitarist Mike Harrington.Each week they dig into the albums, artists, gear, history, and big debates that make music worth talking about. Expect strong opinions, genuine curiosity, and more laughs than they probably intended. Join the conversation.

music music commentary

All Episodes

59:38

7. Why Do People Love Steven Adler?

What Do We Know? ·

2026/05/18

Was Steven Adler the greatest drummer in 1980s rock 'n' roll? Maybe not the flashiest. But listen to Appetite for Destruction and you'll hear something no technically perfect player could replicate: a groove that breathes, swaggers, and feels like it's one beat away from flying off the rails. When Adler left, something walked out that never came back. Drummer Andrew Rooney joins us to break down exactly why. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

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68:19

6. Was 1991 the best year in music?

What Do We Know? ·

2026/05/11

Danny has a theory. Was 1991 actually the greatest year in music history? Mike's not convinced. So the two pseudo-scientists did what any reasonable person would do: built a scoring system, applied it to the evidence, and let the results speak for themselves. Nirvana, Pearl Jam, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers. 1991 had everything. But does having everything actually make it the best? It's closer than you'd think. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

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61:35

5. Why do people hate Lars Ulrich?

What Do We Know? ·

2026/05/04

He helped build one of the greatest rock bands of all time, so why does everyone seem to hate him? This week, drummer extraordinaire Andrew Rooney joins us to dig into the Lars Ulrich debate. Great drummer or overrated? Visionary leader or certified jerk? And does he actually deserve the hate he gets? Send us Fan Mail Support the show

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42:40

4. Playing With Dynamics

What Do We Know? ·

2026/04/27

This week Danny and Mike dig into one of the most powerful and often overlooked tools in music: dynamics. Not just in how you play, but in your songs, your band, how a record is made and how a live show breathes. They pick up the guitar and work through some examples together before Danny plays Mike a number of iconic tracks that show dynamics done right. The kind of conversation that will genuinely change how you listen to music. Worth your time. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

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107:28

3. Tommy Emmanuel: Re-Release

What Do We Know? ·

2026/04/21

Back in 2017, Danny and former cohost Bobby Kennedy sat down with the legendary Tommy Emmanuel. With Tommy returning to New Zealand next month, we're re-releasing the episode. Since Mike is hearing it for the first time, we discuss his reactions and thoughts, knowing he's about to see Tommy live for the very first time too. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

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71:12

2. What Is a Musician, Really?

What Do We Know? ·

2026/04/13

In a world of ever advancing tech, who gets to call themselves a musician? We dig into the technology quietly reshaping music, why new tech always gets a rough reception, DJs, AI, and the big question: can a machine ever really make art? Spoiler: we don't think it can. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

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45:31

1. A Clean Slate

What Do We Know? ·

2026/04/08

Danny & new co-host Mike kick off their revamped podcast by talking about reinvention and why sometimes you just have to burn it all down and start again. New name, new show, new attitude. Support the show

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80:47

168. Bonus Episode: Stephen Gallagher Returns

What Do We Know? ·

2025/04/08

On this special bonus episode, Stephen Gallagher returns to the show to discuss his work on Peter Jacksons Beatles documentary Get Back, and his recent gig scoring the soundtrack for the new animated Lord Of The Rings entry, The War of the Rohirrim. Original cohost Bobby Kennedy also returns to illuminate the conversation. This episode was recorded just because Christmas 2024. Since we last had Stephen on the show, he’s won an Emmy, grown a beard and been on a date with Dann...

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139:01

167. Ben Jurisich

What Do We Know? ·

2024/11/14

Next year, Danny and Ben will have known each other for forty years. Their friendship as has been quite the adventure, that’s included the Masters Of The Universe, G.I. Joe, skateboarding, fist fights, forming their first band together at the age of twelve, both dropping out of school, scratching out a living as professional musicians, supporting the likes of Bryan Ferry, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton and these days, both finding more perspective and calm in their lives. On this epis...

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87:19

166. Chris Bourke

What Do We Know? ·

2024/10/31

Twenty-six years ago, Danny bought Chris Bourke’s book Something So Strong, which tells the highly entertaining and informative story of Crowded House. So much about the book stayed with Danny and gave him some very important tips about how to navigate the music industry. All these years later, Danny got to talk to Chris Bourke about Crowded House, his books Something So Strong (1998), Blue Smoke (2010) and Good-bye Maoriland (2017) and his work at AudioCulture. Chris is lik...

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111:42

165. Thabani Gapara

What Do We Know? ·

2024/10/16

Saxophonist Thabani Gapara grew up Zimbabwe and eventually moved to South Africa to further his studies. While he was studying, his parents had been living and working in the UK, but despite much effort, Thabani was unable to secure a visa to join them. So, the whole family moved to New Zealand so they could be together and our local music scene is now fortunate to have this dedicated, professional and joyful musician in our midst. Thabani is a thoughtful and kind-hearted gu...

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101:25

164. Chris Melville

What Do We Know? ·

2024/08/29

Danny met Chris Melville twenty five years ago when they were both regularly performing at The Temple Bar in Auckland’s CBD. Chris didn’t realise he was playing an important role in Danny’s career, giving Danny lots of great advice about how to build a career in the arts. They went on to collaborate on several projects together and now, after having not seen each other for a few years, they have reconnected to record this episode of the podcast. This one goes deep. Enj...

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78:12

163. Jenni Smith

What Do We Know? ·

2024/08/08

Danny first met Jenni Smith when he was tutoring guitar at Auckland University. Jenni was a first-year student on the Popular Music course and years later, Jenni is now celebrating a recent chart placement and is working hard promoting her new, upbeat single ‘T-Shirt’. A proud ‘Swifty’, Jenni developed a fascination with pop and country music when she was young and has spent the years since learning to play a variety of instruments, while developing her songwriting skills. S...

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75:42

162. Mike Baker

What Do We Know? ·

2024/07/19

Mike Baker is a songwriter who was involved with the Flying Nun scene in the late 80s (primarily with the band Not Really Anything) before relocating to Sydney to manage bands and create a career as a chef, including cooking for White Stripes, Dandy Warhols, Henry Rollins, Boss Hogg, Lloyd Cole and many others, before returning to NZ. He’s now got a debut EP out under the name BAkeR.Support the Show.

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66:48

161. Joanne Cole

What Do We Know? ·

2024/07/02

Originally from Canada, Joanne currently holds the position of Director, Artistic Planning & Participation, at New Zealand Opera in Auckland, New Zealand where she has been a department head since 2014. On this episode the two musicians talk about craft, technique, the business of music and they discuss the differences and the similarities between their careers. Find out more about Joanne and New Zealand Opera at www.nzopera.comWatch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cI...

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80:27

160. Graham Reid

What Do We Know? ·

2024/04/30

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70:45

159. Noise Play

What Do We Know? ·

2024/03/15

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65:11

158. Jody Garrett

What Do We Know? ·

2024/02/29

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66:22

157. Bobby Kennedy

What Do We Know? ·

2024/02/01

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84:43

156. Scott Parker, The Boondocks

What Do We Know? ·

2023/12/21

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195 results

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