Bret McKenzie: From Conchords to Oscar, A Musical Journey

0:00It's April 2nd. This is Sydney News Today, driven by AI, Brett McKenzie, the New Zealand comedian and musician, keeps his Oscar trophy right on top of the piano in his lounge. He won it back in 2012 for Best Original Song, Man or Muppet from the Muppet's Movie Reboot. At 49 years old, and a dad of three, he says that shiny statue sometimes stares him down when he's trying to write new tunes, making him question if he can top it. After a fight of the Concerts blew up in the late 2000s with their HBO show and absurdly clever songs parading everyone from Bowie to rap. McKenzie shifted gears that Oscar opened doors to scoring for heavy hitters like Lady Gaga, The Simpsons, and even Kermit the Frog. Living back in Wellington now, he calls it the highlight that launched his composing career. Fans still know him best from Concert's days with partner, Jermaine Clement, but he's cool with that nostalgia. He gets why it's tough for folks to see his evolution into heartfelt solo albums like

1:02Songs Without Jokes, and The New Freakout City, drawing from 70s singer songwriters with top-session players. These days, he's rehearsing old Concerts tracks like Business Time, pulling up YouTube to remember bass lines for their first shows in eight years. This May 9th and 10th, they'll hit the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles for nearly 12,000 fans, proving small clubbibes scale huge. McKenzie loves mixing funny, serious, insincere songs now, whether from up its madness or straight emotion, and touring with his big, pricey band. Keeps that live energy alive, it's all about that thrill, when 10 people laughing turns into thousands connecting on the same joke.