3 May 2025

The Mixtape: Harry Russell

From The Mixtape, 4:00 pm on 3 May 2025
Harry Russell sometime in the 1980s.

Harry Russell sometime in the 1980s. Photo: Simon Grigg

Trevor Reekie talks to Auckland based Music Fan, Contributor, Writer, DJ, and Musician, Harry Russell aka Harry Ratbag, who was once described as a legend in his own lunchtime that has taken him on to London and New York where he worked for the enigmatic Rough Trade label and associate with a who’s who of very interesting alternative music legends. 

Harry Ratbag, also known as Harry The Bastard, a name taken from the Young Ones TV Show, also curated 3 Mix Albums for a label he was associated with in New York, Harry the Bastard Presents Club H, which were basically listening sessions in Harry’s apartment, it's said that these 3 volumes moved around 40-50,000 copies.

Trevor Reekie talks to Harry Ratbag about the music that has always resonated on his journey through life.

Songs Played:

  • Rolling Stones - Sweet Black Angel

  • Big Black - Bazooka Joe

  • Spiritualized - Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space (Live)

  • Mr Fingers - Can You Feel It

  • Galaxy to Galaxy - Hi Tech Jazz

  • Snowboy - Casa Forte (Joe Claussell's Spiritual Life Samba Remix)

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