Lisa Van Der Aarde


95bFM’s legendary New Zealand music show Freak the Sheep celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2017, so what better time to reflect on the outstanding legacy of its founder, Lisa Van Der Aarde. Radio host, band manager, compilation curator and mentor to many, from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s Van Der Aarde’s name in Auckland was pretty much synonymous with New Zealand music, especially of the alternative persuasion.

Alongside founding the radio show, she managed NRA (Not Really Anything), S.P.U.D. and the Hallelujah Picassos, and was behind the release of two now-classic Freak the Sheep compilation albums released through Flying Nun. And while she has lived in San Francisco for over 20 years, Van Der Aarde keeps a keen eye on what’s happening back home.

Lisa Van Der Aarde
Photo credit: Brendon Harrison
Lisa Van Der Aarde in 2017
Freak The Sheep (1991), compiled by Lisa Van Der Aarde. bands included Hallelujah Picassos, Freak Power, Second Child, Nixons, Watershed and Nemesis Dub Systems.
Track listing for the first Freak The Sheep compilation, 1991.
From Lisa Van Der Aarde's archives: comments on the Freak the Sheep Volume 1 tracks, as published by the NZ Herald in August 1991.
Photo credit: Lisa Van Der Aarde collection
Lisa Van Der Aarde pictured aboard the Interislander ferry Arahura, en route to Picton for the first South Island tour by Hallelujah Picassos. The band was promoting their 1992 debut album Hateman In Love.
Photo credit: John Payne
Hallelujah Picassos with manager Lisa Van Der Aarde
Photo credit: Photo by Darryl Ward. Peter McLennan collection
Notes for the 1993 Age Of Dog tour. An interview with Lisa Van Der Aarde at 95bFM for Freak The Sheep is mentioned.
Freak The Sheep Vol 2 (1992), compiled by Lisa Van Der Aarde. Bands included Head Like A Hole, Blue Marbles, Tinnitus, and Axel Grinders. Cover by Andrew White.
Lisa Van Der Aarde interviews DLT (Frenzy, TV3, 1994)
Lisa Van Der Aarde interviews Head Like A Hole (Frenzy, TV3, 9 June 1994 - directed by Ross Cunningham)
Photo shoot for the Freak The Sheep compilation album. Lisa Van Der Aarde sitting at the front with all the bands. Taken at the Gluepot, Ponsonby, Auckland.
Photo credit: Peter McLennan collection
Hallelujah Picassos between Napier and Gisborne, with manager Lisa Van Der Aarde and soundman/producer David Hornblow, 1993
Photo credit: Peter McLennan collection

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