Rnz: Music 101

Despite struggles with health and technology, Martin Phillipps has consolidated the return of his iconic band The Chills with a timely and topical new album. Nick Bollinger talks to the big Chill.

Glen Common and Pete Rainey founded the Smokefree Rockquest in Christchurch in 1989. Now in its 30th year, the competition is still going strong with over 800 bands entering in 2018. In this RNZ Music Mixtape, they share some of their favourite artists from the competition, and discuss why Rockquest is still thriving.

Its been a big 2018 for Mitch James. After opening for Ed Sheeran earlier this year he has now released his debut album but he speaks to Alex Behan about how it hasn't all been rosy.

Dunedin band Marlin's Dreaming introduce their song 'I'll Stick By You'.

The Beths scored a Silver Scroll nomination for their song ‘Future Me Hates Me’, the title track of an album which has earned them rave reviews at home and abroad. We visited the band at their Auckland studio.

We visit Manurewa High School to meet the talented young musicians from Mit Eldnar - an 11-piece band headed for the national finals of both Smokefree Rockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats.

Rob Ruha won four awards, Ria Hall was named Best Female Artist, Alien Weaponry took out Best Music Video, Troy Kingi won Best Pop Album, and Seth Haapu won Best Songwriter at the 11th Annual Waiata Māori Music Awards in Hastings.

You might not have heard of Rotorua-born musician Alayna Powley, but the rest of the world has. At just 25, she’s worked with some of the world’s biggest pop producers and clocked up over nine million streams on Spotify.

Fables introduce their song 'Where You Are, I Am'.

British-born, New York-based Devonte Hynes explores his sense of dislocation in an uneasy new album. Nick Bollinger has a listen.

Legendary New Zealand musician Don McGlashan – the man behind beloved hits including 'Dominion Road' and 'Anchor Me' – joins Kirsten Johnstone to select songs for the RNZ Music Mixtape.

Yadana Saw speaks with Justin Firefly about his new band Congress Of Animals, which also features Age Pryor and Bret McKenzie.

American rapper Mac Miller died September 7 at the age of just 26. Alex Behan talks to Stuff reporter Kate Robertson about his musical career and the obvious and high profile challenges he was facing.

James Lavelle launched the careers of some hugely influential musicians on his record label Mo' Wax, and found further success with his own band Unkle. He's now the subject of a new documentary, which he discussed with Tony Stamp.

Rob Ruha and Ria Hall are bringing their highly acclaimed live show Behind The Lines to New Zealand, after a sold-out performance at the Darwin Arts Festival. The pair dropped in to give RNZ Music's Alex Behan the lowdown.

To celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, RNZ Music spoke to some of our favourite musicians who sing in te reo. We asked them to share their top Māori phrase and tell us about why music is important to fostering the reo into the future.

Nick Bollinger discusses a lost country classic - from West African duo Jess Sah Bi and Peter One.

Nick Bollinger discusses the first equal-billing album from father-and-son duo Neil and Liam Finn.

In this week's Pocket Edition, Yadana Saw speaks with Ruban Neilson whose band UMO have kicked off their New Zealand tour, we are introduced to Dunedin's Abby Wolfe, and Alex Behan speaks with Blair Jollands, an ex-pat who makes music when he's not working as a film sound designer.

Fiona McDonald shares seven songs that have influenced her, as well as stories of motherhood, joining her favourite band ever, and fronting TV shows that no one watched (or needed).