Rnz: Music 101

Band member Corin Tucker speaks to Charlotte Ryan from backstage in Philadelphia.

DARTZ join Charlotte Ryan in the studio before they head off on their first UK and Europe tour.

Irish comedian, author, musician, actor and playwright David O'Doherty has also appeared on UK television on shows such as QI, Have I Got News For You, 8 Out of 10 Cats and Would I Lie to You. He claims to be the least famous person ever to have hosted an episode of Nevermind the Buzzcocks.

Splore, a NZ music festival that has been going for 25 years, is taking a break. John Minty from Splore management talks to Charlotte Ryan about the pressures facing the festival and a "challenging" year.

British musician Mark Knopfler has just released both a new solo album One Deep River and a re-recording of his debut solo single 'Going Home'. The 74-year-old former Dire Straits frontman talks to Charlotte Ryan about the thrill of collaboration and the "buzz" of a Knopfler song becoming the theme for his hometown football team.

Troy Kingi, Dallas Tamaira (Fat Freddy's Drop), Rio Hemopo (TrinityRoots) will perform with a full band tracks from American singer/songwriter Bill Withers' incredible catalogue, including 'Lean on Me', 'Lovely Day', 'Grandma's Hands', 'Ain't No Sunshine' and Kingi's personal favourite 'Use me'. Kingi has been described by the NZ Music Commission as "our Northland treasure", an artist who uses collaboration and genre to progress his celebrated sound. Troy Kingi talks to Charlotte Ryan about the influence of Bill Withers, ahead of the Aotearoa tribute tour.

Shannon Fowler is part of the The Fuzzy Robes, a psychedelic indie collective who record their irresistible incantations in churches throughout New Zealand. The band spans Tamaki Makaurau and Otautahi and involves a revolving cast of robed musicians creating a sonic adaptation of the New Zealand Prayer Book, He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa. Their album Midday Prayers was just released this week through Winegum Records and follows their first album Midnight Prayers.

Aaron Clarke is the singer/songwriter behind Mountain Boy. He talks openly about the pressure on musicians to seek attention in the Spotify age and how he stays true to what's important. The Kirikiriroa Hamilton-based artist is in the RNZ studio playing live from his new album 'The Days'.

Gin Wigmore is preparing to share the stage with Tom Jones who will headline Harvest Moon in Napier. The New Zealand born singer/songwriter has released platinum albums and created music for film and television. Gin speaks to Charlotte Ryan from a mansion she's managing in Santa Monica, and talks about how her fascination with old hotels feeds her creativity. Harvest Moon will be held at McLean Park, Napier on Saturday April 6.

Legendary US singer, songwriter Chris Isaak chats, strums, and serenades Charlotte Ryan ahead of his New Zealand show. Over his 40 year career he's written 13 critically acclaimed studio albums and created music for multiple film soundtracks including Eyes Wide Shut, True Romance, Wild at Heart, and Blue Velvet. Chris Isaak talks to Music 101 about the enduring influence of Roy Orbison and how he creates his classic sound, even when writing new music. Chris Isaak plays the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington on Monday April 22 and Auckland's Spark Arena on Wednesday April 24.

Not many artists can announce two shows at Spark Arena. Yet UK DJ Fred Again sold out both in a matter of minutes, with more than 60,000 fans queuing up for a ticket. The DJ's promoter talks to Charlotte Ryan about the Fred Again phenomenon sweeping Aotearoa, and last night's Wellington show at Waitangi Park.

Charlotte Ryan talks to Maggie Tweedie live from WOMAD.

When Shepherds Reign, a five piece band from South Auckland, were nominated for the prestigious Taite Music Prize this week their Pacific metal music was broadcast on Breakfast television and radio stations across the nation. Often side-lined in the mainstream, the New Zealand metal scene is thriving, and about to converge at Spark Arena for Disturbed, where Shepherds Reign will play support. Oliver Leupolu (guitar/production) and Filiva'a James (vocals and keytar) join Charlotte Ryan in the RNZ studio. If you're not heading to DISTURBED, you can catch Shepherds Reign at Wellington's CubaDupa festival Saturday, March 23rd.

American soul singer Teddy Swims may have blown up on the charts, but it was New Zealand that fell hard for him first. His breakout song 'Lose Control' was the number 1 radio song here for 11 weeks running and reached the top 10 across Europe, the US and UK, taking with it his debut album I've Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1). It's a bittersweet success of an album written while his relationship was breaking down, Swims tells Charlotte Ryan. 

From his cult radio show as The Wizard in the 1980s to forming the techno collective Underground Resistance, then Axis Records, many call Jeff Mills a dance music legend. He's performing at the Auckland Town Hall with his improv group Tomorrow Comes The Harvest, creating brand new sounds on the night with veteran keyboardist Jean-Phi Dary and tabla virtuoso Prabhu Edouard. Jeff Mills speaks to Charlotte Ryan from his home in Paris about how his new show works, and the state of today's dance music scene.

After finding the traditional classical world "an intense, competitive place" post-classical composer Rose Riebl found comfort in her rule-breaking minimalist music. Rose is signed to the independent label Inni in Iceland, a place she describes as an "artistic mecca". She talks to Maggie Tweedie about why creatives are so drawn to the island.

Pitchfork named Real Estate's 'Daniel' one of the most anticipated albums of 2024, yet it's since been announced the platform will be folded into GQ. Singer Martin Courtney talks to Maggie Tweedie about how music journalism cemented the future of his band, and why the ecosystem surrounding music is needed to make a living as a musician.

Ben and Louis Helliker-Hales are Chaos in the CBD. The Kiwi brothers have been living in London for over a decade, becoming an essential part of the global dance community and playing at the top house clubs. Maggie Tweedie catches up on their touring life abroad, and a special music collaboration with another Aotearoa treasure, Nathan Haines. NZ shows: Fri Mar 8th, 2024, The Powerstation, Auckland Fri Mar 15th, 2024, San Fran, Wellington Twominds Festival in Otautahi Christchurch.

Taite Music Prize winning artist Jazmine Mary brings their electric guitar into the RNZ studio to share a song ahead of their show at the Hamilton Gardens next Sunday. After releasing the album 'Dog' last year, Jazmine Mary has been travelling, opening for international acts Kurt Vile, Billy Bragg, Gang Of Youths, as well as touring the country in support of Reb Fountain. They are back in Aotearoa and about to play a very special show as part of the Hamilton Arts Festival. The Hamilton Arts Festival runs from 23 Feb - 3 March.

Pixie Williams is a National treasure. She was New Zealand's first ever pop star - releasing 'Blue Smoke in 1948. In 2021 a tribute album to Pixie Williams was recorded called 'The New Blue' featuring Whirimako Black, Anna Coddington, Rachel Fraser, Kirsten Te Rito and Lisa Tomlins, all singing songs of Pixie Williams. Some of those singers are performing in Wellington for the Fringe Festival in a show called The New Blue - a Portrait of Pixie Williams Lisa Tomlins joins Charlotte Ryan from Poneke, Wellington.