Rnz: Music 101

Nick Bollinger reviews an unrepentant new album from Lily Allen.

In this week's Pocket Edition, Jon Toogood speaks about the inspiration behind his new album Haja, we learn about Finland's quest to be the global capital of metal and The Chills' Martin Phillips speaks with Simon Morris about the new Chills exhibition that has just opened in Dunedin.

Bill Direen is a polymath: a musician, writer and performer who has been creating work across a variety of media since the late 1970s. He speaks to Nick Bollinger about his music and influences and played a few of his personal favourites.

Welsh classically trained harpist Catrin Finch and Senegalese Kora player Seckou Keita have just released their second collaboration called Soar. Here they are in conversation with Trevor Reekie.

Auckland duo Lexxa introduce their song 'I Got Better Friends Now'.

Finland is the most metal country in the world. But which of their towns is the most metal of all? Tony Stamp investigates. 

Jon Toogood speaks about the incredible genesis of the new Adults record Haja. It features a who's-who of up and coming New Zealand talent. And it's no accident they're mostly female.

Nick Bollinger listens to the comforting melodies and disquieting meditations of Joshua Tillman, a.k.a. Father John Misty.

Dunedin band Death And The Maiden can count Shayne Carter among their growing number of fans. He invited them to perform at the Silver Scrolls last year, and since then they've released their second album of dark, electro-tinged pop, Wisteria.

Sydney based post-punk outfit Mere Women make loud music that takes you on a journey through big open spaces.

Pitchfork called her a leader in the next generation of indie rock and the "wisest teenage indie rocker we know", now Snail Mail, aka Lindsey Jordan has finally released her debut album. She speaks to RNZ Music's Alex Behan. 

On this week's Pocket Edition we talk to American indie wunderkind Snail Mail and Sydney post-punkers Mere Women.

Sound System: The Political Power of Music looks into the history of musical movements that have inspired political and social change and urges us all to "get stuck into that struggle.”

Nick Bollinger considers the hard-road song-tales of Bernie Griffen.

Nick Bollinger listens to the international debut of formerly Wellington-based soul singer Deva Mahal.

In this week's Pocket Edition, Alex Behan learns some Samoan with the help of Anoymouz and Tha Movement; Jana Whitta hosts Corduroy Cape - The Persnicketty Mixtape with Soaked Oats, Being, Ha the Unclear and we meet Rejjie Snow the Irish rapper who is on a sold out tour of New Zealand.

This week's RNZ Music Mixtape selector is drummer Myele Manzanza. The accomplished musician who's played across jazz, RnB, and hip-hop shares some tracks that have inspired his sound.

A meeting of minds between electronic producer Fis and taonga pūoro player Rob Thorne resulted in Clear Stones, an experimental album that saw the duo invited to play shows around Europe. Ahead of their first NZ performance, the pair spoke to Tony Stamp.

South Auckland rapper Tha Movement (David Saotupe) and beat-maker Anonymouz (Matthew Faiumu Salapu) tell Alex Behan how Samoan language and culture enriches their lives and their work.

New Zealand Music Month has been running for 17 years. Alex Behan asks the people who were there from the start to tell its story: how it began, what it's achieved and where it's going next.