Rnz: Music 101

Bic Runga and Kody Nielson dissect their Silver Scroll-nominated song 'Close Your Eyes'.

The giveahome concert series took place in sixty different countries on September 20 with big artists like Ed Sheeran and The National playing in different cities. It's all to raise awareness for the 22 million refugees worldwide, and Alex Behan went along to the auckland performance.

Thea, Tiny Ruins and other big names in New Zealand music performed a special concert last night - at a house in Mt Albert.

James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem got the band back together because David Bowie told him to. Nick Bollinger has a listen to their new album and ponders Bowie's advice.

Nick Bollinger reviews an intricate and mature, yet anxious new set from The National.

In this week's Pocket Edition, Kirsten Johnstone speaks with Shonen Knife's Naoko Yamato about Nirvana, ramen and rock; Leilana Momoisea introduces us to some new hip hop acts; and 15-year old pop prodigy Billie Eilish makes her first visit to NZ.

Ten years after the release of her breakthrough album Long Player, homegrown soul singer Hollie Smith joins Alex Behan for an hour of her favourite tunes.

Young Gho$t and Chronic Shnxman introduce their song Metallica.

London Grammar have hurdeled the notoriously difficult second album and are on their way to New Zealand at the end of this month. Guitarist Dan Rothman spoke to Music 101's Alex Behan.

There are exciting new hip hop artists from both New Zealand and Australia releasing their first songs this week and RNZ's Leilani Momoisea has been keeping a close eye on them.

In celebration of Te Wiki o te reo Maori, seven-piece soul, RnB roots band Grove Roots perform their waiata Maori in the M101 studios.

Since 1981 Naoko Yamano has been the leader of japanese rock n roll trio Shonen Knife. The band are playing in NZ in October.

Summer festivals are fast approaching and to help us sort the wheat from the chaff Aroha Harawira gives us an overview of the upcoming parties.

Neil Finn assembled a small village of musicians and fans to participate in the making of his new album. Nick Bollinger assesses the results.

The Black Seeds frontman shares his completely BBQ reggae-free selection of locally sourced tunes, and tells Yadana Saw a few yarns.

King Loser's mesmerising mix of snappy surf guitar, sloppy drones, reckless rock'n'roll and croony covers stood them apart from their local contemporaries in the early mid-'90s. Now King Loser are about to tread the boards again. How will their reunion play out?

Hex is the genesis of G G and Kiki Van Newtown, married both in music and life, and since conception in 2010, Hex released their first EP last year and have been a dominant force on the local music scene. RNZ's Jana Whitta caught up with Hex when they were in Auckland last weekend for the Others Way Festival.

Paul Kelly remains one of Australia's most enduring songwriters. He talks to Trevor Reekie about the creative process and recording the album Life is Fine.

Christchurch band Best Bets introduce their song All Roads Lead Back.

Nina Las Vegas is was a Triple J DJ, and now runs her own record label. She has residencies for BBC Radio 1,Red Bull Radio and a close association with Diplo and his label Mad Decent and is playing New Zealand for the first time.