Soundgarden’s Matt Cameron: Looking Forward (Interview)
Matt Cameron will be in Auckland in March drumming for Soundgarden when they perform at Westfest. The last time Cameron was here, he was holding down drumming duties for Pearl Jam at 2014’s Big Day Out. He’s a busy guy, so when The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda got the chance to speak to Cameron, he […]
Watch Ruth Moody’s 13th Floor Video Session
Canadian singer-songwriter Ruth Moody is in Auckland to perform at The Tuning Fork tonight. Yesterday she stopped by The 13th Floor studio to have a chat with Marty Duda and to play a couple of songs. Ruth has been a busy musician recently, having just toured France, the UK, Switzerland and The Netherlands, before coming […]
Clearing The Clutter With Sharon Van Etten (Interview)
Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten has become one of the most critically acclaimed indie artists around thanks to albums such as Epic, Tramp and her latest, Are We There? Since moving to Brooklyn she has assimilated into the local music scene making friends and collaborating with the likes of TV On The Radio, The National […]
Judas Priest: Redeemers Of Rock (Interview)
Heavy metal legends Judas Priest are due to make their very first New Zealand appearance when they play at Auckland’s Westfest show on March 3rd at Mt Smart Stadium. The band was formed way back in 1969, with the one constant member being bass player Ian Hill. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda spoke to Ian […]
Punch Brothers: Basking In The Glow (Interview)
The Punch Brothers have been described as a “progressive bluegrass band. Armed with banjos, fiddles, mandolins and guitars and led by Nickel Creek’s Chris Thile, the quintet blends elements of country, folk, mondern classical, jazz and bluegrass into a sound that is truly unique. The band recently headed into the studio with producer T Bone […]
Peter Davison and the Dr Who Symphonic Spectacular (Interview)
The 13th Floor has hooked up Professor Matthew R.X. Dentith, author of the book The Philosophy Of Conspiracy Theories with former Dr Who, Peter Davison. The two recently spoke ahead of Davison’s appearance at the upcoming Symphonic Spectacular, which he will be the MC. Here is Prof. Dentith’s report: Surely you’ve heard of Peter Davison? […]
The Waterboys: Still Flying Their Freak Flag High (Interview)
The Waterboys are about to release their new album, Modern Blues, tomorrow. Many fans of the Celtic rockers will remember their sizzling show at Auckland’s Civic Theatre in January of 2013 when Mike Scott and the boys made their first-ever stop in New Zealand. Modern Blues is being hailed as The Waterboys’ best album since […]
Watch Jessica Pratt At The 13th Floor
With write-ups in Pitchfork, Uncut and Stereogum and a recording contract with the ultra-cool Drag City label, Jessica Pratt has quickly become one of the most talked about musicians of the new year. The Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter is due to release her new album, On Your Own Love Again at the end of January. Her […]
Shovels & Rope: Americana Darlings (Interview)
Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent are Shovels And Rope, the husband and wife team who, after releasing their third album, Swimmin’ Time, in August of 2014, have decided to make their way down to this part of the world to perform at Auckland’s Tuning Fork on March 11. Although the couple now resides in […]
Courtney Barnett: Ready To Rock (Interview)
Australian musician and songwriter Courtney Barnett looks to be one of the highlights of this month’s Laneway Festival. Already the Melbourne-based rocker has started her own label, Milk! Records, had her song Avant Gardener named best track of 2013 by Pitchfork and been named Best Guitarist this past December during the first annual AU Awards […]
Introducing: Shakey Graves (Interview)
It seems Austin, Texas is teeming with musical talent. The latest to emerge from the self-proclaimed “Live Music Capital Of The World” is a gentleman named Alejandro Rose-Garcia…or as he’s known on record…Shakey Graves.
Charles Bradley: The Soul Of A Man (Interview)
Charles Bradley, the veteran soul man who forms part of the Daptone roster along with Sharon Jones and Lee Fields, is scheduled to perform in Auckland this coming March. The 66-year-old New York-based singer has had a bust few years…his latest album, Victim Of Love, was released in 2013, a documentary about him, called Soul […]
Jesus Jones: Right Here, Again (Interview)
Jesus Jones will return to Auckland after more than 20 years to perform their chart-topping album, Doubt, in its entirety. The band, led by front man Mike Edwards, is still made up of the same five musicians who recorded the album back in 1991. That record featured the hit single Right Here, Right Now, a […]
Watch The Eastern’s 13th Floor Video Session
Lyttelton band The Eastern have just released their new album, The Territory. The group, led by chief songwriter and vocalist Adam McGrath, draws a musical line from Woody Guthrie to Bob Dylan to Bruce Springsteen while adding a distinctive New Zealand accent to the mix. Recently, McGrath and fellow band members Jess Shanks, Alice Ryan […]
Vika Bull: At Last! (Interview)
Along with her sister Linda, Vika Bull has been a fixture on the Australian music scene for over 20 years. Most recently, they added their voices to CW Stoneking’s latest album. But Vika Bull will be in Auckland on Friday, November 28 to perform At Last: The Etta James Story at the ASB Theatre. Vika […]
Cairo Knife Fight: Ready To Rock (Interview)
With their first album in the can and ready for release, Cairo Knife Fight are ready to make a big noise in 2015. One way they will achieve that goal is playing alongside their friends. Shihad, on what promises to be THE rock & roll tour of the summer season. Joining Shihad and Cairo Knife […]
Hurray For The Riff Raff: Small Town Heroes (Interview)
Alynda Lee Segarra is a New York City native of Puerto Rican descent who grew up listening to doo wop and punk rock, began riding freight trains at age 17 and eventually landed in New Orleans where she fronts a band called Hurray For The Riff Raff. The band’s music is a blend of old […]
Scott J Mason: The 13th Floor Video Session
Scott J Mason is another Auckland musician who has stepped up from behind the drum kit to write and sing his own songs. Mason, who has played with a several bands including Gasoline Cowboy and Mulholland, has just released his first EP, the seven-track Animal Guilt. Scott brought himself and a three-piece string section up […]
Lamb: It’s All About Space (Interview)
Electronic music duo Lamb have been busy lately. They’ve just released a new album, Backspace Unwind, are touring Europe and have announce a concert date at Auckland’s Tuning Fork in February. Lamb was formed 20 years ago by Andy Barlow and Lou Rhodes. They split up 10 years ago but reunited in 2009. Backspace Unwind […]
Spandau Ballet: It’s All True (Interview)
They’re back! Spandau Ballet has returned with a new album, The Story-The Very Best Of Spandau Ballet, which includes three brand new tracks, and a documentary about the band and its history called Soulboys Of The Western World. They have also announced a tour that will bring them to Auckland’s Vector Arena in May of […]