Robert Been of BRMC Talks To The 13th Floor (Interview)
On July 23rd, 2010, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club performed a stunning show at Auckland’s Powerstation. Less than a month later the band was shaken by the sudden death of Michael Been, father of the band’s Robert Been and former leader of The Call. He had been on the road with BRMC acting as their sound […]
Making Wassaic Way With Johnny Irion (Interview)
Johnny Irion and Sarah Lee Guthrie have been making music together for over a decade. Sarah Lee is the daughter of Arlo and granddaughter of Woody Guthrie, while Johnny Irion can claim a few notables in his family tree including author John Steinbeck. For their latest album, Wassaic Way, the couple has recruited a couple […]
Jimmy Rip: From Mick Jagger To Television (Interview)
Before Jimmy Rip replaced Richard Lloyd as Television’s second guitarist in 2007, he had carved out a career for himself as a session player based in New York City. Over the years Rip recorded and toured with a hundred of artists including Mick Jagger, Deborah Harry and Jerry Lee Lewis. He has also been recording […]
Filmmaker Allan George: Sounds Perfect (Interview)
Chances are, as you are reading this, Allan George is winging his way to North America…and you helped send him there. Allan is an up-and-coming young filmmaker whose short film, Sounds Perfect, is being shown in Toronto and Austin. Thanks to being granted “short film travel funding” from the New Zealand Film Commission, Allan George […]
Willis Earl Beal: Talking To Nobody (Interview)
Willis Earl Beal has made one of the most stunning albums of the year with Nobody Knows (check out the 13th Floor review here). The 13th Floor had the opportunity to speak to Willis Earl Beal and discover that the man himself seems to be just as extraordinary (and outspoken) as his music. Click here […]
Cody ChesnuTT: The Final Frontier (Interview)
In 2002 Cody ChesnuTT was being hailed as the latest saviour of classic soul with his impressive double-disc debut album, The Headphone Masterpiece. He seemed well on his way to becoming one of the biggest acts of the new millennium with a collaboration with The Roots soon after, and even a trip to New Zealand […]
Here Come The Drones (Interview)
Australian band The Drones will be in New Zealand for their first tour this month. The 13th Floor tracked down lead singer and guitarist Gareth Liddiard (aka Gaz) for a chat. He talked about touring with Neil Young, recording their new album, I See Seaweed and his hero, Johnny Thunders. You can listen to the […]
Beach Fossils: From The Bedroom To The Studio (Interview)
Direct from Brooklyn, New York, Beach Fossils will perform two show in New Zealand next week. Just before the band embarked for their journey Down Under, The 13th Floor emailed a few questions about the making of the band’s second album, Clash The Truth, to bandleader Dustin Payseur. The results of that exchange can be […]
Emma Wall Is Crossing The Ditch (Interview)
Australian folk singer Emma Wall is touring New Zealand for the first time in support of her new album Shiny New Toy. Emma Will be joined in Auckland with her band The Urban Folk when they play at The Wine Cellar. The 13th Floor spoke to Emma Wall just before she departed for her trip […]
Ry Cooder: "I didn’t even know we were recording the damn thing!" (Interview)
Ry Cooder has just released a new, live album. It’s only his second in a career that spans over 40 years. Like it’s predecessor, 1976’s Show Time, Live In San Francisco was recorded at The Great American Music Hall. The 13th Floor spoke to Ry Cooder about the recording of the new album and how […]
Neko Case: On Depression and Bathroom Grouting (Interview)
Neko Case releases her new album tomorrow. With the rather unwieldy title of , The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You, its the follow-up to her very successful 2009 album, Middle Cyclone.
Bernard Fanning: Out On His Own (Interview)
Former Powderfinger front man Bernard Fanning is about to perform at Auckland’s Powerstation in support of his solo album, Departures. As the voice of Powderfinger, Fanning was one of Australia’s most respected musicians. Now he’s out on his own and The 13th Floor tracked him down just as he was wrapping up his Australian tour. […]
Thomas Oliver Gets Beneath The Weissenborn (Interview)
This Friday, August 23rd, Thomas Oliver will release his solo album, Beneath The Weissenborn. As he states in the liner notes, “I wanted to explore the sonic possibilities of the instrument in the same way that I wanted to explore its harmonic possibilities. I wanted to tell a Weissenborn story”. The 13th Floor rang up […]
R.I.P. Cowboy Jack Clement
Producer/songwriter “Cowboy” Jack Clement has passed away at the age of 82. Clement was one of the prime ingredients in the Sun Records sound. He was the first to record Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison and he wrote and arranged for Johnny Cash. Read more about Cowboy Jack Clement here. Listen to The […]
The Map Room Discuss Their New Album (Interview)
The Map Room is Auckland musicians Brendon Morrow and Simon Gooding. The two audio engineers released their debut album just last month and its a keeper…full of shimmering guitars and gorgeous melodies. Brendon and Simon stopped by The 13th Floor recently to talk about the recording of The Map Room, a project that got its […]
Phoenix Foundation Brings Fandango To NZ (Interview)
After traipsing around Europe earlier this year, The Phoenix Foundation bring their Fandango tour to NZ this week beginning Friday, July 12th at The Powerstation. The 13th Floor spoke to Samuel Flynn Scott about the tour, the album, the new drummer and the best places to eat in Auckland. Click here to listen to the […]
Catching Up With Booga (Interview)
Long-time New Zealand rockers Head Like A Hole are about to embark on their “Monsta X” tour in August. The 13th Floor caught up with HLAH front man Booga Beazley to find out what’s been going on with the band. Turns out, quite a lot, including a new bass player, a new album and a […]
Martha Wainwright: Celebrating Kate (Interview)
Nonesuch Records will release Sing Me The Songs: Celebrating The Works Of Kate McGarrigle, this week. The two-disc set features 34 songs recorded live from a series of concerts held place in London, New York and Toronto. The concerts featured artists such as Norah Jones, Emmylou Harris, Teddy Thompson and Broken Social Scene, along with […]
Catching Up With Julia Deans (Interview)
The Adults featuring Julia Deans, Jon Toogood and Cairo Knife Fight’s Aaron Tokona (filling in for Shayne Carter) are hitting the road for a 5-date NZ Tour beginning June 27th. The 13th Floor spoke to Julia Deans to catch up on what’s happening with The Adults and her own solo career. Click here to listen […]
Feeding The Beast With Eden Mulholland (Interview)
You may know Eden Mulholland from his band Motocade. But now the Kiwi musician is releasing his first solo album, Feed The Beast. It’s out today and to give you an idea of what this diverse-sounding pop confection is all about, The 13th Floor invited Eden Mulholland up to sit down and discuss several of […]