Roxette – Vector Arena (Concert Review) 7 February 2015
Yes, they’ve still got the look, but do they have the sound? Swedish popsters Roxette blew into town last night giving audience members reason to wallow in a bit of nostalgia. As it turned out, it didn’t matter how they sounded as the fans did a fair share of the singing. With most of their […]
NZ Metal round up Feb 6th 2014
Well, it’s Waitangi day and already the Prime Minister has declared his envy of the dictatorial powers of Frank Bainimarama, the south island is on fire, and it snowed overnight on the desert road. I’ve been pretty absent for a while now, because of issues far too boring to discuss, yet it’s soon to be […]
Passenger Records New Video In New Zealand
Passenger was in New Zealand last week performing two shows in Auckland and Wellington. You can check out The 13th Floor review of the Auckland show here. While in the country, Passenger’s Mike Rosenberg recorded a music video for his song And I Love Her.
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 […]
Passenger – Civic Theatre (Concert Review) 30 January 2015
“You might have thought Passenger were a band,” Michael Rosenberg told Auckland’s Civic last night. “Auckland, it’s just you, me and a guitar. Is that OK?” The two-thousand strong audience certainly seemed not to mind. Rosenberg, performing since 2009 as Passenger following the breakup of the band of the same name, opened with Rolling Stone, […]
Paul Simon & Sting Vector Arena (Concert Review) 30 January 2015
There were enough musical instruments on stage to stock a good-sized shop as the somewhat unlikely pair of Paul Simon and Sting joined forces (and bands) to sing their own and each other’s songs to a sold-out crowd at Auckland’s Vector Arena. Judging from the smile of Paul Simon’s face as he and his new […]
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? […]
Laneway Update
Mayor Len Brown is just introducing Mac Demarco as I make my way to the media area to file this report. I’ve just seen Connan Mockasin, Angel Olsen and Courtney Barnett. I’ve gotta say Connan was a bit of a disappointment. His neo-psychedelic noodlings were long and aimless. Much more focussed was Angel Olsen. The […]
Laneway Is Underway!
Auckland’s Laneway Festival has just begun. The sold-out show will be running all day down at Silo Park. The 13th Floor has already scored an interview with Courtney Barnett. You’ll be able to watch Courtney talk about her highly-anticipated new album soon on The 13th Floor. Here’s a photo of Tiny Ruins looking resplendent in […]
Watch My Baby’s 13th Floor Video Session
Things have been hopping up at the 13th Floor studio this new year. The latest band to stop by and record a video session is Amsterdam’s My Baby. The three-piece consists of Kiwi Daniel Johnston on guitar along with the Dutch brother and sister team of Joost and Cato van Dyck. Cato sings and Yoost […]
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 […]
Devilish Mary and the Holy Rollers’ 13th Floor Video Session
Devilish Mary and the Holy Rollers are the latest act to emerge from the fertile Lyttelton music scene. The band consist of Anita Clark (vocals & fiddle), Ben Woolley (vocals & double bass) and Simon Gregory (guitar & vocals). They’ve just released their self-titled debut album and are currently touring New Zealand. Anita, Ben and […]
RIP: Kim Fowley
KIm Fowley has passed away at the age of 75. Kim, who has been involved in music as a songwriter, artist , producer, label head and just about anything else, was a true rock & roll original. Kim began producing records in the late 1950s. His first big hit was Alley Oop by The Hollywood […]
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 […]
Watch Eyreton Hall’s 13th Floor Video Session
Eyreton Hall consists of vocalist Toni Randle and drummer Andrew Keegan. Although the couple now lives in Auckland (with their two children), Toni is originally from Christchurch and Andrew is from Sydney. The self-described “art-folk” music they write and perform can be heard on their debut album, Featherstitch, released just a month or so ago. […]
RIP: Joe Cocker
Joe Cocker has died at the age of 70. The singer passed away due to lung cancer. Hailing from Sheffield, England, the gravelly-voice vocalist was one of the highlights of 1969’s Woodstock Music Festival thanks to his bluesy version of The Beatles’ With A Little Help From My Friends. His Mad Dogs And Englishmen tour […]
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 […]