With all the smoke on stage, it was difficult to see them, but Sisters Of Mercy brought their brand of goth-rock to the Powerstation Wednesday night. These days the band consists of leader Andrew Eldritch on vocals accompanied by guitarists Ben Christo and Chris Catalyst. The band (meaning Eldritch) has never employed a live drummer, depending rather on “Doktor Avalanche”, the name given to whatever hardware (or software) is now keeping the beat for the group.
If you enjoy vocals, lyrics, hooks, riffs and melodies, Julien Dyne’s Glimpse isn’t for you. But if you like being challenged by music, if you’re partial to a spot of abstract jazz, and if you want to give your ears a workout, these nineteen beat-driven tracks will be right up your alley.
Click here to read the entire review and listen to a track from the new album.
Don’t forget…the rescheduled Sisters Of Mercy show at the Powerstation happens this Wednesday.
Check out the 13th Floor interview with Andrew Eldritch right here.
Filed under Press Release
Roger Waters brought his Wall tour to Auckland for the first of four sold-out shows at the Vector Arena on Saturday night. The two-hour show was a multi-media spectacle and 13th Floor photographer Michael Flynn was there to capture some stunning images.
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Despite the star power of Jodie Foster and Mel Gibson (or possibly because of it in Gibson’s case) The Beaver was a flop at the box office last year, winding up with only a limited, art house run in the US. Given the premise of the film…a depressed, middle-aged man sticks a beaver-shaped puppet on hand and speaks through the furry appendage in an effort to overcome his psychosis…it was always going to be a hard sell. But, I have to say, once I took the time to give the film a chance, I found it quite rewarding.
Everyone’s favourite Leeds lads the KAISER CHIEFS are venturing down toNew Zealand this May for their first ever show at Auckland’s Powerstation! Promising to play all their great songs including hits Ruby, I Predict A Riot, Everything Is Average Nowadays and Never Miss A Beat, Kaiser Chiefs in concert has been a long time coming!
The date is Thursday, May 10th. Click here for ticket details and the full press release.
Filed under Press Release
Nashville-based Gretchen Peters is best-known for the hits she has written for other artists, most notably Independence Day as recorded by Martina McBride. But Gretchen has been nursing her own recording career over the past decade or so. Her new album, Hello Cruel World, is her ninth, and it is a stunner. Her songwriting is stronger than ever and the production is warm and intimate. The 13th Floor spoke to Gretchen Peters and found out there is a lot more to this talented musician.
Click here to listen to the interview with Gretchen Peters:
Click here to listen to the title track from Hello Cruel World:
Filed under Interview
Grant P Chilcott, also known as Wentworth Brewster, has been keeping the torch of crooner-style singing aflame in New Zealand for twenty five years. He’s recorded with The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Strings, performed with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra, and sung in exotic countries around the world. In this album he turns his talents to re-imagining the songs of Mitchell Parish (1900 – 1993), the Lithuania-born immigrant turned Tin Pan Alley lyricist.
Click here to read the entire review and listen to a track from the new album.
With their mid-century recording techniques and influences, Hollywood-based Vintage Trouble are certainly retro, but they’re not up to much mischief. Sounding like The Detroit Cobras without Rachel Nagy’s cut-loose vocals or The Black Keys without the devil-may-care attitude, Vintage Trouble have a hot look but their brand of rock n’ soul lacks heat.
Click here to read the entire review and listen to a track from the new album.
Auckland surprised everyone on Saturday by cracking out a stunning summer’s afternoon for the More FM Summer Vineyard Tour. And there’s nothing like good weather to accompany some great music from home and abroad.
No one is safe in a CIA Safe House, where allies may be enemies and lies are told so often they sound like the truth. When young rookie Matt Weston (the perpetually confused-looking Ryan Reynolds) unexpectedly finds himself guarding dangerous intelligence mercenary Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) he finds himself being challenged by more than just Frost’s garroting attempts.
To help celebrate the 30th anniversay of the iconic New Zealand record label, Flying Nun, the 13th Floor welcomes Roger Shepherd, the founder and current owner of the label. Roger came up to The 13th Floor to spin 30 of his favourite Flying Nun tunes. You can listen in as Roger talks about some of New Zealand's most important music.
Click here to listen to Roger Shepherd's streaming radio programme:
Click here to read Roger Shepherd's playlist.
With a tour starting in just a few days and an extended trip to the US coming up fast, Miriam Clancy stopped by The 13th Floor to play some of her favourite songs for us. Miriam has recorded two exceptional albums already, Lucky One and Magnetic, and will record her third while overseas. Listen in as Miriam Clancy plays DJ at The 13th Floor.
Click here to read Miriam's playlist
Hi, I'm Donna. When civil defence give advice on what to store in case of a crisis, they always mention batteries. They'd go first in my kit so I won't be deprived of music...I know I'd be seriously unwell and find it hard to breathe without it! I'm happy Marty asked me onto the show. I'll share just a smidgen of my favourites with you here on the 13th Floor and I hope you enjoy listening.
Click here to listen to Donna's programme:
Click here to see Donna's play list
Click here to go to Donna Dean's website
Hi I'm Kathryn, a bass player and singer turned event manager. My favourite musical moments have included opening for The Rogers Sisters, driving Dan Auerbach around Auckland, mud wrestling for a music video, putting on a rock show in a car showroom, and of course being swept away into dreamland by some of the amazing shows I've been to. Past flatmates will be surprised that this show doesn't include any Eagles of Death Metal or, er, Airbourne.
Click here to listen to Kathryn's programme:
Click here to read Kathryn's playlist
Click here to check out Kathryn's van Geek videos on Youtube
Click here to watch Kathryn's band Jonnie Rose and their video of Italian Restaurant
Click here to visit Kathryn's website
Dylan Storey is one of our finest local singer songwriters and I'm honoured to have him here playing some of his favourite music.
Based in Auckland, he's known for playing his Firebird guitar too loud across the country. With a couple of well received albums under his belt, Storey is contemplating his next musical move. Check him out at www.dylanstoreymusic.com and his latest EP can be downloaded for free at http://dylanstorey.bandcamp.com/ For more rants on music and life, brave readers could follow www.twitter.com/dylanstorey
This radio show gathers some of his main influences and inspirations over the span of his career.
To listen to Dylan's programme, click here:
Click here to see Dylan Storey's play list
My name is Christiaan de Wit aka DJ Kreitskreator. I moved from Amsterdam to Auckland four months ago because I love volcanoes, black sandy beaches and above all palm trees. Back in Amsterdam, I worked as a freelance journalist and copywriter, but also for two great record stores: Concerto and Rush Hour, the latter also running the self-titled label as well as the Kindred Spirits imprint. Here in Auckland, I still write my ass off for Groove Guide, but I also work at Real Groovy Records where I dig up a lot of stuff. I love Conch Records as well.
I am very grateful to Marty that he let me chuck a few crazy tunes on his brand new baby 13th Floor. Sit back and try to relax (not sure if that's going to work all the way through). Enjoy!
Listen to Chris' radio programme here:
Here she plays some of her favourite songs from other artists.Part 1:
Part 2:
Gin Wigmore, The
Muttonbirds & Avalanche City
Feb. 16 & 17 – Upper Moutere – Neudorf Vineyards
Feb. 18 – Waipara – Mud House Winery
Feb. 19 – Dunedin – Logan Park
Feb. 21 – Cromwell – Olssen’s Vineyard
Feb. 23 – Blenheim – Villa Maria Estate
Feb. 25 – Martinborough – Alana Estate
Feb. 26 – New Plymouth – Sentry Hill Estate
Sisters Of Mercy
Feb. 22 – Auckland – Powerstation
Mayer Hawthorne
Feb. 22 – Wellington – San Francisco Bath House
Feb. 23 – Auckland – Powerstation
Rod Stewart
Feb. 25 – Auckland – Mission Estate
Glenn Shorrock &
Give It A Girl (Sharon O’Neill, Shona Laing, Annie Crummer, Debbie
Harwood)
Feb. 26 – Matakana – Ascension Wine Estate
The Black Lips
Feb. 28 – Auckland – Powerstation
The Muttonbirds
Feb. 29 – Auckland – Kings Arms
