Concert Review: Sisters Of Mercy – Up In Smoke

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.

Click here to read the entire review.

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Album Review: Julien Dyne – Glimpse

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.

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Concert Reminder: Sisters Of Mercy at Auckland’s Powerstation This Wednesday

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. 

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Roger Waters Concert Photos

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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Click here to see more great photos from the concert.

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DVD Review: The Beaver

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.

Click here to read the entire review.

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Concert Announcement: Kaiser Chiefs First NZ Show

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.

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Interview: Gretchen Peters Greets Her Cruel World

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

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Album Review: Grant P. Chilcott Sings Mitchell Parish

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. 

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Album Review: Vintage Trouble – The Bomb Shelter Sessions

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.

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Concert Review: More FM Summer Vineyard Tour 2012 with Aloe Blacc and John Butler Trio

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.

Click here to read the entire review.

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