The 13th Floor

Savages – Silence Yourself (Album Review)

The 13th Floor — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:30:10 +0000

The world used to be silent, now it has too many voices…so begins the manifesto these four London-based musicians have printed on the cover of their debut album. Savages are determined to be heard above the roar of the crowd and their album, Silence Yourself, makes an excellent case for them to be heard, and listened to at high volume.

Click here to read the entire review and listen to a track from the new album.

Graham Parker: Getting Back With The Rumour (Interview)

The 13th Floor — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:08:24 +0000

Graham Parker and The Rumour started making records together at the end of the 1970s. Albums such as Heat Treatment, Howling Wind and Squeezing Out Sparks were full of Parker’s soulful, yet anger-laced vocals and The Rumour’s pub-punk musicianship. They split up in the early 1980s but are back with a new album, Three Chords Good. The 13th Floor spoke to Graham Parker just as he and The Rumour finished their American tour. Listen in as Graham Parker ponders his next move:

Download: parker-graham-2013.mp3

Click here to read The 13th Floor review of Three Chords Good.

R.I.P: Doors Keyboard Player Ray Manzarek

The 13th Floor — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:00:24 +0000

The Doors’ keyboard player and founding member Ray Manzarek has died at age 74 from cancer. Manzarek’s unique keyboard playing was an integral part of that iconic band’s sound.

Click here to read more about Ray Manzarek’s death.

Click here to listen to Soul Kitchen from The Doors’ first album:

Download: doors-soul-kitchen.mp3

Tenacious D – Auckland Town Hall (Concert Review)

The 13th Floor — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:59:11 +0000

If interest in the comedy/music of Tenacious D has waned over the years, as has been speculated, no one told the mob that showed up at Auckland’s Town Hall to see them this Monday night. Encouraged by the enthusiastic crowd, and assisted by a man dressed as Sasquatch, Jack Black and Kyle Gass entertained themselves and their rabid fans for just under 90 minutes.

Click here to read the entire review along with the complete set list and view a gallery of concert photos taken by Rowan McKay.

Bobby Womack – Civic Theatre (Concert Review)

The 13th Floor — Sat, 18 May 2013 19:21:21 +0000

R&B veteran Bobby Womack brought a classic soul revue to Auckland’s Civic Theatre. With a set list and a red suit rooted firmly in the 1970s, Womack and his excellent band played two hours of vintage rhythm and blues.

Click here to read the entire concert review along with the complete set list and view a photo gallery shot by Veronica McLaughlin.

They Might Be Giants – The Studio (Concert Review)

The 13th Floor — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:30:01 +0000

Uber-nasal American singing voices generally send me screaming from the room but there’s something endearing about They Might Be Giants that keeps me bopping happily along for an epic two hour set that spans 30 years and 16 albums. The band are famous for contributing the Malcolm in the Middle theme song Boss Of Me to the theme tune canon, and have released albums for both adults and children.

Click here to read the entire concert review, including a complete set list, and view a photo gallery.

Beth Orton Concert Photos

The 13th Floor — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:10:10 +0000

Beth Orton performed at Auckland’s Holy Trinity Cathedral on Saturday night and The 13th Floor’s Rowan McKay was there to snap a few photos. Here they are:Click to view slideshow.

Rustee Allen On Sly Stone, Robin Trower & Bobby Womack (Interview)

The 13th Floor — Fri, 17 May 2013 06:19:51 +0000

Bobby Womack and his band have just arrived in Auckland for their show at the Civic Theatre on Saturday. The 13th Floor was thrilled to get a chance to speak with bass player Rustee Allen. In addition to playing with Bobby Womack, Mr. Allen was a member of Sly & The Family Stone during the 1970s and played on many of the band’s greatest tracks. Listen here as Rustee Allen talks about Sly…including his recent appearance on the Grammys…and his other musical endeavours:

Download: allen-rustee-2013.mp3

Click here to listen to If You Want Me To Stay by Sly & The Family Stone, featuring Rustee Allen:

Download: sly-if-you-want-me-to-stay.mp3

Get To Know Joseph & Maia (Interview)

The 13th Floor — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:30:37 +0000

Joseph & Maia have just released their debut EP titled Roll Up Your Sleeves. The couple hail from Mount Maunganui and have hit the ground running, signing with Sony NZ and gettting significant airplay locally. The 13th Floor decided to find out a bit more about these youngsters and so we got Joseph Thompson on the phone for a chat. Click here to listen to the interview with Joseph Thompson of Joseph & Maia:

Download: joseph-maia-2013.mp3

Click here to listen to Gold In Your Hands from the Roll Up Your Sleeves EP:

Download: joseph-maia-gold-in-your-hands.mp3

The Return Of Unknown Mortal Orchestra

The 13th Floor — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:54:06 +0000

After a whirlwind couple of shows earlier this year, the Psych-pop trio return in July for a New Zealand tour proper and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome them home.
Dunedin – Thursday July 18^th, ReFuel
Auckland – Friday July 19^th, Kings Arms
Wellington – Saturday July 20^th, Bodega

All shows R18.

Tickets available 9am Thursday 16^th May,
from www.undertheradar.co.nz, Real Groovy – Auckland,
RPM & Slowboat - Wellington, Cosmic - Dunedin

Click here to read the entire press release for more details.