13th Floor Top Interviews of 2020

Thanks to Covid and Zoom we here at 13th Floor were able to connect with almost 200 artists for in-depth interviews, both locally and internationally throughout 2020. So, here is a round-up of highlights in case you missed them.

Most of the interviews are features in our MusicTalk series and there were lots of them. We spoke to big names (Norah Jones, Flaming Lips, Bob Mould) ands folks you probably never heard of but should (Low Cut Connie, Suzie Stapleton, Strung Like A Horse) So here are a few of our favourites in case you missed them.

1. American Aquarium: We spoke to bandleader BJ Barnham about their very excellent album, Lamentations. The interview went so well and so long we split it into two parts. Click here for Part 1. Click here for Part 2. This one will get you thinking!
2. Flaming Lips: Wayne Coyne talks to Marty Duda about the Lips’ new album, American Head. Wayne is his usual candid self with plenty to say about politics, music and drugs. Click here to watch.
3. Suzie Stapleton: We head over to Brighton where we find Suzie ready to talk about her new album, We Are The Plague. Suzie, an Aussie now living in England is one of our most satifying new discoveries. Click here to watch the interview. 

4. Low Cut Connie: Adam Weiner is Low Cut Connie and his new double album, Private Lives is another of our fave discoveries. Locked Down in Philadelphia, Connie practically jumps through the screen in an effort to move to New Zealand during the interview. Click here to watch.

5. King Khan: Here’s another that went so well we had to post in two parts! We found King Khan in Berlin where the sleazy garage rocker has turned a musical leaf and made an amazing album, The Infinite Ones, with members of the Sun Ra Orchestra and Calexico. Click here to watch Part 1. Click here to watch Part 2.

6. Kristen Hersh: We caught Kristen just emerging from the Atlantic Ocean to talk about the very good and very new Throwing Muses album, Sun Racket. Click here to watch.

7. Bonnie Whitmore: It had to happen…at least one Zoom interview where someone was caught in their pajamas!. That someone was alt-country musician Bonnie Whitmore. Here she is in Austin, Texas, talking about her new album, Last Will And Testament, in some truly awe-inspiring PJs. Click here to watch. 

8. Immanuel Wilkins: Blue Note Jazz on The 13th Floor!. We spoke to a few artists on the legendary jazz label’s roster including sax player Immanuel Wilkins who just released his debut album, Omega. He tell us about working with his mentor Ambrose Akinmusire, who we also spoke to. Click here to watch the Immanuel Wilkins interview. Click here for Ambrose Akinmusire.

9. Madeline Kenney: Over to Oakland, California to talk to Madeline Kenney about her cool new album, Sucker’s Lunch. With a little help from Wye Oak, Madeline has made one of 2020’s best. Click here to watch the interview.

10. McStine & Minneman: We spoke to prog rockers Randy McStine and Marco Minnemann not once, but twice in 2020 as they released two new albums. Click here to watch the first interview from July. And click here to watch interview number two. Its like inviting old friends over for tea!

And if you’ve got more spare time during this holiday season, perhaps you want to check out these fab interviews:
Grant Lee Phillips
The Bobby Lees
H.C. McEntire
Billy Nomates
Glass Animals
Chuck Prophet
Strung Like A Horse
Bob Mould
Ane Brun
Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers)

And if its Kiwi music you want…we’ve been talking to just about everyone. Check these out:
Reb Fountain
Anna Coddington
Troy Kingi
Marlon Williams
Lou’ana
Dead Famous People
Moana Maniapoto
Don McGlashan
Milly Taback
Paul McLaney

And that’s not all folks! Search The 13th Floor for interviews with Norah Jones, Eddie Raynor, Tanya Donnelley, Jon Anderson, Sleaford Mods, Wayne Kramer, Amanda Palmer, Captain Sensible, Idles, Kate Owen, Bettye LaVette, Rumer, Fantastic Negrito, John Doe, Lianne La Havas and many, many more!