Sometimes it’s enough to be delighted to discover that little changes in the standard of a musician’s artistry. Such is the new and unexpected new offering from Robin Trower. “Who’d have thought” was my first reaction on hearing of the release. After all, Trower cancelled a tour last year due to serious ill-health. Then another […]
The best gifts can arrive in small packages. After seven solo albums, songwriter Charlotte Yates offers us Winter’s Eye, a sparkling EP. Replete with arresting lyrics, these songs take us places and serve as a reminder of the lyrical craft underlying the process of composition.
In the foyer, black clothes prevail. Cloaks and helmets with horns even. These are serious fans. I ask two what genre Wardruna are. They were stuck for a moment. Norse-noir says one. Scandi-pagan says the other.
This is a diverse and utterly elevating collection from Moana & The Tribe. Moana Maniapoto is the kuini/queen of creating joyous sounds in a landscape of struggle for indigenous voice and inclusion. In this collection, ONO offers six richly-layered and sonically engaging collaborations that are a tacit encouragement to learn more about the traditions they […]
The dictionary says someone mousy is ‘shy, timid, quiet’. But, as this Mousey (Sarena Close) has revealed, there’s more to the name. It references the girl in the opening lines of Bowie’s Life on Mars. And here in her third long-player, Dreams of Our Mothers’ Mothers! there are ch-ch-ch- changes for one of the most […]
In 2014, Shihad released FVEY, a raging record addressing social justice issues that were deeply etched in its loud tracks. Now, right on a decade later, front man Jon Toogood offers a very different, and solo, song cycle.
Earlier in the day I was asked what I was up to tonight. ‘Reviewing The Beths’. ‘Easy’ I was told ‘Just write ‘The Beths show was glorious, joyous and wonderful’. End of review, enjoy the rest of the show’. Tempting and accurate. But I had a hunch there’d be more to say. There was.
Mel Parsons brought her Regional Sabotage tour to Waiheke Island. Fortunately 13th Floor review writer Robin Kearns and photographer Brenna Jo Gotje are island residents and here’s their coverage.
There is a synergy in Great Haunting’s arrival on a Friday. It may be a day late for the 13th, but a day cloaked in grey skies, and replete with sudden downpours and the threat of thunder. A fitting weatherly backdrop for this brooding, opaque and often clamorous soundscape from Earth Tongue, the two-piece band […]
Three acoustic guitars surround one chair on stage. Just after 8pm, Eric Bibb walks through the crowd and up onto the stage. Tall, loose pants, straw hat, wide smile. No need for an opening act. The crowd mostly in their 60s are clearly only here for one man.
