Watch Parabola West’s 13th Floor Video Session
Here’s one last video session before the end of the year, and one that sounds perfect for the festive season. Check out Parabola West as she performs three original compositions and chats with The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda. Parabola, an ex-pat American, now living in Raglan, has released an EP, titled Did You Hear?, and […]
Grace Potter: I Am Not Who I Was Before (Interview)
It’s been a big year for Grace Potter. She’s stepped outside her long-time band, The Nocturnals, and made her first solo album, Midnight, much to the chagrin of many fans who were put off by the overt pop beats found on songs like the lead single, Alive Tonight. The Vermont native spoke to The 13th […]
Out of Pride: The Unapologetic Story of Melting Pot Massacre
by Dedee W Melting Pot Massacre were an Auckland-based Asian feminist punk band, active from 2011-2013. Their documentary ‘Out of Pride’ was made after they disbanded, and tells their story on their own terms. Having not yet seen it, I imagine it will provide more insight into the message behind their music and where they […]
Watch Ciaran McMeekan’s 13th Floor Video Session
As promised earlier, here is Ciaran McMeekan’s complete 13th Floor Video Session. In addition to playing a tune from his latest EP, Screaming Man, Ciaran introduces two brand new songs and talks to Marty Duda about moving from Dunedin to Auckland. Save
French Toast & Kurt Vile (Interview)
It’s a beautiful, sunny autumn day in New York City as I make my way along Broadway in Brooklyn. I have an appointment to meet with Kurt Vile at a café in the trendy area of South Williamsburg to discuss his new album, B’lieve I’m Goin’ Down, which was just released a week or two […]
Watch Will Wood’s 13th Floor Video Session
Fresh from a four and a half month tour of Europe, Will Wood stopped by The 13th Floor to talk about his adventures overseas and his upcoming show at Auckland’s Wine Cellar. The show…”Gunslinger’s Ball Presents…Last Minute Christmas…will find Will sharing the stage with Hopetoun Brown, Reb Fountain, Dave Khan, Tom Cunliffe and others for […]
Macy Gray: All She Wants For Christmas (Interview)
A couple of months before she’s due to perform in New Zealand as part of the Raggamuffin Festival, Macy Gray has created a bit of controversy by recording, of all things, a Christmas single. The song, an original composition titled All I Want For Christmas, addresses current political and social issues such as the US […]
JD McPherson: Weird Stuff Is Going To Happen (Interview)
Hailing from the rural town of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, JD McPherson is fast-becoming one of the most exciting artists on the roots-rock scene. Citing influences from Little Richard to Led Zeppelin to the Wu-Tang Clan, McPherson has been tearing up the US with his latest tour in support of his second album, Let The Good […]
Mi-Sex: A Second Chance To Rock & Roll (interview)
Pioneering New Zealand synth-rockers Mi-Sex will be teaming up with Dragon and The Angels for a “Clash Of The Titans” tour in February of 2016. The three bands will play 7 dates throughout New Zealand playing hits like Computer Games, April Sun In Cuba and No Secrets. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda spoke to Mi-Sex […]
Watch Jack Ladder at The 13th Floor
Jack Ladder and his band The Dreamlanders (featuring Kirin J Callinan) will be opening the show tonight for Florence + The Machine at Auckland’s Vector Arena. Jack paid a visit to The 13th Floor to talk to Marty Duda and perform a solo acoustic version of To Keep And To Be Kept, one of many […]
Ash Grunwald: Now More Than Ever (Interview)
Australian blues rocker Ash Grunwald will be touring New Zealand beginning November 27th in support of his new album, Now. It’s been three years since Ash has played here, which is also when The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda last spoke to him. They spoke again, recently and did some catching up.
Soaked In Bleach: There’s No Holding It Back (Interview)
Incredibly, more than 20 years after his death, there is still controversy around how Kurt Cobain left this world. Perhaps with the proliferation of conspiracy theories found on the internet, its not so surprising after all. If you are one of those folks who tends to roll their eyes and throw up their hands when […]
Lucinda Williams: Chasing The Ghosts Of Highway 20 (Interview)
Over the course of her 35+year career Lucinda Williams has assembled a a songwriting catalog that ranks among the finest of any songwriters of her generation. That catalog is about to expand with the release of her latest album, The Ghost s Of Highway 20, due in February. New Zealand fans will get an opportunity […]
Recalling Records With The Ruts (Interview)
On the eve of legendary UK punk act The Ruts DC visiting NZ for the first time, we tracked down drummer Dave Ruffy to talk about something very close to our hearts … RECORDS. He talks about his time working in a record store in the seventies. The RUTS DC perform in New Zealand November […]
Watch Lisa Crawley’s 13th Floor Video Session
A couple of days ago we posted a clip of Lisa Crawley performing Up In The Air, the title track to her new EP, at The 13th Floor Studios. Now here’s your chance to watch the complete session. Lisa talks with Marty Duda about her musical life in Melbourne which includes hanging out with Robbie […]
Death Cab For Cutie: Staying In Shape For The Road (Interview)
Death Cab For Cutie will be making their way to New Zealand in February for their second show in Wellington and first-ever show in Auckland. The band has gone through a few changes since they were last here, losing founding guitarist Chris Walla and releasing their 8th album Kintsugi.
EL VY: The Value Of The Unpredictable (Interview)
EL VY is the collaboration between The National front man Matt Berninger and multi-instrumentalist Brent Knopf, currently a member of Ramona Falls and formerly of Menomena. Although The National has kept Matt pretty busy of late, he still found time to write and record a full album with Brent. Calling themselves El VY (pronounced like […]
Mel Parsons Returns To The 13th Floor
With just a few days until she embarks on a five-date nationwide tour, Mel Parsons stopped by the 13th Floor studios to talk about touring with Julia Deans and their show at Auckland’s Crystal Palace this Saturday (Halloween) with special guest Anika Moa. Fortunately Mel brought her guitar along and you can also watch her […]
Dawes: Want To Be Your Favourite Band (Interview)
LA-based band Dawes will be performing at Auckland’s Tuning Fork this Thursday evening as part of their Americana Fest. The band released their fourth album, All Your Favorite Bands, earlier this year and have just produced a video of the title track featuring many of their fellow artist, friends and musicians including Conor Oberst and […]
Jamestown Revival: Beauty & Simplicity (Interview)
Austin, Texas based band Jamestown Revival will make their live New Zealand debut this Sunday at Auckland’s Tuning Fork as part of this year’s Americana Fest. The act consists of two men, Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance, who have known each other since growing up together in small-town Texas. Their debut album, Utah. A Collection […]