Age Pryor: Rockin’ The Uke (Interview)
Rachel Rayner spoke to the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra’s Age Pryor on the eve of their first album release about taking things seriously and why the ukulele is the ideal instrument. Pryor is a major player in New Zealand music, but until he started the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra with Bret McKenzie, he couldn’t play […]
Introducing: Josh Rennie-Hynes
Josh Rennie-Hynes is an Australian singer-songwriter who has just released his first album, titled February, produced by Shane Nicholson. Josh has booked a 16-date tour of New Zealand that begins today in Te Awamutu and wraps up on December 14th at The Wine Cellar in Auckland. You can find all the dates to his tour […]
Manchester Orchestra: From Cope To Hope (Interview)
No, they’re not British…indie band Manchester Orchestra is based in Atlanta, Georgia. The quintet will play their first New Zealand show at Auckland’s Powerstation on November 17th. This follows the release of Hope, the band’s second album of 2014. In April, the band released Cope, a record they have described as being “unrelenting and unapologetically […]
Ben Ottewell: Rattlebag Blues (Interview)
Ben Ottewell, the gravelly-voiced singer from Gomez has just released his second solo album, Rattlebag. He will also be performing at Auckland’s Tuning Fork this coming Friday. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda spoke to Ben as he was touring Australia and discussed the thriving music scene in Ben’s hometown of Brighton and what makes a […]
Lucinda Williams: Confident & In Control (Interview)
35 years into her career, Lucinda Williams shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, she’s more productive than ever. Her latest album, Down Where The Spirit Meets The Bone is a double disc set featuring 20 new songs. And as it turns out, there’s more where those came from. That’s what The 13th Floor’s […]
CW Stoneking: Electric Boogaloo (Interview)
CW Stoneking is an Australian musician whose sound is steeped in early blues, doo-wop, calypso and African beats. His new album, Goin’ Boogaloo has just been released. It’s the follow-up to his 2008 album, Jungle Blues and his first to feature his own electric guitar playing. CW Stoneking has booked a five-date New Zealand tour […]
French For Rabbits: Dream-Folk From Canterbury (Interview)
New Zealand self-described “dream/folk” band French For Rabbits release their debut album, Spirits, today. The Canterbury-area based act began as a duo with Brooke Singer and John Fitzgerald gaining international acclaim after releasing their EP, Claimed By The Sea. They have now expanded to a four-piece while recording Spirits in Wellington. The 13th Floor’s Marty […]
Spiegeltent: A Bit Of Tallulah, A Bit Of Iggy (Interview)
A Spiegeltent is large travelling entertainment venue made from teak and decorated with velvet, stained glass and mirrors. Such a tent is home to Spiegelworld, the New York-based troupe who’ve taken circus, cabaret and burlesque and given them an extreme makeover for our post-Playboy world. Kathryn van Beek spoke to Jonathan Taylor, AKA Oscar the […]
RIP: Jack Bruce
Jack Bruce, bass player, vocalist and songwriter for Cream, has died at the age of 71. Bruce was considered one of the most musically adventurous bass players in rock. After the demise of Cream, Jack bruce went on to release over a dozen solo albums and work with Frank Zappa, John McLaughlin, Robin Trower, Ringo […]
James Burton: From Elvis To New Zealand (Interview)
Guitarist James Burton has one of the most incredible CVs in music history. His work with Elvis Presley and Rick Nelson alone would be more than enough to land him in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, but the “Master Of The Telecaster” has recorded with just about everyone over the past 60 years…Ray […]
Hot Chocolate: Every 1’s A Winner! (Interview)
English hitmakers Hot Chocolate will perform at Auckland’s Bruce Mason Centre tomorrow night and then move on to Wellington on Wednesday. Although singer Errol Brown is long gone, the core of the group…guitarist Harvey Hinsley, bassist Patrick Olive and drummer Tony Conner remain in tact. The band formed in 1968 and went on to have […]
Soulfest Ticket Winner Announced!
Congratulations are in order for Mel Walmsley, who was the first to correctly name Muhammad Ali, as the legendary sports figure whose daughter appeared with Angie Stone on the reality TV show, Celebrity Wife Swap. Thanks to all who entered the contest. Angie Stone is just one of the many artists, including D’Angelo, Mos Def, […]
The Delines Arrive In New Zealand
The Delines, featuring members of Richmond Fontaine and vocalist Amy Boone, landed in Auckland yesterday and will play at The Tuning Fork this evening. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda found the band enjoying a few beverages after their long flight and sat down for a brief interview. You can watch it here: [wpvideo gG7gYYFQ] Listen to […]
Watch Eb & Sparrow Perform at The 13th Floor
Wellington 5-piece Eb & Sparrow have just released their debut album. The band is fronted by singer-songwriter Ebony Lamb, who had been performing as a solo act until recently. Earlier this week Ebony and lap steel player Bryn Heveldt stooped by The 13th Floor Studios for a video session. Watch here as Ebony chats with […]
Robert Ellis Performs At The 13th Floor (Performance & Interview)
Robert Ellis has spent most of the last year on the road. Yesterday that road led him to The 13th Floor where he stopped in to talk to Marty Duda
Sarah Square Eye: Film File – October 14, 2014 (Film Reviews)
Sarah McMullan aka Sarah SquareEye reviews film and television for Radio NZ National every Friday afternoon. She watches them all first so you know if they’re worth your time and money. This week Sarah reviews: The Judge, Gone Girl, We Are The Best, Siddharth, Dracula Untold, Reaching For The Moon and Beloved Stories. Click here […]
Soulfest Ticket Giveaway!!
Soulfest, the day-long neo-soul & hip-hop festival is happening on Sunday, October 26th at Western Springs Stadium in Auckland. The line-up features Maxwell, D’Angelo, Common, Angie Stone, Mos Def and a host of other artists. The 13th Floor is thrilled to be able to offer a pair tickets to the festival. To win, be the […]
Miley Cyrus Concert Photos!
Miley Cyrus brought her Bangerz tour to Auckland’s Vector Arena last night. The 13th Floor’s ace photographer Michael Flynn was there! Click here to view a gallery of Michael’s Miley Cyrus concert pix. Save
From Radiography To The Radio: The Selecter’s Pauline Black (Interview)
British 2-Tone ska band The Selecter begins its 3-date New Zealand tour tomorrow in Christchurch. The band is still fronted by rude-girl Pauline Black and also features original co-vocalist Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson. In addition to her work as a musician, Black has revealed her talents as an actress and author over the years. On this […]
R.I.P Paul Revere (Of Paul Revere & The Raiders)
Paul Revere, leader of 1960’s rockers Paul Revere & The Raiders has passed away at the age of 76. Despite the fact that they were teenage pinups and featured heavily on Dick Clark’s TV series Where The Action Is, The Raiders were one of the hardest rocking bands of the era. With pony-tailed vocalist Mark […]