Christopher Coleman
By Poppy Tohill
Gidday Poppy, How are you?" a chirpy Christopher Coleman chimed, (in a very thick Australian accent) when answering the phone.
Sonic Syndicate
By Sebastian Mackay
I grew up with Sonic Syndicate in my formative (read: angsty) years. Everything from the models in the Jack of Diamonds music video to the all too familiar and painful lyrics of Denied. If there was one thing every Sonic fan had in common it was that their music would destroy your bedroom while someone you loved to hate was destroying your heart.
Interview: I Am Giant
By Poppy Tohill
With the anticipated release of New Zealand rocker's I Am Giant's sophomore album ‘Science & Survival,' I had the privilege of chatting to the bands drummer Shelton Woolright over the phone while he celebrated the release of the album at a bar in the middle of London, with a well-deserved pint of beer in his other hand.
Suicide Silence
By Sebastian Mackay
You can't escape or ignore the tragedy that Mitch Lucker's death was for Suicide Silence and for the metal community as a whole. The impact can't be quantified nor can it be overstated. When Suicide Silence announced their new vocalist Hernan ‘Eddie' Hermida there were mixed emotions.
PNC
By Jake Ebdale
PNC, or Sam Hansen to his mates, has three studio albums and a highly regarded mix tape under his belt. For many rappers, it's a slippery slope after your sophomore drops - longevity isn't exactly local hip hop's strong point, whilst maintaining quality material is another conversation entirely. Unsurprisingly, the hard working Hansen shows no sign of slowing down, with a brand new record, entitled The Codes, just around the corner.
Eli Driftwood
By Sebastian Mackay
Music seems to be black and white: Either you're a pop singer whose songs are written for you and lack all forms of honesty and vulnerability (or you may not be pop but still sound trashy - I'm looking down the barrel of my keyboard at you, Falling In Reverse. Which, y'know, is just standing, Radke. But I digress) or personal honesty and vulnerability are the be all end all of music.
Earth
By Sebastian Mackay
The Seattle drawl of Dylan Carlson's voice is proof that if owners resemble their pets then musicians resemble their music. It's lathered with a healthy of dose of wry irony as he says that there are too many bands that are shit these days and then confesses that there were: "No allusions from the get go, Earth were never going to have a successful song or be big like pop music.
Junelle
By Poppy Tohill
No stranger to live performance, Auckland songstress Junelle has decided to embark on a more intimate journey releasing her first collection of original tracks in the form of a debut EP, titled 'Just This Sky.'Released this morning - Friday 6th June, I had the privilege of catching up with the wonderfully talented Junelle for a chat all about the EP, prior to its anticipated release.
Patty Schemel
By Clare McCabe
Patty Schemel is one of my favourite drummers who became famous playing in one of my favourite bands,Hole. And luckily for us all she is back playing and recording with Upset who is touring NZ in a couple of weeks.
Interview - Ladi6 - May 2014
By Poppy Tohill
Hours after announcing an upcoming tour throughout New Zealand in August, I had the absolute pleasure of catching up with the wonderfully talented Ladi6 over the phone for a super fun chat about all things touring,‘Automatic' and the numerous handy purposes of sunglasses.
Busby Marou
By Poppy Tohill
Australian Folk/Pop duo Busby Marou all the way from Rockhampton, Queensland are about to make their first journey to New Zealand as the support act for James Blunt. This trip will also see them perform their very own headline show on Thursday 29th at Backbeat in Auckland.
The English Beat
By Clare McCabe
The English Beat are currently on tour in Australia and head down to NZ this week. Managed to catch up with Dave Wakeling, lead singer and pretty much owner of the band, recently for a quick chat.
Christina Perri
By Poppy Tohill
To be honest, I have to admit to having a bit of a fan girl moment when I was joined on the phone by the incredibly chatty, humourous and exceptionally talented songstress Christina Perri.
Gary Numan
By Clare McCabe
Gary Numan is a truly unique artist and everybody knows it. And he is back in black and ready to darken New Zealand and Australia once again!
David Dallas
By Poppy Tohill
Recently opening for the ‘Rap God,' Mr Marshall Mathers himself, David Dallas is very much New Zealand's own hip-hop/rap god.
Flip Grater
By Poppy Tohill
The exceptionally talented Paris-based New Zealand singer- songwriter Flip Grater has been busy recording her fourth studio album, ‘Pigalle' over the last few years and now returns to her homeland to tour the beautiful piece of work.
Nakita Turner
By Poppy Tohill
One girl, one idea, one voice...
"I know exactly what it's like to be bullied. It stopped me from doing things that I loved and it's also stopping others from reaching their full potential," explains Nakita Turner, the fifteen year old Christchurch teen behind the exceptional anti-bullying project and song, "One Voice.
Echosmith
By Doug Scott
Echosmith, consisting of siblings Jamie Sierota (age 20, vocals/guitar), Sydney Sierota (age 16, vocals/keyboard), Noah Sierota (age 18, vocals/bass), and Graham Sierota (age 15, drums) released their debut album, Talking Dreams earlier this month in New Zealand.
Brockaflower
By Christina Croucher
I spoke to Pat Stewart from Wellington-made band Brockaflowersaurus-Rex (and the Blueberry Biscuits). The 9-piece Neo-Soul, Experimental, Funk, Hip-hop, Soul, Jazz group is busy travelling NZ playing the awesome tunes from their debut album Build It.