Morgan Evans
By Sebastian Mackay
Interviewing is a lot like discovering. Artists come across your desk and there's a fair amount of 'who the hell are you?'. The next thing you know you're on the phone and there's a suspended silence before the hum and haw over a left field question. I'm ashamed to admit there was a fair amount of that during my interview withMorgan Evans (full disclosure: I'm the kind of guy that has heavy metal labels on speed dial, not country singers).
Justin Townes-Earle
By Poppy Tohill
Despite all the hardships Justin Townes Earle has been through over the past few years of his life, he's come out clean on the other side and is a wealth of knowledge and advice, proving a really down to earth, relaxed guy to chat to, early on a Tuesday morning.
Henry Wagons
By Poppy Tohill
After having had the privilege of interviewing a number of bands now, I love that some-times the best conversations and interviews you have are the ones with the artists you know the least about. While researching the Australian indie rock band Wagons and their front man Henry Wagons, I was intrigued with what I read about them and didn't know quite what to expect from the interview.
Interview - Shihad
By Jake Ebdale
Here's a catchy new chant for today's youth, courtesy of New Zealand's own Shihad. All together now:
G! C! S! B!
Seether
By Sebastian Mackay
There are some things in life you can control; small children, a line of ants, a dog, how many forks you eat your cereal with. And there things that you can't; Americans, Americans being good at their jobs, an army of possessed demon baby babies, what piracy (and the digital age) does to CD sales and fans getting band tattoos.
Parents
By Poppy Tohill
I was fooled by the classic ‘punk musician stereotype' when trying to spot Auckland hardcore punk band,Parents guitarist Jono in a cafe yesterday afternoon. As we sat down, we joked about the fact that if you were meeting him for the first time (which I was) and you had no idea he was in a band, a punk one at that, it would probably take a little convincing for one to believe.
Team Dynamite
By Poppy Tohill
With their distinctive smooth beats and easy listening New Zealand style, within five minutes of sitting down with vocalist Tony Tee and beat maker Haz Beats of hip-hop crew Team Dynamite you soon come to realise their personalities aren't much different.
Big Data
By Poppy Tohill
I was all ready to chime "Good Morning" to Mr Alan Wilkis, the man behind the American electronic music project Big Data, as he picked up the phone for a chat earlier this week. But just as he answered, I realised he was on the complete opposite side of the world to me where it was about 8pm at night.
Chris Jericho
By Sebastian Mackay
There's a standard set for talking about Fozzy, it becomes the Chris Jericho Show (WWE Superstar, author, world's number one podcast Talk is Jericho, lead singer of Fozzy - see what I mean?) and in the whirlwind of talking about Chris (who is an awesome guy and talks the talk while reinventing both the talk and the walk) Fozzy (and the new album Do You Wanna Start A War?) almost gets entirely abandoned.
Midnight Gallery
By Poppy Tohill
Placing strong emphasis on originality with an absence of major sampling, offering accomplished symmetry between rap and singing, lyrics paint the pictures of real life, sketching experiences on a variety of musical canvases throughout Auckland/Thames based trio Midnight Gallery's forthcoming self titled debut album.
Lizzie Marvelly
By Poppy Tohill
After two successful classical crossover albums, debuting in the top ten on the Official New Zealand Album Charts and evolving into exciting new territory, talented songstress and now pop star, Lizzie Marvelly, can add a top 15 position to her achievements after the release of her debut EP, ‘Collisions' debuted at number 14 on the NZ Charts and also reached number four on the Official Local Album Charts.
Pennywise
By Poppy Tohill
Forming 26 years ago in 1988, California punk rocker's Pennywise who released their eleventh studio album ‘Yesterdays' on July 11th to celebrate their 26th year together. Prior to its release I had the pleasure of catching up with lead guitarist Fletcher Dragge for a chat on the phone where we talked about the history of Pennywise, the new upcoming album and what it's like being in a band for 26 years.
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.