Interview - Charles Bradley
By Adrian Russell
The story of Charles Bradley is truly inspirational. He lived on the streets for two years, almost died in hospital after being given penicillin and battled depression following the death of his brother.
Interview - I Am Giant
By Wal Reid
New kid on the block I Am Giant's vocalist Ryan Redman is still coming to grips with his new found role in the Kiwi rock group after it was announced in December 2014 that vocalist Ed Martin was leaving the band to embark on a solo project, which is to be produced by band member Paul Matthews. Of course this would mean Redman would have to adapt from his native English roots and adopt the Kiwi vernacular, something he's getting quite used to doing these days.
Spandau Ballet
By Ben Doy
Spandau Ballet are returning to New Zealand where they're set to play one show at the Vector Arena in Auckland on Sunday May 10th. Consisting of Tony Hadley, Gary Kemp, Steve Norman, John Keebleand Martin Kemp, the band reunited in 2009 following a 19-year break, embarked on a world tour and released the album ‘Once More' that same year.
Olly Martin
By Clare McCabe
Hands up who went to Westfest last year? The event was held for the very first time in Auckland at Vector Arena over two nights last year.
Dragonforce
By Wal Reid
Dragonforce is one of Europe's most well-known power metal bands, the group was founded by two guitarists Herman Li & WellingtonianSam Totman in 1999. To date the group is now a force to be reckoned with seven albums under their belt, mega-fast guitar solos and fantasy-based lyrics, the group is currently playing New Zealand as part of their Maximum Overload World Tourstop over.
Interview - Sharon Van Etten
By Rathan Paul Harshavardan
Ahead of her first live tour in March in NZ, Libel caught up with the singer/songwriter Sharon Van Etten, the genius behind one of 2014's critically acclaimed musical releases, 'Are We There Yet'. Supporting the fantastically crafted personal album, Sharon will be performing a live set in March bringing her unique concoction of folk rock/music backed by electronics, guitars and harmonies all the way from Brooklyn, NY. In this interview, Sharon talks about her life in the music industry and what is in store for the future.
Nathan Haines
By Wal Reid
Nathan Haines is something of an enigma, he's always seen playing everywhere but seldom recognised. With eight solo albums, four of those released internationally, and guest spots on hundreds of releases. Nathan has carved a musical career as long as the Waikato River, where he's been at the forefront of modern soul, jazz and electronic music for over 20 years. However most people may be a tad surprised to learn he's more than just a sax player.
Cairo Knife Fight
By Wal Reid
Nick Gaffaney possesses all the traits of your typical rock musician, long hair, decked out in the traditional colour black with a sprig of class provided by his glass of vodka lime & bitters.
Marlon Williams
By Wal Reid
Marlon Williams' image always conjures up the perfect coiffured look. The Kiwi's Marlon Brando matinee idol looks and dreamy voice has spawned many a great tune, even Rhythms Magazine garnishing the two time New Zealand Music Award winning singer-songwriter as the "Artist To Watch" in 2014.
These Automatic Changers
By Poppy Tohill
Think rock, psychedelic, blues, crank the volume up as loud as it can go and then you have the kiwi four piece known as These Automatic Changes.
Jukebox The Ghost
By Poppy Tohill
On the odd occasion I'll go in search for some new music using the 'browse' feature on Spotify. Now, I don't always come across new artists or music when doing this, but on this one particular day I did, and I was more than pleased with my new discovery.
Fear Factory
By Sebastian Mackay
Fear Factory are legendary. They do stuff with guitars and noise that made people I like want to do the same stuff. That's where my connection to Fear Factory began and up until chatting to Burton C. Bell I thought that was where it ended - it's not though. So like an elephant on a tightrope I proceed to make myself look like a right dick in the following interview but Burton had fun... I think.
Che Fu
By Steven Grant
It's a busy couple of months ahead for Che Fu. This Saturday December 13th, Che and his band The Kratez are ready to perform some good vibes at Raggamuffin on an impressive bill featuring UB40, Cypress Hill and Ice Cube (just to name a few), while in January he heads of on The Winery Tour with his band Supergroove.
Jon Toogood
By Sebastian Mackay
I got 25 minutes with Jon Toogood during a lightning storm in Melbourne. During that 25 minutes Jon covered everything from existential life questions to working as part of a theatre to the food that he'd eat every day until the day he died ("I reckon you'd get sick of it by dinner" he said, only half mockingly) and just how readily available thermals are.
Sammy Johnson
By Ben Doy
Sammy Johnson has today released his self-titled EP. The recording features first single ‘No Sleep' which topped the NZ iTunes Reggae chart as well as cracking the US Billboard Top 40 Reggae Chart, while new single ‘Hey' debuted in the NZ Top 20 single charts.
Interview - Cairo Knife Fight
By Sebastian Mackay
I thought this day would never come... in fact, I'm so shocked by it I'm using it to justify this little preamble to my chit chat with the main man behind Cairo Knife Fight, Nick Gaffaney, (feel free to skip ahead). I'm about to intro this article with an AC/DC quote. Unfortunately, it ain't no clever quip about hitmen, murder, or indeed, knowing you must have let go of the Rudd-er to think you could pull that one off (see what I did there? Yeah...) in good ol' Godzone.
Interview - Agent
By Poppy Tohill
After relocating to London in 2008, Kiwi progressive rock band Agenthave quickly become regulars on the live music scene playing alongside numerous bands including fellow Kiwis, I Am Giant and Jayson Norris.