Audio Search

Nick Bollinger reviews dark reflections on modern America from Sufjian Stevens; a celebration of an old-time song-and-dance man from Joachim Cooder; and the hip-hop-from-another-planet of Sam Gendel.

Sufjian Stevens is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. His debut album, A Sun Came, was released through Asthmatic Kitty, a label Sufjian and his step-father started together… Audio

Joachim Cooder is a drummer and keyboardist best known for his collaborations with his father, Ry Cooder. His new album, Over That Road I'm Bound: The Songs of Uncle Dave Macon is Joachims reimaging… Audio

Nick Bollinger discusses the power of refusal in the music of Lincolnshire's Billy Nomates; the visceral post-rock of Auckland's Wax Chattels; and a motherlode of previously unreleased Prince. Audio

There's been enough said about the power of positive thinking, but expressing the negative can be powerful too. UK singer Billy Nomates does just that. Her debut single was simply titled 'NO' and she… Video, Audio

The unreleased recordings of Prince have long been the stuff of legend, until now. His 1987 masterpiece Sign O' The Times has been re-issued, including all the original tracks as well as dozens of… Video, Audio

Nick Bollinger reviews the global hip-hop of Nigerian rap star Burna Boy; a funky tonic for dark times from Fantastic Negrito; and the personal, political blues of Darren Watson. Audio

Nigerian hip-hop superstar Burna Boy (real name Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu) rose to fame in 2012 after releasing "Like to Party" from his debut album L.I.F.E. Since then, he's signed to a major U.S label… Audio

Fantastic Negrito (real name Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz) has been making music since 1993 when he released his debut album The X Factor under his real name. He took an extended break from music in 2007… Audio

This week in The Sampler Nick Bollinger discusses the quietly instructive narratives of Bill Callahan; songs of lost innocence from The Flaming Lips; and the history-steeped rock'n'roll of Chuck… Audio

American singer-songwriter and guitarist Bill Callahan has been making music for 30 years. From 1990 - 2005 he released music under the name Smog, but since 2007 has been releasing music under real… Audio

Grammy Award-winning band The Flaming Lips have been making music since 1983. Their songs has been used in movies and TV shows and have accumulated many accolades. The Sampler's Nick Bollinger reviews… Video, Audio

Nick Bollinger discusses an album of memories and ghosts from Troy Kingi; an unearthed slice of 1981 post-punk from Auckland band the Techtones; and David Long's colourful soundtrack for television… Audio

The Techtones were an Auckland 4 piece punk band in the 1980s and although they were only together for 18 months, their presence was felt immensely.  Audio

Musician, composer, and producer David Long is best known for his work with Peter Jackson. He wrote music and worked on sound design for The Lord of the Rings and King Kong, as well as additional… Audio

Nick Bollinger reviews the latest from precocious 70s-inspired brother duo The Lemon Twigs; queer country from North Carolina singer H.C. McEntire; and an insrumental set from sometime Tall Dwarf Alec… Audio

Not many kiwi musicians can claim to be part of three of this country's seminal bands. But there is one who can. The Enemy, Toy Love and Tall Dwarves, guitarist Alec Bathgate was in all of them.  Audio

H.C Mcentire (Also known as Heather Mcentire) was born and raised in rural South Carolina in a farming community. Her parents were evangelical Christians who exposed her to gospel music, bluegrass and… Audio

This week in The Sampler Nick Bollinger previews a long-overdue set from versatile Auckland vocalist Caitlin Smith; a vocal excursion from local jazz guitarist Dan Sperber; and a surprising study of… Audio

Vocalist Caitlin Smith is probably more well known by other musicians than audiences. Auckland based, she spent many years coaching some of New Zealand's best singers including Ladi 6, Nesian Mystik… Audio

From Loungehead to Relaxomatic, jazz guitarist Dan Sperber has made his mark on the New Zealand jazz scene. Both mostly instrumental projects, he’s now embarked on a new vocal excursion under new… Audio

This week in The Sampler, Nick Bollinger reviews a choral collaboration from Baltimore duo Wye Oak; a sombre opus from classical crossover composer Max Richter; and a typically idiosyncratic set from… Audio

Nick Bollinger reviews the music of Lonnie Holley, sometimes known as The Sand Man. Growing up during the Jim Crow era in Alabama, Lonnie was an artist, educator and muscian. He's best known for his… Audio

This week in The Sampler, Nick Bollinger reviews a choral collaboration from Baltimore duo Wye Oak; a sombre opus from classical crossover composer Max Richter; and a typically idiosyncratic set from… Audio