Features

William Dart listens to the last two songs in Lawrence Arabia's year-long Singles Club project. And because one of these has an arrangement by Van Dyke Parks, William is only too happy to wallow in some VDP gloriousness. Video, Audio

Award-winning chef and food writer Julie Biuso's favourite jam is plum. She shares her recipe and gives us tips for creating the perfect jam. Audio

Iconic songwriter and producer Van Dyke Parks lends his skills to the final song on Lawrence Arabia's year-long Singles Club album project. William Dart takes a listen then seizes the opportunity to wallow in some VDP glory. Video, Audio

RNZ Music brings you the best new music from Aotearoa and abroad. Hosted by music obsessive Kirsten Johnstone, Song Crush is a handpicked selection from a rotating panel of music experts.

Every Waitangi Day, hundreds of King Country residents gather in the tiny town of Aria for the annual sports day – a 115-year-old community event with something for everyone.  Audio, Gallery

Musicians Ria Hall and Rob Ruha agree that their early training in Māori performing arts gave them invaluable lessons in the discipline, voice projection and confidence that performers need. Video, Audio

American singer & multi-instrumentalist Masego's live track 'Tadow' is currently sitting on over 100 million views on YouTube. The track also appears on his debut solo album, 2018's acclaimed Lady Lady. In town for Auckland's Laneway festival, the Jamaica-born artist (real name Micah Davis) sat down for a chat with Tony Stamp. Video, Audio

This week Sound Lounge features Grammy Award nominations, music to mark Chinese New Year and a NZ work from Resound.

Dutch pianist Roland Brautigam plays Mozart with the NZSO, and then Edo de Waart conducts the orchestra in Elgar's First Symphony.

In 1993 Phil Bell AKA Sir Vere co-founded 95bFM's True School Hip Hop Show. Since then he's dabbled in TV and publishing and is now Program and Content Director at Mai FM. Ahead of the True School reunion happening as part of bFM's 50th anniversary, Phil talked to us about five of his favourite songs, and what they mean to him. Video, Audio

Phil Bell, aka DJ Sir Vere, was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit last year for his services to music. Phil talked about five of his favourite tracks on The Mixtape. Video, Audio

Many people swear by the time-honoured tip of "beer before wine and you'll feel fine" – but a new study refutes the idea.

This week, Nick features NZ singer Maggie Gould and Brazilian musician Nanny Assis, who are currently touring in support of their new album, as well as Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, and Monty Alexander. Audio

You can listen again to all four recitals from the 2018 Kerikeri International Piano Festival here.

Analysis - The government could be heading for a $3 billion headache if its regional fund doesn't deliver, writes Peter Wilson.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen's comments about Michael Cheika earlier this week was nothing more than a joke, writes Hamish Bidwell.

We discuss R Kelly's announcement of a NZ tour amidst allegations of sexual abuse; Mark de Clive-Lowe drops in to discuss his new album; we speak to Horace Panter of The Specials; and legendary NZ hip-hop DJ Sir-Vere joins us for the Mixtape.

Mary Holm discusses three ways to play with numbers. The first is dollar cost averaging. The second is the rule of 72. The third is what happens if you have 40 years in KiwiSaver.  Audio

Looking for a new instrument to learn? This woodwind charmer can sound lyrical, spikey, grunty or even funny. Check out some of RNZ's recordings here.

Two Cents' Worth - Humans are increasingly looking to space with dollar signs in their eyes, because there is money to be made in them there celestial hills. Audio

Karl Steven of Supergroove, The Drab Doo Riffs and Heart Attack Alley is the RNZ Mixtape selector. He shares his songs and stories of being in bands to studying for his PhD at Cambridge. Video, Audio

Kiwi jazz ensemble The Jac are joined by South Korea's Black String in the culmination of a year-long collaboration, recorded at the 2017 Wellington Jazz Festival.

Ahead of Lauryn Hill's show at Auckland's Spark Arena on Feb 16, Melody Thomas reflects on what Ms. Hill's ground-breaking solo debut The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill meant to her.

Should it be easier for gender diverse people to change the sex on their birth certificates? A proposed law will do just that, but its critics insist the change will erode the rights of women and girls. Susan Strongman enters the fray.