Music 101 for Saturday 25 October 2008

Ladi 6 (pictured below) steps out from her work with Freddys, Shapeshifter et al and talks going solo - with assistance from her partner in rhyme, Parks.

We've got an interview with Ice Cube and a couple of tickets to Snoop Dogg up for grabs.

CMJ Marathon, New York's music industry showcase is happening this week. We speak to Reverend Moose, College Music Journal's chief editor about making inroads to the U.S. College market, and catch up with a member of Christchurch band Bang Bang Eche, who are there peddling their goods.

We'll check in at the NZ Punkfest 08.

In Access All Areas Trevor Reekie recalls the birth of Ambient music thirty years ago, with the release of Brian Eno's Music for Airports, and talks to local ambient electronic artist Warwick Blair.

We check in with the folks at the Wellington Folk Festival, where there's banjo's, fiddles, homebrew and Morris dancing.

And hear a session from main attraction, a young Englishman named Tim Van Eyken.

4.10pm The Secret Life of Tribute Bands

Meeting the bands who perform the music of - and in many cases act the part of - their favourite musicians.

Whether they're playing the guitar solo from Pink Floyd's 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond, or belting out 'Ramble On' a la Led Zep, these musicians need the musical chops to pull it off, as well as the acting ability to suspend disbelief for a couple of hours. This is the mark of success which separates the really good ones from the many, many pub covers bands.

The stigma attached to tribute bands is beginning to lift as the business grows and baby boomers re-live their youth while bonding with their offspring over bands they will never see in the flesh.

Kirsten Johnstone meets some local tribute acts who are packing out venues on the back of other musician's catalogues, and asks: Is this a case of grown men playing dress-up's? Or are they dedicated dealers of the rock 'n' roll dream?

Nick Bollinger reviews Jolie Holland's new album.