13th Floor MusicTalk

With the debut album from the Miki Berenyi Trio just days away, here is the former Lush vocalist to tell how this new band and album came together.

Marty Duda talked to Miki about making Tripla, with new bandmates Oliver Cherer (guitar) and K.J. “Moose” McKillop (bass) and how The Shangri-las inspired one of the great 4AD voices.

Anglebox is a new band from Christchurch made up of seasoned veterans and led by Ian Cartwright. Their debut EP is titled Dark Days In The Sun.

Marty Duda spoke to Ian about his musical past, his songwriting, how the band came together and what they have planned for the future.

Aloe Blacc has just released Stand Together...12 songs that he hopes will encourage open engagement with others.

Marty Duda spoke to Aloe and talked to him about the reasons why he has paired each track on Stand Together with a non-profit organisation. Aloe also talks about being mentored by Harry Belafonte and why he needed to cover Marvin Gaye'sWhat's Going On. It's all about positive vibes in troubled times.

Following the death of Chills leader Martin Phillipps and the release of Springboard: The Early Unrecorded Songs, Chills drummer Callum Hampton and bass player Todd Knudson talk about making this very moving new record and the legacy Martin Phillipps left behind.

Marty Duda spoke to Callum and Todd about making this last Chills record, one that, fortunately, Martin Phillipps got to hear before passing away last July and one that was made with the help of friends like Neil Finn, Julia Deans, Greg Haver, Dianne Swann and Hollie Fullbrook. 

Alison Krauss & Union Station are about to release their first new album in over a decade. It’s called Arcadia and its the first to feature new member Russell Moore.

Alison took time out from her busy schedule to talk to Marty Duda about making Arcadia and how she, Union Station and Nashville have changed over time. So we begin our conversation by asking what circumstances made this album happen…

Art d'Ecco has just released his new album, Serene Demon, a feisty mix of funk, rock, disco, soul and, dare we say...glam?

Marty Duda spoke to Art at length about making Serene Demon, a record that started out on the mean streets on New York and ended up in British Columbia where he was "determined to prove I can do something different".

My Morning Jacket has released their 10th studio album titles, is. Produced by Brendan O’Brien (Pearl Jam/Soundgarden), it marks the first time in their 27 year career that the band has agreed to “give over control” to an outsider.

Marty Duda spoke to MMJ guitarist Carl Broemel about how and why the band worked with O’Brien and what they learned from the experience.

Matthew Bannister, he of Sneaking Feelings and Dribbling Darts, has just released The Dark Backward, a collection of songs that he calls, "a musical journey back and forth across decades".

Matthew Bannister, he of Sneaking Feelings and Dribbling Darts, has just released The Dark Backward, a collection of songs that he calls, "a musical journey back and forth across decades".

London-based Welsh rockers The Tubs have followed up their highly-acclaimed debut album, Dead Meat, with another beauty titled Cotton Crown.

 Marty Duda spoke to chief singer/songwriter Owen Williams about the pressure of following up such a highly-regarded debut. Tellingly, most of Owen’s answers involve a pint of beer with his mates at the pub.

Throwing Muses have just released Moonlight Concessions, meanwhile bandleader Kristin Hersh is on tour, solo-style, Down Under.

Marty Duda found Kristin in Australia just ahead of her NZ dates and the release of Moonlight Concessions. Watch and listen as Kristin discusses the "river of music" that runs through her, resulting in hundreds of songs, only a fraction of which are ever released. With the the help of of a gentleman she calls "Cello Pete", Kristin and her Throwing Muses has created "a very sweet, simple record". Or has she?