RNZ: Music 101

Nick Bollinger considers the eternal ingredients of teenage angst and distorted guitars in the music of Car Seat Headrest.

Nick Bollinger samples the Congolese rhythms and Portugese collaborations of Konono No. 1.

Growing up in conservative, God-fearing South Carolina wasn't easy for Parson James. Gay and bi-racial, he tells Zac Arnold his story and sings stripped back versions of a couple of songs.

Australian troubadours' Ben Salter and Dan Kelly have crossed the ditch to tour our fair country. 2015 saw both of them release new records, Ben with The Stars My Destination and Dan with Leisure Panic! Zac Arnold nabs them for a session.

Aaradhna sits down with Sam Wicks to talk through the experiences that shaped Brown Girl, her soul-searching new set.

Wellington band The Black Seeds have had a turn over in their line-up in the last couple of years - and what better way to test out the new players than by taking them on tour. Invited by the Victoria Ska Fest to play four shows in British Columbia, Canada in June, we join Barnaby Weir and the rest of the Black Seeds as they follow the food-trail from show to show.

Martin Rev, keyboardist with NYC proto-punk duo Suicide, talks to Trevor Reekie about the band's singular career.

Nick Bollinger reviews a musically and socially astute new album from black British New Yorker Devonte Hynes, who records as Blood Orange.

Despite a 20 year break from touring overseas, The Chills still maintain a loyal fan base in the UK, US and Europe. Keyboardist for the band, and keen anthropologist, Oli Wilson, talks to the fans there to figure out what makes this love of The Chills so enduring and strong.

Troy Kingi stops by the M101 studios for a korero and couple of tunes from his forthcoming double album Guitar Party at Uncle's Bach.