RNZ: Music 101

Cha Wa is a Grammy-nominated Mardi Gras Indian funk band based out of New Orleans, Louisiana. Front man, J'Wan Boudreaux, carries his cultural origins by dressing in traditional Mardi Gras Indian suits including an intricately designed 20-inch headdress.

Kiwi expat and music industry professional Milly Olykan on her role in bringing country music to the world, and why women in country are often writing more interesting songs than their male counterparts.

CHAII came to New Zealand as an 8-year-old Iranian immigrant who learned to speak English by rapping to Eminem. Her debut single 'Digebasse (Enough)', with lyrics in both English and Farsi, has taken on a new meaning since the Christchurch attack.

In an impromptu kōrero with RNZ's Tony Stamp, Tiki Taane shared his thoughts on last week's terrorist attack in his hometown of Christchurch.

Songs with a contemplative feel dominate the Song Crush selections this week, with songs from The Cinematic Orchestra, Neneh Cherry, Scott Mulvahill and Koffee.

It's a jumbo edition of Song Crush this week as seven of RNZ Music's regular song-crushers choose their best track of the summer.

NZ Music was lucky enough to record an intimate live session with Estonian experimental electronic duo Maarja Nuut & Ruum. They performed their darkly evocative track ‘The Lost Geese’.

Backstage on the day of their Auckland show, Death Cab For Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard talked to Tony Stamp about how gentrification inspired lead single 'Gold Rush'.

The Veils' Finn Andrews has just released his debut solo album, One Piece At A Time. Ahead of an extensive nationwide tour, he sat down with Tony Stamp to discuss the album track by track.

On this week's Pocket Edition: a performance from local up-and-comer Emily Muli, plus chats with Aussie teen star Kian and Canada's Rhye.