RNZ: Music 101

Yadana Saw speaks with Justin Firefly about his new band Congress Of Animals, which also features Age Pryor and Bret McKenzie.

American rapper Mac Miller died September 7 at the age of just 26. Alex Behan talks to Stuff reporter Kate Robertson about his musical career and the obvious and high profile challenges he was facing.

James Lavelle launched the careers of some hugely influential musicians on his record label Mo' Wax, and found further success with his own band Unkle. He's now the subject of a new documentary, which he discussed with Tony Stamp.

Rob Ruha and Ria Hall are bringing their highly acclaimed live show Behind The Lines to New Zealand, after a sold-out performance at the Darwin Arts Festival. The pair dropped in to give RNZ Music's Alex Behan the lowdown.

To celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, RNZ Music spoke to some of our favourite musicians who sing in te reo. We asked them to share their top Māori phrase and tell us about why music is important to fostering the reo into the future.

Fables introduce their song 'Where You Are, I Am'.

Nick Bollinger discusses the first equal-billing album from father-and-son duo Neil and Liam Finn.

Nick Bollinger discusses a lost country classic - from West African duo Jess Sah Bi and Peter One.

In this week's Pocket Edition, Yadana Saw speaks with Ruban Neilson whose band UMO have kicked off their New Zealand tour, we are introduced to Dunedin's Abby Wolfe, and Alex Behan speaks with Blair Jollands, an ex-pat who makes music when he's not working as a film sound designer.

Fiona McDonald shares seven songs that have influenced her, as well as stories of motherhood, joining her favourite band ever, and fronting TV shows that no one watched (or needed).