RNZ: Music 101

Public Enemy's Chuck D and Rage Against The Machine's Brad Wilk talk power, politics and packing a punch with their new band Prophets of Rage.

Jack White has always gone against the grain, drawing on the minimalism of early blues and analogue recording for The White Stripes when everyone else was going digital. His third solo record Boarding House Reach is packed to the rafters with new sounds and colourful characters. He speaks to Kirsten Johnstone.

Trevor Reekie talks to Israeli musician Victoria Hanna backstage at Womad.

Tina Cross started her career as a teenager on song and dance Television shows in the 70s. At 59, she's a songwriter, an ambassador for Women's refuge, and she runs workshops in prisons.

Cinematic jazz gang Carnivorous Plant Society perform live at RNZ.

Tony Stamp speaks to Hex's Kiki Van Newtown at South By Southwest.

Rahim Alhaj's new album 'Letters from Iraq: Oud and String Quintet" draws from the stories and experiences recounted to him by Iraqui people following the U.S. invasion. He talked to Trevor Reekie backstage at Womad.

Kim Deal is one of the most iconic and influential voices of the 90s as bassist and sometime singer of The Pixies, and as leader of her own band The Breeders.  She speaks to Kirsten Johnstone about The Breeders' new album All Nerve, sobriety, and having songs written about her.

The American tenor saxophonist heralded as the saviour of jazz tells us he leaves "the music wide open".

Almost ten years after her death from an asthma attack, the late Mahinārangi Tocker was celebrated with a tribute show Love Me As I Am, part of the Auckland Arts Festival. Tony Stamp speaks to songwriter, colleague and good friend to Mahinārangi - Shona Laing.