RNZ: Music 101

Since 1981 Naoko Yamano has been the leader of japanese rock n roll trio Shonen Knife. The band are playing in NZ in October.

In this week's Pocket Edition, Kirsten Johnstone speaks with Shonen Knife's Naoko Yamato about Nirvana, ramen and rock; Leilana Momoisea introduces us to some new hip hop acts; and 15-year old pop prodigy Billie Eilish makes her first visit to NZ.

Ten years after the release of her breakthrough album Long Player, homegrown soul singer Hollie Smith joins Alex Behan for an hour of her favourite tunes.

London Grammar have hurdeled the notoriously difficult second album and are on their way to New Zealand at the end of this month. Guitarist Dan Rothman spoke to Music 101's Alex Behan.

There are exciting new hip hop artists from both New Zealand and Australia releasing their first songs this week and RNZ's Leilani Momoisea has been keeping a close eye on them.

Summer festivals are fast approaching and to help us sort the wheat from the chaff Aroha Harawira gives us an overview of the upcoming parties.

Neil Finn assembled a small village of musicians and fans to participate in the making of his new album. Nick Bollinger assesses the results.

King Loser's mesmerising mix of snappy surf guitar, sloppy drones, reckless rock'n'roll and croony covers stood them apart from their local contemporaries in the early mid-'90s. Now King Loser are about to tread the boards again. How will their reunion play out?

The Black Seeds frontman shares his completely BBQ reggae-free selection of locally sourced tunes, and tells Yadana Saw a few yarns.

13-yr old Anabel's music tutor sent us this song, and we had to share it.