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Nick Bollinger discusses the solo debut of The National frontman Matt Berninger and the first fresh release in twenty years from the unclassifiable Sun Ra Arkestra. Tony Stamp investigates the work of… Audio

Matt Berninger finally released his highly anticipated solo project Serpentine Prison earlier this year. Nick Bollinger reviews the new solo venture on this episode of The Sampler. Audio

It's finally here, RNZ Music's top 20 albums of 2020! Did your favourite make the cut? Video

Nick Bollinger discusses the lockdown songs of Jeff Tweedy and rebellious synth-pop of Ela Minus while Tony Stamp lends an ear to This Is The Kit. Audio

Grammy award-winning American singer, author, and record producer Jeff Tweedy has been making the most of isolation. Opening up his domestic life, he's been posting nightly updates of  'The Jon Tweedy… Audio

Another artist making the most of lockdown is Columbian born Brooklyn based electronic soloist Ela Minus. Starting her musical career as a drummer in a punk band, she's now releasing modern electronic… Audio

Nick Bollinger discusses the killer riffs and retrograde lyrics of AC/DC, the musical wanderings of German-born, Melbourne-based Hachiku, and the 31st album from Elvis Costello. Audio

If ever there was a band who could credibly bring a note to class excusing them from making another album it's ACDC. In the last few years, they've had a singer turn deaf, a guitarist locked up in New… Audio

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Elvis Costello has been making music since London's pub rock scene in the early 1970's. Over his long-lasting career, Costello has recorded 31 studio albums, a considerable… Audio

Nick Bollinger discusses the ambiguous sounds of Wellington trio Glass Vaults; Woodstock punk of The Bobby Lees; and takes a deep dive into the archives of Joni Mitchell. Audio

One of the best songwriters of our time, Joni Mitchell needs no introduction. The Canadian singer-songwriter has a slue of awards, including nine Grammy Awards. She's been inducted into the Rock and… Audio

Glass Vaults was formed in Wellington in 2010 by Richard Larsen, Bevan Smith, and Rowan Pierce. The trio, who now live in three different cities - Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, come together… Audio

Nick Bollinger reviews a bluegrass move from Sturgill Simpson, futuristic sounds from Autechre, and a lavish retrospective of British psych-folk curiosity Trees. Audio

American country singer-songwriter Sturgill Simpson has just released his fifth album as a solo artist. His second album Metamodern Sounds in Country Music was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best… Audio

Rob Brown and Sean Booth make up English electronic duo Autechre. Signed to Uk electronic label Warp Records, the duo remains one of the labels best-known acts. Nick Bollinger reviews their recent… Audio

Nick Bollinger reviews a stock-taking set from Bruce Springsteen; lockdown songs from Adrianne Lenker; and a previously unheard album from the late Ian Morris. Audio

Bruce Springsteen Bruce's new album, Letter to You, is his 20th studio album and he told RNZ's Charlotte Ryan on Music 101 that the initial inspiration came from the death of an old friend. Using a… Audio

Ian Morris Ian Morris, a founding member of 1970s New Zealand rock band Th' Dudes, died ten years ago this month. Morris was at school with other well known New Zealand musicians Dave Dobbyn and Peter… Audio

Nick Bollinger reviews a powerfully on-point album from militant dance collective SAULT, the folk-damaged electro-pop of Sylvan Esso and an outgoing solo outing from Sigur Ros singer Jonsi. Audio

America electric pop duo Sylvan Esso released their new album Free Love last month. Made up of singer Amelia Meath and producer Nick Sanborn, the pair joined forces musically in 2013.  Audio

Icelandic musician Jónsi is best known as the vocalist and multi-instrumentalist for post-rock band Sigur Rós. Jónsi also performs together with his partner Alex Somers as an art collaboration called… Audio

Tony is joined by the host of The Sampler Nick Bollinger, and sonic artist and RNZ studio operator Flo Wilson, to review new tunes by Cut Off Your Hands, Pacific Heights, Sylvan Esso, and more. Video, Audio

Nick Bollinger discusses a new benchmark for veteran Wellington band The Phoenix Foundation; the welcome - if overdue - return of Dead Famous People, and the magnificent miserablism of Richard and… Audio

New Zealand indie-pop band Dead Famous People debuted in the 1980s. After a couple of releases, including an EP on Flying Nun Records, the band relocated to London. They signed a deal with Billy… Audio

Nick Bollinger reviews dark reflections on modern America from Sufjian Stevens; a celebration of an old-time song-and-dance man from Joachim Cooder; and the hip-hop-from-another-planet of Sam Gendel.

Sufjian Stevens is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. His debut album, A Sun Came, was released through Asthmatic Kitty, a label Sufjian and his step-father started together… Audio

Joachim Cooder is a drummer and keyboardist best known for his collaborations with his father, Ry Cooder. His new album, Over That Road I'm Bound: The Songs of Uncle Dave Macon is Joachims reimaging… Audio

Nick Bollinger discusses the power of refusal in the music of Lincolnshire's Billy Nomates; the visceral post-rock of Auckland's Wax Chattels; and a motherlode of previously unreleased Prince. Audio