Music 101 for Saturday 15 February 2025

1.20 'Born with blues in her blood': Soul and RnB powerhouse​ Deva Mahal  

Deva Mahal grew up Kaua'i, Hawaii, but discovered her voice in New Zealand. 

She has toured domestically and throughout the world, gracing the stages of the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Bonnaroo, Later with Jools Holland, the London Jazz Festival along with many other esteemed events and venues. 

She speaks to Charlotte Ryan about her New Zealand Fringe Festival show and what it was like growing up with a music legend.

2.15 In celebration of gay anthems 

Jason Parker has carved out a unique space in the New Zealand music scene, with his debut EP, How To Be Lonely (2022), hitting #4 on the Hot NZ Charts.  

He is also well known for performances at events such as Big Gay Out and Pride In The Square. 

His show, Little Gay In, which is described as “a vibrant celebration of queer musical talent" is part of this month’s Pride Festival.

Jason Parker joins Charlotte Ryan to talk about the show and share some of his favourite gay anthems.

 

 

 

3.15 Australian pub punk rock band Amyl and The Sniffers on their explosive success

In the past year, Melbourne’s underground pub rock-punk band Amyl and The Sniffers have made a remarkable rise to global prominence.

At the helm is the charming and often scantily clad frontwoman, Amy Taylor, whose distinctly Australian presence has exploded onto the world stage. It’s no surprise that the band is nominated for International Group of the Year at the 2025 Brit Awards. Their latest release, Cartoon Darkness, strikes the perfect balance between playful delivery and socially conscious lyrics, tackling themes ranging from tiny bikinis to climate change.

Fresh off their performance at Wellington’s Meow Nui last night, Amyl and The Sniffers are gearing up for two SOLD OUT shows at Auckland’s Power Station this weekend.

In this exclusive interview, Maggie Tweedie sits down with guitarist Declan Mehrtens to discuss the band’s journey and their latest album.

3.40 The Sampler Album Review: Bonnie 'Prince' Billy 

Will Oldham enlists a roster of Nashville alumni to make his most purely 'country' album, that is also one of his most considered.

Tony Stamp reviews 'The Purple Bird' - the new album from Bonnie 'Prince' Billy.

4pm The Mixtape: Toni Huata

This week we pay tribute to Aotearoa music legend Toni Huata.

Huata was a singer, composer and performer, and a champion of Māori music and te reo.

She was also the Kaihautū Puoro Māori - director of Māori music at the SOUNZ Centre for NZ Music.

Maggie Tweedie spoke to Toni Huata for an RNZ Mixtape in 2023.

Songs played on the show

1-2
Sco Clone - The Girl in Blue 
Patti Smith - Gloria
Louisa Williamson - In Tune (feat MA )
Neive Strang - Gather Around
Neva Mahal - Will Anything Change 
Chaos In The CBD & Nathan Haines - Love Language
Teeks - Remember Me
OutKast - Prototype
Bon Iver - Everything Is Peaceful Love

2-3
Nadia Reid - Cry On Cue
Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out
Pet Shop Boys - It's a Sin
Madonna - Hung Up
Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy
The Topp Twins - Milestones
Japanese Breakfast - Mega Circuit
Horsegirl - Where'd You Go?
Headless Chickens - Juice

3-4
Maori Volcanics Showband, Billy T James, Heta Gilbert, John Rangi, Selwyn Rawiri, Mahora Peters, Robbie Ratana - Tokyo Twilight
Sababa 5 & Sophia Solomon - Shehzadi
Beirut - Guericke's Unicorn
Portishead - Numb
The Black Seeds  - Almost Home [Jet Jaguar Remix]
Sharon Van Etten - Trouble
DJ DSL  - Happy Bear

Toni Huata's Mixtape Songs
Jhelisa - Friendly Pressure
Commodores - Easy 
Martine Girault - Revival Commodores
Kiri Te Kanawa - O mio babbinocaro
Toni Huata feat. Karl Teariki, TeTaite Cooper -Te Hokinga Mai (The Return)