The Sampler

Tony Stamp speaks to Dylan Biscuit and Kenny Sterling from Mānuka Recordings, who since 2022 have been outputting excellent funk, soul, and disco, in collaboration with local musicians.

A new documentary by Questlove follows the rise and fall of a beloved American performer, its soundtrack full of alternate versions of classic tunes.

Andrew Spraggon marks the 25th year of Sola Rosa with a new EP that draws the curtain on this chapter of the project.

The Japanese singer-songwriter presents another soothing selection of tunes, inspired by dreams, fictional worlds, and diving expeditions.

The meeting between an 88-year-old Highlife pioneer, jazz musician, and former A Tribe Called Quest member delivers upbeat, celebratory results.

Prior to his death Martin Phillipps re-recorded a selection of early demos, with results much more lush and gentle than they would have been 40 years ago.

The local indie supergroup continue to hone a very specific vision on their second EP of sparse, krautrock-infused jams.

The Pōneke psych-rock duo's second album contains stories about UFOs, satanic panic, and Spongebob Squarepants, paired with dynamic music drawing on everything from krautrock to new wave.

The NZ-raised filmmaker has just released his debut American feature. He talks to Tony Stamp about his early low-budget local work, the influences behind his new film The Dead Thing, and accidently becoming a successful movie podcaster along the way.

The youngest performer at this years Laneway is still in his teens, and with the help of some key players in the Auckland hip-hop scene has released a debut bursting with confidence, regional specificity, and ear-catching rhymes.

The American garage rock musician teams with underground hip-hop producer Kenny Segal for an album that goes deeper and darker than he has before, as per its title.

Pōneke musician Michael Upton has been outputting music as Jet Jaguar for just over 25 years, formulating electronic rhythms alongside field recordings and ambient soundscapes. He joined Tony to chat about his 12th release Small Things.

The Irish singer steps away from her band to deliver a well-crafted set of synth-pop.

On their second collection, the local slowcore trio avoid main roads in favour of taking the scenic route.

As per its title, the Manchester-via-Port Chalmers musician's fourth album is loaded with shiny power-pop.