William Dart
The National doubles up
The American band The National celebrates 2023 by giving us not one, but two new albums. William Dart checks them both out. Audio
Moving on from Purple
The colour purple has been on William Dart's mind lately and this week he listens to the latest release from the two women, who were once Purple Pilgrims, in their new incarnation as Clementine… Audio
Sparks are Flying
William Dart plays selections from Ron and Russell Mael's soundtrack for the movie, Annette, as well as a brand new Sparks album, The Girl is Crying in Her Latte. Audio
Remembering Nick Drake
The release of The Endless Coloured Ways, tributing the late English songwriter Nick Drake, has William Dart revisiting the man's original music alongside some astonishing love letters from a new… Audio
Guy Wishart's River of Songs
It's been 33 years since Guy Wishart carried off a Silver Scroll for rock 'n' roll, but his latest outing, released on the arthouse label of Rattle Records, finds the weathered singer-songwriter… Audio
Anohni
Anohni of Anohni and the Johnsons is picking up her career on a new label, with a new vehemence. William Dart listens through her career and her latest album. Audio
In a Mellow Tone
William Dart looks at music on the cool side, with some sassy R&B from veteran Betty LaVette and glorious English folk song from the now 88-year old Shirley Collins. Audio
Natalie Merchant's Courageous Heart
Natalie Merchant's new album, Keep Your Courage, is her first collection of original material for nine years. William Dart places it in the context of the American singer's fascinating career. Audio
Terrible Sons - Terrific Songs
Husband and wife team Matt Barus and Lauren Mitchell as The Terrible Sons describe their music as ambient, indie folk music. William Dart immerses himself in their very individual and charming world.
…The musical arrangements of John Cameron
They are the unsung heroes of popular music, the men and women who write the charts and orchestrations behind your favourite singers and bands. William Dart investigates the talented John Cameron… Audio
Dr John, Posthumous
Dr John may have gone to his reward four years ago, but the CDs keep coming, from his final studio album last year to a new compilation of stunning performances from the Montreux Jazz Festival… Audio
Midyear Catchup
It's that time of the year when William Dart looks back and considers songs and music that somehow fell on the cutting room floor - little treasures in their way from the likes of Al Green, Tall… Audio
Pieces of Treasure from Rickie Lee Jones
The Duchess of Coolsville, Rickie Lee Jones, opts for a jazzy boulevard on her new album, Pieces of Treasure. William Dart hitches a ride. Audio
Rufus Wainwright's Folkocracy
William Dart revels in Rufus Wainwright's new album Folkocracy - a tribute to the central importance of the folk-singing tradition in our music, with guests ranging from Chaka Khan and David Byrne to… Audio
Snazzy Sounds
William Dart treats our ears to some singular and sometimes downright snazzy sounds - all taken from recent local releases featuring Pickle Darling, Maxine Funke, Extra Virgin Orchestra, Finn Andrews… Audio
The Beach Boys in '72
William Dart takes us into The Beach Boys' archives once again, thanks to more releases that reveal some of Brian Wilson's studio secrets of the early 1970s. Audio
Mini Simmons
Auckland band Mini Simmons are as snappy a five-piece as you could imagine, only too happy to talk about where they draw their musical influences. William Dart looks at how they patch it all together… Audio
The Unthanks' Sorrows Away
William Dart features a new album from The Unthanks, titled Sorrows Awake, highlighting the enormous riches to be harvested from the storehouse of British folksong. Audio
Tiny Ruins' Ceremony
William Dart looks at songwriter Hollie Fullbrook and the new Tiny Ruins album, Ceremony. Audio
The Unbelievable Singing of Ronald Isley
With American soul legend Ronald Isley turning 82 on Sunday (21st), it's the perfect chance for William Dart to look at his latest album, along with a few treasured moments from his past. Audio