If you have succumbed to the arguable pleasure of watching the latest series of New Zealand Idol you will likely have caught a glimpse of the guy in the house band playing a most unusual-looking custom twin-necked nylon string/electric hybrid guitar. ...more

It's one thing to conjure up a semi-conscious wish-list of international record producers you'd like to work with on your second album. It's quite another to have one of those names not only agree to produce your album, but to do it for a massively cut price fee - and spend the best part of four months in a strange country recording a band he's never heard of before. ...more

Approaching the Summit, the most important time of the year on New Zealand's hip hop calendar, Dirty Records are keeping busy with the debut full length album entitled 'Borrowed Time' from Frontline. ...more

As warm and comforting as Ghostplane’s new album is, it’s facing a losing battle competing with the freezing reality of the bitterly cold ‘spring’ Wellington night we have picked to meet up. ...more

Singer/songwriter Mahinarangi Tocker was hanging out with her family one day, when her sister Mahara observed that the Tocker clan is 'a bagel short of a hangi with a bit of haggis on the side'. ...more

In Roman legend, Julius Caesar defied the law by crossing the Rubicon in pursuit of his enemies. From that audacious moment sprang the term 'crossing the Rubicon', meaning to commit oneself irrevocably to a risky course of action. ...more

Three years ago Rhombus exploded on to the New Zealand music scene with their unique, fresh blend of Aotearoa dub 'n bass, fused with hip hop and jazz. ...more

Bassist Paul Kean described The Bats' soon to be released album as a "grower" but for fans of this Mainland four-piece 'At the National Grid' still offers instant recognition - mixed with an acoustic attraction. ...more

Ryan McPhun and the Ruby Suns certainly fulfil their label Lil' Chief Records' 'guaranteed 100% pop' prophecy. Indeed their refreshing self-titled debut album is so rich with Beach Boys influences it comes as no surprise to learn the band's leader himself hails from Southern California. But Ryan McPhun claims it is simply a geographical coincidence he grew up in the same place as the legendary surf sound ambassadors. ...more