Kestrals are a Canadian-based shoegaze band helmed by Chad Peck who lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Marty Duda found Chad at home getting ready to take to the road now that Better Wonder, Kestrals' fifth album is now out and about. During our conversation Chad reveals his admiration for Brian Wilson and explains how a High School English teacher can…

Noah Lennox is Panda Bear…he’s also the drummer for Animal Collective. Sinister Grift is the new Panda Bear album, the first in five years. Here is Noah to fill us in on how it happened. Marty Duda spoke to Noah, who we found on the road, in Nashville, touring just ahead of release day. Noah now lives in Lisbon, Portugal…so he invited his longtine …

The Delines have just released their new album, Mr. Luck and Ms. Doom and here is songwriter/guitarist/novelist Willy Vlautin to tell us all about characters like Lorraine, Nancy, Maureen and The Pensacola Pimp. Marty Duda spoke to Willy who was calling from just outside Portland, Oregon, a town that inspired many of Willy's songs and stories that …

Cash & Skye are Henri Cash and Sophia Skye. Henri plays with hard rocking LA band Starcrawler and Skye's dad is the bass player in Rilo Kiley. Together they make music uniquely their own...featuring close harmonies, catchy melodies and some good old fashioned twang. Marty Duda spoke to Henri and Sophia just before release day. The duo were in their…

More than 50 years after her debut album and Joan Armatrading shows no sign of slowing down. She’s just released a new album, How Did This Happen And What Does It Now Mean, this past November after writing her first classical piece. And as you’ll hear in this revealing interview, Joan is constantly thinking forward……

Horsegirl have just released their much-anticipated second album titled Phonetics On And On…produced by Cate Le Bon and recorded at Wilco’s Loft, the trio takes their music to the next level. Marty Duda spoke to guitarist/vocalist Nora Cheng about exploring new sonic territories with Cate Le Bon which meant leaving space, rather than filling in up.…

Canadian band Horsebath have just released their debut album, Another Farewell and here are Daniel Connolly and Etienne Beausoleil direct from Montreal to tell us about it. Marty Duda spoke to Daniel and Etienne just days before Another Farewell was about to be released. The other three members of the band are all brothers, so there are some intere…

DITZ is a 5-piece noise-rock band from Brighton who made waves with their 2022 debut album, The Great Regression. Now they aim to make a bigger splash with their follow-up, Never Exhale. Here are Cal and Jack to explain. Marty Duda spoke to singer Cal Frances and guitarist Jack Looker about making Never Exhale knowing that their fans and critics we…

The Jellybricks are a power-pop band based in Central Pennsylvania and signed to Little Steven’s Wicked Cool Records. Their new album, Dreaming In Stereo is their second for the label. Marty Duda spoke to bandleader Larry Kennedy about the Central PA music scene and how Power Pop fits into the Age Of Stupid.…

Brother Elsey has just released their self-titled debut album and its about time! The three brothers and their drumming friend have been making music for years. Now, relocated to Nashville (from Michigan), things are finally happening. Marty Duda spoke to Brady, Beau and Jack Stablein, the three siblings (and two twins) who make up Brother Elsey al…

Squid are a five-piece "post-punk" band formed in Brighton in 2016 and have just released their third album, Cowards. Marty Duda spoke with Ollie Judge (vocals/lyrics/drums) and Anton Pearson (guitar/vocals) about creating this uniquely literary collection of songs that touch on cowardice, cruelty and cannibalism.…

Dion Lunadon of The D4 has touched down in Auckland just in time to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the band's second album Out Of My Head and to hit the road with his old mates. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Dion just ahead of the release of the 20th Anniversary reissue of Out Of My Head which will be the album's first time on vinyl. Addi…

Lilly Hiatt is about to release Forever, her first new album in four years and also the first since she moved and got married. That's a lot of change and its reflected in the songs that make up Forever. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Lilly Hiatt ahead of the release of Forever. We found her in her new home, outside of Nashville with her dog, …

Early James has just released Medium Raw, a collection of emotional blues-rockers produced by The Black Keys Dan Auerbach, recorded at Buddy's Honky Chateau and sitting atop the US Blues Album Chart. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda found Early James in Birmingham, Alabama where he shared the secret to his success...something to do with a Honey & Hot Sa…

Sophie Jamieson releases her new album, I Still Want To Share, today and we spoke to Sophie on the eve of this momentous occasion. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda found Sophie in London just before I Still Want To Share was about to be released by Bella Union Records. Sophie seemed a bit nervous and a bit tired but very excited about the new music she …

Singer/songwriter and sometime actor Victoria Canal is about to release her debut album, Slowly, It Dawns and we caught up to her in Seattle after she escaped LA and the brushfires that threatened her and her home. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda spoke to Victoria about making Slowly, It Dawns…a collection of 12 tracks recorded with a variety of produc…

TT is Todd Tappin, a songwriting troubadour who is just about to release his debut album, Man On The Corner, one that was written and recorded after receiving some very drastic new from his doctor. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda spoke to TT just before release day and talked to him about making his debut album, thinking, at the time, that his time on …

Former Atlas frontman Sean Cunningham is returning to New Zealand after over a decade's absence. Sean with tour the country with old friends like Rodney Fisher, Moses Emmanuel and Emla Palmer beginning next weekend. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Sean, who was home in Nashville about what we can expect during these very special shows, one's t…

The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to British singer-songwriter Billie Marten just after she touched down in Auckland and asked her what we can expect at her solo show. Billie's got a new single out and a new album in the can so there with be new songs and old favourites. Watch, listen a learn how Billie feels about starting her career at age 12, he…

Opeth bring their unique brand of prog/metal to New Zealand and Australia next year when the Swedish quartet plays 7 shows featuring 2 hours plus sets including landmark masterpieces and songs from Opeth’s darkest and heaviest album in decades - the critically acclaimed concept album, The last WILL and TESTAMENT. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke t…

Search For Yeti are a Wellington-based trio who have just released their debut album, Dark So Soon, and make music that finds inspiration from such disparate acts as Sigor Rós, Bright Eyes and Frank Turner. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Sean Barker, who like his two bandmates (Luke Marlow and Vince Waide), writes the songs and sings them...S…

Mt Eden is the electronic music man Jesse Cooper's alt-ego. You probable know him for his Dubstep classic, Sierra Leone. Now, get to know him again with his new EP, Venom. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke with Mt Eden just as his new EP, Venom, was being released. This is something of a "comeback" for the dubstep pioneer. So what's he been doing a…

Burton Cummings, charismatic front man and songwriter, formerly of The Guess Who, has just released his first solo album in over a decade...17 songs he calls A Few Good Moments. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda found Burton in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan (of course) when he was ready to talk about his 60 years in show biz including stories about driving for…

Underground experimentalist David Grubbs (Squirrel Bait/Gastr del Sol) meets with The 13th Floor to talk about making music with The Squanderers and his own upcoming solo album. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda found David in Berlin on the day that his new solo track, The Snake On It’s Tail was released. We were looking for him because he, and Kramer (G…

Julian Taylor is a Canadian roots/folk artist who has just released his latest album, Pathways and then shared a stage with Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Lucinda Williams, Mavis Staples and a host of others. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda found Julian in his car in Toronto with his dog Cathy. Julian was gracious enough to spend some time with The 13th F…

PRINS has announced her Heaven or Hell Tour coming to New Zealand in April. The Kiwi electro-popper reveals to the 13th Floor what this "New PRINS Era" will look and sound like. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to PRINS, who was in Manchester, just after celebrating her birthday. Although PRINS has only released one song over the course of the yea…

Sally Stockwell is a singer/songwriter/actor/theatre maker who is about to release her new album, Little Triggers, to the world. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda found Sally in her new home in Christchurch where she lives with her two daughters. Motherhood is a prevalent theme throughout the 11 tracks that Sally created along with producer Eden Mulholla…

Sam Fowles is a Wellington-based musician who has just released his debut album titled After Dark...produced by The Black Seeds' Barnaby Weir. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda caught up with Sam in Wellington just prior to release day and talked to him about working with Barnaby and "going deep" with his mentor, Warren Maxwell of Trinity Roots.…

The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Dean Wareham, who happened to be out in the desert at Joshua Tree, just days before the US Presidential election. Yes, politics were discussed, but so were The Rutles, The Cure and the legacy of Galaxie 500Por Marty Duda

Adam Hattaway releases his new album, High Horse, this Friday. Although it a solo record, his bandmates from The Haunters are all over it along with a few other friends and producer Marlon Williams. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Adam just days before release day and found him at home in Christchurch having just had a good run...gotta stay in…

The Tom Irvine Band releases their new album, Under The Wharf, tomorrow and Tom Irvine was at the 13th Floor studio yesterday to tell us how he and producer/guitarist Dylan Storey put the record together. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda sat down with Tom for a chat about the band, the album and the songs and how Lowell George and Little Feat made a mar…

Dawes has just released their new album, Oh Brother. with the band down down to the Goldsmith brothers, Taylor and Griffin. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda caught up with Taylor Goldsmith who was home in Los Angeles helping care for his new baby but happy to talk about house parties, Warren Zevon and Mister Los Angeles.…

Al Anderson first recorded with Bob Marley on his Natty Dread album in 1974, playing on classics like Lively Up Yourself, No Woman No Cry and Revolution and performing with Bob at Western Springs in 1979. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda spoke to Al Anderson about that historic show, working with Marley in the studio and the new album he and his band ha…

Australia’s Sarah Blasko returns with her 7th solo album titled I Just Need To Conquer This Mountain. And while it sounds like hard work, she says its “the most relaxed and free-wheeling album I’ve made”. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda spoke to Sarah just ahead of release day and discussed how she made such and accomplished, intense record in just fiv…

The Fleshtones release their new album, It’s Getting Late (…and More Songs About Werewolves) today and we have spoken to front man Peter Zaremba about Werewolves, The Cramps, Chicago Pizza and The Saints. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda spoke to Peter just days before this new collection of SUPER ROCK classics his the stores. Peter talks about covering…

Willie Watson left Old Crow Medicine Show in 2011 and has released three solo albums since then. He latest, a self-titled affair, is the one closest to his heart as it is the first to feature his own songs. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda found Willie in California where he was more than keen to talk about making this new record, reuniting with his old…

Soul Asylum have just released their 13th solo album titled Slowly But Shirley and here his front man Dave Pirner to tell us all about it. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda tracked down Dave Pirner in Columbus, Ohio, where he and the band were about to play a show. Watch, listen and learn how the new album was produced by a Rolling Stone and find out who…

Soccer Mommy, aka Sophie Allison, has just released her fourth album, Evergreen, one in which she calls a sonic return to her roots. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda spoke to Sophie, who was home in Nashville, just days before the record was released. We asked her about those sonic roots, which, by the look of her new video for Abigail, might be the col…

Iain Matthews has been making music for almost 60 years...as a founding member of Fairport Convention, scoring a hit with Woodstock with his band Matthews Southern Comfort and releasing somewhere between 40-50 solo albums. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda found the British-born singer/songwriter at home in The Netherlands where he's been based for about…

Lone Justice sprang out of the fertile LA "cowpunk" scene of the 1980s that also spawned bands like Rank & File, Social Distortion and The Blasters and distinguished themselves with the powerful pipes of vocalist Maria McKee. The band split after releasing just two albums...now there is a third. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to bassist, songwri…

Tess Liautaud is about to release her second album, titled Blue Mind. Here is Tess, direct from Christchurch, by way of Paris and New York to tell us about it. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda spoke to Tess on the eve of the release of Blue Mind, a record made with the help of fellow Christchurch-based artists such as Adam Hattaway and Elmore Jones of T…

The Buzzcocks are returning to Auckland for a 3-date tour in November. Founding member Pete Shelley died in 2018, but fellow-founder Steve Diggle is keeping the music alive. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda spoke to Steve about “moving over to the middle”, respecting the band’s legacy and making new music.…

Phoebe Rings re-release their self-titled debut album today with added bonus track Daisy. Why the reissue? And is there a full album on the way. Crystal Choi tells all right here right now. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Crystal who was in Hobsonville prepping for the band's Australian shows happening this weekend. Crystal reveals why the EP …

Mousey is the nom-de-plum of Christchurch-based artist Sarena Close and she is just about to release her very personal third album, The Dreams Of Our Mothers' Mothers! The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Mousey, who stopped in to our 13th Floor Studio while in Auckland to perform with the Exploding Rainbow Orchestra. This 8-song collection address…

You may know Caleb Landry Jones for his work as an actor in films like Dogman, American Made and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. But have you heard his music? Turns out Caleb is a man of many talents. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda spoke to Caleb about his latest album, Hey Gary, Hey Dawn, originally released in April, but fortified with 11…

The Half-Cubes are one half of veteran power-pop band The Flashcubes who formed in Syracuse, NY way back in 1977. The original band is still going strong while drummer Tommy Allen and bassist Gary Frenay have split off to crank out another 24 power-pop classics as The Half-Cubes on their new album titled Pop Treasures. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda s…

Los Bitchos have released their second album, titled Talkie Talkie, and here is guitarist Serra Petale to tell us how the band has evolved since their acclaimed debut disc. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda spoke to Serra, the Australian member of the quartet, who is in London to reveal how she and her bandmates added a new, “sparkly edge” to this collec…

Shihad frontman Jon Toogood is just days away from releasing his first solo album, Last Of The Lonely Gods. Jon visited The 13th Floor and shared his thoughts and insights on making this very personal record. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Jon about the 'personal carnage' that motivated the songwriting behind this record…

Its been a dozen years or so since Nashville-based singer/songwriter Mindy Smith has released a new album. But now we have Quiet Town, 12 new songs that she calls "a meditation on overcoming adversity". The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Mindy about making Quiet Town, a record that was informed by her meeting of her birth family and discovering h…

Modern English formed in 1977, signed to 4AD and hit it big in 1982 with I Melt With You. The original band is back together and they’ve done just about everything over the past 40 years except perform in New Zealand. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda spoke to Modern English front man Robbie Grey about what we can expect when the band finally gets here f…