Music 101 Interviews

The biggest stars & best musicians answer questions you've always wanted to ask.

Jamie xx drops album of anthems: 'I'm so ready to be out there playing again'

It's the album that promises to own the dance floor this summer. Jamie xx talks to Charlotte Ryan about collaborating with some incredible artists, and how time spent in New Zealand influenced his work.

09-21
17:35

Bret McKenzie: 'I was slightly obsessive about trying not to be funny'

This week we revisit an interview with Bret McKenzie, one half of the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords, to talk about coming out of solitude and writing songs that are not funny.

09-19
18:31

‘We’d run across pianos and things like that’: Saxophonist Chris White’s Dire Straits experience

Chris White played saxophone with Dire Straits on the Brothers in Arms tour on some of the world's biggest stages. Chris shares his experience with Dire Straits with Charlotte Ryan.

09-14
14:15

Mogwai’s Stuart Braithwaite: Stargazing, Aliens & Looking back

Stuart Braithwaite of cult Scottish band Mogwai talks stargazing with his Dad, playing so loud the ceiling caved in, and the making of the band's new documentary.

09-12
14:09

Tami Nielson on joining Willie Nelson's tribe

Kiwi singer Tami Neilson talks to Charlotte Ryan about meeting her country music hero Willie Nelson, and playing his songs in his Texas studio.

09-07
23:23

'It's an other-worldly state': Bill Callahan talks songwriting

Bill Callahan tells Charlotte Ryan about the thrill of improvisation, the "little sparks" which become his songs and rediscovering the glory of Genesis.

09-04
17:08

Rikki Morris on being an 80s popstar

In 1988 Rikki Morris was one of our biggest stars, and he's just released a new album. Charlotte asks Rikki why he waited so long, and catches up on Th' Dudes show last weekend.

08-30
21:05

Louisa Nicklin: Sausages, cicadas & Shayne P Carter

The Auckland musician speaks to Charlotte Ryan about her beautiful new album, along with Kiwi music icon Shayne Carter who lent a hand as "song doctor".

08-28
17:42

Fontaines D.C: ‘Romance lives between light and dark’

After years of trying to throw their sound "50 miles down the road", Irish post-punk rockers Fontaine's D.C. crash through a new sonic frontier on their fourth album Romance. Guitarist Conor Curley tells Charlotte Ryan how taking time off for the first time ever led the band into a more fluid and collaborative process.

08-24
13:36

UB40: 'He left the band to go solo and has never spoken to any of us since'

Ahead of UB40's NZ tour in October we revisit an interview with Robin Campbell who speaks honestly about the departure of the former frontman - his brother Ali.

08-20
16:06

Troy Kingi: On his journey into Joshua Tree desert to record latest album

Award winning local musician Troy Kingi has released a rock album, Leatherman & the Mojave Green. Troy talks to Charlotte about the spiritual and transformative experience of recording music in the desert.

08-17
16:51

Pixies: David Lovering on music, touring and his unusual hobbies

David Lovering started playing drums for the Pixies in 1986. After the bands break up in 1993, he became a magician - true story. Ahead of the Pixies return to New Zealand, we revisit David's 2022 conversation with Charlotte Ryan.

08-14
18:58

Nathan Haines: 'I’m just amazed I’m still here talking to you’

Nathan Haines speaks to Charlotte Ryan about the experience of making his new album Notes - beating throat cancer, becoming a father and losing a great friend.

08-10
14:42

Run the Jewels: The soundtrack for a political uprising

As we head towards the US election, we revisit a 2020 interview with Run The Jewels' Killer Mike (Michael Render), and EL-P (Jaime Meline) who spoke to Charlotte Ryan about US politics and how their album 4 was the soundtrack for a political uprising.

08-07
20:14

Gary Hustwit: Digging into Brian Eno’s brain

Gary Hustwit, director of the new Eno documentary, tells Charlotte how he managed to fit over 500 hours of Brian Eno's personal video footage into a film that explores his relentless creativity.

08-03
21:56

R.I.P Martin Phillipps: On Life and Mortality

After his death earlier this week, we revisit a special 2021 interview with The Chills' Martin Phillipps, where the artist reflects on life's lessons and faces up to not being around forever.

07-31
32:01

Rickie Lee Jones on ADHD: 'I have a terrible time concentrating and staying with anything'

Veteran US singer-songerwriter Rickie Lee Jones spoke to Charlotte Ryan in 2023 about how her neurodiversity feeds her imagination and her music.

07-24
19:25

The Jesus and Mary Chain: ‘These days it's Jim and William Reid being themselves’

Following the release of Glasgow Eyes, Charlotte Ryan speaks to The Jesus and Mary Chain founder Jim Reid about the band's infamous 90s shows and mid-career break up, and what got them back together.

07-13
17:35

Fontaines D.C frontman: 'I have a constant need to create'

In high anticipation of the new Fontaines D.C album out in August, Charlotte Ryan revisits her 2023 interview with the band's frontman Grian Chatten... and wonders if he is in love?

07-10
14:23

Anna Coddington: Retraining the voice from Long Covid

Despite some serious challenges, Anna Coddington has created a bilingual album for the dancefloor. She celebrates with Charlotte Ryan.

07-06
16:06

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