Music 101 Interviews

Mokotron is a Ngāti Hine music producer based in Tāmaki Auckland, who is part of a Māori electronic music scene that has become a creative force. The man behind Mokotron is Tiopira McDowell - by day a lecturer in Māori Studies, and co-head of the Māori and Pacific Studies at Auckland Uni, and by night, an artist who has gained a reputation for getting the clubs heaving with a sound that’s distinct...

Once Were Warriors celebrates its 30th anniversary this month and the legendary soundtrack has been re-released. Based on Alan Duff's novel and directed by Lee Tamahori, the film became the highest-grossing film of all-time in New Zealand and won numerous awards. Tim Moon, who was part of Tangata Records who released the soundtrack, joins Charlotte Ryan. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more de...

After receiving glowing reviews for her earlier releases including her debut album Morningside, Fazerdaze spent years touring throughout the world, resulting in burnout. After taking some time out, she has returned with a new album that represents coming out of the darkness, with a sound that is bigger, but still holds true to her distinctive dreamy guitar pop. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for...

Moana & The Tribe have returned with a concept album project that starts in Aotearoa and travels around the world - encapsulating the voices, language, and culture of six indigenous wāhine. Moana spoke with Music101's Charlotte Ryan. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

We revisit a 2021 interview with Grammy award-winning musician Moby when he opened up to Charlotte Ryan about his career, addiction and regret. And just a heads up - this interview discusses suicide and suicidal ideation Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Salmonella Dub originator Andrew Penman aka DJ Rudeboy talks to Charlotte Ryan about how the community of Whakatu, writer Keri Hulme, and our cultural history, influenced the music. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Best known taonga pūoro practitioner Horomona Horo speaks to Charlotte the day after he was announced as an Arts Laureate about the struggle to be seen as an artist. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Prince is one of the few remaining 80s superstars whose story remains a mystery, yet their estate is preventing the release of a Netflix documentary. Author Matt Thorne joins Charlotte Ryan to discuss his life-long pursuit of documenting Prince, and why he sides with Prince’s estate over the Netflix controversy. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

To celebrate the release M. Ward's 'best of' compilation, 'For Beginners', we revisit an interview from July 2023 where he discusses the supernatural occurrences when music reaches the listener's ear. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

American singer and songwriter Remi Wolf is a headlining artist at Auckland’s Laneway Festival in January next year. Originally from Palo Alto, California, Remi Wolf has come to international attention as the opening act for Lorde, Paramore, Gorillaz, and more recently, Olivia Rodrigo. Charlotte Ryan catches up with Remi from a bathroom floor in Atlanta. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more de...

Seattle band Pearl Jam have recorded 11 studio albums, sold 85 million+ albums, played over 1000 shows and had 5 albums reach number one. But after over thirty years of success, biographer Ronen Givony asks: Why are Pearl Jam not thought of as fondly as other bands like Nirvana? Music 101 revisits this interview ahead of the band's New Zealand shows. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more detail...

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Tami Neilson talks to Charlotte about joining Willie Nelson's tribe. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Bill Callahan tells Charlotte Ryan about the thrill of improvisation, the "little sparks" which become his songs and rediscovering the glory of Genesis. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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". Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details