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…

Blues belter Shemekia Copeland is back with Blame It On Eve an album she calls, "a vacation from all the heaviness" of the trilogy of records that preceded it. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda found Shemekia somewhere in California where she was quite happy to talk about working with Will Kimbrough, Luther Dickinson and Alejandro Escovedo.…

The Bug Club are a three-piece band from Wales who have been described as sounding like the Modern Lovers meet Nuggets-style garage rock. We think they just rock and so do the good folks at Sub Pop who have just released their new album titled, On The Intricate Inner Workings Of The System. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda found Sam Willmett and Tilly H…

Kiwi singer-songwriter Molly Payton is now living in London where we found her after coming off a European tour promoting her debut album, YOYOTTA, or You're On Your Own This Time, Again. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Molly who was up early...7am with a cup of tea... with plenty to talk about including how she rebounded after being dropped b…

Singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Randall Bramblett has just released his latest collection of original songs titled Paradise Breakdown. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda found Randall in his home studio in Athens, Georgia and talked to him about songwriting, aging, politics and anything else that came to mind. With a 50 + year career in music …

Ash is coming back! The Northern Irish trio finally played New Zealand last year after a 20-year hiatus. Now they are coming back with The Singles Tour and a few tunes from their latest album as well. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Ash front man Tim Wheeler about the band's favourite singles...both their own and by others....and how the band …

Amy Rigby has just release a new studio album. Its titled Hang In There With Me and it was made with her husband Wreckless Eric. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Amy about making music post-covid, aging, Dylan, bangs and baseball. All the pressing topics of the day!Par Marty Duda

At age 75, Jerry Phillips has just released his debut album. Jerry is the son of Sun Records founder Sam Phillips and his album, For The Universe, captures the feel of rock & roll as it was born, because Jerry was there at the beginning. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Jerry Phillips about making his album with the help of his daughter Holley …

The Brant Bjork Trio have just released their debut album titled Once Upon A Time In The Desert. Here is Brant, direct from California, to tell us how he and his new bandmates...who are also old friends...made this thing happen. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Brant about making this new music with bass player Mario Lalli and drummer Ryan Güt.…

Steve Forbert has just released Daylight Savings Time an album that touches on the changing of the seasons. "It's all about time" Steve tells us. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Steve Forbert just ahead of the release of Daylight Savings Time. We found Steve on the Jersey Shore where he was happy to share his insights into the songs that make …

Blues-rocker Colin James has just released his new album, Chasing The Sun, for Stoney Plain Records. We caught up with Colin last month just as he was about to celebrate a birthday and a release day. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda found Colin James at home in Vancouver, British Columbia, having just finished a string of live dates before releasing Cha…

The Dip is a six-piece neo-soul/funk band based in Seattle, Washington. They've just released their 4 album, titled Love Direction, and here is horn man Levi Gillis to give us the inside scoop. Marty Duda spoke to Levi a couple of months after Love Direction was released and wanted to know, among other things, how the response has been to their uni…

The Crash Test Dummies are coming to New Zealand, finally. The Canadian band top the NZ album charts back in 1993 but its taken until now for them to book a show in Auckland. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to lead singer Brad Roberts about the reason that led to their 30+ year delay. Along the way we find out the truth about Talking Head Jerry H…

The Jesus Lizard surprised everyone, including themselves, by releasing a new album 23 years after their previous record. Here is front man David Yow to try and explain just how this happened. Marty Duda spoke to David Yow just days before Rack, The Jesus Lizard’s 7th studio album, was released. David explains why it took 23 years to make the recor…

Tony Levin is one of the most recorded musicians in recent history having played on over 500 albums for the likes of John Lennon, King Crimson, Paul Simon, David Bowie, Lou Reed and Peter Gabriel. Tony has found time in his busy schedule to release a new album of his own, titled Bringing It Down To The Bass. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda was lucky to…

Ruthie Foster has just released her new album titled Mileage. Its her 10th studio album and her first for Sun Records, the Memphis-based label that put Elvis on the map. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Ruthie, who happened to be in Memphis and had just recorded at the legendary Sun Studio. Here she is to tell us how this collection of 10 songs…

Flea Miller is a 16-year-old singer/songwriter/musician and record label owner. Flea will make his way to The 13th Floor's performance space this Saturday, treating fans to an acoustic/spoken word set, something a little different for the young artiste. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Flea a few days before the event to find out what the youth…

The Deslondes have just released Roll It Out, an album that captures the crackling energy of the band’s early days but also reflects the new perspective of age and maturity and a new drummer. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to founding member Riley Downing about making Roll It Out, breaking in a new drummer and his favourite 50s rockabilly label.…

The Georgia Thunderbolts have released their new album, Rise Above It All, and here is lead singer TJ Lyle to tell you all about it. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda spoke to TJ, who we found in Taylorsville, Georgia (pop. 252). TJ tells us about making the new record, playing for European audiences and his love of Frankie Miller.…

You may know Wellington-based musician Rob Joass from his work with Hobnail or Shotband or Too Many Chiefs. Rob has just released his 4th solo album titled Faultlines and here he is to tell you all about it. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Rob about working with producer Wayne Bell, covering The Go-Betweens and singing with the Mitchell Sister…

Zed is back! After a 21-year “hiatus” they have just released their third album, Future Memory, and we have all four members on hand to tell you about it. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda caught up with Nathan, Ben, Adrian and Andy who were in Akaroa on release day. Find out why its taken so long to get a third album out and what they’ve got planned for…

Elles Bailey has just released her fourth studio album, Beneath The Neon Glow, 10 tracks of glistening rock and soul all powered by her distinctive voice. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Elles, who was home in Bristol, about making the record, play at Glastonbury and why 1972 hold a special place in her heart.…

Steve Wynn has been fronting The Dream Syndicate on and off since they formed in 1981. Steve also has a thriving solo career and now he's an author with new book and album just released. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Steve who was home in Queens, NY, about writing his memoir, Titled I Wouldn't Say It If It Wasn't True and his new solo album,…

Veteran Christchurch musician Al Park has just released his new album, titled One For The Dog, One For The Cat and One For The People With A Monkey On Their Back. Its a mouthful, so you can call it Monkey for short The 13th Floor's Marty Duda found Al at home in Lyttelton, keen to talk about making this new album with Adam Hattaway and Elmore Jones…

Andrew Combs is a Nashville-based singer/songwriter who has just released his 6th album, titled Dream Pictures. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda found Andrew at home in Nashville and found out why he made a "record about contentment".Par Marty Duda

Auckland musician and Pluto bass player Mike Hall has just released his debut solo album titled Nothing Stands Still. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Mike about his decision to step up front, one that came from a hard drive disaster. Here is mike now to take us through the making of Nothing Stands Still with his good friend Jol Mulholland. Alo…

Rock & Roll Hall Of Famer Steve Cropper has just released a new album called Friendlytown. At age 82, the guitarist, producer and songwriter is still going strong with friends like Billy Gibbons and Brian May lending a helping hand. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda was thrilled to be speaking to the legend that is Steve Cropper. Guitarist for Booker T &…

Malice K is a New York-based project helmed by visual artist and songwriter Alex Konschuh, who was born and raised in Olympia, Washington. We found Malice in Brooklyn and got the lowdown on how and why he made his new album, Avanti. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Alex, or Malice, about his move from Olympia to New York and about his experienc…

Loves Ugly Children split up in 1998 after a blistering run of singles, EPs and Albums and live shows throughout the Nineties. Against all the odds, they are back. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda invited Simon, Floss and Jason around to talk about their first show since 1998 in Christchurch and their last show, happening tonight at The Mothership in Au…

The Softies are back with their first new album in 24 years titled The Bed I Made. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Rose Melberg and Jen Sbragia about touring with Elliott Smith, being part of the Riot Grrrl movement and why you shouldn't call them "Twee Pop"Par Marty Duda

Devon Allman has just released his new solo album, Miami Moon, recorded at the legendary Criteria Studio in Miami where his uncle Duane laid down Layla years earlier. Devon recruits Ivan Neville and George Porter to update the Allman legacy. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Devon who was home in St. Louis, Missouri with his dog Franklin, keen t…

Scottish musician Hamish Hawk has just released his new album titled A Firmer Hand featuring a collection of original songs that he considers "a step forward". The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Hamish on the eve of the album's release and found him in his nephew's bedroom in West Yorkshire as he and his band are on tour. It turns out Hamish is a…

Jontavious Willis is just about to release his latest album titled West Georgia Blues. His mission is to reinvigorate today's blues. Let's find out how. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda found Jontavious in the West Georgia town of Luthersville where he's revving up for released day on August 16th. In the meantime, listen and watch as he tells how Taj Ma…

Bob Mould, he of Hüsker Dü and Sugar fame, is returning to New Zealand after a long absence to play a solo show at Auckland’s Powerstation. Bob’s last show in Auckland was at The Gluepot, so the 13th Floor’s Marty Duda thought it might be time to give Bob a call and find out what he has in store for us this time around.…