Show Notes
Sparks is coming to New Zealand for the first time in their 55+ year career...how and why have the Mael Brothers covered so much musical territory and managed to remain vital? Ron Mael tells all. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda has been a fan of Sparks since he saw them in concert in 1975. So he had a lot of questions for older Mael brother Ron. At age 80, and with no sign of slowing down, Ron fields questions about aging, seeing The Beatles (twice), working with Georgio Moroder and admiring Muhammad Ali.
More from 13th Floor MusicTalk
Italian noise/sludge/industrial/punk band OvO are in New Zealand, ready to play their first shows in front of Kiwi audiences with an 8-date tour. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Stefania Pedretti and Bruno Dorella, who were holed up in Tauranga, taking in the sights, the sounds and the smells of New Zealand while looking for music lovers who have open minds and open ears to join them on their 8-date tour. Watch and listen as they explain how and why they have developed into a act that they call a "doom/dance band".
Metalcore pioneers Killswitch Engage are playing not one, but two shows at Auckland's Powerstation this month, with Oct 31st sold out and Oct 30th almost there. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Killswitch Engage front man Jesse Leach about the overwhelming fan reaction to these shows and how they are "finding faith in these dark times" with lyrics that promote positivity, unity and hope. Watch and listen to the entire interview to learn about Jesse's punk roots.
New Zealand singer-songwriter Heti Hope describes the music she makes with her band as “cosmicfolkjazz”. Their new album, Hidden Plains, is out now. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Heti about making Hidden Plains a collection of nine new and very original songs.
Dummy is about to release their third studio album, do you love the color of the sky? and the Los Angeles-based 5-piece delivers a "breathtaking piece of work that introduces new textures and rhythms to their already varied and refined catalog." The 13th Floor's Marty Duda tracked down Joe Trainer (guitars) and Alex Ewell (percussion and drum sounds) to find out more about the new musical direction this adventurous young band is taking.
Auckland-based artist Tori Thom releases her new EP, Dissolves Corporeality today and Tori is here to tell you all about it. The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spoke to Tori, who is a classically trained musician and teacher, but is also somewhat trapped in the virtual world due to chronic illness, and trying to make the most of it. Watch and listen as Tori talks about learning to unlearn her classical training and who growinbg up with an oversized grand piano in a tiny house shaped her musical outlook.