Celebrating Te Whanganui-a-Tara songwriter Alba Rose 's fresh mid-November release, 'Silhouette', a classy and smart EP for fans of jazz-influenced, stylishly sleek tunes, we asked the artist to create a mixtape of music that has influenced her, and blends readily with her own mellow grooves. What she delivered is an eclectic, laid-back selection of classics and newcomers worth checking out, with the background to some of her thoughtful choices explained below. Marlon Williams Aldous ...

The name ZExII seems somehow to embody energy (including the challenge of figuring just how to say it), and the Ōtepoti popstar artist who goes by that name has a view that a good single is a song that has "leadership energy". In fact, he's making 'big music energy' a thing - and you heard it here first. He's also produced a single, called Indigo, that NZ On Air included on their NewTracks compilation this November.What's your given name, where are you from and what instruments do you play?My ...

Rosegang is a pull-no-punches hip hop artist from Tauranga, who also answers to 187, or Michael Walker. As a musical entity Rosegang also encompasses artist, songwriter and producer Caleb Walker, aka Phlimingo, as well as well-connected Australian hip hop producer Colcci. They've been working together for two years now and have a trio of new tracks coming out in the months ahead, starting with187 on November 12.  What made you decide to form Rosegang?Myself and Phlimingo are brothers. We ...

Illustrating that the pathway to music production isn't always flagged by school-age musicianship or vocal training, Auckland 'newcomer' Sammie found her own path via a childhood of dance and early adulthood as a club DJ. In 2021 the millennial Libran has released a track called Preoccupied that found its way onto NZ On Air Music's latest NewTracks compilation, making it a debut of sorts. What's your full name, where are you from and what instruments do you play?Samantha Whitaker, and I’m ...

Born in Gore , Kiwi country singer-songwriter Jackie Bristow is nowadays Nashville-based, but currently weathering the Covid storm back here in Queenstown among family. Jackie is preparing for the release of a new album called 'Outsider', giving an early taster to its quality sound with new single Without You, out today via her American label Mesa Bluemoon Recordings. NZM asked the down-to-earth artist to run us through the remarkable genesis of the song, which includes a stellar lineup of renowned ...

The mighty Mini Simmons are back with new single Railroad For Two. In contrast to the Auckland five-piece's usual style of bluesy Americana rock that makes them the killer live act they are, this one is a lingering sentimental ballad more in the mould of classic roots rock, written collaboratively by all the band. Frontman Zak Hawkins takes us through the making of their errmm, two x two-tracks track.Railroad For Two was written between separate houses during lockdown. Yoni (Yahel, drums) wrote ...

Grace  Sam Fran. There's something in the name that by itself talks of light-hearted fun and musical energy, and the bright-spark Tāmaki Makaurau/Kirikiriroa duo certainly doesn't disappoint on that score with I'm A Liar. Catchy and intricate electro-pop rhythms paired with simple but ear-wormingly invasive lyrics… and a neat visual twist to boot! NZ On Air picked their song for their NewTracks October compilation.What are your full names, where are you from and what instruments do ...