The Sampler

Tony Stamp delves into the latest album releases, looks back at past classics, and speaks with a range of people on the pop cultural landscape.

Hosted by Tony Stamp

Birds-eye-view of an illustrated black vinyl record with a yellow centre and red tonearm, on a blue insert and a red background. The text 'Sampler' reads in white on the right hand side from bottom to top.

RNZ exclusive

This podcast is only available on the RNZ website and apps, ad‑free and uninterrupted.

Nick Bollinger and Elliott Childs talk about music books

All episodes:

Nick Bollinger and Elliott Childs talk about music books

Two music writers discuss what they've been reading lately.

Everything Must Go by Goose

Elliott Childs assesses the latest from the American jam band.

Uhlmann Johnson Wilkes

Nick Bollinger reviews an instrumental collection from the LA trio.

Can't Even by Bub

The name of Priya Sami's guitar four-piece may stand for 'breakup band', but this isn't an album of weepies, more like 70s-inflected rock with some cartoonish synth additions.
Bub

Pink Silence by Cloth

Scottish twin siblings Rachael and Paul Swinton deliver a third album of tranquil textures with a hint of foreboding.
Paul and Rachael Swinton from Cloth

Interview: Gareth Shute

Tony Stamp speaks with musician and music writer Gareth Shute about his band Thee Golden Geese's new videogame, and some of his writing on NZ music history for the website Audioculture.

Shadow of the Gift by Mim Jensen

Christchurch singer-songwriter Mim Jensen delivers a polished EP of crisp indie-pop with occasional emotive flourishes.
Mim Jensen

River Dark by Greta O'Leary

The singer-songwriter's debut is slightly spooky and wryly funny, distinguishing her through a few sonic left turns.
Greta O'Leary - a white woman with long brown hair wearing a white dress - stands in an industrial landscape at dusk.

Interview: Harry Charles on Movement

After spending formative years in Berlin, the singer-producer is back in Aotearoa with a new album, blending downtempo house with his voice and guitar.
Harry Charles

Something Good is Happening by Voom

Welcomely woolly and full of melodic brilliance, Voom's third proves Buzz Moller is still one of our finest songwriters.
Voom

Interview: Lukas Mayo on Pickle Darling The Game

The Christchurch artist explains their new online venture.
Lukas Mayo AKA Pickle Darling

Black Sand by Clear Path Ensemble

A set of jazz compositions meant to entice rather than bombard, led by Cory Champion and some of Wellington's finest players.
Cory Champion

Lazarus soundtrack by Kamasi Washington, Bonobo, and Floating Points

A trio of instrumentalist heavy-hitters provide sounds for the new animation from Cowboy Bebop director Shinichirō Watanabe.
Lazarus soundtrack artwork

Thee Black Boltz by Tunde Adebimpe

TV on the Radio's lead singer steps out on his own with an album that's steeped in grief but always optimistic, and still sounds like no one else.
Tunde Adibempe

A Deeper Life by Chaos in the CBD

The NZ-born brothers made a career in the UK with their signature blend of smooth house music, but have never released a full album until now.
Chaos in the CBD (Louis and Ben Helliker-Hales)

Other podcasts
like this one

More podcasts with similar themes or ideas that you might enjoy.

  • A grey and blue hypnotising illustration on the background with a large title saying "Mediawatch" and words "weekly since 2001" above the title.

    Mediawatch

    A critical look at the New Zealand media.

  • Podcast title 'Here Now' in front of a colourful background with overlaid shapes. A map of New Zealand is also overlaid over the coloured shapes.

    Here Now

    What do 27% of NZers all have in common? They were born overseas.

  • An illustrated motif representing people from the Pacific gathered around a sun sits behind a photographic portrait of Susana Suisuiki.

    Pacific Waves

    Delving deeper into the major Pacific stories each week

  • A podcast cover for "At the Movies" with an abstract cinema screen with a big title.

    At The Movies

    Wondering what movies are worth it? We review the latest releases for you.

  • Charlotte Ryan smiles wearing bright red lipstick and a Kate Sylvester T-shirt, text reads "Music 101 Interviews". Bright blue background.

    Music 101 Interviews

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