12:15 INTERVIEW: Pere Wihongi talks mental health. 

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week. Charlotte Ryan sat down with singer, songwriter, presenter and all round taleneted Kiwi Pere Wihongi to discuss the importance of mental health awareness in New Zealand. They chat coping strategies, and the positive impact music can have on mental health.

Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.

Lifeline: 0800 543 354  or text HELP to 4357

Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.

Depression Helpline 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202

Samaritans 0800 726 666 (24/7)

Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz

What's Up: online chat](3pm-10pm) or 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 helpline (12pm-10pm weekdays, 3pm-11pm weekends)

Kidsline (ages 5-18): 0800 543 754 (24/7)

Rural Support Trust Helpline 0800 787 254

1:10 Max Merrit - Musical Chairs 

Max Merritt has died aged 79 in a Los Angeles hospital this week. Our thoughts are with his friends and family. 

This piece was originally broadcast in June 2003

This episode of Musical Chairs tells the story of Max Merritt, as a teenager playing guitar in Christchurch dance halls in the late 50s, through to his life as one of the pivotal figures in New Zealand rock during the 1960s, and his international career which continues today. The man who wrote 'Slipping Away' is now based in Australia where earlier this year he embarked on a hugely successful tour and played gigs with the great Ray Charles and Wilson Picket.

Max Merritt 1959

Max Merritt 1959 Photo: Courtesy AudioCulture

1.30 The Sampler with Nick Bollinger

Fantastic Negrito 

Fantastic Negrito (real name Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz) has been making music since 1993 when he released his debut album The X Factor under his real name. He took an extended break from music in 2007 and didn’t return to the scene until 2014. Now releasing music under the new name Fantastic Negrito, he describes his new sound as "black roots music for everyone".

His 2016 album,The Last Days of Oakland, won Best Contemporary Blues Album at the 59th Grammy Awards, and he won the same category again in 2019 for his album Please Don’t Be Dead

Nick Bollinger reviews his new album Have You Lost Your Mind Yet?

Songs played in this segment of The Sampler

Fantastic Negrito - Chocolate Samurai    

Fantastic Negrito - I’m So Happy I Cry    

Fantastic Negrito - Platypuis Dipster    

Fantastic Negrito - All Up In My Space    

Fantastic Negrito - Searching For Captain Save A Hoe    

Fantastic Negrito - Your Sex Is Overrated    

Fantastic Negrito - Justice In America    

Fantastic Negrito - King Frustration    

Fantastic Negrito performs

Fantastic Negrito performs Photo: 2019 Tim Mosenfelder

2:00 LIVE Mousey

Mousey is a NZ based musician and songwriter. Her debut single ‘Extreme Highs’– about “the emotional roller coaster” she went through when living with nine others in a crammed Christchurch flat – was a finalist in last year's APRA Silver Scroll Awards. Her debut album Lemon Law was released in October 2019. Mousey has gone on tour to wish Lemon Law goodbye, and gear up for the release of sophomore album, which she finished recording in lockdown.

Catch Mousey on Tour 

SEP 26 SAT - The Plant @ 7:00pm Blenheim

OCT 2 FRI - Bark! @ 8:00pm Dunedin

OCT 3 SAT - Space Academy @ 8:00pm Christchurch

Click here to purchase tickets 

Mousey – aka Sarena Close

Mousey – aka Sarena Close Photo: Supplied

INTERVIEW: Jess B

From netballer to award-winning musician, JessB has become one of our most celebrated female rappers. 

Jess B’s already had a big year, she was a Taite Music Prize Finalist and released two singles with all-African Aotearoa hip hop crew BLKCITY. Her new EP, 3 Nights In Amsterdam, was released this week. Tony stamp talked with her about hitting it off with her Dutch producer, and how she ended up recording her EP in The Netherlands. 

JessB has filled a woman-shaped hole in the New Zealand hip hop scene, but she looks around and finds herself alone. “Maybe there is only one allowed,” she says.

JessB has filled a woman-shaped hole in the New Zealand hip hop scene, but she looks around and finds herself alone. “Maybe there is only one allowed,” she says. Photo: RNZ/ Cole Eastham-Farrelly

3:10 Music Mentors Aotearoa 

Tony Stamp visits the community centres and art spaces where some of our biggest hip-hop artists are giving back to their communities, using music to connect with at-risk-youths, juvenile offenders, or those struggling with mental health.

Tony Teez, Church, Melodownz

Tony Teez, Church, Melodownz Photo: supplied

3:30 Song Crush 

This week on Song Crush, Tony is joined by RNZ Music’s Yadana Saw, and from fat Freddy’s Drop, Mark Williams aka Slave. They’re curshing new songs from Anderson Paak, Botnay and more. 

Songs played on this episode of Song Crush:

Botany - Vision of This Earth                          

SAULT - Free                                                       

Tricky - I’m In The Doorway                     

Slowthai ft James Blake and Mt Kimbie - Feel Away                         

No Romance - Television                                            

Anderson .Paak - Lockdown                                       

Diggy Dupe -  Hype

This week's selection

This week's selection Photo: supplied

4:00 The Mixtape: Luke Buda 

Wellington musician and Phoenix Foundation favourite, Luke Buda is this weeks guest on The Mixtape. 

The Phoenix Foundation have been playing together for more than 20 years. The band have won many music awards including Best Album multiple times and Best Group multiple times. That’s no small feat. They’ve also had international success and featured on many great movie soundtracks.

The bands new album ‘Friendship’ features guest contributions from Nadia Reid, Hollie Fullbrook (Tiny Ruins), Dave Dobbyn and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Critics and fans are raving about the bands seventh album already.

Charlotte Ryan talks to Luke about life. And of course his favourite songs.

Luke Buda

Luke Buda Photo: supplied

 

Songs played on this episode of Music 101:

12-1

Max Merritt and the Meteors - Soft Surfie 

Marvin Gaye - Whats Going On

Michael Kiwanuka - You aint the problem

The Strokes - Last Night

The Phoenix Foundation - Damn the River

Lorde - Green Light

The Fleet Foxes - Sunblind

The Beach Boys - Sloop John B 

1-2 

 Fat Freddys Drop  - Six Eight

The Doors- Break on through (to the other side)

Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop (that thing) 

Nina Simone - Sinnerman

2-3

Sola Rosa - Don't Leave Home

Roxy Music - More Than This 

Phoebe Rings - Cheshire 

Kurt Vile and John Prime - How Lucky 

Milk - Sugar Glider 

3-4

Nightmares on Wax - Les Nuits