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The Sampler headlines with summaries.
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The Sampler - International album highlights 2020
21 Dec 2020Nick Bollinger revisits some of the outstanding international albums of the past 12 months.
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The Sampler: Best local albums of 2020
14 Dec 2020Nick Bollinger revisits some of the local albums that stood out in 2020.
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The Sampler : Matt Berninger, Oneohtrix Point Never & Sun Ra Arkestra
7 Dec 2020Nick Bollinger discusses the solo debut of The National frontman Matt Berninger and the first fresh release in twenty years from the unclassifiable Sun Ra Arkestra. Tony Stamp investigates the work of…
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The Sampler: Jeff Tweedy, This Is The Kit, Ela Minus
30 Nov 2020Nick Bollinger discusses the lockdown songs of Jeff Tweedy and rebellious synth-pop of Ela Minus while Tony Stamp lends an ear to This Is The Kit.
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The Sampler - AC/DC, Hachiku, Elvis Costello
23 Nov 2020Nick Bollinger discusses the killer riffs and retrograde lyrics of AC/DC, the musical wanderings of German-born, Melbourne-based Hachiku, and the 31st album from Elvis Costello.
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The Sampler - Glass Vaults, The Bobby Lees & Joni Mitchell
16 Nov 2020Nick Bollinger discusses the ambiguous sounds of Wellington trio Glass Vaults; Woodstock punk of The Bobby Lees; and takes a deep dive into the archives of Joni Mitchell.
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The Sampler - Sturgill Simpson, Autechre & Trees
9 Nov 2020Nick Bollinger reviews a bluegrass move from Sturgill Simpson, futuristic sounds from Autechre, and a lavish retrospective of British psych-folk curiosity Trees.
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The Sampler - Bruce Springsteen, Adrianne Lenker & Ian Morris
2 Nov 2020Nick Bollinger reviews a stock-taking set from Bruce Springsteen; lockdown songs from Adrianne Lenker; and a previously unheard album from the late Ian Morris.
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The Sampler: SAULT, Sylvan Esso & Jonsi
26 Oct 2020Nick Bollinger reviews a powerfully on-point album from militant dance collective SAULT, the folk-damaged electro-pop of Sylvan Esso and an outgoing solo outing from Sigur Ros singer Jonsi.
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The Sampler: Phoenix Foundation, Dead Famous People, Thompsons
19 Oct 2020Nick Bollinger discusses a new benchmark for veteran Wellington band The Phoenix Foundation; the welcome - if overdue - return of Dead Famous People, and the magnificent miserablism of Richard and…
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The Sampler - Sufjian Stevens, Joachim Cooder & Sam Gendel
12 Oct 2020Nick Bollinger reviews dark reflections on modern America from Sufjian Stevens; a celebration of an old-time song-and-dance man from Joachim Cooder; and the hip-hop-from-another-planet of Sam Gendel.
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The Sampler: Billy Nomates, Wax Chattels, Prince
5 Oct 2020Nick Bollinger discusses the power of refusal in the music of Lincolnshire's Billy Nomates; the visceral post-rock of Auckland's Wax Chattels; and a motherlode of previously unreleased Prince.
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The Sampler: Burna Boy, Fantastic Negrito, Darren Watson
28 Sep 2020Nick Bollinger reviews the global hip-hop of Nigerian rap star Burna Boy; a funky tonic for dark times from Fantastic Negrito; and the personal, political blues of Darren Watson.
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The Sampler: Bill Callahan, The Flaming Lips & Chuck Prophet
21 Sep 2020This week in The Sampler Nick Bollinger discusses the quietly instructive narratives of Bill Callahan; songs of lost innocence from The Flaming Lips; and the history-steeped rock'n'roll of Chuck…
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The Sampler: Troy Kingi, Techtones, David Long
14 Sep 2020Nick Bollinger discusses an album of memories and ghosts from Troy Kingi; an unearthed slice of 1981 post-punk from Auckland band the Techtones; and David Long's colourful soundtrack for television…
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The Sampler: The Lemon Twigs, H.C. McEntire, Alec Bathgate
7 Sep 2020Nick Bollinger reviews the latest from precocious 70s-inspired brother duo The Lemon Twigs; queer country from North Carolina singer H.C. McEntire; and an insrumental set from sometime Tall Dwarf Alec…
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The Sampler: Caitlin Smith, SPERB3R & Emma Swift
31 Aug 2020This week in The Sampler Nick Bollinger previews a long-overdue set from versatile Auckland vocalist Caitlin Smith; a vocal excursion from local jazz guitarist Dan Sperber; and a surprising study of…
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The Sampler: Wye Oak, Max Richter & Lonnie Holley
24 Aug 2020This week in The Sampler, Nick Bollinger reviews a choral collaboration from Baltimore duo Wye Oak; a sombre opus from classical crossover composer Max Richter; and a typically idiosyncratic set from…
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The Sampler: Milly Tabak, Party1-12 & Gillian Welch
15 Aug 2020Nick Bollinger discusses the country soul of Auckland singer-songwriter Milly Tabak and her band The Milltones; a compilation of local garage rock from vinyl indie label 1 To 12; and an abundance of…
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The Sampler Summit: Split Enz - True Colours 40th Anniversary
8 Aug 2020To mark the 40th anniversary of Split Enz's True Colours album, Nick Bollinger calls a Sampler Summit. Guests are The Phoenix Foundation's Luke Buda, music journalist Silke Hartung and Enzology…
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The Sampler: Lianne La Havas, Taylor Swift & Steve Earle
1 Aug 2020Nick Bollinger reviews Taylor Swift's relatively low-key collaboration with members of The National and Bon Iver, UK soul musician Lianne La Havas self-titled album, and the latest from country/ folk…
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The Sampler: The Chicks, Keleketla!, The Pretenders
25 Jul 2020Nick Bollinger reviews a new album from The Chicks - formerly Dixie Chicks - in which the personal is political; a four-continent collaboration under the South African banner Keleketla, and a tough…
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The Sampler: J.S. Ondara, Richard Thompson, I Break Horses
18 Jul 2020Nick Bollinger reviews lockdown sets from Kenyan-born, Minnesota-based troubadour J.S. Ondara and veteran English singer-songwriter Richard Thompson, plus the gothic synth-pop of Swedish duo I Break…
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The Sampler: The Beths, Larkin Poe, Khruangbin
11 Jul 2020Nick Bollinger reviews a sophomore album of power pop from The Beths; blues and boogie from North Georgia sisters Larkin Poe; and a surprisingly vocal set from the usually instrumental trio…
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