Nick Atkinson

Nick Atkinson reports from St Jerome's Laneway festival where van loads of jet-setting musicians arrive blinking in the bright southern sun. He gets face time with Bat for Lashes, Jessie Ware, The… Audio

The songs 'Niaz' by Mamut, Darius and Hameed and 'If You're Rich Help The Poor' by Dennis Brown. Audio

Bill Tilman was lost at sea in 1977 en route to an unclimbed peak on a remote Antarctic Island. It was a typical adventure for the sailor and mountaineer who'd already explored many of the world's… Audio

Nick Atkinson's pick for best album of the year is 'Sad But True' by Delaney Davidson and Marlon Williams. Audio

Kirsten Johnstone, Nick Atkinson, Trevor Reekie and Emma Smith discuss their favourites from a year of strong and diverse releases. Audio

Jol Mulholland and Golden Curtain. Audio

The songs 'Modern Love', 'Modern Love (French)' and 'Modern Love (Katie)' by School for Birds. Audio

The songs 'Introduction' by Mala and 'Royals' by Lorde. Audio

Auckland blues trio Heart Attack Alley have had an amazing 2012. They've toured Europe twice, recorded their debut album in Montebelluna, Italy, for uber-hip Swiss label Voodoo Rhythm Records and… Audio

Since the last SJD album in 2008 prolific songwriter Sean Donnelly joined Neil Finn's Pyjama Club, and formed The Bellbirds, with Don McGlashan, Sandy Mill and Victoria Kelly. For a few months there… Audio

The songs 'Fire In The Crawlspace' and 'Empty World' by SJD. Audio

Connan Mockasin can be an elusive character, sometimes hiding behind his long blond fringe, often keeping aloof, on the far side of his bohemian entourage. He co-writes songs with Anglo-French… Audio

'Too Hot Blues' and 'Spit It Out' by Heart Attack Alley. Audio

The New Zealand Music Awards are underway in Auckland this evening, with all the big names turning out for the red carpet event. Audio

One of the most influential pioneers of this artful pop music was a short-lived band named Toy Love, fronted by a young maverick named Chris Knox. Nick Atkinson talks to band members Jane Walker and… Audio

For five years the family band have refined their sound to what they now call alien funk, distancing themselves from the roots and reggae labels they feel they've outgrown. We attend Kora's album… Audio

Alabama Shakes lead-singer Brittany Howard was delivering mail in the small rural town of Athens, Alamaba when the band that she'd founded with bass player Zac Cockrell at high school started getting… Audio

Featuring the songs 'Last Generation' by Kora and 'I Found You' by Alabama Shakes. Audio

A decade of terraced dynamics and riffage has grown a devoted battalion of fans here and abroad for Auckland heavy metal band New Way Home. In October 2012 they finally launched their first… Audio