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The Sampler headlines with summaries.
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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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The Sampler: 79rs Gang & Tony Allen
4 Jul 2020Nick Bollinger reviews the latest incarnation of a centuries-old New Orleans carnival tradition from The 79rs Gang, and some of the last recordings by the late African drumming genius Tony Allen
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The Sampler: Phoebe Bridgers, Christian Lee Hutson & Neil Young
27 Jun 2020Nick Bollinger reviews new albums from current LA singer-songwriters Phoebe Bridgers and Christian Lee Hutson, plus a lost 70s set from Neil Young.
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The Sampler Summit: Bob Dylan 's Rough & Rowdy Ways
19 Jun 2020Nick Bollinger calls a Sampler Summit to discuss the first album of new Bob Dylan songs in eight years.
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The Sampler: D.C. Cross, The Phoenix Foundation and Kiwi Animals compilation
13 Jun 2020Nick Bollinger reviews a genre-challenging collection of lost treasures from 1980s Aotearoa; fretboard explorations from Sydney guitarist D.C. Cross; and the tenth-anniversary reissue of a classic…
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The Sampler: Blake Mills, Ruby Solly, Nicole Atkins
6 Jun 2020Nick Bollinger discusses a solo set from in-demand producer Blake Mills; an instrumental evocation of the capital city from cellist and taonga puoro player Ruby Solly; and a homage to AM radio from…
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The Sampler: Moses Sumney, Ryan Fisherman, X
30 May 2020Nick Bollinger discusses an exploration of identity from honey-voiced singer Moses Sumney; a melancholy and atmospheric set from Lyttelton all-rounder Ryan Fisherman; and the first album in three…
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The Sampler: Perfume Genius, Damir Imamovic, Shabaka & the Ancestors
23 May 2020Nick Bollinger discusses another concept album about intimacy from Perfume Genius; story-songs with deep Balkan roots from Damir Imamovic; and the Afro-futurist jazz of Shabaka and the Ancestors.
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The Sampler: Giantess, Andrew Fagan & Amy LaVere
16 May 2020Nick Bollinger discusses the majestic debut of Wellington-based Giantess; the jaded observations of Andrew Fagan; and the Mississippi-soaked soul of Amy LaVere.
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The Sampler: Lucinda Williams, Rosalía, Danzig
10 May 2020Nick Bollinger discusses the truthful voice of Lucinda Williams; the flamenco pop fusion of Rosalía; and an unexpected love letter from gothic rocker Glenn Danzig.
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The Sampler: Reb Fountain/Ron Sexsmith/The Dream Syndicate
3 May 2020Nick Bollinger reviews a set of travellers’ testimonies from Reb Fountain; psych-rock space jams from The Dream Syndicate; and unashamed romanticism from Ron Sexsmith.
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The Sampler: Fiona Apple, Richard Dawson
27 Apr 2020Nick Bollinger discusses the ways Fiona Apple has channelled her rage into a spectacularly creative new album, and a bleak yet affectionate portrayal of modern Britain from northern troubadour Richard…
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The Sampler: Dua Lipa, The Strokes, M. Ward
20 Apr 2020Nick Bollinger discusses the lockdown disco of dance pop icon Dua Lipa; a credible comeback from New York City rockers the Strokes; and the travellers’ tales of solitary guitarist M. Ward.
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The Sampler: Waxahatchee, Thundercat, Nils Frahm
13 Apr 2020In the Sampler this week Nick Bollinger reviews songs with a southern accent from Waxahatchee; jazz-soul fusion from Thundercat and minimalist meditations from Nils Frahm.
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The Sampler: Bob Dylan, Four Tet, Darren Watson
5 Apr 2020Nick Bollinger reviews an epic lament from Bob Dylan, a set of nature-inspired electronica from British dance producer Four Tet; and and a reflection on the times from local bluesman Darren Watson.
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The Sampler: Bob Dylan - Murder Most Foul
2 Apr 2020Nick Bollinger reviews an epic lament from Bob Dylan.
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The Sampler: Burna Boy/Maria McKee/The Highwomen
28 Mar 2020In the Sampler this week Nick Bollinger discusses the dancehall-hip-hop fusion of Nigerian singer Burna Boy; an art-song cycle from former teenage cowpunk Maria McKee; and the twang and attitude of…
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The Sampler: Nadia Reid/ Renee-Louise Carafice/ Khruangbin
21 Mar 2020Nick Bollinger reviews an album charting a personal and geographic journey by Nadia Reid; a sonically adventurous set from Las Vegas-based New Zealander Renee-Louise Carafice; and a collaboration…
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The Sampler: Tami Neilson/Sam Lee/Sam Ford & Trudi Green
16 Mar 2020Nick Bollinger reviews a set full of jukebox rockabilly and sibling harmony from Tami Neilson; discusses the South Pacific soul of Sam Ford & Trudi Green; and the way Sam Lee brings Britain’s folk…
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The Sampler: Terry Allen, Weyes Blood and David Kilgour
9 Mar 2020Nick Bollinger reviews a new collection of songs from Texan multi-media artist Terry Allen, discusses visiting American singer-songwriter Weyes Blood and a semi-instrumental set from Dunedin stalwart…
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The Sampler: Jamilia Woods, Rapsody and Vagabon
2 Mar 2020Nick Bollinger reviews albums by African-American artists Jamilia Woods and Rapsody that pay homage to their heroes; and a debut from the Cameroon-born multi-instrumentalist and singer known as…
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Top News stories
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- What we know about the 30-room mansion former Prince Andrew is losing
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