STEVE EARLE - Washington Square Serenade

Happy 2009 everyone - I momentarily retired from podcasting but now I'm back! And to start 2009 off with a bang, I've uploaded a short interview I had the pleasure of having with one of the world's best djs and KINGs of the mash-ups, DJ Z-TRIP... When attempting this interview, I was only given a very short amount of time but we still managed to have a chat about politics, artistry and what it is that keeps him at the top of his game... it's worth checking out... ALSO - be sure to head to his website and download his OBAMA MIX for FREE! just got to www.djztrip.com The dude is cool enough to let you download a whole bunch of music frree, so it's worth checking out without a doubt... A special shout out to Kaleidoscopic Ben for helping me with the editing of the interview and you can check his podcast here: http://feedyourrobot.podomatic.com I will be attempting to not only add interviews, but also some music mixes and top track picks too... So stayed tuned as the hayleyjhansell podcast steps up a notch for 09... HAPPY NEW YEAR.... Peace

Every now and then, my producer for my radio show, really steps things up, and on this day, things went next level... i was told, i was about to cross live to speak with TRUCK NORTH... and if you have copped the latest Roots album RISING DOWN (and if you haven't, why are you sleeping!) then you know this guy is making waves... Hailing from Philadelphia PA, for the last seven years Truck North has been apart of some amazing musical projects. A protégé and frequent collaborator of the legendary Roots Crew, has provided an avenue for Truck North to engage in some amazing opportunities, as Truck north has appeared on both The Tipping Point and Game Theory Album, aswell as a mix tape album Northern Exposure and a compilation mix tape album entitled The Antidote... and with an EP on the way, he talks candidily with Hayley J. And I have to say, it was a priviledge and a joy to be able to speak with him! CHECK THIS OUT!!! Also... visit www.myspace.com/trucknorth to see whats up... PEACE

Adele Hunter-Higgins, host of 95bFM's Totally Wired show and also bFM's music director joined Hayley J. for In The Know, and her album of choice -- DOSH "Wolves & Wishes"... Wolves and Wishes, is Martin Dosh's fourth official album, he's been a member of Andrew Bird's band, and is an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink virtuoso (composing, improvising, arranging), he is also joined by a fresh cast of collaborators too.... And to think, there's not a single drum machine in the mix...?!?! listen up...

Benett aka Dr Hitchcock, programme director of the Christchurch radio station RDU, talk about the hot new band - Bang Bang Eche! Please forgive the sound quality, the phone line was a bit weird on the day... however, enjoy!

Simon Woods, online editor of Amplifier.co.nz, the premiere online music retailer that specialises in selling 100% NZ music. As part of May New Zealand music month, Simon chose to review a band that features ex-members of The Shocking Pinks and Pig Out - the band is called THE TIGER TONES - if you like early Blondie crossed with a bit of New Order, this is well worth the listen... They were also nominated for Best New Act at the 2007 bNet awards without even releasing a record!

We've heard the first single from this album, "Machine Gun," and needless to say, the wait for Portishead's third studio album (titled THIRD {3}) is well and truly over! Their first release in 10 years, first studio album in 11, there has been quite a lot of hype around this one... Hayley J. talks to Renee Jones, a 95bfm dj herself and also In-The-Know when it comes to NZ music (she is part of the team at IMNZ), as she hits us with her concise opinion about one of the hottest international releases we've seen in a long time... check it....

Personally, I feel Manuel Bundy is one of the best djs there is in NZ. A fixture on the New Zealand dj scene for nearly 20 years, Manuel has toured the world as DJ of choice for artists such as Nathan Haines, Mark De Clive Lowe and OMC, and has also produced his own beats under the Solephonic moniker. He is a long time radio host, and is intergral in breaking the hot track as part of Auckland city's popular monthly party 'The Turnaround'.. all this aswell as being co-creator of Auckland's online gig-guide www.mukuna.co.nz - he most certainly qualifies as being In-The-Know... I am first and foremost a fan of Manuel Bundy, so I was excited as hell! it was a great pleasure to speak to him about Erykah Badu's latest release... ENJOY!

Elizabeth Sheperd's blend of jazz-funk, soul, blues and samba reaches far beyond just the jazz massive with this record. Bobby Bazuka, welknown auckland dj and radio host and all-round man about town, discusses why this collection of remixes and bsides has so much appeal... check it... !

Another stunning and informative review by Bryan from Marbecks records. Bryan mentioned a return to form - perhaps this sounds cliche, but it does have to be said that this record surpasses Supergrass's previous effort 'Road to Rouen' which they produced themselves... Nick Launay (Arcade Fire, Nick Cave, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) joined Supergrass as a producer of DIAMOND HOO HAA, and it was recorded in Hansa studios in Berlin... now, I could begin to drop all kinds on info on you here....but, it's best to leave that stuff to the experts.. of which Bryan is one! so check his review!

Speaking live from the U.S (Michigan, Detroit), I had the privilege of being joined by the multi-talented hiphop/music activist, radio personality and label owner Robo Robb - his album of choice... THEORY, an MC set to do big things, with the album titled "Homegirls and Handgrenades"...... An artist that walks the walk as well as talks the talk... check out why she's gonna do it big... For more Robo Robb, just check out his myspace: www.myspace.com/roborobb and also just head to WXOU.ORG if you're in the US and need a lil realness... ONE