Interviews

Jim Mills was a banjo player from North Carolina, considered one of the best bluegrass banjo pickers in the world during the peak of his career in the early 2000s. Mills received six international bluegrass banjo player awards and six Grammy Awards, touring extensively with bluegrass hall of fame musician, Ricky Skaggs. Tune into Southern Style this Tuesday as Jan pays tribute to the banjo legend, re-playing an interview she had with Jim Mills in 2006.

Mixing their love for the Australian bush into traditional bluegrass music, High Street Drifters are a bluegrass quartet based in South Australia and Victoria. Incorporating the sounds of the fiddle, mandolin, guitar and bass, they are set to release their first single, Back to the Hills, followed by their debut album this June. Tune into Southern Style as band members Daniel Watkins and Justin Vilchez chat to Jan about these new releases and upcoming Melbourne show at the Wesley Anne June 7th.

The unstoppable psychedelic rock band Pond has been delivering their big sounds since forming in 2008. On May 29th, they are set to release a new single, "So Lo," ahead of their tenth album, "Stung!," which drops on June 21st. Tune into Homebrew as Pond chats with Brooke about their latest single and their upcoming show at Northcote Theatre on June 28th.

Melbourne based garage-pop-girl group Don’t Thank Me, Spank Me create music influenced by the likes of Britney Spears and big-hair 80s guitar bands. Lead by Esther Henderson and Nitida Atkinson, the group will be coming onto Homebrew to perform songs from their debut album, ahead of their debut self-titled album launch at The Tote Hotel on June 8th.

Last month, local singer-songwriter Phoebe Go released her highly anticipated debut solo LP "Marmalade." Phoebe drops in on The Breakfast Spread to tell Milo about the LP and to play a couple of songs live in-studio.

Unconventional local trio Ball Hanlon Schulz are playing a series of Quiet Tangents concerts at the Eleventh Hours theatre, including a collaboration with the Daftar Aval Trio on June 15th. Accordionist Anthony Schulz, oud player Reza Kashi and cellist Zoë Barry visit the Global Village to play some live music and to talk with Roger about the performance.

David Hirschfelder is globally acclaimed as one of Australia's most distinguished screen composers, boasting Oscar nominations for Scott Hicks' "Shine" and Shekhar Kapur’s "Elizabeth", as well as winning two British Academy Awards for "Strictly Ballroom". Join Julie and Lucy on Lights, Camera, Action, as David discusses his latest project with Bette Midler and Susan Sarandon, and reflects on how his work with Baz Luhrmann and Russell Crowe has shaped his career.

The Counterfeit, a 10-piece band performing a dynamic array of Italian soundtracks from the greatest Spaghetti Western films of the 1960s and 70s. Featuring the vocals of Ballarat’s renowned Freya Josephine Hollick, the band will perform at Memo Music Hall on June 2nd. Tune into 5ft High and Rising as Myles chats with Freya about The Counterfeit's upcoming performance.

On June 8th, RISING's Day Tripper laces Melbourne Town Hall, Capitol Theatre, and Max Watt’s with a big old day party in the middle of the long weekend, featuring such wonderful artists as Yasiin Bey, Asha Puthli, HTRK and Surprise Chef. Closing things down with a captivating set of live electronic composition is Polito, Melbourne's own techno dance troupe. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread to hear from Polito member Robert Downie who will play a special guest mix on the Wheels of Steel.

As part of his 2-hour special on acclaimed Aussie punk outfit Radio Birdman, Phil MacDougall chats with the band's founding member Rob Younger about the band's beginnings in Sydney's punk scene half a century ago, their breakup and reunion, and various studio albums. Tune in to Sunglasses After Dark on Thursday night from 8pm to hear this exclusive interview.

The Fiction - a high-energy, pop-punk band that formed in 1978 during the explosion of Punk and New Wave in Melbourne. 40 years on and the band release ‘Hollywood’, a Punk album with nods to the Buzzcocks and the Undertones. Tune into Junkyard as Mike chats with Rob Wellington and Rob Griffiths from The Fiction about the band's history, and the launch of their new album 'Hollywood' at the Brunswick Ballroom on the 31st of May.

Adelaide band The Cold Field are easily Australia's best current darkwave band, gaining traction overseas by signing onto Germany's Cold Transmission label. In advance of the release of their 3rd album 'Alive' and upcoming Australian tour, the band's singer, songwriter and guitarist, Ian, joins Kristen on the Bleeding Black Hearts Revue to talk all things The Cold Field.

To celebrate 13 years of Kickin’ The B @ Bar 303, Paul Williamson's Hammond Combo, Mini Melt and Buttered Loaf will be putting on a special evening to celebrate their 13th birthday. Tune into Jumpin’ The Blues as Tom chats with Gary Jones about the special event and what to expect on the night.

Possessing a voice that invites comparison with the blues of Muddy Waters, and the soul of Ray Charles, Andy Cowan is a piano and keyboard player containing both energy and melodic beauty. His songwriting and performing skills give him a strength and quality that define him as the complete artistic entity. Tune into Roots of Rhythm as Helen chats with Andy about his new album ‘Undercover’.

Three-time Australian Blues Music Award winners Blues Arcadia are coming to Melbourne this June 1st to celebrate unleashing their second album ‘Now Or Never’. Influenced by the legendary soul of Stax and Motown, Blues Arcadia creates a unique, dirty-soul sound delivered with swagger, style, and sensitivity. Tune into Roots of Rhythm as Helen chats with frontman Al Boyle about the band’s music and upcoming show in Melbourne.

Reliqa – the progressive-metal band out of Sydney that are making waves in the global metal scene. With their debut album ‘Secrets Of The Future’ soon to be released via Nuclear Blast Records, Reliqa will be tour this June and stopping by Melbourne’s Bergy Bandroom on the 15th. Tune into Tyrannocoreus as Ryan chats with lead signer Monique Pym about the band's success and their upcoming album release.

Sydney-based psych/space/stoner band Robot God blend space rock with traditional stoner and psychedelia on their recent album Portal Within. Tune in to Pojama People to hear the band get into some good ol' fashioned stoner banter with Chris Pearson.

Gareth Skinner has a very colourful musical history, playing in some of the 90s most ‘out there’ acts (Bzark/Ergot Derivative) as well as being a guest musician for some ARIA topping albums. In recent years, Gareth has been a full-time member of The Sand Pebbles as well as developing his own music, resulting in Gareth’s debut band album 'Off // Axis.' Tune in to Pojama People to hear from Gareth about the album and some upcoming shows.

Local guitarist and composer Robbie Belchamber weaves together jazz and folk Brazilian and West African motifs in his delicate fingerpicking guitar style, presenting intricate arrangements inspired by Naarm's northern waterways. Out on Dune Castle Records, Robbie's upcoming offering, Shallow Crossing, offers an ethereal acoustic soundscape featuring vocals from Grace Robinson. He drops in for a visit on Headhunters, to chat about this exciting new release and to play a couple of live songs.

It's Radio Festival at PBS106.7FM and Phil from Sunglasses After Dark brings in special guests Kristen Solury from Bleeding Black Hearts Revue and fellow PBS announcer Rodney Shah. They'll be chatting about all things PBS and how this radio station is the heart that keeps its community ticking.