Interviews

Over the years, Ella Thompson has worked with funk pioneers The Bamboos, electronic duo GL, and indie cult favourites Dorsal Fins. And now, on her brand new EP 'Cocoon/Dawn,' Ella returns to her soul roots, with an imaginative collection of dreamy, contemporary soul songs featuring live recordings with her new band. She joins Lyndelle on The Afterglow to chat more about these songs.

Almost 30 years after Christos Tsiolkas’ debut novel 'Loaded,' that follows Ari, a young man who is struggling with being unemployed, gay and Greek who is drawn by the alluring pulse of Collingwood’s gay clubs to find his escape, and family in the form of drag queens and one-night stands. Christos Tsiolkas joins director Stephen Nicolazzo and writer Dan Giovannoni to adapt Ari’s anarchic odyssey on to the stage. Tune in to State of the Art to hear Annika talk with director Stephen Nicolazzo.

The Omnific are a progressive instrumental metal band with a difference, that being two bassists. Toby Peterson-Stewart calls in to Tyrannocoreus to talk about The Omnific's upcoming european tour and plans for their new album as well as his upcoming solo EP 'Break A Leg.'

New Zealand's technical death metal band Blindfolded and Led to the Woods talk to Kene about their new forthcoming album, problems with naming themselves in the Naughties, Australian tour in May, having a drummer from Adelaide and playing on a children's TV show.

New Melbourne industrial black metal band Irreparable made up of local creatures of the night have come together to create a melodic yet brutal band. Tune in to tonight's Burning Bitumen to hear them talk with Kene about supporting Unto Others as well as their forthcoming EP 'Complete Emptiness.'

Reflecting on the bleak daily battles of mental health, and the struggles of a songwriter to be creative and “productive” amidst a backdrop of turmoil and despair Cash Savage and The Last Drinks return with their new album 'So This Is Love.' Cash stops by Firewater to talk about the album and its launch shows.

Ahead of the release of their second album ‘The Accession' local post-punks Dragnet pop by the studio to clue in Jordan about the record release and upcoming shows.

Local art-pop stalwarts Eggy are heading on their first tour of Europe next month and are playing a send-off show later this month with a stacked line-up including Cool Sounds. Frontwoman of the band Zoe fills in Jordan on all the details.

To celebrate their 40th anniversary the Melbourne Jazz Cooperative (MJC) are hosting a huge concert at the MRC on May 26. Composer/conductor Vanessa Perica calls through on Black Wax to chat about conducting the specially commissioned work 'Jumping Yaks' suite (comprising works by Erkki Veltheim, Erik Griswold, Eugene Ball and Niko Schauble) for the specially formed MJC Orchestra.

Now deep into an incredible fourth decade of creating music, celebrated trio The Necks are showing no sign of slowing down as they continue to conjure wondrous soundscapes in live performances and in the studio. Their 21st album, Travel, was naturally a PBS Feature Album back in February. The trio gears up for their Australian tour next month, and bassist Lloyd Swanton joins Greg Sher for a chat on Dizzy Atmosphere.

Tune in to Sunday's Soak to hear Hannah talk to London-based folk artist Jesse Glass about his new single 'Not Fooling Anyone.'

Showcasing dynamic and intensely expressive Balinese dance accompanied by the shimmering cascades of metallic sound, virtuosic rhythms and breathtaking crescendos of a live on-stage 16 piece Gamelan Gong Kebyar percussion orchestra, Kebyar Fest returns to the Geelong Arts Centre. Gamelan DanAnda calls by Global Village with their instruments to demonstrate kebyar gamelan techniques and structures live and talk about the Kebyar Festival happening on May 21.

'Death Wish Blues' is a body of work born from a shared passion for pushing the limits of blues between Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton. Samantha and Jesse speak to Matt about their first-ever collaborative album.

Continuing to evolve their sound and song writing prowess, whilst taking influences from Southern Appalachian, alternative country, blues and roots music The Distant South are excited release their self titled debut album. The band joins Myles in studio ahead of its launch at the The Retreat Hotel later on that evening.

Heartical Hi-Powa and crew meets Echo Chamber and crew, playing top notch pick outs in reggae, dub, jungle, roots and dancehall, as part of Dub Club Melbourne's soundsystem extravaganza at Kindred Bandroom on May 13th. Tune in to Riddim Yard to hear more from Heartical Hi-Powa & Echo Chamber.

Co-creator of Melbourne-based label Sorcerer Records, Dave Lang joins Michael on Junkyard to talk about the label and some of its recent releases that includes Ash Wednesday's compilation 'Love and Other Numbers 1980-1984' and the first ever reissue of post-punk outsider Ron Rude album 'The Borders Of Disgrace.'

Before packing his guitar and heading to Europe for six months Fenn Wilson will play one last show to celebrate his new album 'Honey Dates Death/ Ghazals.' Fenn drops by Radio City to talk about Honey Dates Death/ Ghazals' and its launch at The Curtin on May 6.

It has been a huge 12 months for Don Broco. In the span of 52 weeks they released a UK number 1 album 'Amazing Things,' had 4 hit singles, headlined the Slam Dunk Festival; and impressively were one of the four artists selected to each play an evening at the legendary Royal Albert Hall for 2022 Teenage Cancer Trust. Vocalist Rob Damiani joins TNT for a chat ahead of their show at 170 Russell the following evening.

Melbourne electronica outfit Squaring Circles have a sultry new single out called 'Liminal.' It's their first teaser off their forthcoming album, Circles Make Lines Spiral. As they prepare for their live show on May 4th at Miscellania - their last Australian show before an EU tour and relocation - the band's Brendan Anderson drops in for a chat with Lyndelle on The Afterglow.

Benny & The Flybyniters have been a stalwart of the Melbourne roots music scene since 1999. Tune in to Jumpin' the Blues to hear Tom catch up Benny about The Flybyniters' gig at George Lane on May 7.