Interviews

Julian Belbachir is an Australian born drummer, N’goni Fola and multi-instrumentalist with Polish and Moroccan heritage. Born in Sydney, he took to playing traditional African music from 5 years of age. Julian spoke from Morocco with Garry Havrillay about his forthcoming performance at WOMADelaide March 10 - 13.

An explosion of colour, music, and Caribbean culture. CARIBE CARNAVAL channels the energy of Barranquilla’s vibrant carnival celebrations on March 11th at Howler as part of Brunswick Music Festival. MC Oscar Jimenez and DJ Carlo Xavier drop in to PBS to chat on the event with Emma Peel. Tune in to Switched On from 1pm on Saturday.

Georgia State Line will bring their unique brand of country-infused melancholy music that is equal parts heartsick and hopeful to this year's Port Fairy Folk Festival. Singer Georgia Delves calls by 5ft High & Rising to tell listeners what's in store.

Currently residing in Nashville, promoter and Melbourne expat Angela Backstrom looks after many up and coming stars like Charley Crockett, Emily Nenni, Ian Noe and Arlo Mckinley. Angela drops by the station to talk about life in Nashville and working with artists often played on 5ft High & Rising.

One half of techno duo Karenn, Pariah has established himself as an outstanding solo artist in his own right. In addition to being the label head of Voam, Pariah is a production mastermind and selector extraordinaire. Ahead of his show at Sub Club on February 24, he drops in to PBS for a chat with Penny and to play what promises to be an unmissable mix. Tune in to Passing Notes on Friday from 8pm.

Ahead of his concert at Northcote Social Club on February 24th, legendary Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré drops in to PBS for an intimate conversation and to play live on The Breakdown. Tune in on Friday from 3pm to hear DJ Manchild chat to Touré about his extraordinary back catalogue and his critically acclaimed new album ‘Les Racines.’

DJ duo IN2STELLAR have an upcoming EP and a string of shows to chat about, the soonest of which is the Common Ground & Neurotiq Erotiq party at The Industrique on February 24th with Helena Hauff. Tune in to Tomorrowland to hear them chat about all the exciting things they are up to.

UK label and party makers Rhythm Section are returning to our shores and throwing a big fun event at The Thorn on February 25th. Joining Bradley Zero, Gabrielle Kwarteng, and our very own Emelyne, is Rotterdam DJ Suze Ijó who drops in for a chat with Edd Fisher on Tomorrowland ahead of the party. Tune in on Friday from 1pm.

Continuously inspired by the greats, and drawing influence from an array of sounds from Chicago, Detroit and beyond, Tr One has now found himself with a cohesive series of tracks on his second volume of 'From The Studio Of EP 2.' Tr One calls in from Ireland to talk about his EP and play a guest mix.

Formed around the dynamic husband and wife duo of singer/guitarist Pat Beers and drummer Lety Beers, San Diego's dynamite duo The Schizophonics make their return to Australia off the back of their latest LP 'Hoof It' to reaffirm your faith in rock n' roll. The duo calls in to Sunglasses After Dark for a chat ahead of their Melbourne show at Hotel Westwood on March 9.

Launching in 1990, Byron Bay Blues Festival has become Australia’s premier contemporary Blues & Roots music festival. 2023 will see Bluesfest venture to Melbourne for the very first time. Across two incredible days April 8 - 9, Bluesfest Melbourne will feature International and Australian talent including, Buddy Guy, The Doobie Brothers Henry Wagons, Kasey Chambers, Keb’ Mo’, Lucinda Williams and many, many more. Neil Croker from Melbourne Bluesfest stops by Roots of Rhythm for a chat.

The annual Melbourne Women in Film Festival (MWFF) has announced its full program for 2023 that includes 'Freshly Squeezed Shorts,' 'Next Gen Shorts' and 'Reel Shorts.' Through the theme 'Connections,' MWFF will explore creative collaborations and community through a dynamic program for its seventh year from 23 – 27 February at ACMI. Melbourne Women in Film Festival's Artistic Director Sian Mitchell calls in to State of the Art to talk about it.

HEAVENSGATE's guitarist David Wilder and bassist Aki Vickneswaran chat to Ryan about signing to Greyscale Records and the upcoming release of their debut EP 'And All I Loved, I Loved Alone' out February 24.

Metal punks Küntsquäd who are headed by Velvet Hammer veterans Paula Condell and Steve Esler join Kene for a chat about their forthcoming debut self-titled album and why it has harnessed the metal tribes.

Earthrise Festival returns for its second iteration with an eclectic array of awe-inspiring bands who will perform at Bendigo Hotel on March 4th. Tune in to Pojama People to hear from two of those acts; Paul Kidney Experience and Lamassu.

Ahead of their 'Cajun Mardi Gras Party' at the Gem​ later on Tuesday evening, The Johnny Can’t Dance Cajun Trio stops by Southern Style to play some tunes.

Melbourne-based Tasmanian electronic duo Close Counters's new album, SOULACOASTA II, is an impressive, groove-heavy work that was naturally picked as a PBS feature album. Masterminds Allan McConnell and Finn Rees drop in on Mystic Brew to chat about the making of the album and to play a guest mix on the program. Tune in on Tuesday morning from 9.

Mumbai-based virtuoso of mohan veena (Indian slide guitar), Manish Pingle joins Roger in the studio for a chat about his performance at Bird's Basement February 25, and play a couple of traditional Indian ragas and folk tunes.

Hailing from Cinncinatti, Americana singer songwriter Arlo McKinley is one of those unique artists whose songs and performance is unflinchingly honest, intense, and colourful. Ahead of his first time to Australia Arlo calls in to 5ft High & Rising to talk about his performance at Brunswick Ballroom March 14 alongside Early James.

Over the very last weekend in February, Electric Kool Aid Music Festival takes place at Bodriggy and features more than a couple dozen artists, one of whom is New Zealand producer and DJ Vanessa Worm. Tune in to Tomorrowland to hear her chat with Edd Fisher about the festival as well as her recent album, Mosaics.