Interviews

Having performed old time music and bluegrass for over 50 years, John Boothroyd has been a prominent figure of the Melbourne folk scene during this period. He has also taught banjo and guitar at major conventions. Throughout this time John has performed in various groups, recorded albums, published books and has been a regular fill-in host on Southern Style. John drops in to perform some tunes live at PBS.

Brooklyn-based global crate-digger Jitwam is set to debut a new show with a live band as part of RISING Festival. The soulful vibe-maker is joined by his creative partner, Melbourne-based Japanese violinist and producer Elle Shimada, when they drop in on Mystic Brew to chat with Mike about cultural curiosity and the future of music.

At the heart of Phil Stroud's forthcoming double LP 'Apparitions' is a deep love of improvisation and collaboration in music. The distinct ensemble focus on the album allows for the development of modal and rhythmic ideas that are imagined by Stroud and then fully realised with the help of such collaborators as Adam Halliwell and Henry Hicks. Tune in to Headhunters to hear more about this work from this visionary composer/percussionist.

In their first Australian shows since the release of their acclaimed 2021 record 'Mirror II,' Brisbane pop trio The Goon Sax bring their stylish, gothic anthems of youthful ennui to Melbourne for a night to remember. Ahead of their RISING show at Max Watt's on June 2 with fellow post-punk outfit EXEK, the band's Louis Forster visits PBS for an intimate chat with Kurt. Tune in to Homebrew from 3pm.

Melbourne soul quintet Velvet Bloom's debut EP, Glimmer, is as shiny and ethereal as its title suggests. Serving a lavish feast of R&B delights, the EP showcases the earnest, warm and heart stirring talents of front-woman Maddy Herbert atop a solid, soulful backing band. Maddy drops in on The Breakfast Spread to chat about Glimmer and to play a couple of stripped back songs from the EP.

The Konstantin Projekt: Grandmother's Tongue is an original song cycle for three voices, piano, trumpet and violin - that straddles borders, tracking chickens and people, alive with music, storytelling, performance making and puppetry. It explores migration, immigration and refuge, asking 'where do chickens actually come from?' They are actually south-east Asian birds that cannot fly. Konstantin the Rooster is the Trickster and the hero of the story. Musical director Nela Trifkovic talks about.

Outlaw folk duo Above The Bit release their gritty Americana single 'Walyer' ahead of their self-titled debut album release on 26 May. Comprised of singer-songwriters Nigel Wearne and Luke Watt, Above The Bit shines a light on true tales of mutiny and civil disobedience in Australian history. Tune in to hear Nigel talk about their album on 5ft High & Rising.

amuwa is the nom de plume of Sydney/Eora-based Joshua Deering. Last year, the 25 year old producer put out a solid debut EP titled 'Force Majeure' about which he's calling in on Passing Notes. Tune in from 8 on Friday night to hear his chat with Penny.

Created as a way to rebel against rock stereotypes and sexism, Scene Queen is the hyper-feminist character created by Hannah Collins. Ryan chats to Hannah about her debut EP 'Bimbocore,' touring the UK and going viral on Tiktok.

Melbourne teenage punks William Smith & Nate Hughan of Dewey talk to Ryan about their debut album 'Point Of Break,' supporting The Chats and upcoming show supporting Nicolas Cage Fighter.

After having to reschedule their 2020 'Dead Elysium' album tour to 2022, melodic metal band Vanishing Point are finally gearing up for six show run across Australia. Guitarist Chris Porcianko comes in to the studio to talk about the tour and album.

Conceived as a lockdown lovechild 'Dreamland' is a glamorous recounting of late night arrivals and departures from the heart’s honeymoon suite, contemplations on seasons, magic, lunar influences, tenderness and reflections on holy and unholy renewal. Songstress Tanya-Lee Davies calls by Swinging Doors to talk about 'Dreamland' and play a couple of tunes.

Voodoo Boogie is coming to MEMO on Friday 13th May. Black Cats will run and demons will rise bringing Voodoo Mayhem to MEMO. Three of Melbourne’s best and long serving blues bands The Detonators, Collards Greens & Gravy and Rod Paine & the Full Time Lovers join forces for a night of spooky blues. Guitarist & harmonica player Ian Collard calls in to talk about this jam packed supernatural night.

Three of Melbourne’s best and long serving blues bands The Detonators, Collards Greens & Gravy and Rod Paine & the Full Time Lovers come together on Friday 13 to bring Voodoo Mayhem to MEMO. Guitarist & vocalist Rod Paine calls in to Roots of Rhythm to talk about this devilish night.

A labour of love made over a 13-year period, 'Love In Bright Landscapes' is the anticipated debut film by writer/director Jonathan Alley. 'Love in Bright Landscapes' is the inspiring, tragic and intimate life story of The Triffids' singer/songwriter David McComb. Jonathan Alley and David's brother Rob McComb (Triffids) call pass the studio to talk to Annika on State of the Art about the film.

Having been away from the recording studios for nearly seven years Melbourne-based black-metal collective Thrall appeared to be relegated to the fate of a cult act. Now back with an enlivened line-up, the group picks up where they left off, merging some primeval and heinous black metal with a ferocious thrash metal attack. Tune in to Burning Bitumen to hear them chat with Kene about their new album 'Schisms'.

Guitarist of prominent death metal band Decapitated calls in to talk to Kene about their 8th studio album 'Cancer Culture' and the inspiration behind it, collaborating with Tatiana from Jinjer on the track Hello Death, the impact of the war in Ukraine on his life as well playing guitar with Machine Head for the last 3 years and balancing that.

The Ugly Kings bring their own kind of energy to what can best be described as 'power blues,' made of gritty riffs, emotive vocals and thunderous grooves. Now at the tail end of a two-month tour to promote their recent album 'Strange, Strange Times,' the band graces the stage at Northcote Social Club for a big show on May 13. Tune in to Pojama People to hear more about the tour and the album from vocalist Russell 'Rusty' Clark.

Melbourne psychedelic rock outfit Shroud has a passion for big amps and good garden tools. Sadly, they're calling it a day and playing their final show this Friday night at The Tote. Vocalist Madi O'Shea drops in for a good ol' yarn on Pojama People and to premiere Shroud's last single 'Nectar'.

Two titans of the Australian underground join forces once again for an unmissable concert at The Forum as part of RISING Festival next month. Dirty Three drummer and RISING Artist in Residence Jim White teams up with iconic guitarist and songwriter Ed Kuepper to perform songs spanning more than four decades. They drop in to PBS to play a few of these songs live in-studio on Pojama People. Tune in from 8pm to catch this PBS exclusive session.