Interviews

Channelling his melodic designs through the rabab, Qais Essar has delved deep into the world of Indian and Afghan folk and classical music. Ahead of the Afghan-American composer, instrumentalist and producer's tour of Australia's east coast Qais spoke to Garry Havrillay about his Melbourne and Ballarat shows happening on August 13 and 14.

celebrated singer-songwriter Joe Pug releases a reimagined, full-band version of his acclaimed 2008 debut 'Nation of Heat.' Featuring contributions by Brandon Flowers, Derry Deborja, Carl Broemel and Courtney Hartman, the collection is a set of songs that have earned themselves a passionate following over the years but are given the proper treatment that Pug had originally intended for them. Joe calls in to 5ft High & Rising to talk about 'Nation of Heat | Revisited.'

Naarm-based label ILIO Records's 5th release comes from rising artist Marli and is titled 'Mood Independent'. This beautiful EP exudes 4 different motifs, 4 different genres, and 4 different moods entirely. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread to hear Marli chat with Milo about this release as she plays a round of Wheels of Steel.

The Mark of Cain's induction into the South Australian Music Association’s Hall of Fame is a remarkable achievement that sees them sitting alongside other legends, including No Fixed Address, Cold Chisel, The Angels, Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter and the Masters Apprentices. Ahead of embarking on their nationwide 'A Different Kind Of Tension' tour, band founder John Scott joins Phil MacDougall on Sunglasses After Dark to chat about what it's like to tour after almost 40 years of making music.

The UpStart Award is an annual grant of $10,000 to an emerging Victoria singer-songwriter. The award is funded by a music loving family in Melbourne and the winner will be decided by a panel of local artists and music experts. Meg O'Hanlon talks to Crispi about the award.

Melbourne's legendary and much-loved Huxton Creepers reform to give two rare performances along side special guests Intoxica and the Gas Babies. Drummer Archie Law calls by Radio City to talk about these shows happening at Theatre Royal Castlemaine on August 26 and the Corner Hotel on August 27.

Russian-born, Melbourne-based experimental filmmaker Alena Lodkina calls in to speak to Julie and Lucy about her latest film 'Petrol.' A film about a young woman’s search of self, the strange line between self and others and the vulnerability of youth. 'Petrol' has been selected for Locarno’s Cineasti del Presente (directors of the present) program, the first Australian film ever to be selected for the section.

On the eve of her awaited headline show at Melbourne’s Cherry Bar on August 6, the ever-blossoming WILSN drops in to PBS to unveil her contemporary soul-tinged new single, ‘Me Or Her.’ Tune in to The Afterglow to hear WILSN chat with Lyndelle about the song.

The Meltdown present a wistful and uplifting journey through dusty, countrified soul music and tender reflective song writing on their second LP ‘It’s A Long Road.' Vocalist, keyboard player and producer Simon Burke drops by The Afterglow to talk to Lyndelle about the album's imminent release via Hope Street Records.

Pub: The Movie details the infamous Melbourne ratbag Fred Negro, whose role in the local music scene cannot be underestimated: a musician and artist, an impresario and familiar local barfly, a satirist and cartoonist who chronicled his beloved St Kilda as the heart of musical talent in his weekly Pub comic strip. director Andrew Leopold talks to Annika about the documentary and it's appearance at MIFF.

Psycroptic have challenged the way the world thinks about Australian death metal for the last 23 years. Lead singer Jason Peppiatt tells Kene about their tale and upcoming brutal release called 'Divine Council.'

Mongolian throat singing metal band The HU call in to talk (through an interpreter) to Kene about vocal warm up for throat singing, touring Australia, sourcing traditional instruments, Metallica and heavy music from Mongolia.

Figures return to the stage for the first time post-Covid. Joining forces with Mushroom Giant and Seims to grace Fitzroy’s Evelyn Hotel for one of the biggest progressive rock nights in years. Tune in to Pojama People to find out the details.

After a seven year gap between albums German psych band My Sleeping Karma return with their new album 'Atma.' The album tells a story of humankind from a spiritual point of view and takes it's name from the Sanskrit word that refers to the (universal) Self, or self-existent essence of individuals, as distinct from ego, mind and embodied existence. Bassist Matthias Vandeven rings in to Pojama People to talk to Chris about the album.

Furious rock n' rollers Future Suck are about to release their fiery new LP 'Simulation.' Vocalist Grace Gibson drops in to Underground Love to talk about their LP ahead of it's release on Rack Off Records August 5.

Known for his mastery of a special two-handed tapping technique on the guitar’s fretboard called ‘touch technique,' it is no wonder why Stanley Jordan has become one of the most lauded and daring modern jazz guitarists of our time. Stanley takes some time out to talk with Adam ahead of his headline tour of Australia’s east coast in early August 2022.

Tango Noir Quintet are performing for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Classical mandolinist Ruth Roshan joins Roger in the studio to talk about their concert happening at the Paris Cat August 6.

A few years ago Steve Lucas (X) started playing the blues. A bunch of odd gigs, some playing around with ProTools, and a couple of lockdowns later, Steve Lucas and The Rising Tide finally put out 'Cross That Line,' a 10-track tribute to the blues in its many shapes and forms. Tune in to The Juke Joint to hear Steve chat with Matt Frederick about his love for big band swing and Dixieland jazz and how that has informed the making of this album.

Azu Tiwaline fuses dub with traditional Amazigh rhythms. TSVI makes functional, electronic percussive tracks with influences from all over the world. They each will bring something truly special to Sub Club when they headline Modern Hypnosis' next event on July 29. Tune in to Tomorrowland to hear Azu and TSVI share a few stories and tunes with Edd.

Sensational jazz vocalist Jennifer Salisbury brings the fabulous "Cole Porter Songbook" back to Melbourne's Paris Cat Jazz Club. This wonderful show is bursting with timeless songs like De Lovely, Love for Sale and Anything Goes, artfully arranged for jazz sextet by Melbourne composer and producer Mark Morand. Jennifer and Mark call by the station to talk about their show at the Paris Cat Jazz Club on July 29.