Interviews

Translating to 'hanging out,' Nongkrong is a festival curated by a network of Indonesian-Australians, dedicated to creating spaces for the diaspora to connect. Creatively exploring and celebrating identities through food, arts, and dialogue, festival organiser Darryl and Isobel from Hantu join Elle on Headhunters to talk about this incredible festival, taking place across Melbourne from February 9–23.

Having just returned from an incredible blues journey through the streets of Memphis, Tennessee, Nick Charles has been awarded Best Guitarist Solo/Duo at the 2025 International Blues Challenge. Captivating the crowds hearts over with his songs ‘Three Lines Deep’ and ‘The Photo,’ the blues virtuoso shares his unforgettable experience in the USA with Jan on Southern Style. Tune in to hear Nick play his award-winning songs live.

On March 8 at Palace Foreshore and then at Golden Plains Festival on the 9th, Irish punk band Fontaines D.C. will be playing their latest album 'ROMANCE' to the people of Victoria. With this record being their most ambitious yet, the Grammy-nominated band has gained super fans for their antagonistic punk sensibilities and grungy breaks. Ahead of the tour, Jordan catches up with Fontaines D.C. bassist Deego. Tune in to Underground Love to hear how the tour preparations are going.

With the voice of an angel and lyrics that could send her straight to hell, A.C. Saunders is a storyteller. Determined to become an unstoppable force in the music scene, seeing her play live is something to behold, with more jaws dropping than the aftermath of a 4-day bender. Tune in to Underground Love to hear David Pisker chat with A.C. Saunders about her sophomore EP 'Good Hearted'.

Olympia, Washington-based band Christian Mistress has been in the heavy metal scene since 2008. Now, in 2025, the band are getting back together to release their fourth album, 'Children of the Earth', which is set to come out on February 28. Tune in to Burning Bitumen as Kene and Leah Noir catch up with vocalist Christine ahead of the new album release.

Celebrating a decade of savage metalcore and soaring melodic refrains, USA metalcore band Miss May I are set to return to Australia for the first time since 2017. Catch them live at Knotfest in Melbourne on February 28 and at Stay Gold on March 4, where they'll unleash their trademark sonic fury. Kene and Leah Noir chat to the band before their Melbourne shows, tune in to hear about their plans for 2025 and the release of a re-recorded version of their debut album 'Apologies Are for the Weak'.

Exploring themes related to refugees, asylum seekers, migration in North and West Africa, e-waste in Ghana, and illegal logging in Papua New Guinea, David Fedele is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, musician, and explorer. Always striving to push boundaries with his art, David shares with Cas what inspires his music composition and collaborations. Tune in to The Modernist to hear about David's current projects.

PBS is excited to showcase the diverse soundscape of neo-soul, house, and broken beat duo Close Counters at this year's Drive Live. After playing sold-out shows across iconic Melbourne venues and recently wrapping up a UK and Europe tour, the duo will perform their signature energetic sound during Headhunters on February 24. Ahead of their Drive Live performance, they join Milo on The Breakfast Spread to chat about their upcoming album, 'Lovers Dance Academy'.

Chain, the originators of ‘Oz-Blues’, will perform at MEMO Music Hall on Saturday 8th of March to celebrate 57 years of blues and rock music in Australia. Founding member of the band, Phil Manning, has had an impressive career as a guitarist and catches up with Helen ahead of his shows. Tune in to Roots Of Rhythm to hear when you can next see Phil perform live.

Coming into Roots of Rhythm for the monthly segment 'Wordy Gurdy' is author and editor Jackey Coyle, where she'll focus on exceptional music and writing. Tune in from 9:30am to hear Helen and Jackey scour the past 100 years for rare and excellent blues, jazz, country, and more.

The debut album 'Bravo Brava' from post-punk outfit Promaja is both propulsive and engulfing, showcasing a sound that’s angular and urgent. Marked by acerbic vocals and guitars that oscillate between cascading turns and sharp, abrasive stabs, the lyrics of 'Bravo Brava' navigate the struggles of modern existence. Coming into PBS ahead of their show at Last Chance on February 21, tune in to hear the band perform their new album live on Bleeding Black Hearts Revue in Studio 3.

'I Love What We Do', the debut album from local indie pop artist Geoffrey O’Connor, is dominated by themes of rain, showcased through Geoffrey’s Spy-In-A-Thunderstorm look. One of his most collaborative works, the album features violin and flute by Genevieve Fry (King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard) and harp by Jessica Venables (Jessica Says). Bringing in a degustation of musical influences, tune into The Breakfast Spread as Geoffrey plays a round of Musical Chairs with Milo.

Launching 'LUMINOUS AS IT IS' at Howler on February 23, Coda Chroma’s fourth album takes its name from a line in Mary Oliver’s poem 'Summer Morning' and touches on themes of consumerism, environmentalism, friendship, and death, all expressed through Coda Chroma’s signature poetic, abstract lens. Coda Chroma mastermind Kate Lucas joins Crispi on Radio City ahead of the epic show, tune in to hear how the album launch tour is going.

Singer-songwriter from Omaha, Nebraska, Simon Joyner has been flying under the folk/country music radar since 1991. His latest album, 'Coyote Butterfly', draws on grief following the overdose death of his son Owen in 2022, exploring his loss through a series of imagined dialogues and raw confessions. He'll be playing at the Port Fairy Folk Festival this March, but first, Crispi catches up with Simon ahead of his performance.

Playing at the Port Fairy Folk Festival on March 7 and 8, followed by the Brunswick Music Festival on March 10, is local legend Kutcha Edwards. A respected elder, activist, and survivor of the Stolen Generations, Kutcha Edwards uses his mesmeric music to create connections across cultures, generations, and spaces. Tune in to Swinging Doors to hear Ernie catch up with Kutcha ahead of these performances.

When Tommy Prine’s father, the late great John Prine, taught him to play guitar as a child, something clicked, and a destiny began to take shape. Now, decades later, Tommy makes his Australian debut, performing in Melbourne on February 20 at the Northcote Social Club, sharing stories about his father and the colorful patchwork of Americana-influenced folk and country music. On the day of his show, Ernie catches up with Tommy—tune in to hear how he's enjoying Melbourne so far.

The explosive, sonic sounds of the improvisational duo Party Dozen, made up of saxophonist Kirsty Tickle and percussionist Jonathan Boulet, has earned praise worldwide. Known for their gritty yet dancy music that has lit up New York dancefloors and dominated the stage at Meredith, the duo is set to headline a massive show at the Croxton on February 22. Two days before the event, tune in to Fang It! to hear an epic Studio 5 Live session from the band, followed by a chat with Ruari.

Having just won the DJ Mag Best Breakthrough Label for 2024, London-based duo of 20 years, Make A Dance, seamlessly blend classic house, exotic edits, and party bombs to create euphoric dancefloor moments. Bringing their infectious energy and eclectic sound to Audio Vitamins, tune in as the duo chat with Jonny Alexander about their current tour and upcoming releases.

Proud Mutthi Mutthi/ Yorta Yorta/Tongan man Crooked TP is performing at the 8th Womin Djeka Balnarring Ngargee Festival on March 1 at Emu Plains Reserve, an event where community gathers to share, begin conversations, and walk alongside First Peoples. With an old-school hip-hop style, cultural 'flava,' and captivating performances, Crooked TP's music takes you on a journey through his storytelling. Tune in to Subway Sounds as Suzi chats with Crooked TP about his music and the festival.

Something stirs in the circuits. A transmission from the void—glitching between the mechanical and the organic. This is Bleak Droids, weaving solid techno grooves into a live performance. Tune into Electric Sunset this Saturday from 10pm for a live performance of hypnotic rhythms and raw machine energy colliding in a set designed to pull you into the pulse of the unknown.

Led by Craig Woodward, The Johnny Can't Dance band will bring their two-steps, one-steps, waltzes, and blues to Southern Style this February 25. Featuring Craig Woodward on Cajun accordion/fiddle/vocals, Susan Shaw on guitar/Cajun triangle/vocals, and Campbell Shaw on fiddle, listen in to hear their stomps from the swamps live.

Renowned doom metal band since 2008, Pallbearer are making their return this March 12 to Max Watt's Melbourne. Promising an electrifying tour, the US group will deliver their signature blend of haunting melodies and crushing riffs. Ahead of the tour, Chris Pearson speaks with Pallbearer about their upcoming Australian shows. Tune in to Pojama People to hear more about the tour.

On May 3rd at The Bendigo Hotel in Collingwood, prepare to witness the intense sludge/noise/doom of Religious Observance. With their live performances channeling the primal duality of creation and destruction, band vocalist Wayne catches up with Kene and Leah Noir. Tune in to Burning Bitumen as they chat about the show and flipping the bird.

Returning to Australia once again is New Bloom Fest, celebrating the golden age of DIY hardcore and all things alternative. Californian hardcore punk band DRAIN is on the lineup, and Ryan chats with vocalist Sammy Ciaramataro about the band's love affair with Australia, along with their plans for 2025. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus as they catch up ahead of DRAIN's show at The Timber Yard on March 10.

Playing at New Bloom Fest and touring with their hardcore punk mates DRAIN is the USA melodic hardcore band One Step Closer. Their latest album, 'All You Embrace', explores the sonic overlaps of hardcore, emo, and '90s alternative rock, without any self-consciousness or pretension creeping into the mix. Vocalist Ryan Savitski shares his thoughts with Ryan on the band's unique version of hardcore, tune in to Tyrannocoreus to hear the band's plans for 2025.

International Women's Day (IWD) is on March 8, and to celebrate, musician and organiser Kaliopi Stavropoulos is putting together the IWD Blues Music Festival on March 10. With over 20 roots to world-class acts on Labor Day, the event will take place across Yarra City. Kaliopi, Stella, and Minnie unfold the day's events with Helen - tune into Roots of Rhythm to hear about the festivities planned.

Storming out of Melbourne with their debut, self-titled EP is the new four-piece rockers, Hexham Heads. ‘Say It Again’ is the first single to drop from the EP, and the band will be playing a residency at Shotkickers every Wednesday in March. Tune in to Radio City as Van Walker and Mic Hubbard catch up with Crispi ahead of the new release.

Philadelphia producer and music legend Todd Rundgren is returning to Australia due to high demand and a sold-out tour last year. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee will perform hits from his band Nazz, including 'Open My Eyes' and 'Hello It’s Me', at The Corner Hotel on March 6. But first, Crispi checks in with Todd ahead of the tour. Tune in to Radio City to hear this PBS exclusive interview.

This February 27, PBS listeners will be amongst the first to hear the new, soon-to-be-released album 'Smoked Salmon' from indie rock artist Kim Salmon. With a nationwide tour on the horizon from March to April, Kim Salmon will be playing at Northcote Social Club on April 12. But first, Michael Mulholland previews the new album on Junkyard while catching up with Kim about the new record.

Returning to Global Village with a new album, Melbourne Greek rebetika group Estudiantina reinvigorates the essence of traditional Greek music, igniting a vibrant fusion of cultures and ethnicities. Ahead of their show at the Brunswick Ballroom on March 9, the group shares with Roger Holdsworth some of their new music, talking about all matters rebetika.

To celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, Burning Bitumen is doing an all-girls takeover, starting with sisters Charlotte and Marianne from the melodic death metal band In Eden Slain, followed by Sarah from heavy metal podcast 'Sin and Steel'. Tune in from 10pm to hear host Leah Noir host this special edition.

Fresh off winning a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album for 'Mileage', Ruthie Foster's tenth studio album reflects on her journey from singing in rural Texas churches to earning Grammy nominations. Bringing her powerhouse vocals and remarkable musicianship back to Victoria from March 5th to 14th, prepare to be inspired and uplifted as Ruthie joins Helen on Roots of Rhythm for a mesmerizing Studio 3 performance. Tune in at 10am to hear the blues singer-songwriter live in studio.

Local musician Clio Renner is not only a thoughtful and graceful songwriter and vocalist, but she's also the go-to keyboardist for Australian royalty Angus and Julia Stone and Missy Higgins, to name a few. Each of her indie pop tracks is a colorful experience of its own, and her new album 'Don’t Hurry the Dance' will be no exception. Tune in to Radio City to hear Clio chat with Crispi about the new album and upcoming launch show.