Interviews

Blending together their roots from Ghana, Benin & Germany, Jembaa Groove are a soul and jazz band taking the Ghanian Highlife sound and cranking it up a notch. They’ve been on tour for the last two years, stopping off at KEXP and BBC 6 along the way, as well as working with legends such as Tony Allen, Ebo Taylor & Pat Thomas. Tune into Audio Vitamins as band leader Yannick Nolting chats with Jonny about the band’s upcoming releases.

Paris based DJ and producer Toma Kami has been making serious waves in the electronic music scene for the past five years. He’s the head of MB Studio and is celebrated throughout Europe for his top-tier DJing skills. He’ll be bringing a night of bassy and percussive excellence to The Gasometer Hotel this Friday, with support from Emelyne B2B Della and Selena B2B Nate Antonucci. Tune into Tomorrowland from 2pm to hear a special guest mix from Toma Kami.

Seeking out new ways of creating and connecting with music is Driftwood, the project of duo Aviva Endean and Nick Ashwood. Aviva on clarinets, Nick on acoustic guitar and both on organ, they are prominent figures in improvisation and experimental music with their respective instruments. Coming onto The Sound Barrier, tune in as Ian chats with Aviva and Nick about their upcoming, self-title debut album.

Complex guitar licks and interwoven narrative songwriting is the signature sound of Tasmanian-born musician Maeve Grieve. Think Joni Mitchell meets Radiohead. ‘Midnight Commute’ is the name of her upcoming EP, which Maeve will release at The Gaso on Nov 14. Brining in two acoustic guitars, she joins Milo on The Breakfast Spread for an intimate, stripped back live session.

Award winning British/Australian vocalist Hetty Kate is known for her clear tones, impeccable timing and witty humour. She has toured the world for almost two decades and is playing two different shows in Melbourne this month, one with her Quintet, Bass², a distinctive jazz ensemble playing at the Counts, and the second at Uptown Jazz Cafe where she'll be reimagining New Wave anthems through a jazz lens. Tune into Black Wax as Hetty stops by.

Noriko Shakti is a multi-instrumentalist and DJ/producer renowned for her innovative fusion of tabla rhythms, traditional Japanese instruments, and bass-driven electronic music. Hailing from Tokyo, Noriko's musical journey led her to India, where she immersed herself in the study of the tabla and worked on various musical projects. On the eve of the release of her single "Echoes of the East", Pradip catches up with Noriko. Tune into Tiger Beats Elephant Grooves to hear more.

Ripe Hip Hop presents Miss Ripe, an all-female hip hop talent up taking place at Vineyard in St Kilda on Nov 22. The event will raise awareness for domestic violence against women, with 100% of the proceeds being donated to friends with dignity. Viliani, Grace Chia, Candi, Tay Tantra and Punz are the powerful names on the line up, along with Mizhap and Petals808 DJing. Event founder Katija Burcul and artist Viliani come onto Hippopotamus rex, tune in as they chat with Ronan about the event.

Exploring the possibilities of combining the audio realm with the visual world is Precious Mess, the project of Nate and Reggie, together creating a fully immersive experience. They've written an album that has a canvas painting to accompany each of the 10 tracks, describing how 'each song is art and each song creates art'. Tune in as Lucas chats with the band about their album and for a unique live performance.

‘The Joys of Being Pure at Heart’ is the name of the soon to be released album from local artist Hachiku. She’s recently dropped a feel-good electric pop single called ‘Tell Your Friends You Love Them’, a song layered in bubbly synths which you can catch live at the Merri Creek Tavern throughout November. Listen in to Underground Love as Hachiku comes in to plays some live songs and for a chat with Jordan.

The new album from UK band Crippled Black Phoenix is about to be released. The psychedelic, space rock band have dropped ‘444’, a heavy prog-rock single with wolf sounds scattered throughout, clearly a teaser of what we can expect to hear from the new album ‘The Wolf Changes its Fur But Not its Nature’. Tune into Pojama People as Chris chats with CBP about their upcoming album release.

The Red is a new kangaroo zombie horror film directed by Ryan Coonan. Chatting about what inspired him to make the film to the cast and location, Ryan comes into Burning Bitumen to share with Kene how you go about making a zombie kangaroo.

Proudly Frankston band Nembutolik have been in the metal scene since 2022. ‘All Along the Frankston Line’ was their last LP release and the band are eager to be launching their new single into the universe at Singing Bird Studios on Nov 30. Listen in to Burning Bitumen as the band stop by to chat with Kene about the single release party, and when we can expect to hear a new album.

Sydney heavy-rock outfit RedHook are a four piece band lead by charismatic punk-star Emmy Mack. She lead the band to success with their debut LP 'Postcard From A Living Hell ‘ last year, and their new album ‘Mutation’ has fans anticipating for the release. Emmy comes in to Tyrannocoreus, tune in for a run down on the bands recent tour, and their plans for an album release party.

For over the last decade, Perth band Make Them Suffer have been killing it in the metalcore scene. Nov 8 is the date of their new self-title album release, which features a new lineup of musicians and 11 tracks of inventive ferocity. Guitarist and songwriter Nick McLernan joins Ryan on Tyrannocoreus, tune in as they chat about the new album and Nick's gym routines.

Melbourne double bassist Steve Purcell is the master mind behind swinging-jazz big band The Pearly Shells, and they'll be playing at the Jazzlab and Claypots very soon. Belmar recordings is the name of Steve’s label and recording studio, and he’s bringing in a collection of new Belmar recordings to share with Tom Sianidis. Tune into Jumpin' the Blues to hear the latest from Steve Purcell.

Kiwi pianist and vocalist Louis TM is popping over to Naarm for a night of soul and R&B with flavours of Aotearoa sprinkled throughout the mix. PBS's Miss Goldie will be warming up the stage at Shotkickers on the 23 Nov, along with Fulton Street and Oscar LaDell. Tune into The Afterglow Radio Show as Louis pops in for some chats about the big night.

The seventh studio album of 3x ARIA Award-winning singer, songwriter, musician and producer Sarah Blasko has just been released. It's an album that reflects on goodbyes, grief, new beginnings, and friendship, which all wraps under the album's name 'I Just Need To Conquer This Mountain'. Sarah Blasko joins Milo on The Breakfast Spread, tune in as she chats about the new album, and takes a turn on the Musical Chairs.

Local DJ Mikey Goodfellow spins a mix of disco, punk, soul and techno. Tune in as he grooves by the Breakfast Spread to take over the Wheels of Steel.

Music Victoria has recently awarded DJ PGZ for the best DJ of the year, and it's well deserved with his curation of underground sounds and forward thinking Australian dance music. He'll be playing 'Upstairs at The Rochey' on Dec 20, the new music series at The Rochey in Fitzroy, but first he stops by Tomorrowland to spin some tunes with Edd Fisher. Tune in for your dose of Friday dance music.

Vibrant and colourful Afro-Latin-Australian band La Descarga will be bringing a lot of joy into PBS' Studio 5 on Nov 23. Their explosive performances of traditional Colombian music, blended with contemporary Australian sounds creates a party in the heart - which also translates to the name of their debut album 'Fiesta de Corazón'. Tune in to Switched On as Emma Peel is joined by the band for a Studio 5 live performance, followed by a chat with the 9 piece outfit.

Renowned for his deep affinity with rebetika (Greek Blues), Fotis Vergopoulos represents the new generation of Greek musicians. On his return visit to Melbourne, Fotis joins Roger on Global Village to talk about his music and to play some live tunes ahead of two concerts at the Brunswick Ballroom, joined by key figures from the local rebetika scene.

Mid way through 2019 garage psychedelia band Astro Elevator were born. The Melbourne four piece define their bold-edged, delay-drenched, spacey jam sound in their 2022 album ‘Lysergic Liquid Maze of the Psychotropic Triptonauts’, and their second studio album is soon to be release. Tune into Pojama People for an exclusive insight to when the album will be released.

Known as one of Melbourne's craziest metal bands, Nephalem make hardcore satanic boogie and have a new EP on the horizon. They'll be dropping a split release at The Bendigo Hotel on Nov 30, playing alongside local grinders TongueScum. Tune into Burning Bitumen as Kene chats with the band about the upcoming show along with other shenanigans.

Norwegian dark folk group Wardruna write music inspired by Norse culture and esoteric traditions. They use unique methods when it comes to making their instruments, using the likes of deer-hide for the drums to a goat's horn. Currently on a world tour, the band will be stopping off in Melbourne on Jan 23. Tune into Burning Bitumen as Kene chats with Einar from the band about their forth coming album, and their plans to make it through customers with their array of animal instruments.

New Jersey deathcore band Fit for an Autopsy have had a massive year touring North America and Europe. They've just dropped their seventh studio album 'The Nothing That Is', and the band are making plans to come back to Australia next for a bunch of shows. Tune into Tyrannocoreus as guitarist Pat Sheridan swings by for a chat with Ryan.

Californian band Voodoo Glow Skulls are no strangers to ska punk, in fact, since 1988 they’ve released over 10 albums and featured in over 30 compilation albums. The band will be playing at The Croxton on Nov 30 and Dec 1 as part of the Ska Nation International Music Festival. Tune into Tyrannocoreus as Ryan is joined by guitarist Eddie Casillas. They'll be chatting about his brother Frank Casillas re-joining the band after 7 years and when we can expect to hear new music.

A Latino Fiesta with 100% Latino line up is taking place on Dec 2 for 'CALENTURA: El Gran Mono Meets Bellaqueo'. Sets from DJs Walla C, Mad Rhythm B2B Zafiro, Slim Shady, and  Lorena Lee will be pumped through Colombia’s Picó sound system, a fluorescent speaker stack that will send bass ripples through the MPavilion. Tune into Headhunters for a special guest mix of Reggaeton, Champeta, Cumbiaton and Baile Funk from the DJ line up.

The ambient sound of a 12 string overlayed with distorted guitars and vocal harmonies is the sound of Jumpin’ Jack William. He’s a generous guy, offering his music for free download on Bandcamp and he’ll be playing at Shotkickers soon. Tune in to Pojama People to hear when Jumpin’ Jack William’s next show will be.

‘Backward Alchemy’ is the new record soon to be released by Nipaluna/Hobart hardcore punk band Threats. We can expect to hear more dizzying drums, fast riffs and words of introspection on the album, as heard in their latest single ‘Hurricane’. Tune in as Matt, Kane and Dale drop in to Tyrannocoreus to chat with Ryan about the new record and their aspirations to tour the mainland in 2025.

Local metalcore band The Last Martyr is fronted by powerful vocalist Monica Strut. The band touch on electronic, trap and emo influences which you can immerse yourself in at Revolver Upstairs on the 25 Jan as they open up for Future Static. Monica stops by Tyrannocoreus, tune in to hear Ryan chat with her about the band’s latest EP ‘Requiem’ and a recent Facebook hacking scandal.