Interviews

Managing to create a sound heavier than most five piece bands and taking their name from the Turkish word for mushroom. German black doom duo Mantar are about to release their new album called 'Pain Is Forever and This The End.' Drummer and vocalist Erinç Sakarya talks to Kene about playing live again, writing more material than usual, working as a two piece and the pain involved creating this new album.

Shannon & The Clams’ sixth studio album, Year Of The Spider, sees the band return to Dan Auerbach’s Nashville Easy Eye Sound Studio to craft a mature, reflective and ebullient work built for the current times. Bass player Shannon Shaw comes in to PBS to chat with Claire Stuchbery about the making of the album, the band's signature blend of garage psych, doo-wop, classic R&B, and surf rock, and the Australian tour.

Two years since his critically acclaimed debut solo release, 'Niscitam' guitarist and vocalist Blake Scott (Peep Temple) is gearing up for it's launch. Tune in to Firewater to hear Blake chat with Claire about his show at The Croxton Bandroom on July 23.

Avant-pop mavericks Eggy are gearing up for the release of their sophomore album 'With Gusto', out July 22nd through Flightless Records. Dom from the band drops in for a good ol' yarn with Jordan on Underground Love. Tune in from 3pm!

Melbourne-based Turkish producer Berkay Mete brings his Anatolian and broader Middle Eastern to electronic music and experiments with the traditional sounds of his roots to create spiritual experiences on the dance floor. His latest offering is a 3-track EP titled Turkish Market that he will tell MzRizk about when he drops in on Boogie Beat Suite. Tune in on Tuesday morning from 11am.

South African born, Melbourne based artist Rara Zulu exhibits wholesome rawness and a unique tendency to pull you into a state of vulnerability through her music. She has recently created Noli, a multi-channel sound installation that's part of 'And she was wearing trousers: a call to our heroines,' a new exhibition at Arts House that explores hope, loss, love and determination of African heroines. Tune in to Mystic Brew from 9am on Tuesday to hear from Rara about her sound installation.

Whether it's backing some of blues and soul's greatest artists like R.L Burnside and Jimmy Rogers or being the bandleader and guitarist for Gospel icon Mavis Staples, Rick Holmstrom has proven to be prolific both as a session player and a solo artist. Rick takes some time out from touring with Mavis Staples to call in to Transfigurations to talk to Lucas about the release of his new instrumental album 'Get It.'

Featuring a mix of house and electro-fused dreamscapes over four tracks, 'Don't Die Wondering' is the U.K label Running Out Of Steam debut from Melbourne-based producer DJ Greetings. Tune in to Headhunters to hear him talk about it and play a special hour long guest mix.

'Deity' is the 12-part debut album from Melbourne-based vocalist and songwriter Emma Volard. 'Deity' focuses on self-expression and hard-won self-determination and combines classic and cutting-edge elements to build something sleek and scintillatingly new. Emma calls in to Headhunters to talk about her debut album.

The Sedergreen Brothers Sextet along side vocalist Nina Ferro make their long awaited return to Hawthorn Arts Centre. Treating audiences to a one-off performance, that celebrates the music of Stevie Wonder. Pianist Steve Sedergreen drops by Black Wax to talk about this celebration happening July 29.

Containing ten tracks and clocking in at over three hours long, Nils Frahm's expansive new album, ‘Music For Animals' is an ambitious and compelling work different to anything Frahm has released to date. Ahead of his Australian tour back in June, Frahm had an intimate chat with Hannah McKittrick about the making of this album, his first fresh studio material since 2018’s ‘All Melody’ and 2019’s associated ‘All Encores’. Tune in to Soak from 7pm on Sunday to hear more.

The Elvis Big Band are proud to announce their exciting new show complete with dancers, visuals and more. Highlighting the music across Elvis' career from his early recordings to his Los Vegas years, this is their greatest spectacular yet! The Knave stops by Ports of Paradise to tell listeners about this celebration of the life and music of Elvis at Thornbury Theatre on July 16 and 17.

Art Of Tones is French producer Ludovic Llorca’s edgy and dance floor-ready project. After 25 years of music making, Ludovic is still, continuously releasing new music, including material on his brand new label Palp. He visits The Breakfast Spread for an intimate chat and to play a special mix on Wheels of Steel.

Van Walker's move to Geelong a few years ago saw him team up with local folk favourites The Ferriters to play a mixture of originals as well as Irish and Australian folk and rebel songs. Van stops by the studio talk about their debut album 'Greetings from Newtown Geelong' ahead of it's launch at The Brunswick Ballroom July 23.

Formed in Richmond, Virginia in 2001, Municipal Waste spearheaded thrash metal's revival. Now in their 21st year they are releasing their 7th studio album 'Electrified Brain.' Drummer Dave Witte calls in to talk to Kene about the album and keeping it fast and loud after all these years.

To help Seedy Jeezus launch 'The Hollow Earth' and celebrate 40 years of the Tote, Southeast Queenslanders Emu are venturing on down to Melbourne bringing their face-melting riffs with them. Guitarist and Vocalist Connor Mitchell calls in ahead to chat about the gig.

Psych rockers Seedy Jeezus return with a capsule of live pieces with the new album 'The Hollow Earth.' Recorded and performed in front of some friends in between the heavy lockdowns of 2021 at Studio One.Be, out the back of a stonemasons across from the main graveyard in the Northern suburbs of Melbourne. Guitar and Vocalist Lex Waterreus stops by to talk about the creation of the album and it's launch at The Tote July 16.

Four-piece desert/stoner rockers Foot have a new album out called 'You Are Weightless.' Brainchild behind the album Paul Holden calls in to the studio to talk about the album.

Punjabi/Australian vocalist and performer Parvyn shares the brand new music video for her track ‘Irkha’, to be celebrated via a live show at The Brunswick Ballroom on July 15. Tune in to Tiger Beats Elephant Grooves on Monday evening to hear her chat with Pradip about the meaning behind the song and the making of the video, filmed at the iconic Thornbury Theatre.

Last month, Welsh harpist Amanda Whiting's album Lost In Translation was a PBS Feature Album, and for good reason. The album was written during a period of uncertainty when Amanda, like most, explored existential questions and realisations within a state confinement. With a nod to Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby, Amanda offers poignant improvisations on the harp that are worthy of our attention. Elle Young had the chance to chat with Amanda and you can hear the entire interview on Headhunters!