Interviews

Dabbling in modern jazz, psychedelic pop/soul, and progressive rock, genre-fluid five-piece FAIRTRADE NARCOTICS is taking over every Friday night this January at The Fitzroy Pinnacle. Featuring ethereal vocals, a dynamic horn section, dual guitars, and energetic rhythms, frontwoman Brooke Kymberley and producer and guitarist George Inglis drop in to Black Wax to chat with Adam about the band's newest single 'PIVOT.'

From their early days playing in a pub together in the 90s, 4-piece band The Chilli Pickers are coming into Southern Style for a full-on performance of folk, Appalachian, and bluegrass. Featuring Jane McCracken on vocals and guitar, Kate Connor on fiddle and harmonies, Gus Macmillan on banjo, and Keith Urquhart on double bass, tune in to join the shindig.

Embarking on their first-ever Australian tour, US indie supergroup The Hard Quartet consists of Jim White (Dirty Three), Stephen Malkmus (Pavement), Matt Sweeney (Chavez), and Emmett Kelly (The Cairo Gang). Together, they produce rock ’n’ roll that feels both familiar and new, warm yet icy, melodic but Sphinx-like in its seductive and subtle riddles. Jim White joins Jordan on Underground Love - tune in as he chats about the band's upcoming show at the Northcote Theatre on January 25th.

In 2022, Claire Stuchbery caught up with vintage-infused, garage-psych band Shannon and the Clams. Since then, the band has released their seventh album, 'The Moon Is In the Wrong Place', a record that channels the unimaginable loss of singer-bassist Shannon Shaw’s fiancé in a car accident just weeks before their wedding. Produced by Dan Auerbach, it's a holistic exploration of grief and celebration, which they'll perform at The Croxton Bandroom on January 19. Tune in for this intimate catch up.

American rock 'n' roll bands Supersuckers and Nashville Pussy are on tour in Australia for a helluva hoedown. Raised on a diet of Marshall stacks, Gibson guitars, Jack Daniels, and weed, Nashville Pussy will kick off the party at The Croxton Bandroom on January 24th, followed by The Supersuckers—the 1988 band whose music spans alternative rock, country rock, and cowpunk. Tune in to Pojama People as Chris catches up with the band ahead of their Melbourne show.

'Five Arrows' is the name of the highly anticipated new album from UK hardcore/metal band Polar. Since forming in 2009, the band has gone through multiple lineup changes, yet this hasn’t stopped them from touring consistently around the world. Vocalist Adam 'Woody' Woodford joins Ryan on Tyrannocoreus—tune in to hear when the band will next be playing in Australia.

When raw talent and diverse rock influences collided in 2016, High Vis was born. Fresh off the back of an Australian tour with Sydney hardcore band SPEED, the London-based five-piece has just dropped their newest album, 'Guided Tour'. Ryan catches up with vocalist Graham Sayle to discuss the release. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus for a glimpse of what High Vis has in store for 2025.

Glistening with charisma, sonic experimentation, and a puckish spirit, Los Bitchos’ new album 'Talkie Talkie' is a Technicolor explosion on the dancefloor. The London-based, all-female quartet's contagious energy has had no problem transmitting to the world, establishing themselves as one of London’s brightest bands to watch. Lead guitarist Serra Petale joins Annika on The Breakfast Spread, tune in as they catch up ahead of Los Bitchos' show at The Curtain on January 22nd.

On January 17th, High Note will host the launch of the new and independent record label, Awake Nu Records. The night will feature performances by Dean Kalaitzidis, Pani ਪਾਣੀ Rose, Ffion Stoakes, and the debut of a new group formed by Ohmi and Marley Del Prete. On the eve of the launch, Marley Del Prete joins Shio on Eternal Rhythm for a jazzy conversation about the new label, which promotes free and spiritual jazz.

Two-piece outfit Boogie Rockafella is a rock and roll fusion of big-riffin’, hard-hitting, and foot-stomping boogie. They will kick-start 2025 by releasing their new EP 'Makin' Money' and playing the launch show at the Town Hall Hotel in North Melbourne on January 18th. Tune in to Radio City as one half of the band, Liam Hopkins, chats with Crispi about their new music.

'POP OFF!' is the ultimate Iggy Pop competition, and it’s back with a very special show. Celebrating its 11th year of crowning Iggys, one band and six Iggys will battle it out with their chosen Iggy songs, with the winner selected by the judges. Rusty Teluk pops into Sunglasses After Dark to delve deep into the Iggy Pop tribute show. Tune in as he chats with Rodney about the event happening at George Lane in St Kilda on Saturday, January 18th.

Nestled between a volcanic crater lake and the Hopkins River just outside Warrnambool, GOOM is a not-for-profit music festival that brings together people who share a deep passion for music. Festival organiser Eithne comes into Homebrew - tune in to hear about the festival lineup and what it's like to put together a festival in this climate.

'The Bad Fire' is a working-class Glaswegian term for Hell—or at least, that’s how the Scottish rock band Mogwai describe the title of their 11th studio album. Reflecting the difficult times the band members were going through, the music carries an updraft, a sense of beauty encased in the onslaught. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Mogwai, Chris catches up with the band’s guitarist and vocalist, Stuart Braithwaite.

Florida band Hot Water Music are well-established figures in the punk rock and post-hardcore scenes. Since their formation in 1994, they've released nearly 10 studio albums, with their most recent record, 'Vows'. Bassist Jason Black chats with Ryan about the band's 30th anniversary this year. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus to hear when the band will next be playing in Australia.

Canadian deathcore band AngelMaker is about to embark on an Australian tour, supporting British heavy metal band Sylosis. Ahead of the tour, Ryan catches up with AngelMaker’s dual vocalists, Casey Tyson-Pearce and Ian Bearer. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus as Ian shares what it’s like to be the newest member of a 7-piece band that formed in 2011.

At the age of 17, Luther Russell formed his first band with Bob Dylan's son, Jakob Dylan. He then went on to form The Freewheelers, followed by the start of his solo career in 1997, and later formed other musical projects such as Those Pretty Wrongs with Jody Stephens. Luther joins Crispi on Radio City; tune in as they chat about his 7th studio album, 'Happiness For Beginners', coming out on January 17th.

Producer, musician, and label head Aroop Roy has quickly become one of the most highly regarded DJs in the scene, with the likes of Mr. Scruff, Nightmares on Wax, Mele, Jamz Supernova, and many others hailing him as one of their favorite selectors. Catch him joining the dots between electronic music and borderless organic sounds at 24 Moons in Northcote on January 24th, but first, tune in to The Breakfast Spread as he shares his eclectic sounds with Milo on the Wheels of Steel.

Crafted in Melbourne's outer suburbs, 'Pepperpot Magic' is the debut album from dreamy-folk singer-songwriter Bec Sykes. Inspired during a time of intense personal development, the album reflects her religious upbringing and leaving an unhealthy relationship. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread as Bec shares her raw talent and soulful wisdom with Claire in a special Monday morning performance.

High-energy, good old-fashioned bluegrass band Oh Gibson will be bringing the good times to Southern Style this January 28th. With Jim Taylor on double bass, Thomas Kendall on guitar, and Elwood Tze on banjo, tune in as Jan chats with the band about their latest musical ventures.

Brisbane nu-metal band Headwreck have developed a different style to writing with their new producer, Chris Lalic. Guitarist and bassist of the band, Jamo and Dayne, come into Tyrannocoreus to share this new approach with Ryan, along with their upcoming EP and Australian tour with Windwaker, Thousand Below and Diamond Construct.

'Is This How I Die?’ is the debut album from Sydney's sad-party-punk band Clay J Gladstone. The band took the new album on tour with Sienna Skies earlier this year, and has plans for an upcoming headline tour sometime soon. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus to hear about the band's latest release.

Getting back together for a very special show at MEMO Music Hall on February 9th, and returning to their spiritual home of St Kilda, is Zydeco Jump, the blues band that's been around since 1989. It will be the first time in 30 years that the extraordinary multi-instrumentalist and singer, Gerry Hale, joins the band, and they promise it will be a night to remember. Tune in to Jumpin' The Blues as Gary and George pop in to play some live tunes for Tom Sianidis.

At the beginning of the nineties, Boston band Come could seem like the negative of all the currents that were dominating the American circuit. Today, their albums 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and 'Near Life Experience' are considered cornerstones of the nineties, with the band being hailed as masters of rough aesthetics and indie ethics. Michael catches up with lead vocalist and guitarist Thalia Zedek - tune in to hear about the band's show at Northcote Social Club on February 15th.

Channeling their varied, wild upbringings into a fresh blend of dreamy, guitar-soaked, eerie alt-rock, Wet Season is a DIY 4-piece hailing from a couple of idyllic, coconut-lined Queensland towns. Coming into Homebrew to play tracks from their new album 'Here Now, Gone There'—a record written between a tropical studio in the hills of Kin Kin and the Gold Coast—tune in to hear this live Studio 3 performance, happening on the day of the album's release.

Taking inspiration from the jazz fusion movements of the '70s and '80s, Tamil Rogeon’s new album 'Wave Theory' joins forces with heavyweights from Melbourne’s thriving jazz scene to create textured soundscapes rich with cosmic synths, extended forms, soaring vocals, and deep jazz funk. The Melbourne-based, multifaceted jazz, classical, and electronic violin and viola player stops by Headhunters to chat with Elle about the album launch at The Night Cat on February 7th.

Playing innovative yet old-time tunes is local 4-piece band Double Dole Stringband. With a sound that's both sweet and rowdy, the band has become a familiar face at venues around Naarm, along with folk festivals across the country. Tune in to Southern Style as Jan brings them in for some live, old-time music.

Created by award-winning artist Mindy Meng Wang, and sound technologist and composer Monica Lim, 'Opera for the Dead (祭歌)' is inspired by Chinese mourning rituals but speaks to our common experiences of death, mourning, and ancestry. This breathtaking contemporary Chinese cyber-opera will be running as part of Asia TOPA from the 20th of February - 10th of March at Space 28, University of Melbourne. Tune in to Deeep Space as Mindy and Monica chat with Lloyd about their epic new work.