Interviews

Iconic guitarist Geoff Achison is joining forces with UK saxophonist Tom Waters this February through to March for a unique showcase of blues, country, rock, funky jazz and folk. Both artists will bring their own catalogues of original music to the project and will be performing at Brunswick Ballroom on 28 February, alongside some classic roots gems. Tune into Roots of Rhythm as the duo stops by PBS to catch up with Helen ahead of the tour.

2025 marks a bold new chapter for Uzbekistan-born and Melbourne-raised artist Rita Satch with the release of her highly anticipated debut album, 'Meet Me in the Garden'. Backed by her electrifying five-piece band and enriched with lush, cinematic arrangements, the jazz-soul infused album is set for release on 14 February via Silk Throne Records. Ahead of the album release, tune in to The Afterglow Radio Show for a catch up between Lyndelle and Rita Satch.

Member of the German DJ duo Dancefloor Gladiators and dark electro act Faderhead, Raphael Chaos will join Kristen Solury on the Bleeding Black Hearts Revue this Wednesday for a unique guest mix of dark'n'hard electro and EBM. Tune in as they catch up between the beats.

'Mentalized' offers the feeling of your brain being shaped by all the forces in the world—at least, that's how Eora/Sydney-based artist Skeleten describes his upcoming second album. It's a mix of rhythmic melodies, synth-heavy layering and exotic beats, which you can catch live at this year's Golden Plains Festival in March. Bringing in his selection of tunes for a round of Musical Chairs with Milo, tune in to hear what music inspires Skeleten.

'Those Were Days' is the upcoming third album from Aotearoa-born, Melbourne-based artist Skyscraper Stan. A true songwriter with a belief in the power of words, the album was written during the pandemic, reflecting on places, people, and the state of the world as he put pen to paper. Coming into Radio City the day before its release, tune in as Skyscraper Stan chats with Crispi about the new album

Immersed in the Australian and US music landscapes, ARIA-nominated singer-songwriter and visual artist Sherry Rich has been mixing up a powerful musical brew of roots, country, folk, and rock since 1985. To celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, she’s putting on a show at George Lane on February 14th with her husband Rick Plant, along with other musical couples: Jeff Lang & Alison Ferrier, and Suzannah Espie & Jack O'Dell. Tune in to Radio City as Sherry pops in to talk about the lovely evening.

What started as a lockdown project between James and Bec, Delivery has now released their punk-driven second studio album, 'Force Majeure', on Heavenly Recordings. A title that so aptly describes the content, the group is about to embark on a world tour across the UK, Europe, and the USA. But first, the band stops by Sunglasses After Dark to play a Studio 5 session of tracks from their new album, followed by a chat with Phil ahead of their big tour.

Dynamic DJ and producer duo known for their energetic festival sets, IN2STELLAR are on a roll after their debut Boiler Room and their UK and European tour. Taking their underground dance music on tour this February from Perth to New Zealand, the duo stops by The Breakfast Spread to spin the Wheels of Steel with Milo ahead of their show at Sub Club Melbourne on February 22.

Celebrating goddesses in songs and stories, The Cloud Maker brings together five female musicians from diverse cultures. With Te Kahureremoa Taumata on vocals, delivering Māori Singing Treasures, the band's diverse instrumentation transports listeners across time and space. Aviva Endean (woodwinds, electronics) stops by Global Village to discuss channeling ancient bloodlines and breathing new life into old stories, ahead of the group's shows across Victoria and at WOMADelaide.

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.

With roots in dark-wave, trip-hop, and post-punk, local six-piece Shock Corridor are making music that turns your favourite things inside out and back to front. Following a stacked 2024, from supporting Floodlights to playing at Rising Festival, the band will perform at Howler on February 21 to celebrate the release of their new single, 'MayDay!' George and Saskia catch up with Brooke on Homebrew, tune in to hear the latest single from Shock Corridor.

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.

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'.

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'.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.