Interviews

Spreading its Afro-futuristic jazz message for 66 years, USA group Sun Ra Arkestra is renowned worldwide for its live shows that combine big-band swing, space-age free jazz, bebop, singing, dancing, chanting, and Afro-pageantry. During the week of their show at The Night Cat on March 7, saxophonist and composer Knoel Scott drops in to Mystic Brew to share a few words with Mike Gurrieri. Tune in from 9am to hear this special edition.

Ahead of their Golden Plains debut next weekend and exclusive sideshow at The Gasometer on March 6th, the ever captivating Teether and Kuya Neil visit PBS to chat with fill-in announcer Grace Gibson on Underground Love. The duo will chat about their first ever love song, BLUSH; their latest teaser from their upcoming debut album YEARN IV, which drops on May 2nd via Chapter Music.

Serving a monolithic dose of psych-doom-pop, four-piece band Turtle Skull have honed their unique blend of warm melodies, earth-shaking riffs, and motorik beats. Their last album 'Monoliths' debuted locally at #1 on the AIR 100% Independent Albums Charts, and they're currently finishing up their third album. Playing at the Bergy Bandroom as part of Brunswick Music Festival on March 7, tune in to Pojama People as Chris checks in with bass player Julian.

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.

With a headline tour in March, followed by supporting Make Them Suffer in May, Justice For The Damned has a busy start to 2025. Drummer Chas Levi chats with Ryan about his battle with cancer and subsequent remission, along with the band's new single 'The Current'. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus from 12.30am to hear from the Sydney-based deathcore band.

Local alt-folk/country-ish artist Annie-Rose Maloney has just released her debut album 'Circle Walking'. It's a collection of songs written at different stages of her life, from playing cricket for Australia and working on an almond and olive farm to teaching at school - all tethered by deep truth. With a performance at Meadows Festival on March 21–23, Annie-Rose and Jess Ellwood stop by for an acoustic live session on The Breakfast Spread. Tune in from 8am as Milo catches up with the duo.

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.

Crafting intricate soundscapes that are as meditative as they are electrifying, immerse yourself in a world of sonic storytelling as Ai Yamamoto and Dan West unveil their debut album 'Microdoses'. Inspired by the natural world around them, 'Microdoses' weaves an aural tapestry of synthesis, field recordings, live instruments, and beat machines. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread as Milo catches up with the two for a round of Musical Chairs.

Charm of Finches, the sister duo of Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes, have a unique way of creating intricate folk-pop music that seeps into your soul. With seamless harmonies and melancholic melodies, their fourth album 'Marlinchen In The Snow' was recorded in rural Canada and draws inspiration from the frozen beauty of the landscape, as well as life on the road as musicians. Ahead of their performance at the Port Fairy Folk Festival, Crispi catches up with the duo.

The songs of Texas musician Townes Van Zandt are widely considered masterpieces of American folk music. To celebrate this legend, The Standard Hotel in Fitzroy will be hosting a Townes Van Zandt tribute show, featuring performances by Freya Josephine Hollick and Evan Sillence. Tune in to Swinging Doors as the duo stops by to share more about the show with Ernie.

The Cruel Sea won’t be wasting anyone’s precious time, yours or theirs, as their new single, 'Waste Your Time', is straight to the point. It's the second single from 'Straight Into The Sun', The Cruel Sea’s first album of new material in 23 years, following their most successful, three-times platinum sales for their 1993 album 'The Honeymoon Is Over'. Michael Mulholland chats with Kenny from the band, tune in to hear about The Cruel Sea's show 'Live At The Gardens' on March 8.

To celebrate their 4th birthday, Rumbler Bar is treating the people of Melbourne to a night of groove-filled music. London-based, Kiwi producer Manuel Darquart is headlining the night, and he'll be sharing a perfect blend of Italo, boogie, and deep house that will have you dreaming of a sunny coastline. Edd Fisher welcomes Manuel Darquart to Tomorrowland for an upbeat guest mix - tune in and dance your way through Friday afternoon.

For over 10 years, Anti Fade Records has hosted Djilang’s famed 'Jerkfest' each summer - a day of alternative music at Barwon Club Hotel in Geelong. This year, the lineup features The UV Race, The Green Child, Guitar Wolf (JP), Bananagun, and Wrong Way Up, just to name a few. Festival organiser Billy Gardner joins Claire on The Breakfast Spread—tune in from 8am to hear what we can expect the day to sound like.

'Exotic Illusions' - the debut album from D.D Mirage is a cosmopolitan love letter to Italo disco, Neapolitan funk, Nigerian boogie, cosmic house and lovers' rock sounds that have inspired the Sydney-based duo since this project began. Having first played music together during the mid-2010s in the indie-psych bands King Colour and SCK CHX, they take their musical relationship to new heights with this album. Tune in to Mystic Brew as the duo stop by for a special guest mix with Mike Gurrieri.

The potent duo featuring lap steel guitar and drums, Blue Sabbath, explores the iconic riffs of the legendary rock band Black Sabbath through a blues-infused, post-apocalyptic lens. Since forming last year, they’ve been leaving audiences floored with their high-energy, theatrical performances. Bringing their raw, blues energy in for a Studio 3 Live performance on Pojama People, tune in to hear these familiar songs transformed into haunting, evocative soundscapes.

Bearing new soul-shattering hymns to invoke the shadows of despair, is the atmospheric black metal band Austere. Returning to their sacred homeland of Australia this May, the band is currently touring the world for their latest record 'Beneath the Threshold', an album that represents the here and now. Tune in to Burning Bitumen to hear Kene and Leah Noir chat with Austere about their new recordings, their second ever tour in Australia, and their show at The Gasometer on May 24.

Featuring only female-fronted bands to celebrate International Women's Day, Ryan catches up with Kat Moss, vocalist for the Californian hardcore band Scowl, who since forming in 2019, has taken the scene by storm with their vicious sound and ripping live shows. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus to hear about Scowl's upcoming new album 'Are We All Angels'.

Since their formation in 2014 in a rundown shed north of Brisbane, progressive metal band Binary Pulse has a collection of releases to their name, and have shared the stage with heavyweights Lacuna Coil and The Tea Party and Seether. They're about to tour their new album 'Under Granite Skies' and will be playing at the Bergy Bandroom on March 22. Ryan catches up with vocalist Tomina Vincent - tune in to hear why the band was previously known as Flynn Effect.

Back on tour for his new solo album 'Mojosoul', powerful one-man band Gwyn Ashton has a new single out called 'Get Outta Town,' featuring Guns N’ Roses guitarist Richard Fortus. Part of the new wave of modern blues rock artists, Gwyn Ashton oozes stagecraft and showmanship, which he brings in to Roots of Rhythm. Listen in as Helen and Gwyn catch up about his extended tour.

Celebrating Mardi Gras New Orleans-style this March 16, The Jackson Combo will be playing blues tunes at Way Out West Roots Music Club in Newport. Ahead of their show, the band come into PBS for a swinging Studio 3 Live session. Tune in to Jumpin' The Blues for some growling saxophone solos and smooth guitar riffs.

Creating unforgettable performances that have thrilled audiences around the world, living legend and advocate for peace Movin’ Melvin Brown returns with the Melbourne premiere of 'Me and Otis (Soul of Otis Redding)'. Playing at Bird’s Basement on March 14, expect a night of extraordinary song, dance, and soulful funk. Tune in to Soul Time to hear Vince Peach catch up with the Austin, Texas-based artist.

Colorado melodic technical death metal band Allegaeon has released their seventh studio album 'The Ossuary Lens', the first album since 2015 to feature original vocalist Ezra Haynes. Having rejoined the band after a sabbatical of seven years, Ezra Haynes catches up with Ryan. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus to hear the band's hectic plans for 2025.

Legendary Naarm 5-piece Behind Crimson Eyes has announced their final body of work and subsequent farewell tour, following the band's decision to hang up their instruments after 20+ years in the game. Vocalist Joshy Stuart has a chat with Ryan about the band's wild history and why they've decided to end Behind Crimson Eyes. Tune in to Tyrannosaurus to hear about their final EP ‘An Exodus Of Eden’.

Coming into Roots of Rhythm for the monthly segment 'Wordy Gurdy', Jackey Coyle and Helen Jennings chat about exceptional music and writing, scouring the past 100 years for rare and excellent blues, jazz, country, and more. Tune in from 9am to hear them analyse the best of the best.

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.

Having recently recorded a couple of albums in Bulgaria, with a Bulgarian choir, kaval, and other local guests, Melbourne jazz pianist David Dower visits Global Village to talk with Roger about his recent album 'Sonder', an album that reflects his experiences and his obsession with Bulgaria. Tune in as David chats about the intersection of traditional Bulgarian music and jazz.