Interviews

Renowned doom metal band since 2008, Pallbearer are making their return this March 12 to Max Watt's Melbourne. Promising an electrifying tour, the US group will deliver their signature blend of haunting melodies and crushing riffs. Ahead of the tour, Chris Pearson speaks with Pallbearer about their upcoming Australian shows. Tune in to Pojama People to hear more about the tour.

On May 3rd at The Bendigo Hotel in Collingwood, prepare to witness the intense sludge/noise/doom of Religious Observance. With their live performances channeling the primal duality of creation and destruction, band vocalist Wayne catches up with Kene and Leah Noir. Tune in to Burning Bitumen as they chat about the show and flipping the bird.

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.

The 2023 album 'Switched-On' from Puerto Rican musician Pachyman is full of dub-drenched grooves and disco-soul vibes. Paying homage to the generative artistic era when musicians first began manipulating synthesizers to emit gloriously off-kilter bleeps, bloops, and whooshes, he’ll be bringing the album to life at Brunswick Music Festival on March 7 at Howler. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread to hear Milo catch up with Pachyman before he makes his way over to Melbourne.

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.

This Thursday at The Curtain Hotel, Listen Local presents 'Listen Local Wrapped', celebrating some of the best local music of 2024. On the lineup are abstract sonic wizards Fluxcore 94, who specialise in taking their audience on an unforgettable journey through jazz, funk, and beyond. Archie from the band joins Shio for some jazz and chats - tune in to Eternal Rhythm on the day of Fluxcore 94's show.

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.

Hailing from a long line of fireside storytellers and a proud Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung man, Troy Cassar-Daley has shared his extraordinary musicianship with a diverse range of artists, leaving an indelible mark on the country’s musical landscape. A passionate poet of the land, Troy has achieved 33 number 1 chart singles, along with numerous gold and platinum albums. Tune in to hear Troy chat with Ernie on Swinging Doors about his upcoming performance at The Port Fairy Folk Festival on March 7.

This February 27, PBS listeners will be amongst the first to hear the new, soon-to-be-released album 'Smoked Salmon' from indie rock artist Kim Salmon. With a nationwide tour on the horizon from March to April, Kim Salmon will be playing at Northcote Social Club on April 12. But first, Michael Mulholland previews the new album on Junkyard while catching up with Kim about the new record.

Bringing back their familiar thuds and basslines, Lucid presents Pureblast (formerly known as Baraka) at The Night Cat for a night of acid tones and synthetic layers, drawing on trance, trip-hop, jungle, and rock. 'Psycho (Remixes Part 2)' is their latest single, and they'll be sharing their high-energy tracks with Edd Fisher on Tomorrowland ahead of their show on March 1. Tune in from 2pm to hear from the France-based duo.

Returning to Global Village with a new album, Melbourne Greek rebetika group Estudiantina reinvigorates the essence of traditional Greek music, igniting a vibrant fusion of cultures and ethnicities. Ahead of their show at the Brunswick Ballroom on March 9, the group shares with Roger Holdsworth some of their new music, talking about all matters rebetika.

Acclaimed vocalist, artistic director, and industry powerhouse championing female artists, Chelsea Wilson has performed at Glastonbury Festival, Melbourne Recital Centre, and shared the stage with Macy Gray and Tina Arena. Her all-female collective, Women of Soul, was nominated for the Australian Music Prize in 2023, and she joins host Adam Rudegeair on Black Wax to chat about her career. Tune in from midday as they celebrate women in music, ahead of International Women's Day.

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.

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.

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.

'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’.

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.