Interviews

Chaining together the most potent aspects of various influences, from the darkest catacombs of rock and roll to unique and aggressive sounds is Californian band New Skeletal Faces. 'Until the Night' is the name of their new album, and the band chat with Kene about the new sound they’ve created for this release. Listen in to Burning Bitumen to hear from the band.

The ambient sound of a 12 string overlayed with distorted guitars and vocal harmonies is the sound of Jumpin’ Jack William. He’s a generous guy, offering his music for free download on Bandcamp and he’ll be playing at Shotkickers soon. Tune in to Pojama People to hear when Jumpin’ Jack William’s next show will be.

The new folk-rock record from local 6-piece The Great Divides has just come out, and it’s titled ‘(I’m sure)’. Compared to the likes of a second hand bike, a little bit janky, yet you can’t help but love it – the album explores themes of isolation, city living and finding a way through any obstacle. The band come in to Underground Love to hang with Jordan, tune in as they chat about the debut album out on Spoilsport Records.

‘Recently I’ve Been Missing The Colour Green’ is a collection of six songs that local musical duo Acacia and Winnie have been working on over the past few years. Fresh off the back of the EP release and launch at The Merri Creek Tavern, the duo chat to Jordan and perform a couple of live songs. Tune in to Underground Love for some pastoral folk and indie rock sounds from Acacia and Winnie.

Melbourne-based bluegrass trio Northern Shiners feature Daniel Watkins on guitar, Justin Vilchez on mandolin, and James Taylor on bass. Known for their lively performances, they play weekly gigs around Melbourne and enjoy bringing their take on bluegrass and country standards to a wide range of listeners. Tune in to Southern Style for a festive, live performance from the band.

Named after Urdu word loosely translated as 'whatever/whoever', Jaubi (pronounced 'Jaw-Bee') is an instrumental band from Pakistan that has people sonically captivated. Their debut album 'Nafs at Peace' was globally recognized as one of the best albums for 2021, and their latest release 'A Sound Heart' is a spiritual jazz journey through different types and stages of love. Mike catches up with the band, tune in for a mystical Studio 5 Live performance.

Known for both her solo work and as front woman for 30/70, Allysha Joy is the deeply-expressive singer, songwriter, producer & keys player whose husky soulful voice, formidable Fender Rhodes prowess and raw poeticism shines through on recent album 'The Making of Silk'. Ahead of her album showcase at The Nigh Cat on December 12th, Allysha joins Mike Gurrieri in the studio for a morning chat.

Blues-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Hamish Anderson has opened for rock legends B.B. King, Gary Clark Jr and George Thorogood to name a few. He's just released his third album 'Electric', a 'love letter to the electric guitar', that is presented with a nostalgic '70s blues rock feel. Tune in to Transfigurations for a chat between Lucas and Hamish, talking about his new album and performing a couple of live tunes.

One of the most exciting names in dance music at the moment, Munich-based artist Polygonia (real name Lindsey Wang) is finally making her long awaited debut down under. A prolific producer, known for her intricate percussion and organic, forest dwelling soundscapes, Polygonia brings her musical palette of groovy, trippy techno and bass music to Miscellania on December 6th to celebrate Midgar Records' 10th anniversary. She joins Bevin tonight on The Blend for a chat about her musical practice.

A Latino Fiesta with 100% Latino line up is taking place on Dec 2 for 'CALENTURA: El Gran Mono Meets Bellaqueo'. Sets from DJs Walla C, Mad Rhythm B2B Zafiro, Slim Shady, and  Lorena Lee will be pumped through Colombia’s Picó sound system, a fluorescent speaker stack that will send bass ripples through the MPavilion. Tune in to Headhunters for a special guest mix of Reggaeton, Champeta, Cumbiaton and Baile Funk from the DJ line up.

Naarm based project 'Majak Door' are influenced by a broad range of genres, from surf-rock to 60's psychedelia, to dream pop and tropical lo-fi. Earlier this year the band released their album 'Fantasy Camp', and this Dec 6 the five-piece will drop 'Everybody's Listening to the Radio Now'. With a Europe/UK tour in the works along with a 40th wedding anniversary performance on the horizon, the band stop by Homebrew to chat with Brooke about their current movements.

Taking the audience on a journey through the sounds of West Africa is Melbourne-based griots, The Mandé Spirit. With members from Mali, Gambia and Guinea, the group pays homage to the late, legendary kora maestro Toumani Diabaté through kora melodies and evocative storytelling. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread for a special Monday morning performance from Aboubacar and Mohamed.

The annual Melbourne Women's International Jazz Festival (MWIJF) runs from December 7-15. To help celebrate, Gerry Koster presents an intimate live-in-studio performance from vocalist Louisa Rankin accompanied by the Melbourne Amplified Strings - Xani Kolac, violin and Anita Quayle, cello. Tune into Dizzy Atmosphere to hear this unique collaboration and to find out more about the program for the 2024 MWIJF.

Renowned for his deep affinity with rebetika (Greek Blues), Fotis Vergopoulos represents the new generation of Greek musicians. On his return visit to Melbourne, Fotis joins Roger on Global Village to talk about his music and to play some live tunes ahead of his concert at the Brunswick Ballroom on Dec 5th, joined by key figures from the local rebetika scene.

Hosted by Wandoon Estate Aboriginal Corporation to mark the 100th anniversary of Coranderrk Aboriginal Station's closure in 1924 and the 200th birth anniversary of William Barak, the last chief of the Yarra Yarra tribe, yalingbuth yalingbu yirrimboi is a community event taking place in Healesville on December 7th that features Ilbijerri Theatre Company's production of CORANDERRK as well as music by Kutcha Edwards. Tune in to Subway Sounds to hear more from Uncle Kutcha himself.

Legendary Jamaican reggae artist Anthony B is headlining this year's Jamaican Music and Food Festival. Known as one of reggae's most iconic voices, he'll also be holding an 'in conservation' at Wax Music Lounge, sharing his thoughts on life, Rasta, love and music. Anthony B comes in to Babylon Burning ahead of his shows, tune in to hear Sista Sara chat with the reggae royalty.

The duo of Aradea Barandana and Adinda dwimadasari, Jakarta-based group Precious Bloom seeks to revive 80s Indonesian city pop with new beat basslines and disco and Latin jazz grooves. Ahead of their debut Australian shows first at Fairfield Amphitheatre‍ on November 30th and then at Meredith on December 7th, Precious Bloom drop in on Milo early this Friday morning for a chat and to play a guest mix.

Californian band Voodoo Glow Skulls are no strangers to ska punk, in fact, since 1988 they’ve released over 10 albums and featured in over 30 compilation albums. The band will be playing at The Croxton on Nov 30 and Dec 1 as part of the Ska Nation International Music Festival. Tune into Tyrannocoreus as Ryan is joined by guitarist Eddie Casillas. They'll be chatting about his brother Frank Casillas re-joining the band after 7 years and when we can expect to hear new music.

Hailing from Pennsylvania, USA is rap-rock band From Ashes To New. Since forming in 2013, the band have released four studio albums and are coming to Melbourne very soon as part of Good Things Festival on Dec 6. Founding member and vocalist of the band Matt Brandyberry chats with Ryan about some new material in the works and fatherhood. Tune into Tyrannocoreus to hear it all.

New Jersey deathcore band Fit for an Autopsy have had a massive year touring North America and Europe. They've just dropped their seventh studio album 'The Nothing That Is', and the band are making plans to come back to Australia next for a bunch of shows. Tune into Tyrannocoreus as guitarist Pat Sheridan swings by for a chat with Ryan.