Interviews

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.

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.

Formed in 1996, Czech Republic band Onanizer has relentlessly carved out its own path in the world of grindcore, infusing its unrelenting blast fury with a dash of power violence battery. Bringing their pulverising, blast-driven chaos back to Australia this March, the band will be playing at Nighthawks, with support from Piss Bolt, Hematemesis, and Mortuary Sickness. Listen in to Burning Bitumen as Kene and Leah Noir catch up with the band while they're driving to Dubbo.

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.

Transforming the Abbotsford Convent into a musical haven with two stages of unforgettable music, local label Inner Sauce presents 'Tribqu Tribe with DJ Spinna'. With New York City selector DJ Spinna as the headliner, local tastemakers Zepherin Saint, Zjoso, MzRizk, and Mike Gurrieri, to name a few, will take the crowd on a journey from the rhythms of spiritual jazz to the vibrancy of Brazilian sounds. Listen in to Tomorrowland as Zepherin Saint and Zjoso chat with Edd Fisher about the show.

Berlin-based Syrian DJ Zeynep is a magnetic force, with a captivating ability to shapeshift genres, creating a sound that is a luscious fusion of intoxicating rhythms and hypnotic beats. From underground raves to iconic club nights, she brings fierce energy to dancefloors worldwide, translating the invisible into a tangible vibe. Amidst her busy DJ schedule, she catches up with Penny on Passing Notes. Tune in to hear from the femme-forward, boundary-pushing DJ.

Making her debut in Australia this March is New York-born, Tamil Nadu-raised singer and transdisciplinarian Ganavya. Wielding a voice that's equal parts lullaby and lightning bolt, and drawing from a deep well of spiritual blueprints passed down through generations, she brings her beautiful music to life at Hamner Hall on March 14 and 15, followed by The Jazzlab on March 16. Ahead of her Melbourne shows, Ganavya stops by Tiger Beats Elephant Grooves to share her musical journey with Pradip.

Delivering an unforgettable blend of drum and bass, baritone sax, noise punk, and warped electronics, local band Boggle is gearing up for their debut album release at the end of the year. Kicking things off by launching their new single 'The Jig Is Up' at The Bergy Band Room on March 28, tune in to Homebrew as Brooke catches up with the band about their new music and playing at the last Meadow music festival on March 21 - 23.

'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.

Coming into Mystic Brew for a Studio 5 Live session is the instrumental, cosmic dance outfit Intermood. Weaving between instrumental dream odysseys, club ravers, and feel-good bops, their EP 'Casuarina' is like dystopian waiting room music, evoking contrasting and varying moods. With touches of disco, psychedelia, and jazz, tune in to hear the band live, followed by a catch up with Mike Gurrieri about their new release.

A former pro snowboarder reborn as a nomadic psych-pop prophet, Hawaii musician Gus Englehorn has lived a rollercoaster life that reads like one of the fantastical fables that fill his songbook. His recent record 'The Hornbook' magically transmutes the entire history of 20th-century rock 'n' roll into an alien transmission from the future. Claire Stuchbery catches up with Gus Englehorn on Firewater - tune in to hear more about the new album.

Known for their weighty combination of post-metal and doom, shot through with influences from Eastern modal music traditions, local band Black Aleph has a borderline spiritual quality to their music, which comes from the unique instrumentation of guitar, cello, and Iranian daf drum. Chris chats with Lachlan from the band about Black Aleph's recent album 'Apsides', tune in to hear more about their show coming up at Shotkickers on March 22.

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.

Known for his masterful banjo playing, Old Man Luedecke is one of Canada’s best-loved and most intriguing roots singer-songwriters. With a storyteller’s heart, his narrative-driven songs are playful, coy, and soul-warming, appealing to anyone looking for new growth from old roots. Coming into Southern Style to play an intimate live set, tune in to hear about his Australian tour and Melbourne show at Northcote Social Club on March 19.

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.

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'.

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.