Interviews

Straight out of Kansas, but calling Arkansas home, American folk, punk, and country musician Willi Carlisle makes his Australian debut this February. Drawing from the odd corners of human nature with special visits from obscure characters, Willi’s songs will take you on a wild romp through the backwaters of America. Ahead of his show at Northcote Social Club on February 17, Myles checks in with Willi to see how he's doing before his world tour.

Candid blues-rock band Ingrid and The Ministers achieve a rare balance of vigorous raw emotion and humble greatness, all thanks to Ingrid’s songwriting, self-taught lead guitar skills, and rich vocals. The group released their EP 'Last Train Blues' in December and will perform at a fundraiser gig at Bell City Takeaway in Preston on February 28. Bringing in her amp and electric guitar, tune in to The Juke Joint as Ingrid swings by to play some of her latest songs live.

Playing the traditional Are’Are’ music from his home island of Malaita in the Solomon Islands, is artist Charles Maimarosia. With Melbourne as his new home, he’s releasing his upcoming album 'Hote’ Hote’' in February and playing a show at Odessa at Leaves in Creswick on February 8th, along with George Lane on Saturday, February 15th. Tune into Global Village as Charles talks with Roger about his music, followed by a demonstration of his songs and instrumental pieces.

Saigon Soul Revival is on a mission to bring back the raw, live sound of 1960s and ’70s Vietnamese rock and soul music. Playing at WOMAD this March, the group aims to please your ears with sweet grooves while uncovering a beautiful part of the country’s culture and history that has remained dormant for so long. Tune in to Deeep Space as Llyod chats with the group about their soulful yet authentic music.

Adelaide-born, UK-based DJ Norsicaa has built an impressive career as a tastemaker. She hosted a long-running primetime slot on Soho Radio until 2023, as well as on Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide FM, and is the General Manager at respected independent record label Soundway Records. Norsicaa will be bringing her extensive collection of Southeast Asian music to Adelaide, but first, she catches up with Llyod. Tune in to Deeep Space to hear about her upcoming performance at WOMAD.

Meeting through a mutual admiration for jazz and house, John Henderson is a collaboration between On-Ly (Joshua ‘John’ Smeltink) and Horatio Luna (Henry ‘Henderson’ Hicks). The project draws on influences from Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis, featuring a wide repertoire of jazz and the aesthetics of the trio. Bassist Horatio Luna swings by Black Wax to catch up with Adam, tune in as they chat about the group’s show at Jazzlab on February 12.

Playing innovative yet old-time tunes is local 4-piece band Double Dole Stringband. With a sound that's both sweet and rowdy, the band has become a familiar face at venues around Naarm, along with folk festivals across the country. Tune in to Southern Style as Jan brings them in for some live, old-time music.

Valentine's Day just got a whole lot more fuzz-fueled and chaotic as Riff Fist reunites for one night only at the Bergy Bandroom this February 14. The riff-fueled romance will include local legends Fungoose and the always-entertaining Trash and the Treasures, ensuring the night kicks off with a bang. Tune in to Pojama People as Chris catches up with the Riff Fist team ahead of the night.

Demonstrating an uncanny ability to blend different forms of technical, cerebral metal into a coherent synthesis of death metal, German technical death metal band Obscura is about to release their new album 'A Sonication'. It’s the second part of a three-part album concept, which singer and songwriter Steffen Kummerer shares with Ryan. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus to hear what the band has planned for the rest of 2025.

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.

'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!' Catching up with Brooke on Homebrew, tune in to hear the latest single from Shock Corridor.

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'.

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.

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.

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.

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.