Interviews

Grammy-nominated pianist Monty Alexander was a prodigy from an early age. At age 4 he was playing Christmas carols by ear, entertaining the neighbours by age 5, and taking his first piano lessons at age 6. He then began playing in clubs at age 14, and today he belongs to a generation of modern jazz piano heroes. Monty will be performing at Birds Basement from the 5th - 9th Nov, tune into Black Wax as he comes in for a chat with Adam.

Coming together to create folk, country and blues music is local band PepperCreek Revival with Kelly Auty. Their latest single ‘I’m Dreaming (When I’m Around You)’ is a song about love that thrives through a lifetime. The band come into The Juke Joint with their lap steel, mandolin, acoustic & electric guitars, along with Kelly’s hearty vocals for a Studio 5 Live session, and chat with Matt about their latest music.

Songs, improvisation and soundscapes are what you can expect to hear at Abyssalis - an upcoming concert in Cross Street Music Hall that will take you on a journey through light to darkness, exploring clarity in the context of chaos. The night will feature an array of hugely respected musicians, including contrabassist Nick Tsiavos and instrument-maker and vocalist Colin Offord. Tune into The Sound Barrier as Nick and Colin come in to chat about this event taking place on Nov 9.

Stepped in country and rock n roll, Hana & Jessie-Lee are swagger and sass. Their second album ‘Say What You Mean’ came out earlier this year, and is ladened with songs depicted insomnia, to love, and missing home. Ahead of their Luliepalooza show, the duo come into 5ft High and Rising to chat with Myles.

Tokyo-raised and Melbourne-based violinist, producer, and vocalist Elle Shimada is an emotive, cinematic, and thought-provoking artist. She's jumping on the decks this Friday for a back to back guest mix with Noongar musician and DJ Poli-Pearl. You can catch both of these artists at the Strawberry Jam Afterparty on Nov 24. Tune in to Tomorrowland for this one off, sonic experience.

Lead by DJs Bby Cass and Sleepy Jay, Groove Alliance is a Melbourne based collective uniting people through music. They are dedicated to curating events that celebrate femme, queer, BIPOC and gender non-conforming DJs, forming a space where everyone can connect on the dance floor. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread as they come in to spin the Wheels of Steel.

Far from their homeland France and here on tour is punk rock duo Human Toys. Fronted by dynamic vocalist and theremin player Poupée, the duo merge together garage punk with female archetypes, creating something between Ramones and the Avengers. Tune in to Sunglasses After Dark to hear where to catch them playing live.

During the late 70s in Melbourne, triple R presenter Alan Bamford recorded many punk and post-punk underground bands, including The Take, Morpions, Ronnie and the Rhythm Boys and many more. These bands were part of a 80’s sub scene called ‘Little Bands’, and a compilation LP was put together, along with a booklet to champion these Melbourne bands. Tune into Junkyard as Melynda and Simon join Mike to chat about this LP, and a launch show that’s happening at Bar 303 on Nov 23rd.

Returning to Australian shores since 2019 is Swedish punk-rockers Viagra Boys. Known for their seething satire and darkly comic edge music, their lyrics often reflect the absurdity and backwardness of the modern world. The band will be playing at the Forum on Saturday, but ahead of their show the band stop by Fang It! for a chat with Ruari.

A diverse group of Melbourne’s finest musicians are coming together to honour the legacy of folk-blues artist Gram Parsons. PBS’s own Myles will be presenting the event, and he’s bringing in a few names on the line up, such as Evan Sillience, Kerryn Fields, and Ben Mastwyk to play a couple of live tunes on Swinging Doors this Thursday. Tune in for some sing-alongs, ahead of the ‘50 Years of Grievous Angel: A Tribute to the Music of Gram Parsons’ show taking place at The Brunswick Ballroom.

Modern post-punk band A. Swayze & The Ghosts make edgy grooves and DEVO-inspired bangers. Their latest album ‘Let’s Live a Life Better Than This’ took fours years to flourish and documents a transition from self-destruction to love through gritty guitar and waves of sonic emotion. Tune into Sunglasses After Dark as Phil chats with Andrew Swayze about the new album and upcoming show at The Curtain on Nov 15.

PBS announcer on Tomorrowland and co-founder of Wax’o Paradiso, Edd Fisher is a tastemaker in the future beats and soul scene. He’ll be playing at The Night Cat with Emelyne on Nov 1st for 'PBS presents: Midnight Driver'. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread as he shares his collection of goodies with Milo to play a special segment of Musical Chairs.

New York drummer Josh Eppard plays in progressive rock band Coheed and Cambria. Since forming in 1995, the band have released 10 studio albums, including ‘Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume One’ which they’ll be playing in full at the Monolith Festival next month. Tune into TNT as Tomarch & Takla chat with Josh about the upcoming show.

Guitarist and songwriter Geoff Achison has established himself as a blues-roots favourite around the globe. He released his first album ‘The Souldiggers’ in the early 90s, and his new album ‘Don’t Play Guitar Boy’ came out earlier this month. He pops into Roots Of Rhythm to chat with Helen about his upcoming album launch show taking place at the Brunswick Ballroom on Nov 17.

Local band Plankton describe themselves as a modern day Necks, with a mature approach to tech and instrumental arrangement. The guitarist of the band James Tucker is currently working on a solo album via SEA Records, and stops by The Modernist to chat with Cas about his upcoming music.

Local project Legion:Ritualis merge apocalyptic martial/ industrial with elements of black metal and darkwave. Their new album ‘Rites of Futility’ has just been released, and the band join Kene on Burning Bitumen to chat about their new material, along with their influences.

Making music that vividly highlights the best parts of '60s-styled music, is psychedelia band Tyrnaround. The band formed in Melbourne in the 80’s and grabbed inspiration from an era of groundbreaking production and composition. Listen in to Pojama People as Chris chats to the band about their upcoming show at Shotkickers, in support of Paul Kidney Experience.

DJ and Rinse FM announcer LAANI specialises in eclectic jazz, future soul and afro riddims. FULLJOY is the name of her PR and artist management firm, and she's also a core member in record label Jazz re:freshed. Tune in as LAANI comes in to Boogie Beat Suite for a guest mix and chat with MzRizk.

Zepherin Saint is joining forces with Zjosi to put on 'Tribqu Tribe'. It will be an intimate night of deep, soulful sounds at the community-focused Second Story Studios in Collingwood this Saturday Nov 2. Tune into Boogie Beat Suite as special guest Zepherin Saint comes in for a chat with MzRizk.

Tariq Luqmaan Trotter, better known as Black Thought, is the rapper, singer and lead MC of celebrated hip hop group The Roots, which he co-founded with drummer Questlove in the early 1990s. Ahead of The Roots' upcoming Australian tour, Black Thought shares some of his thoughts with MzRizk. Tune in to Boogie Beats Suite to hear more.