Interviews

Returning to the stunning St Kilda foreshore and surrounds, the St Kilda Festival celebrates Australian music. Now in its 43-year, the festival has announced an amazing line-up of home-grown talent and fun for all ages. With Saturday showcasing a huge line-up of First Peoples' talent, followed by the traditional big festival Sunday. Paddy Donovan joins Annika to talk about the inaugural live music precinct and the festival happening February 17 – 18.

A few weeks ago, Ryan ventured to the Espy to interview Melbourne modern metalcore up-and-comers Heavensgate, along with half Japanese, half South Korean nü-metalcore band Prompts. Tune into Tyrannocoreus on February 14 to hear them speak about the current tour they're on supporting The Gloom In The Corner, being part of the Greyscale Records roster and the big year ahead scheduled for both bands.

Vocalist for iconic Swedish heavy metal band In Flames, Anders Fridén talks to Ryan about 2023's album 'Foregone,' their upcoming Australian tour in February with Kreator co-headlining and plans for the rest of 2024.

Vocalist for US hardcore band Stick To Your Guns, Jesse Barnett talks to Ryan about their upcoming Australian tour celebrating a decade since their breakout album Diamond, bringing SeeYouSpaceCowboy over to Australia for their first tour of the continent and when new material is expected.

Blackened speed metal legend Athenar hails from Cleveland and is a member of the revered satanic band Midnight. He chats with Kene about their upcoming tour, his love for Australian audiences, and the new album 'Hellish Expectations,' which comes out just after the tour.

As Canadian metal outfit Riot City gears up for their first ever Australian tour, they have a yarn with Kene about getting away from the snowy weather, the sparseness of the Canadian scene, their various music projects and how they bring the speed on stage! Tune in to Burning Bitumen to hear more.

As leader of The Stranglers, Hugh Cornwell was the main writer behind all of the band’s most memorable songs across ten stellar albums. Widely regarded as the poet laureate of punk, he has also built a substantial and singular body of impressive solo albums. Ahead of his Australian tour in August where the UK legend will perform some of the Stranglers' most iconic hits, Cornwell speaks to Chris Pearson on Pojama People. Tune in Tuesday night from 8pm.

DO THE POP Festival is back in the epic seaside town of Port Campbell for 2024. Spread across the weekend of April 20 and 21, the Port Campbell hotel will be packed full of epic rock n' roll bands. Mick Simpson calls by Pojama People to talk about the festival line-up.

Singers Art Alexakis of Everclear and Brendan B. Brown of Wheatus have teamed up to perform each of their bands' hits and fan favourites in an intimate acoustic setting. They'll tell in-depth stories behind their songs and interact with the audience, giving fans the opportunity to ask each of them questions. Art Alexakis joins Claire to talk about this unique experience happening at The Brunswick Ballroom on February 17.

Good Morning is the Naarm band/duo/recording-thing of Stefan Blair and Liam Parsons about to embark on a big American tour with Waxahatchee in April and May. They dropped in for a big ol' yarn with Jordan and to play a special mini-set on Underground Love. Tune in Tuesday from 3pm.

The Johnny Can’t Dance Cajun Band - will be performing on Southern Style on 13th February prior to their celebration of Cajun Mardi Gras at Open Studio Music House. Led by Craig Woodward on accordion/fiddle/vocal, Campbell Shaw on fiddle, Tom Kendall guitar and Lloyd O’Hanlon playing Cajun triangle they will play two-steps, one-steps, waltzes, blues and stomps from the swamps.

After a sold-out show at OzAsia Festival in Adelaide, Saudara Sound System comes home to Brunswick Music Festival, bringing a work of Balinese dance and music set to the mesmerising rhythms of Gamelan DanAnda, the electronic execution of artists JIWA and Joelistics, and the soulful vocals of Komang and Ria Soemardjo. Ahead of this special show at Estonian House on March 8th, Komang chats with Elle Young on Headhunters. Tune in on Monday night from 5pm.

Improvised music trailblazers and one of Australia’s great cult bands, The Necks, return to Brunswick Ballroom to share their signature immersive, hypnotic sound with their Melbourne fans. Ahead of a tour that starts in Melbourne and concludes in Byron Bay, pianist Chris Abrahams chatted with Lloyd Briggs about the band's compositional and performance practice. Tune in to Deeep Space to hear their fascinating discussion.

Ten members of The Lost Clog visit the Global Village to sing Lithuanian songs about summer and to talk about their concert at the Brunswick Ballroom with Latvian male choir Veseris on February 17.

Touted as “the most influential band you’ve never heard of,” Cymande was the first British group to headline the acclaimed Apollo Theatre in New York, tour with Al Green and call the coveted Blue Note home. Over the years, the cult status of Cymande’s music has only grown stronger. DJ Manchild had the opportunity to chat with the band ahead of their imminent first ever visit to Australia. Tune in to The Breakdown to hear their conversation.

Naarm producer Marli is part of a new breed of artist taking inspiration from the whole spectrum of electronic music. With a sound rooted in Detroit Techno and Chicago House, Marli has been putting out exquisite club tracks that tap into the various traditions of deep house, soul, breakbeat, and UKG. Ahead of the launch of her brand new EP. 'Change of Seasons,' Marli drops in to chat with Firas on Tomorrowland and to play a special guest mix. Tune in Friday arvo from 1pm.

Founded over fifteen years ago, Wolf Music has emerged as a formidable force within the realm of house music. The UK label has consistently showcased a diverse and talented roster of artists, including the likes of NZ producer Manuel Darquart who joins the label's co-chief Stu Clark when they drop in on The Breakfast Spread for an exciting Friday morning hoon on the Wheels of Steel. The pair will also chat about Wolf Music's Melbourne showcase this weekend at 24 Moons.

Melbourne garage punks Split System are readying themselves to release their second album 'Vo. 2' on February 9. Vocalist Jackson Reid Briggs calls in to Fang It to chat about the album and its launch.

Fascinated by the mythology of Americana when she was growing up in the Australian bush and in the sleepy beach town of Torquay, Mia Dyson has had a rich musical journey, from her debut album at age 22 to her most recent offering, Tender Heart. She has instilled her own music with raw passion and timeless vitality; qualities she'll share with those lucky enough to see her perform at Riverboats Music Festival in mid-February. Ahead of this show, Mia stopped by PBS for a chat with Crispi.

Singer-songwriter Kate Alexander joins Crispi on Radio City to talk about her new single 'Bubblegum' and its single launch at The Gem on February 10.