Interviews

Melbourne-based artist Rowena Wise is an indie-folk songwriter, inspired by poetry and storytelling. Her debut album ‘Senseless Acts of Beauty’ showcases her wispy, powerful vocals making the listening experience as if the storytelling is being delivered by a close friend. Tune in as Rowena comes in for a special Studio 5 performance on Underground, and a chat with Jordan about the new album.

Musician, historian and author John Boothroyd drops into Southern Style on August 27th to play live-in-studio and to discuss the recent release of “Tell it to me”, a collection of recordings he made with his first wife Juanita some 50 years ago. The original recordings were mainly from live concert venues including the 1973 Australian Folk Festival. Pieter Groenveld of the Netherlands record label, Strictly Country, considered them worthy of preservation and the result is this excellent album.

Melbourne International Jazz Festival returns from the 18th to the 27th of October with another impressive line-up of international superstars and incredible Australian artists. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread to hear from Hadley Agrez, CEO & Program Director at MIJF, when he chats with Milo about the many events and performances enlivening the streets, concert halls, and intimate clubs of our city this October.

Cong Josie is back with his eagerly anticipated sophomore album 'Moto Zone.' Pushing even deeper into his craft, Moto Zone's energy gets bolder, harder and sleazier conjuring the age of rock ’n’ roll, motorcycle gangs and hot rods, leather, chains, backcombing and hair pomade, with an Aussie twist on greaser ‘cool.' Mastermind of Cong Josie, Nic Oogjes catches up with Elle about 'Moto Zone.' Tune in to Headhunters from 6:30pm to hear their conversation.

Owelo Dreamhouse intertwine the complexities of cultural heritage and identity with cinematic soul, psychedelia and Afrobeat grooves on their new single 'Africa BaBa.' Tune in to Headhunters on Monday to hear Nkechi and Nic talk about the single and upcoming launch.

Delivery returns from a tour of Europe for their first Australian headline shows since the release of their 2022 debut album ‘Forever Giving Handshakes.’ Scarlett and Jordan join Brooke on Homebrew to talk about their Melbourne show at The Curtin Hotel on August 31.

Dublin-made band Fontaines D.C. have just released their fourth album ‘Romance’ – their most assured, inventive and sonically adventurous record yet. The hip-hop meets post-punk band push boundaries in this record, with experimental riffs, chord progressions, and far-flung lyrical references. Tune into the Breakfast Spread as bassist Conor Deegan chats with Milo about what the latest album means to him.

Known for his phenomenal talent at taking on challenging new music, which includes a performance of the five-and-a-half hour epic piano cycle The History of Photography in Sound by Michael Finnissy, London-based Australian pianist Mark Knoop returns to Melbourne after six years for an upcoming concert 'Constellations.' Mark speaks to Ian ahead of his concert at Tempo Rubato on August 30.

Over the weekend of September 6-8th, Queenscliff is set to host a series of workshops and concerts called 'To the Balkans and Beyond' in which Footscray Gypsy Orchestra will perform. The orchestra's Terry Cole joins Roger Holdsworth on Global Village to talk about the events of that weekend.

Hewan Aman is a DJ based in Paris, blending trance, psy, and dub in her mixes, reflecting her Franco-Ethiopian roots and ties to rave and techno culture. Her selections weave intricate narratives, merging detailed soundscapes with entrancing rhythms. Tune into Passing Notes as Penny shares an exclusive interview with Hewan Aman while at Rinse France earlier this year.

Growing up between Australia and his family village of Miniara in North Lebanon, Naarm-based composer and musician Daniel "Rafet" Grima has always had a deep interest in maqamat and traditional Arabic music. After writing for and performing with different ensembles over the years, Rafet now settles into his own artistic practice with ‘You Are In The Embrace of The History,’ out in late August on Research Records. Tune in to Tomorrowland to hear Rafet chat with Firas about this exciting new work.

IKSRE (I Keep Seeing Rainbows Everywhere) is the solo moniker of Naarm-based multi instrumentalist, vocalist, producer and sound healer Phoebe Dubar. She combines ethereal vocals with lush strings, bass-forward analogue synths and sound healing instruments with field recordings, to create a unique, ambient, neo-classical pop sound. Ahead of a series of shows at Fyansford Paper Mill in October, Phoebe chats with Firas on Tomorrowland and performs a live set at PBS.

Drawing inspiration from street-soul, electronic and afrobeat, Private Joy is the project of multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and producer Pops Roberts. Likened to Sade vocally, her debut EP 'Desire!' comes out this August 23 via Rhythm Section International. Listen in to Audio Vitamins as Jonny chats with Private Joy about her dazzling, genre-bending EP.

Cosmic country artist Henry Wagons promises a night of mystic, music, memories, and magic at his upcoming Johnny Cash tribute shows. On top of this, Henry is releasing his new album 'The Four Seasons' which is a modern Morricone-esque outlaw surf trip, taking you on a journey through all four seasons. Henry swings by to chat with Ernie about his busy musical schedule.

Perth band The Stems have been creating garage rock music since they formed in 1983. Known for their jangly guitars and catchy melodies, the band will be playing a 40-year anniversary show at The Corner Hotel this August 24. Tune in for a Radio City exclusive as Crispi chats with band members Dom Mariani and Ash Naylor.

New wave/post punk outfit Radio Free Alice have a new EP, titled Polyester, that they're celebrating with a national tour. Ahead of their Night Cat show on August 29th, frontman Noah Learmonth chats with Milo and plays a round of Musical Chairs on The Breakfast Spread. Tune in early on Thursday morning to hear more.

Our good friends at 3RRR are currently running their annual fundraising event, the 3RRR Radiothon. It's a really important time for our community radio colleagues and this week on The Afterglow Chris Gill from The Get Down pops in to chat to Lyndelle about all things RRR, and all things funky!

Dan Kelly is back with new music. Golden Shoes = Country Blues is the second single from his forthcoming LP, GOLDFEELS, out next month on Golden Point Records via Metropolitan Groove Merchants. 
After a sold-out show at the Tote in Melbourne last month, Dan is has announced dates for his Australian album tour with his band, Regional Crisis, featuring the talents of Gus Agars, Ben Woolley, and Dan Luscombe. Tune in to The Afterglow to hear from Dan as he serenades us with a couple of live songs.

Blues artist Frank Sultana has released 10 album, four EPs, and is only just beginning to show us what he’s made of. Last year he won first place in the Memphis International Blues Challenge and took away four Sydney Blues Society Awards. His music is a journey to pre-WW2 with dark, dirty guitar tones and a voice that has the grit and soul of the themes he sings about. Frank stops by to chat with Helen about his upcoming show 'The Memphis Three' taking place at the Wesley Anne this month.

Blending together jazz, fusion and progressive metal, Wallet Inspector are about to release their debut album ‘Ephemeris,’ an album that’s taken 15 years to make. Songwriter and guitarist of the band, Matt William, chats with Ryan about their album release and their first overseas shows taking place in New Zealand.