Interviews

Melbourne Balkan specialists Anja and Zlatna preserve the beauty of traditional eastern melodies, enhancing them by fusing the practices of Baroque and folk improvisational languages. The instrumentation used adds to their unique sound, with the harpsichord playing a key role. The duo stops by Global Village for a Studio 5 performance and a catch-up with Roger.

Known as one of the leading figures in experimental music, iconic Australian-based composer and performer Warren Burt joins Ian to talk about a new release of his work 'Mr. But his memory of Mr. White his Fantasy on Mr. Dunstable his Musick.' Fifty years since it was performed and recorded in 1974 on two toy pianos and two toy organs, it is only now being released on both cassette and digital download by Holiday Maker Records. Tune in to The Sound Barrier to hear their conversation.

Melbourne musician Emilee South is a force to be reckoned with. Her latest album ‘LUXURY’ showcases South’s solid, unapologetic vocals over the driving force of edgy punk and chaotic guitar riffs. The album touches on themes from capitalism to feminism, and is being launched at The Curtain this Sept 20. Tune in as Emilee pops by Breakfast to play a few songs live in-studio, and to chat with Milo about the latest album.

Known for his campfire-glow voice and multi-instrumental skill, singer-songwriter Vinny Russell steps into the limelight and finds his own contemporary folk sound with the moniker Rufous Whistler. With the announcement of an East Coast tour and the forthcoming release of his first single 'River Gum Tree,' Russell has lots to talk about. Vinny Russell joins Mark Pottenger on Southern Style for a chat. Tune in from 1pm to hear their conversation.

Get ready for a sonic treat because 2024 will see the return of the legendary Budd. Forming in 1991, Budd has crafted a unique blend of heavy rock fuzz noise. Tune in to Pojama People to hear guitarist Jeremy Finlayson talk about their show at Shotkickers on September 13.

Known for crafting songs that chime with sincerity and deal largely with her experiences as a teacher, mother, wife, political animal and touring musician, Sarah Carroll AKA The Ukulele Queen Of The Bellarine has recently released NQR&B, a collection which celebrates her great loves and her unique life. Sarah catches up with Helen about NQR&B. Tune in to Roots of Rhythm to hear their conversation.

Specialises in analogue recording on quarter-inch magnetic tape, Quasar Sound Studio/Records is dedicated to live studio performances reminiscent of the productions made in studios of the 1950s and 60s. Sam Valentino from Quasar Sound Studio/Records joins Tom on Jumpin' the Blues to talk about some past and new releases as well as the history of Quasar.

Marking the launch of their upcoming single ‘In Your Orbit,' Shock Corridor will play their first headline show for the year at the Curtin Hotel, they will be joined by some of their favourite sound makers and some of Melbourne’s heaviest hitters. Tune in to The Chronicles of Kick Ons to hear Ponie chat with the band about their launch on September 13.

First performing at small venues in Melbourne's inner north in 2006, Kid Sam's self-titled debut turned into a cult classic of the late-00s. After a fourteen-year hiatus, Kid Sam makes their return for a rare gig at the Northcote Social Club. Drummer Kishore Ryan joins Crispi on Radio City to talk about reforming Kid Sam and their reunion show on September 20.

Described as an "alt country gem, full of mystery and infused with fresh mountain air," 'Long Haired Girl' is the lush second offering from one of Melbourne's most believed singers, Loretta Miller. Loretta calls by Swinging Doors to play a couple of tunes and talk about its launch at the Perseverance Hotel on September 13.

Rising Melbourne/Naarm country songwriter Kyle Brew has just released his newest single ‘The Garden.' Blending earthy themes and catchy melodies, this new track showcases a new level of Kyle’s distinctive songwriting style. Kyle calls by Swinging Doors for a chat and to play a couple of tunes.

After a quarter-century, the Jesus Lizard have announced their seventh album 'Rack.' Featuring 11 tracks of brisk guitar rock you haven’t heard since the last time the Jesus Lizard took over a stage in your town. Vocalist David Yow, guitarist Duane Denison, bassist David Wm. Sims and drummer Mac McNeilly return with a record teeming with the kind of madness needed to beat down today’s perfect pop drivel. Tune in to Junkyard to hear Michael and David Yow's conversation.

Naarm based singer-songwriter Jack Gaby has just released his debut EP ‘Soggy Flowers’. This raw and intimate release spans across countrygaze to indie pop, and delves into queer identity, queer love, and the long coming-of-age process. Jack Gaby drops by The Breakfast Spread for a stripped-back live session, playing a few songs off his latest EP.

Establishing themselves as a driving force in Australia's growing prog/post music scene, Melbourne post rock / post metal band Treebeard have announced their latest release 'Snowman.' A trove of melodic hooks and pounding riffs, encompassing a wide and emotive spectrum of sounds. Tune in to Pojama People to hear the band talk about the album and its launch at Shotkickers on September 20.

Vocalist for Long Island, NY deathcore band Monochromatic Black, Tanya Elizabeth talks to Ryan about their new EP 'Predacious,' touring the United States, working in the animal rights movement and working on their second LP.

After 35 years of celebrating the very best in Blues, Roots music, and Beyond, Australia's premier and most awarded music festival in Australia ever, Bluesfest Byron Bay, has announced that the 2025 edition will be its final curtain call. Festival director Peter Noble OAM calls in to Roots of Rhythm to talk about this year's line-up.

Rinehearts' Benny J Ward has formed a power pop super group called The Psych Ward featuring an all-star cast of Melbourne musicians, Davey Lane (You Am I), Link Meanie (The Meanies) and Matt Cotter (Even). Benny calls in to Radio City ahead of the first ever shows with The Psych Ward at The Gem on September 20 and Trash Cult in Bendigo on September 21.

Local country and honky-tonk band James Ellis and the Jealous Guys have just released the first taste from the band's forthcoming album, 'The Party Might Be Over.' The band’s new single 'Don't Drink All By Yourself (If You Can't Be Drunk Alone)' was recorded in Nashville and features an array of Nashville’s finest musicians. Tune in to Swinging Doors as James drops by to chat with Ernie about the new album.

Following on from their 2017 release 'John Lee Hooker's World Today,' Hugo Race and Michelangelo Russo have released '100 Years.' Recorded in a two-day live studio session, '100 Years' focuses on the duo's sonic alchemy with electric harmonica, echoing guitars, smoky vocals and primal beats in a hypnotic wall of sound suspended in time and space celebrating endurance and redemption, hand-made from ancient roots. Hugo and Michelangelo join Michael at Junkyard to talk about the album.

Local quartet Captain Darling weave together traditional Irish and Scottish tunes with lesser-known gems from the Breton and Cornish traditions. They visit​ the Global Village to play some music from their new album 'Live and Kicking' in the lead-up to its launch at the Evelyn Hotel on September 29. Composer Ben Deane-Johns chats about the group's history and repertoire.

The artistic collective known as WORKER & PARASITE have released a new single 'Sound Advice.' Members of WORKER & PARASITE join comrade Brooke on Homebrew to inform listeners of the release of new educational material to benefit the Global Proletariat.

After a brief pause following the release of 2020s ‘Sunday Mourning,' Hannah Kate and her band are back. With a new direction and a slightly darker tone, ‘Test Run’ is easily the band's most dramatic release yet, with lyrics drenched in existentialism, the track exudes the same energy as earlier releases but with slightly burnt edges. Hannah joins Brooke to talk about the single and its launch at the Cactus Room on October 5.

Vocalist for Connecticut metalcore band Boundaries, Matt McDougal speaks to Ryan about their third album 'Death Is Little More,' upcoming first Australian tour opening for UK metalcore giants While She Sleeps and plans for the rest of 2024.

Drummer for Philadelphian alternative metal band CKY, Jess Margera talks to Ryan about the band's beginnings alongside his brother Bam of CKY (video series) and Jackass fame, their upcoming new album 'New Reason To Dream' and co-headlined the tour of Australia in February 2025 with Alien Ant Farm.

After four years, Melbourne songstress El Tee has released a new single 'Baby.' Tune in to Radio City to hear El Tee talk to Crispi about it.

Meanjin-based MZAZA brings their multimedia show based on their 2020 album 'The Birth and Death of Stars' to Victoria. Drawing inspiration from history’s philosophers and astronomers, MZAZA goes on a surreal voyage through the ether to explore what links us to each other. Prior to their Naarm appearance at the Moonee Ponds Clocktower Theater on October 5, members of MZAZA visit the Global Village to play some live music and talk about the musical extravaganza.

In 1977, two Voyager probes set off to explore the solar system and beyond, each carrying a coded message for extraterrestrial life on a unique Golden Record. Following on from the critically acclaimed ‘Hubble’ project, Basement Spaceman returns with this new highly original ‘off planet’ show 'Voyager And The Golden Record.’ Basement Spaceman joins Crispi to talk about the album and its album launch at the Wesley Anne on October 12.

Acclaimed Australian guitarist, 3-time ARIA winner, singer-songwriter and producer, Jeff Lang will be hitting the road to perform from his forthcoming album 'More Life,' a culmination of a few years of work, beginning with the concept of an album of songs co-written by Lang and some of his favourite artists. Tune in to Radio City to hear Jeff speak to Crispi about the album and its Melbourne launch at The Brunswick Ballroom on October 13.

Taking their name from Get Smart and the Groovy Guru, the Sacred Cowboys began in 1982 as a Supergroup with founders Garry Gray from seminal new wave outfit Negatives and Mark Ferrie from the Models. After many break-ups/reformations and line-up changes, November 2024 will see Garry and Mark reform the Sacred Cowboys with Timothy Deane, Anthony Paine and Damien Fitzgerald for the release of the anthology 'Cowboy Logic.' Garry and Mark join Michael on Junkyard. Tune in to hear their conversation.

Ziggy Zeitgeist joins Jonny Alexander on Audio Vitamins to celebrate its five-year anniversary on PBS. Tune in on October 5 for a special guest mix from Ziggy Zeitgeist and hear about his recent collaborative work with Dumama from South Africa and their 'eKhaya' release, plus Energy Exchange Records 2nd Birthday. Life prior to 30/70 collective, his Berlin migration & their upcoming Aus tour.