Interviews

Musical champs and Grammy Award winning outfit WILCO return to Australia for the first time in more than a decade when they play a string of shows across our various capital cities in March. Tune in to 5ft High & Rising bright and early Saturday morning to hear from frontman Jeff Tweedy about the tour, the band's new album, Cousin, and Jeff's new book "World Within A Song".

'Knocking The Top: A People's History of Alcohol in Australia' explores the changing nature of drinking in Australia and the role it has played in social and economic life over several generations. From the early days of colonisation through to the contemporary moment. Editor Iain McIntyre joins Michael to talk about the book and how the Australian pub/punk rock music scene formed in the mid to late 70's.

Love Police presents the magnetic vibes of Courtney Marie Andrews, one of Americana’s shining stars, who will be joined by the delicate Robert Ellis for a sublime pairing of two of the greatest American contemporary singer-songwriters. Ahead of their Espy show this Thursday night, Courtney and Robert drop in for an intimate chat with Ernie and to play a couple of live songs on Swinging Doors.

Melbourne songwright Charles Jenkins returns with the third edition of Radio Sketches, aptly named 'Radio Sketches The Third.' Originally conceived as part of an intriguing weekly radio challenge on Melbourne's much-loved independent station, 3RRR-FM. Where each week announcer Jon von Goes would throw down the gauntlet to Charles a new theme for a song. Charles and Douglas talk to Crispi about the album as well as the annual Icecream Hands Christmas show at Northcote Social Club on December 17.

Recently releasing their new single ‘When it Rains in Broken Hill,' The Orbweavers will be playing a special matinée presented by ALWAYS LIVE BALLROOM MIXTAPES, where they will perform new songs that were recently written in West NSW on Wilyakali and Barkindji Country, and old favourites about waterways of Narrm /Melbourne. Tune in to Radio City to hear the band talk about the gig happening at Brunswick Ballroom on December 9.

Melbourne psychedelic jazz outfit Mildlife joins a stellar line-up at the fourth iteration of Sun Cycle on New Year's Day. Plan your new year right and tune in to The Afterglow to hear more about the one-day festival Mildlife synth lord Kevin McDowell.

Featuring five artworks by London-based experimental art collective Marshmallow Laser Feast (MLF), Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Nature makes its world premiere exhibition at ACMI. This transcendent, immersive experience traces the hidden connections beyond our everyday perceptions – from a towering Amazonian tree to the human breath and galaxies above. ACMI lead curator Chelsey O'Brien speaks to Annika about it.

Last weekend, Ryan ventured to went Good Things Festival. While he was there, he caught up with Sean Harmanis and Jaya Jeffery from Make Them Suffer, HANABIE, Karl Spiessl and Ionei Heckenberg from Ocean Sleeper, Rou Reynolds and Rob Rolfe from Enter Shikari, Jason Whalley from Frenzal Rhomb, Tom Devine-Harrison, Connor Askham and Ben Masters post hardcore band Tapestry, Jono Hawkey, Jarod McLaren and Andrew Martin from Sydney and Loz Taylor from While She Sleeps.

British stoner metal band Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs are gracing us with their presence this month at the iconic Meredith Music Festival, as special guests of The Mark Of Cain, and for headline shows of their own. Tune in to Pojama People to hear them yarn and oink with Chris Pearson about their Aussie tour and how these five lads from Newcastle have taken over the world of stoner rock.

Heavy Psych rockers Palace of the King drop in for a chat about their new album and tour with Chris on Pojama People. Tune in on Tuesday night to hear more.

Recorded partly in an old church hall in Mollongghip near Ballarat and at The Aviary studios in Abbotsford, ‘Into The Blue’ combines many musical genres from indie-folk to alt-country, the music and lyrics at different times evoking desert landscapes and the ocean. The album invites the listener to contemplate their own mortality, learning to trust their instincts and being let down. Daniel calls by Firewater to talk about the album.

Formed in 1992 in Sydney, Oliver released two well-received EPs, 1994's Mr Blue Sky and 1995's Black Mountain Songs, but never made a full length album. After a long hiatus, Oliver re-convened to play some shows in 2019 and started working on new material, eventually going into the studio to complete the dream of making an album - 30 years after first starting out. Guitarist Dave Orwell caught up with Lucas ahead of the album's release. Tune in to Transfigurations to hear their conversation.

Ground-breaking LA-based harpist and composer Mary Lattimore returns to the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall stage to transport listeners to a lush realm of expansive and dreamy soundscapes. She chats to Hannah McKittrick about how her new album, Goodbye, Hotel Arkada, celebrates and mourns the bittersweet beauty of the ephemeral. Tune in to Soak every Sunday night from 7pm.

Colin drops by the Global Village to talk about his just completed four-month artist-in-residence time at MONA in Hobart, and play some music that developed from it.

Described as "blues played real wrong and real strong" Doggerel are readying themselves to release the debut ratbag blues album ' New Disgraces.' Tune in to The Juke Joint to hear the band speak with Matt about the album and its launch at Shotkickers on December 7.

Lee Fields has been bringing soul to fans around the world for 54+ years. Celebrating his first ever release on Daptone Records 'Sentimental Fool' Lee will be playing a string of shows accross Melbourne as part of ALWAYS LIVE. Tune in to The Breakdown to hear Lee and DJ Manchild's conversation.

In 2021, spurred on by a productive creative streak and the economic austerity of pandemic lockdowns, the Xi’an-born and Toronto-based DJ Ciel (real name Cindy Li) applied for grant funding from the government of Canada to write her debut album 'Parallel Minds.’ Ciel catches up with Jonny about her debut album.

Described as earthy soulful country blues from the North/West Suburbs of Melbourne, who write honest songs and true-to-life tales from lives lived with heart and humour, Rattlincane are readying themselves to release their latest album 'Gone.' Tune in to Swinging Doors to hear the band talk about the album and its launch at Coburg RSL on December 3.

Recently returning from a state wide tour, Melbourne’s finest southern boogie band Sweet Talk call in to Swinging Doors to talk about their latest single 'Warm Love' and upcoming shows across Australia.

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of Lee Hazelwood's debut solo record 'Trouble is a Lonesome Town,' The Stu Thomas Paradox will perform the album in its entirety at George Lane on December 10th. On the night, Tanya-Lee Davies will play an opening set of Nancy Sinatra songs. She will join Stu when they both visit Radio City to chat about the gig and to play a live song.