Interviews

Getting back together for a very special show at MEMO Music Hall on February 9th, and returning to their spiritual home of St Kilda, is Zydeco Jump, the blues band that's been around since 1989. It will be the first time in 30 years that the extraordinary multi-instrumentalist and singer, Gerry Hale, joins the band, and they promise it will be a night to remember. Tune in to Jumpin' The Blues as Gary and George pop in to play some live tunes for Tom Sianidis.

Preparing for this night their entire existence, Mondo Freaks have just released their first single, 'Bells Are Ringing'. Inspired by the crisp funk sounds of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s as it eased out of disco, the single is the first offering from their debut LP and will be launched into the universe at The John Curtin Hotel on January 31. Tune in to The Afterglow Radio Show as members from the 10-piece funk outfit chat to Lyndelle about their new music.

Three-piece, indie group of old friends Julia Jacklin, Elizabeth Hughes, and Ryan K Brennan, Phantastic Ferniture is beyond thrilled to announce their 2025 reunion tour, ‘Fronds Forever.’ They'll be in Melbourne for two shows at The Night Cat on the 31st of January and 1st of February, but first, ARIA Award-winning artist Julia Jacklin pops by The Breakfast Spread to play a round of Musical Chairs with Milo. Tune in to hear her selection of tunes.

Emphasising the importance of taking care of land, water, and wildlife, the forthcoming album 'NYAA WA' from duo Charlie Needs Braces means 'take care' in Charlie’s mob’s GuriNgai language. Their second album highlights the need to keep culture alive, tell stories, and preserve sacred sites from development. Set for release on 20 February, tune in as Charlie and Miri pop by Radio City to chat with Crispi about the new album and their performance at St Kilda Festival on the 15th of February.

Admired and versatile songwriter and instrumentalist Liz Stringer has a way of writing melodically rich, story-based songs, as seen in her recent single 'Coming Home' - an indie-pop satirisation of the so-called perfect relationship. Coming into Radio City to catch up with Crispi, tune in to hear her big announcement.

At the beginning of the nineties, Boston band Come could seem like the negative of all the currents that were dominating the American circuit. Today, their albums 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and 'Near Life Experience' are considered cornerstones of the nineties, with the band being hailed as masters of rough aesthetics and indie ethics. Michael catches up with lead vocalist and guitarist Thalia Zedek - tune in to hear about the band's show at Northcote Social Club on February 15th.

The second edition of the Vic Street Block Party is here, celebrating the Lunar New Year by showcasing the area's diversity and multiculturalism. Expect delicious food and cultural activations throughout the day, along with hip-hop, techno, jungle, and house music from Grant Camov, DJ JNETT Moopie and more. Grant Camov brings in his selection of tunes to Tomorrowland - tune in from 1pm to catch his guest mix.

A palpable force behind the decks and a stand-out producer, Toronto-native artist Jennifer Loveless has firmly cemented herself as one to watch in the global electronic dance scene. Performing at 'Simpatico' as part of the four-stage activation at Collingwood Yards on the first day of February, Jennifer's rare live performances are experimental, fluid, and emotionally charged. Tune in to Tomorrowland as she weaves her musical language through narratives for a live guest mix with Edd.

Celebrating their 2nd anniversary, local promoters Prognosis are throwing a birthday bash with an extra special bill of artists, including Liquid Earth Recordings, Hâws, R.A.N.D. Muzik Recordings, and Whomp at Sub Club this Friday night. Infusing the rhythmic sensibilities of London and Berlin with the sun-soaked serenity of his native California, producer Liquid Earth stops by Passing Notes to chat with Penny about the big night.

Crafted in Melbourne's outer suburbs, 'Pepperpot Magic' is the debut album from dreamy-folk singer-songwriter Bec Sykes. Inspired during a time of intense personal development, the album reflects her religious upbringing and leaving an unhealthy relationship. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread as Bec shares her raw talent and soulful wisdom with Claire in a special Monday morning performance.

Created by Australian Art Orchestra’s Artistic Director Aaron Choulai, 'Ane Ta Abia' is a stunning choral concert bringing together musicians and singers from the Australian Art Orchestra and Papua New Guinea's Tatana Village Choir. Running as part of Asiatopa on March 8 and at WOMAD, Aaron joins Llyod on Deeep Space to chat about this incredible show.

Channeling their varied, wild upbringings into a fresh blend of dreamy, guitar-soaked, eerie alt-rock, Wet Season is a DIY 4-piece hailing from a couple of idyllic, coconut-lined Queensland towns. Coming into Homebrew to play tracks from their new album 'Here Now, Gone There'—a record written between a tropical studio in the hills of Kin Kin and the Gold Coast—tune in to hear this live Studio 3 performance, happening on the day of the album's release.

Taking inspiration from the jazz fusion movements of the '70s and '80s, Tamil Rogeon’s new album 'Wave Theory' joins forces with heavyweights from Melbourne’s thriving jazz scene to create textured soundscapes rich with cosmic synths, extended forms, soaring vocals, and deep jazz funk. The Melbourne-based, multifaceted jazz, classical, and electronic violin and viola player stops by Headhunters to chat with Elle about the album launch at The Night Cat on February 7th.

For the first time, undisputed kings of UK thrash metal, ONSLAUGHT, are set to hit Australia as part of their 'POWER FROM HELL' 40th anniversary world tour. Celebrating four decades of fury since the release of their seminal debut, fans can look forward to a series of shows featuring this iconic album played in full. Ahead of their Melbourne show on the 22nd of November at The Corner Hotel, Kene speaks with Nige from the band about the tour and their influence on the hardcore and metal scene.

The super psych-heavy sounds of Brown Spirits are back with their killer new album 'Cosmic Seeds'. Expanding on the band's psychedelic and krautrock leanings, the Coburg group ventures into deeper funk and jazz-influenced territories. Tim and Agostino from the band join Milo to share their world of musical tastes on Musical Chairs. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread to hear their selection.

Radiating warmth, humor, and a depth of character that's palpable as soon as she enters the room, award-winning Americana artist Kerryn Fields is no stranger to What The Folk! Having been a guest on the show for the past few years, Kerryn expresses her gratitude for Susi Lanagan by sharing her raw yet soulful music in an intimate Studio 3 Live performance. Tune in as they catch up for the very last show of What The Folk! on February 6th.

The ethereal and electro-medieval sounds of Dandelion Wine will grace the PBS airwaves on 6 February for the final episode of What The Folk!, celebrating Susi Lanagan's profound contribution to PBS over the past 20 years. With mixed emotions, Dandelion Wine will perform their signature blend of folk, electronic beats, and textured guitars in a Studio 5 Live performance to give Susi a royal send-off. Tune in from 9am as we celebrate the last show of What The Folk!

The swap-blues powerhouse band Opelousas' second album, 'OPELOUSAFRIED', was recently named one of PBS's top 10 albums for 2024. Keeping the momentum going, the band comes into Radio City to perform a few live tracks ahead of their show, Live at City Hall: Sunday Sounds, on February 9th. Tune in to hear Ali and Shorty perform live in Studio 3.

Coburg Lake Reserve is about to host a massive open-air party on February 15th, as PBS Breakfast host Milo Eastwood brings his charm and uplifting sounds to the Melbourne suburb. Presented by PBS and Vollyspot, joining him on the day are friends Adriana, Montana, Deeep Space's Lloyd Briggs, and groove gurus Surprise Chef. Dropping in on Edd Fisher for a guest mix, tune in to Tomorrowland for a sneak peek of the day.

Playing the traditional Are’Are’ music from his home island of Malaita in the Solomon Islands, is artist Charles Maimarosia. With Melbourne as his new home, he’s releasing his upcoming album 'Hote’ Hote’' in February and playing a show at Odessa at Leaves in Creswick on February 8th, along with George Lane on Saturday, February 15th. Tune into Global Village as Charles talks with Roger about his music, followed by a demonstration of his songs and instrumental pieces.

Playing innovative yet old-time tunes is local 4-piece band Double Dole Stringband. With a sound that's both sweet and rowdy, the band has become a familiar face at venues around Naarm, along with folk festivals across the country. Tune in to Southern Style as Jan brings them in for some live, old-time music.

Valentine's Day just got a whole lot more fuzz-fueled and chaotic as Riff Fist reunites for one night only at the Bergy Bandroom this February 14. The riff-fueled romance will include local legends Fungoose and the always-entertaining Trash and the Treasures, ensuring the night kicks off with a bang. Tune in to Pojama People as Chris catches up with the Riff Fist team ahead of the night.

Demonstrating an uncanny ability to blend different forms of technical, cerebral metal into a coherent synthesis of death metal, German technical death metal band Obscura is about to release their new album 'A Sonication'. It’s the second part of a three-part album concept, which singer and songwriter Steffen Kummerer shares with Ryan. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus to hear what the band has planned for the rest of 2025.

'Mentalized' offers the feeling of your brain being shaped by all the forces in the world—at least, that's how Eora/Sydney-based artist Skeleten describes his upcoming second album. It's a mix of rhythmic melodies, synth-heavy layering and exotic beats, which you can catch live at this year's Golden Plains Festival in March. Bringing in his selection of tunes for a round of Musical Chairs with Milo, tune in to hear what music inspires Skeleten.

'Those Were Days' is the upcoming third album from Aotearoa-born, Melbourne-based artist Skyscraper Stan. A true songwriter with a belief in the power of words, the album was written during the pandemic, reflecting on places, people, and the state of the world as he put pen to paper. Coming into Radio City the day before its release, tune in as Skyscraper Stan chats with Crispi about the new album

Immersed in the Australian and US music landscapes, ARIA-nominated singer-songwriter and visual artist Sherry Rich has been mixing up a powerful musical brew of roots, country, folk, and rock since 1985. To celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, she’s putting on a show at George Lane on February 14th with her husband Rick Plant, along with other musical couples: Jeff Lang & Alison Ferrier, and Suzannah Espie & Jack O'Dell. Tune in to Radio City as Sherry pops in to talk about the lovely evening.

Created by award-winning artist Mindy Meng Wang, and sound technologist and composer Monica Lim, 'Opera for the Dead (祭歌)' is inspired by Chinese mourning rituals but speaks to our common experiences of death, mourning, and ancestry. This breathtaking contemporary Chinese cyber-opera will be running as part of Asia TOPA from the 20th of February - 10th of March at Space 28, University of Melbourne. Tune in to Deeep Space as Mindy and Monica chat with Lloyd about their epic new work.

Storming out of Melbourne with their debut, self-titled EP is the new four-piece rockers, Hexham Heads. ‘Say It Again’ is the first single to drop from the EP, and the band will be playing a residency at Shotkickers every Wednesday in March. Tune in to Radio City as Van Walker and Mic Hubbard catch up with Crispi ahead of the new release.