Interviews

Folk diviner Leah Senior has just released her fifth studio album 'Pt. Roadknight', with the album launch taking place at The Tote on July 18. Having shared the stage with artists such as Wilco, Iron & Wine and Jessica Pratt, the record explores Leah’s introspective, nature-loving side, while honing the singular baroque psych folk that has captivated listeners around the world. Stopping by Down By The River, tune in to hear a live in-studio performance from Leah Senior. 

Joining Milo Eastwood on The Breakfast Spread this morning for a round of Musical Chairs is Guy Blackman. Co-founding Chapter Music in Perth over 30 years ago, the label built a legendary reputation for nurturing unique artists across indie pop, post-punk, folk, rap, and experimental music. Over its three-decade run, Chapter Music released close to 200 titles, winning 'Best Independent Label' at the 2019 AIR Awards. Tune in to hear what Guy's been up to recently. 

Tune in to The Afterglow Radio Show for a special live performance from the legendary Emma Donovan. Throughout her celebrated career, Emma has enchanted audiences with her mesmerising voice and commanding stage presence. This NAIDOC Week, Emma and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will bring 'Take Me to the River' to life at Hamer Hall on July 10. Owen McKern catches up with Emma Donovan to chat about her new record, which is a tribute to the timeless soul classic.

This morning on Roots of Rhythm, Helen Jennings will be catching up with guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and producer, Jeff Lang. Set to perform with Dom Turner at the Winter Blues Festival in Echuca from 23 - 26 July, Jeff Lang has released 32 albums, published a book, and won three ARIA Awards during a storied career spanning more than three decades. Tune in to hear about his upcoming tour with Sydney-based guitarist and vocalist Dom Turner.

Catching up with Helen on the show this morning is Tracey Roberts. With a new art exhibition at MAGNET Galleries, she's showcasing 12 unique and vibrant synesthetic artworks where music is translated into colour, movement and form. Through her rare neurological experience of music-colour synesthesia, Roberts creates richly layered visual compositions that offer audiences a glimpse into the way sound can be perceived beyond hearing. Tune in to hear more about 'Fly Me To The Moon' art exhibition.

‘Promise To Keep / Change Of Heart’ are the latest singles from multi-award-winning contemporary soul artist Ella Thompson. Released through Mr Bongo, ‘Promise To Keep’ is an irrepressibly upbeat groover that echoes the sound of mid-to-late-1960s vocal groups, while its flip side, ‘Change of Heart’, is a cold, downtempo deep-soul tearjerker. Ella brings her incredible vocals to The Breakfast Spread for an intimate Wednesday morning performance, tune in to hear about her show at Howler on July 4.

Aboriginal icon Briggs has a new musical project called BIG NOTER. Trading hip-hop beats for guitar riffs, Big Noter taps into Briggs’ hard-core, punk and metal roots with a full live band in tow, delivering a raw and uncompromising sound that feels both familiar and fresh. Fierce, loud and unapologetic, BIG NOTER is a return to the heavy music that first lit the fuse. Tune in to Firewater as Claire Stuchbery catches up with Briggs and band drummer Steve Smith on the show after 5.30pm.

Today on Underground Love, Ella Ion will be coming on to the show to perform songs from her new EP 'Liminal Archive' live in the studio. Emerging from Kaurna Land (Adelaide), Ella Ion crafts music that cuts deep to the core. Drawing on influences of indie-rock, folk and country, her eloquent lyricism and masterful musical control delivers a cacophony of raw emotion, anchored by grit and heart. Tune in as Jordan catches up with Ella Ion about the new release.

The debut LP from Swapmeet is a sweeping, guitar-driven road trip that recalls and reinvigorates the alt rock and slowcore of the 90s and early aughts. Titled ‘Mount Zero’, the album arrives on the heels of the band’s signing to LA-based label 'Winspear', and after winning awards at the South Australia Music Awards. While visiting Naarm/Melbourne, the alt-rock band chat to Jordan in the studio about their LP, and their recently announced world tour plans. 

Multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator Kasinda is celebrated for her versatility across genres, including classical, jazz and contemporary music. She's collaborated with numerous projects including Owelu Dreamhouse, Kee’ahn, Ella Thompson, and The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra (to name a few), and is about to release her debut EP 'This Life' in September. Tune in to the second half of Homebrew, as Kasinda joins Brooke on the show to chat about her new music. 

Alternative electronic duo Lunar Lagoon are releasing their new self-titled EP on June 27. Following the release of their simultaneously dreamy and grounded singles, 'KTF', 'Drifting Away' and 'Miles', Lunar Lagoon's Joe Nurrish and Luke Morton transform minimal beats into richly orchestrated compositions without pretence. Brooke Kymberley catches up with the duo on Homebrew - tune in for a live in-studio performance.

At the age of 72, 'Evil' Graham Lee, the pedal steel pioneer and veteran of the Australian band The Triffids, delivers his first ever album under his own name titled ‘I Think I’m Alone Now’. In addition to his work with The Triffids, Graham’s place in ambient history was cemented in 1990 when his evocative pedal steel became the soulful centerpiece of The KLF’s masterpiece, 'Chill Out' (specifically on the highlight "Baltimore to Fair Play"). Tune in to Deeep Space as Lloyd catches up with Evil.

Adelaide-based cellist and composer Hilary Kleinig will be joining Ian Parsons on The Sound Barrier this weekend. Her debut solo album 'alone : together’, explores the sonic range of the cello - bowed, plucked, harmonic, and percussive - layered through live looping into echoes of self. Tune in to hear about her upcoming work 'The Lost Art of Listening’, which will be performed on piano by Erik Griswold with a "choir" of smartphones at Adelaide's Illuminate Festival in July.

Acclaimed South African pianist, composer, healer, and philosopher Nduduzo Makhathini is releasing his new album, 'The Myth We Choose', on June 26. Co-produced by Makhathini and his 18-year-old son Thingo Makhathini, the album explores the awareness needed to create a legacy of love and healing in the present tense, and features special guests including Shabaka Hutchings. Tune in to Stars In The Static, where Greg Sher catches up with Nduduzo about the new record.

Bringing the rich tradition of classical Arabic instrumental music to life through a powerful contemporary performance experience, Ṣaltanah will transform the stage at Melbourne Recital Centre into an immersive celebration of Arab artistry, memory and musical innovation on July 2. Ahead of the show, they join Roger Holdsworth on the Global Village. Tune in for a traditional yet contemporary live performance from Ṣaltanah.

From child prodigy to cancer survivor, from global stages to mental health collapse, Nathan Cavaleri’s journey is anything but ordinary, and now he’s taking his life story to theatres across Australia for his show 'Growing Pains - The Nathan Cavalier Story'. Listen in to The Juke Joint this Sunday as he talks with Matt about his current career, what it’s like growing up in the spotlight and what to do when Jimmy Page asks for your autograph.

Americana songstress Misty Harlowe is releasing her new song 'Come to Me Darlin’, a timeless country love ballad ideal for a spin across the dance floor of a warmly lit bar with the one you love. This cinematic track, featuring The Counterfeit, is the lead single from her new record 'Midnight Serenade'. Tune in to hear Misty Harlowe perform live on the show, and to find out where she’ll next be playing live.

The new album, 'How a Mosquito Operates', from local fast and chaotic punk band Alien Nosejob, is set for release on June 26 via Anti Fade Records and Iron Lung Records in the USA. What began as a bedroom project by Jake Robertson has mutated into a six-piece band with seven albums, seven EPs, and seven tours across Australia and overseas to its name. Having just performance at Dark Mofo in Hobart, Jake catches up with the Prince of Darkness on the eve of the album's release.

Newly formed group Fancy Weapon is made up of Mick Turner, Claire Birchall, Joel Silbersher and Guy Maddison. An unexpected collaboration, the band sees a cross-generational group of Melbourne music perennials creating a singular brand of minimalist, incandescent, guitar-heavy rock in the tradition of other singular, minimalist, incandescent guitar-heavy rock bands that have been doing it for 50 years. Phil MacDougall catches up with the band, tune in to hear about their new self-titled album.

Joining Michael Mulholland for this episode of Junkyard is Harry Howard and David McClymont. Having worked on a track together in 2014, their on/off friendship goes back to the murky days of living in London in the mid-1980s - Harry as a member of Crime and the City Solution and David as an ex-member of Orange Juice. Tune in to hear about their two new releases, 'Under The World' and 'Blistersticks'.