Interviews

Emerging, independent folk artist Rupert Bullard from Lutruwita/Tasmania is set to release his debut album with acclaimed producer John Castle (Vance Joy, Paul Kelly) in 2026. Chatting with David Pisker, Rupert drops in to PBS to promote his latest single 'Breathe Out,' and to reflect on his recent tour of Britain and Ireland. Tune in to Underground Love from 3pm to hear more.

Releasing music under the stage name A K U, Akshay Kumar Vig is a designer and record producer, who in both practices is a cultural collagist and collector. The LA-based producer creates pieces that unveil cultural connections by blending ideas and creative languages from ethnic communities and subcultures. The result is a dynamic brew of Arabic, Afro and Indian genres with jungle, footwork, and trap beats. Tune in to Dounya to hear A K U chat with DJ Matab.

One of New Zealand's leading vocal ensembles, the Signature Choir joins the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for a night of powerful storytelling on January 31. With more than 90 voices in harmony, performing gospel, classical, modern and traditional Pasifika music in a sound that is fresh, moving and unmistakably Pacific. Choir Co-Director Jadrah Tupai drops in to The Gospel Show to chat with Peter about this very special collaboration.

Skydiver Records kicks 2026 off with an all-night Collingwood Basement affair featuring Danish deep-house mainstay and NES label boss DJ Popup. A master selector and true house music enthusiast, DJ Popup visits PBS to play a special guest mix on Tomorrowland. Tune in Friday from 1pm.

Local party purveyors Pins 'N Needles host their first warehouse event this Saturday featuring revered locals such as Moopie, Tangerine, Bex and Rev Lon, alongside French DJ Bambi. Raph and Louis, the duo behind the event, drop in to PBS for a chat with Edd Fisher on Tomorrowland.

Tune in to Burning Bitumen to hear Kene chat with Tim from Australian post-black metal project Germ who are playing at home for the first time in a decade in support of Polish band Batushka's tour down under.

Last year, Brazilian one-woman black metal band Mortem Solis released her debut album Hermetic, a seven-track journey of melancholy and deep introspection. Kene chats to Null, the woman behind this captivating project, to discuss the themes of her new record and how it fits in the Brazilian metal scene.

Returning to their Australian origins for their first comprehensive tour in over a decade, rock group Crime and the City Solution are bringing their acclaimed sixth studio album, 'the killer', to the Brunswick Ballroom on January 24. Originally formed by Simon Bonney in 1977, the band released their new album in October 2023. Tune in to Junkyard as members of the band join Michael Mulholland for an interview, chatting about their career to date and what it’s like to be back where it all began.

Mark Adams (Cold Irons Bound) joins Crispi this week to chat about a couple of summer events in Melbourne - Tunes By The Pool with Charles Jenkins at Brunswick Baths on Jan 23rd and Fuzzy Sunday at Coburg RSL on Jan 25th.

Local musician Steph Strings is set to release her long-awaited debut album 'Feel Alive' in early 2026. Her new single, 'Devil Woman', showcases her intricate guitar work and emphatic lyricism, layered with driving beats, hazy textures and hypnotic melodies. Fresh off an extensive North American tour, she’ll be joining Lauren Plant on Down By The River to chat about the new record and play a couple of songs live-to-air. Tune in from 10am to hear from Steph Strings.

Icons of American roots music Gillian Welch and David Rawlings return to Australia to share songs and stories across the country. Tune in to Down by the River as Lauren chats to Gillian and David about their expansive history and their latest album Woodland.

New York-born singer Vivian Sessoms is known for bringing her own vibrant blend of jazz, soul, and protest music to her performances. Having sung with Cher, Donna Summer, Sinead O Connor, Stevie Wonder, Joe Cocker, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Christina Aguilera, Sessoms is a versatile and charismatic artist. She drops in to PBS with her partner and co-producer Chris Parks for an intimate chat with MzRizk on Boogie Beat Suite.

Local piano and baritone saxophone player Ania Reynolds is releasing two new albums at the start of 2026: a solo piano album called 'Tractor Factor', with original compositions inspired by her residency in Sainte-Valière in France; and her alter-ego Synthotronica's album 'Baga Baga'. Launching the record at Ragtime Tavern on January 30, she'll be touring Japan next, stopping off at a baritone festival in Tokyo. Tune in to hear her new music, as well as a live performance from Ania.

To kick off 2026, Swedish musicians Josefina Paulson on nyckelharpa and Fredrik Bengtsson on cittern/bass will be joining Roger in the Global Village. Currently on tour with Louise Godwin on cello and Jessica Foot on violin as part of Big Fiddle Little Fiddle, the group will be performing at the Swedish Church in Toorak from January 5 - 6. Tune in to hear about this collision of Swedish and Australian music, and for a special, live-to-air performance from the group.

Stopping by The Sound Barrier this Sunday are Ben Opie (co-artistic director of the Peninsula Summer Music Festival and the Inventi Ensemble) and local composer Kym Dillon. They’ll be joining Ian to chat about the Peninsula Summer Music Festival, which will include performances by Ensemble Offspring, a new work by First Nations composer and conductor Aaron Wyatt, and intermedia improvisations featuring Kym Dillon and Carita Farer Spencer. Tune in to hear more about this festival on January 3.

Tune in to Audio Vitamins as Jonny Alexander catches up with London-based artist J. Caesar. Discussing his street soul/deep house sound and upcoming EP, J. Caesar draws influence from Peven Everett, Blaze, and Moodymann. Tune in to hear about his show at London’s Royal Albert Hall, along with a 60-minute guest mix featuring unreleased material ahead of his new EP, which is set for release on New Year’s Eve.

Mick Thomas is one of Australia's most revered songwriters and storytellers. With a brand new album GoComeBack, Mick Thomas's Roving Commission are currently touring the country. Joined by Brooke Taylor, Mick finds time to drop into PBS to play a couple of tracks and to chat to guest host Aaron Allen on Swinging Doors this week.

Tune in to Roots of Rhythm for a special Christmas show - filled with the best of the blues, memories and interviews. Helen Jennings will be joined by Jackey Coyle, along with a few surprise guests. Listen in to hear Helen’s final show of the year before she takes her well-deserved summer break.

Joining Milo Eastwood on The Breakfast Spread this morning is local DJ, Joey Lightbulb. With his debut at Club UK in Melbourne in 2001, Joey played at Golden Plains Festival in 2024, along with two headline shows at The Night Cat earlier this year, playing squelchy disco, jacking house, forgotten indie bangers - whatever the people need. Tune in to hear about 'TOOLS DOWN: Joey Lightbulb's Work Xmas Party' on December 19, along with a special Wednesday morning guest mix.

Tune in to the second half of Tyrannocoreus as Ryan is joined by local solo artist ARIE ROSE (pronounced air-ey rose). Making music that is sweet, fiery and thorny, ARIE marries rock and metal with classical influences from singing in choirs and playing in orchestras in her childhood. Listen in to hear about her debut album 'In Sickness And In Sickness', which shares her battles with Crohn's disease, neurodivergence and feminism.