Interviews

Legendary guitarist Tommy Emmanuel is currently touring Australia, playing to packed concert halls all around the country. Last weekend Tommy took time out ahead of his Hamer Hall soundcheck to drop in for a chat with Ernie, and to play a song live in PBS' Studio 3. Tune in this Thursday to hear from one of Australia's most revered instrumentalists.

With decades of experience in the music industry, Nina Las Vegas has become a powerful force in both the Australian and international music landscapes through her work as a producer, DJ, and the head of NLV Records. With broadcasting experience on triple j, BBC Radio One, and Red Bull Radio, Nina has performed at major festivals, from Splendour in the Grass to Coachella. Celebrating 10 years of her label NLV Records, Nina joins Milo for a round of Musical Chairs to celebrate the milestone.

Naarm trio Npcede discuss their self-titled debut EP—Chapter Music’s final new artist signing and a fittingly explosive send-off. Fusing industrial, shoegaze, rap, and noise into five tracks of raw intensity, Npcede channel alienation into something both brutal and euphoric. Formed in 2022, the band has performed at Meadow and SXSW Sydney. Singles 'Spleen', 'Tabula Rasa' and 'Hear Them' are out now. Tune in to Bleeding Black Hearts Revue for a deep dive into their latest sound.

Kew Court House Live has announced a season of performances by artists spanning indie, jazz, and global music. Each week, three influential leaders take over the iconic venue for a night, including Ben Langdon, Fem Belling, and PBS’s own MzRizk. Talking about the show she's curated called 'Estudiantina of Melbourne' MzRizk chats with Lyndelle about the powerful lineup, which features Ajak Kwai on June 5, Amerigos on June 12, and Tamalah on June 19.

Infectious roots/soul/blues/improv outfit Checkerboard Lounge reunites with Australian music and jazz legend Bob Sedergreen for a special not-to-be-missed event. They will be launching their limited edition vinyl album 'Live at Jazzlab' on June 7 at The Jazzlab - tune in to Roots of Rhythm to find out how you can get your hands on a copy of this unique collaboration.

Local Coburg cinematic jazz-funk maestros Surprise Chef are releasing their new album 'Superb' this month. Since breaking onto the scene in 2017 and signing with Brooklyn label Big Crown Records, the band has continued to evolve its sound - and 'Superb' is no exception, exploring a more upbeat, groove-driven direction while staying true to its soul-jazz roots. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread with Milo Eastwood to hear from the band, and to get a glimpse into the new album.

Chris Hannah of Canadian punk heavyweights Propagandhi joins us to talk 'At Peace'—the band’s fierce new album. Since forming in 1986, the band has evolved from skate punk roots into a thrash-influenced force, pairing razor-sharp riffs with unapologetically political lyrics. From their home base in Winnipeg, they’ve championed anti-fascism, veganism, and radical change. With 'At Peace', the band continues to challenge power structures while refining their most urgent, blistering sound to date.

Aric Improta and Stephen Harrison from House of Protection join Ryan for a conversation about the band’s journey from the ashes of Fever333, their sophomore EP 'Outrun You All', and their plans for 2025. Born from the duo’s fearlessness and a love of pushing boundaries, they fuse hardcore, electronica, and punk into a raw, creative space. With their shared history in bands like Fever333, Night Verses, and The Chariot, House of Protection has created a sanctuary for radical self-expression.

With Chapter Music recently announcing a shift in focus—moving away from new signings to concentrate on its rich back catalogue, label heads Guy Blackman and Ben O’Connor reflect on the Chapter's legacy ahead of their Day Tripper showcase at RISING. Tune in to Underground Love for a deep dive into Chapter’s history, underrepresented sounds, and a passionate tribute to the role PBS plays in supporting its artists.

On June 6, Dark FOMO 666 returns with its sixth mini-festival at the Cactus Room in Thornbury, featuring music, art, performance, nude poetry, and more. The organisers pop into Pojama People to preview the lineup, including Jack Harlon and the Dead Crows, Night Rites, USER, and plenty other acts. Tune in for all the details on this night of irreverent fun and vivid performances.

Born from a love of the dance floor, Wrong Way Up serves vintage Afro disco and psychedelic boogie in the form of deep grooves, quirky synths and addictive chants. Inspired by the likes of Frances Bebey, William Onyeabor and Lijadu Sisters, the Afro-synth duo delivers a fresh but familiar funk feel. Emmanuela Degery and Andrew Phillips (Broadway Sounds) join Elle on Headhunters for a chat and Studio 5 Live performance.

With roots stemming from singing Gospel as a child, JoysSoul’s career has seen her perform locally and internationally for over 15 years. Performing in many groups such as Women of Soul, Grand Wazoo, and the in-house bands for TV shows such as Australia’s Got Talent and The Logies, JoysSoul will be bringing her powerful soul and blues music to Valley Sounds on May 31. Adam catches up with the Kenyan-born musician – tune in to hear about her upcoming performance in Holmes Hall.

In a very welcome return to the PBS airwaves, Gerry Koster drops by to join Greg for this special Radio Festival edition of Stars in the Static. One of Australia's most respected jazz broadcasters and a member of the PBS family for over 3 decades, Gerry joins Greg to share their love for improvised music and the myriad variants of jazz, and of course their shared love for PBS.

Ania Reynolds brings both of her personae – as a piano player and baritone saxophonist, both extraordinaire – to her visit to the Global Village. She shares with Roger why she supports PBS and the Global Village, and encourages you to do the same. Tune in to hear her perform music from forthcoming albums in both guises, and a hint at some of her upcoming musical adventures.

Tune in to 5ft High and Rising this Saturday morning to hear from local legends and musicians Kerryn Fields, Jeff Jenkins, Joyce Prescher and Lachlan Bryan, along with PBS announcer Ernie. They’ll be joining Myles O’Neil-Shaw and co-host Dave DeBrincat to share what fuels their passion for this incredible, independent radio station.

Mary Mihelakos joins Phil to chat about PBS and her incredible journey through Naarm's music scene. From booking bands as a teen to editing Beat Magazine, launching the Aussie BBQ at SXSW, and founding Leaps and Bounds Festival, Mary’s impact is legendary. Now PBS’s Marketing & Events Coordinator and a Music Victoria Hall of Fame inductee, she shares stories from decades at the heart of the scene. Don’t miss this Radio Festival special on Sunglasses After Dark!

Myles O'Neil-Shaw of 5ft High & Rising joins Crispi for a unique crossover. A passionate advocate for alt-country, Myles shares his perspective on what makes PBS such a vital force in supporting the local country scene. Tune in to Radio City as Myles and Crispi discuss their shared devotion for this community focused radio station.

Claire Stuchbery of Firewater joins Crispi for a special guest spot on Radio City to talk all things Radio Festival. Tune in to hear what Claire and Crispi love about each other's shows while they remind PBS listeners of the various ways they can support the station this Radio Festival.

As part of this year’s PBS Radio Festival, Miss Goldie of Boss Action joins forces with Lyndelle for a special co-hosted edition of The Afterglow—welcome to Afterglow B Action! Soul powerhouse Kylie Auldist is along for the ride, bringing three hours of non-stop musical power. Between spinning soul 45s and jazzy grooves, the trio will share why this local platform is so important. Tune in to support your PBS favourites and find out how you can help keep community alive and thriving.

Margret RoadKnight joins Helen Jennings OAM for a special co-presenter segment celebrating PBS' Radio Festival. With a career spanning over five decades, Margret’s diverse talents in blues, jazz, gospel, and cabaret will shine through alongside Helen's deep knowledge of music. Tune in to hear Helen and Margret share what they love about PBS, and how listeners can help support this incredible music community.