Interviews

Influential modern metal and hardcore band Poison The Well are heading to Australia, playing at 170 Russell on June 11, which will be their first show in this country in over 15 years. Caustically fluent in flitting between brutality and beauty without breaking a sweat, their 1999 debut album ‘The Opposite Of December’ was a watershed moment for the metal and hardcore world. Ryan catches up with lead guitarist Ryan Primack, tune in to hear about their new album ‘Peace In Place’. 

The mighty PBS and Triple R Megahertz will once again take on the Rockdogs at the Reclink Community Cup on June 14 at Victoria Park. Raising funds for Reclink, a community sport and recreation charity supporting people facing life challenges, the day features a lineup of live music, including C.O.F.F.I.N (with Ambrose Kenny‑Smith), Owelu Dreamhouse, Kim Salmon’s Smoked Salmon and more. Claire catches up with Megahertz co-captain Emelyne and Rockdogs co-captain Nick ahead of the big match.

Elusive Melbourne-based fusion ensemble Krakatau have a new album out, and it’s called 'Terra Ignota'. Marking both a return and an epochal shift for the group, the album is a deep exploration of possible sonic spaces and a portent of things to come. Members of the band bring a selection of tunes that inspired the new album to The Breakfast Spread for a round of Musical Chairs - tune in from 8am as Claire Dickson catches up with James and Dann.

Joining Ian this Sunday is the widely respected composer Alan Holley. He'll be chatting about an upcoming concert of new music he's written alongside seven other composers called 'Of Rivers and Trees'. Exploring environmental themes, the performance will present a wide range of perspectives on how Australia's relationship with land and water can find expression through music. Tune in to hear about the concert, which will be held at the Anglican Parish of the Parks in Albert Park on June 13.

Stone Love is celebrating 20 years of existence, and Richie 1250 is heading down to The Astor to live broadcast the big party. Special guests will be playing live and spinning some rare vinyl, including Sugar Fed Leopards, Ella Thompson, Esther Henderson, Plazza, Loretta Miller, Simone Page Jones & Jules Pascoe, Jason Goodman, and Brenda. Tune in from 5pm to hear Richie 1250 catch up with his special guests.

Genre-blurring Māori DJ Aroha is a locally based producer from Aotearoa/New Zealand. Known for bold club music rooted in global underground sounds, her 2025 EP, 'Mother Tongue', pays tribute to some of the trailblazing women in music who have inspired her throughout her life. Bringing a magnetic, emotionally charged guest mix to The Breakfast Spread with Milo Eastwood, tune in for this edition of the Wheels of Steel.

With five internationally acclaimed albums under their belts, Aotearoa/ New Zealand band Beastwars has a reputation for delivering intense and visceral live performances. Touring with US band Chat Pile this month and playing at Max Watt's Melbourne on June 12, the sludge-psych metallers will also be taking over The Old Bar on June 13 with Mammon's Throne and Bodies. Tune in to The Doom Saloon as JRoc catches up with the band ahead of their Naarm shows.

Sludgy noise group Chat Pile are heading to Australia for the first time, and JRoc will be catching up with the US band ahead of the tour. Fusing elements of post-punk, nu metal, and grunge, Chat Pile have earned a cult following for their eclectic take on what they simply deem 'noise rock.' Tune in to The Doom Saloon to hear about their show at Max Watt's Melbourne on June 12, playing alongside New Zealand band Beastwars.

USA gore metal band Exhumed are making their way to Australia, playing at Stay Gold on June 6 in support of their new album, 'Red Asphalt'. Pushing their trademark deathgrind violence into even more dangerous territory, their latest record takes listeners through graveyards, operating theaters, and the band's own history. Tune in to hear Matt Harvey chat with Kene about the band's involvement in the redo of the soundtrack for the 1986 movie, 'Transformers'.

A curated showcase of uncompromising death metal and industrial filth, 'Ritual: Genesis of the Void' will be taking place at The Toff on June 27. A curated descent into atmospheric extremity, Kene catches up with the bands playing at the show, chatting with Sean Hinds from Chief Whip, Adrian von Ahlen from Sufferance, and Chris Anning from Queensland band Cryptivore. Tune in to hear how Cryptivore are doing ahead of their exclusive, debut performance in Naarm/Melbourne.

The Naarm-based Australian electronic rockers Black Cab are playing alongside Lydia Lunch at The Tote on June 17. Their unique blend of driving electronica and psychedelic krautrock often draws inspiration from Europe and America in the 1970′s and ’80′s. Tune in to hear the band's James Lee and Andrew Coates chat more about the gig, plus your favourite Suicide and Alan Vega tracks in-between. 

From just 13 years of age, Ella Hooper has been in the spotlight for her music. As the youngest person to receive APRA’s Songwriter of the Year award, Ella has balanced a successful side hustle hosting multiple TV and radio shows, while creating synth-folk, country, and Americana music. Heading to the Espy on June 4 alongside up-and-coming artist Katie May, Ernie catches up with Ella and Katie on Swinging Doors. Tune in for a live performance from both artists.

Moody dark-pop artist Georgia Knight will be coming in to Studio 5 this June to perform songs from her debut album, 'Beanpole'. With trip-hop pulses and synth-washed layers, her music unfolds into an avant-garde landscape that coaxes listeners into a world of dark musical terrain and cinematic breadth. Joining Crispi after the performance for an interview, tune in to hear what the autoharpist has in store over the next few months.

'Kickin’ The B at 303 - 15 Year Anniversary of Hammond Sessions' is happening at Bar 303 on June 4. The bands performing are Paul Williamson’s Hammond Combo, the Chris Johnstone Quartet, and Psi-Phi. Gary Jones joins Tom Sianidis on Jumpin’ The Blues to chat about the three bands playing on the night.

On June 7 at 3pm, Andy Baylor and The Big Easy Orchestra will bring their ‘Easy Ridin’ Blues’ show to Memo Music Hall. Celebrating the roots and blues of this city, audiences will be treated to cajun, soul, blues, hillbilly swing, swamp pop, and more easy ridin’ blues. Tune in to Roots of Rhythm to hear more about the show, which will feature special guests Sarah Carroll, Alanna Egan, and The Horns of Happiness - Bruce Sandell and Ian Smith.

'STELLA: The Musical' is a story based on the life of Australian writer Stella Miles Franklin. Having battled through poverty and sexism to become a writer, Stella endured two world wars and terrible personal bereavements, emerging as an advocate for conservation, First Nation's rights, young writers, and Australian literature. Award-winning composer Monique diMattina chats to Helen about writing the music for this musical, tune in to hear about the premier at Alexander Theatre on June 12 - 20.

The eleventh studio album 'Season Of Surrender' has just been released from US metcalcore group August Burns Red. Having crafted their signature brand of metalcore for over two decades, they have ferociously established themselves as one of the foremost acts in the genre. They'll be coming across to Australia this October to tour with Bloom and I Promised The World, playing at 170 Russell on October 1. Tune in to hear from drummer Matt Greiner, and why this tour is a special one for him.

Since their live debut in 2023, NON have been spreading their own brand of Eastern inspired psychedelic doom across venues in Naarm, each show delivering a unique experience with improvised and extended jams. Now the instrumental outfit plan to play the album's final form 'Vipassana', bringing their vision to life as they launch its physical release on June 20th at Shotkickers. Tune in from 8pm to catch the details of the gig and a mesmerising live performance from the band. 

Naarm indie rock trio Hot Glue will be popping in to Underground Love this week to sing some songs live in the studio, and to talk about their album launch coming up at The Tote on June 5. Made up of siblings Lily and Pearl Harnath, the band uses shoegaze-y, fuzzy guitars and loud, heavy drums to accompany reflective lyricism in a bittersweet and cathartic manner. Tune in to hear about their new album 'Again, Again'.

In 2025, MzRizk was in Berlin and sat down with poet and activist Saul Williams, visionary percussionist and producer Carlos Niño, and keyboardist Surya Botofasina, for a candid chat about their latest collaborative, improvisational tribute to TreePeople, the organisation of young naturalists that emerged in California in the late 1970s. Ahead of Williams' and Niño's RISING performance at Melbourne Recital Centre this weekend, MzRizk airs her riveting interview on Boogie Beat Suite.