Interviews

Blossom Rot Records is turning 5, and to celebrate, they’re hosting a month-long residency at The Tramway Hotel this November, along with a special compilation release on vinyl. The label’s name was inspired by Soph’s veggie patch, where an abundant zucchini crop was struck by a serious case of blossom rot. Today, Blossom Rot Records is home to a stellar roster of musicians, including Dianas, Cool Sounds, and Bad Bangs, to name a few. Tune in as Brooke catches up with Nat and Jet from the label.

This Monday on Come Together, tune in for a special live performance from local musician Hannah Acfield. Delivering soulful roots music interwoven with luminous threads of gospel and RnB, Hannah will be performing songs from her new album 'Golden Light'. Listen in to hear more about the album and find out when you can next catch her performing live.

Genre-defying music collective The Cloud Maker create music inspired by goddesses from their diverse cultural backgrounds. Channelling ancient tales of fierce battles, shamanic dances and journeys to the afterlife, The Cloud Maker harness the power of these archetypal stories to transport listeners across time and space. Tune in to Deeep Space as Lloyd Briggs catches up with the group following their ethereal Studio 5 Live performance.

Globally celebrated Belgian pianist Daan Vandewalle will be joining Ian on The Sound Barrier this Sunday. They’ll be discussing his new releases of Rzewski’s 'The Road', an almost ten-hour journey through life, its surprises, and absurdities, and the 'Nanosonatas', also by Rzewski, a two-and-a-half-hour cycle of miniature glimpses of the world. Tune in from 10pm to hear about his standard-defining performances, along with excerpts from these new releases.

Lithuanian kanklės (zither) artist Regina Marozienė is bringing her music to Naarm/Melbourne on October 29, performing in collaboration with Chinese-Australian sheng player Dr Wang Zheng-Ting at the Lithuanian Club. Then, on November 5, Regina will perform at the Church of All Nations alongside local kanklės players. Between these shows, Regina visits the Global Village to play her kanklės and chat with Roger about this traditional music.

‘Guewel’ is a landmark multi-artform work by Senegalese-born, Melbourne-based artist Lamine Sonko, created in collaboration with the National Theatre of Senegal. Premiering at Arts House this November 12 – 16, 'Guewel' fuses live music, animated projection, filmed landscapes and sacred dance to convey gestural languages rich with history, cosmology and collective memory. Tune in to hear about this project that’s been 7 years in the making.

On October 31 at Sub Club Melbourne, 1800 Play and Charades join forces to welcome Reptant, a leading figure in the new wave of electro producers, with releases on labels like 'Trust' and 'Kalahari Oyster Cult'. Reptant will play an exclusive 4 hour set in the basement, with support from Séarlait, the founder of 1800 Play and the forthcoming label: 'esensual', known for her wiggy dub, tech house, and minimal-driven sets. Tune in to Tomorrowland as Edd catches up with both DJs.

To kick off Tomorrowland today, Edd Fisher will be joined by local producer, DJ, and instrumentalist Harvey Sutherland. His new album ‘Debt’ came out earlier this month, which explores the cost of doing business in the meme economy. The album's title nods to the financial contortions necessary to strive as an independent artist, but ‘Debt’ is better understood as the ledger of what we owe, and to whom, in the course of a creative life. Tune in to hear Edd Fisher catch up with Harvey.

Formed in Melbourne in 2013, psychedelic punk rock band SPACEJUNK have just released their new album 'JUNK TIME', and it’s full of fuzzy guitars, left-field sonic touches, and barely controlled energy. Playing at Mamma Chen’s in Footscray on November 22, Phil catches up with the band ahead of their show with Assteroid and The Nowa Nowas.

Recorded 25 years ago by Shane O’Mara at his Yikesville studio, The Meanies’ new 7” single 'Shutdown' is seeing the light of day for the very first time. On the B-side of the 7”, you’ll find Frenzal Rhomb and Perth punks Leeches! delivering renditions of Meanies classics 'Play This Song Each Night' and 'Scum.' Tune in to Sunglasses After Dark as Phil chats to Wally from The Meanies about their upcoming show at The Tote on November 4.

Psych-boogie heavyweight Dom Mariani (The Stems, DATURA4, Baggage Handler) brings the fuzz, swagger, and serious sonic firepower with his new album 'Apple Of Life', dropping on the last day of October. Crispi catches up with Dom the day before its release, tune in to hear about his recent show with Jon Spencer, and what we can expect from his second solo album. 

Having emerged from Melbourne’s bayside onto the live scene a year ago with their fresh and spirited indie rock, The Gnomes are now set to release their self-titled debut album. Starting as a bedroom solo project for teenage singer-songwriter Jay Millar a few years back, the band have now shared the stage with the likes of Skegss, Split System and The 5.6.7.8's. Tune in to Radio City as Crispi catches up with Jay Millar about the band's album launch show at Brunswick Ballroom on November 14.

In 1978, local duo Essendon Airport was formed by David Chesworth on Wurlitzer electric piano and Robert Goodge on guitar, accompanied by a home-made drum machine. Embracing minimalism, repetition, irony, and experimentation, Essendon Airport are now releasing a new album 'MOR', revisiting their early minimalist work with songs from and around the 'Sonic Investigations' era, reimagined in expanded full-band arrangements. Tune in to hear about their show at Northcote Social Club on November 23.

London-born but Tassie-based, Celtic/Sri Lankan singer-songwriter Sheyana and her band have just released their new album 'All The Best'. Influenced by the classics and drawing inspiration from their deep Tassie roots, The Sheyana Band fuse the stylistic flavours of Australian rhythm and soul, southern country and rock. Tune in to Roots of Rhythm as Helen catches up with Sheyana.

ARIA Award-winning blues virtuoso Dave Hole will perform his all-time greats at Bird’s Basement on November 8. Having released ten albums and headlined festivals around the globe, Dave’s playing is infused with the spirit of legends like Elmore James, Duane Allman, and Johnny Winter. Tune in to Roots of Rhythm as Helen catches up with Dave ahead of his show.

Listen in to the second half of Tyrannocoreus this Wednesday morning as Ryan chats with vocalist Nazareth Tharratt and guitarist David Wilder from local band HEAVENSGATE. They’ll be talking about their recent touring experiences in Europe and America, as well as their new metalcore EP, 'A Heart Is a Heavy Burden'. Tune in to hear what they’ve got planned for the next 12 months.

California metalcore titans The Ghost Inside are returning to Australia this month for their first headline tour in over a decade. Armed with passion and determination that has captivated a global audience for decades, The Ghost Inside forge the new wave of American metalcore dexterity with the urgency of punk and dauntless melodies, all of which have permeated and fortified across six studio albums. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus as Ryan catches up with bassist and clean vocalist Jim Riley. 

Acclaimed saxophonist and producer fusing jazz and dance music traditions, Nathan Haines is bringing a completely immersive, live Jazz House experience to The Night Cat on October 31. A journey through the decades of his prolific, ground breaking work, Haines is a world leader in a style that he's elegantly trail-blazed and pioneered, nowadays’ coined as ‘Jazz House’. Tune in to Headhunters as Elle Young catches up with the Aotearoa/ New Zealand music royalty.

Fresh off a sold-out UK/EU summer tour, including Jazz Café London and major European festivals, Close Counters are bringing that international momentum back home to When Pigs Fly on December 31. Their 2023 Music Victoria Award-winning album 'SOULACOASTA II' earned props from Gilles Peterson and Folamour, with breakout singles released via Defected Records. Tune in as Elle catches up with one half of the broken-beat and disco duo, Allan McConnell.

On Friday, November 7, Kee’ahn will launch their debut EP 'for me, for you x' at The Evelyn Hotel. The Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal, and Torres Strait Islander songwriter and performer from North Queensland has captivated listeners with their lush melodies and rich vocals, sharing powerful stories of hope and healing. Joining Claire Dickson on The Breakfast Spread to perform some songs, tune in to hear an incredible, stripped-back set of Kee’ahn’s powerful neo-soul music.