Interviews

An innovative force in the independent music scene since the mid-’80s, Jon Spencer returns to Australia this Spring for the first time in a decade. The underground alt-indie-punk icon and primal rock ’n’ roll preacher will perform with his fantastic new group, as they tear through selections from their 'SICK OF BEING SICK!' mini-LP, along with a heaping helping of Pussy Galore, Blues Explosion, Heavy Trash, and HITmaker nuggets! Tune in to Junkyard as Michael chats with Jon ahead of his tour.

In 1994, Ashley Naylor formed the indie rock group Even. Now, he's set to release his fifth solo album, 'Alexandria Sunset'. Also known for playing guitar in The Church, The Stems, Paul Kelly’s band, and the RocKwiz Orkestra, Naylor’s new album dives deep into the classic stylings of the late ’60s and ’70s that have always inspired him. Tune in to Radio City as Crispi and Ashley chat about the new record.

Now in its 27th year, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF) is Australia’s largest festival of its kind and is internationally recognised as one of the world’s premier jazz festivals. Held over ten days each October, the annual event brings the joy of jazz to the streets of Melbourne. Hadley Agrez, CEO and Program Director of MIJF, chats with Milo about this year’s stellar lineup, featuring over 130 performances and 550 artists.

This Saturday in St Kilda, 'Fusion on Fitzroy' will take over the street with free jazz across 18 different venues. Running from 2pm to 9pm, the lineup features incredible local acts, from Kylie Auldist and Daniel Mougerman to Tracey Miller and The Cyclones, and the Katie May Trio, just to name a few. Tune in to The Afterglow Radio Show as Lyndelle catches up with Kylie ahead of the jazzy weekend.

It’s time to kick the winter blues and get your dancin’ shoes on for a night of old school live blues and rockabilly. The fabulous Benny and The Flybyniters and the young rockabilly sensation Kid James are double billing what will be a hot night of hipshakin’ grooves at MEMO Music Hall with support from local rockin’ blues stalwarts Mister Sippy. Tune in to Jumpin' The Blues to hear Tom chat with Benny Peters about this special show, taking place on Friday September 12.

In the year of his 102nd birthday, a stellar lineup of musicians will celebrate Hank Williams’ extensive catalogue of country classics. Fronted by Chris Jacobs on bluegrass-tinged vocals, the band features roots musician Peter Baylor on guitar, Peter Fidler on steel guitar, Cat Moser on fiddle, and Mike St Clair Miller on double bass. Together, their sound offers a faithful interpretation of Hank’s unique musical legacy. Tune in to hear Peter Baylor chat with Helen about the show on September 7.

Sydney’s Italo-style dancefloor maestro Touch Sensitive has just dropped his second studio album, 'In Paradise'. Following a sold-out national tour after his 2017 debut 'Visions', 'In Paradise' seamlessly blends Italo disco inflections with piano house influences, featuring guest vocals from Connie Mitchell (Sneaky Sound System) and a special touch from Tony Buchan (Smashing Pumpkins, Mildlife). Tune in to hear tracks from the new album, along with a catch-up with Touch Sensitive.

Local band Body Prison are bringing their relentless yet innovative sound of deathcore to Tyrannocoreus this September for a Studio 5 Live performance. Following their appearance at Good Things Fest last year, the four-piece recently dropped their sophomore album 'Everything You Never Wanted to See' in February. Tune in to hear Ryan chat with the band about their upcoming tour with Gravemind and Melting.

Local band 100 YEARS WAR have just unleashed another slab of raw d-beat death metal with their second studio album, 'ONWARDS TO DEATH'. Featuring seasoned veterans from the darkest corners of Melbourne, tune in to Burning Bitumen as Kene and Leah check in with this underground force.

This week on Burning Bitumen, Kene and Leah catch up with Frankston metal band Nembutolik. Following the release of their new EP 'Southeast Suffering' earlier this year, tune in to hear about their exciting new announcement.

Born far from the tired gaze of the masses, The Neptune Power Federation make their long-awaited return to Melbourne after a period of deep introspection and advanced soothsaying. The band has been hard at work on their seventh album and will need willing acolytes to assess the effects these new hymns may have on human subjects. Chris Pearson catches up with the band ahead of their show at The Bendigo Hotel on September 6, tune in to hear all about their tour.

The nipaluna duo of Amelia Besseny and Cooper Bowman, known as Troth, blur the lines between minimal pop, immersive ambience, and field recording-based abstraction. Key themes in their work include interpreting time spent in natural environments, evoking beauty through elements of ritual, and exploring new ways to express dialogue with one another. Cooper catches up with Claire Dickson on The Breakfast Spread, tune in to hear about Troth’s new album, 'An Unfinished Rose'.

To celebrate 20 years of Ear Of The Behearer, some of the city’s finest and most inventive improvise musicians are coming together to cook up fresh, never-before-heard creations. Kicking off at midnight, join Paul Kidney as he celebrates two decades of noisy free jazz and wild sonic explorations on Ear Of The Behearer.

Born in New Zealand and formed in London, Flamingo Pier are a globally recognised act blending house, disco, funk, and jazz. Fusing live instrumentation with electronic production, they deliver an energetic, soulful sound made for both dancefloors and home listening. Their 2019 self-titled EP earned acclaim, with tracks featured on BBC Radio 1, KEXP, and Netflix’s 'Good Girls'. Now, they make their Melbourne debut on September 6 at The Night Cat. Tune in as Elle catches up with the trio.

To celebrate the release of 'From A Darebin Cave', Cantrips brings together a 7-piece band for one night only, performing the album in full, just as it was recorded. Drawing on acid folk, cinematic soul, and ’70s grooves, experience these lush, intimate compositions live in their full arrangement. Stopping by Homebrew to play a few acoustic songs from the album, tune in to hear Cantrips chat with Brooke about his upcoming show at Northcote Social Club on September 5.

Legendary Swedish musician and teacher Mats Edén is deeply rooted in the traditions of Värmland, and has been a leading figure in developing Swedish traditional music since the 1970s. A master of both violin and accordion, his folk band Groupa has been crafting rich harmonies for over 40 years. Mats will be presenting a house concert in West Heidelberg on September 4, in support of two families in Gaza. Tune in as he joins the Global Village to talk about his music, career, and traditions.

Ahead of their special tribute concert at Bird’s Basement, where they’ll celebrate legendary Jamaican saxophonist Tommy McCook, Melbourne traditional ska band Ska Vendors drop in to PBS to perform live in Studio 5 on Blue Juice. Led by Melbourne saxophonist Dean Hilson, Ska Vendors will present Hilson’s arrangements of McCook’s timeless ska and reggae classics. Tune in as Mohair Slim catches up with the band following their special Studio 5 Live performance.

'Hard Headed Woman' is the new album soon to be released by Nashville-based artist Margo Price. With a classic sound that is both familiar and daring, Margo's music is an infectious blend of Nashville country, Memphis soul, and Texas twang. Myles catches up with Margo to talk about the new album, touching on the inspiration behind the record and when we can next see Margo Price in Australia.

Premier game audio conference High Score is a cornerstone event of Melbourne International Games Week. Bringing together composers, sound designers, and game developers at ACMI for a dynamic two-day exploration of game audio, this year’s theme, 'Turn Up the Volume,' champions the idea that game audio deserves to be heard. Taking over Android Discotheque with game music and scores under the title 'Game Jams,' tune in to hear Matt Schenkel chat with High Score conference curator Amy McNickle.

Serving percolations of club music from around the globe, Melbourne Town Hall is reborn tonight for one night only. In his Australian debut, New York-based DJ Python conjures deep reggaeton and avant-dembow, a blend of Latin club currents, house, breakbeat and bass that bends genres and moves bodies. Meanwhile, DJ Plead will ratchet up the drama going back-to-back with rRoxymore. Ahead of this massive night of dance, Python and Plead join Firas on Tomorrowland for a sneaky b2b.