Interviews

Led by Alana’s wild violin, Vardos is the Naarm-based, all-female trio playing lively folk music. On September 14, the trio are putting on a show to pay tribute to the rich legacy of Eastern European women musicians, honouring those who have inspired the eclectic sound of Vardos. Tune into Global Village for a dance-filled, live performance from the trio, and a chat with Roger about their upcoming show at the Melbourne Recital Centre

Known for her innovative approach to contemporary music and her ability to blend various art forms, Irish composer, performer and multimedia artist Jennifer Walshe performs her 2017 work “Is It Cool To Try Hard Now?” as part of This Hideous Replica, a program of performances, talks, workshops, screenings and an exhibition happening across Naarm this August to September. Jennifer speaks to Ian about her performance at The Capitol on September 5.

Adored New Zealand singer-songwriter Marlon Williams joins a stellar line-up at Town Folk Festival, Victoria’s beloved single-day music event bringing local and international talent to Djaara/Castlemaine on November 16th. Marlon chats with Milo about the festival and plays a couple of songs live in-studio. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread to hear more.

By turns devotional, empowering and nurturing, Jon Hopkins’ new work, RITUAL, is a 41-minute electronic symphony built from cavernous subs, hypnotic drumming and transcendent melodic interplay. Tense, immersive and ultimately triumphant, it is a culmination of themes explored throughout his 22-year career, and acts as the kinetic counterpart to 2021’s Music For Psychedelic Therapy. Tune in on Monday morning to hear Jon's riveting conversation with Lloyd Briggs on Deeep Space.

St. Vincent (Annie Clark) is one of the most innovative and fascinating presences in modern music. As part of the Always Live Music Festival St. Vincent will return to Australia this November with the All Born Screaming Tour, her first set of live appearances down under since 2018 that will include a performance at St. Kilda's iconic Palais Theatre. Adam Rudegeair caught up with St. Vincent for a conversation about the tour and her extraordinary career. Tune in to Black Wax to hear more.

Vocalist for Adelaide metalcore band Heartline, Luke Taylor chats to Ryan about their Australian tour with Silver Fang, new EP 'Pink Lemonade and the heavy music scene in South Australia.

Vocalist and violinist for Swedish metalcore band Imminence, Eddie Berg talks to Ryan about their new album 'The Black,' juggling his roles as lead vocalist and violinist in a heavy band and their first Australian tour as part of this year's Good Things Festival.

Encompassing a mix of blues, folk and ragtime jazz, Nick Charles is a fingerpicking guitar virtuoso. With an array of music awards from Port Fairy Folk Festival Artist of the Year (2014) to two time winner of the Australian Song Contest, Nick continues to write new music and share his vast depth of the guitar with his students. Tune in to Roots of Rhythm as Nick plays a live performance and chats with Helen about his new album ‘Further Down the Line’ out this September 11.

Sydney/Eora-based alt-rock powerhouse RedHook are supersizing the party at their biggest headline shows to date. In honour of their infectious new anthem 'Breaking Up With,' RedHook will be heading to capital cities right across Australia this August and September. Ahead of their Melbourne show at 170 Russell on September 6, Simon caught up with vocalist Emmy Mack. Tune in to TNT to hear their conversation.

Central Rain is the project of sing-songwriter Luke Thomas. His latest album ‘Paint Over Paint’ tells a tale of love and loss, family and forgotten friends, and the healing power of music. He stops by Radio City to chat with Crispi about the album launch, taking place at the Wesley Anne this September 26.

Having spent time of late hunkered down in the countryside studio, Icecream Hands will emerge from the cold snap with a spring in their step for an afternoon extravaganza at George Lane featuring much-loved hits, plus a bevy of richly-layered, gloriously melodic new songs from their forthcoming album. Charles Jenkins and Doug Lee Robertson join Crispi in the studio to talk about the forthcoming album and show at George Lane on September 15.

Featuring an introspective blend of originals and covers as well as a translated reworking of Marlene Dietrich’s 1950s ode to Berlin, “A Suitcase in Berlin” (“Ich Hab’ Noch Einen Koffer in Berlin”), 'Five Ways to Say Goodbye' marks Mick Harvey’s ninth solo album. Tune in to Junkyard to hear Michael and Mick's conversation about the album.

Melbourne-based producer Mosam Howieson has built a sonic landscape, brimming with a potent confluence of retro-futurist sounds, genres, and textures. His EP 'Aphelion' falls between realms of percussive, deep techno and airy ambient —landing in a liminal, stunning, undefinable space. Tune in to Passing Notes as Mosam stops by to chat with Penny.

Melbourne Balkan specialists Anja and Zlatna preserve the beauty of traditional eastern melodies, enhancing them by fusing the practices of Baroque and folk improvisational languages. The instrumentation used adds to their unique sound, with the harpsichord playing a key role. The duo stops by Global Village for a Studio 5 performance and a catch-up with Roger.

Melbourne musician Emilee South is a force to be reckoned with. Her latest album ‘LUXURY’ showcases South’s solid, unapologetic vocals over the driving force of edgy punk and chaotic guitar riffs. The album touches on themes from capitalism to feminism, and is being launched at The Curtain this Sept 20. Tune in as Emilee pops by Breakfast to play a few songs live in-studio, and to chat with Milo about the latest album.

Get ready for a sonic treat because 2024 will see the return of the legendary Budd. Forming in 1991, Budd has crafted a unique blend of heavy rock fuzz noise. Tune in to Pojama People to hear guitarist Jeremy Finlayson talk about their show at Shotkickers on September 13.

Known for crafting songs that chime with sincerity and deal largely with her experiences as a teacher, mother, wife, political animal and touring musician, Sarah Carroll AKA The Ukulele Queen Of The Bellarine has recently released NQR&B, a collection which celebrates her great loves and her unique life. Sarah catches up with Helen about NQR&B. Tune in to Roots of Rhythm to hear their conversation.

Marking the launch of their upcoming single ‘In Your Orbit,' Shock Corridor will play their first headline show for the year at the Curtin Hotel, they will be joined by some of their favourite sound makers and some of Melbourne’s heaviest hitters. Tune in to The Chronicles of Kick Ons to hear Ponie chat with the band about their launch on September 13.

Establishing themselves as a driving force in Australia's growing prog/post music scene, Melbourne post rock / post metal band Treebeard have announced their latest release 'Snowman.' A trove of melodic hooks and pounding riffs, encompassing a wide and emotive spectrum of sounds. Tune in to Pojama People to hear the band talk about the album and its launch at Shotkickers on September 20.

Vocalist for Long Island, NY deathcore band Monochromatic Black, Tanya Elizabeth talks to Ryan about their new EP 'Predacious,' touring the United States, working in the animal rights movement and working on their second LP.

After 35 years of celebrating the very best in Blues, Roots music, and Beyond, Australia's premier and most awarded music festival in Australia ever, Bluesfest Byron Bay, has announced that the 2025 edition will be its final curtain call. Festival director Peter Noble OAM calls in to Roots of Rhythm to talk about this year's line-up.

Rinehearts' Benny J Ward has formed a power pop super group called The Psych Ward featuring an all-star cast of Melbourne musicians, Davey Lane (You Am I), Link Meanie (The Meanies) and Matt Cotter (Even). Benny calls in to Radio City ahead of the first ever shows with The Psych Ward at The Gem on September 20 and Trash Cult in Bendigo on September 21.

Local country and honky-tonk band James Ellis and the Jealous Guys have just released the first taste from the band's forthcoming album, 'The Party Might Be Over.' The band’s new single 'Don't Drink All By Yourself (If You Can't Be Drunk Alone)' was recorded in Nashville and features an array of Nashville’s finest musicians. Tune in to Swinging Doors as James drops by to chat with Ernie about the new album.

Following on from their 2017 release 'John Lee Hooker's World Today,' Hugo Race and Michelangelo Russo have released '100 Years.' Recorded in a two-day live studio session, '100 Years' focuses on the duo's sonic alchemy with electric harmonica, echoing guitars, smoky vocals and primal beats in a hypnotic wall of sound suspended in time and space celebrating endurance and redemption, hand-made from ancient roots. Hugo and Michelangelo join Michael at Junkyard to talk about the album.

Local quartet Captain Darling weave together traditional Irish and Scottish tunes with lesser-known gems from the Breton and Cornish traditions. They visit​ the Global Village to play some music from their new album 'Live and Kicking' in the lead-up to its launch at the Evelyn Hotel on September 29. Composer Ben Deane-Johns chats about the group's history and repertoire.

The artistic collective known as WORKER & PARASITE have released a new single 'Sound Advice.' Members of WORKER & PARASITE join comrade Brooke on Homebrew to inform listeners of the release of new educational material to benefit the Global Proletariat.

Vocalist for Connecticut metalcore band Boundaries, Matt McDougal speaks to Ryan about their third album 'Death Is Little More,' upcoming first Australian tour opening for UK metalcore giants While She Sleeps and plans for the rest of 2024.

Drummer for Philadelphian alternative metal band CKY, Jess Margera talks to Ryan about the band's beginnings alongside his brother Bam of CKY (video series) and Jackass fame, their upcoming new album 'New Reason To Dream' and co-headlined the tour of Australia in February 2025 with Alien Ant Farm.

Meanjin-based MZAZA brings their multimedia show based on their 2020 album 'The Birth and Death of Stars' to Victoria. Drawing inspiration from history’s philosophers and astronomers, MZAZA goes on a surreal voyage through the ether to explore what links us to each other. Prior to their Naarm appearance at the Moonee Ponds Clocktower Theater on October 5, members of MZAZA visit the Global Village to play some live music and talk about the musical extravaganza.

In 1977, two Voyager probes set off to explore the solar system and beyond, each carrying a coded message for extraterrestrial life on a unique Golden Record. Following on from the critically acclaimed ‘Hubble’ project, Basement Spaceman returns with this new highly original ‘off planet’ show 'Voyager And The Golden Record.’ Basement Spaceman joins Crispi to talk about the album and its album launch at the Wesley Anne on October 12.