Interviews

Eora/Sydney-based punk rock quintet FANGZ have unveiled their fierce single, 'Wide Awake.’ To celebrate the release, FANGZStock will return to The Workers Club in Fitzroy on January 25th, featuring local acts Raging Hormones, Arabella and The Heist, Damaged Goods Club, and Dear Matilda. Bass player Jameel joins Tomarch and Takla to discuss their upcoming FANGZStock festival.

Bridging the not-so-disparate worlds of hardcore, electronica, and punk, House Of Protection forges a space for boundless creativity and a community fueled by chaos. Their debut EP 'Galore' was released last year, and the band will be playing at Festival Hall with Bad Omens and Poppy on January 22nd and 23rd. Tune in to TNT as Aric Improta and Stephen Harrison join Tomarch and Takla to chat about their latest release.

At the age of 17, Luther Russell formed his first band with Bob Dylan's son, Jakob Dylan. He then went on to form The Freewheelers, followed by the start of his solo career in 1997, and later formed other musical projects such as Those Pretty Wrongs with Jody Stephens. Luther joins Crispi on Radio City; tune in as they chat about his 7th studio album, 'Happiness For Beginners', coming out on January 17th.

Producer, musician, and label head Aroop Roy has quickly become one of the most highly regarded DJs in the scene, with the likes of Mr. Scruff, Nightmares on Wax, Mele, Jamz Supernova, and many others hailing him as one of their favorite selectors. Catch him joining the dots between electronic music and borderless organic sounds at 24 Moons in Northcote on January 24th, but first, tune in to The Breakfast Spread as he shares his eclectic sounds with Milo on the Wheels of Steel.

An electrifying night of rhythm, grooves, and good vibes is about to unfold at The Evelyn Hotel as Melbourne's premier reggae band, Crown Heights, takes over the building on January 25th. Supported by Royalty Noise and Blak Roots, expect infectious beats, soulful reggae grooves, and funky rhythms all night long. Bringing their good vibes to PBS, tune in as Max and the crew chat with Jesse I about the show.

Melbourne via Berlin 3-piece Kino Motel pushes the dynamic beach goth range to extremes in both directions. Inspired by the spaces they travel through, their debut album 'Visions' conveys feelings and ideas of shifting landscapes and open-ended roads. Hot off their debut album release and extensive European tour, Ed and Rosa stop by Homebrew to chat with Brooke about their upcoming Australian tour and Melbourne show at The Curtain on the 14th of February.

‘The Moon Is In The Wrong Place’ is the latest record from Shannon and The Clams, channeling the unimaginable loss of singer-bassist Shannon Shaw’s fiancé in a car accident just weeks before their wedding. Produced by Dan Auerbach, it’s a holistic exploration of grief and celebration, which the band shares with PBS during a Studio 5 performance. Tune in as Claire catches up with the band following this emotionally charged, high-energy performance.

Brisbane nu-metal band Headwreck have developed a different style to writing with their new producer, Chris Lalic. Guitarist and bassist of the band, Jamo and Dayne, come into Tyrannocoreus to share this new approach with Ryan, along with their upcoming EP and Australian tour with Windwaker, Thousand Below and Diamond Construct.

'Is This How I Die?’ is the debut album from Sydney's sad-party-punk band Clay J Gladstone. The band took the new album on tour with Sienna Skies earlier this year, and has plans for an upcoming headline tour sometime soon. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus to hear about the band's latest release.

Getting back together for a very special show at MEMO Music Hall on February 9th, and returning to their spiritual home of St Kilda, is Zydeco Jump, the blues band that's been around since 1989. It will be the first time in 30 years that the extraordinary multi-instrumentalist and singer, Gerry Hale, joins the band, and they promise it will be a night to remember. Tune in to Jumpin' The Blues as Gary and George pop in to play some live tunes for Tom Sianidis.

Three-piece, indie group of old friends Julia Jacklin, Elizabeth Hughes, and Ryan K Brennan, Phantastic Ferniture is beyond thrilled to announce their 2025 reunion tour, ‘Fronds Forever.’ They'll be in Melbourne for two shows at The Night Cat on the 31st of January and 1st of February, but first, ARIA Award-winning artist Julia Jacklin pops by The Breakfast Spread to play a round of Musical Chairs with Milo. Tune in to hear her selection of tunes.

Emphasising the importance of taking care of land, water, and wildlife, the forthcoming album 'NYAA WA' from duo Charlie Needs Braces means 'take care' in Charlie’s mob’s GuriNgai language. Their second album highlights the need to keep culture alive, tell stories, and preserve sacred sites from development. Set for release on 20 February, tune in as Charlie and Miri pop by Radio City to chat with Crispi about the new album and their performance at St Kilda Festival on the 15th of February.

At the beginning of the nineties, Boston band Come could seem like the negative of all the currents that were dominating the American circuit. Today, their albums 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and 'Near Life Experience' are considered cornerstones of the nineties, with the band being hailed as masters of rough aesthetics and indie ethics. Michael catches up with lead vocalist and guitarist Thalia Zedek - tune in to hear about the band's show at Northcote Social Club on February 15th.

Crafted in Melbourne's outer suburbs, 'Pepperpot Magic' is the debut album from dreamy-folk singer-songwriter Bec Sykes. Inspired during a time of intense personal development, the album reflects her religious upbringing and leaving an unhealthy relationship. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread as Bec shares her raw talent and soulful wisdom with Claire in a special Monday morning performance.

Channeling their varied, wild upbringings into a fresh blend of dreamy, guitar-soaked, eerie alt-rock, Wet Season is a DIY 4-piece hailing from a couple of idyllic, coconut-lined Queensland towns. Coming into Homebrew to play tracks from their new album 'Here Now, Gone There'—a record written between a tropical studio in the hills of Kin Kin and the Gold Coast—tune in to hear this live Studio 3 performance, happening on the day of the album's release.

Taking inspiration from the jazz fusion movements of the '70s and '80s, Tamil Rogeon’s new album 'Wave Theory' joins forces with heavyweights from Melbourne’s thriving jazz scene to create textured soundscapes rich with cosmic synths, extended forms, soaring vocals, and deep jazz funk. The Melbourne-based, multifaceted jazz, classical, and electronic violin and viola player stops by Headhunters to chat with Elle about the album launch at The Night Cat on February 7th.

The swap-blues powerhouse band Opelousas' second album, 'OPELOUSAFRIED', was recently named one of PBS's top 10 albums for 2024. Keeping the momentum going, the band comes into Radio City to perform a few live tracks ahead of their show, Live at City Hall: Sunday Sounds, on February 9th. Tune in to hear Ali and Shorty perform live in Studio 3.

Playing the traditional Are’Are’ music from his home island of Malaita in the Solomon Islands, is artist Charles Maimarosia. With Melbourne as his new home, he’s releasing his upcoming album 'Hote’ Hote’' in February and playing a show at Odessa at Leaves in Creswick on February 8th, along with George Lane on Saturday, February 15th. Tune into Global Village as Charles talks with Roger about his music, followed by a demonstration of his songs and instrumental pieces.

Playing innovative yet old-time tunes is local 4-piece band Double Dole Stringband. With a sound that's both sweet and rowdy, the band has become a familiar face at venues around Naarm, along with folk festivals across the country. Tune in to Southern Style as Jan brings them in for some live, old-time music.

Immersed in the Australian and US music landscapes, ARIA-nominated singer-songwriter and visual artist Sherry Rich has been mixing up a powerful musical brew of roots, country, folk, and rock since 1985. To celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, she’s putting on a show at George Lane on February 14th with her husband Rick Plant, along with other musical couples: Jeff Lang & Alison Ferrier, and Suzannah Espie & Jack O'Dell. Tune in to Radio City as Sherry pops in to talk about the lovely evening.

Created by award-winning artist Mindy Meng Wang, and sound technologist and composer Monica Lim, 'Opera for the Dead (祭歌)' is inspired by Chinese mourning rituals but speaks to our common experiences of death, mourning, and ancestry. This breathtaking contemporary Chinese cyber-opera will be running as part of Asia TOPA from the 20th of February - 10th of March at Space 28, University of Melbourne. Tune in to Deeep Space as Mindy and Monica chat with Lloyd about their epic new work.

Storming out of Melbourne with their debut, self-titled EP is the new four-piece rockers, Hexham Heads. ‘Say It Again’ is the first single to drop from the EP, and the band will be playing a residency at Shotkickers every Wednesday in March. Tune in to Radio City as Van Walker and Mic Hubbard catch up with Crispi ahead of the new release.