Interviews

Synth ambassadors Birdsnake create their own brand of psychedelic infused downtempo electronica, exploring the line between digital and organic. Since their 2023 debut EP 'Birdsnake Begins', they've been busy playing at musical festivals across the country, and supported Pachyman on his recent visit. Stopping by The Breakfast Spread for a round of Musical Chairs with Milo, tune in to hear about their new single 'Rare Amulet', along with their show at The Curtain Hotel on July 26.

The Maes bring contemporary folk, lush harmonies and acoustic mastery to Down By The River for a few live tracks followed by an interview with Lauren. Born in Victoria Australia, the sisters grew up emersed in a melting pot of music from around the world washed up on stolen land. The Maes are outstanding live, with engaging storytelling and spinetingling harmonies. With echoes of Gillian Welch and The Waifs, there is a timeless luminescence and simplicity to the sound of Maggie and Elsie Rigby.

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Mandy Connell is passionate about the breadth of folk music, working on solo projects as well as with larger bands such as the Stray Hens, where she reworks contemporary and trad folk ballads. Beyond performance and production, Mandy hosts a YouTube series called 'An Otherwise Quiet Room', presenting insightful interviews and showcasing musicians in unique social spaces. The diverse artist comes in to chat with Lauren about her dynamic show and career.

Eora's Bryan Estepa joins Crispi on Radio City, diving into his latest release 'I See It Now', out June 27 via Lilystars Records. With over two decades in the Australian independent music scene, Estepa has built a reputation for heartfelt songwriting and rich melodic craft. Across seven acclaimed studio albums and countless tours through Australia, Europe, the US, Japan and the Philippines, he’s quietly carved out a legacy as “one of Sydney’s best kept secrets.”

Sean McMahon of The Owls stops by Radio City ahead of the band's stacked weekend of shows: Merri Creek Tavern on August 1, Tanswell's Hotel in Beechworth on August 2, and the Bridge Hotel in Castlemaine on August 3. With over a decade of writing, recording and performing, Sean has honed his craft as a musician who weaves poetic lyricism with timeless sounds inspired by classic vintage folk, rock and cosmic country. The frontman chats to Crispi about The Owls' latest offering, 'Gilded Morning'.

The Australian cosmic cowboy and interstellar troubadour Ben Mastwyk is fast approaching launch time for the release of his fourth album, 'Let Me At The Night', on July 18. Mastwyk's latest single is the title track, capturing the restless spirit of someone yearning to break free from isolation and return to the vibrant nightlife they once knew. Bringing in his acoustic guitar, tune in to Swinging Doors for some live, heartfelt country ballads from Ben Mastwyk.

A happy new face in the Naarm selector circuit, Sammy Sanchez has a penchant for downtempo grooves and a cheeky appetite for the 90s and early 2000s. A versatile DJ with great taste, Sammy drops in to PBS for a guest mix on the Wheels of Steel where she shares some of her recent favourites.

Known for their compelling songs and wildly entertaining performances, Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen will be playing at the Brunswick Ballroom on July 18. Since forming in November 2000, the band have gone on to earn widespread acclaim, from headlining at the Sydney Opera House to sold-out shows on London’s West End, and playing major arts and music festivals nationally and internationally. The quintet stop by Ports of Paradise, tune in to hear them perform live.

Born in Hamilton, Victoria, and now based in the enchanting coastal town of Port Fairy, Fleur’s artistic roots trace back to her studies in sculpture, performance, and installation at the Sydney College of the Arts, where she explored themes of self-determinism and freedom. Influenced by Cat Power, Sharon Van Etten, and Fiona Apple, Fleur’s music blends cosmic country, alt-country rock, and indie pop with a distinctive touch. Tune in to 5ft High and Rising to hear about Fleur's upcoming shows.

Professor Emeritus Michael Atherton AM joins Roger to discuss his newly released autobiography, ‘Never Miss a Beat’. An accomplished composer, writer, and educator from Sydney, Atherton has been a pioneering force in Australian inter- and cross-cultural music. From self-taught guitarist to founding member of seminal groups Sirocco and Southern Crossings, his work has shaped the sonic landscape of a grassroots multicultural music movement in the Naarm pub scene.

Renowned for their boundary-defying compositions and instrumental virtuosity, Koi Kingdom’s third and most ambitious self-titled album delves into themes of friendship, loss, grief, rebirth, and joy. Showcasing a unique musical connection and shared creative vision, the group features guitarist Marcos Villalta, bassist Stephen Hornby, and award-winning saxophonist Cheryl Durongpisitkul. Tune in for a special performance from Cheryl, ahead of the band’s show at the Kew Court house on July 25.

Australian composer Wally Gunn and Homophonic! artistic director Miranda Hill join Ian on The Sound Barrier to chat about the Australian premiere of Wally’s oratorio 'Moonlite', taking place at Fitzroy Town Hall on Saturday, July 26. Scored for voices, percussion, and viola, the work tells the queer love story of 19th-century bushrangers Captain Moonlite and James Nesbitt.

Tune in to The Sound Barrier this weekend to hear composer, conductor, violist, and programmer Aaron Wyatt, and composer-percussionist Louise Devenish chat with Ian Parsons about their work. In collaboration with composer Kate Milligan, the live performance ‘Dark Oceanography’ explores the life of vulnerable oceans through immersive percussion and electronics, premiering at the Monash Performing Arts Centre on Sunday, 27 July.

Creating honest art that touches audiences is the drive behind Ella Ion's music. Hailing from Kaurna land, Ion is a is an alternative folk-rock singer/songwriter who has been playing in an array of local bands since she was 15, and was inspired after picking up classical guitar at 10, by world, folk, post-rock and jazz music. Drawing on influences of indie-rock, folk and country, her eloquent lyricism and masterful musical control delivers a cacophony of raw emotion, anchored by grit and heart.

Fiery five-piece all-girl rockers Hot Machine join Chris on Pojama People ahead of Arockalypse Now, returning for its fourth year on August 2 at the Westernport Hotel, San Remo. Formed in 2023, the Naarm-based band burst onto the scene with their debut single ‘She’s on the Money’, and haven’t slowed down since—bringing their blazing rock and roll to stages across the country. Listen in as Hot Machine talk riffs, rebellion, and getting loud at one of Victoria’s wildest regional festivals.

Combining Carl Theodor Dreyer's 1928 French silent film 'The Passion of Joan of Arc', Annika Priest on The Breakfast Spread catches up with LA composer Julia Holter about the spellbinding score she's written for this film. The event will see Holter craft an immense sonic tapestry-performed live with musicians Corey Fogel, Sarah Belle Reid and Tashi Wada, and singers of The Consort of Melbourne. Tune in to hear about this event taking place at the Melbourne Recital Centre on August 11 - 12.

Credited as being one of the first death metal groups to write songs about Viking/Scandinavian history and heritage, instead of more typical subjects like death and gore, Swedish band Unleashed are back with a new album 'Fire Upon Your Lands'. Kene and Leah catch up with founder of the band Johnny Hedlund, tune in to hear them chat about all things death metal.

An intuitive art project born from raw passion; musical ecstasy fueled by impulsive composition and enactment, Swiss band BØLZER describe their own stage experience as a form of spiritual rapture. With a name that closely translates to something like 'smasher' or 'bulldozer', the duo will be in Melbourne on August 16, playing at Max Watts. Tune in as Leah and Kene catch up with the band ahead of their Australian tour.

Ryan Kirby, vocalist for Texan metalcore titans Fit For A King speaks to Ryan about their upcoming eighth album, Europe and North America touring schedule, and their impending plans for Australian shows next January with The Plot In You. What’s a king to a god? That’s a question the band are chewing on through their heavy-as-hell new album, 'Lonely God' out August 1 via Solid State Records.

Nathan Duke, vocalist for Naarm heavy metalcore outfit Bitter Kind heads to the PBS studios to discuss the band's new two-track release 'INTROSPECTION', sharing the stage with mutual bands like Body Prison, LUNE & Vilify, and plans for the rest of 2025 and beyond.

Acid Chess Club Presents: 'Chesstivus' - Melbourne’s most unorthodox winter chess tournament at CY Venue. Taking place as part of Leaps and Bounds Festival, the tournament will be held with 64 players, each going head-to-head for a night full of feats of strength (over-the-board chaos), with live music from Wrong Way Up, DJ Possum, Adam Halliwell, and the Acid Chess Club DJs. Tune in as Benji from Chesstivus stops by The Breakfast Spread to chat about the event, taking place on July 24.

Daniel Graves, mastermind behind the 100% independent American-Austrian industrial pop act Aesthetic Perfection, joins the BBHR to discuss his newest release, a total rework of his 2005 debut album, 'Closer to Human', and being a career musician completely outside of the music industry. Tune in to hear this fascinating conversation between Daniel and Kristen.

Hailing from Naarm, Body Maintenance sounds like a band you would hear in a club in 1980s Manchester. While taking inspiration from the likes of Sisters of Mercy, The Sound and Echo and the Bunnymen, their sound is unique and unlike any other bands in the realm. Recently, the otherworldly outfit released 'Far From Here', their new project which launches at the John Curtin on August 1. Tune in to hear more from Mike, Riley Stafford (vocalist, guitarist) and James Kane (guitarist).

Coming through to Homebrew is Gareth Liddiard (guitarist, vocalist) of genre-bending four-piece Tropical Fuck Storm. In conversation with Brooke, he speaks about the band's highly anticipated recent release 'Fairyland Codex' filled with well-schooled social anarchy, snarling guitars and pulsing rhythms. The national album tour begins in November, covering Torquay, Archies Creek, Castlemaine, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney and Newcastle.

Naarm's folk-tronic act Amaru Tribe are embarking on an exciting journey to Colombia to complete production of their next EP, featuring collaborations with local and international artists. Before they depart, they're inviting the community to celebrate at an intimate farewell music gathering. Joining the line-up at The Night Cat on August 1 is multi-instrumentalist producer MOONTIDE, DJs Otorongo (Chile) and Musicaya (Columbia), plus Chinese-Australian artist QiQi. Tune in for all the details.

Naarm punk-rock heavyweights Press Club join Claire on Firewater to talk all things ‘To All the Ones That I Love’ – their brave, energetic and emotionally charged fourth album, released May 2. Known for their electrifying live presence and DIY ethos, Press Club have spent the better part of a decade pushing boundaries in Australia’s punk scene. On their latest record, they fuse the raw intensity of their early work with a more mature, textured sound, showcasing Natalie Foster’s soaring vocals.

Seedy Jeezus is a 60s psychedelic beast melded to the throbbing corpse of 70s rock – an apt description for an outfit once described as "the bearded shamen of riffology" and "the acid blotter on the tongue of Jimi Hendrix." The band found its feet in 2015 and now boasts numerous studio albums, records, and EPs. No two gigs are the same, with spontaneous jams and deviations guiding their approach to the stage. For more on their next project, 'Damned To The Depths', tune in to Pojama People.

Pizza Death are crashing into Arockalypse Now with a live set that’s as greasy as it is gnarly. Hailing from Naarm, this cult thrash-punk crew serves up blistering crossover anthems about three things: pizza, death, and—you're on the money—death by pizza. Riding high on the global buzz of their sophomore record 'Reign of the Anticrust', Pizza Death has topped Coretex Records’ charts and left sold-out crowds sauced and stunned. Catch the most brutal dinner-and-a-show experience on August 2.

Naarm-based composer and guitarist Cam Butler sits down with Lyndelle on The Afterglow for a live in-studio performance and interview. Known for his genre-blending work with electric guitar and string instruments, Cam has played in bands like Silver Ray, Cam Butler & The Shadows Of Love, and The Coralinas. He visits the show fresh off the release of his most personal album yet, ‘Spirits Flying Home’ - tune in to hear about his upcoming performance at the Merri Creek Tavern on August 3.

Naarm-based Bernadette Novembre settles into Radio City to premiere her new single 'Sliding', officially out on August 1 with a music video to accompany. The Avant-indie alt rock singer-songwriter will discuss her latest release, the launch event at the Northcote Social Club on September 13, and what's on the forecast for the rest of the year. Listen in to hear it all first on PBS airwaves.

Rick Sands from Sand Brothers, the musical project formed alongside Greg Walker, Pete Cook, Din Robers and Glen Scarlett, enter the studio to chat about their latest EP, 'Shadows In The Square' and their upcoming show supporting Bleak Squad at Meeniyan Town Hall on August 2. Expect disheveled coastal rock interconnected by thematic lyricism and elevated by the haunting violin of Dayna Roberts – more on all that on Radio City with Crispi.

Alcides Neto is a Brazilian multi-instrumentalist and composer based in Naarm. Inspired by folk music from his home country, Alcides aims to present his perspective of Brazilian music, mixing traditional styles with Brazilian contemporary jazz. He comes onto Homebrew to play a few songs and chat to Brooke about the Music In Exile show at The Night Cat on August 8 with Ausecuma Beats and NŪ.

Formed in 2022, Identity Error blends a mix of hardcore and metalcore influences fuelled by blistering riffs, pummelling rhythms, and cathartic vocals. Inspired by their local scene and international heavyweights such as Boundaries and END, Identity Error channels their passion and energy into every performance. Lachlan Ferruccio joins Ryan to discuss their debut EP 'You Still Have Tomorrow' and release show, plus working with Thirty Two Records to bring this project to classic black vinyl.

Milly Strange heads to The Breakfast Spread to perform a few stripped back acoustic songs ahead of her debut self-titled album, out August 8 via Community Music. The 8-track project reveals its tensions in full, weaving sharp emotional honesty with vivid imagery and tender moments of introspection. Milly's music thrives on contrasts – light and dark, past and present, beauty and unease. With a headline show at Northcote Social Club on September 18, don't miss this special set and interview.

It's Claire meets Claire on this edition of Firewater. Ahead of her show at the Northcote Social Club on August 28, Claire Birchall drops into the studio to chat about her upcoming set. From stunningly raw confessions to big-time rock to pop songs lavished with fuzzed out guitar, Casio and loops, Claire continues to find new ways to present her material to audiences. Come raise a glass to celebrate 20 years of great gigs and good yarns at NSC with all your PBS favourites.

Northcote Social Club is turning 20! Join us for a night of dark synths on August 28 with The Night Terrors and many other special acts. Featuring Miles Brown on haunting theremin melodies, and Sarah Lim blasting danceable darkness on vintage synthesisers, they’ve built a reputation as one of the country’s most original acts. See the band roar through material from all their albums with special guest Mitch McGregor on live drums. Miles visits Pojama People to chat about what to expect.

Australian blues and soul guitar icon Geoff Achison swings by Roots of Rhythm ahead of his 60th Birthday Gig at Memo Music Hall on August 29. Backed by his powerhouse band The Souldiggers, Geoff will celebrate his milestone with a night of blues, rock and soul, sharing the stage with genre-defying shredder Kathleen Halloran and blues master Shannon Bourne. Tune in for a chat about Geoff’s storied career, what fans can expect from this special gig, and why turning 60 is no reason to slow down.