Interviews

DO THE POP Festival is back in the epic seaside town of Port Campbell for 2024. Spread across the weekend of April 20 and 21, the Port Campbell hotel will be packed full of epic rock n' roll bands. Mick Simpson calls by Pojama People to talk about the festival line-up.

Singers Art Alexakis of Everclear and Brendan B. Brown of Wheatus have teamed up to perform each of their bands' hits and fan favourites in an intimate acoustic setting. They'll tell in-depth stories behind their songs and interact with the audience, giving fans the opportunity to ask each of them questions. Art Alexakis joins Claire to talk about this unique experience happening at The Brunswick Ballroom on February 17.

Good Morning is the Naarm band/duo/recording-thing of Stefan Blair and Liam Parsons about to embark on a big American tour with Waxahatchee in April and May. They dropped in for a big ol' yarn with Jordan and to play a special mini-set on Underground Love. Tune in Tuesday from 3pm.

The Johnny Can’t Dance Cajun Band - will be performing on Southern Style on 13th February prior to their celebration of Cajun Mardi Gras at Open Studio Music House. Led by Craig Woodward on accordion/fiddle/vocal, Campbell Shaw on fiddle, Tom Kendall guitar and Lloyd O’Hanlon playing Cajun triangle they will play two-steps, one-steps, waltzes, blues and stomps from the swamps.

After a sold-out show at OzAsia Festival in Adelaide, Saudara Sound System comes home to Brunswick Music Festival, bringing a work of Balinese dance and music set to the mesmerising rhythms of Gamelan DanAnda, the electronic execution of artists JIWA and Joelistics, and the soulful vocals of Komang and Ria Soemardjo. Ahead of this special show at Estonian House on March 8th, Komang chats with Elle Young on Headhunters. Tune in on Monday night from 5pm.

Improvised music trailblazers and one of Australia’s great cult bands, The Necks, return to Brunswick Ballroom to share their signature immersive, hypnotic sound with their Melbourne fans. Ahead of a tour that starts in Melbourne and concludes in Byron Bay, pianist Chris Abrahams chatted with Lloyd Briggs about the band's compositional and performance practice. Tune in to Deeep Space to hear their fascinating discussion.

Ten members of The Lost Clog visit the Global Village to sing Lithuanian songs about summer and to talk about their concert at the Brunswick Ballroom with Latvian male choir Veseris on February 17.

Touted as “the most influential band you’ve never heard of,” Cymande was the first British group to headline the acclaimed Apollo Theatre in New York, tour with Al Green and call the coveted Blue Note home. Over the years, the cult status of Cymande’s music has only grown stronger. DJ Manchild had the opportunity to chat with the band ahead of their imminent first ever visit to Australia. Tune in to The Breakdown to hear their conversation.

Naarm producer Marli is part of a new breed of artist taking inspiration from the whole spectrum of electronic music. With a sound rooted in Detroit Techno and Chicago House, Marli has been putting out exquisite club tracks that tap into the various traditions of deep house, soul, breakbeat, and UKG. Ahead of the launch of her brand new EP. 'Change of Seasons,' Marli drops in to chat with Firas on Tomorrowland and to play a special guest mix. Tune in Friday arvo from 1pm.

Founded over fifteen years ago, Wolf Music has emerged as a formidable force within the realm of house music. The UK label has consistently showcased a diverse and talented roster of artists, including the likes of NZ producer Manuel Darquart who joins the label's co-chief Stu Clark when they drop in on The Breakfast Spread for an exciting Friday morning hoon on the Wheels of Steel. The pair will also chat about Wolf Music's Melbourne showcase this weekend at 24 Moons.

Melbourne garage punks Split System are readying themselves to release their second album 'Vo. 2' on February 9. Vocalist Jackson Reid Briggs calls in to Fang It to chat about the album and its launch.

Fascinated by the mythology of Americana when she was growing up in the Australian bush and in the sleepy beach town of Torquay, Mia Dyson has had a rich musical journey, from her debut album at age 22 to her most recent offering, Tender Heart. She has instilled her own music with raw passion and timeless vitality; qualities she'll share with those lucky enough to see her perform at Riverboats Music Festival in mid-February. Ahead of this show, Mia stopped by PBS for a chat with Crispi.

Singer-songwriter Kate Alexander joins Crispi on Radio City to talk about her new single 'Bubblegum' and its single launch at The Gem on February 10.

Bundjalung Country/Byron Bay Shire-based singer-songwriter Merryn Jean has crafted a genre-bending, dreamy world of soundscapes with enticing musical wisdom. Ahead of the release of her first full-length album, Dog Beach, Merryn sits down with Milo for a round of Musical Chairs. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread on Thursday morning to hear more.

Prog-rock band Cog will be hitting the road for The Vinyl Tour, which celebrates the release of their albums 'Sharing Space' and 'The New Normal' on vinyl for the first time ever. They will be playing at the Northcote Theatre on March 1st along with special guests Yomi Ship and Kodiak Empire. Drummer Lucius Borich drops in for a chat on TNT.

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes have just released their fifth album 'Dark Rainbow' and, to celebrate, they have announced their biggest tour to date. Simon from TNT spoke with Frank about the album and their Melbourne show at 170 Russell on April 19.

The Port Fairy Folk Festival is back in 2024 with a superb line-up of homegrown talent as well as prolific folk musicians from across the seas such as Graham Nash, Alice Skye, Judy Collins and many, many more. Program director Justin Rudge chats with Helen about planning the festival and some of the artists on the line-up. Tune in to Roots of Rhythm their conversation.

ONEFOUR: Against All Odds traces the meteoric rise of Australia’s first drill rap stars, defiant in the face of police efforts to stop them from performing. Director Gabriel Gasparinatos joins Annika on State of the Art to talk about the documentary.

Vocalist for Northlane, Marcus Bridge talks to Ryan about their new single 'Miasma' featuring Winston McCall (Parkway Drive), upcoming EP 'Mirror's Edge' and headline Australian tour.

Drummer Brandon Gawith of Melbourne death metal band Cemetery Urn joins Kene to talk about their upcoming show at The Leadbeater Hotel on February 10 and playing with such stalwarts of the scene.