Interviews

Palestinian pop singer-songwriter Kokym was born and raised in occupied Palestine to a family that was no stranger to musical talent. Having innovated 'Fallahi Pop,' a genre blending modern music with traditional Palestinian melodies and rural accent, Kokym released a tribute track after enduring the 2021 war that became a massive hit within Palestinian communities. Tune in to Dounya to hear DJ Matab catch up with Kokym.

Beloved indie jangle band Dick Diver is gearing up to play a string of shows at The Thornbury Theatre, their first live appearances since 2018. Forming in 2008, the band has garnered international attention for their songwriting, funny/sad lyrics, and swapping instruments and vocals during live shows. Catch members of the band chatting and performing a live song in the studio on Underground Love.

About to embark on a European and UK tour, Dr Sure’s Unusual Practice will first treat their home crowd to a preview of their European set. They'll be playing all the old and new hits (and misses), and raising a few pennies for baguettes and petrol. Tune in to Underground Love to hear from Dougal Shaw before the big international tour.

Heavy-psych purveyors Turtle Skull are taking to venues across the east coast in celebration of their new LP, 'Being Here'. A swirling kaleidoscope of meaty riffage, syrupy harmonies, and celestial synthscapes, the album dives deep into the liminal space between joy and oblivion, urging you not to escape, but to arrive. Playing at The Tote on July 26, tune in to Pojama People to hear Chris Pearson chat to the band about the new album.

The devastating force of monolithic doom band ISUA will be coming in to Burning Bitumen this July 15. Having exploded onto the Melbourne scene in 2018, the band is set to play at The Bendigo Hotel on July 19, and at Blacken Open Air Festival from September 19 - 22. Tune in from 10pm to hear the latest from this local group.

Sam Octigan, vocalist for Naarm hardcore punk legends Iron Mind, swings by Tyrannocoreus to delve into their new album 'Test Of The Iron Mind' released via Last Ride Records on June 13. Ryan and Sam will chat on the band's history and future, covering how the five-piece went from low activity to an insatiable touring beast, and exchange thoughts on the current state of the Australian hardcore scene.

Tune in to Roots of Rhythm for ‘Wordy-Gurdy’, Part II of ‘John Campbell: The Greatest Guitarist You’ve Never Heard Of’. Having checked out his idiosyncratic take on other people’s songs in Part I, Helen and Jackey will explore more of his songwriting and production, spotlighting his original songs. Listen in for more great stories of John’s incredible life, as he shook up the blues scene of the 1980s and '90s with his fiery guitar work and formidable vocals.

Tom Somerville's music career was fated. Having played with his father Peter Somerville in The Burning Bridges, covering bluegrass and old time, as well as an expanding catalogue of original songs, Tom's musicality has been a longstanding family affair. Performing since 2012, The Burning Bridges appear regularly at national festivals and at venues across Naarm with two albums to date and another on the way. As a young fiddler, Tom's current forte is traditional Appalachian music.

Burning B3 Trio is the spirited combination of Liam Kealy's Hammond b3 organ and Sammy Owen's Stratocaster, together with Tony Martin on drums. From blazing jump blues to sizzling slow blues and everything in-between, Owen and Kealy play a true "Hammond trio, traditional blues show" in every sense. Turn up the dial and settle in for an afternoon performance with all the hues of the rhythm and blues.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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’—a solo electric guitar record marked by lush distortion, looping, and deep emotional resonance.

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.

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.