Interviews

In 1994, Ashley Naylor formed the indie rock group Even. Now, he's set to release his fifth solo album, 'Alexandria Sunset'. Also known for playing guitar in The Church, The Stems, Paul Kelly’s band, and the RocKwiz Orkestra, Naylor’s new album dives deep into the classic stylings of the late ’60s and ’70s that have always inspired him. Tune in to Radio City as Crispi and Ashley chat about the new record.

An innovative force in the independent music scene since the mid-’80s, Jon Spencer returns to Australia this Spring for the first time in a decade. The underground alt-indie-punk icon and primal rock ’n’ roll preacher will perform with his fantastic new group, as they tear through selections from their 'SICK OF BEING SICK!' mini-LP, along with a heaping helping of Pussy Galore, Blues Explosion, Heavy Trash, and HITmaker nuggets! Tune in to Junkyard as Michael chats with Jon ahead of his tour.

Known for his roaring live shows and true to life songwriting, Jesse Daniel has earned his place among the heavy hitters of today’s country music scene. With a sound that’s uniquely his own, his fifth studio album 'Son of the San Lorenzo' features collaborations with Charles Wesley Godwin, along with instrumentation from Charlie McCoy, Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Peter Keys, and SteelDrivers banjo player Richard Bailey. Tune in to hear Myles chat with Jesse before he tours Australia in October.

Born in Iran and now based on Gadigal land (Sydney), Hamed Sadeghi is a multi-award-winning Persian-Australian tar player and composer. As the founder and lead composer of Eishan Ensemble, Sadeghi has released three critically acclaimed albums and toured extensively across Australia, Asia, and Europe. On his way home after their performance in Hawthorn, Hamed drops into the Global Village to talk about the integration of Persian music and jazz, and the finer points of tar playing.

On Thursday, September 11, Olza will bring together music, fashion, and community at North Fitzroy's Sanguin Studios. The evening will feature a vinyl DJ set, an intimate live performance by Olza, and the official video screening of her single "sleepingpeacock", a song sparked by a dream, marking a moment of creative awakening. But first, Olza comes in to Homebrew. Tune in to hear a selection of tracks she’s curated for the show, followed by a catch-up with Brooke.

At the heart of local group Private Mountain, is a 14-year friendship, a collaboration built on trust, shared language, and relentless curiosity. Produced, written, and mixed entirely at home by lifelong friends Tom Atkinson and Tom Pleasance, their debut record 'Heart On Sleeve, 10,000 Better Days' captures the messy beauty of survival. Tune in to Underground Love to hear David Pisker chat with Tom Atkinson about the new record, blending lo-fi indie, folk-pop, soul, and garage sounds.

Since forming in 2017, Northern NSW–based heavy psych rockers Turtle Skull have been carving out their own niche of crushing riffs, stacked vocal harmonies, and dense synthscapes. Hitting like a lightning bolt wrapped in a velvet curtain, they'll be bringing their explosive live set to Studio 5 Live this September. Tune in to Pojama People to hear Chris Pearson chat with the band about their latest album, 'Being Here'.

After quietly dissolving at the end of 2023, Melbourne post-hardcore act Alera have made a surprise comeback with their new single, 'Killing For Something'. Ryan chats with vocalist Hayden Oakley and guitarist Thomas Katgert about the breakup, performing under the pseudonym Cruelty In The Constellations, and what’s next for the band. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus to hear about their upcoming show at The Espy on September 20, along with the digital release of their redux EP, 'Beware The Snake'.

The new EP 'Terraform' from local metalcore band Outer Worlds showcases the band’s melodic yet technical skills, delivering tracks that are heavy and filled with raw emotion. Members of the band join Ryan on Tyrannocoreus discussing their time on the road with Arkangel, War Bear and Space Goat, tune in to hear what Outer Worlds have planned for the rest of 2025.

'Out of Sight' is Guy Blackman’s first solo album in 17 years, a long-awaited follow-up to his 2008 release 'Adult Baby'. As a solo artist, Guy has shared stages with artists ranging from Joanna Newsom to Stereolab and Beach Fossils. His songs explore themes of love, sexuality, and commitment, which he brings to life in an intimate, stripped-back performance on The Breakfast Spread. Tune in as Milo catches up with the founder of local record label Chapter Music.

The dynamic band from Lisbon, MAQUINA have made a significant impact on the Portuguese music scene since the release of their debut album 'DIRTY TRACKS FOR CLUBBING' in 2023. Known for their high-energy performances that fuse dance culture with heavy-hook songcraft, the band quickly earned a strong reputation and have been touring non-stop ever since. While traveling through Portugal, Vasco caught up with the band at their sold-out show in Lisbon. Tune in to hear from the trio.

The debut album 'Now Would Be a Good Time' by Folk Bitch Trio tells vivid, visceral stories. These are modern, youthful songs that cut sharply through dissociative daydreams and painful breakups, sexual fantasies and media overload, all the petty resentments and minor humiliations of being in your early twenties in the 2020s. Ahead of their sold-out show at The Corner Hotel on September 13, Crispi catches up with the trio. Tune in to Radio City to hear from these vocal powerhouses.

A collaboration that began when David Bridie visited Papua New Guinea with his band 'Not Drowning, Waving' in the 1980s, this September marks the 30th anniversary of the bands landmark album 'Tabaran'. It’s also the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence. To celebrate, 'Not Drowning, Waving' will take the stage alongside musicians from PNG at the Melbourne Recital Centre’s Elisabeth Murdoch Hall on September 20. Tune in to hear David join Roger on the Global Village.

Aotearoa/New Zealand band Phoebe Rings have shimmered into orbit with their debut LP 'Aseurai'. Singer and synthesist Crystal Choi has titled the album in her Korean mother tongue, encapsulating its themes, as she explains 'Aseurai' translates to "…around you in the atmosphere, hard to reach, fading away." Phoebe Rings join Brooke on Homebrew for a Studio 5 Live performance, tune in to hear their unique dream-pop sound that blends disco and city-pop influences.

Tune in to Tyrannocoreus this September 17 as Ryan catches up with deathcore band The Rising Tide, hailing from Aotearoa/New Zealand. They’ll be chatting about their debut album 'Trauma' and their recent tour with trap metal/nu-metal band The Weight Of Silence. Listen in to find out when we can next expect to see them in Melbourne.

Tune in to Boss Action for an incredible, live acapella performance by The Bamboos vocalists, Lance Ferguson and Kylie Auldist. This year marks 25 years of the local funk and soul trailblazers, and to celebrate, they’re releasing a deluxe compilation, 'The Bamboos Best', and performing live at Northcote Theatre on September 20. From their raw, deep funk beginnings to their genre-defying evolution, tune in to hear how the last 25 years have shaped the group.

Melbourne’s three-guitar rock’n’roll power poppers The Prize have announced the imminent release of their debut album 'In The Red', out September 19 via Anti Fade Records. Since gaining global attention with their 2022 EP 'Wrong Side of Town', the band have also released a new single, 'From The Night'. Nadine Muller from the band stops by Radio City to chat with Crispi about the new album - the day before it drops.

After 14 years, The Vasco Era are back with their fourth album 'I Don't Mind', and they’re bringing their intoxicating rock energy into Sunglasses After Dark for a Studio 5 Live performance. Comprised of brothers Sid (guitar, vocals) and Ted O’Neil (bass), along with lifelong friend Michael (drums, percussion), the new album channels the raw power fans have come to expect from Vasco, blending wild, angular, ethereal moments with delicate, beautiful lightness. Tune in as Phil chats with the trio.