Interviews

Known for her fiery guitar work and unflinching honesty, Kathleen Halloran’s new single 'Cost of Living' is a soul-baring track that cuts to the heart of what it means to live a creative life on your own terms. It’s a song not just for musicians, but for anyone chasing a dream in a world that doesn’t hand out roadmaps. Dropping in to Roots of Rhythm to chat with Helen about the new release, tune in to hear more - including the details on Kathleen's show at Shotkickers that night.

Mitch Jones of legendary Sydney noise/industrial/experimental electronica band Scattered Order joins the Bleeding Black Hearts Revue to talk about keeping it fresh for over four decades and their new album 'Continue'. Accompanied by live visuals from the 'LIVING SCIENCE Dept', their show at Nighthawks on August 30 promises a mind-warping experience not to be missed.

Launching his new album 'Lift!', Izzy Rodin has three special shows at Wax Music Lounge on September 14, 21, and 28. Having assembled a nine-piece band of wonders, this flamboyant and captivating performance features swathes of Latin percussion, dense vocal arrangements, and quirky guitars and synthesizers. Coming into Radio City, tune in to hear about Izzy’s new collection of songs, spanning bossa nova, psychedelica, folk, and hip hop.

In a gloriously unabashed Antipodean drawl, bush balladeer Watty Thompson explores themes of inward and outward love, togetherness, and a desire to strive and live beyond the material. It’s affirming, joyous, and inspiring, all played out against a background of rollicking, country-flavoured Australiana folk. Tune in to Swinging Doors as Ernie catches up with Watty ahead of his performance at Darebin Arts Centre - as part of the FUSE Festival in September.

The new local four-piece of true art-rock royalty, Bleak Squad - featuring Mick Turner (Dirty Three, Mess Esque), Mick Harvey (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey, The Birthday Party), Adalita (Magic Dirt), and Marty Brown (Art of Fighting) have released their second single, 'Strange Love', from their upcoming debut album. On October 16 the band will play at Melbourne Recital Hall - but first, Michael Mulholland catches up with Adalita, Mick Turner, and Marty Brown about the record.

For the first time, Aotearoa/New Zealand surf rock group THE CTHULUS will bring their surf/garage/rock sound to Melbourne. Playing upstairs at The Bendigo Hotel on August 29, followed by a show at Last Chance on August 31, expect heavy, reverb-drenched Dick Dale–style surf guitar shredding combined with a dark, oceanic horror vibe. Tune in to Sunglasses After Dark as Phil MacDougall chats to the band about their new single ‘WHAT LURKS BENEATH’.

Recent PBS Feature Album Crown and Country is a deeply enveloping work animated by the voice of prolific Warlpiri philosopher Wanta Jampijinpa Pawu-Kurlpurlurnu. Hailing from the community of Lajamanu, Wanta joins his father, First Contact elder Jerry Jangala Patrick OAM, and award-winning producer Marc ‘Monkey’ Peckham in this groundbreaking audiovisual work of ancestral knowledge. Ahead of the film's screening as part of Now or Never, Wanta and Monkey speak to Rick Howe on Riddim Yard.

An ode to movement as medicine – a night of deep feeling, delirious levels of up-tempo energy and full-sensory release, Logic1000 is set to play Melbourne Town Hall on August 30 as part of 'Now or Never'. Over six prolific years, the Sydney-born, Berlin-based DJ and producer has evolved into one of dance music’s most intriguing talents, known for her refined, enveloping sound. Joining Firas on Tomorrowland, tune in to hear how she’s finding life in Berlin.

Premier game audio conference High Score is a cornerstone event of Melbourne International Games Week. Bringing together composers, sound designers, and game developers at ACMI for a dynamic two-day exploration of game audio, this year’s theme, 'Turn Up the Volume,' champions the idea that game audio deserves to be heard. Taking over Android Discotheque with game music and scores under the title 'Game Jams,' tune in to hear Matt Schenkel chat with High Score conference curator Amy McNickle.

'Hard Headed Woman' is the new album soon to be released by Nashville-based artist Margo Price. With a classic sound that is both familiar and daring, Margo's music is an infectious blend of Nashville country, Memphis soul, and Texas twang. Myles catches up with Margo to talk about the new album, touching on the inspiration behind the record and when we can next see Margo Price in Australia.

Ahead of their special tribute concert at Bird’s Basement, where they’ll celebrate legendary Jamaican saxophonist Tommy McCook, Melbourne traditional ska band Ska Vendors drop in to PBS to perform live in Studio 5 on Blue Juice. Led by Melbourne saxophonist Dean Hilson, Ska Vendors will present Hilson’s arrangements of McCook’s timeless ska and reggae classics. Tune in as Mohair Slim catches up with the band following their special Studio 5 Live performance.

Legendary Swedish musician and teacher Mats Edén is deeply rooted in the traditions of Värmland, and has been a leading figure in developing Swedish traditional music since the 1970s. A master of both violin and accordion, his folk band Groupa has been crafting rich harmonies for over 40 years. Mats will be presenting a house concert in West Heidelberg on September 4, in support of two families in Gaza. Tune in as he joins the Global Village to talk about his music, career, and traditions.

Adelaide-based Iranian musician Maryam Rahmani unveils her debut album 'KAMAND', weaving Persian music with flamenco and experimental sounds. Rooted in tradition but driven by improvisation and cultural fusion, the album features an ensemble of boundary-pushing collaborators. A spellbinding dialogue between santur and flamenco footwork, 'KAMAND' draws from Maryam’s deep cultural heritage while embracing new sonic terrain. Tune in to hear Roger catch up with Maryam Rahmani about the new album.

To celebrate the release of 'From A Darebin Cave', Cantrips brings together a 7-piece band for one night only, performing the album in full, just as it was recorded. Drawing on acid folk, cinematic soul, and ’70s grooves, experience these lush, intimate compositions live in their full arrangement. Stopping by Homebrew to play a few acoustic songs from the album, tune in to hear Cantrips chat with Brooke about his upcoming show at Northcote Social Club on September 5.

Born in New Zealand and formed in London, Flamingo Pier are a globally recognised act blending house, disco, funk, and jazz. Fusing live instrumentation with electronic production, they deliver an energetic, soulful sound made for both dancefloors and home listening. Their 2019 self-titled EP earned acclaim, with tracks featured on BBC Radio 1, KEXP, and Netflix’s 'Good Girls'. Now, they make their Melbourne debut on September 6 at The Night Cat. Tune in as Elle catches up with the trio.

To celebrate 20 years of Ear Of The Behearer, some of the city’s finest and most inventive improvise musicians are coming together to cook up fresh, never-before-heard creations. Kicking off at midnight, join Paul Kidney as he celebrates two decades of noisy free jazz and wild sonic explorations on Ear Of The Behearer.

Local band Body Prison are bringing their relentless yet innovative sound of deathcore to Tyrannocoreus this September for a Studio 5 Live performance. Following their appearance at Good Things Fest last year, the four-piece recently dropped their sophomore album 'Everything You Never Wanted to See' in February. Tune in to hear Ryan chat with the band about their upcoming tour with Gravemind and Melting.

In the year of his 102nd birthday, a stellar lineup of musicians will celebrate Hank Williams’ extensive catalogue of country classics. Fronted by Chris Jacobs on bluegrass-tinged vocals, the band features roots musician Peter Baylor on guitar, Peter Fidler on steel guitar, Cat Moser on fiddle, and Mike St Clair Miller on double bass. Together, their sound offers a faithful interpretation of Hank’s unique musical legacy. Tune in to hear Peter Baylor chat with Helen about the show on September 7.

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.

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.