Interviews

Igniting the stage in style with tailored suits and garage-rock tunes is Japanese band, The Bawdies. This year marks the band's 20th anniversary, and to celebrate, they've released 'Popcorn', their latest album which they're touring around Japan and popping over to Melbourne's Northcote Social Club for a show on Dec 6. Tune in to Radio City as Crispi and lead singer Roy Watanabe chat about the upcoming show.

Winner of an Australian Folk Alliance award in 2021, Kris Mizzi has captured the hearts of audiences around the country with his moving songs and imaginative stories. Kris is back in Melbourne to perform at Wesley Anne in Northcote this week, then at the Lomond, Brunswick next week. This Thursday Kris calls in to chat to Susi about his unique brand of acoustic folk and intimate storytelling.

The seventh studio album of 3x ARIA Award-winning singer, songwriter, musician and producer Sarah Blasko has just been released. It's an album that reflects on goodbyes, grief, new beginnings, and friendship, which all wraps under the album's name 'I Just Need To Conquer This Mountain'. Sarah Blasko joins Milo on The Breakfast Spread, tune in as she chats about the new album, and takes a turn on the Musical Chairs.

Local metalcore band The Last Martyr is fronted by powerful vocalist Monica Strut. The band touch on electronic, trap and emo influences which you can immerse yourself in at Revolver Upstairs on the 25 Jan as they open up for Future Static. Monica stops by Tyrannocoreus, tune in to hear Ryan chat with her about the band’s latest EP ‘Requiem’ and a recent Facebook hacking scandal.

Thriving in the vibrant peninsula music scene is hardcore band, Fever Shack. The five piece from Frankston have a new EP on the horizon called ‘Not F**kin’ About’, with plans to tour the East Coast in February. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus as band members Lachie and Jake drop in to chat with Ryan about Fever Shack's current events.

‘Backward Alchemy’ is the new record soon to be released by Nipaluna/Hobart hardcore punk band Threats. We can expect to hear more dizzying drums, fast riffs and words of introspection on the album, as heard in their latest single ‘Hurricane’. Tune in as Matt, Kane and Dale drop in to Tyrannocoreus to chat with Ryan about the new record and their aspirations to tour the mainland in 2025.

Chaining together the most potent aspects of various influences, from the darkest catacombs of rock and roll to unique and aggressive sounds is Californian band New Skeletal Faces. 'Until the Night' is the name of their new album, and the band chat with Kene about the new sound they’ve created for this release. Listen in to Burning Bitumen to hear from the band.

In the depths of the night, Scratch N Sniff and Moondogz are coming in to Burning Bitumen for a guest mix and road trip special. Tune in to hear more.

The ambient sound of a 12 string overlayed with distorted guitars and vocal harmonies is the sound of Jumpin’ Jack William. He’s a generous guy, offering his music for free download on Bandcamp and he’ll be playing at Shotkickers soon. Tune in to Pojama People to hear when Jumpin’ Jack William’s next show will be.

The new folk-rock record from local 6-piece The Great Divides has just come out, and it’s titled ‘(I’m sure)’. Compared to the likes of a second hand bike, a little bit janky, yet you can’t help but love it – the album explores themes of isolation, city living and finding a way through any obstacle. The band come in to Underground Love to hang with Jordan, tune in as they chat about the debut album out on Spoilsport Records.

‘Recently I’ve Been Missing The Colour Green’ is a collection of six songs that local musical duo Acacia and Winnie have been working on over the past few years. Fresh off the back of the EP release and launch at The Merri Creek Tavern, the duo chat to Jordan and perform a couple of live songs. Tune in to Underground Love for some pastoral folk and indie rock sounds from Acacia and Winnie.

Melbourne-based bluegrass trio Northern Shiners feature Daniel Watkins on guitar, Justin Vilchez on mandolin, and James Taylor on bass. Known for their lively performances, they play weekly gigs around Melbourne and enjoy bringing their take on bluegrass and country standards to a wide range of listeners. Tune in to Southern Style for a festive, live performance from the band.

Named after Urdu word loosely translated as 'whatever/whoever', Jaubi (pronounced 'Jaw-Bee') is an instrumental band from Pakistan that has people sonically captivated. Their debut album 'Nafs at Peace' was globally recognized as one of the best albums for 2021, and their latest release 'A Sound Heart' is a spiritual jazz journey through different types and stages of love. Mike catches up with the band, tune in for a mystical Studio 5 Live performance.

Known for both her solo work and as front woman for 30/70, Allysha Joy is the deeply-expressive singer, songwriter, producer & keys player whose husky soulful voice, formidable Fender Rhodes prowess and raw poeticism shines through on recent album 'The Making of Silk'. Ahead of her album showcase at The Nigh Cat on December 12th, Allysha joins Mike Gurrieri in the studio for a morning chat.

Blues-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Hamish Anderson has opened for rock legends B.B. King, Gary Clark Jr and George Thorogood to name a few. He's just released his third album 'Electric', a 'love letter to the electric guitar', that is presented with a nostalgic '70s blues rock feel. Tune in to Transfigurations for a chat between Lucas and Hamish, talking about his new album and performing a couple of live tunes.

One of the most exciting names in dance music at the moment, Munich-based artist Polygonia (real name Lindsey Wang) is finally making her long awaited debut down under. A prolific producer, known for her intricate percussion and organic, forest dwelling soundscapes, Polygonia brings her musical palette of groovy, trippy techno and bass music to Miscellania on December 6th to celebrate Midgar Records' 10th anniversary. She joins Bevin tonight on The Blend for a chat about her musical practice.

A Latino Fiesta with 100% Latino line up is taking place on Dec 2 for 'CALENTURA: El Gran Mono Meets Bellaqueo'. Sets from DJs Walla C, Mad Rhythm B2B Zafiro, Slim Shady, and  Lorena Lee will be pumped through Colombia’s Picó sound system, a fluorescent speaker stack that will send bass ripples through the MPavilion. Tune in to Headhunters for a special guest mix of Reggaeton, Champeta, Cumbiaton and Baile Funk from the DJ line up.

Naarm based project 'Majak Door' are influenced by a broad range of genres, from surf-rock to 60's psychedelia, to dream pop and tropical lo-fi. Earlier this year the band released their album 'Fantasy Camp', and this Dec 6 the five-piece will drop 'Everybody's Listening to the Radio Now'. With a Europe/UK tour in the works along with a 40th wedding anniversary performance on the horizon, the band stop by Homebrew to chat with Brooke about their current movements.

Taking the audience on a journey through the sounds of West Africa is Melbourne-based griots, The Mandé Spirit. With members from Mali, Gambia and Guinea, the group pays homage to the late, legendary kora maestro Toumani Diabaté through kora melodies and evocative storytelling. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread for a special Monday morning performance from Aboubacar and Mohamed.

The annual Melbourne Women's International Jazz Festival (MWIJF) runs from December 7-15. To help celebrate, Gerry Koster presents an intimate live-in-studio performance from vocalist Louisa Rankin accompanied by the Melbourne Amplified Strings - Xani Kolac, violin and Anita Quayle, cello. Tune into Dizzy Atmosphere to hear this unique collaboration and to find out more about the program for the 2024 MWIJF.