Interviews

Joining Claire Dickson for an intimate, live in-studio performance this February 2 is local atmospheric pop trio Hydroplane. Having released their new album, 'A Place In My Memory Is All I Have To Claim' late last year - their first music after more than two decades of radio silence - Andrew Withycombe, Kerrie Bolton, and Bart Cummings return to the gentle, close-quarters musical world they shared around the turn of the century. Tune in from 8am to hear this ambient, electronic performance.

'Homophonic!' is Melbourne's annual celebration of queer composers and a regular part of the Midsumma Festival, and local double bassist and Artistic Director of the event Miranda Hill will join Ian on the show. Now in its 16th year, 'Homophonic!' brings a tremendous array of LGBTQI+ composers to Melbourne audiences, including the annual Pride Prize for a newly commissioned work by an Australian queer composer. As the Festival describes itself, 'Homophonic!' is, "classical music, but gayer".

Joining Milo Eastwood for a Studio 5 Live performance is Adelaide formed, Melbourne-based outfit No News. Following two recent standout sets at Sonder Festival and Strawberry Fields last year, No News will be sharing their genre-blurring, two-piece band blending live jazz with house and breakbeat energy to The Breakfast Spread listeners. Ahead of their show at The Night Cat on February 7, Milo catches up with the band about their biggest headline show to date. 

'The World is not Yours' is the debut album from local blackened grinding death band, MUNT. Across thirteen relentless tracks, the band forges black metal, death metal, grindcore, hardcore, and noise into a dense slab of raw aggression, sharpened by a bitter philosophical edge. Tune in to Burning Bitumen as Kene catches up with the band about the new record.

Tune in to the second half of Sunglasses After Dark as Phil catches up with Japanese/Australian band Mach Pelican to talk about their new 7" vinyl single, 'Remember It?' (Side A) and 'Summer Sun' (Side B). Their first recorded music in 20 years, Mach Pelican formed in Perth in the ’90s before later moving to Melbourne. Tune in to hear about the trio’s show at The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar on January 31.

Listen in to Sunglasses After Dark this Thursday as Phil MacDougall catches up with Steven Shane McDonald, bass guitarist for US rock band Redd Kross. Two months out from the band’s joint Australian tour with The Hard-Ons, Phil and Steven chat about Redd Kross’ new documentary, 'Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story'; the new book, 'Now You’re One of Us: The Incredible Story of Redd Kross'; the band’s latest self-titled double album; and their show at The Thornbury Theatre on March 14.

The Sacred Cowboys are about to release their first album in 19 years - 'In The Manifesto'. It’s a complex, atmospheric soundtrack with Gray’s cool delivery over sometimes sparse, sometimes weaving guitars and rich harmonies. Channeling a Sonic Youth ethos and grinding the gears in the engine room of the Cosmos Factory, ‘In the Manifesto’ is as wide and expansive as the Australian desert skies. Tune in as Michael catches up with Garry Gray and Mark Ferrie about their show at The Tote on Feb 14. 

On February 7 at the Coburg RSL club, local group The Wellingtons will be delivering their pop feel goods. Their sixth album 'Baby Moon' follows 2017’s 'End of the Summer', and marks a new chapter for the band - one that embraces getting older, exploring other interests, and raising kids, while still holding tight to their signature blend of memorable melodies and lyrical bite. Tune in to Radio City as Crispi catches up with Zac and Kate about the band's upcoming album launch show.

Ahead of their Victorian debut at Miscellania on January 30th, Sydney trio Th Blisks celebrates a re-issue of their 2022 LP 'How So?' thanks to local label Efficient Space's desire to recirculate this fog-thick dubby and paranoid trip-hop record beyond its original 150-copy confines. Two of the band's three members, Amelia Besseny and Cooper Bowman, join Milo for an unmissable round of Musical Chairs. Tune in early on Thursday morning to hear more.

Since forming out of south London in 2017, Dry Cleaning have captivated audiences worldwide with their quirky lyrics and unconventional pop songwriting. Their new album, 'Secret Love', has just been released, and is their finest expression yet of the profound friendships that underpin Dry Cleaning - between frontperson Florence Shaw, guitarist Tom Dowse, drummer Nick Buxton, and bassist Lewis Maynard. Tune in as Lyndelle catches up with Florence and Lewis about the new album.

Beyond The Sea are Belinda Gibson on uke and Michelle Lewis - guitar, accompanied by Andrew Barcham - double bass, and Mark Pottenger - mandolin. Beyond the Sea has developed a lovely blend of folk and bluegrass tunes, featuring sweet delicate melodies and weaving harmonies. This week they drop in to chat to Jan, and to play an intimate live set on-air.

Jahred Gomes, vocalist for seminal US nu-metal group (Hed) P.E joins Ryan on Tyrannocoreus. Chatting about the band’s upcoming Australian tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their breakthrough album 'Broke', tune in to hear about their 17th studio album and what the band has in store for 2026.

Since launching in early 2023, metallic hardcore punk band Better Lovers has risen to global prominence at a pace as blistering as their chaotic music. After tearing it up all around the world for the last two years and ripping out their album 'Highly Irresponsible' in 2024, the group will finally make their Australian debut this month. Guitarists Jordan Buckley and Will Putney join Ryan on Tyrannocoreus, tune in to hear about their show at Max Watt's Melbourne on January 28.

Tune in to Pojama People as Chris Pearson is joined by local doom metal band VVarp. Their 2025 release, 'Power Held In Stone' is an imagined soundtrack for a folk horror film that exists only in the collective imagination. It tells the story of rebellion against invading oppressors, of doors beyond our perception, how old ways clash with new, of the terror before the dawn, and of souls trapped in stone communicating through the generations. Listen in to find out about their next live shows.

Tune in to Firewater this Tuesday as Claire Stuchbery catches up with US singer Matt Caughthran from LA punk bands Mariachi El Bronx and The Bronx. Born more than two decades ago, the bands have since carved out an impressive career of its own, drawing on the band’s deep connection to the Hispanic music and culture of their Los Angeles home. Tune in from 5pm to hear about the show happening at the Forum on March 3.

A passionate vinyl collector who discovered the world of records six years ago - a turning point in her life - Margot’s experience at Fréquence, a cocktail bar in Paris, allowed her to work alongside inspiring individuals who introduced her to an incredible music scene. There, she encountered renowned European DJs who shaped her musical tastes and continue to influence her approach to music today. Tune in to Dounya as DJ Matab catches up with Margot about her love for music.

Locally based party group Succulent Funk champions underground sounds that speak to the soul. Built around community and grounded in house, disco, funk and soul - but never confined by them, it’s a space for shared moments, open minds and dancers moving together. Tune in to Boogie Beat Suite as MzRizk is joined by Jasper, chatting about 'Three Years Of Succulent Funk' at Quadraphonic Club on January 30, along with a special guest mix.

Experimental jazz artist Horatio Luna is back in action, gearing up for a show at The Night Cat with Erica Tucceri, On-Ly, and Orbit. Expect deep grooves, heavy vibes, and late-night energy on Thursday, January 29 from 9pm. Ahead of the show, Mike Gurrieri catches up with Horatio Luna - tune in to hear about his recent musical endeavours. 

Vocalist dedicated to communication, connection and flow, local vocalist Jenny Barnes has carved out a distinct musical identity, captivating audiences with her raw energy, depth and connection. Local legend Duré Dara (OAM) is an improvising percussionist in her early 80s and has been a stalwart member of Naarm’s improvised music community for decades. Tune in to Deeep Space as Lloyd Briggs is joined by Jenny and Duré. 

Tune in as Ian catches up with Tahlia Palmer, aka Amby Downs - an Australian indigenous multi-disciplinary artist, now based locally. Working with field recordings and sound art to create stories connected to place and histories of ancient indigenous life alongside colonised destruction of land, they’ll be discussing the importance of her own indigenous heritage, along with erasure of that in the context of the European-dominated culture in which she was raised, and how this influences her art.