Interviews

Since releasing his debut album Notes to Self in 2011, Welsh-born pianist and producer Gareth Wiecko has been busy writing music for podcasts, ballet, contemporary dance, and a number of video games. Blending a classical piano foundation with a love for electronic music, Gareth creates a distinctive, hybrid sound that you will hear in his latest work, the original soundtrack for Gunboat God. Ahead of the game's console release, Gareth chat to Matt on Game Jams.

Studio Head of TKFY (The Kids From Yesterday), Mike Roberts is behind the video game Middle City. Drawing from his background in software development and start-ups, creative writing, and audio expertise, Mike brings intimate storytelling to this new video game. Tune in to Game Jams to hear him chat with Matt about the game's themes and lo-fi soundtrack.

Junaid Eastman's music falls somewhere between ambient-folky-soundtrack vibes, with a focus on manipulating and blending recorded sounds. In the midst of his work on “All Bull”, a surreal, tragicomedy one-act play that examines Australian toxic masculinity and drinking culture, Junaid takes time to chat with Matt ahead of the play's opening at Meat Market Stables on May 5th.

Joey Lightbulb joins Lyndelle ahead of his first headline performance of the year. A one-off joyful show featuring special guests and a 5-hour set of mostly fan requests, expect controlled chaos. Tune in from 5pm this Wednesday to find out what else Lightbulb has in store for us at The Night Cat on May 9. 

Ahead of Angel Du$t′s return to Australia this week with Superheaven, Robyn sat down with vocalist Justice Tripp to talk about what went into the making of their latest album 'Cold 2 The Touch', Jim Carroll and Nick Lewis joining the band, their favourite pioneers that push the hardcore sound, and plenty more. Tune in to hear about their sold out show at 170 Russell on May 2.

Psych-rock, free-jazz band Brown Spirits are about to embark on a UK/Europe tour in May, stopping off at Freak Valley Festival (Germany) and Fuzztival (Denmark), plus a string of club shows in support of an upcoming LP reissues on Soul Jazz Records.  In celebration, Brown Spirits will be playing a special farewell show at the Bergy Bandroom on May 8, whilst also launching a strictly limited edition private press vinyl EP. Tune in to Pojama People to hear how they're doing ahead of the big tour.

Local fantasy-psych eight piece Fomora are releasing their new album ‘The Trial of Syla’. Launching the record at Bar 303 on May 1 with support from Fairtrade Narcotics, Toqui and Lunic, the band consists of Ebi Nori (Narration), Yael Zamir (Flute), Nicolaas Schroder (tenor saxophone), Eugene Stone-Marques (guitars), Oscar France (keyboards, solina), William Base (bass), Samuel Hunt (drums) and Lucky Pereira (percussion). Tune in to Mystic Brew to hear tracks from Fomora's new album.

Boundary-pushing, alternative band Fan Girl are about to release their new EP, which they’ll be chatting to Brooke about on Homebrew. Known for their explosive live shows, emotionally unpredictable and artful songwriting, the band are rapidly growing an international audience - championed by the likes of BBC Radio 6, BBC Radio 1, and KEXP. Tune in to hear about their upcoming international tour, and where we can next see them play locally. 

Joining Ian Parsons on The Sound Barrier this weekend are Gelareh Pour and Brian O’Dwyer from ZÖJ, and Claire Jager from the Castlemaine Documentary Festival. They will be chatting ZÖJ’s live film score for 'Grass: A Nation’s Battle for Life' (1925) - a film that follows the epic migration of the Bakhtiari people of Iran, which will be screening at The Capitol on May 1. ZÖJ also has a new album 'May the Devil's Ear be Deaf’, tune in to find out more about this release.

This Saturday on Electric Sunset, tune in for a live guest mix from Bleak Droids. Performing bent electronica, fractured rhythms, there will also be a live in-studio machine séance. Hosted by DJ Ides, don’t miss this special edition of the show this weekend, 10pm - midnight. 

Tune in to Jazz On Saturday for a modern, soul-jazz Studio 5 Live performance from the Jake Mason Trio. Launching their new album 'The Modern Ark' at The Jazzlab on May 8, the band features hammond organist and composer Jake Mason (Cookin’ On 3 Burners), alongside James Sherlock (guitar) and Danny Fischer (drums). Tune in to hear Andrew Young catch up with the ARIA-nominated group about their new album.

A collective dedicated to all things deep, underground and psychedelic, Terri and Bec from Spincycle Records will be coming on to Audio Vitamins. They'll be sharing an insight into their local label, talking about their past releases and doing a special guest mix for Jonny Alexander. Tune in to hear about their upcoming party at Collingwood Basement on April 25.

This Friday at The Night Cat, CaucasianOpportunities is bringing along a hand-selected team of DJs to drive outcomes across a 5-hour operational window. Expect controlled chaos, escalating energy and performance reviews conducted in real time, with outcomes including dancing and losing composure. Ahead of the show, CaucasianOpportunities joins Edd Fisher on Tomorrowland for a special, cross-genre mix of her own. 

Perth-based DJ and radio presenter EPHACY mixes all things “dance” music: house, techno, EBM, jungle, disco, and 90s prog, just to name a few directions. Tune in as EPHACY joins Edd Fisher for a guest mix while she's in town from Perth.

The beginnings of Khazurvaal stem from the late 80s, where an encounter with Bathory's seminal album 'The Return' ignited a fascination with metal's dark soundscapes. Khazurvaal joins Kene on the show, tune in to hear about his solo black metal project, and about his upcoming show at The Bergy Bandroom to celebrate '25 Yeas of Evil' on May 9.

Formed in 2019, Cult of the Night is an 80's speed metal attack duo based here in Naarm/ Melbourne. Joining Kene on the show, the band will be performing at Burning Bitumen's Birthday Bonaza '25 Years of Evil' on May 9 at The Bergy Bandroom. Tune in to hear what the first wave of black metal band has been up to recently.

Taking his DIY approach to the ultimate level, Brat Farrar comes rumbling out of a Melbourne bedroom with tunes that sound like they were recorded in 1979 over a cassette version of the first Wipers record. Leaving behind his previous life as frontman of Digger and The Pussycats, Brat Farrar has been reborn a one-man all singing all dancing, new wave machine. Stopping by Fang It! to catch up with Ruari Currin, tune in to hear about the bands on Brat Farrar's new single, 'Punk Records'.

From busking on Bourke street in 2014 to headlining sold out venues around the world, twin brothers Jack and Patrick Pierce aka the Pierce Brothers will be joining Lauren Plant on Down By The River. Having just played at Port Fairy Folk Festival, their album ‘Moonrise’ debuted at #1 on the ARIA album charts in December, and the indie folk outfit are taking their fourth studio record on tour this month. Tune in for a live set from the duo, and to hear about their show at 170 Russell on May 1.

Australian singer/songwriter Matt Corby returns to Melbourne to play the Forum in June. Celebrating the release of his fourth studio album, Tragic Magic, Corby is touring to full-houses all over the country. This week Matt makes time amidst his busy schedule to swing by Down By The River to chat with Lauren about the record and the tour.

Solo artist of the year from the 2021 'Australian Folk Music Awards', Ruth Hazleton is taking her darkfolk album 'Heronbones' to Brunswick Ballroom on Sunday, April 29. A collection of stories (both traditional and composed), Ruth draws from deep wells of folklore and trad song, reshaping these narratives through a darkfolk lens, blending electronic sampling and sound design with guitar and banjo. Ruth Hazleton joins Lauren Plant on the show to chat about the upcoming album launch.