Interviews

'Dragnet Reigns!' is the latest album from local punk-rockers Dragnet, their first release in a few years. Thematically, this album draws as heavily from the Cold War as it does from 2000s indie rock, whilst tiptoeing around the post-punk and egg punk labels, and trying to avoid the current rock'n'roll resurgence. Coming in to Underground Love to chat with David about the new album, which comes out on August 15, tune in to hear from Dragnet's Jack Reigns.

It's Claire meets Claire on this edition of Firewater. Ahead of her show at the Northcote Social Club on August 28, Claire Birchall drops into the studio to chat about her upcoming set. From stunningly raw confessions to big-time rock to pop songs lavished with fuzzed out guitar, Casio and loops, Claire continues to find new ways to present her material to audiences. Come raise a glass to celebrate 20 years of great gigs and good yarns at NSC with all your PBS favourites.

Northcote Social Club is turning 20! Join us for a night of dark synths on August 28 with The Night Terrors and many other special acts. Featuring Miles Brown on haunting theremin melodies, and Sarah Lim blasting danceable darkness on vintage synthesisers, they’ve built a reputation as one of the country’s most original acts. See the band roar through material from all their albums with special guest Mitch McGregor on live drums. Miles visits Pojama People to chat about what to expect.

USA-based band Pig Destroyer are coming back to Melbourne on September 5 to perform their bone-razor-sharp guitar and percussive pummelling grindcore at Max Watt's Melbourne. With lyrics that paint loathsome, frightening images of pitch-black self-hatred and the frailty of the human experience, tune in to Burning Bitumen to hear Kene chat with the band ahead of their Australian tour. 

This week on Tyrannocoreus, Ryan chats with Yannick Lehmann, guitarist for Swiss deathcore/beatdown band Paleface Swiss. They’ll talk about their latest album 'Cursed', which dropped in January, and reflect on their experience touring Australia last year with In Hearts Wake. Tune in to find out when you can next catch Paleface Swiss live in Melbourne.

Chicago-based progressive metalcore band Born of Osiris have just released their new album 'Through Shadows', their first release since the 2021 album 'Angel or Alien'. Vocalist Ronnie Canizaro chats with Ryan on Tyrannocoreus about the state of the band following a major lineup change, tune in to find out when we can expect to see Born of Osiris on Australian shores.

Born out of personal transformation, creative risk, and emotional release, Chitra's debut album 'You Can See It When It’s Dark' spans four years of her life. Blending soft intimacy with dramatic bursts of energy, she brings in her acoustic guitar for a special stripped-back performance on The Breakfast Spread. Immerse yourself in the sounds of Chitra this Wednesday, August 13.

Tune in to Roots of Rhythm this Wednesday morning for a special live performance from Monique di Mattina and Rebecca Barnard. Continuing their golden musical collaboration, the duo will delight fans at The Jazz Lab on August 23 with their show 'The Dao of Dylan'. Listen in from 9.30am for a sneak peek of this show, which touches on grand themes of life, the universe and almost everything else.

Australia lost one of its greatest voices when Renée Geyer passed away on 17 January 2023. For over five decades, Renée was celebrated as Australia’s queen of soul, captivating audiences with her powerful voice and uncompromising artistry. On August 22 at Birds Basement, members of her own band will come together for a special evening to honour Renée’s memory. Tune in to Roots of Rhythm as Nichaud Fitzgibbon chats with Helen about the show.

Purveyors of all things soul, Sweethearts bring fresh energy to the genre with their dynamic performances. Each musician of the 17-piece ensemble contributes unique talents, from fiery saxophone solos to delicately crafted melodic storytelling. Tune in as Vince Peach catches up with members of the band for an exclusive interview, following their mesmerising Studio 5 Live performance.

Carving out their own space within Australia's instrumental and dance scenes, Intermood’s blend of psychedelic jazz and high-energy neo-disco has risen from sold-out shows within Melbourne/Naarm’s thriving dance scene. Following the success of their debut EP 'Casuarina', an East Coast tour, and festival performances, the group is set to play two shows at BIGSOUND this September. Tune in to Radio City as Crispi catches up with the band ahead of their Brisbane stint.

Delivering intense sonic soundscapes that merge folk, experimentalism, electronica, and rock, Hugo Race has released his new album 'The Vigil'. Over the course of three decades, Hugo has left a mercurial trail of musical works, spanning numerous solo releases and international collaborations across studio albums, film and theatre productions, tours, and festivals. Tune in to Junkyard as Michael Mulholland catches up with the internationally based musician and author.

When Cong Josie confessed to Garry Gray aka Garry Sacred that he ripped off the Sacred Cowboys’ track 'Nothing Grows in Texas', the two recognised a kindred spirit, they bonded over their shared love of Alan Vega and ’70s boogie. Next thing you know, they’re releasing an EP together called 'Sacred Money'. Tune in to Sunglasses After Dark to hear Phil MacDougall chat with the duo about their collaborative new release.

Taking jazz and infusing it with beatnik, rock’n’roll, and sassy soul, Jazzparty will be playing at Northcote Social Club on August 23 as part of the venue’s 20th birthday celebrations, running from July through to August. With an array of instruments and a big, bold live sound, tune in to Stone Love to hear Richie 1250 catch up with the local 8-piece.

Saray Iluminado and The Klez Dispensers Down Under are getting together to present  a soiree of klezmer, Bosnian sevdah and Sephardic Jewish music in Australia, under the title 'Baklava and Blintz', at Memo Music Hall on August 31. Nela Trifkovic, Amy Zakar Banner and Galit Klas drop into the Global Village to share some of this music and to talk about this intercultural dialogue around music, food and drink.

The latest single ‘End of the Day’ from local musician Hannah Kate kicks off with an almost misleading brightness, piloted by its plucky bassline. But when met with Hannah’s vocals, it oxidises to form a coolness that carries throughout the track with ease, fusing together any frays left by obscure time changes and wonky guitar lines in the process. Coming in to Homebrew, tune in as Hannah discusses her latest single with Brooke.

On August 23, Kitchen Witch will be popping over to Melbourne from their home in Adelaide to perform at Shotkickers. Expect desert grooves and immense wall-of-sound riffs to provide the cauldron into which The Witch herself, Georgie Cosson, deconstructs her soul for eternal sustenance. Tune in to Pojama People as Chris Pearson catches up with the band ahead of their show.

Perth singer-songwriter Stella Donnelly is gearing up for a triumphant return to music after a few years away. No stranger to the global stage, Stella has performed on NPR Tiny Desk and has just signed with Remote Control Records. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread for an exclusive live performance from Stella Donnelly, and to hear more about her latest single 'Baths'.

Coming into Roots of Rhythm for the monthly segment 'Wordy Gurdy', Jackey Coyle and Helen Jennings chat about exceptional music and writing, scouring the past 100 years for rare and excellent blues, jazz, country, and more. Tune in from 9am to hear them analyse the best of the best.

Australian blues and soul guitar icon Geoff Achison swings by Roots of Rhythm ahead of his 60th Birthday Gig at Memo Music Hall on August 29. Backed by his powerhouse band The Souldiggers, Geoff will celebrate his milestone with a night of blues, rock and soul, sharing the stage with genre-defying shredder Kathleen Halloran and blues master Shannon Bourne. Tune in for a chat about Geoff’s storied career, what fans can expect from this special gig, and why turning 60 is no reason to slow down.

On the day of her show at The Tote, Hannah McKittrick is coming in to The Breakfast Spread for a round of Musical Chairs with Milo. They'll be chatting about her new single 'Crowd Scene', which stretches and pulls into an almost seven-minute meditative soundscape, inspired by a question posed in Tom Robbins’ novel 'Still Life With Woodpecker', “How do you make love stay?", and by marching for a Free Palestine in Naarm each Sunday, where she witnessed connection woven through endless crowds.

Singer-songwriter Mia Kelly has a spellbinding voice, blurring the lines between intimate memoir and compelling semi-fictional narratives. With a distinctive blend of folk, rock, and blues, and singing in both English and French, Mia will be coming to Australian shores next year to perform at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. Tune in to Down By The River as Lauren Plant catches up with her from her home country of Canada.

‘Over, Over and Out’, the second single from Davey Lane's upcoming fourth solo album 'Finally, A Party Record', and sees the musician and singer-songwriter (You Am I, Crowded House, Jimmy Barnes, Todd Rundgren, Robyn Hitchcock, The Saints) preparing to hit the road. To celebrate the release of 'Finally, A Party Record', Lane will officially launch the album with a national tour in late August. Tune in to Radio City as Crispi catches up with Davey ahead of his show at The Curtin on August 28.