Interviews

Highly celebrated new voice in jazz, Samara Joy, is coming to Melbourne this October to perform at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. With five Grammy Awards to her name and a chart-topping major-label debut, Samara has been compared to jazz legends Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday, performing at major jazz festivals around the globe. Calling in from her hometown of New York, tune in as Adam Rudegeair catches up with the rising star.

Local musician Stella Anning is taking to the Black Wax stage this October for a stripped-back, in-studio performance of her genre-blending music, drawing from jazz, neo-soul, and folk traditions. Performing on the electric guitar, she’ll share with Adam Rudegeair songs from her new album 'Yellow Brick Veneer' and chat about her residency under the mentorship of Shabaka Hutchings and Ganavya. Tune in to hear about her upcoming show at the Kew Court House on October 31.

Highly sought-after keyboardist, producer, and music director Jake Amy has just released their latest single, 'Astro Shooter', a future-jazz cyclone packed with club energy, harmonic complexity, and a keys solo that tears open the silence surrounding trans and non-binary lives. The nu-jazz artist is also a member of over 15 projects, collaborating with Emma Volard, Alexander Flood, and Bumpy, to name a few. Jake drops by Homebrew, tune in to hear Brooke chat with Jake about their new music.

Admiring the assurance and power of connection to one another, On Diamond are about to release their upcoming album ‘Melon on the Vine’ on October 9. The first two singles ‘Letting The Wheel Go By’ and ‘Downslide’ have taken audiences through their range of musical styles and improvisatory freedom, and is only the beginning of what’s to come on the upcoming 8 track LP. Elle catches up with On Diamond to see how they’re going before the album drops on Thursday.

Lebanese-French trumpeter and composer Ibrahim Maalouf is in town for the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, bringing his electrifying 10-piece band to 170 Russell on October 23 for 'The Trumpets of Michel-Ange'. Praised by legends like Quincy Jones and dubbed a “virtuoso” by The New York Times, Maalouf has lit up stages around the world, collaborating with icons such as Stevie Wonder, Sting, and Marcus Miller. Tune in to Boogie Beat Suite as MzRizk catches up with Ibrahim Maalouf.

Manchester artists Freak Slug is touring Australia for the first time, ahead of the release of her EP ‘Loose Tooth And a Short Skirt’. A visual artist and painter as well as an unconventional, self-taught songwriter and musician, everything that fuels the creative output of Xenya Genovese aka Freak Slug, is about raw, authentic, sometimes weird but always totally true self-expression. Catch her chatting with Jordan on Underground Love before she headlines The Night Cat later that night.

On October 17, the ferocious act The Maggie Pills will take over The Night Cat to launch their sophomore album, 'Hearts Enduring Lingering Loss'. With twelve tracks packed with grunge distortion and fuzz-drenched menace, 'Hearts Enduring Lingering Loss' explores themes of loss, desire, fear, and defiance in equal measure. Argentinian front woman Delfi Sorondo and guitarist Sarah Blaby join Jordan on Underground Love, tune in to hear more about their upcoming album launch show.

This Tuesday on Burning Bitumen, Kene and Leah catch up with Marcus aka Infernal, the founding member of black thrash band Desaster. Formed in Germany in 1988, Marcus joins the show to talk about the band’s tenth album 'Kill All Idols', and how the past 37 years have shaped Desaster.

Sydney melodic hardcore band Bloom are set to release their sophomore album 'The Light We Chase' later this month. Lyrically, the album delves into themes of personal grief, broken trust, and the ongoing struggle with hope. Vocalist Jono Hawkey and drummer Jack Van Vliet join Ryan on Tyrannocoreus to talk about the band’s monumental growth over the past two years, tune in to hear how international audiences are connecting with their music.

'Bitter Disappointment' is the debut album from local nu-metalcore band Glow, and members of the band drop by Tyrannocoreus to chat with Ryan about how the release is going so far. Tune in to hear what they’ve got planned for the rest of 2025.

On this episode of Roots of Rhythm, local guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, producer, Jeff Lang drops in to chat with Helen Jennings about his upcoming shows. Having built a reputation for making startling music that is accomplished, intricate, gutsy, melodic and loaded with soul, Jeff has consistently inspired audiences with a stylistically diverse catalogue spanning 32 albums. Tune in to hear about Jeff's upcoming appearance at the Wangaratta Jazz & Blues Festival on November 2. 

Part two of the CD series 'Legacy', featuring Doc Watson being interviewed by and performing alongside David Holt, will be airing on Southern Style. This part two concludes with 'The Legacy Concert', a live performance by Doc and David. Tune in to hear this special recording.

After years of honing his craft in bands like the powerpop-driven Rinehearts and the high-energy LEECHES!, Benny J Ward drops 'Super!', his self-recorded and debut album. Brimming with poptastic charm and irresistibly catchy tunes, 'Super!' is a joyous ride from start to finish, bursting with jangly guitars, glittering hooks, and pure melodic magic. Crispi catches up with Benny on Radio City, chatting about the new release and his upcoming show at The Tote on November 4 with The Meanies.

'Plastic Bouquet' by Kacy & Clayton and Marlon Williams was released in 2020, and was met with critical acclaim by Pitchfork and NPR Music, to name a few. Now nearly 5 years on, Kacy & Clayton are touring Australia for the first time, and the stars have aligned for 'Plastic Bouquet' to be performed in full for the first time ever on October 15 and 16 at the Brunswick Ballroom. Tune in to Swinging Doors as Kacy & Clayton join Ernie for an exclusive live performance and interview.

Straight off the plane after a massive European run, Naarm’s IN2STELLAR are back for their biggest headline show to date. Presented by Soothsayer, the duo will be taking over 170 Russell for the night, bringing along special guests Moopie and Hannah D. Joining Edd Fisher on Tomorrowland, tune in to hear about their upcoming show, and where to catch IN2STELLAR this summer.

Seshadri Varadarajan aka Sesh has been learning Veenai since the age of 12 under the guidance of Guru - Mr.Vijayendar Rao, and is now learning under Shri. Gopinath Iyer OAM. This Saturday Sesh joins Pradip for a special live performance of veenai and electronics from the Stay Soft Market at Collingwood Yards. PBS is live in the courtyard between 3pm and 7pm, so drop in for some killer tunes and all the fun of the Stay Soft Market.

A regular guest presenter on PBS, Bellyas has been igniting Melbourne’s reggae and dancehall scene for over 25 years. This Saturday Bellyas joins Jesse I for a special live broadcast of Babylon Burning from the Stay Soft Market at Collingwood Yards. PBS is live in the courtyard between 3pm and 7pm, so drop in for some killer tunes and all the fun of the Stay Soft Market.

On October 17, local soul artist WILSN releases her sophomore album 'Bloom', a classic soul record she’s always dreamt of making. Recorded live to tape at Hive Mind Recording in Brooklyn, NYC, her latest record channels the spirit and sound of late-60s soul, creating something both timeless and contemporary. Stopping by The Breakfast Spread, tune in to hear WILSN perform an acoustic, live performance for Claire Dickson.  

Rock-A-Bye Baby - PBS 106.7FM’s #1 kid friendly music event is taking place at the Hawthorn Arts Centre from 11am until midday on Wednesday October 22. This edition of Rock-A-Bye Baby will feature a live performance from looping sister duo Charlie Needs Braces, creating music inspired by landscapes and learning about their family. Back from a tour with The Teskey Brothers, Miri joins Claire on The Breakfast Spread the day before the Rock-A-Bye Baby show.

Tune in to Underground Love this week for a Studio 5 Live from UK band Powerplant. With a debut synth-punk album ‘People in the Sun’ that took the internet by storm in 2019, the band have come a long way from rocking in the bedroom to playing hard on the world stage, cementing their status with catchy music and striking art from its very beginning. Listen in from 3pm to hear this live performance, followed by an interview with Jordan.

'Rain in Space' is the latest album from local three-piece Tarcutta, and they're coming in to Pojama People to perform their swirling space rock live. Expect to hear their analogue-only instruments, including a Hammond organ built in 1933, played in a way its makers probably never intended. Tune in as Brian Polli chats with Peter Barrett, Justin Buckley, and Justin Wheelahan about their upcoming show at The Old Bar on November 8.

Inspired by Karen Davitt's personal experience of her mother’s ageing journey, and the profound role music played in her wellbeing and happiness, 'Bring It Home' is an evening of surprises, music, and sing-alongs. Taking place in the 'Coolroom' at Castlemaine’s Northern Arts Hotel, Helen catches up with Karen Davitt, Boris Conley, Steve Grant, and Patrick Cronin. Tune in to hear about their upcoming show on October 24.

The dynamic band from Lisbon, MAQUINA have made a significant impact on the Portuguese music scene since the release of their debut album 'DIRTY TRACKS FOR CLUBBING' in 2023. Known for their high-energy performances that fuse dance culture with heavy-hook songcraft, the band quickly earned a strong reputation and have been touring non-stop ever since. While traveling through Portugal, Vasco caught up with the band at their sold-out show in Lisbon. Tune in to hear from the trio.

Tune in to Swinging Doors for a lush live performance from ARIA-nominated group Minor Gold. Comprised of songwriters Tracy McNeil and Dan Parsons, their sophomore album 'Way to the Sun' is a harmony-drenched blend of cosmic country and folk. Recorded over seven sun-soaked days in California, the album slowly emerged like a hazy mirage from a cosmic suburban dream. Listen in from 3pm to hear Ernie catch up with the duo.