Interviews

Annie & The Caldwells are a family from Mississippi whose powerful disco soul sound stirs church congregations and dance club revellers alike. Their new album, Can't Lose My (Soul), on David Byrne's Luaka Bop label is 40 years in the making and was hailed by The Guardian as a 'masterpiece'. Ahead of their Melbourne show at the MRC, Annie and the Caldwells call in from WOMAD to chat to Helen and Jackey about their unique take on gospel music.

MESS (Melbourne Electronic Sound Studios) have just opened applications for this year's Professional Development Course. This is a FREE 12 week course and a rich opportunity for artists to connect with new communities, and to be a part of the MESS family. This week on Deeep Space MESS Director Byron Scullin drops in to chat to Justin Ashworth about this program and all the great things happening at MESS in 2026.

Versatile Chinese/Australian composer and world-leading contemporary guzheng artist, Mindy Meng Wang is known for collaborations ranging from the Australian Art Orchestra to Gorillaz. A pioneer to bring the guzheng into many western genres such as experimental, jazz, western classical, electronic, pop and improvisation, Mindy will be playing at the Big Jazz Day Out on March 21 at the Monash University Performing Arts Centre. Adam catches up with Mindy ahead of the epic jazz party.

Renowned for their ecstatic, free-flowing performances, Mildlife have lit up stages at Glastonbury, Primavera Sound, Montreux Jazz Festival, Love Supreme and beyond, transporting audiences through a kaleidoscopic journey of ’70s psychedelia, cosmic disco and deep-space jazz. They’ll be playing their Monash debut at Big Jazz Day Out on March 21, but first, Kevin Mcdowell from the local group stops by Black Wax to chat with Adam Rudegeair about the show.

This morning on The Breakfast Spread, Vincent Giarrusso, vocalist, guitarist, and keyboardist from local indie-rock band Underground Lovers, will be joining Claire Dickson. They’ll be chatting about Dziga Vertov’s 1929 avant-garde silent film 'Man with a Movie Camera' and the live score Underground Lovers will perform in their electronic line-up. Tune in to hear about this one-night-only screening at the Capitol Theatre on March 14, presented in collaboration with RMIT.

Wax Museum Records celebrates their 20th birthday with an exclusive show headlined by Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange on March 14th. Drummer and bandleader Ziggy Zeitgeist drops in to PBS for a chat with Mike Gurrieri on Mystic Brew. Tune in Tuesday from 9am.

Tune in to Boogie Beat Suite as MzRizk is joined by Derya Yıldırım and Grup Şimşek for a Studio 5 Live performance. Produced by Grammy-winning Leon Michels (El Michels Affair) and backed by the psychedelic soul of Grup Şimşek, their latest album, 'Yarın Yoksa', is a standout record that challenges genre with a powerful message. Led by Derya Yıldırım - who sings and plays the bağlama (a seven-stringed Turkish lute), tune in to hear the band's psychedelic meets Anatolian folk music.

Known for their electrifying performances and politically charged punk anthems, Upchuck’s live shows have been blowing minds across the US and Europe with their wild, no-holds-barred approach. Delivering raw energy and a blend of punk, garage rock, and bluesy fury, catch them live at The Tote on March 11. Jordan catches up with the band - tune in to hear from the ferocious five-piece hailing from Atlanta.

US group Water From Your Eyes are in Naarm/Melbourne for the very first time this month. Playing shows at Meredith and The Night Cat, their album 'It’s a Beautiful Place' is a glittering, gonzo magnum opus that has been met with an outpour of reviews, including Pitchfork, Stereogum and Bandcamp. The Brooklyn-based duo of Nate Amos and Rachel Brown swing by PBS - tune in to Underground Love to hear how they're finding Melbourne so far.

After 10 years, Grim Rhythm are back with their second album, 'Forever Eating Sh*t' - an ode to the bad luck and raw deals they have had to swallow while playing in a band during their travels around the country and the world. A full on heavy metal attack, they will be playing at Luliepalooza on March 21, then returning to their spiritual home at The Tote to release their new album on April 4. Tune in to Pojama People as Chris Pearson catches up with the band about their new record.

Tune in to Tyrannocoreus on March 10 for a packed show filled with femme-fronted music and interviews celebrating International Women’s Day. To kick off the program, Ryan will interview vocalist Maddie Rose and guitarist Matthew Barnard from Naarm metalcore group Detestor. Tune in to hear about their debut EP, 'Drown Me In My Own Self-Guilt', and their experience opening for bands such as Justice For The Damned.

After an incredible 12 months with an insane amount of live shows, local hardcore band TIMEPEACE are set to release their debut EP 'WE REMAIN'. Joined by Outright, Illan Kaapan, Dead End and Skurge, TIMEPEACE will be playing at Footscray Park Bowling Club on March 14. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus as Meg Edge and PBS' own Robyn Challands drop by to chat with Ryan about the band's vision for 2026.

The Geelong Jazz and Blues Festival exists to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and traditions of jazz and blues music, while inspiring new generations through live performance over two vibrant days in the city of Geelong. With over 40+ performances and 5 venues, festival treasurer and president Paul Brooke catches up with Helen. Tune in to hear more about the two day festival, taking place on March 14 and 15.

For one night only, Gwyn Ashton will be playing a show at The Odeon Richmond on March 12 to promote his new album. A contemporary guitar-driven rock, 60s RnB, blues and soul record, 'Grease Bucket' is Ashton's first solo, 10-track album since 2012's critically acclaimed 'Radiogram'. Coming on to Roots of Rhythm to play a few live songs to air, tune in to hear about the great reviews the new album is receiving from all over the world.

Formed by four friends, Alabama group Mountain Grass Unit are bringing their bluegrass to Australia for the first time. Playing at Northcote Social Club on March 11, their latest EP 'Runnin’ From Trouble' (2024), shows their radiant energy and fearless musicianship. With a sound that draws from bluegrass tradition but fearlessly weaving in country, jazz, funk, rock and even metal, tune in to Southern Style to hear their lightning-fast picking, and a whole lotta twang live in-studio. 

From rural Victoria to the world, CC:DISCO! has built her life around one guiding principle: music first. CC's career has given her the perfect creative outlets to express her first love - be it DJing around the globe, holding down a regular radio show, curating her acclaimed 'First Light' compilations or releasing her debut EP 'Chez Moi (Waiting For You)'. Joining Lyndelle on the show, tune in for a special guest mix from the Lisbon based curator and find out where she's playing while in town.

US trio I’m With Her have just won Best Folk Album for 'Wild and Clear and Blue' and Best American Roots Song for 'Ancient Light' at this year's GRAMMYS. Routinely taking time out from their individual careers to dream up songs together, 'Wild and Clear and Blue' brings their luminous harmonies to a soul-searching body of work about reaching into the past, navigating a chaotic present, and bravely moving forward into the unknown. Lauren Plant catches up with the trio post their GRAMMY awards.

With stellar guitar work and songs that will have you smiling one minute and crying the next, Steve Poltz will be bringing his raucous, joyous, improvisational and always strange music to Brunswick Ballroom on March 12. After over a dozen albums, he’s still creatively firing on all cylinders and critically acclaimed by the likes of Rolling Stone, Associated Press, Billboard, and many more. Stopping by Swinging Doors ahead of his show, tune in for a live, acoustic performance from Steve Poltz.

Legendary UK punkster TV Smith brings his Adverts cannon to The Last Chance Rock and Roll Bar this April 5. A true 1977 veteran, the Adverts were one of the leading bands in the first wave of British punk rock. Their 1979 album 'Cast Of Thousands' which was slammed by critics at the time, was later re-released to universal acclaim, and described by Mojo magazine as “the long lost punk album that rivals The Clash’s ‘London Calling’.” Phil catches up with TV Smith ahead of the Melbourne show.

Tune in to Burning Bitumen this March 12 as Kene is joined by Phillip T King, the lead singer for local hard rock / heavy metal band Flitcraft. Their 2025 album 'Transmission Echo’, is filled with heavy melodic rock - like 70’s Priest or Scorpions, but with a quirky and modern progressive flair. Discussing the album in full, tune in to hear Phil and Kene chat all things metal. 

UK production project The Trip by Max van Dijk and Oliver Hiam are heading over to Naarm/Melbourne this March 14 for a show at Glamorama, presented by clipp.art. Releasing music under the name 'The Trip' since 2020, the duo grab inspiration from moments on the dancefloor, drawing on UKG, progressive, tech house, and house elements from the '90s onward  - weaving into a distinctive, sample-heavy style. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread as The Trip take over the Wheels Of Steel.

Iron & Wine, the moniker of singer/songwriter and film studies lecturer Sam Beam, returns to Australia for the first time since 2018 – this time as soloist in a captivating run of shows. Known for his deeply burnished vocals, keen melodic sensibility, and introspective, free-flowing lyrical point of view, Iron & Wine is one of the preeminent artists and collaborators of the first wave of indie folk. Tune in as Myles catches up with Iron & Wine after his Studio 5 Live performance.

One of the defining figures in contemporary British jazz, Shabaka will be gracing Stars In The Static. His new solo album, 'Of The Earth' is written, performed, produced, and mixed entirely by Shabaka, marking a pivotal moment in the multi-instrumentalist’s artistic evolution. Establishing him as a singular instrumentalist-producer, the album synthesises the dance-driven propulsion of his groups Sons of Kemet and The Comet Is Coming. Tune in as Greg Sher interviews one of his musical heroes.

After nine years, local band Private Function have confirmed their final show ever at LuliePalooza Festival on March 21. Known for their unrelenting live shows and unmatched irreverence, their latest 19-track LP '¯\_(ツ)_/¯’ captures everything fans have come to love about the band: catchy hooks, irreverent lyrics, and a family-friendly “bite me” attitude. Claire catches up with the band’s front man Chris Penney, tune in to hear how he’s feeling ahead of the band’s big finale.

British metalcore band Sylosis have just released their fiercely sophisticated yet defiantly uncompromising 11 track record, 'The New Flesh'. They’re about to embark on a tour across Europe, the UK and North America, with plans to return to Australia. Ryan catches up with Josh Middleton, the singer-songwriter for Sylosis, tune in to Tyrannocoreus to find out when we can next expect to see them in Melbourne.

Perth/ Boorloo-based band Vanta is carving their way with something unique in the melodeath space, an approach that fuses their influences with experimentation, storytelling, and a technical edge. Their new album 'Perpetual Selection’ is an emotional journey that offers catchy, melodic passages and ferocious moments with an engaging, atmospheric approach. Ahead of their album launch on March 27, Ryan catches up with Jesse Venus (bass) and Ferde Handojo (drums) from the band.

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.

For the first time in Australia, Modern Lovers and Talking Heads’ Jerry Harrison and King Crimson’s Adrian Belew will perform 'Remain in Light' live in full - backed by their powerhouse 11-piece band. A landmark in modern music, 'Remain in Light' fused funk, art-rock, and global rhythms to redefine popular sound. Harrison and Belew will bring it vividly to life at Forum Melbourne on April 1, and at Bluesfest on April 4. Ahead of the shows, Crispi catches up with Jerry Harrison on Radio City. 

Local group Comedy will be coming on to Radio City this March 19, ahead of their show at Lulie Tavern on March 27 and at Rocksteady Records for Record Store Day on April 18. Their indie-rock tune 'L.A. Perfume' was released late last year, and the four-piece are about to drop their second single, 'Hate Machine.' Tune in as Crispi chats with Andy and Francis from the band about their new music.

Local purveyors of hard-hitting tunes, Drunk Mums will be storming onto the Arockalypse Now stage in San Remo on April 18. Known for their raw riffs, sharp hooks and sweat-drenched live shows, the group have multiple albums to their name and years of touring across Australia, the UK and Europe, earning a reputation for no-nonsense, high-energy performances that hit hard every time. Ahead of the festival, Phil MacDougall catches up with Jake and Adam from the band.

On Saturday, March 28, local grind-splattered death metallers Circle Of Blood launch their new album, 'In Praise Of Darkness' at The Last Chance Bar. Joining the band on the night are reigning hellhammer swingers Reaper!, crushing death-sludge group Bog Monster, and the eldritch melodeath of Slime Dimension. Tune in to Burning Bitumen as Kene catches up with Circle Of Blood about their debut album.

The iron-fisted thrash metal group Warbringer is gearing up to tear through Australia with a highly anticipated national tour in April. The US titans will hit Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney, bringing their signature blend of high-speed intensity and relentless energy to Australian fans. But first, the band’s lead singer, John Knevill, calls in to Burning Bitumen to chat with Kene. Tune in to hear about Warbringer headlining Brutefest at The Tote on April 25.

Tune in to The Breakdown for a Studio 5 Live performance from Temporary Blessings – followed by an interview with DJ Manchild. Led by local trumpet player /composer Liam McGorry, ‘Sumbisori’ is the debut album by the newly formed Melbourne group. Assembled to realise McGorry’s compositions drawing on 1960s Italian and French soundtrack music, Temporary Blessings brings together trusted instrumentalists and fellow travelers from Melbourne’s rich enclave of cinematic soul.

Local duo Zoltan Fecso and Anna Morley are about to release their debut collaborative album 'Desire Path' on Sydney's Oxtail Recordings on March 27. A collection of atmospheric duets for vibraphone and synthesiser, the album was recorded live and unedited. Tune in to Deeep Space as they join Lloyd to chat about their upcoming east-coast tour with shows in Hobart, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Boorloo / Perth-based experimental psych outfit Monotonic have just released their new single, ‘Lazers At Dawn’, the second track to be taken from their upcoming album ‘Heavy Metal’, out March 27. A hazy, fuzz-drenched expedition fuelled by cult cinema and various altered states, ‘Lazers At Dawn’ pushes deeper into the band’s hypnotic, genre-blurring sound. Lucas is joined by Liam Coffey, tune in to hear more about this band that's made up of veterans from Perth’s golden alt-rock era.

Southern California’s Spite, the decibel-and-soul-crushing deathcore unit, are returning to Melbourne this April for their first-ever Australian headline tour, bringing with them Pennsylvania’s Varials and local heavyweights DIESECT. Having released their debut album 'Nothing Is Beautiful’ in 2017, the band are entering the next cycle as they drop their new album, 'New World Killer' via Rise Records. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus to hear about their show at Max Watt's Melbourne on April 30.

Calling the road home and working tirelessly as full-time musicians, the whiskey-drenched Americana and hill-country blues artists Julian James and Beci Kate are true to life troubadours - living out of a bus while enthralling and connecting with audiences across Australia through their performances. Bringing their new record 'Prey to the Crow' to towns across Australia this month, Helen catches up with the duo on Roots of Rhythm to chat about their new album.

On April 10 at The Corner Hotel, Kim Salmon will be putting on a night of seminal swamp rock with his bands The Scientists and Kim Salmon and the Surrealists. Kim Salmon’s most enduring legacy, though not one he particularly set out to create, will no doubt be that many blame him, or at least The Scientists, for 'grunge.' Tune in to Radio City as Crispi catches up with Kim about the show, which will thematically and dynamically glide through the band's musical evolutions.

At Lulie Tavern on March 29,  Van Walker will be taking to the stage with his band Badlanders. With a new swag of originals to share, Van will be joined by Nick O’Mara (Raised by Eagles) on guitar, Mick Stylianou (Saint Jude) on bass, Dave Rose (Joni Lightning) on drums and Camilla Hodgkins (Boof!) on keys. Coming in to Swinging Doors to play a couple of live, acoustic songs for Ernie, tune in to hear about his upcoming new album 'Healing Descent'.

Joining Penny for this episode of Passing Notes is Helsinki artist Jeku. His latest release ‘Peyote Trance’, follows Jeku's journey into the 'trip', where mother nature pulls the strings, instead of the tin foil hatted puppet masters that hold the strings to us all. Finding solace in the dance and opting for psychedelic enlightenment over psychological terror, tune in for an energetic guest mix and interview from the Paris based producer. 

'Sono Una Pera' is an Italian folkloric inspired album by local musician Adam Halliwell. Weaving between improvisations and compositions using old and new forgotten technologies, the album relays stories, fantasies, tales and false experiences inspired by a quasi-Italian life with his grandparents in Diamond Creek. Performed solo and recorded live early last year, Lloyd will be catching up with Adam about the new album. Tune in to find out when it's due for release.