Interviews

Regarded as the 'Hendrix of the kora', Seckou Keita is revered as one of the world's great instrumentalists. Ahead of a special show at Memo Music Hall, Keita swung by PBS to play an exclusive in-studio set, and to have a chat to Stani about his career and his exploration of the music of southern Senegal.

Equally fluent in jazz, classical and Latin music, Nestor Torres’ rhythmic and melodious flute sound sets him apart in a class all by itself. His career spans over 35 years and includes 18 Cds, 4 Latin Grammy nominations, 1 Latin Grammy Award and a Grammy nomination, as well as collaborations with the likes of Tito Puente, Herbie Hancock, Dave Mathews, Gloria Estefan, and performances with, among others, The New World, Cleveland and Singapore Symphonies. Tune in as Saúl catches up with Nestor.

Joining Fiesta Jazz from the motherland of Flamenco this month is Jorge Pardo. He's played with many musical legends, including Paco de Lucia, and jazz legend Chick Corea, whose compositions 'Spain', '500 Miles High', and 'Windows' are now considered jazz standards. In 2013, Jorge won an award for Best European Jazz Musician by the French Jazz Academy in Paris as a tribute to his expertise. Tune in to hear about his show at Bird’s Basement on November 20 and 21.

Tune in to this edition of The Breakdown as DJ Manchild is joined by the living legends of Zambia’s 1970s underground music scene: WITCH (We Intend To Cause Havoc). Blending psychedelic rock, funk, and Afrobeat rhythms, their new album ‘SOGOLO’ is laden with powerful messages of hope, and even more powerful riffs. True custodians of the Zamrock sound, their performance at Town Folk Festival this weekend is one not to be missed!

Having held down a residency since 1998 at Lux Frágil - one of the best, and most infamous clubs in Portugal - Tiago will be joining Edd Fisher for the second half of Tomorrowland. With many musical releases via notable labels including: DFA, Public Possession and Jolly Jams (to name a few), Tiago is about to set off on a tour through, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and for his first time in 6 years, Australia. Tune in to hear about his show at Trades Hall - Music Room this Friday.

Currently celebrating 10 years of their Berlin Record Store and Record label - Castro and Nemo of Sound Metaphors are in Naarm/ Melbourne for an all night party at Solace this Saturday. Expect many flavours of music from the dance floor, with deep crates of Europes finest. The celebrations will include support from local acts bobo and Toby (ID), Lily July and Mansman and Bridget Small. Stopping by Tomorrowland, tune in to hear Edd Fisher catch up with Castro and Nemo while they're in the city.

On November 27, The Breakfast Spread hosts Milo Eastwood and Claire Dickson will take the show down to Fed Square for a very special outside broadcast. Joining them for the morning will be soul artist WILSN and best friend collective SHOUSE. Known for their 2017 hit single ‘Love Tonight’, SHOUSE embodies collective effervescence, communal ecstasy, singing, dancing, and being together as one. Tune in this Friday morning as they take over the Wheels of Steel.

Cheersquad Records and Tapes and Suzannah Espie are proud to announce the vinyl relaunch of her much-loved album 'Sea Of Lights'. Two special intimate shows with Suzannah Espie and the Last Word will be taking place at The Lomond Hotel this Friday and Saturday, along with other very special guests. But first, Suzannah joins Ernie on Swinging Doors to play a couple of live songs. Tune in to hear her intoxicating mix of country, folk, blues, and soul music.

To kick off Swinging Doors this November 13, Ernie will be joined by WA group The Human Highway - a six-piece band coming together to celebrate the 80th birthday of one of the most influential and idiosyncratic artists of our time, Neil Young. Fronted by longtime Neil Young fans David Hyams and Rose Parker, the group will perform at The Night Cat later that evening. Tune in to hear three members of the band perform their versions of 'Comes a Time' and 'Ohio'.

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 4pm for an intimate, live performance from the duo.

Al Matcott's debut album 'Summer’s Coming', was a full-throated howl against global warming and the forces behind it. And now his follow-up album, 'Fake The Days Away', explores how the electronic hallucinations of the internet have pushed reality and nature aside and are, foot-to-the-floor, driving us into a death spiral of lies, paranoia, hate, and stupidity. Al Marcott chats to Crispi about the new album, tune in to hear some of Marcott’s most personal songwriting yet.

Folk artist Rupert Bullard blends folk sensibilities with shades of country and blues, drawing deeply from the rugged landscapes of his island home of Lutruwita/Tasmania. Currently crafting his debut album with acclaimed producer John Castle (Vance Joy, Paul Kelly), Rupert Bullard’s releases have led to sold-out shows, along with festival appearances across the country. Tune in this Thursday morning on Down By The River for an acoustic performance from Rupert.

Tune in to The Breakfast Spread this morning as Sydney-based producer and songwriter Jerome Blazé joins Milo for a round of Musical Chairs. Crafting immersive, genre-blending soundscapes that weave electronic, soul and classical textures into wonderful songs, Jerome released his sophomore album ‘Living Room’ last year. Tune in to hear his show at Town Folk Festival this Saturday, along with Punters Club on Sunday.

Tune in to TNT to hear from local band King’s Vengeance. They’ll be joining Tomarch and Takla to chat about their debut album 'Overthrown' - an 11-track record of hard-hitting, diverse songs packed with pure rock ’n’ roll. The album captures the high-voltage hard rock, explosive riffs, and raw, unapologetic energy that have become synonymous with King’s Vengeance. Listen in to hear about their show at The Espy Basement on December 6.

Captured live to tape at Soul Messin’ Studios using vintage instruments and analogue gear, the new album 'Cookin’ The Books' from Cookin’ On 3 Burners is rich in texture and vibe - full of grit, groove, and the warmth of true performance. Their first studio album in six years, the powerful trio will be coming into PBS for a raw and soulful Studio 5 Live performance. Tune in to The Afterglow Radio Show to hear Lyndelle catch up with the band after the session.

Flawless playing with an undeniable musical connection - Laura Boosinger and Mike Compton, also known as The Knackered Ramblers (USA), are joining Jan Dale on Southern Style this Wednesday. A banjo player and vocalist, Laura is a leading figure in preserving the tradition of shape-note singing, and Mike Compton is a Grammy and IBMA Award winning mandolinist and composer. Tune in from the second half of the show for a live performance from the duo, and to hear about their upcoming shows.

Tune in to Southern Style this week to hear from Toronto’s preeminent bluegrass band, the Tone Rangers. The lineup includes Andrew Collins (mandolin, guitar, vocals), James McEleney (bass, mandolin, guitar), Chris Quinn (banjo, guitar), and Ben Plotnik (fiddle, guitar). They’ll be sharing a live bluegrass performance with Jan Dale ahead of their appearance at Bright’s Mountaingrass Festival, taking place November 14 - 16. Listen in to hear what else the band have planned while in the country.

Tune in to Roots of Rhythm as Helen catches up with blues musician Michael Charles, the first Australian to be inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame. Having launched his career in 1984, Michael has performed with some of the greats, including Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, and Jimmy Dawkins. Some 40 years later, Michael’s roots are now in the USA, and his career boasts a catalogue of forty-one releases. Listen in to hear about his upcoming show at Bird’s Basement on November 20.

Tune in to Tyrannocoreus to catch an interview between Ryan Evans and Eric Jarrin, the lead guitarist and producer of deathcore band Despised Icon. Formed in 2002, the Quebec-based group has just released their seventh album 'Shadow Work', and are currently touring extensively across North America. Listen in to find out when we can expect to see them next in Australia.

'The Astronomer' is the debut full-length album from Melbourne post-hardcore band Caution:Thieves. Continuing the concept that began with 'Prologue: The Slow Resign Of A Dying Star' in 2024, 'The Astronomer' is an ambitious concept album that offers a dynamic and exciting musical journey. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus as Ryan chats with Nicholas Simonsen, vocalist and songwriter from the band about their show at Bergy Bandroom on November 15.