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.

The new album 'The Singer' from local artist DC Maxwell comes out on May 22, and Crispi will be catching up with DC on April 30 to chat about the new record. A sharp songwriter and a wild live performer, 'The Singer' is a collection of songs about singing and dancing while the foundations of the world tremble. Tune in to find out where you can next catch DC Maxwell perform live. 

On May 8, Chicago post-punk trio FACS will play their debut Naarm/Melbourne show at Northcote Social Club. Their sixth studio album 'Wish Defense (Trouble In Mind)’, is the final album recorded by the late Steve Albini, and sees Brian Case and Noah Leger explore themes of identity, duality and introspection through stark rhythms and haunting melodies, energised by the return of original member Jonathan Van Herik. Ahead of their Australian tour, Michael Mulholland catches up with Brian Case.

The legendary Sacred Cowboys return with their first new release since 2007. Founder and lead singer-songwriter Garry Gray catches up with Phil about their sixth studio album "In The Manifesto" and where you can catch them live next. Don't miss out as they tear up The Old Bar on May 8th, for their last show before they head off on their European tour. 

After their crushing Studio 5 Live performance, Kene will be catching up with local band Carcinoid. Embodying suffocating doom elements while forging their sound by incorporating a plethora of sludge, punk and hardcore stylistic influences, Carcinoid is known for bringing intensity to all of their performances. They'll be playing at the Burning Bitumen Birthday Bonaza, '25 Years of Evil' show, tune in to hear about the celebrations going down on May 9 at the Bergy Bandroom.

Tune in on May 4 from 3pm for a special Studio 5 Live performance from Steady Weather, followed by an interview with Homebrew host Brooke Kymberley. The Fitzroy group has a new single ‘Best One’, taken from the forthcoming EP 'Golden Child'. Delivering a fresh take on the disco sound, Steady Weather fuse contemporary club sounds in a live setting with jazz sensibility, capturing the unique essence of the local club scene. Find out when they’ll next be performing live in the city.

LA-based, alt-R&B and soul artist Rochelle Jordan is bringing her genre-defying sound to 170 Russell on May 28, showing audiences what it means to be a pop artist today. Her third album 'Through The Wall' is a rich, emotionally charged blend of polished house, alt-R&B and pop, underscored by a clear sense of personal resilience and artistic growth. Dropping in to Headhunters to chat with Elle Young about her upcoming Australian tour, tune in to hear from the London-born, Toronto-raised artist. 

Naarm/Melbourne musician and label head Nat Pavlovic has released her new album 'Big Heart' on her own label, Blossom Rot Records. Nat shares, “Big Heart is really the heart of the album. It’s about not wanting to feel one way, then say another; a big heart doesn’t mean anything if I’ve got a fake tongue.” Ahead of her album release show at Bell City Takeaway on May 8, Nat Pavlovic joins David Pisker on Underground Love for a special, stripped-back live performance.

Across May, Seedy Jeezus will take over Nighthawks each Saturday night for a run of European tour warm-up shows - each week diving into a different side of the band. The 60s psychedelic/ 70s rock group found its feet in 2015, and now boasts numerous studio albums, records, and EPs. Catch the band on Pojama People with Chris Pearson ahead of their European tour. 

Stepping into Pojama People this Tuesday to celebrate their debut album is Junkyard Wizards. With a wonderful night of music; cosmic, wacky, psychedelic and otherwise, playing along side the wizards at their album launch at Cactus Room on May 8 are interstellar synth-jam pioneers Sweet Nothing and the irresitibly unhinged psych-rockers Black Wattle Witches. Tune in to hear tracks from Junkyard Wizards' new album 'The Sky As We Know It’.

The latest album 'House Of Cards’ from Queensland metalcore band The Amity Affliction takes listeners back into a personal memory Joel Birch found himself revisiting during the songwriting process. The impact of trauma experienced as a young person, the way it can shape us in good ways and bad; ultimately, the choices people make in navigating their way through such times in pursuit of peace. Ryan catches up with vocalist Joel about the new record, tune in to hear about their tour plans.

Two-piece alternative pop project Lover is made up of long time friends Will Morris and Johnny Bullen. Known for their dynamic, textured sounds that blend heartfelt songwriting with bold, layered production, the duo have made waves across Naarm since their relocation from Aotearoa/ New Zealand. Combining personal reflective themes with experimental sonic elements, Lover drop in to The Breakfast Spread for a round of Musical Chairs with Milo Eastwood. Tune in to hear about their debut album.

Prepare yourself this week on Burning Bitumen as Kene is joined by sludge doom monsters Whitehorse. Delivering pulverising, churning, crushing, and devastating sludgy doom, their new collaborative album 'The Dissolution of Eternity' with UBOA is heavy with chest-bursting intensity. Tune in to hear about their upcoming shows and to catch tracks from the new record.

On May 9 at 2pm at Shotkickers, Evvy George will launch not only his debut single 'Sweet Victoria', but also an extended, all-star lineup of musicians known as "The Big Bird Band". Evvy George’s songs, peppered with bird references, explore themes ranging from interpersonal neurobiology to Aussie rules football and beyond. Ahead of the release show, Evvy will join Myles on 5ft High and Rising to chat about his new single and his recent tour experience with M. Ward.

Delivering the power and beauty of Africa through the prism of hip-hop, jazz and the freedom of funk, local group Black Jesus Experience present an irresistibly danceable alloy of traditional Azmari Ethiopian song and 21st‑century groove. Performing at The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts as part of Live at The Count’s on May 13, band member Peter Harper stops by Black Wax to chat with Adam. Tune in to hear about their upcoming show, along with their latest album release 'Time Telling'.

Local band Oceanlord will be bringing their stoner-gloom-rock energy to Pojama People this May 12. Playing a unique mix of psych and doom, the group will be opening for Devil Electric on May 23 at Northcote Social Club, in support of their new album release. Chris Pearson catches up with the musicians, tune in to find out what Oceanlord has planned for the rest of 2026.

Over 30 years and across 11 studio albums, Mogwai have defined their own musical genre and built a loyal following by staying true to their sound and their roots. Formed in Glasgow in 1995, the band will celebrate their 30th anniversary with a show featuring songs from across their discography, including their 11th studio album, 'The Bad Fire', which was released last year. Ahead of their show at Forum Melbourne on May 25, Chris Pearson catches up with the band on Pojama People.

Broadcaster, occasional poet and all 'round music nut Brian Nankervis drops into PBS this week to chat to Crispi about RockWiz's return to its spiritual home, The Gershwin Room at the Espy. Tune in to hear some of the best stories from Australia's favourite rock and roll quiz show, and learn what's coming up as RockWiz returns to the Espy for the first time in a decade.