Interviews

The musician and activist Ganna is sharing Ukraine’s cultural heritage through her blend of traditional folk, electronic, classical, and experimental music. Playing at WOMAD this March, as well as performing at Jazzlab on March 8, she's just released her new album 'UTOPIA' which she describes: “Hope is sometimes the only thing that keeps us going. Ukrainian folk songs are part of my UTOPIA: a space for my country and a way to help make my culture visible.” DJ Matab catches up with Ganna.

Chilean-Australian percussionist, composer, educator, producer and recording artist Alex Pertout will be stopping by Dounya this Tuesday. A founding member of the Australian Art Orchestra, he’s performed as a soloist with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with a wide variety of artists, including Paul Kelly, Badi Assad, James Morrison and Casiopea to name a few. Tune in to hear more about Alex Pertout's impressive musical career.

Singer-songwriter and producer Maverick Sabre bridges soul, RnB, electronic, and hip-hop. Known for his emotionally charged writing and unmistakable voice, Maverick has built a catalogue that balances chart success, underground credibility, and global appeal. He first broke through in the early 2010s with the anthemic 'Let Me Go', and has collaborated with artists such as Jorja Smith, Olivia Dean and Rudimental to name a few. Tune in to Boogie Beat Suite to hear from the Irish musician.

American/Indian singer Ganavya returns to Australia to play a range of shows this month. Having toured the world consistently over the last couple of years, Ganavya continues to re-define and re-invent the traditions of Indian classical music within a contemporary context. Ganavya's music is ethereal, hypnotic and magical. Tune in to Mystic Brew as Ganavya returns to PBS Studio 1 to chat to Mike Gurrieri.

This Labour Day long weekend, 'ABSORBED V' takes over Miscellania for three days of ecstatic, hopeful, and boundless music. The stacked lineup features a range of DJs and live acts, including Bridget Small and Henry Guala, Mioko Shiga (JPN), Tangerine (live), and Michael Kucyk. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread as Michael Kucyk joins Claire Dickson to chat about the festival.

Stopping by Homebrew this afternoon for an acoustic, in-studio live session is Maggie Alley. Blending dark folk with raw rock energy, she creates music that is as haunting as it is powerful. Maggie Alley and her band have just released a new single, which she'll be chatting about on Homebrew with Brooke. Tune in for some gritty folk and atmospheric rock, that’s both intense and electrifying.  

The latest album 'Raw Denshi’ from Aaron Choulai is a combination of dirty samples, lush horn and string orchestration, bilingual raps and complex improvisation all woven together into Aaron Choulai's distinct approach to composition. Being both an award-winning pianist and a prominent beat maker in Japanese hip hop, Choulai creates a complex world of sound and structure featuring some of Japan's most popular MC's and vocalists. Tune in to Stars In The Static as the Tokyo based artist stops by.

During the 1950s, the Melbourne folk scene was thriving. A new exhibition is dedicated to the Lumsden Family who were involved in folk singing, recording stories and putting on some of the first gatherings of the Melbourne folk revival. Tune in to the Global Village as exhibition curator, Alex Ettling, joins Roger to chat about an associated concert in Footscray on March 7, featuring folk artists: David Lumsden, Martyn Wyndham-Read, Margret RoadKnight, and The O’Hanlons.

Tune in to B.P.M this Sunday morning as DJ Ed Coogan is joined by Vohkinne aka Craig McWhinney and Dan Filipovic from Southern Lights Recordings. They'll be chatting about releasing the new album 'The Way Of All Things' from Vohkinne, along with playing a high-energy guest mix. Tune in to hear Southern Lights Recordings spin some beats for DJ Ed Coogan on B.P.M.

Local brass band Horns of Leroy are back in their original stomping ground ready for a show at Brunswick Ballroom on March 8, as part of Brunswick Music Festival. Since 2013, Horns of Leroy has built a reputation on insatiable energy and strong foundations – performing everywhere from the MCG to Splendour in the Grass, Dark Mofo to Hamer Hall. Andrew Young brings the band onto Jazz on Saturday, tune in to hear about their recent endeavors. 

Writing songs about three things only: pizza, death, and death by pizza, local band Pizza Death’s music is a mix of thrash and early ’80s hardcore punk. Their 2024 album 'Reign of the Anticrust' won the Best Heavy Work award at the 2024 Music Victoria Awards, and they’re about to release a new album. Tune in to Burning Bitumen to hear about their upcoming release, 'World Doughmination'.

Tune in to Swinging Doors this Thursday as Ernie spends some time with Oklahoma, USA country musician Kaitlin Butts. After discovering her passion for performing as a little girl, the Tulsa native brings her boundless energy and radiant voice to her own unapologetic yet soulful songwriting. Currently on tour with Lainey Wilson and playing at Rod Laver Arena this month, tune in to hear how she’s enjoyed her trip to Australia so far.

Basement Spaceman is back with a new album and a highly visual show at the Wesley Anne on March 14. The record 'Apollo 17 (3 days on the moon)' tells the epic story of the final Apollo mission using visuals direct from the NASA archives. Unique storytelling, widescreen atmospheric tones and retro beats, you can expect a truly captivating show from Basement Spaceman on March 14. Tune in to Radio City as Crispi catches up with front man Andy about the new record and album release show.

With a Grammy nomination, international tours, and currently touring with Ed Sheeran, Irish band Beoga are back in Australia. The five-piece, celebrated for their fusion of Irish traditional music with contemporary pop and folk influences, have earned a reputation as one of Ireland’s most exciting and genre-blurring acts. Members of the band will be joining Lauren Plant - tune in to hear an intimate live performance on Down By The River.

Shoegaze, dream pop and nugaze band Flyying Colours are heading to Brunswick Ballroom on March 6, joining forces with Screensaver and The Empty Threats for 'Hellraiser: A Fundrasier’. A night of music and mayhem as part of Brunswick Music Festival, a percentage of ticket sales will go to Support Act – providing crisis relief services to musicians, managers, crew and music workers. Brodie from Flyying Colours joins Milo for Musical Chairs, tune in for this special selection of tunes.

For his first ever show in Australia, UK EBM/industrial artist Matt Hart is in town for a live performance at The Bendigo Hotel in Collingwood on February 27.  Matt Hart's music and live shows seamlessly blend the essence of industrial legends, harsh electro, and the emerging dark synth gods, heralding the future sound of 3808. The London artist stops by Bleeding Black Hearts Revue, tune in to hear about Matt Hart's show, along with a guest mix of EBM/Dark Electro tunes. 

Cosmic funk groovers Jerry are celebrating the release of their debut album 'The Lodge', with a launch show and all-star cast performing at Northcote Social Club. An excursion through funk, jazz, dance, and cosmic sounds with most tracks written at Jerry’s birthplace, a lodge in an unassuming suburb of Melbourne. Jerry’s unmistakably electric live performance drifts between super deep and super funky, with an intention to make you move. Tune in to hear about their show on February 28.

Tune in to Jumpin' The Blues as Tom Sianidis is joined by Gary Jones and Dave Brewer. They'll be chatting about 'Kickin' The B' at Bar 303 - an upcoming show on February 26 featuring Clayton Doley, a widely regarded Hammond organists and powerhouse of the international blues and soul scene. Joining Clayton on the night will be Dave Brewer on guitar and Hamish Stuart on drums.

Local guitarist Geoff Achison and UK saxophonist Tom Waters will be embarking on their 'Brush with the Blues' tour this February and March, showcasing blues, country, rock, funky jazz and folk. Each bringing their own catalogue of original music, along with some classic roots gems, Helen catches up with the duo ahead of their show at Brunswick Ballroom on February 28. Tune in to Roots of Rhythm to hear a special live performance from Geoff Achison and Tom Waters.

Mid last year, Drifting Clouds released their debut single, ‘Bawuypawuy’, and it's been a favourite of the station ever since. The solo project of Yolngu musician Terry Guyula, ‘Bawuypawuy’ is a modern adaptation of a millennia old Songline passed from generations, blending tradition with Guyula’s eclectic musical style and sung in his first language: Liyawulma’mirr-Djambarrpuyngu. Tune in for a stripped back performance from Drifting Clouds, ahead of their show at Northcote Theatre on Feb 28.