Interviews

New York-based, Japanese keyboardist, composer and producer BIGYUKI blends jazz, hip hop, rock, electronic and dance music influences into something wholly his own. His unique sound has attracted collaborators from across the musical spectrum, with tours with Kamasi Washington, and collaborations with artists including Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndegeocello, Snarky Puppy and many more. MzRizk catches up with BIGYUKI today, chatting about his show at Max Watts on October 16.

Author Mitch L. Ryan has just put out a 33 1/3 book covering Dick Diver's seminal 2013 record 'Calendar Days'. This book uses 'Calendar Days' to tease out the histories of the band and to complicate the notion of 'Dolewave', situating it all within a broader history of Australian independent music and politics in the early 2010s. While in Sydney, Jordan caught up with Mitch L. Ryan. Tune in to Underground Love to hear more about Dick Diver's history.

'In My Head' is the debut album from local group Terrible Muriel, which will be released on the new label Shred Like a Girl on October 15. Terrible Muriel is the loud and proud queer, feminist, post-punk love child of musicians Cinta (drums, lead vocals), Emmy (bass) and Kate (guitar). Coming on to the show this Tuesday, tune in to hear about their album launch at Northcote Social Club on November 15.

Local group SPAWN is joining Chris Pearson on the show today for a live session in Studio 3, and to chat about their recent hiatus. Forged over nine years, SPAWN’s 2025 record 'Light Rite' is a radiant rite of transformation. From the heavy mire of stoner doom to the celestial expanse of psychedelic rock, the record embodies raw authenticity and quiet humility. Listen in from 8pm to hear their live performance. 

At Shotkickers on October 17, Mushroom Giant will be launching their first new track since 2023, entitled 'A Perfect Storm', via Bird’s Robe Records. It’s been a big couple of years for the band doing shows both in Australia and Europe, touring with the likes of US post-metal group Russian Circles and sold-out shows with Mono (Japan), Yawning Man (US), Hubris (Switzerland) and many more. Chris Pearson catches up with Mushroom Giant on Pojama People.

Tonight on Tyrannocoreus, guitarist and band visionary Ro Stevenson from Naarm progressive metal act I Built The Sky will be coming onto the show. Ro will be discussing the band's new album 'Promise Me You'll Thrive', which they'll be playing in full at Howler on Halloween. Tune in to hear what the band has in store for the near future.

The Coven Tattoo & Arts Expo is a women run event made for tattooers by tattooers. The festival aims to support goth, neurodivergent, and LGBTQI+ communities while promoting local artists and charities. Helen and Carly from The Coven Tattoo & Arts Expo join Ryan on the show to chat about this event, which is taking place at Melbourne Showgrounds from October 24 - 25.

Influenced by the skeletal minimalism of Young Marble Giants and the jangled drift of The Clean, local group Blue Communications move between experimental noise, sparse pop songwriting, tape driven ambience, and blown-out guitar music. Formed in late 2024, their 2026 self-titled debut album has gained attention from community radio stations all around. Tune in this morning for a special acoustic performance from the trio, and to hear about their show at When Pigs Fly on December 31.

In the studio today on Roots of Rhythm, Helen Jennings will have Greg Phillips from Australian Musician Magazine on the show, along with photographer Jason Rosewarne to chat about Jason's exhibition fundraiser and concert, 'Captured Live'. Taking place at Empire Music Studios on December 2, attendees will be able to view Jason’s gallery of photos, followed by a two hour concert featuring many of the artists that Jason has captured over the last 11 year. Tune in to hear more.

This week on Jumpin' The Blues Tom welcomes the driving organ sounds of the Dovetones Hammond Trio playing an exclusive live set from Studio 1. Featuring Dave Allardice on the Hammond with Peter Whitford behind the kit and Gary Norman, guitar, the trio are set to burn through some classics exclusively for PBS.

Tonight on the show, Lyndelle will catch up with members of local group The Seven Ups. Returning with their sixth studio album 'Flight' - a soundtrack to the dance floor at the end of the world - The Seven Ups have spent more than a decade carving out their own corner of instrumental music. Tune in as The Seven Ups take over The Afterglow Radio show with a special, heavy grooves Studio 5 Live performance, followed by an interview. 

On this week's episode of Game Jams, Matt will be chatting with Birdman: or The Unexpected Virtue Of A Tony Hawk Pro Skater Cover Band. What started off as a novelty idea amongst six friends with an undying passion for the greatest video game soundtracks of their teens, morphed into an out-of-control nostalgia joyride, shared with an army of like-minded gaming and music fans. Tune in to hear about their Melbourne show at The Punters Club on October 17.

Nearly ten years after the release of her first album as The Grand Magoozi, songwriter Susie Scurry is back with a new album called 'Tropic of Capricorn'. Recorded live over three days with longtime musical friends at a rural studio outside of Melbourne with engineer Jesse Williams (Leah Senior, Winter McQuinn), the record is intimate, spacious and full of stories. Tune in this morning for a stripped back, acoustic performance from The Grand Magoozi on The Breakfast Spread.

Formed in Dundalk and built on the back of viral pandemic-era livestreams, The Mary Wallopers have become a powerful live act in Irish music. Led by brothers Charles and Andrew Hendy, The Mary Wallopers occupy a lane entirely their own, fusing centuries-old folk traditions with razor-sharp humour, political fire and an infectious disregard for convention. Lauren Plant catches up with the band on the program this morning, chatting about their upcoming show at The Forum on May 22.

This week on Radio City, Crispi will welcome Baker, Mellonie and Adams, aka BMA onto the show. The acoustic trio are releasing a double a-side 7" single on October 22, with the single launch taking place at The Brunswick Green on November 22. Tune in to hear about their new music, and what people can expect at their show in November.

Austin honky tonk performer Jake Penrod is coming to Australia for the first time. Joined by a full band including Benjiman Franz, Wil the drummer, and James Ellis, Jake Penrod captures the traditional sound and feel of Texas bars and dancehalls. The day after his show at Thornbury Bowls Club, Jake stops by Swinging Doors to play some live music for Ernie. 

Two piece metal band from Naarm/Melbourne Dusk Cult will be coming on to Burning Bitumen this week. Forming in 2020, the band has a new EP out which they'll be chatting to Kene Lightfoot about. Tune in to hear about the inspiration behind the new EP, and when we can next expect to see them play live. 

Swedish metal force Sarcator has release their fourth studio album, 'The Ones We Follow', due October 30, via Reigning Phoenix Music. Emerging from Sweden's thriving extreme metal underground, Sarcator will be chatting with Kene about their new record and their recent style change. Tune in after 10pm to hear more.

Joining Milo on the show this morning all the way from the UK, is Royal Male. With a radio show called 'Do You! Radio', and also an NTS program with Red Laser Records, he'll be chatting about a show taking place at Collingwood Basement on October 17. Find out more about the show, along with a special guests mix, on The Breakfast Spread with Milo Eastwood. 

Berlin-based Norwegian DJ Fett Burger and DJ Telephones will be jumping on the decks on Tomorrowland for a guest mix with Edd Fisher. As one half of record labels Sex Tags Mania and Amfibia, DJ Fett Burger runs left-field experimental project Mongo Fett, and taste maker mix series Trushmix. Known for his eclectic approach, curveball-mixes and pure dancefloor hedonism, Telephones has over 25 years' experience behind the decks. Tune in for this special edition of the show.

Tonight on Audio Vitamins, Jonny will catch up with Brooklyn‑born surrealist blues poet, aja monet. Making her Melbourne debut this October as part of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, she'll be presenting her new album 'the color of rain', accompanied by her outstanding US-based trio, at Max Watt's on October 22. As the youngest winner of the Nuyorican Poets Café Grand Slam at 19, aja monet's performances have filled venues and festivals worldwide. 

On the first half of Tiger Beats Elephant Grooves today, Pradip will be joined by Prannay & Co. Prannay is an Indian origin songwriter, producer and guitarist currently based in Naarm/ Melbourne. His style brings together cutting-edge electronic production and thoughtful live instrumentation and vocals, with influences from Carnatic music, to Indian folk and rock. Tune in to hear about Prannay & Co's upcoming show at the Workers Club on October 23.

Italian musicians Ciccio Nucera and Alessandro Santacaterina are in town from Calabria for the Segmento Tarantella Festival, which is happening over the weekend of October 23 - 25. They visit the Global Village to play some live music and talk about their traditional influences and modern adaptations on accordion and chitarra battente. As they say, “The tarantella is addictive”. Tune in to find out more.

Tune in to SITS tonight as Greg catches up with musicians playing at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. To start off, Greg will interview New York trumpeter Adam O’Farrill, chatting about a bold new collaboration that will unite Australian bassist Ross McHenry and Adam O'Farrill at the Jazzlab on Oct 21. The duo shares a restless creative curiosity, drawing on jazz, chamber music and experimental traditions to create music that is at once structured and spontaneous. 

For more than two decades, The Bad Plus have proven themselves to be the ultimate originals. A democratic unit with a clear vision and a refusal to conform to convention, they have consistently made their own rules with a bold sense of creativity and intent. Avoiding easy categorisation, The Bad Plus have won critical acclaim and a legion of fans worldwide. Tune in as Greg Sher catches up with his heroes ahead of their show at Melbourne Recital Centre on Oct 21, as part of the MIJF.

Hot off the back of their first single 'Playbook', Bad Bangs now serve up 'Interest' - a punky, grittier track that highlights the false sense of security that our growing dependence on our robot overlords brings us. It’s a rock song about “the pervasive nature of technology, and the feeling of not standing a chance against the tidal wave”. Tune in to Homebrew this afternoon to hear about Bad Bangs' upcoming third album, which will be coming out on November 20.

Formed in Bristol in the UK in 2020, the Tara Clerkin Trio are Pat Benjamin, Sunny Joe Paradisos and Tara Clerkin, three musicians involved in cult Bristol bands before confidently settling down in triangle formation. Drawing on jazz, trip hop, electronica, psychedelia, and minimalism, the trio turn these influences into an uncanny and blissful sound that’s all their own. Claire catches up with them this morning, chatting about their upcoming debut shows in Australia.

While best known as the voice of Tumbleweed, recent years have found Richie Lewis forging a distinctly personal creative path, exploring new musical territory through songwriting, collaboration and a series of adventurous projects that continue to redefine his work. Joining Chris Pearson on Pojama People, tune in to hear about his upcoming gig with Brush Prairie and J.P. Shilo at Geroge Lane in St Kilda on October 24.

German metalcore band Half Me are coming back to Australia for their first headline tour, playing a show in Melbourne's Leadbeater on October 25. The band will be dropping their sophomore album 'Crusade' at the start of the tour and will be joined by local band Deficit. Vocalist Chris Zühlke and guitarist Chris Hesse join Ryan on the show to chat about their busy tour schedule and upcoming album release.

Ahead of her show at The Railway Hotel on October 23 with support from Danika, Hannah Cameron joins Milo Eastwood for a live, stripped back performance on The Breakfast Spread. 'Arm's Length' is the new single from Hannah Cameron, and the song explores the experience of avoidant attachment through the lens of the recipient, carried by Cameron's signature fingerpicking and the intricate harmonies she's become known for. Tune in to hear the latest music from Hannah Cameron.

Cheersquad Records & Tapes are taking over The Corner for one huge birthday party, celebrating 30 years of the venue with an all-star lineup of incredible femme artists. There will be performances from A.C. Saunders, Barb Waters, Freya Josephine Hollick, Grace Mitchell, The Maggie Pills and more. Ahead of the show on October 31, Crispi catches up with Meghan Maike, Joyce Prescher and musical director for the night Barb Water about the event.

Lisa Gibbs and Frank Galgano from DIY electro post punk band USER will be coming onto Junkyard today to chat with Michael Mulholland about their fourth album, 'EXTINCTION'. Tackling topics such as human hopelessness, greed, confinement, and this earth we live on, the band will be playing at The Old Bar on October 30. Tune in to hear Michael Mulholland spin tracks from the band, including their earlier recordings, and to learn about USER's history. 

Hailing from Tāmaki Makaurau in Aotearoa/ New Zealand and based locally, D. Tyrone will be joining Edd Fisher on the program today to spin some tracks and to chat about their new music. Sounds inspired by the naive joy D. Tyrone felt as a kid when falling in love with music, their new album 'tough' has just dropped this October. Tune in from 2pm for a special guest mix, and to hear about their upcoming show at Hopkins Creek music festival from November 6 - 9.

WA group Bures Band are heading to Melbourne to play at Shotkickers on Oct 23, followed by a performance at Archies Creek on Oct 24. Having performed at SXSW Austin, recorded a live session at KEXP, their new album 'Ozonia' draws from the golden age of folk-rock, psychedelic country and kraut-rock-inspired experimentation. This morning on 5ft High and Rising, members of the Bures Band stop by to catch up with Myles about their new album and musical journey. 

Boundary-pushing Indian electronic music producer and live performer Todh Teri will be chatting with Pradip on Tiger Beats Elephant Grooves this October 24. Known for reimagining cinematic sounds from the golden era of Indian film for contemporary dance floors, Todh Teri blends these timeless melodies with deep house, acid, and funk, crafting edits that are as nostalgic as they are dancefloor-ready. Tune in to find out about his new EP which comes out this October. 

This morning on the program, Helen Jennings welcomes back local blues and soul guitarist Geoff Achison to the show for an acoustic live performance, alongside Aaron Pollock. They'll be coming on to chat about 'Fingerstyle Freakout!', a show which strips acoustic performances back to its raw essence, showcasing the astonishing power of human hands, imagination, and musicianship. Tune in to hear more about this concert taking place at the Wesley Anne on October 30.

Drawing from the rich traditions of the American songbook, Sterling Drake’s music spans cowboy and Western music, honky-tonk, Appalachian and Celtic traditions reflecting the diverse musical influences that have shaped his sound. Presented by Love Police, Drake’s Australian tour runs from October 15 - 31, playing at Brunswick Artists' Bar on October 29. A few hours before his show in Brunswick, Drake drops by Swinging Doors to catch up with Ernie.

Tonight on Burning Bitumen, Kene Lightfoot speaks with Diego Tello, the bass player from Chilean band Critical Defiance. Formed in Villa Alemana, Valparaíso in 2010, tune in to hear the latest from this violent thrash metal band.

Bassist Jimbo is part of local group Virulent Invocation. Formed around a shared love for ancient history, mythology, misanthropy, and pure blasphemy, the brutal five-piece will be taking their heavy dark metal music to 'Metal In The Mountains' next month. Tune in to hear about the band's upcoming shows, along with the new material they've been working on. 

Coming onto Fiesta Jazz this Saturday is local 12-piece Afro-Cuban salsa band La Influencia. Led by pianist Daniel Mougerman (The Bamboos) and timbalero Salvador Persico (Blue King Brown), they will be performing their original music alongside the music of Cuban heavyweights Alain Pérez, Havana D’Primera and Irakere at the Jazzlab on November 5. Saúl Zavarce interviews Daniel Mougerman about the upcoming show.