Interviews

This April is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) awareness month, and local rock bands are coming together to make some pretty noise while raising funds and awareness for PMDD Australia. The lineup features Ash Acid, Jess Shreds & The Unmade Beds, Yelo, Prairie Nischler, and Brian Morley, who will be strumming their distorted guitars down at Mamma Chen’s on April 12 from 7pm. Ash Acid stop by Pojama People to chat with Chris Pearson - tune in to learn more about this fundraiser show.

The new album 'Somewhere Between 3 & 5 am' from local rock and roll group Cinco Savage captures a journey all too familiar for many - the culmination of house parties, wild festival nights, and being among the last few still awake in the early hours. In other words, a litany of questionable decisions. With gritty guitar riffs and powerful vocals from front woman Kerrie Loveless, tune in to Pojama People as the band chats about their upcoming show at Lulie Tavern on April 11.

Creating music that lives somewhere between the realms of rom-com and horror movie, Merpire has just announced her upcoming album, 'MILK POOL'. Following the success of her debut 'Simulation Ride', Merpire dives deeper into personal themes, creativity, and her penchant for atmospheric vocals. Tune in to Underground Love for a live performance from Naarm's own multi-instrumentalist and producer.

'In My Veins' is the new album from multi dimensional artist and powerhouse Jade MacRae. It's her fourth studio album release, which began as an antidote to the despair of the pandemic, becoming an exploration of turning bitter into sweet, all set against a backdrop of punchy, soul infused riffs and rhythms. Ahead of her show at Bird's Basement on April 11, Lucas Packett checks in with the early-2000s pop star.

Coming into Headhunters this Monday is UJ DJ and radio host Poly-Ritmo. Known for her joyously infectious live sets on Boiler Room, Jazz FM and NTS, the London based DJ has a passion for past musical gems found within the sprawling Caribbean diaspora. Tune in to hear about her DJ'ing lifestyle in London, along with her upcoming shows across Australia.

GUM (Pond, Tame Impala) and Ambrose Kenny-Smith (King Gizzard, The Murlocs) have released their psych-pop album 'Ill Times'. The expanded version includes four new tracks, and to celebrate, GUM and Kenny-Smith will embark on a four-date Australian tour in April, playing at The Corner Hotel on Thursday, April 10. Tune in to Homebrew, where Ambrose Kenny-Smith joins Brooke to chat about these first-time ever performances with GUM.

The latest single 'Find Me Again' from Kathleen Halloran is laden with fretboard flair and irresistible spirit. Having established herself as one of the country’s most exciting rising stars, she has shared the stage with the likes of Kate Ceberano, Jon Stevens, Katie Noonan, and Felix Riebl (The Cat Empire), to name a few. Adam Rudegeair catches up with Kathleen Halloran - tune in to hear about her upcoming show at Shotkickers on April 21.

One of the world's most respected and in-demand electric bassists, Jimmy Haslip is in Melbourne to play with Jeff Lorber Fusion this week. With a CV that includes everyone from Allan Holdsworth to Chaka Kahn; Anita Baker to Robben Ford, and his jazz fusion project Yellowjackets, Haslip has remained a force for more than 4 decades. This Saturday on Fiesta Jazz Jimmy Haslip drops in to chat with Saul about his remarkable career.

Coming in to Swinging Doors to chat about their new album 'Gold in Your Pocket' is soul singers of county, Caleb and Reeb. Based in San Juan Island in Washington (USA), the two are known to roots music fans across the globe for their soulful harmonies, driving dance tunes, and commitment to the raw truth of rural American music. Tune in to hear their reflective storytelling and crooning country music.

Ahead of their performance at Lulie Tavern's 10th anniversary celebration tonight, Henry Wagons & Queenie swing by Radio City to announce an exciting new project. In Henry's latest release, 'Four Seasons', the Australian singer-songwriter and TV/radio personality pushes the boundaries of modern twang with Morricone-inspired instrumentals and lyric-driven melodies, complemented by Queenie's vocals. Listeners can expect more of this dynamic duet on their upcoming joint project.

Featuring performances from local musicians Husky Gawenda, Dan Kelly, Charm of Finches, Hannah Cameron, Stephen Grady and Dan Challis, 'Songs From The Canyon' is a night of music written by some of the world’s finest songwriters. The lineup includes the music of Joni Mitchell, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, The Beach Boys and more. Crispi chats with folk artist Husky Gawenda about the shows happening across Victoria, with the first one kicking off in Geelong Arts Centre on April 24.

Heading to The Night Cat on April 3 to release his new album 'ARTIFACTUAL RHYTHM' on April 4, is Adelaide-based groove master Alexander Flood. The new record presents a re-interpretation of club and DJ music through the lens of a live band with a jazzy edge, drawing on sounds of deep house, UK garage, drum ‘n’ bass, and broken beat. Bringing in a selection of songs to share with Milo Eastwood, tune in to The Breakfast Spread to hear Alexander Flood play a round of Musical Chairs.

Legendary hard rock band Winger will electrify Australia for the final time, bringing their farewell tour to rock fans across the country. All of the original members will deliver the ultimate send-off, celebrating decades of iconic music. Chatting to vocalist and bass player Kip Winger about his love for Melbourne coffee, life after Winger and his journey as a classical composer, tune in to TNT to hear Tomarch chat with the Colorado legend, ahead of their show at 170 Russell on April 4.

Naarm-born visual artist and author Pauline Bailey drops in to Roots of Rhythm to discuss the launch of her new work, 'Blues Portrait – A Profile of the Australian Blues Scene Vol 5', at The Yorkshire Stingo Hotel in Abbotsford on April 5 at 5:30 pm. Recognised for her depictions of music venues, Pauline was awarded the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society’s Allan Stafford Award for Services to Blues Music. Her latest work captures a historic aspect of the Australian blues scene.

Celebrating its 24th year from May 15-18, Blues on Broadbeach is one of Australia’s largest free music festivals, featuring over 30 rhythm and blues artists. Newly announced on the second lineup drop, ARIA-winning sisters Vika & Linda Bull have released eight studio albums, two live albums, and sung on tracks by Paul Kelly, Kasey Chambers, and John Farnham. The Naarm-based duo joins Helen on Roots of Rhythm to chat about their upcoming performance on the Gold Coast.

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Marlon Williams (Kāi Tahu, Ngāi Tai) presents his fourth solo album and first Māori language album, 'Te Whare Tīwekaweka' ("The Messy House"). The album blends folk, country, and Māori rhythms, exploring themes of isolation, connection, and reclamation. With a tour across the US, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand ahead, join Milo on the Breakfast Spread for an intimate Studio 5 live and interview with Marlon, where he’ll discuss his inspirations and process.

Turning pain into poetry, laced with light and compassion, and infused with elements of Jeff Buckley, Fenn Wilson is a mesmerizing performer. Playing at the Punters Club in Fitzroy this Thursday as Fenn Wilson and The Weather, Fenn brings in their guitar for an acoustic live performance on The Breakfast Spread with Milo. Tune in for haunting vocals and rich storytelling.

The devil doesn’t always get the best tunes - as according to theological tradition in Lutheran Germany, the alto voice was considered the very symbol of the Holy Ghost. JS Bach felt this deeply, reserving the alto voice for the most moving and special arias in his passions and cantatas. Cas catches up with countertenor Reginald Mobley following his debut Australian tour with the Bach Akademie Australia ensemble, tune in to hear from the Grammy-nominated musician.

With a headline tour in March, followed by supporting Make Them Suffer in May, Justice For The Damned has a busy start to 2025. Drummer Chas Levi chats with Ryan about his battle with cancer and subsequent remission, along with the band's new single 'The Current'. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus from 12.30am to hear from the Sydney-based deathcore band.

From humble beginnings in Slovenia to international recognition, nu-deathrock band Within Destruction lands in Australia for their tour with Distant & Gravemind in April. Described as a fusion of deathcore, metalcore, and electronic music, Within Destruction's lineup has shifted over time, moving from a five-piece to a four-piece, and now functioning as a trio. Vocalist Rok Rupnik swings by Tyrannocoreus to chat about the band's history, the tour and upcoming sixth full-length album 'ANIMETAL'.