Interviews

Siblings from Lutruwita/Tasmania, Homebru are known for their intricate compositions that ebb and flow through driving rhythms and infectious spirit. Drawing inspiration from Celtic traditional music, they create a blend of contemporary and traditional folk that is vibrant, whimsical, and bold. This morning on Down By The River, Lauren Plant catches up with the four-piece band to chat about playing at The River Folk Festival, which is happening in Warburton from October 2 - 4.

'Daughter of The King' is the debut album from local artist Grace Mitchell, bringing together her unmistakable songwriting with a raw, guitar-heavy sound steeped in the grit and melodicism of ’90s alternative and grunge rock. With a special hometown launch at Shotkickers on Friday September 18, Crispi catches up with Grace on Radio City. Tune in to hear Grace chat about the new record.

Thrash metal band from the 80s, Mortal Sin are back together after a 15-year hiatus. To celebrate their 40th anniversary, Kene will be catching up with front man Matt Maurer to chat about the band's journey. Mortal Sin have had a big influence on the global metal scene, and even opened for Metallica in their early years. Tune in after 10pm to hear from Matt Maurer of the Sydney based group.

Stopping by The Breakfast Spread this morning while they’re in town is improvisational drum and saxophone duo Party Dozen. Having just announced their upcoming fifth album '21 Bum Salute', they've also just dropped a new single called 'Euro Stomper', which casts the band as chaotic charlatans in a comical critique of the demagogues and grifters who wield outsized influence by manufacturing belief. Tune in to hear a hand-picked selection of party tunes from Party Dozen.

French-Belgian producer Tour-Maubourg will be bringing his blend of soulful house, acid jazz and trip-hop to Australia for the very first time. Over the past few years, Tour-Maubourg has established himself as one of Europe's most exciting electronic artists, captivating audiences with his warm, groove-driven productions and emotionally rich live sets. Tune in to Audio Vitamins for an interview and guest mix from Tour-Maubourg, ahead of his show at The Night Cat on October 17.

An early evening of storytelling, protest, tenderness and Australian folk and Americana music will be happening at Northcote Social Club on Sunday September 20, as Les Thomas launches his new album 'I Remember Everything'. Backed by a full band, 'I Remember Everything' moves between intimate ballads, hard-won protest songs and moments of humour, humanity and defiance. Ahead of the show, Les brings his warm baritone voice to 5ft High and Rising for an interview with Myles.

Damian Gardiner, bassist for Naarm punk/hardcore/hip hop outfit 28 Days will be joining Ryan on Tyrannocoreus tonight. Celebrating 30 years of 28 Days, the band are about to embark on a regional tour after their sold out shows across major Australian cities. Tune in after 10pm for a deep dive into the band's history, and to hear about their upcoming performance at Froth and Fury Festival in January. 

Stopping by Tyrannocoreus tonight is local band Vault Hill, who produce heavy, thrash music laced with menacing, metal-core intensity. Guitarist Adro O'Brien will be discussing with Ryan the band's new EP 'Modern Way', how the band are navigating the new era split across the country, and what they'll be doing to celebrate the release. Tune in to hear the latest from Vault Hill.

'BLAK N BLUES' is a conversation in blues music, art and poetry. Created by Wiradjuri man Uncle Glenn Loughrey and internationally awarded blues guitarist Fiona Boyes, it brings together two enduring oral traditions - First Nations storytelling and the deep blues. Ahead of the show, Helen catches up with Fiona about the event, which will take place at Wheat, Wine and Whisky from October 13 - 18.

This September 23rd will mark 30 years to the day when Magic Dirt’s acclaimed debut album Friends In Danger was released in Australia back in 1996 To celebrate this significant milestone and to talk about its legacy, we will have none other than honorary guest Adalita Srsen. Also joining will be current bass player, and long-time friend of the band, Steve Patrick.

A third '-TOPIA' will unfold across three realms of sound, vision and movement at the Abbotsford Convent on October 10. A multidisciplinary meditation on existence and what lies beyond, the lineup includes Fare Evader, Gut Health, Jack Gaby and many more. Benji and Alana from Tessellate Club join Milo on The Breakfast Spread for a round of Musical Chairs, tune in to hear songs from the artists that will be playing at '-TOPIA'.

Singer/songwriter and cellist Alice Hurwood creates charming folk-pop that shimmers with emotional depth. Writing songs that navigate love, longing, and self-discovery, Alice invites listeners into a world that feels both delicate and powerful. With her cello in hand, Alice Hurwood joins Lauren Plant on Down By The River to perform a couple of songs live to air, ahead of her show at River Folk Festival from October 2 - 4.

'This Parallel Dimension' is Dan Flynn's new album featuring his two sons, Sebastian Flynn on bass guitar and Euca Flynn on drums. While it's a proud dad moment, the record is a collection of some of Dan's most compelling work, propelled by a combination of masterful songwriting and youthful abandon. Crispi catches up with Dan on Radio City ahead of his album launch at Cross Street Music Hall in Brunswick on October 4.

Local artist, producer and industry professional Xylo Aria will be stopping by Tiger Beats Elephant Grooves this weekend. Combining R&B, experimental and ambient tones to create a captivating soundscape, her musical journey sparked while accompanying her grandmother to classical Indian carnatic singing classes at the age of five. Tune in to hear about her new single 'About You', which features Eora/Sydney rapper Rotaris.

This morning on the show, Paris Rebel Richens will be dropping by to share with Claire Dickson her harmonium-led, spiritually inspired project, P.P. Rebel. Largely inspired by Paramahansa Yogananda’s spiritual classic 'Autobiography of a Yogi', Paris began studying the Self-Realization Fellowship teachings in 2020 before becoming a Kriya Yogi (Kriyaban) and disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda in 2021. Tune in to hear a round of Musical Chairs from Paris.

On September 25, Allysha Joy will be releasing her new single 'kiss it better'. Known for her solo work and as the front woman for 30/70, her husky soulful voice, formidable Fender Rhodes prowess and raw poeticism have garnered legions of attentive fans from all around the globe. Milo Eastwood catches up with Allysha Joy on The Breakfast Spread, tune in to hear about her latest music, and for a special, live in-studio performance. 

Locally based visual artist and author Pauline Bailey has got a new book coming out called 'Blues portrait Vol Six'. Recognised for her depictions of music venues, Pauline was awarded the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society’s Allan Stafford Award for Services to Blues Music. Tune in to hear about the book launch taking place at The Yorkshire Stingo on October 10, with live music from The Blow Out, Stingo’s resident house band, plus special guests from 3.30pm–9.30pm.

Local blues harmonica player and educator Matthew “Whalebone” White has been immersed in the blues for more than 15 years. As one half of Wilson & White, a popular acoustic and electric blues duo known for their authentic juke-joint sound, Matthew performs classic Chicago blues and stomps at venues across Victoria, bringing that same raw feel-for-the-music directly into the workshop room. Tune in to hear about his upcoming harmonic workshop at LVK Music on October 18.

On the same day as his upstairs show at The Tote, Crispi will be catching up with Benny J Ward on Radio City. After years of playing in different bands and touring together, Benny J Ward and members of local garage-pop outfit Lava Fangs are uniting for a split 7" record. Drawing on a shared love of hook-heavy power pop, garage rock and underground guitar music, the split captures two artists whose paths have crossed countless times before finding their way onto the same record. 

For its fifteenth anniversary, Adalita will be performing her self-titled album, which marked the beginning of her remarkable solo journey, at Theatre Royal in Castlemaine on September 18. Raw, intimate, and emotionally fearless, the album struck a deep chord with listeners and remains one of the most beloved and influential Australian releases of its time. Ahead of her show in Castlemaine, Michael Mulholland is joined by Adalita on Junkyard to chat about the record. 

Back with a new cycle of whimsical stories and compositions, The Village Square will be heading to The Motley WhereHaus on October 17, as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Bringing together the captivating, madcap narration of Richard Piper and the creative chemistry of cellist Zoe Knighton and guitarist Robbie Melville, tune in this morning for some live contemporary folk tales filled with humour, longing, and beauty on Down By The River.