Interviews

To kick start Underground Love this week, Jordan will be joined by local artist Hannah Kate. Their debut LP ‘Whatever Weather’ just came out this month, and the 9-track album provides a refreshing take on the indie genre - piloted by frontwoman Hannah Wales’ natural energy and matched only by her band’s post-punk to psych-rock output. Bringing along their guitar to play a couple of live songs in studio, tune in to hear about the album launch show taking place at The Tote on February 28.

The musical journey of Bakri evolved from personal refuge to professional discipline at the University of Wollongong Television and the ABC. Shaped by Naarm’s dancefloors, he bridges technical research with physical intuition. This guest mix appearance is a spiritual homecoming, uncovering subconscious Sudanese rhythms. Tune in to Dounya for Bakri's blend of foundational jazz and classical with new-age funk and Afrobeats, exploring themes of hospitality and longing, through a third-culture lens.

US based guitarist Marisa Anderson is stopping by The Breakfast Spread this morning, joining Claire Dickson for an exclusive, electric guitar performance. Channeling the history of the guitar and stretching the boundaries of tradition, her playing is fluid, emotional, and masterful, featuring compositions and improvisations that re-imagine the landscape of music. Tune in to hear about Marisa's first Australian tour, along with her show at Merri Creek Tavern on February 24.

This morning on Deeep Space, Lloyd Briggs will be joined by Naarm-based artist Rafet. Growing up between Australia and his family village of Miniara in North Lebanon, Rafet has always had a deep interest in maqamat and traditional Arabic music. Playing his first live performance since releasing on Research Records, tune in to hear about his show at Brunswick Ballroom on March 5, as part of the Brunswick Music Festival.

Passionate torchbearer of traditional Greek music, particularly Smyrneika - Estudiantina of Melbourne are about to launch their new album 'Ta Nisia' (The Islands) at Brunswick Ballroom on Sunday 15th March. Maria Antaras-Dalamagas and Christina Bachiella from the ensemble drop in to the Global Village to talk about the new direction of music which is inspired by the sunny Greek islands, and to share some of the tunes in advance of the launch.

Georgian ethnomusicologist Dr Gia Bagashvili is visiting Melbourne this month to present a lecture and concert about Georgian folklore and folksong: 'Georgia: Cradle of Wine and Polyphony'. Dropping in to the Global Village, Roger Holdsworth and Dr Gia Bagashvili will discuss the unique polyphonic singing in Georgia, illustrating its variations.

2-time Grammy Award winning American roots music, Jim Lauderdale is coming to Victoria next month, performing at Port Fairy Folk Festival in March. With a list of accolades - including induction into the Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame and the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame - Lauderdale’s music has been woven into the fabric since the early 90s, when his twin careers as critically acclaimed recording artist and hit songwriter kicked into high gear. Tune in as Myles catches up with Jim.

Founder of the charity party WHOMP and psychedelic party MAGICK, ANNX is known for her driving psych-rhythms and seductive, hypnotic beats within the trance, prog, and deep-techno space. Playing regularly at underground parties across the UK and beyond, ANNX is inspired by the cities and dancefloors she’s lived in and explored. Tune in to Passing Notes as the UK-based DJ joins Penny for a special edition of the show.

An expansive selector and producer, Fantastic Man has a catalogue of music that has consistently evolved through a myriad of genres and emotions over the years. From dreamy, new age balearia, to the chuggiest of nuggets, to sitting on the galactic borderlines of house and trance, Fantastic Man's music has that warm vintage feel with a wholly contemporary take. Joining Edd Fisher on Tomorrowland, tune in to hear Fantastic Man's beats, along with his show at Solace on February 27.

This week on Sunglasses After Dark, Phil MacDougall catches up with Matt Ryan, the founder and editor of music zine MUNSTER TIMES. Tune in as they discuss all things punk and garage, and what bands Matt has been rocking out to recently.

The British post-punk band The Horrors are returning to Australia for their first headline tour in 14 years. Their sixth studio album, 'Night Life', sees The Horrors shapeshifting into a new form with a fresh sonic outlook and line up. Known for the way they roam freely between genres, The Horrors have consistently reinvented their sound. Tune in to Junkyard as Michael Mulholland catches up with lead vocalist Faris about the band's upcoming show at Northcote Theatre on April 12.

The new album 'Banter' from local post-rock instrumental band Badinage is set for release this month, and Simon and Dave from the group will be stopping by Radio City to chat with Crispi about the release. Made up of Simon Capp (Rhythm Pigs, Blue Ruin), Dave Reid (Speedway, The Likely Lads) and Peter Cave (Negatives, Raconteurs), the new album was recorded and produced by Phill Calvert (The Boys Next Door/The Birthday Party, Psychedelic Furs, Blue Ruin). Tune in to hear their new music.

Brunswick Music Festival is taking place from March 1 - 8, and this year’s lineup is packed with both local and international artists, including Ganavya, Horns of Leroy, and FRENZEE, to name a few. Festival programmer and PBS' own MzRizk will join Milo Eastwood on The Breakfast Spread to chat about the festival, sharing music from the incredible artists who will be performing. Tune in to hear this Brunswick Music Festival edition of Musical Chairs.

Tune in to Game Jams for Matt Schenkel's very first show. To celebrate, he'll be joined by an array of incredible guests, including Xavier Dunn. With two platinum and nine gold records already to his name, producer, songwriter, and artist Xavier Dunn has been nominated for an ARIA. Having written and produced music for artists such as Peking Duk, Hayden James, Jack River, GRAACE, Pitbull, Client Liaison, Nina Las Vegas, and more, he'll be chatting about XD Project with Matt Schenkel.

Multidisciplinary artist Sarah Wolfe has featured in Rolling Stone, NME’s Global 100 Emerging Artists, and collaborated with multiple video game studios. She came back swinging after a surprise brain surgery in 2023, releasing 'Eternal Nights' for League of Geeks' game Solium Infernum. Alongside releasing her own music, she is also composing for Lemonade Games’ ‘Mystiques: Haunted Antiques’, and Funny Fintan Softworks’ ‘Don’t Stop, Girlypop!’ Tune in as Sarah drops by Game Jams.

Drawing from contemporary, classical and jazz influences, Candice Susnjar's compositions span theatre, film, TV and games. Having written and arranged music for ensembles including Perth Symphony Orchestra, Decibel New Music, Artemis Orchestra, the West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra and Tender Is the Night, her music has been featured in television series and film productions across the world. Tune in as Candice joins Matt Schenkel for his very first Game Jams show on PBS. 

‘Cataclysm’ is a poignant call for revolution of both politics and consciousness, conveyed through ten distinct songs written and produced by Zanias. Each piece of music inhabits its own aesthetic universe and rhythm, featuring elemental fusions of coldwave, italo disco, witchhouse, trance, breakbeats, hyperpop and a touch of drum and bass. Back in Melbourne for a visit, tune in as the Berlin-based artist joins Kristen Solury on BBHR for a chat about her recent album.

'Americana On The Bellarine' is coming up on February 21 at the Ocean Grove Hotel, with an all-female line-up set to rock the night. While the sun sets and twilight settles in, music-lovers will be treated to three hours of blues, roots, alt-country and rock from Sarah Carroll, Andrea Robertson and Ella Hooper. Andrea Robertson joins Helen on Roots of Rhythm, tune in to hear more about this show taking place over the weekend.

The 11th album ‘Love Is Not Enough’ from Converge shows why the US band remains one of the most influential groups in heavy music today. Across ten raw and emotionally charged tracks, the band sounds more urgent and powerful than ever, delivering a record that acutely reflects the tension and uncertainty of the world right now. Robyn catches up with Jacob Bannon, tune in to hear them talk about the themes behind the record and whether an Australian return might finally be on the cards.

Last year, Will Larsen dropped his album Confluence, his first release as a bandleader. The local saxophonist, arranger, and composer now gears up for his album launch at Tramway Hotel on February 22nd. Larsen visits PBS for a chat about the album on Mike Gurrieri's show Mystic Brew. Tune in from 9am on Tuesday to hear more.