Interviews

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.

Asteroid Ekosystem, the brainchild of pianist and composer Alister Spence, is a supergroup for the 21st century bringing together four very talented musicians. Spence; the leader of contemporary jazz group, the Alister Spence Trio and touring keyboardist with The Aints! and Laughing Clowns; bassist Lloyd Swanton of jazz giants The Necks, percussionist Toby Hall on drums; and The Saint's Ed Kuepper. Tune in to hear Chris Pearson chat with Alister Spence about the band's new music.

Local band Public Figures are about to play at Golden Plains and go on their first ever tour. After a blistering hot 2025 that introduced them to the world, the uncompromising project of longtime collaborators Evie Vlah and Gigi Argiro, have carved out a lane all on their own - punk with purpose, earworms at every turn, and songs that swing between identity, power, and resistance with explosive honesty. Tune in to hear about their new EP 'Figure It Out!'

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.