Interviews

US pianist and filmmaker Tellef Johnson will be on The Sound Barrier with Ian Parsons this Sunday. Renowned for taking on large and very complex pieces of piano music, he'll be chatting about his world premiere recording of Opus Archimagicum, the seven-and-a-half-hour fifth piano sonata by Parsi-English composer Kaikhosru Sorabji. Composed in the 1930s but still startlingly modern today, tune in to hear about this work that has often been dismissed as unplayable.

Local composer, performer, improviser and collaborator within Melbourne’s DIY underground, Abby Sundborn will be coming on to Deeep Space with Lloyd Briggs this morning. Her new album 'Holding Pattern' is the clearest distillation of her musical vision - one that is rooted in intimacy and vulnerability and pays homage to countless memories both shared and in solitude. Find out about her album launch at Tempo Rubato on September 28.

GRAMMY‑winning pianist and composer Kris Davis stands at the forefront of New York’s contemporary jazz scene, described by The New York Times as a beacon for “deciding where to hear jazz on a given night.” Across her career she has collaborated with artists such as Terri Lyne Carrington, Dave Holland, Craig Taborn, and many more. Ahead of the Kris Davis Trio show at The Jazz Lab on October 19 and 20, Adam catches up with Kris Davis on Black Wax.

Selector and radio host Coco Maria is coming to Melbourne to play at Move My Way Festival, which is taking place at Pica on October 4. Specialising in Brazilian, South-Central-American, and Caribbean music, her selections have all sorts of rarities from sunnier, far-off places. Mixed with her unconditioned energy, Coco Maria has the ability to keep your feet busy while making your mind embark on a trip to the warmed sides of the musical world. Elle catches up with Coco on Headhunters.

Stopping by Underground Love today 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 from Party Dozen while they're in town.

Four-piece rock’n’roll band ​​C.O.F.F.I.N will be performing in Studio 5 Live this Tuesday during Firewater. Driven by guttural lead vocals from behind the drum kit, high-voltage lead guitars and razor-sharp rhythms, their music nods to the rich and raw lineage of bands such as Coloured Balls, The Angels and AC/DC, while filtering it through their own Northern Beaches lens. Tune in as Claire Stuchbery interviews the band straight after their Studio 5 Live session.

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.

Tune in to Stars In The Static tonight for an intimate, live performance from local jazz guitarist and composer Matt Hoyne. His new album 'Furniture Music' comes out on October 6, and it's a collection of songs written specifically for listening at home on the stereo. Like well-designed furniture, this music is intended to provide comfort, offer respite from the busyness of everyday life, and elevate the experience of being at home. Listen in from 8pm to hear about Matt's new music.

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.

For the second half of Boogie Beat Suite, MzRizk will be joined by Immy Owusu and his father, for a live, acoustic performance. Immy's new single 'Hard People' explores the impact of difficult individuals and the importance of protecting your peace whilst staying true to yourself. Musically dedicated to Immy's Grandfather and the Ghanaian 'Palm Wine Highlife' sound, the distinctive instrument in the track is the Frikywa thumb bell, a type of metal castanet that adds a rhythmic off beat. 

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.

Adelaide-based film writer/director Dario Russo will be joining Matt on Game Jams this Thursday morning. ​Having created, co-written, and directed the cult series 'Danger 5', the viral web series 'Italian Spiderman', Dario has just completed his debut live-action feature film, 'The Fox'. Dario joins Matt on Game Jams to chat about his work with Powerbomb Games on 'Pro Jank Footy'.

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. 

'Mixed Light' is the latest and 8th album from Ned Collette, and the record flows freely between styles, genre-hopping and rollercoasting through moods. Sometimes delicate and dreamy then warm, dramatic and melancholy, it tumbles into rhythmic, almost psychedelic, melodic pop, before diving into a whirlpool of raucous and raw offerings. Today on Radio City, Crispi catches up with Ned about his new album, chatting about his 20+ year career.

For its fifteenth anniversary, Adalita has been performing her self-titled album in full, which marked the beginning of her remarkable solo journey. 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. Michael Mulholland is joined by Adalita on Junkyard to chat about the record. 

At the John Curtin Hotel on October 24, Kilat will be returning home to launch their new album 'Tirai Niskala'. Across eight compositions, 'Tirai Niskala' is explored through visceral sonic landscapes, hyper blast beats, tremolo picked full spectrum guitar sonics and dense vocals, bringing atmosphere and invocation into collision with abrasive black metal. Kilat stops by Burning Bitumen to catch up with Kene. 

US metalcore act Miss May I is set to release their 8th studio album 'No Place For Me' this October. Formed in 2007, the band currently consists of Levi Benton on vocals, Jerod Boyd on drums, Ryan Neff on bass, and Elisha Mullins on guitar. Tune in as Ryan chats with bassist Ryan Neff about how the band's lineup change has impacted the group, and their fond memories of performing at Knotfest Australia in 2024.

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. 

Stopping by Radio City this afternoon is Dave Bowers, to discuss his show 'The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore – The Songs of Scott Walker', which is happening at Brunswick Ballroom on October 23 and Archies Creek on October 25. Musical director of the show, Stephen Hadley, will also be dropping in, chatting about the innovative and enduring songwriter Scott Walker, whose work inspired generations of musicians, from David Bowie, Brian Eno and Pulp to Radiohead and countless others. 

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.