Interviews

After nine years, local band Private Function have confirmed their final show ever at LuliePalooza Festival on March 21. Known for their unrelenting live shows and unmatched irreverence, their latest 19-track LP '¯\_(ツ)_/¯’ captures everything fans have come to love about the band: catchy hooks, irreverent lyrics, and a family-friendly “bite me” attitude. Claire catches up with the band’s front man Chris Penney, tune in to hear how he’s feeling ahead of the band’s big finale.

On March 20, Faroese singer, composer and sonic alchemist Eivør Pálsdóttir will return to this part of the world with her first-ever headline tour. Playing at Northcote Theatre, Eivør will be joined by another distinctive voice from the Nordic music world, Norwegian composer and multi-instrumentalist Sylvaine. Tune in to hear Eivør chat with Chris Pearson about her full-scale live production, where she'll bring her signature blend of primal rhythms, folk mysticism, and cinematic grandeur.

Local rockers Moler are releasing their blistering new single 'Roky', lifted from their brand new album '69', which is the band’s second full-length release since their ARIA-nominated 1997 debut 'Golden Duck'. Ahead of their album launch at The Tote on March 21, Helen and JJ McCann stop by Pojama People to catch up with Chris Pearson. Listen in to hear tracks from their new record, which is packed with alternative textures and glam-leaning, post-punk energy.

British metalcore band Sylosis have just released their fiercely sophisticated yet defiantly uncompromising 11 track record, 'The New Flesh'. They’re about to embark on a tour across Europe, the UK and North America, with plans to return to Australia. Ryan catches up with Josh Middleton, the singer-songwriter for Sylosis, tune in to Tyrannocoreus to find out when we can next expect to see them in Melbourne.

Perth/ Boorloo-based band Vanta is carving their way with something unique in the melodeath space, an approach that fuses their influences with experimentation, storytelling, and a technical edge. Their new album 'Perpetual Selection’ is an emotional journey that offers catchy, melodic passages and ferocious moments with an engaging, atmospheric approach. Ahead of their album launch on March 27, Ryan catches up with Jesse Venus (bass) and Ferde Handojo (drums) from the band.

Coming into Roots of Rhythm for the monthly segment 'Wordy Gurdy', Jackey Coyle and Helen Jennings chat about exceptional music and writing, scouring the past 100 years for rare and excellent blues, jazz, country, and more. Tune in from 9am to hear them analyse the best of the best.

Now in its 23rd year, the 'Dandenong Ranges Open Studios' provides visitors a unique opportunity to glimpse into the artist's inner sanctum. Over two weekends on March 21-22 and March 28-29, the studios will open their doors to share their wealth of creative talent in their biggest Open Studios to date. Singer-songwriter, graphic designer, and visual artist Tracey Roberts catches up with Helen - tune in to hear more about this vibrant event.

Known for writing and performing some of Australia’s most loved songs as both a solo artist and fronting ARIA Hall of Fame inductees You Am I, Tim Rogers has a career that spans 30 years with over 20 albums, 10 ARIA awards, countless TV, Film, Theatre appearances and books to his name. Sharing some live, acoustic songs in-studio with Lyndelle, tune in to the The Afterglow Radio Show to hear about his show taking place at Brunswick Ballroom on March 20.

At The Gem on March 28, Feelds - the project of local songwriter and producer James Seymour, will be launching their new single ‘Mayhem’. Written about opening up to yourself and owning your vulnerability, the track features a new band lineup and a sound that feels like a nod to the project's initial alt-folk conception over a decade ago. Bringing in his guitar to Down By The River, tune in to hear Feelds perform his new single live-to-air.

Local group Comedy will be coming on to Radio City this March 19, ahead of their show at Lulie Tavern on March 27 and at Rocksteady Records for Record Store Day on April 18. Their indie-rock tune 'L.A. Perfume' was released late last year, and the four-piece are about to drop their second single, 'Hate Machine.' Tune in as Crispi chats with Andy and Francis from the band about their new music.

Local purveyors of hard-hitting tunes, Drunk Mums will be storming onto the Arockalypse Now stage in San Remo on April 18. Known for their raw riffs, sharp hooks and sweat-drenched live shows, the group have multiple albums to their name and years of touring across Australia, the UK and Europe, earning a reputation for no-nonsense, high-energy performances that hit hard every time. Ahead of the festival, Phil MacDougall catches up with Jake and Adam from the band.

The iron-fisted thrash metal group Warbringer is gearing up to tear through Australia with a highly anticipated national tour in April. The US titans will hit Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney, bringing their signature blend of high-speed intensity and relentless energy to Australian fans. But first, the band’s lead singer, John Knevill, calls in to Burning Bitumen to chat with Kene. Tune in to hear about Warbringer headlining Brutefest at The Tote on April 25.

On Saturday, March 28, local grind-splattered death metallers Circle Of Blood launch their new album, 'In Praise Of Darkness' at The Last Chance Bar. Joining the band on the night are reigning hellhammer swingers Reaper!, crushing death-sludge group Bog Monster, and the eldritch melodeath of Slime Dimension. Tune in to Burning Bitumen as Kene catches up with Circle Of Blood about their debut album.

Ports of Paradise listener Adrian has found possibly the world's rarest exotica record, which is potentially worth thousands of dollars. Having discovered it in a Frankston op shop, Adrian will be joining Palm Tree Paddy on the Ports of Paradise to chat about and play the record. Tune in to hear this rare artifact, 'The N.Z. Jazz Trio Plays Exotica'.

Tune in to The Breakdown for a Studio 5 Live performance from Temporary Blessings – followed by an interview with DJ Manchild. Led by local trumpet player /composer Liam McGorry, ‘Sumbisori’ is the debut album by the newly formed Melbourne group. Assembled to realise McGorry’s compositions drawing on 1960s Italian and French soundtrack music, Temporary Blessings brings together trusted instrumentalists and fellow travelers from Melbourne’s rich enclave of cinematic soul.

On March 21, singer-songwriter Matt Joe Gow will be performing at Kew Court House. With powerful and captivating songs, Matt has won awards ranging from Music Victoria’s Country Album of the Year (twice) to a New Zealand Country Music Award, and has played at festivals around the globe. Bringing in his guitar to play some live songs, tune in to 5ft High and Rising as Myles catches up with Matt ahead of his show that night.

This week PBS presents a very special delayed broadcast of The Juke Joint Live in Concert, recorded at the 2026 Port Fairy Folk Festival. Tune in to hear live sets and interviews from Nick Charles, Anna Scionti (pictured) and the Lloyd Spiegel Trio as well as a thrilling all-in jam to bring the concert to a close.

After 35+ years in music, juggled between careers in family law and as a Federal Circuit Court Judge, feminist and political songwriter Judy Small bids farewell to music due to illness, releasing two final tracks 'Stand or Fall' and 'Within These Walls (Yad Vashem)', marking the close of her music story. Joining Roger Holdsworth on the Global Village, tune in to hear about Judy Small's incredible musical journey. 

Australian composer, performer, and academic, Professor Cat Hope, will be joining Ian Parsons on The Sound Barrier to talk about the music and legacy of Éliane Radigue, one of the world's most important composers of experimental music, who died on February 23 at the age of 94. Éliane Radigue is especially known for her deeply immersive music, which focuses on stillness and slowly, microscopically shifting sound colours and textures. Tune in to hear about Cat's friendship with Éliane Radigue

Local duo Zoltan Fecso and Anna Morley are about to release their debut collaborative album 'Desire Path' on Sydney's Oxtail Recordings on March 27. A collection of atmospheric duets for vibraphone and synthesiser, the album was recorded live and unedited. Tune in to Deeep Space as they join Lloyd to chat about their upcoming east-coast tour with shows in Hobart, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Boorloo / Perth-based experimental psych outfit Monotonic have just released their new single, ‘Lazers At Dawn’, the second track to be taken from their upcoming album ‘Heavy Metal’, out March 27. A hazy, fuzz-drenched expedition fuelled by cult cinema and various altered states, ‘Lazers At Dawn’ pushes deeper into the band’s hypnotic, genre-blurring sound. Lucas is joined by Liam Coffey, tune in to hear more about this band that's made up of veterans from Perth’s golden alt-rock era.

Southern California’s Spite, the decibel-and-soul-crushing deathcore unit, are returning to Melbourne this April for their first-ever Australian headline tour, bringing with them Pennsylvania’s Varials and local heavyweights DIESECT. Having released their debut album 'Nothing Is Beautiful’ in 2017, the band are entering the next cycle as they drop their new album, 'New World Killer' via Rise Records. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus to hear about their show at Max Watt's Melbourne on April 30.

Calling the road home and working tirelessly as full-time musicians, the whiskey-drenched Americana and hill-country blues artists Julian James and Beci Kate are true to life troubadours - living out of a bus while enthralling and connecting with audiences across Australia through their performances. Bringing their new record 'Prey to the Crow' to towns across Australia this month, Helen catches up with the duo on Roots of Rhythm to chat about their new album.

For the first time in Australia, Modern Lovers and Talking Heads’ Jerry Harrison and King Crimson’s Adrian Belew will perform 'Remain in Light' live in full - backed by their powerhouse 11-piece band. A landmark in modern music, 'Remain in Light' fused funk, art-rock, and global rhythms to redefine popular sound. Harrison and Belew will bring it vividly to life at Forum Melbourne on April 1, and at Bluesfest on April 4. Ahead of the shows, Crispi catches up with Jerry Harrison on Radio City. 

On April 10 at The Corner Hotel, Kim Salmon will be putting on a night of seminal swamp rock with his bands The Scientists and Kim Salmon and the Surrealists. Kim Salmon’s most enduring legacy, though not one he particularly set out to create, will no doubt be that many blame him, or at least The Scientists, for 'grunge.' Tune in to Radio City as Crispi catches up with Kim about the show, which will thematically and dynamically glide through the band's musical evolutions.

At Lulie Tavern on March 29,  Van Walker will be taking to the stage with his band Badlanders. With a new swag of originals to share, Van will be joined by Nick O’Mara (Raised by Eagles) on guitar, Mick Stylianou (Saint Jude) on bass, Dave Rose (Joni Lightning) on drums and Camilla Hodgkins (Boof!) on keys. Coming in to Swinging Doors to play a couple of live, acoustic songs for Ernie, tune in to hear about his upcoming new album 'Healing Descent'.

Joining Penny for this episode of Passing Notes is Helsinki artist Jeku. His latest release ‘Peyote Trance’, follows Jeku's journey into the 'trip', where mother nature pulls the strings, instead of the tin foil hatted puppet masters that hold the strings to us all. Finding solace in the dance and opting for psychedelic enlightenment over psychological terror, tune in for an energetic guest mix and interview from the Paris based producer. 

'Sono Una Pera' is an Italian folkloric inspired album by local musician Adam Halliwell. Weaving between improvisations and compositions using old and new forgotten technologies, the album relays stories, fantasies, tales and false experiences inspired by a quasi-Italian life with his grandparents in Diamond Creek. Performed solo and recorded live early last year, Lloyd will be catching up with Adam about the new album. Tune in to find out when it's due for release.

A tango between vintage doom metal and modern heavy rock, Devil Electric's new album 'Tahlia' is a homage to the Latin phrase 'that which nourishes me, destroys me'. Known for their crushing riffs, haunting vocals, and commanding stage presence, the band are coming on to Pojama People for a Studio 5 Live performance. Chris Pearson catches up with the four-piece about their new album. 

Born in post-grunge Collingwood in late 1995, Augie March are celebrating 20 years of their platinum album 'Moo, You Bloody Choir' which saw the band gate-crash the mainstream party in 2006. Playing their third studio album in its entirety at The Croxton on April 9, the record features their hit, 'One Crowded Hour' which topped Triple J’s Hottest 100 at the time. Tune in to Radio City as Crispi catches up with vocalist/guitarist Glenn Richards while he's in town. 

Boasting a collection of high-calibre musicians with an impressive pedigree (The Cat Empire, The Badloves, Ajak Kwai), PSI PHI will be launching their debut album at Shotkickers on April 18. Drawing inspiration from the gatefold-era of 70s prog and psych rock hedonistic excess, PSI PHI evoke the gods and monsters of the golden age of rock with virtuosity and intensity. Members of the group stop by Pojama People, tune in to hear them chat with Chris Pearson about the upcoming show.

This week on Down by the River PBS presents a special delayed broadcast from the 2026 Port Fairy Folk Festival. Join Lauren on stage for live sets and interviews from Irish Mythen (pictured), Svavar Knútur and Charley Castle and the Boys in the Well. Re-live the magic of this concert and feel the energy of this unique live radio event.

Three respected and influential singer-songwriters - Sara Storer, Shane Howard and Shane Nicholson - will join forces in an extraordinary live collaboration, celebrating the craft, power and legacy of Australian songwriting at MEMO Music Hall on May 14. This event will bring together three distinct voices whose songs have shaped the nation’s cultural landscape across generations. The two Shane's join Ernie, tune in to hear an intimate live performance from them.

Coming on to Swinging Doors to perform a couple of live songs for Ernie is US musician Mike Frazier. Hailing from the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia but relocated to Seattle, Washington in 2022, Mike Frazier is carrying on the tradition of record craft with a focus on authentic songwriting and high-quality production. Tune in to hear what brings him to Naarm/Melbourne. 

Solo artist of the year from the 2021 'Australian Folk Music Awards', Ruth Hazleton is taking her darkfolk album 'Heronbones' to Brunswick Ballroom on Sunday, April 29. A collection of stories (both traditional and composed), Ruth draws from deep wells of folklore and trad song, reshaping these narratives through a darkfolk lens, blending electronic sampling and sound design with guitar and banjo. Ruth Hazleton joins Lauren Plant on the show to chat about the upcoming album launch.