Interviews

One of the world's most respected and in-demand electric bassists, Jimmy Haslip is in Melbourne to play with Jeff Lorber Fusion this week. With a CV that includes everyone from Allan Holdsworth to Chaka Kahn; Anita Baker to Robben Ford, and his jazz fusion project Yellowjackets, Haslip has remained a force for more than 4 decades. This Saturday on Fiesta Jazz Jimmy Haslip drops in to chat with Saul about his remarkable career.

Coming in to Swinging Doors to chat about their new album 'Gold in Your Pocket' is soul singers of county, Caleb and Reeb. Based in San Juan Island in Washington (USA), the two are known to roots music fans across the globe for their soulful harmonies, driving dance tunes, and commitment to the raw truth of rural American music. Tune in to hear their reflective storytelling and crooning country music.

Ahead of their performance at Lulie Tavern's 10th anniversary celebration tonight, Henry Wagons & Queenie swing by Radio City to announce an exciting new project. In Henry's latest release, 'Four Seasons', the Australian singer-songwriter and TV/radio personality pushes the boundaries of modern twang with Morricone-inspired instrumentals and lyric-driven melodies, complemented by Queenie's vocals. Listeners can expect more of this dynamic duet on their upcoming joint project.

Featuring performances from local musicians Husky Gawenda, Dan Kelly, Charm of Finches, Hannah Cameron, Stephen Grady and Dan Challis, 'Songs From The Canyon' is a night of music written by some of the world’s finest songwriters. The lineup includes the music of Joni Mitchell, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, The Beach Boys and more. Crispi chats with folk artist Husky Gawenda about the shows happening across Victoria, with the first one kicking off in Geelong Arts Centre on April 24.

Heading to The Night Cat on April 3 to release his new album 'ARTIFACTUAL RHYTHM' on April 4, is Adelaide-based groove master Alexander Flood. The new record presents a re-interpretation of club and DJ music through the lens of a live band with a jazzy edge, drawing on sounds of deep house, UK garage, drum ‘n’ bass, and broken beat. Bringing in a selection of songs to share with Milo Eastwood, tune in to The Breakfast Spread to hear Alexander Flood play a round of Musical Chairs.

Legendary hard rock band Winger will electrify Australia for the final time, bringing their farewell tour to rock fans across the country. All of the original members will deliver the ultimate send-off, celebrating decades of iconic music. Chatting to vocalist and bass player Kip Winger about his love for Melbourne coffee, life after Winger and his journey as a classical composer, tune in to TNT to hear Tomarch chat with the Colorado legend, ahead of their show at 170 Russell on April 4.

Naarm-born visual artist and author Pauline Bailey drops in to Roots of Rhythm to discuss the launch of her new work, 'Blues Portrait – A Profile of the Australian Blues Scene Vol 5', at The Yorkshire Stingo Hotel in Abbotsford on April 5 at 5:30 pm. Recognised for her depictions of music venues, Pauline was awarded the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society’s Allan Stafford Award for Services to Blues Music. Her latest work captures a historic aspect of the Australian blues scene.

Celebrating its 24th year from May 15-18, Blues on Broadbeach is one of Australia’s largest free music festivals, featuring over 30 rhythm and blues artists. Newly announced on the second lineup drop, ARIA-winning sisters Vika & Linda Bull have released eight studio albums, two live albums, and sung on tracks by Paul Kelly, Kasey Chambers, and John Farnham. The Naarm-based duo joins Helen on Roots of Rhythm to chat about their upcoming performance on the Gold Coast.

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Marlon Williams (Kāi Tahu, Ngāi Tai) presents his fourth solo album and first Māori language album, 'Te Whare Tīwekaweka' ("The Messy House"). The album blends folk, country, and Māori rhythms, exploring themes of isolation, connection, and reclamation. With a tour across the US, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand ahead, join Milo on the Breakfast Spread for an intimate Studio 5 live and interview with Marlon, where he’ll discuss his inspirations and process.

Turning pain into poetry, laced with light and compassion, and infused with elements of Jeff Buckley, Fenn Wilson is a mesmerizing performer. Playing at the Punters Club in Fitzroy this Thursday as Fenn Wilson and The Weather, Fenn brings in their guitar for an acoustic live performance on The Breakfast Spread with Milo. Tune in for haunting vocals and rich storytelling.

The devil doesn’t always get the best tunes - as according to theological tradition in Lutheran Germany, the alto voice was considered the very symbol of the Holy Ghost. JS Bach felt this deeply, reserving the alto voice for the most moving and special arias in his passions and cantatas. Cas catches up with countertenor Reginald Mobley following his debut Australian tour with the Bach Akademie Australia ensemble, tune in to hear from the Grammy-nominated musician.

With a headline tour in March, followed by supporting Make Them Suffer in May, Justice For The Damned has a busy start to 2025. Drummer Chas Levi chats with Ryan about his battle with cancer and subsequent remission, along with the band's new single 'The Current'. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus from 12.30am to hear from the Sydney-based deathcore band.

From humble beginnings in Slovenia to international recognition, nu-deathrock band Within Destruction lands in Australia for their tour with Distant & Gravemind in April. Described as a fusion of deathcore, metalcore, and electronic music, Within Destruction's lineup has shifted over time, moving from a five-piece to a four-piece, and now functioning as a trio. Vocalist Rok Rupnik swings by Tyrannocoreus to chat about the band's history, the tour and upcoming sixth full-length album 'ANIMETAL'.

When legendary Japanese guitarist Masami Kawaguchi and seminal underground Australian artist Kim Salmon came together to collaborate, neither was sure of the direction which they would take. With equal parts carefree attitude and punk aesthetic, these two guitarists allowed each of their playing styles to overlap and intertwine, resulting in their LP 'Blossoming'. Coming in to Pojama People, tune in to hear these two musicians ignite in a Studio 3 Live performance.

Heavy psychedelic maestros Khan are about to embark on what will undoubtedly be their most ambitious year of touring so far. Starting with an Australian tour including a slot at Spliff n Riffs festival in Perth, the band then head back to Europe twice in 2025 to play an epic run of festivals. Playing at The Tote on April 5, Chris Pearson catches up with the band before their show down the road.

Playing at the Forum on May 24 to launch their third album, 'Underneath' into the universe is local band Floodlights. Written on the road and born from a period of transience and new experiences, the album channels the feeling of being on the precipice of something new yet fundamentally uncertain. Through their enveloping alt-rock soundscapes, Floodlights paint a metamorphosis in motion, which Claire Stuchbery chats to the band about. Tune in to Firewater to hear the latest from Floodlights.

Joburg-born, Naarm-based artist Ruby Gill will this month release her sophomore album 'Some Kind of Control'. A record that's cheekier, gayer and even more raw, the powerful set of songs-as-explorations share themes of control over her body, her queerness and her politic, with a witty and honest approach. Bringing in her acoustic guitar, tune in to The Breakfast Spread for an intimate, live session with Claire, and to hear about the album launch show at Northcote Social Club on April 17.

'Come Round' is a pulsating journey that spans Australia's east and west coasts, connected by heavyweight producers DJ PGZ and Yikes. The respective Naarm & Boorloo-based DJs' artistry culminates in this seven-track EP – a treasure trove of underground club gems that blend techno, bass and breakbeat in a robust collaboration, including two cross remixes. DJ PGZ and Yikes bring their melodic techno beats into Passing Notes with Penny; tune in to hear this exclusive guest mix.

Bringing a stacker line up of indie bands to the St Kilda Sports Club, Little Green Festival will be kicking off at 3pm on March 29 with local bands Pop Off!, New Rock Syndicate, Los Dominados, The Tommys and more for a day of loud music, food and helicopters. Festival organiser Rusty Teluk comes in to Sunglasses After Dark to chat with Phil MacDougall, tune in to hear more about the fun day.

During the midst of the 2020 chaos of cancelled shows and turbulent touring schedules, a bond was forged between singer-songwriter Ed Kuepper (The Saints) and drummer Jim White (Dirty Three). Capturing the immediacy of what they'd been performing live, the duo went into the studio and created 'After the Flood', an album that features eight Kuepper originals dug out of his past. Michael Mulholland catches up with Ed Kuepper about the new album; tune in to hear from the German-Australian musician.