Interviews

‘Guewel’ is a landmark multi-artform work by Senegalese-born, Melbourne-based artist Lamine Sonko, created in collaboration with the National Theatre of Senegal. Premiering at Arts House this November 12 – 16, 'Guewel' fuses live music, animated projection, filmed landscapes and sacred dance to convey gestural languages rich with history, cosmology and collective memory. Tune in to hear about this project that’s been 7 years in the making.

On October 31 at Sub Club Melbourne, 1800 Play and Charades join forces to welcome Reptant, a leading figure in the new wave of electro producers, with releases on labels like 'Trust' and 'Kalahari Oyster Cult'. Reptant will play an exclusive 4 hour set in the basement, with support from Séarlait, the founder of 1800 Play and the forthcoming label: 'esensual', known for her wiggy dub, tech house, and minimal-driven sets. Tune in to Tomorrowland as Edd catches up with both DJs.

To kick off Tomorrowland today, Edd Fisher will be joined by local producer, DJ, and instrumentalist Harvey Sutherland. His new album ‘Debt’ came out earlier this month, which explores the cost of doing business in the meme economy. The album's title nods to the financial contortions necessary to strive as an independent artist, but ‘Debt’ is better understood as the ledger of what we owe, and to whom, in the course of a creative life. Tune in to hear Edd Fisher catch up with Harvey.

Recorded 25 years ago by Shane O’Mara at his Yikesville studio, The Meanies’ new 7” single 'Shutdown' is seeing the light of day for the very first time. On the B-side of the 7”, you’ll find Frenzal Rhomb and Perth punks Leeches! delivering renditions of Meanies classics 'Play This Song Each Night' and 'Scum.' Tune in to Sunglasses After Dark as Phil chats to Wally from The Meanies about their upcoming show at The Tote on November 4.

Formed in Melbourne in 2013, psychedelic punk rock band SPACEJUNK have just released their new album 'JUNK TIME', and it’s full of fuzzy guitars, left-field sonic touches, and barely controlled energy. Playing at Mamma Chen’s in Footscray on November 22, Phil catches up with the band ahead of their show with Assteroid and The Nowa Nowas.

Psych-boogie heavyweight Dom Mariani (The Stems, DATURA4, Baggage Handler) brings the fuzz, swagger, and serious sonic firepower with his new album 'Apple Of Life', dropping on the last day of October. Crispi catches up with Dom the day before its release, tune in to hear about his recent show with Jon Spencer, and what we can expect from his second solo album. 

Having emerged from Melbourne’s bayside onto the live scene a year ago with their fresh and spirited indie rock, The Gnomes are now set to release their self-titled debut album. Starting as a bedroom solo project for teenage singer-songwriter Jay Millar a few years back, the band have now shared the stage with the likes of Skegss, Split System and The 5.6.7.8's. Tune in to Radio City as Crispi catches up with Jay Millar about the band's album launch show at Brunswick Ballroom on November 14.

In 1978, local duo Essendon Airport was formed by David Chesworth on Wurlitzer electric piano and Robert Goodge on guitar, accompanied by a home-made drum machine. Embracing minimalism, repetition, irony, and experimentation, Essendon Airport are now releasing a new album 'MOR', revisiting their early minimalist work with songs from and around the 'Sonic Investigations' era, reimagined in expanded full-band arrangements. Tune in to hear about their show at Northcote Social Club on November 23.

London-born but Tassie-based, Celtic/Sri Lankan singer-songwriter Sheyana and her band have just released their new album 'All The Best'. Influenced by the classics and drawing inspiration from their deep Tassie roots, The Sheyana Band fuse the stylistic flavours of Australian rhythm and soul, southern country and rock. Tune in to Roots of Rhythm as Helen catches up with Sheyana.

ARIA Award-winning blues virtuoso Dave Hole will perform his all-time greats at Bird’s Basement on November 8. Having released ten albums and headlined festivals around the globe, Dave’s playing is infused with the spirit of legends like Elmore James, Duane Allman, and Johnny Winter. Tune in to Roots of Rhythm as Helen catches up with Dave ahead of his show.

Listen in to the second half of Tyrannocoreus this Wednesday morning as Ryan chats with vocalist Nazareth Tharratt and guitarist David Wilder from local band HEAVENSGATE. They’ll be talking about their recent touring experiences in Europe and America, as well as their new metalcore EP, 'A Heart Is a Heavy Burden'. Tune in to hear what they’ve got planned for the next 12 months.

California metalcore titans The Ghost Inside are returning to Australia this month for their first headline tour in over a decade. Armed with passion and determination that has captivated a global audience for decades, The Ghost Inside forge the new wave of American metalcore dexterity with the urgency of punk and dauntless melodies, all of which have permeated and fortified across six studio albums. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus as Ryan catches up with bassist and clean vocalist Jim Riley. 

Acclaimed saxophonist and producer fusing jazz and dance music traditions, Nathan Haines is bringing a completely immersive, live Jazz House experience to The Night Cat on October 31. A journey through the decades of his prolific, ground breaking work, Haines is a world leader in a style that he's elegantly trail-blazed and pioneered, nowadays’ coined as ‘Jazz House’. Tune in to Headhunters as Elle Young catches up with the Aotearoa/ New Zealand music royalty.

Fresh off a sold-out UK/EU summer tour, including Jazz Café London and major European festivals, Close Counters are bringing that international momentum back home to When Pigs Fly on December 31. Their 2023 Music Victoria Award-winning album 'SOULACOASTA II' earned props from Gilles Peterson and Folamour, with breakout singles released via Defected Records. Tune in as Elle catches up with one half of the broken-beat and disco duo, Allan McConnell.

On Friday, November 7, Kee’ahn will launch their debut EP 'for me, for you x' at The Evelyn Hotel. The Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal, and Torres Strait Islander songwriter and performer from North Queensland has captivated listeners with their lush melodies and rich vocals, sharing powerful stories of hope and healing. Joining Claire Dickson on The Breakfast Spread to perform some songs, tune in to hear an incredible, stripped-back set of Kee’ahn’s powerful neo-soul music.

This Sunday on The Sound Barrier, pianist and composer Alex Raineri joins Ian Parsons to discuss his role as Artistic Director of this year’s Brisbane Music Festival. The BMF has become one of Australia’s leading and most adventurous festivals of new music, attracting performers and audiences from across the country. Tune in to hear about Alex’s other involvement in the BMF, along with a Melbourne concert series Alex puts together that features both familiar and challenging music.

Rapper, singer, producer, and activist M.I.A. will be performing her Grammy-nominated music at the Forum Melbourne on October 26. Celebrated for her fearless creativity and distinctive blend of hip-hop, electronic, and punk, the British-Sri Lankan artist continues to inspire new generations of artists and audiences with her unapologetic voice and genre-defying sound. Ahead of her headlining show, Pradip catches up with M.I.A. Tune in to Tiger Beats Elephant Grooves for this exclusive interview.

'Eternal Sunset' is the new six-track EP from Munich-based DJ and producer Nic Jalusi. Making waves with his refined house style rooted in the 90s, Nic is also one of the creative minds behind the fantastic label 'Super Sound Global'. Jonny catches up with Nic to chat about the influences behind the record, tune in to Audio Vitamins for a special guest mix from Nic, bringing together all the sounds and styles that have shaped his music over the years.

Listen in to The Breakdown this Friday as local hip-hop poet and lyricist Cazeaux O.S.L.O drops in. Recognised for crafting evocative, spiritual sound worlds through his work with SO.Crates, Sunset Cities, and Man Made Mountain, Cazeaux O.S.L.O pairs introspective, literary songwriting with neo-soul-inspired beats to create emotionally resonant stories and immersive 'cerebral' spaces. Tune in to hear about his upcoming show at When Pigs Fly on December 31.

Serving up a taste of what he’s been cooking, Eden Burns is celebrating the release of his debut album 'Eden Burns and The Make Believers'. The dance music prophet, notorious for his ingenious string of club tracks, is gifting the world yet another cult-creating musical adventure. With ecstatic beats and melodies that cast a spell, tune in to Tomorrowland to hear Eden chat about his new release, along with his show at 24 Moons on Saturday night.