Interviews

'Hands aka Nine and a Half Songs for Nine and a Half Fingers,' is the seventh studio album from Irish born, Berlin-based artist Wallis Bird. The album turns the spotlight onto the artist and raises issues that are sometimes difficult to confront. Wallis speaks to Lucas about the personal hardships that inspired the album.

Del Barrio prides itself as being one of Melbourne's premier Latin bands. Since the mid 1990s, Del Barrio have entertained audiences with saucy tunes inspired by the New York Latin bands of the 1970s. Founder and lead singer, Gualberto Casas, drops in on Fiesta Jazz to chat about 'Club de Salsa,' the band's new Thursday residency at Hotel Westwood in Footscray. Tune in to hear more.

Queen of Hearts, the all-female band drawing from the Mexican Mariachi tradition, are launching their debut album, Memories, at the Gasometer on June 9. The album is a collection of of originals about love, hate, loss and a little bit of magic. Tune in to Fiesta Jazz from 11am on Saturday morning to hear more from Stefania Serna Quintero as she chats with fill-in announcer Juan Maria Colombo about her band and all things Mariachi.

Globally considered a master craftsmen of folk music Justin is a rarity among guitarists and songwriters. Having to reschedule the launch of his album 'Sleeping Like a Maniac' three times since it's release in September 2021 Justin will finally be launching it this Saturday at Brunswick Ballroom. Listen in to 5ft High & Rising to hear Justin chat with Myles about the launch.

RONA. is the electronic project of Kaytetye producer Rona Glynn-McDonald. Moving between Naarm and Mparntwe RONA. combines and explores the connection between the dance floors of Naarm with natural soundscapes and rhythms of her home, RONA. blends melodic synth lines with sounds from Country and place to create an emotional punch. RONA. drops by Tomorrowland for a guest mix and chat about the launch of her debut EP 'Closer' at Colour Club June 4.

Heavy Congress is set for its long-awaited RISING Festival debut at The Forum on June 4. The evening features 10 crews of DJs, MCs and live performing artists, each wielding colossal custom speaker stacks and bringing the sound system tradition to the CBD. Adrian's Wall founder and selector Adrian Hough comes in to PBS to chat about the event and to drop some big bass on Wheels of Steel. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread and start your Friday morning right.

Last year, Scottish icons of post-rock Arab Strap released 'As Days Get Dark,' their first album in 16 years. It's an existential confrontation of middle-aged masculinity, and the sordid comedy and horror that come with it. On June 3, the duo will be bringing along a full band to play songs from their complex back catalogue as part of their RISING Festival show at The Forum. They also made time for a candid chat with Michael Mulholland that you can hear on Junkyard ahead of the concert.

Celebrating 11 years of 'Kickin the B at 303,' Paul Williamson's Hammond Combo, Cookin' on 3 Burners and PSI-PHI join forces on June 2 to put on an anniversary party to remember. Presenter Gary Jones chats with Tom Sianidis about this special occasion. Tune in from 1pm to Jumpin' The Blues.

Launched in 1982 in France as the Fête de la Musique and now held on the same day (June 21) in more than 750 cities in 120 countries Make Music Day celebrates music of all forms. Rob Walker and make music day ambassador Lloyd Spiegel call in to play a couple of tunes and talk about how you can participate in Make Music Day.

Spanning 1 - 12 June and comprising of 225 events and 801 artists from across the globe RISING festival will electrify Melbourne. Set in the heart of Melbourne and surrounding areas artists will take over venues, carparks, gardens and rooftops with art installations, theatre, dance and music performances. RISING co-artistic director Hannah Fox speaks to Annika about the program on State of the Art.

Naarm/Melbourne-based artist Hektor shares his exciting new sophomore EP, ‘Nighthawks’ as the natural follow-up to his 2020 debut ‘Rituals.’ The newcomer is quickly carving out a unique voice in the Australian electronic landscape. He joins Cas on The Modernist to chat more about his musical approach and practice. Tune in early on Wednesday morning.

Taking their name from a euphemism for sexual intercourse from 'Dictionary of Sexual Slang' and formed by members of sludge group She Beast and noise group Colostomy Baguette?. Religious Observance call in to Burning Bitumen talk about their tour.

Legendary guitarist Steve Lucas (X, Bigger than Jesus etc) visits PBS to have a chat with Chris on Pojama People. With a brand new blues album out in the world, and a rare live gig from X coming up at the Espy, Steve remains as busy as ever...but still finds the time to swing by our beloved station.

Best known for his collaborations with some of music's most finest artists and one half of new-beat dance band The Double, guitarist Emmett Kelly has cemented himself as a musical chameleon. Tune in to Pojama People as Emmett calls ahead of The Double's performance at RISING Festival June 1 and special solo show at Nighthawks June 2.

Jake Robertson (Alien Nosejob) and Violetta Del Conte-Race (Primo!) recently teamed up and put out a gorgeous album with Anti-Fade Records under the name 'Modal Melodies.' The record is synth-pop. But it's much more as it blends distortion with lushness, and fuses disco with synth-wave. Tune in to Underground Love when Jake and Vio drop in to visit Jordan and tell him all about the new record.

Having performed old time music and bluegrass for over 50 years, John Boothroyd has been a prominent figure of the Melbourne folk scene during this period. He has also taught banjo and guitar at major conventions. Throughout this time John has performed in various groups, recorded albums, published books and has been a regular fill-in host on Southern Style. John drops in to perform some tunes live at PBS.

Brooklyn-based global crate-digger Jitwam is set to debut a new show with a live band as part of RISING Festival. The soulful vibe-maker is joined by his creative partner, Melbourne-based Japanese violinist and producer Elle Shimada, when they drop in on Mystic Brew to chat with Mike about cultural curiosity and the future of music.

At the heart of Phil Stroud's forthcoming double LP 'Apparitions' is a deep love of improvisation and collaboration in music. The distinct ensemble focus on the album allows for the development of modal and rhythmic ideas that are imagined by Stroud and then fully realised with the help of such collaborators as Adam Halliwell and Henry Hicks. Tune in to Headhunters to hear more about this work from this visionary composer/percussionist.

In their first Australian shows since the release of their acclaimed 2021 record 'Mirror II,' Brisbane pop trio The Goon Sax bring their stylish, gothic anthems of youthful ennui to Melbourne for a night to remember. Ahead of their RISING show at Max Watt's on June 2 with fellow post-punk outfit EXEK, the band's Louis Forster visits PBS for an intimate chat with Kurt. Tune in to Homebrew from 3pm.

Melbourne soul quintet Velvet Bloom's debut EP, Glimmer, is as shiny and ethereal as its title suggests. Serving a lavish feast of R&B delights, the EP showcases the earnest, warm and heart stirring talents of front-woman Maddy Herbert atop a solid, soulful backing band. Maddy drops in on The Breakfast Spread to chat about Glimmer and to play a couple of stripped back songs from the EP.