Interviews

The ArtsPay Foundation is an independent charitable organisation with a mission to support independent artists and small arts organisations across Australia. Located alongside PBSFM at Collingwood Yards, co-founder Alistair Webster will be joining Claire Dickson this Tuesday morning to talk more about the organisation and announce the recipients of the ArtsPay Foundation grants. Tune in from 8am to find out who they are.

Known for his distinctive gravelly, soul-drenched vocals and cinematic sound, Jacob Banks’ music has made waves worldwide. He’s commanded stages at Coachella and Lollapalooza and sold-out headline shows across Europe and North America. Whether backed by a full band or delivering a stripped-back acoustic moment, Banks captivates audiences with every note. Jacob drops in to Boogie Beat Suite to catch up with MzRizk, tune in to hear about his show at Northcote Theatre on October 1.

San Francisco songwriter Sonny Smith has returned to Australian shores this October with his cult garage-pop/folk-rock outfit Sonny & The Sunsets. Presented at The Curtin, by The Curtin, this special Melbourne headline show brings Sonny’s singular songbook to the stage with jangly charm, melodic warmth and plenty of character. Tune in to Firewater this week as Claire Stuchbery catches up with the band ahead of their show on Friday night.

Playing a unique mix of psych and doom, local band Oceanlord are dropping in to Pojama People to chat with Chris Pearson about the new music they've been working on. Bringing something new, something dark, and marking a new chapter for the band, tune in to hear about their upcoming show at the Leadbeater Hotel on September 4, where they’ll be performing alongside Stoned Jesus.

With a music career that stretches all the way back to Ross Wilson’s Party Machine in the 1960s, through to the seminal progressive band Spectrum/Murtceps in the 1970s, Mike Rudd is a well-seasoned musician. Mike Rudd's Indelibles now join forces with The Hornets, featuring ARIA Hall of Fame guitarist Jeff Burstin and singer-songwriter and author Craig Horne. Helen catches up with Mike and Craig, tune in to hear about the show taking place at Newport Bowls Club on October 26.

Drifting east for the first time, Boorloo/Perth goth gloomers Life Cult are bringing their blend of '80s-influenced darkwave, goth, and post-punk to Melbourne this October. Their latest 7" 'The Death Bell / Life Is Love', offers a fresh take on the classic Leeds goth sound, which they’ll bring in to Studio 3 for a special live performance. Tune in to Bleeding Black Hearts Revue as Kristen catches up with the band ahead of their show at The Tote on October 2, and Footscray's Spit on October 3.

Combining live music performance and storytelling set in an imagined town from years past, The Village Square presents narratives of love and loss, misfortune and mirth, the graceful and the grotesque. Featuring renowned cellist Zoe Knighton, award-winning guitarist/composer Robbie Melville, and the charismatic Richard Piper as the narrator, the fables sparkle with the magic of traditional mythology. Tune in at the start of the show for a special live performance from the trio.

‘The Blue Hour’ is the fifth album from local singer-songwriter Amaya Laucirica, launching at Northcote Social Club on October 25. A compelling meditation on the nuances of motherhood, identity, acceptance, and connection, the album explores themes of optimism and reflection. As Amaya puts it,“It’s about inhabiting an optimistic landscape, one that looks brightly towards the future and appreciates its past as well". Stopping by Radio City, tune in to hear Crispi catch up with Amaya.

Standing six feet tall and with a gossamer voice, Emily Lubitz holds every audience in the palm of her hand. Fresh off the release of her romantic, old Hollywood-esque debut album 'Two Black Horses', Emily will perform two songs from the new record live on Swinging Doors. Tune in for this intimate performance, and to hear about her recent album tour across Australia.

On October 4 at the Fairfield Amphitheatre, '9 Years of Finding Figaro' is going down with four special guests: Mike Who, Omoloko, Adriana, and Finding Figaro. Coming all the way from Brazil, Omoloko is part of a new wave of artists leading the Brazilian music scene from the front. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread this Friday morning to hear Omoloko spin the Wheels of Steel, playing his selection of disco, global music, techno, and broken beat.

Back in Melbourne after a year of touring Europe for their debut LP 'Temple Of Mirth', Thee Cha Cha Chas will be playing at The Tote - Upstairs on October 24. Bringing their old-school rock ’n’ roll to Twistin’ Fever for a live session, tune in from 7pm to start your Friday night off with some hearty grooves from the band.

Irish-American duo DUG, made up of Irish songwriter Lorkin O’Reilly and California clawhammer banjo player Jonny Pickett, are bringing their raw, rowdy, and harmony-steeped sound to 5ft High and Rising this Saturday morning. Tune in to hear their clever picking, fan-worthy fiddle tricks, and where you can catch them live across Victoria, including their show at Out On The Weekend on October 11.

One of India’s most distinctive and well-known singer-songwriters, Lucky Ali, returns to Melbourne for his 'Journey Through the Decades' tour. Performing his timeless melodies with his signature soulful voice at the Northcote Theatre on October 10, fans can expect a night filled with nostalgia and a rich musical journey. Stopping by Tiger Beats Elephant Grooves to catch up with Pradip, tune in to hear from the acclaimed actor and musician.

The electrifying new collaboration between Naarm-based singer-songwriter Grace Robinson and producer/synthesist Christy Wositzky-Jones, Moss Body has just released a new single ‘Learn How To Love’. With shimmering synth pads, a driving subby bass, and Grace’s clear voice, the track is an exciting introduction to their sound. Tune in to The Afterglow Radio Show to hear Lyndelle catch up with Grace from the new music duo Moss Body.

Local post-punk, fun-time, gal-pals Party Pest will be finishing up with a bang on October 18 with a final party at Shotkickers. Starting their journey at a saucy 69th birthday, which inspired their creative dive into the depths of human depravity and their own wild abandon, the four-piece released their debut album 'Uninvited' last year. Jules, Jemma, and Kate join Crispi on Radio City, tune in to hear about their eight year journey as Party Pest.

Local musician Stella Anning is taking to the Black Wax stage this October for a stripped-back, in-studio performance of her genre-blending music, drawing from jazz, neo-soul, and folk traditions. Performing on the electric guitar, she’ll share with Adam Rudegeair songs from her new album 'Yellow Brick Veneer' and chat about her residency under the mentorship of Shabaka Hutchings and Ganavya. Tune in to hear about her upcoming show at the Kew Court House on October 31.

On this episode of Roots of Rhythm, local guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, producer, Jeff Lang drops in to chat with Helen Jennings about his upcoming shows. Having built a reputation for making startling music that is accomplished, intricate, gutsy, melodic and loaded with soul, Jeff has consistently inspired audiences with a stylistically diverse catalogue spanning 32 albums. Tune in to hear about Jeff's upcoming appearance at the Wangaratta Jazz & Blues Festival on November 2. 

After years of honing his craft in bands like the powerpop-driven Rinehearts and the high-energy LEECHES!, Benny J Ward drops 'Super!', his self-recorded and debut album. Brimming with poptastic charm and irresistibly catchy tunes, 'Super!' is a joyous ride from start to finish, bursting with jangly guitars, glittering hooks, and pure melodic magic. Crispi catches up with Benny on Radio City, chatting about the new release and his upcoming show at The Tote on November 4 with The Meanies.

'Rain in Space' is the latest album from local three-piece Tarcutta, and they're coming in to Pojama People to perform their swirling space rock live. Expect to hear their analogue-only instruments, including a Hammond organ built in 1933, played in a way its makers probably never intended. Tune in as Brian Polli chats with Peter Barrett, Justin Buckley, and Justin Wheelahan about their upcoming show at The Old Bar on November 8.