Interviews

'Exotic Illusions' - the debut album from D.D Mirage is a cosmopolitan love letter to Italo disco, Neapolitan funk, Nigerian boogie, cosmic house and lovers' rock sounds that have inspired the Sydney-based duo since this project began. Having first played music together during the mid-2010s in the indie-psych bands King Colour and SCK CHX, they take their musical relationship to new heights with this album. Tune in to Mystic Brew as the duo stop by for a special guest mix with Mike Gurrieri.

For over 10 years, Anti Fade Records has hosted Djilang’s famed 'Jerkfest' each summer - a day of alternative music at Barwon Club Hotel in Geelong. This year, the lineup features The UV Race, The Green Child, Guitar Wolf (JP), Bananagun, and Wrong Way Up, just to name a few. Festival organiser Billy Gardner joins Claire on The Breakfast Spread—tune in from 8am to hear what we can expect the day to sound like.

Delivering an unforgettable blend of drum and bass, baritone sax, noise punk, and warped electronics, local band Boggle is gearing up for their debut album release at the end of the year. Kicking things off by launching their new single 'The Jig Is Up' at The Bergy Band Room on March 28, tune in to Homebrew as Brooke catches up with the band about their new music and playing at the last Meadow music festival on March 21 - 23.

A sixth-generation fiddle player and bilingual singer from Cork, Ireland, Clare Sands weaves traditional Irish roots with contemporary sounds and influences, embodying a fearless, warrior-like spirit. Catch her channeling the music of her ancestors at the Gasometer Hotel on March 26, while performing her new EP 'Gormacha' [pronounced GUR-MA-KA]. Tune in to Come Together to hear Ajak Kwai check in with Clare Sands while on her Australian tour.

Known for his eclectic and genre-defying work, Barry Adamson is returning to Australia for a highly anticipated tour following the release of his tenth album, 'Cut to Black'. Having made his mark as the bass player for the British punk band Magazine and a key figure in Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Barry will be playing at the Corner Hotel on March 21. Tune in to Black Wax as Adam Rudegeair chats with Barry about his latest works.

Embracing the five elements' eco-cosmological roots and their modern metaphorical potency, pianist and composer Joel Trigg presents a new suite of music which, in the spirit of holistic wellbeing coach Carey Davidson, is designed to enrich our self-understanding, enhance empathy, and soothe the anxious soul. Performing his new work 'The Five Elements' at the Melbourne Recital Centre on March 21, tune in to Black Wax to hear Adam catch up with Joel about this upcoming solo piano performance.

On March 22, local event 'Warm Mids Afternoon' invites people to come and spend the whole afternoon at the glorious Abbotsford Convent, with a mini festival celebrating beautiful, dreamy music. Featuring solo and improvised performances, IKSRE, Zoltan Fecso, and Clariloops drop by Deeep Space to play an improvised session for Llyod Briggs. Tune in to hear the magic.

In a genre dominated by male gunslingers and antiheroes, The Counterfeit is breaking new ground with their electrifying debut original, 'Hurricane Lilah', featuring the spellbinding voice of Freya Josephine Hollick. To celebrate this new release, the normally 10-piece band will play an acoustic Monday session on The Breakfast Spread with five members from band. Tune in to hear Claire chat with them about their upcoming third album, 'Violent Night on Prairie', along with some live tunes.

Making her debut in Australia this March is New York-born, Tamil Nadu-raised singer and transdisciplinarian Ganavya. Wielding a voice that's equal parts lullaby and lightning bolt, and drawing from a deep well of spiritual blueprints passed down through generations, she brings her beautiful music to life at Hamner Hall on March 14 and 15, followed by The Jazzlab on March 16. Ahead of her Melbourne shows, Ganavya stops by Tiger Beats Elephant Grooves to share her musical journey with Pradip.

Berlin-based Syrian DJ Zeynep is a magnetic force, with a captivating ability to shapeshift genres, creating a sound that is a luscious fusion of intoxicating rhythms and hypnotic beats. From underground raves to iconic club nights, she brings fierce energy to dancefloors worldwide, translating the invisible into a tangible vibe. Amidst her busy DJ schedule, she catches up with Penny on Passing Notes. Tune in to hear from the femme-forward, boundary-pushing DJ.

Transforming the Abbotsford Convent into a musical haven with two stages of unforgettable music, local label Inner Sauce presents 'Tribqu Tribe with DJ Spinna'. With New York City selector DJ Spinna as the headliner, local tastemakers Zepherin Saint, Zjoso, MzRizk, and Mike Gurrieri, to name a few, will take the crowd on a journey from the rhythms of spiritual jazz to the vibrancy of Brazilian sounds. Listen in to Tomorrowland as Zepherin Saint and Zjoso chat with Edd Fisher about the show.

Creating unforgettable performances that have thrilled audiences around the world, living legend and advocate for peace Movin’ Melvin Brown returns with the Melbourne premiere of 'Me and Otis (Soul of Otis Redding)'. Playing at Bird’s Basement on March 14, expect a night of extraordinary song, dance, and soulful funk. Tune in to Soul Time to hear Vince Peach catch up with the Austin, Texas-based artist.

Celebrating Mardi Gras New Orleans-style this March 16, The Jackson Combo will be playing blues tunes at Way Out West Roots Music Club in Newport. Ahead of their show, the band come into PBS for a swinging Studio 3 Live session. Tune in to Jumpin' The Blues for some growling saxophone solos and smooth guitar riffs.

Back on tour for his new solo album 'Mojosoul', powerful one-man band Gwyn Ashton has a new single out called 'Get Outta Town,' featuring Guns N’ Roses guitarist Richard Fortus. Part of the new wave of modern blues rock artists, Gwyn Ashton oozes stagecraft and showmanship, which he brings in to Roots of Rhythm. Listen in as Helen and Gwyn catch up about his extended tour.

Since their formation in 2014 in a rundown shed north of Brisbane, progressive metal band Binary Pulse has a collection of releases to their name, and have shared the stage with heavyweights Lacuna Coil and The Tea Party and Seether. They're about to tour their new album 'Under Granite Skies' and will be playing at the Bergy Bandroom on March 22. Ryan catches up with vocalist Tomina Vincent - tune in to hear why the band was previously known as Flynn Effect.

Formed in 1996, Czech Republic band Onanizer has relentlessly carved out its own path in the world of grindcore, infusing its unrelenting blast fury with a dash of power violence battery. Bringing their pulverising, blast-driven chaos back to Australia this March, the band will be playing at Nighthawks, with support from Piss Bolt, Hematemesis, and Mortuary Sickness. Listen in to Burning Bitumen as Kene and Leah Noir catch up with the band while they're driving to Dubbo.

Bearing new soul-shattering hymns to invoke the shadows of despair, is the atmospheric black metal band Austere. Returning to their sacred homeland of Australia this May, the band is currently touring the world for their latest record 'Beneath the Threshold', an album that represents the here and now. Tune in to Burning Bitumen to hear Kene and Leah Noir chat with Austere about their new recordings, their second ever tour in Australia, and their show at The Gasometer on May 24.

The potent duo featuring lap steel guitar and drums, Blue Sabbath, explores the iconic riffs of the legendary rock band Black Sabbath through a blues-infused, post-apocalyptic lens. Since forming last year, they’ve been leaving audiences floored with their high-energy, theatrical performances. Bringing their raw, blues energy in for a Studio 3 Live performance on Pojama People, tune in to hear these familiar songs transformed into haunting, evocative soundscapes.

Boundaryless electronic quartet Big Yawn will be playing at the very last Meadow festival this March, sending it off with their signature recreational synth sounds. They'll be performing tracks from their new record 'NGBE', named after the group’s beloved and lost warehouse space, the National Gallery of Brunswick East, sharing their dubby textures and broken beats on the Bambra stage from March 21–23. Tune in as Brooke catches up with the band ahead of the festival.

On March 14, local drummer and composer Rory Tiganis-Hannan, along with Kurt Rainbow, will take over Shotkickers for an electrifying double single launch. Rory's new, groove-filled single 'Stretch Limo' drops on March 12, but before that, he stops by Black Wax to chat with Adam Rudegeair about his new music. Tune in after midday to hear about the single release launch taking place in Thornbury.