Interviews

The eleventh studio album 'Season Of Surrender' has just been released from US metcalcore group August Burns Red. Having crafted their signature brand of metalcore for over two decades, they have ferociously established themselves as one of the foremost acts in the genre. They'll be coming across to Australia this October to tour with Bloom and I Promised The World, playing at 170 Russell on October 1. Tune in to hear from drummer Matt Greiner, and why this tour is a special one for him.

'STELLA: The Musical' is a story based on the life of Australian writer Stella Miles Franklin. Having battled through poverty and sexism to become a writer, Stella endured two world wars and terrible personal bereavements, emerging as an advocate for conservation, First Nation's rights, young writers, and Australian literature. Award-winning composer Monique diMattina chats to Helen about writing the music for this musical, tune in to hear about the premier at Alexander Theatre on June 12 - 20.

On June 7 at 3pm, Andy Baylor and The Big Easy Orchestra will bring their ‘Easy Ridin’ Blues’ show to Memo Music Hall. Celebrating the roots and blues of this city, audiences will be treated to cajun, soul, blues, hillbilly swing, swamp pop, and more easy ridin’ blues. Tune in to Roots of Rhythm to hear more about the show, which will feature special guests Sarah Carroll, Alanna Egan, and The Horns of Happiness - Bruce Sandell and Ian Smith.

'Kickin’ The B at 303 - 15 Year Anniversary of Hammond Sessions' is happening at Bar 303 on June 4. The bands performing are Paul Williamson’s Hammond Combo, the Chris Johnstone Quartet, and Psi-Phi. Gary Jones joins Tom Sianidis on Jumpin’ The Blues to chat about the three bands playing on the night.

Moody dark-pop artist Georgia Knight will be coming in to Studio 5 this June to perform songs from her debut album, 'Beanpole'. With trip-hop pulses and synth-washed layers, her music unfolds into an avant-garde landscape that coaxes listeners into a world of dark musical terrain and cinematic breadth. Joining Crispi after the performance for an interview, tune in to hear what the autoharpist has in store over the next few months.

From just 13 years of age, Ella Hooper has been in the spotlight for her music. As the youngest person to receive APRA’s Songwriter of the Year award, Ella has balanced a successful side hustle hosting multiple TV and radio shows, while creating synth-folk, country, and Americana music. Heading to the Espy on June 4 alongside up-and-coming artist Katie May, Ernie catches up with Ella and Katie on Swinging Doors. Tune in for a live performance from both artists.

The Naarm-based Australian electronic rockers Black Cab are playing alongside Lydia Lunch at The Tote on June 17. Their unique blend of driving electronica and psychedelic krautrock often draws inspiration from Europe and America in the 1970′s and ’80′s. Tune in to hear the band's James Lee and Andrew Coates chat more about the gig, plus your favourite Suicide and Alan Vega tracks in-between. 

A curated showcase of uncompromising death metal and industrial filth, 'Ritual: Genesis of the Void' will be taking place at The Toff on June 27. A curated descent into atmospheric extremity, Kene catches up with the bands playing at the show, chatting with Sean Hinds from Chief Whip, Adrian von Ahlen from Sufferance, and Chris Anning from Queensland band Cryptivore. Tune in to hear how Cryptivore are doing ahead of their exclusive, debut performance in Naarm/Melbourne.

USA gore metal band Exhumed are making their way to Australia, playing at Stay Gold on June 6 in support of their new album, 'Red Asphalt'. Pushing their trademark deathgrind violence into even more dangerous territory, their latest record takes listeners through graveyards, operating theaters, and the band's own history. Tune in to hear Matt Harvey chat with Kene about the band's involvement in the redo of the soundtrack for the 1986 movie, 'Transformers'.

Sludgy noise group Chat Pile are heading to Australia for the first time, and JRoc will be catching up with the US band ahead of the tour. Fusing elements of post-punk, nu metal, and grunge, Chat Pile have earned a cult following for their eclectic take on what they simply deem 'noise rock.' Tune in to The Doom Saloon to hear about their show at Max Watt's Melbourne on June 12, playing alongside New Zealand band Beastwars.

With five internationally acclaimed albums under their belts, Aotearoa/ New Zealand band Beastwars has a reputation for delivering intense and visceral live performances. Touring with US band Chat Pile this month and playing at Max Watt's Melbourne on June 12, the sludge-psych metallers will also be taking over The Old Bar on June 13 with Mammon's Throne and Bodies. Tune in to The Doom Saloon as JRoc catches up with the band ahead of their Naarm shows.

Genre-blurring Māori DJ Aroha is a locally based producer from Aotearoa/New Zealand. Known for bold club music rooted in global underground sounds, her 2025 EP, 'Mother Tongue', pays tribute to some of the trailblazing women in music who have inspired her throughout her life. Bringing a magnetic, emotionally charged guest mix to The Breakfast Spread with Milo Eastwood, tune in for this edition of the Wheels of Steel.

Stone Love is celebrating 20 years of existence, and Richie 1250 is heading down to The Astor to live broadcast the big party. Special guests will be playing live and spinning some rare vinyl, including Sugar Fed Leopards, Ella Thompson, Esther Henderson, Plazza, Loretta Miller, Simone Page Jones & Jules Pascoe, Jason Goodman, and Brenda. Tune in from 5pm to hear Richie 1250 catch up with his special guests.

Elusive Melbourne-based fusion ensemble Krakatau have a new album out, and it’s called 'Terra Ignota'. Marking both a return and an epochal shift for the group, the album is a deep exploration of possible sonic spaces and a portent of things to come. Members of the band bring a selection of tunes that inspired the new album to The Breakfast Spread for a round of Musical Chairs - tune in from 8am as Claire Dickson catches up with James and Dann.

The mighty PBS and Triple R Megahertz will once again take on the Rockdogs at the Reclink Community Cup on June 14 at Victoria Park. Raising funds for Reclink, a community sport and recreation charity supporting people facing life challenges, the day features a lineup of live music, including C.O.F.F.I.N (with Ambrose Kenny‑Smith), Owelu Dreamhouse, Kim Salmon’s Smoked Salmon and more. Claire catches up with Megahertz co-captain Emelyne and Rockdogs co-captain Nick ahead of the big match.

Beth Seymour, the vocalist for punk rock group La Famiglia will be joining Ryan on Tyrano this week. Chatting about their new album 'Alphabet Mafia', tune in to hear how this new record differs from her other project Beth Seymour & The Lizzies, and what we can expect from La Famiglia for the rest of 2026.

Known as the 'Swiss army knife of video game composition', Chase Bethea is a multi-award-winning video game composer behind critically acclaimed soundtracks for 'I Can’t Escape: Darkness, Aground, On the Peril of Parrots', and more. His music, celebrated for its unique fusion of orchestral, electronic, and world music elements, has been performed by ensembles worldwide. Chase joins Matt on Game Jams to chat about his 'Caribbean Noir' soundtrack for Duppy Detective Tashia.

Mikey O’Neil is a Canberra based composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. His credits include the horror feature 'The Furies', and the minimalist score for 'Momento', a cozy room decorator. Having reached a global audience with renditions of video game music, particularly from the 'Final Fantasy' series, his self-released works further define his sound, blending expansive textures with intimate, tender arrangements. Joining Matt on Game Jams, tune in to hear about Mikey's latest works.

Two-piece alternative pop project Lover is made up of long time friends Will Morris and Johnny Bullen. Known for their dynamic, textured sounds that blend heartfelt songwriting with bold, layered production, the duo have made waves across Naarm since their relocation from Aotearoa/ New Zealand. Combining personal reflective themes with experimental sonic elements, Lover drop in to The Breakfast Spread for a round of Musical Chairs with Milo Eastwood. Tune in to hear about their debut album.

For lovers of noisy anthems and catchy guitar pop, Big League’s new EP 'Windanswagger' is for you. They’ll be taking their fuzzed-out guitars and blissful summertime vocals to The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar on June 13. Ahead of the launch, Trav from the band stops by Radio City. Tune in to hear tracks from the EP and to find out how the release is going so far.

'Ripen On The Vine' is the new album from alt-folk, rock ’n’ roll and country artist Madeline Leman. A kindred of the women of the 1960s and ’70s, Madeline’s whimsical sound is both classic and refreshingly unique, with songs that speak of protest, love, and reverence for the natural world. Crispi catches up with Madeline to chat about the new album - tune in to Radio City from 2.30pm to hear her latest songs, rooted in melody and storytelling.

Post-punk outfit Sacred Cowboys started playing in murky Melbourne dive bars in 1982. Rapidly attracting a following, they were catapulted to national TV notoriety on 'Countdown' with the release of their iconic first single, 'Nothing Grows in Texas'. Now releasing their seventh album 'In the Manifesto', the group are coming onto Junkyard for a hard rock Studio 5 Live performance. Tune in to hear Michael Mulholland catch up with the band about their impressive career.

Locally based fingerstyle guitarist Rose Marie Gonzalez performs regularly as a soloist in her curated residency Guitar Kingdom, and as a member of the Melbourne Guitar Quartet. In 2025, she released her debut album 'Reach Down Low', which reflects her musical influences, blending classical guitar traditions with contemporary Brazilian and Latin sounds. Rose visits the Global Village, tune in for a live performance, and to hear about the Guitar Kingdom show at Bar 303 on June 20.

Centered around live improvisation, collaboration, and the studio as an instrument, Tony Soprano Band are coming into Studio 5 Live during Deeep Space. Drawing from the language of breaks, sampling, and loop-based composition, every sound on the record 'Downtempo 1' originates from live performance. Lloyd Briggs chats to band members Daniel Rock (bass), Lucky Pereira (drums), Robert Downey (sequencer, drum machine) and Winton Findlay (synthesizers) about their new record.

Rivers of Nihil are still riding high off the back of 2025’s hugely successful self-titled fifth album. Playing a show with Tasmanian export Psycroptic at Max Watt’s on August 15, the Pennsylvanian group have booked in a headline Australian tour, stopping off at Necrosonic Festival in Meanjin on August 22. Adam Biggs, vocalist and bassist for the progressive technical death metal band joins Ryan on the show, tune in to hear about the theatrics the band have planned for the tour.

It’s been seven years since Melbourne band Roller One released their third album, 'Better Than Fine'. A pandemic got in the way of life and art during those intervening years, but the good news for fans of dark alt-country and electric acid folk is that the quartet are back with their new album, 'Fate Done Nice'. Adam and Fergus swing by Radio City for an interview with Crispi about the new album, and to chat about their launch show at The Tote on June 25.

In the lead up to the 50th anniversary of Australian punk band X, the band drops in to The Tote on June 27th to play an exciting show with support from The Maggie Pills and Cat Crawl. Ahead of this show, founding member Steve Lucas chats with the Prince of Darkness about the band's history, his solo projects, and lots more. Tune in to Sunglasses After Dark on Thursday from 8pm.

Greg Kubacki is the guitarist and songwriter for Car Bomb. Formed in 2000, the New York mathcore group is heading to Australia in July for two shows in Perth alongside Karnivool and Tesseract. On the show, Ryan will chat with Greg about the band’s philosophy of less is more, and what inspires their music. Tune in to find out what else Car Bomb has in store for the rest of 2026.

Mark Sinton, Ian Freeman, Jeff Baker, Julian Chick and Matt Cotter are about to play their first show at The Gem on June 27. Performing only Beatles tunes, the band will be chatting with Crispi about their newly formed group, The Apple Scruffs. Tune in to hear how Mark is feeling ahead of their debut performance and what audiences can expect from the band on the night.

Joining Michael Mulholland for this episode of Junkyard is Harry Howard and David McClymont. Having worked on a track together in 2014, their on/off friendship goes back to the murky days of living in London in the mid-1980s - Harry as a member of Crime and the City Solution and David as an ex-member of Orange Juice. Tune in to hear about their two new releases, 'Under The World' and 'Blistersticks'.

Newly formed group Fancy Weapon is made up of Mick Turner, Claire Birchall, Joel Silbersher and Guy Maddison. An unexpected collaboration, the band sees a cross-generational group of Melbourne music perennials creating a singular brand of minimalist, incandescent, guitar-heavy rock in the tradition of other singular, minimalist, incandescent guitar-heavy rock bands that have been doing it for 50 years. Phil MacDougall catches up with the band, tune in to hear about their new self-titled album.

Bringing the rich tradition of classical Arabic instrumental music to life through a powerful contemporary performance experience, Ṣaltanah will transform the stage at Melbourne Recital Centre into an immersive celebration of Arab artistry, memory and musical innovation on July 2. Ahead of the show, they join Roger Holdsworth on the Global Village. Tune in for a traditional yet contemporary live performance from Ṣaltanah.

Fresh off the release of their debut EP 'Sicko', Naarm’s Jeane return to The Tote this July 24, with support from local bands Sonic Reducer and Gloomie. Led by front woman Jazz Johnston, 'Sicko' explores faith, femininity, vulnerability and self-expression through jagged guitars, hook-heavy songwriting and raw, unfiltered storytelling. Jeane stop by PBS, chatting with Brooke on Homebrew about their new EP and the release show.

'Under The Under' is the new sophomore album from local band Growth. Starting as a reflective space to explore the sorrows and sharp angles that come attendant with a lifelong diagnosis, Growth has found meaningful ways to channel the ugliest and most jarring fragments of the self. Opening for Rivers of Nihil at Max Watt's on August 15, tune in to Tyrannocoreus as Ryan catches up with the band ahead of their show with the US death metal group.