Interviews

Having gained international recognition for her fusion of indie, folk, and Americana - following early success as the writer and performer of the theme for the crime drama Wallander starring Kenneth Branagh - Emily Barker has returned home to Fremantle after 20 years living in the UK. Alongside Lachlan Bryan, Emily will perform songs from her latest album 'Fragile as Humans' at George Lane on June 19. Listen in to 5ft High and Rising to hear from this emotive storyteller.

Led by Guinean-Australian multi-instrumentalist Amadou Kalissa, 6-piece ensemble Mandeng Groove are releasing their debut LP 'Conakry'. Recorded out of the family-run studio in Conakry, Guinea, the album is an exciting collaboration that features traditional Manding music, performed by master musicians from Conakry, with the jazzy-funky flavours of the Melbourne-based group. Tune in to Flight 1067 to Africa to hear from the band, ahead of their performance at Northcote Social Club on June 20.

Indie-folk darlings Rowena Wise and Didirri are stopping by The Breakfast Spread for a special live performance of their latest release, 'No Cure for Love'. The single is raw and rapturous in theme, drawing on the pain and pitfalls of their eight-year relationship to craft a troubled ballad of real beauty, featuring sweeping melodies and harmonies that hold the listener in a vice. Tune in to hear about their upcoming Australian tour and show at Howler on July 19.

Multi-ARIA Award-winning musician Vince Jones is one of the country’s most acclaimed performers. Celebrating 50 years in the business, this Maverick artist has left an incredible mark on the Australian music landscape - from creating the highest-selling Australian jazz album of all time: 'Come In Spinner' soundtrack, to performing at leading festivals across Europe and the US, with 25 albums to his name. Tune in to Black Wax to hear about his upcoming show at Oakleigh Music Hall on June 20.

Seven-time GRAMMY Award-winning artist Jacob Collier is bringing his 'Djesse World Tour' to Melbourne this December. With a mix of deep musicality, joyful audience collaboration, and visionary production, the highly anticipated tour will see Jacob and his incredible band deliver their genre-defying, immersive live show across the country - with special guest Nai Palm. Adam catches up with Jacob Collier as the tour is announced - tune in to find out when he’ll be playing in Melbourne.

Aotearoa dream-pop quartet Phoebe Rings have just released their debut LP 'Aseurai' - a sonically luscious album, featuring warm synth textures, gentle wave-like sounds, and airy flute solos. Out now on Carpark Records, the band are about to embark on a world tour, starting in South Korea and Japan this month. Ahead of their shows, Brooke catches up with the band to talk about their new release. Tune in to find out when Phoebe Rings will next be playing in Australia.

This July 5, SPACEJUNK returns to The Old Bar to launch their COVID-era album 'JUNK TIME' - a record that's equal parts post-hardcore fury and burnout riffage. With support from action rockers Swedish Magazines, nostalgic indie rockers Assteroid, and garage rock supergroup The Nowa Nowas, it's set to be a night to remember. But first, the SPACEJUNK crew drops in to Pojama People to chat with Chris Pearson about the new album.

Titans of thrash metal, Testament, have delivered some of the greatest metal anthems of all time. Recently inducted into Decibel Magazine’s prestigious Hall of Fame - alongside legends like Metallica, Black Sabbath, and Motörhead - the USA group will return to Australian shores this month for the first time in a decade. Tune in to Burning Bitumen as Kene and Leah chat with founding member Eric Peterson about their upcoming show at Northcote Theatre on June 21.

For the first time ever, UK thrash metal band Onslaught are set to hit Australia, celebrating four decades of fury since the release of their seminal debut Power From Hell. Fans can expect a series of bone-crushing shows featuring this iconic album played in full — and in album order — for the very first time… and the very last. Tune in to Burning Bitumen to hear Kene and Leah catch up with bassist Jeff Williams.

Dancing In Space Edits Vol. 3 has landed! Joel Coleman (aka DJ Charlie Bucket) from Dancing In Space joins Adam Brozinski to chat about the newest 12" released on the label. They chat about the in's and out's of releasing your own records, the process behind disco edits, road testing the records at the monthly party and the joy of having videos sent to you from festivals in Europe of your tunes being played. Tune in to VG+ to hear it all!

From the bayous of Louisiana to the clubs of Europe, John Campbell lived the blues. Before his untimely death in 1993 at age 41, he turned down offers from legends like Albert King and Muddy Waters, and impressed the likes of Keith Richards. Tune in this Wordy-Gurdy for 'John Campbell: The Greatest Guitarist You’ve Never Heard Of', exploring his remarkable life and music, with tracks from his three albums and insights from 'John Campbell: Spirit of a Bluesman' by Harry Shapiro.

Blues artist Phil Manning is back for one show at Memo Music Hall on Saturday, July 5, joined by special guest Warren 'Pig' Morgan. Both were original founding members of the Australian blues band Chain, which formed in 1968. Tune in to Roots of Rhythm with Helen Jennings OAM to hear these two musicians unite before their show in St Kilda.

Yoav Landau and Sam Haft from Israeli-American electronic-rock duo The Living Tombstone land in the studio to chat with Ryan ahead of their Australian tour. The duo share insights from their new album 'Rust' and divulge their thoughts and feelings on internet culture — listen in to hear about their process and sound before The Living Tombstone's show at Max Watts on July 6.

Zac Bergholtz (vocals) and Patrick Haas (guitar) from deathcore metal band Zeolite enter Tryannocoreus airwaves to chat about their sophomore album 'L'Appel Du Vide', re-grounding the group after a major lineup change, and their plans for the rest of 2025. Having been handpicked for tours alongside some of metal’s biggest names, including The Black Dahlia Murder and At The Gates, the future looks bright for this Naarm outfit.

Legendary Naarm-based soul singer Tracey Miller joins Lyndelle to chat about her powerful new single 'Still Here', the final release from her long-awaited album 'Queen of the Creek', out June 12. With a career spanning four decades, Tracey’s voice has lit up stages from Harlem to Soweto, Tokyo to Fitzroy, forging deep connections through gospel, soul, and rhythm and blues. Tune in for the conversation ahead of her show at The Gem on June 20, where she’ll be joined by Nitida and DJ Miss Goldie.

Tune in to The Breakfast Spread on June 19 as we hear from Elise Peyronnet, Music Director of the local and adventurous Now or Never festival. PBS listeners will have an exclusive insight into the incredible artists featured in this year’s festival, which showcases art, ideas, sound, technology, and future thinking.

'Until June' is the second release from local pop artist effe. Co-written and produced with Joe Agius (Hatchie, RINSE), the track balances emotional vulnerability with layers of dreamy guitars, synths, and restrained percussion - capturing the ache of holding onto something that's already slipping away. Milo catches up with effe ahead of the release show at Bergy Bandroom on June 27, with support from artist Flossy and Second Skin. Tune in to hear effe play Musical Chairs.

On June 19, Little Faiths will launch their long-awaited, self-titled debut album upstairs at The Tote. A collection of songs Jon and Doug had been honing over several years, driving, walking, and wandering near and far, the bones of the album were recorded in a single day at Head Gap Studio. Tune in to Radio City as Crispi catches up with Jon and Doug on the day of the big show.

'Mountains Mountains Mountains' is the latest single from local artist Emily Ulman. It’s a track about beauty and rot, pleasure and grief - and how even the most pristine places carry traces of what came before. As Emily puts it: 'We live in the layers: in what is visible, what is hidden, and the quiet charge in between'. Tune in to find out when we can expect her new album.

Passing through Swinging Doors is Naarm's own Kyle Brew, bringing his rich, soul-soaked voice and acoustic cuts from his debut album 'Life and Living'. The alt-country/folk artist has been quietly carving out a name for himself with a string of raw, self-produced EPs—and now, after years of honing his craft, Brew is ready to launch his first full-length record at The Cactus Room on June 21. Catch the chat and a few live tunes as Kyle joins Ernie in the studio.

The debut EP 'Reimagining' from live act, producer, and DJ Rita Bass is out now - and Miscellania is firing up the heaters for the release party on June 28, presented by Night Shop. True to its name, 'Reimagining' marks a reinvention of Rita Bass, embodying freedom, renewal, revival, and release. Tune in to Headhunters as Rita Bass joins Elle for a chat and a special guest mix.

Naarm's Steve Ryan-Gledhill joins Helen on Roots of Rhythm to chat about his upcoming self-titled album, launching June 27 at George Lane in St Kilda. Blending heartfelt storytelling with country, blues and Americana, his music draws on years of lived experience. His latest release is a double A-side of upbeat break-up tunes—'End Of The Line' and 'It Happens Every Day'—delivering foot-stomping rhythms, rich horn riffs and timeless charm.

Burning B3 Trio is the spirited combination of Liam Kealy's Hammond b3 organ and Sammy Owen's Stratocaster, together with Tony Martin on drums. From blazing jump blues to sizzling slow blues and everything in-between, Owen and Kealy play a true "Hammond trio, traditional blues show" in every sense. Turn up the dial and settle in for an afternoon performance with all the hues of the rhythm and blues.

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Domini Forster will join Crispi to discuss her upcoming second solo album, 'The Lonely', out June 20. Known for her intricate song-stories and evocative voice—likened to Laura Marling and Joni Mitchell—Forster invites listeners into a dusk-lit, melancholic folk dream with this latest relase. Drawing on her work in music and mental health, the album explores themes of connection, disconnection, and the strength in vulnerability. Tune in for an intimate conversation.

Private Function drop into Junkyard, fresh off the release of their fourth album ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ and deep into their chaotic national tour. Known for their unrelenting live shows and unmatched irreverence, the band is back with 'Animal'—a feral, riff-heavy single that doubles down on their heavier edge and snarling energy. Catch the mayhem when PF join Michael to talk wild gigs—including their upcoming show at Max Watts on June 27—electric chairs, escapee koalas, and their 19-track bonkers LP.

Fresh from their Canadian tour, ZÖJ visit Global Village to discuss their new album 'Give Water to Birds', created in collaboration with Brett Langsford. Gelareh Pour and Brian O'Dwyer will share insights into their musical journey, the concept of neo-Persian experimentalism, and details of their upcoming local album launch. Gelareh, alongside long-time collaborator Brian, continue to push the boundaries of contemporary music, fusing Persian and Australian sound worlds in bold, avant-garde ways.

Western Sydney metalcore outfit Elara join Ryan to chat about their crushing debut EP, building community through heavy music, and what’s on the horizon for the rest of 2025. Known for their raw energy and DIY spirit, Elara aren’t just playing shows—they’re creating space. Through their all-ages initiative YOUR LOCALS, Elara are helping revive a live scene in Western Eora that’s inclusive, youth-driven, and loud. Listen in to hear the band talk riffs and grassroots gigs on Tyrannocoreus.

Next on the Tyronocerus line-up is none other than Ben Weinman of the legendary US metalcore band The Dillinger Escape Plan. Tune in for a candid chat about the band’s long-awaited reunion with original vocalist Dimitri Minakakis, their upcoming Australian tour in August, and what lies ahead for one of the most innovative and volatile forces in heavy music. Don’t miss Ben Weinman in conversation, reflecting on the past, present and future of a band whose energy knows no bounds.

Blood in the Champagne bring their brooding, beat-driven sound to The Revue with Kristen on July 2. The Naarm-based post-punk/dark wave outfit will spin tracks from their debut album and dive into the themes that drive their music—class consciousness, capitalist realism, queerness, climate chaos, political awakenings, and finding love in the rubble. Self-described as a band of rebels making musical art for social evolution, tune in for a conversation as expansive as their sound.

Jimmy Kyle of Naarm-based First Nations indie punk band Chasing Ghosts joins Ryan on Tyrannocoreus this NAIDOC Week. The pair chat about Chasing Ghosts’ powerful new album 'Therapy', the band’s vision for 2025 and beyond, and engage in an open-hearted discussion around the “Welcome to Country” debate. Produced by Stevie Knight and mixed by James Paul Wisner, 'Therapy' builds on the acclaim of their 'Homelands' EP with a sharp, hook-laden indie punk sound rooted in justice and cultural pride.

Jenny Mitchell joins Down By The River following ​the latest release of 'Forest House', out now. Blending folk, Americana and country with heartfelt songwriting and a strong sense of home, 'Forest House' has already been praised by Kasey Chambers as “everything I love about Jenny Mitchell” and dubbed “album of the year” by Beccy Cole. Tune in as Jenny chats about the new record, her tour with Kasey Chambers, and the impact she hopes this project will have both musically and beyond.

Eora's Bryan Estepa joins Crispi on Radio City, diving into his latest release 'I See It Now', out June 27 via Lilystars Records. With over two decades in the Australian independent music scene, Estepa has built a reputation for heartfelt songwriting and rich melodic craft. Across seven acclaimed studio albums and countless tours through Australia, Europe, the US, Japan and the Philippines, he’s quietly carved out a legacy as “one of Sydney’s best kept secrets.”

Pizza Death are crashing into Arockalypse Now with a live set that’s as greasy as it is gnarly. Hailing from Naarm, this cult thrash-punk crew serves up blistering crossover anthems about three things: pizza, death, and—you're on the money—death by pizza. Riding high on the global buzz of their sophomore record 'Reign of the Anticrust', Pizza Death has topped Coretex Records’ charts and left sold-out crowds sauced and stunned. Catch the most brutal dinner-and-a-show experience on August 2.