Interviews

The music of local band Velvet Bloom is a sonic voyage, transcending genres and drifting through the cosmos, with Maddy Herbert’s soulful prowess and lyricism serving as a beacon of authenticity. Having just announced a tour across Australia in support of their recently released self-titled debut album, Maddy drops by Homebrew to catch up with Brooke. Tune in to hear a live, stripped-back acoustic performance from Velvet Bloom’s frontwoman, Maddy Herbert.

London-based multi-instrumentalist Tenderlonious and Naarm jazz-funk explorer Horatio Luna join Mike on Mystic Brew ahead of their appearance at The Night Cat for Jaubi x ON-LY, an evening of improvisation, fusion, and musical connection. Jaubi (pronounced Jaw-Bee) is the acclaimed instrumental quartet from Lahore, Pakistan, whose unique blend of spiritual jazz, Hindustani classical, and golden era hip hop has captivated global audiences.

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.

Together, twin brothers Jack and Patrick Pierce are Pierce Brothers, an Australian indie-folk and blues & roots duo who began as buskers on Bourke St and now captivate audiences at sold out venues around the world. Having established themselves as a fixture in their community, the pair have paved their way to North America and Europe, performing at festivals and supporting acts like The Cat Empire, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, and more. Listen in for what to expect from the brothers in 2025.

Bringing their ’60s freakbeat back to the Brunswick Artists’ Bar for the final night of their Sunday residency is local band The Wildebeats. They’re asking fans to leave their briefcases in the bin and bring their dancing legs out. Tune in to Radio City to hear about this show, taking place on July 3.

'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.

French-born, Amsterdam-based DJ, producer, and visual artist Kléo will be joining Jonny on Audio Vitamins this July 4. Having launched her label 'Call 4 Rhythm' and its party series - a space rooted in love, unity, and freedom of expression - Kléo's project reflects her mission to create safe, empowering dancefloors where everyone feels seen, respected, and free to be their authentic selves. Tune in to hear about her musical journey and the forthcoming 'Acid Coolada Remixes' EP.

Global Village’s NAIDOC Week Special showcases an incredible lineup of First Nations artists, celebrating their profound and enduring contributions to the Australian music scene. Thanks to the trailblazing work and spirit of legends like Archie Roach and Christine Anu, we’re now witnessing a powerful new wave of talent — musicians such as Emily Wurramara and Bumpy — who continue to shape and enrich the sound of this country and community. Join us for this tender tribute to music made on Country.

Local Chilean-background singer-songwriter Vanessa Estrada visits the Global Village to discuss her debut EP, and its launch at Shotkickers on Sunday, July 11. Vanessa's music blends South American folk traditions with contemporary textures. This personal body of work tells Vanessa's story of migration, protest, missing home, and love. It speaks to different facets of Vanessa's identity and journey—as an artist, immigrant, and a woman navigating a complex world through music.

Coming in to Mystic Brew to co-host the show with Mike Gurrieri this NAIDOC Week is Noongar artist Poli Pearl. An immensely talented selector and beatmaker, Poli Pearl is also a composer and instrumentalist in the apocalyptic jazz/fusion group Special Feelings. Tune in for some hand-picked tracks from Poli Pearl, along with some chats with Mike in-between the grooves.

To celebrate NAIDOC Week, Ryan on Tyrannocoreus will showcase music from bands that have Indigenous members, as well as an interview with Jimmy Kyle from local First Nations indie punk band, Chasing Ghosts. Ryan and Jimmy 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. Tune in for this NAIDOC Week special.

Melbourne/Naarm-based award-winning singer-songwriter Jess Ribeiro writes with a haunting voice and plainspoken language that hides a wealth of meaning below the surface of her song craft. Jess Ribeiro’s ‘Mix Tape’ is a collection of abandoned pathways, parallel timelines, maybes and what-ifs, which will be out this July through Poison City Records. Tune in to The Breakfast Spread to hear Jess talk about her new music, along with a few specially selected songs for a round of Musical Chairs.

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.

Rocket Science play trashy-psychedelic-garage-punk with new wave, no-wave art-punk enthusiasm. The band's creative point of view is inspired by Roman Tucker’s songwriting and influenced by the band's innovative take on music. Formed mid-1998, the internationally renowned group are playing a one-off show at The Gem as part of Leaps and Bounds Festival on July 26. Tune in to hear Roman and Paul chat with Crispi about this special performance.

Tune in to Swinging Doors this NAIDOC Week to hear Ernie present a special show celebrating the voices and stories of First Nations artists. From timeless classics to contemporary anthems, this curated set will honour the resilience, creativity, and cultural legacy of Indigenous musicians across generations. Whether you’re discovering new artists or revisiting old favourites, it’s a moving tribute to the music that continues to shape Australia’s cultural landscape.

Tune in to Roots of Rhythm for ‘Wordy-Gurdy’, Part II of ‘John Campbell: The Greatest Guitarist You’ve Never Heard Of’. Having checked out his idiosyncratic take on other people’s songs in Part I, Helen and Jackey will explore more of his songwriting and production, spotlighting his original songs. Listen in for more great stories of John’s incredible life, as he shook up the blues scene of the 1980s and '90s with his fiery guitar work and formidable vocals.

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.”

Professor Emeritus Michael Atherton AM joins Roger to discuss his newly released autobiography, ‘Never Miss a Beat’. An accomplished composer, writer, and educator from Sydney, Atherton has been a pioneering force in Australian inter- and cross-cultural music. From self-taught guitarist to founding member of seminal groups Sirocco and Southern Crossings, his work has shaped the sonic landscape of a grassroots multicultural music movement in the Naarm pub scene.

Fiery five-piece all-girl rockers Hot Machine join Chris on Pojama People ahead of Arockalypse Now, returning for its fourth year on August 2 at the Westernport Hotel, San Remo. Formed in 2023, the Naarm-based band burst onto the scene with their debut single ‘She’s on the Money’, and haven’t slowed down since—bringing their blazing rock and roll to stages across the country. Listen in as Hot Machine talk riffs, rebellion, and getting loud at one of Victoria’s wildest regional festivals.

Naarm punk-rock heavyweights Press Club join Claire on Firewater to talk all things ‘To All the Ones That I Love’ – their brave, energetic and emotionally charged fourth album, released May 2. Known for their electrifying live presence and DIY ethos, Press Club have spent the better part of a decade pushing boundaries in Australia’s punk scene. On their latest record, they fuse the raw intensity of their early work with a more mature, textured sound, showcasing Natalie Foster’s soaring vocals.

Seedy Jeezus is a 60s psychedelic beast melded to the throbbing corpse of 70s rock – an apt description for an outfit once described as "the bearded shamen of riffology" and "the acid blotter on the tongue of Jimi Hendrix." The band found its feet in 2015 and now boasts numerous studio albums, records, and EPs. No two gigs are the same, with spontaneous jams and deviations guiding their approach to the stage. For more on their next project, 'Damned To The Depths', tune in to Pojama People.

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.

Naarm-based composer and guitarist Cam Butler sits down with Lyndelle on The Afterglow for a live in-studio performance and interview. Known for his genre-blending work with electric guitar and string instruments, Cam has played in bands like Silver Ray, Cam Butler & The Shadows Of Love, and The Coralinas. He visits the show fresh off the release of his most personal album yet, ‘Spirits Flying Home’—a solo electric guitar record marked by lush distortion, looping, and deep emotional resonance.

Australian blues and soul guitar icon Geoff Achison swings by Roots of Rhythm ahead of his 60th Birthday Gig at Memo Music Hall on August 29. Backed by his powerhouse band The Souldiggers, Geoff will celebrate his milestone with a night of blues, rock and soul, sharing the stage with genre-defying shredder Kathleen Halloran and blues master Shannon Bourne. Tune in for a chat about Geoff’s storied career, what fans can expect from this special gig, and why turning 60 is no reason to slow down.