Interviews

Pioneer of the bass scene in India - the solo project of KRUNK LIVE founder, Sohail Arora aka EZ Riser, is in Melbourne for a show at Miscellania on October 24. Over the past decade, EZ Riser has shared stages with some of the world's finest bass music pioneers, drawing inspiration from jungle, drum and bass, to garage and techno, engineering his unique sound. Tune in to Tomorrowland as Edd Fisher catches up with EZ Riser while he's in town.

Serving up a taste of what he’s been cooking, Eden Burns is celebrating the release of his debut album 'Eden Burns and The Make Believers'. The dance music prophet, notorious for his ingenious string of club tracks, is gifting the world yet another cult-creating musical adventure. With ecstatic beats and melodies that cast a spell, tune in to Tomorrowland to hear Eden chat about his new release, along with his show at 24 Moons on Saturday night.

Listen in to The Breakdown this Friday as local hip-hop poet and lyricist Cazeaux O.S.L.O drops in. Recognised for crafting evocative, spiritual sound worlds through his work with SO.Crates, Sunset Cities, and Man Made Mountain, Cazeaux O.S.L.O pairs introspective, literary songwriting with neo-soul-inspired beats to create emotionally resonant stories and immersive 'cerebral' spaces. Tune in to hear about his upcoming show at When Pigs Fly on December 31.

'Eternal Sunset' is the new six-track EP from Munich-based DJ and producer Nic Jalusi. Making waves with his refined house style rooted in the 90s, Nic is also one of the creative minds behind the fantastic label 'Super Sound Global'. Jonny catches up with Nic to chat about the influences behind the record, tune in to Audio Vitamins for a special guest mix from Nic, bringing together all the sounds and styles that have shaped his music over the years.

Rapper, singer, producer, and activist M.I.A. will be performing her Grammy-nominated music at the Forum Melbourne on October 26. Celebrated for her fearless creativity and distinctive blend of hip-hop, electronic, and punk, the British-Sri Lankan artist continues to inspire new generations of artists and audiences with her unapologetic voice and genre-defying sound. Ahead of her headlining show, Pradip catches up with M.I.A. Tune in to Tiger Beats Elephant Grooves for this exclusive interview.

On Friday, November 7, Kee’ahn will launch their debut EP 'for me, for you x' at The Evelyn Hotel. The Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal, and Torres Strait Islander songwriter and performer from North Queensland has captivated listeners with their lush melodies and rich vocals, sharing powerful stories of hope and healing. Joining Claire Dickson on The Breakfast Spread to perform some songs, tune in to hear an incredible, stripped-back set of Kee’ahn’s powerful neo-soul music.

Fresh off a sold-out UK/EU summer tour, including Jazz Café London and major European festivals, Close Counters are bringing that international momentum back home to When Pigs Fly on December 31. Their 2023 Music Victoria Award-winning album 'SOULACOASTA II' earned props from Gilles Peterson and Folamour, with breakout singles released via Defected Records. Tune in as Elle catches up with one half of the broken-beat and disco duo, Allan McConnell.

California metalcore titans The Ghost Inside are returning to Australia this month for their first headline tour in over a decade. Armed with passion and determination that has captivated a global audience for decades, The Ghost Inside forge the new wave of American metalcore dexterity with the urgency of punk and dauntless melodies, all of which have permeated and fortified across six studio albums. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus as Ryan catches up with bassist and clean vocalist Jim Riley. 

Listen in to the second half of Tyrannocoreus this Wednesday morning as Ryan chats with vocalist Nazareth Tharratt and guitarist David Wilder from local band HEAVENSGATE. They’ll be talking about their recent touring experiences in Europe and America, as well as their new metalcore EP, 'A Heart Is a Heavy Burden'. Tune in to hear what they’ve got planned for the next 12 months.

ARIA Award-winning blues virtuoso Dave Hole will perform his all-time greats at Bird’s Basement on November 8. Having released ten albums and headlined festivals around the globe, Dave’s playing is infused with the spirit of legends like Elmore James, Duane Allman, and Johnny Winter. Tune in to Roots of Rhythm as Helen catches up with Dave ahead of his show.

London-born but Tassie-based, Celtic/Sri Lankan singer-songwriter Sheyana and her band have just released their new album 'All The Best'. Influenced by the classics and drawing inspiration from their deep Tassie roots, The Sheyana Band fuse the stylistic flavours of Australian rhythm and soul, southern country and rock. Tune in to Roots of Rhythm as Helen catches up with Sheyana.

In 1978, local duo Essendon Airport was formed by David Chesworth on Wurlitzer electric piano and Robert Goodge on guitar, accompanied by a home-made drum machine. Embracing minimalism, repetition, irony, and experimentation, Essendon Airport are now releasing a new album 'MOR', revisiting their early minimalist work with songs from and around the 'Sonic Investigations' era, reimagined in expanded full-band arrangements. Tune in to hear about their show at Northcote Social Club on October 24.

Having emerged from Melbourne’s bayside onto the live scene just a year ago with their fresh and spirited indie rock, The Gnomes are now set to release their self-titled debut album. Starting as a bedroom solo project for teenage singer-songwriter Jay Millar a few years back, the band have now shared the stage with the likes of Skegss, Split System and The 5.6.7.8's. Tune in to Radio City as Crispi catches up with the band about their album launch show at Brunswick Ballroom on November 14.

Psych-boogie heavyweight Dom Mariani (The Stems, DATURA4, Baggage Handler) brings the fuzz, swagger, and serious sonic firepower with his new album 'Apple Of Life', dropping on the last day of October. Crispi catches up with Dom the day before its release, tune in to hear about his recent show with Jon Spencer, and what we can expect from his second solo album. 

Tune in to Swinging Doors for a special, in-studio performance from Queenie and Hank, the dynamite duo dripping in rhinestones and soaked in ’60s charm. With golden harmonies and a smoky twang, they channel the sultry swagger of Nancy and Lee and the tender fire of Dolly and Kenny, while offering something undeniably fresh. Listen in to hear about their new self-titled album, and upcoming show at The Quad Club on November 7.

Formed in Melbourne in 2013, psychedelic punk rock band SPACEJUNK have just released their new album 'JUNK TIME', and it’s full of fuzzy guitars, left-field sonic touches, and barely controlled energy. Playing at Mamma Chen’s in Footscray on November 22, Phil catches up with the band ahead of their show with Assteroid and The Nowa Nowas.

On October 31 at Sub Club Melbourne, 1800 Play and Charades join forces to welcome Reptant, a leading figure in the new wave of electro producers, with releases on labels like 'Trust' and 'Kalahari Oyster Cult'. Reptant will play an exclusive 4 hour set in the basement, with support from Séarlait, the founder of 1800 Play and the forthcoming label: 'esensual', known for her wiggy dub, tech house, and minimal-driven sets. Tune in to Tomorrowland as Edd catches up with both DJs.

‘Guewel’ is a landmark multi-artform work by Senegalese-born, Melbourne-based artist Lamine Sonko, created in collaboration with the National Theatre of Senegal. Premiering at Arts House this November 12 – 16, 'Guewel' fuses live music, animated projection, filmed landscapes and sacred dance to convey gestural languages rich with history, cosmology and collective memory. Tune in to hear about this project that’s been 7 years in the making.

Lithuanian kanklės (zither) artist Regina Marozienė is bringing her music to Naarm/Melbourne on October 29, performing in collaboration with Chinese-Australian sheng player Dr Wang Zheng-Ting at the Lithuanian Club. Then, on November 5, Regina will perform at the Church of All Nations alongside local kanklės players. Between these shows, Regina visits the Global Village to play her kanklės and chat with Roger about this traditional music.

Blossom Rot Records is turning 5, and to celebrate, they’re hosting a month-long residency at The Tramway Hotel this November, along with a special compilation release on vinyl. The label’s name was inspired by Soph’s veggie patch, where an abundant zucchini crop was struck by a serious case of blossom rot. Today, Blossom Rot Records is home to a stellar roster of musicians, including Dianas, Cool Sounds, and Bad Bangs, to name a few. Tune in as Brooke catches up with Nat and Jet from the label.

Delivering intricate folk-pop that is simultaneously graceful and darkly bewitching, Charm of Finches is the project of sisters, Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes. Having toured their fourth studio album ‘Marlinchen In The Snow’ in 2024, they return with their new single ‘Meteor’, inspired by the powerful forces of nature that reflect a tumultuous inner world. Tune in to hear about their upcoming show at Town Folk Festival on November 15 and at Brunswick Ballroom on November 20.

Tune in to Southern Style this week to hear from Toronto’s preeminent bluegrass band, the Tone Rangers. The lineup includes Andrew Collins (mandolin, guitar, vocals), James McEleney (bass, mandolin, guitar), Chris Quinn (banjo, guitar), and Ben Plotnik (fiddle, guitar). They’ll be sharing a live bluegrass performance with Jan Dale ahead of their appearance at Bright’s Mountaingrass Festival, taking place November 14 - 16. Listen in to hear what else the band have planned while in the country.

Al Matcott's debut album 'Summer’s Coming', was a full-throated howl against global warming and the forces behind it. And now his follow-up album, 'Fake The Days Away', explores how the electronic hallucinations of the internet have pushed reality and nature aside and are, foot-to-the-floor, driving us into a death spiral of lies, paranoia, hate, and stupidity. Al Marcott chats to Crispi about the new album, tune in to hear some of Marcott’s most personal songwriting yet.

Tune in to Swinging Doors for a lush live performance from ARIA-nominated group Minor Gold. Comprised of songwriters Tracy McNeil and Dan Parsons, their sophomore album 'Way to the Sun' is a harmony-drenched blend of cosmic country and folk. Recorded over seven sun-soaked days in California, the album slowly emerged like a hazy mirage from a cosmic suburban dream. Listen in from 3pm to hear Ernie catch up with the duo.

In this edition of Stars In The Static, Greg Sher catches up with Tamara Murphy to talk about her project, Spirograph Studies. After a 4 year wait between albums, Spirograph Studies are set to release 'Melody Driver', a record that pushes their hypnotic, textural approach to improvisation into new directions, textures, and dreamscapes. Tune in to hear about their album launch on November 18 at the Jazzlab.

Written largely on autoharp, local singer/songwriter Georgia Knight has announced the release of her much anticipated debut album, 'Beanpole'. The album weaves moody dark-pop with trip-hop pulses and synth-washed layers, unfolding into an avant-garde landscape that coaxes listeners into a world of musically dark terrain and cinematic breadth. Listen in to Radio City as Georgia Knight brings in her autoharp for a special, intimate performance.