Interviews

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 November 23.

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.

Recorded 25 years ago by Shane O’Mara at his Yikesville studio, The Meanies’ new 7” single 'Shutdown' is seeing the light of day for the very first time. On the B-side of the 7”, you’ll find Frenzal Rhomb and Perth punks Leeches! delivering renditions of Meanies classics 'Play This Song Each Night' and 'Scum.' Tune in to Sunglasses After Dark as Phil chats to Wally from The Meanies about their upcoming show at The Tote on November 4.

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.

Globally celebrated Belgian pianist Daan Vandewalle will be joining Ian on The Sound Barrier this Sunday. They’ll be discussing his new releases of Rzewski’s 'The Road', an almost ten-hour journey through life, its surprises, and absurdities, and the 'Nanosonatas', also by Rzewski, a two-and-a-half-hour cycle of miniature glimpses of the world. Tune in from 10pm to hear about his standard-defining performances, along with excerpts from these new releases.

Genre-defying music collective The Cloud Maker create music inspired by goddesses from their diverse cultural backgrounds. Channelling ancient tales of fierce battles, shamanic dances and journeys to the afterlife, The Cloud Maker harness the power of these archetypal stories to transport listeners across time and space. Tune in to Deeep Space as Lloyd Briggs catches up with the group following their ethereal Studio 5 Live performance.

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.

Tune in to Transfigurations as Lucas chats with Precious Mess on the same day he celebrates 100 episodes of the show. Inspired by the connection between sound and vision, the new album 'An Exercise in Letting Go' features ten songs and ten paintings, each song its own work of art. Tune in for a live performance by the band and an interview with the masterminds behind the project, Nate and Reggie.

Valencian-born Australian musician whose work transcends genre, Raul Sanchez i Jorge is shaped by deep curiosity and a lifelong fascination with sound, seeing music as a kind of medicine, opening pathways into memory, emotion, and the unknown. Contributing to the 'Sunnyside' art experience by creating an immersive soundscape to accompany Morag Myerscough's installation, 'Chasing Sunbeams', Lucas Packett catches up with Raul to chat about 'Sunnyside', taking place in Ballarat from November 6-23.

Indie-folk songstress Isabel Rumble is captivating audiences worldwide with her intimate songwriting and a voice that speaks directly to the heart. Hailing from a rich folk music community in the southern valleys of NSW, Isabel's live show is a tender invitation into presence, soul soothing and quietly powerful. Coming in to Down By The River to perform her music live, tune in to hear songs from her 2023 Folk Alliance Australia nominated debut album, 'Bird Be Brave'.

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.

Coming in to spin the Wheels of Steel while in Melbourne for the first time this Friday morning is London-based DJ Minna. Digging for rare records since the age of 12, Minna will bring her extensive knowledge of rare disco, old-school house, and the latest dancefloor releases to Whitehart Bar on November 15. Tune in to hear her infectious and energetic guest mix, along with a chat with Breakfast Spread presenter Milo Eastwood.

West African in heritage, Naarm/ Melbourne-based Zjoso has quickly become an essential thread weaving through the city’s musical tapestry. Founder of Tribqu, a platform celebrating underground music and culture, Zjoso has successfully carved out a distinct role as a DJ, radio host, and curator. Joining Edd Fisher on Tomorrowland, tune in to hear about his monthly radio program on Skylab, along with his performance at 'When Pigs Fly' on December 31.

Tune in to 5ft High and Rising to hear Myles catch up with Portland, USA country and western band Jenny Don't & The Spurs. For over a decade, Jenny Don’t & The Spurs have been pioneering a sound that fuses the grit of garage rock with the swagger of classic country, which they'll be bringing to Victoria for a bunch of shows, including Town Folk Festival on November 15. Listen in from 8am to hear from vocalist and guitarist Jenny Don't, along with bassist Kelly Halliburton.

'The Astronomer' is the debut full-length album from Melbourne post-hardcore band Caution:Thieves. Continuing the concept that began with 'Prologue: The Slow Resign Of A Dying Star' in 2024, 'The Astronomer' is an ambitious concept album that offers a dynamic and exciting musical journey. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus as Ryan chats with Nicholas Simonsen, vocalist and songwriter from the band about their show at Bergy Bandroom on November 15.

Tune in to Tyrannocoreus to catch an interview between Ryan Evans and Eric Jarrin, the lead guitarist and producer of deathcore band Despised Icon. Formed in 2002, the Quebec-based group has just released their seventh album 'Shadow Work', and are currently touring extensively across North America. Listen in to find out when we can expect to see them next in Australia.

Tune in to Roots of Rhythm as Helen catches up with blues musician Michael Charles, the first Australian to be inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame. Having launched his career in 1984, Michael has performed with some of the greats, including Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, and Jimmy Dawkins. Some 40 years later, Michael’s roots are now in the USA, and his career boasts a catalogue of forty-one releases. Listen in to hear about his upcoming show at Bird’s Basement 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.

The ninth album 'Flowers', from metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada marks the beginning of an epic new chapter for the group. They’ve just spent the summer playing some of the biggest shows of their career, performing in amphitheaters across the globe, and their single 'For You' is the band’s first-ever track to chart on both the Mediabase and Billboard Active Rock charts in the US. Tune in to Tyrannocoreus to hear Ryan Evans chat with the band’s vocalist, Mike Hranica.

Drummer and tech visionary Barra for local band DEADSKIN drops in to Tyrannocoreus to hang out with Ryan Evans. With an eerie brand of metalcore that expels haunting lyrics with a soundtrack to match - tune in to hear about DEADSKIN's new singles 'Seeing Things' and 'Peeling Skin', along with their recent live shows and plans for the new year. 

The Port Fairy Folk Festival has expanded its line-up, with more artists joining the seaside celebration taking place from March 6 - 9. From its humble beginnings in 1977, the festival celebrates its 49th year in 2026, featuring a huge multi-venue main arena with four stages, family-friendly entertainment, excellent food, and more. Director Justin Rudge joins Lauren Plant, tune in to hear him discuss some of the artists to watch in the global folk scene.

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.

Off the back of the London album launch for 'The Second High', Liz Stringer is back on home soil for the 'To Survive Tour', a campaign that brings awareness to the housing crisis and raise much-needed funds for Australia’s most vulnerable. Audiences will be given the opportunity to donate their chosen amount to a local community support organisation using QR codes at each show, to which Liz will also donate personally. Tune in to Radio City as Crispi catches up with Liz about this tour. 

Tune in to the Ports Of Paradise to hear a live performance from the electrifying ensemble, Johnny Fuego and The Heat. Featuring the powerhouse vocals of Loretta Miller, the 9-piece will share with Palmtree Paddy their unmistakable swagger of the 007 theme to Shirley Bassey’s 'Goldfinger', Tom Jones’ 'Thunderball', and deep-cut gems from Bond’s legendary back catalogue, ahead of their show at The Night Cat that night.

Local nu-metal band Bad Juju have just released their new EP, 'Simulacra'. Blending gritty alt-rock with raw emotional intensity, guitarist Abe Miller joins Ryan Evans on Tyrannocoreus to chat about the band’s latest release. Tune in to hear why Bad Juju shifted their sound from emo to nu-metal, and what it was like to work with Sam Bassal from nu-metal band Ocean Grove.