The H Files with Kevin Hillier

It is a musical partnership that happened by chance and we thank the musical gods that it did. Ian Moss and Troy Cassar-Daley have something special together and you will hear all about it - Together and Alone - in words and songs in this episode.  Their new album Together Alone - Live at Ulumbarra Theatre is available on all music platforms and the duo are packing venues across the country f...

It is always a treat to relive a musical diamond from the past and 50 years ago, England Dan and John Ford Coley enjoyed worldwide, life changing success with a radio favourite 'I'd Really Love To See You Tonight.' Sadly, England Dan has left us but John Ford Coley is still going strong and it is a thrill to have him on this episode talking about the swings and roundabouts of an eventful musical l...

Sunnyboys are back. It's debatable whether they ever left, but they are reforming for a big one-off show in Brisbane on October 23rd at the Roma Parklands and the release of a special box set celebration of their debut album. Richard Burgman - guitarist in the original and most celebrated Sunnyboys lineup - takes us from the beginnings of the band to the preparation for the upcoming gig.  Sun...

In a world where superlatives are handed out far too early and easily, Don Walker has earned and deserves more than the dictionary allows. Still a member and major songwriter with the iconic Cold Chisel, Don's latest solo project is Love Songs a collection of very personal songs spanning more than three decades. Don talks about the songs, his songwriting process, the music he likes to listen to an...

It's a killer episode with the always enchanting and engaging Tania Doko from Bachelor Girl buzzing about the release of Waiting for the Day: Artists Sessions - a reimagining of their 1998 debut album and their national tour.  Tania and James (Roche) are joined by Guy Sebastian, Ella Hooper, Tommy Emmanuel, Jessica Mauboy, Delta Goodrem and many more, with new versions of their songs includin...

Sweet are on the road in Australia for their Final Blitz Tour, and in this episode, surviving member Andy Scott chats about his life in Sweet. From the early days of hits like Wig Wam Bam through to Love is Like Oxygen, it is an amazing success story. Andy tells the story behind iconic Sweet moments like recording the intro to the classic Ballroom Blitz and getting Fox on the Run right, the second...

Mark Holden has done it all (and then some) during his decades in the entertainment business. Be it as a singer, songwriter, actor, producer, barrister, heartthrob or unofficial ambassador for carnations, Mark left no stone unturned from day one. As he releases a new album of songs - 'Now and Then and Shirley MacLaine' - with a newly crafted singing voice, Mark reflects on some of his most memorab...

Andrew Farriss is back with his second solo album The Prospector and his new country style is putting a smile on his face, as he tells Kevin in this chat about the new songs, his second live appearance at the hallowed Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and some fond memories of his time in INXS. Andrew talks about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voting for INXS and the Michael Hutchence he misses. The Pro...

Eric McCusker's imprint on Australian pop music is awesome. Think songs like 'Come Said the Boy', 'Summer of '81', 'Chemistry' and a little ditty called 'State of the Heart', just part of his songwriting contribution to Mondo Rock, plus being a bloody good guitar player.  In this expansive chat with Kevin, Eric fills in the days before Mondo Rock - a musical adventure and apprenticship that c...

As they prepare for their induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame, Vika and Linda Bull take time out to chat about 'Where Do You Come From" their brilliant new album. The sisters share the stories behind the very personal songs that make up this new record and the preparation for a national tour which is is about to begin. Tour and album info here vikaandlinda.com.au     Also on the touring...

The Waterboys are currently touring Australia and their founder and frontman Mike Scott joined me to talk about the tour, playng live, their album dedicated to actor Dennis Hopper and of course that monster hit they had that still sounds epic - The Whole of the Moon.  The Waterboys – Australian and New Zealand Tour | Destroy All Lines Saxophonist Bill Evans is bringing his latest VansBa...

Long, long time ago Don McLean had a hit with American Pie. Fifty five years later, we still love the song and Don will be playing it live during his October Australian tour to celebrate that 55th anninversary. Don chats about his life and times, including American Pie and why he is still performing at the age of 80. The ongoing musical autopsy on the song American Pie is not a concern to Don, as...

What a star-studded episode 34 turns out to be. Guest One: Francis Rossi OBE. Founder, leader, lead singer, lead guitarist and sole continuous member of Status Quo - a mighty feat on its own, but he also has a new solo album The Accidental to chat about. Francis - who loves a chat but doesn't like looking in the mirror - is happy to share some memories from the Quo days and his very colourful life...

On the eve of his farewell tour of Australia, Ralph McTell joins me to chat about his many Australian experiences, his enormous catalogue of songs, his love affair with his guitar and the ups and downs of having such an iconic hit as Streets of London.   My other guest is David Briggs, another man known for his prowess with the guitar. It was that skill which brought him to our attention...

Their musical footprint is undeniable and the mere mention of the name brings gasps to a generation. Spinal Tap blazed a trail through the music business, ignoring the rule book, rewriting the etiquette of rock, blowing up many sound systems worldwide and causing pandemonium at airport security. And in one final act of anarchy, they blew themeselves up. Bass player Derek Small walked out. The shoc...

Skyhooks were a rare combination of fan favourite, media darlings and respected musicians. They wanted to be noticed, and they were. The H Files brings you stories and recollections about Skyhooks from many different people, inside and outside the band. It is not a Skyhooks history lesson, more a homage to a very exciting era of music and a band that led the way with an original sound and look tha...

Skyhooks were a rare combination of fan favourite, media darlings and respected musicians. They wanted to be noticed, and they were. The H Files brings you stories and recollections about Skyhooks from many different people, inside and outside the band. It is not a Skyhooks history lesson, more a homage to a very exciting era of music and a band that led the way with an original sound and look tha...

Skyhooks were a rare combination of fan favourite, media darlings and respected musicians. They wanted to be noticed, and they were. The H Files brings you stories and recollections about Skyhooks from many different people, inside and outside the band. It is not a Skyhooks history lesson, more a homage to a very exciting era of music and a band that led the way with an original sound and look tha...

Skyhooks were a rare combination of fan favourite, media darlings and respected musicians. They wanted to be noticed and they were. The H Files brings you stories and recollections about Skyhooks from many different people, inside and outside the band. It is not a Skyhooks history lesson, more a homage to a very exciting era of music and a band that led the way with an original sound and look that...

Skyhooks were a rare combination of fan favourite, media darlings and respected musicians. They wanted to be noticed and they were. In the first of a four-part series, The H Files brings you stories and recollections about Skyhooks from many different people, inside and outside the band. It is not a Skyhooks history lesson, more a homage to a very exciting era of music and a band that led the way...

Peter Asher has had a career like a Russian doll. It started as an 8 year old actor working with the likes of Boris Karloff. While Peter's sister Jane became a leading actress, Peter was drawn to music and with Gordon Waller became the worldwide hit making duo Peter & Gordon. They did get some help from Peter's sister's boyfriend and Asher house lodger Paul McCartney, who wrote a few songs the...

Andy Kim has been a star for a very long time and his musical footprint started in the legendary Brill Building in New York, the mecca for budding songwriters from all over the world. When a young, wide-eyed Canadian walked in for a meeting with Jeff Barry, it was a life changing experience, and the start of a Hall of Fame musical career. Andy talks about writing Sugar Sugar, a worldwide number on...

Mike McClellan has carved a very successful career across many decades because he is a craftsman, a showman, a man with a curious mind and a passion for singing and songwriting that he still works at today at the ripe old age of 80.  As he prepares for his latest tour, Mike reflects on what drives him, what makes him happy, what has influenced him and what has touched him over the year. ...

Buzz Bidstrup is a jack of all trades and master of plenty - including storytelling - and does he have a story or two to tell. The man behind the drum kit for The Angels is also a founding member of Gangajang, record producer and sound engineer for many of this country's best artists, manager, promoter, songwriter (No Secrets - no less) and now author of the book No Secrets (Harper Collins) that t...

It has been 50 years since we first heard David Surkamp's unique voice as frontman of Pavlov's Dog and on the eve of the band's first Australian tour, David shares his thoughts on his amazing musical career. From writing the iconic Julia to meeting Vanda and Young on his only visit to Australia, David tells a great story.  Cowboy Junkies are also on their way to Australia for their 40th anniv...