Music

As the Head of Contemporary Music at the Sydney Opera House, Ben Marshall has spent over a decade transforming the World Heritage-listed venue into a vibrant hub for cutting-edge sound. In his role as the curator of Vivid LIVE, he oversees an ambitious takeover of the House’s stages, consistently programming a mix of global icons, [...] Read More... from VIVID LIVE 2026 – An Interview With I...

In the world of contemporary music, few bands are as fiercely protective of their sonic DNA as Radiohead. Tony Roma’s guest managed to do the near-impossible: he decoded that DNA, translated it for eighty-eight keys, and earned the band’s rare stamp of approval in the process. Josh Cohen didn’t just create piano covers; he created [...] Read More... from Radiohead for Solo Piano at City Reci...

It’s getting cold. We need to warm up. How about this: the cauldron of life. The source of earthly paradise. A great way to have a cheerful conversation. One of the things that drive us all crazy. This week: songs about sex. The Hairpin Turn has a lot of records about sex. I’ll show you [...] Read More... from The Hairpin Turn: Sex

One of the most anticipated fixtures on the 2026 cultural calendar: SIMA’s Jazz:NOW program isn’t just a concert series; it’s a living, breathing pulse of where the music is heading and the program is a masterclass in modern improvisation. Joining us in the studio is Novak Manojlovic—a pianist and composer who has spent the last few [...] Read More... from An Interview with Novak Manojlovic &#8211...

This year marks the fortieth anniversary of the first performance by Ten Part Invention at the Adelaide Festival in 1986. The ten piece ensemble was an inspirational part of the Australian Jazz scene for three decades.  Jazz writer and critic John Shand described them as the Rolls Royce of Australian jazz.  This podcast, The Making of Australian [...] Read More... from The Maki...

Missed the Mardi Gras parade? Or were you there, but it was all a blur? Fret not (or, indeed, frot not): The Hairpin Turn is here to provide 90 minutes of juicy four-to-the-floor goodness to accompany your own parade, wherever you may wish to hold it. Put your dancing shoes on, keep hydrated and shimmy [...] Read More... from Go Bang! A Mardi Gras Megamix

We live in an age where overweening arrogance seems to be rewarded instead of pilloried. But as certain world figures either face or try to duck under the glare of their own come-uppance, The Hairpin Turn offers a playlist of songs about hubris. [...] Read More... from Just Wait ‘Til I Get Through With It: Songs about Hubris

To celebrate Tom Waits’ 76th birthday, The Hairpin Turn offers a playlist of Tom Waits songs performed by the man himself and a select group of cover artists. [...] Read More... from Independent as a Hog on Ice: a Tom Waits Playlist

Samin, frontman and creator of packingdhaka visited us in the studio early Monday morning. We spoke to this wonderfully vibrant individual about his growth as a musician. Formation of the band Packing Dhaka, it’s iterations, his farewell show This Saturday December 6th @sneakypossumbar. [...] Read More... from In the studio with Samin with Packing Dhaka

What impact does your physical environment have on you? How does it affect your mood? The way you behave? Are your movements through the city just a way of getting from A to B – or is there more to your relationship with your surroundings? Situationist philosopher Guy Debord came up with the idea of [...] Read More... from Let’s Get Lost: A Psychogeographical Playlist

On the occasion of Billy Strayhorn’s 110th birthday, The Hairpin Turn celebrates the life and work of one of jazz’s great geniuses. Strayhorn’s career is inextricably linked to that of Duke Ellington. With the exception of a two-year period in the early 1950s and a single solo album recorded in 1961, all of Strayhorn’s surviving [...] Read More... from The Quiet Genius of B...

Joe Camilleri, the Maltese-born Australian music legend of bands such as The Black Sorrows, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons and the Revelators has had a profound impact on the nation’s music scene. His unique style of soul, rhythm and blues and rock n’ roll had captured the attention of Australia and New Zealand for [...] Read More... from Music Legend Joe Camilleri reflects on his career...

Once upon a time in 1970s Zambia, WITCH (We Intend To Cause Havoc) turned fuzz pedals and freedom into a movement. Their blend of psychedelic rock, garage funk, blues, and Zambian rhythms defined Zamrock – raw, rebellious, and alive. Now, decades later, original frontman Jagari Chanda and keyboardist Patrick Mwondela return with a fierce new [...] Read More... from WITCH

Vivid Live is the accompanying music program that supports the spectacular light festival Vivid held annually across winter in Sydney. It comprises a multitude of performances at both Carriageworks and the Sydney Opera House as well other prominent locations such as City Recital Hall and Tumbalong Park to name a few. Julian Ramundi from Destinations [...] Read More... from Julian Ramundi Destinati...

In this episode, Tony speaks with filmmaker Ben de Hoedt about his striking new film Disappear Here, launching this week at The Ritz. They delve into the film’s gritty inspirations, its subversive take on modern Australian identity, and why it’s already generating buzz as a future cult classic. A must-listen for cinephiles and curious creatives [...] Read More... from Interview with Be...

Join Matthew Ottignon as he celebrates Marshall Allen and his new album from 2025 New Dawn. Marshall Belford Allen (born May 25, 1924) is an American free jazz and avant garde jazz alto saxophone player. He also performs on flute, oboe, piccolo, and the EWI. Allen is best known for his work with Sun Ra, having recorded and performed mostly in this context since the late 1950s, [...] Read More... f...

Allison Russell is one of the outstanding musicians of our time. The multi award winning and multiinstrumental has produced two solo albums and has worked with many other artists and groups including Joni Mitchell. She recently played Persephone in the broadway version of Hadestown. She will be playing at the City Recital Hall on 17 [...] Read More... from Allison Russell is returning to Australia

The wonderful Karen Lee Andrews sits down to talk about her life as well as her latest musical gig with Jade Macrae at the Factory Theatere. She talks about her musical influences and what she’s been up to lately and also her new album titled “Survival” Listen now! [...] Read More... from Karen Lee Andrews joins Deep Blues to talk about her new album

Jazz musician, Flora Carbo talks with Tony about her career, the gigs she’s played, and the next generation of musicians she sees and how her crowds inspire her. She also delves into how her own musical journey began in Melbourne, picking up the sax in high school, and her musical education. Listen to learn more. [...] Read More... from Flora Carbo reflects on her career

Tony sits down with soul singer Jade MacRae to talk about her newest album since 2020 called “In my Veins”. She talks about her experience during Covid, how she began to write songs with others during lockdown and eventually returned to Australia to create the album. Listen to learn more! [...] Read More... from Jade MacRae talks about her new album

Tony interviews Alice Papademtriou from the summer team at the Open Academy at Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She talk about all the different programs at the Open Academy the public can access such as short courses for children and adults and more. [...] Read More... from Open Academy at the Con offers different music programs for the public

Join us for an exclusive conversation with the talented Dave MacRae. From his journey in the music industry to creative inspirations and behind-the-scenes stories, Dave shares his insights, experiences, and the passion that drives his work. Whether you’re a music enthusiast or just love a great interview, this is one you don’t want to miss! [...] Read More... from Inside the Mind of Da...

Michael Franti is an American singer-songwriter known not only for his energetic hip-hop music, but also for his political and social activism. He has an extensive musical career of almost 40 years, playing with numerous musicians and bands, his current band being Spearhead. In this interview, Michael Franti reminisces about his music, life, and fellow [...] Read More... from Michael Franti gets p...

In this interview, Gay Bryant joins the program to discuss an upcoming event in Australia featuring Cuban musician Elio, who will be performing his latest album, “Standing by the Crossroads”, in Sydney and Melbourne in November. Sponsored by Eastside Radio, the album reflects Elio’s journey as a musician, highlighting the influence of his time spent [...] Read More... from Gai Br...

Interview with the prominent Australian jazz guitarist and composer, founding member of the band D.I.G., Tim Rollinson. We are offered an insight into the writing and inspirations behind his new album Chiromancy, launching Wednesday October 16th at Butchers Brew, 499 Marrickville Road, Dulwich Hill. Take a deeper dive into his experiences writing throughout the past [...] Read More... from Tom Rol...