The Best Bits Podcast with Julie Reynolds

🎙️ This week on the podcast, I caught up with award winning broadcaster, author, comedian and podcaster Shanelle Franklin for a really honest, funny and surprisingly relatable chat about modern adulthood… and why so many of us are absolutely exhausted by it 😅 Her brand new book 📚 Because Adulthood Shouldn’t Be This Boring (A Rebellion Against the Fun Police) dives into burnout, joy, stress, curi...

I caught up with Phil Jamieson, who is sidestepping out from front man duties with Grinspoon for a solo project We wander through the heady years, from massive festivalmoments like Big Day Out, to the lead role in the stage show American Idiot , plus what he’s got lined up for you on the huge 44 date PJ Air tour New single “ Weekends ” from upcoming album 10Charlie was the AMRAP song of the week,...

💛 Have you checked in on your neighbours lately? One in four Australians say they’re experiencing loneliness and more than 15% say they often or always feel that way. I recently caught up with Nick Tebbey, the National Executive Officer of Relationships Australia, ahead of Neighbours Day. We talked about why loneliness is on the rise, why it is not just older Australians feeling it, and how young...

You might remember Fiona Horne from Def FX… but her journey since then is something else entirely. Rockstar. Pilot. Animal rescuer. Broadcaster. Author. Adventurer. Witch. ✈️🐾🔥 Fiona is back with her 17th book Coven Where Witches Gather 📖 In this episode, Fiona shares: ✨ What drew her to write this latest book ✨ The biggest misconceptions about all things “woo woo” ✨ What people are really s...

🎧 On this episode We had Darren Middleton from Powderfinger on Saturday Breakfast, talking the Australian Rock Collective. The band is Kram from Spiderbait, Mark Wilson from Jet, Davey Lane from You Am I and Darren himself, coming together again to play one of the greatest albums out of the 70's. This time, they're heading out on tour playing Hotel California in full. Darren talks why The...

Many of us first came to know Andrew Farriss as the founding member and principal songwriter of INXS, and we loved the heck out of those songs. Andrew is now flying solo and firmly living his country music chapter. In this episode we talk about his new single Mending Fences written with Stephen Wilson Jr and the life he is happily settled into these days. We chat about the difference between the h...

If you’ve ever seen the Pierce Brothers live, you know they’re pure energy. Jack and Pat are cheeky, passionate and completely in sync, lighting up every stage they walk onto. Their new single Alaska Alaska captures that same spark while telling a real life love story that’s come full circle. In our chat we talk about the connection they’ve built with fans around the world and what it’s like still...

I caught up with Kane Dennelly from 19 Twenty after seeing the band live at The Gov. A friend told me about their set at Mundi Mundi and said I had to go see them with her and she was right. They storm the stage like a freight train, with Johnny thumping away on the upright bass, Jeremy driving it all on drums, and Kane out front leading the charge in pure, rowdy, joyful chaos. We talk about the t...

In this episode you'll hear from Amy Sheppard, one of Australia’s most loved voices, who’s now taking the country world by storm and getting ready to welcome her first baby. Amy has just released her new single Country Country , announced her debut album Born To Be Country , and she’s about to head out on her first national headline tour! We talk about the spark behind the new music, the stories a...

The Sharp Are Back I caught up with Piet Collins from The Sharp, the Melbourne band out of the 90's that gave us unforgettable hits like Alone Like Me , Talking Sly and Scratch My Back . I saw them live the other weekend and they were everything I hoped for and more. The energy, the cheek, the harmonies, the fun. Now The Sharp are back with a brand new lineup featuring Louie Lee Feltrin out fr...

In this episode, you'll hear from Kram from Spiderbait. One of Australia’s most popular bands of the 90s, who went on to score huge hits at home and overseas. From topping the Hottest 100 to platinum albums and unforgettable festival sets, Spiderbait became part of the soundtrack of a generation. Kram shares stories from those early days, the bond that’s kept the band together for three decade...

At 60 years old, Wayne Hammonds has just released his very first album, These Days, a milestone that proves it’s never too late to chase your creative dreams. In this episode, Wayne opens up about the stories behind the songs, the decades of experience that shaped his music, and the joy of finally putting his name to a record. We also rewind to the bands, venues, and musical moments that defined h...

I love my job and bringing you conversations with some of Australia's most iconic artists is why I do it. I caught up with Pete Murray as he heads into the final weekend of his massive solo acoustic tour, 60 shows across Australia and New Zealand. The stories he shares are every bit as captivating as the songs. We chat about those sliding-door moments that changed his life, the 14th anniversar...

I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down via Zoom withthe delightful Danny O’Reilly from one of Ireland’s favourite bands, The Coronas. A super fun chat about life on the road, songwriting, and why they just can’t stay away from Australia. The Coronas have racked up four number one albums back home, sold out shows right around the world, and even ticked Glastonbury this year off the bucket list...

This episode, I had the pleasure of catching up with a manwhose career I’ve admired for many years: Sean Sennett. Sean is a respected music journalists, podcasters, broadcasters, singer and songwriter who has beenat the epicentre of the music scene, both creating and curating stories that resonate far beyond the stage. Sean’s interviews read like a who’s who of international andAustralian music ro...

In this episode you'll hear from the inspiring Mama Kin (Danielle Caruana) , one half of the acclaimed duo Mama Kin Spender alongside producer and multi-instrumentalist Tommy Spender . Known for their raw honesty, soaring harmonies and percussive power, the pair have carved out a reputation for making music that feels both deeply personal and universally uplifting. In our conversation, Mama Ki...

This week on the podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Domini Forster, a songwriter, storyteller, and multi-instrumentalist whose music is as moving as it is magical. We dive into her creative process, the stories behind her songs, and the way she weaves poetry and melody together so beautifully. If you love music that feels like it’s speaking directly to your heart, you won’t want to miss this co...

Building a Home for South Australian Music History In this episode, I’m joined by two long-time friends and passionate champions of music history, Victor Marshall and Jordan Lennon Together, they share the exciting story behind the creation of the South Australian Music Museum, which will open inside the newly refurbished Thebarton Theatre in late 2025 or early 2026 🏟️✨ As two of the museum’s co-...

In this episode, we meet rising country music artist Mack Geiger, straight out of Central Queensland and already turning heads with his debut single “About Time.” With a voice that blends old-school charm and modern grit, Mack takes us behind the scenes of the song that’s capturing hearts across the country. We chat about the bittersweet inspiration behind “About Time,” what it was like to share t...

Three decades, six albums, zero lineup changes — and a whole lot of heart. Jebediah are celebrating 30 years in the game with their Thirty Odyears national tour and a stack of first-ever vinyl reissues. But what’s the real secret behind the band’s incredible longevity? In this episode, Kev Mitchell joins me to talk time capsules, teenage friendships, and the joy (and chaos) of curating a live set...

On this episode of Saturday Breakfast with Julie Reynolds , Brett Wood joins the show to talk about his new solo single Eyes , which also happens to be our AMRAP Song of the Week. After years performing as Pete Murray’s longtime guitarist, Brett shares what it’s been like to finally take centre stage and step into the spotlight with music that’s all his own. He opens up about the creative shift, t...

🎧 In this episode of Saturday Breakfast with Julie Reynolds , Diesel drops in for a warm and honest chat about his By Request tour, where the fans shape the show. Diesel talks stepping out of his comfort zone to reflecting on what it means to keep pushing the envelope after decades on stage, Diesel shows why he’s still one of the most compelling performers in Australian music. If you’ve ever wond...

From Noiseworks to Mi-Sex to his brilliant solo career, Steve Balbi is a true original. In this intimate and reflective chat, Steve opens up about the stories behind the songs, the beauty of reinvention, and why embracing life’s messiness has led to some of his most inspired work yet. We talk creativity, connection—and yes—his brand new track "No Place We Can Go" 🔗 www.stevebalbi.com #S...

From Triple J darlings to cult icons, End of Fashion helped define a generation of Australian alt-rock. Now, frontman Justin Burford and the band are back In this revealing and refreshingly warm chat, Justin reflects on the band’s early success (and the pressure that came with it) and what it takes to reignite the creative flame. We also dig into what it means to reconnect with fans, what’s change...

🎸 He’s the guitar-slinging, outrageous costumed legend from Skyhooks who helped shape Aussie rock as we know it… and he’s still got that unmistakable sparkle. In this episode, Bob ‘Bongo’ Starkie joins us for a laid-back, laughter-filled chat about the enduring power of Skyhooks’ biggest hits, and the current show he's part of, Stars of Countdown that’s keeping the magic alive. From backstage...