
Advertise on podcast: The Music Show
Rating
5from
This podcast has
927 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
ABC AustraliaExplicit
No
Date created
2006/05/24
Latest episode
2026/10/23
Average duration
55 min.
Release period
4 days
Description
All kinds of music and all kinds of musicians in conversation with Andrew Ford.
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Loudon Wainwright III and k.d. lang
2026/10/23
Loudon Wainwright III is a songwriter who falls somewhere between Woody Guthrie and Tom Lehrer. As well as being a storyteller and comedian, he's the father of a brood of musical children including Rufus and Martha Wainwright. He's 80 now and planning his first Australian tour in over twenty years.
And from The Music Show's archives, another chance to hear Andy's favourite of a few interviews with Canadian singer k.d. lang, who spoke to him about creating a great Canadian songbook with her album Hymns of the 49th Parallel.
Join us at Fillmore’s in Kiama on Thursday 29th October for a conversation with Sandy Evans and Andrea Keller before their Resonance performance with Michelle Nicolle and Jenny Barnes.
Music heard in the show:
Title: Bird on a WireArtist: k.d. langComposer: Cohen, LeonardAlbum: Hymns of the 49th ParallelLabel: Nonesuch
Title: Lifetime Achievement, White Winos, I Remember Sex Artist: Loudon Wainwright IIIComposer: Wainwright, LoudonAlbum: Loudon Live in LondonLabel: The Last Music Company
Title: A Case of YouArtist: k.d. langComposer: Mitchell, JoniAlbum: Hymns of the 49th ParallelLabel: Nonesuch
Title: HelplessArtist: k.d. langComposer: Young, NeilAlbum: Hymns of the 49th ParallelLabel: Nonesuch
Title: By the RiverArtist: Fanny Lumsden feat. Paul KellyComposer: Lumsden, Edwina MargaretAlbum: TraditionsLabel: Red Dirt Road Records
The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Gumbaynggirr and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country
Technical production by Isabella Tropiano and Timothy Jenkins
Creative collaborations: Elena Kats-Chernin & Tamara-Anna Cislowska and Colin Stetson & Brìghde Chaimbeul
2026/10/23
Composer and pianist Elena Kats-Chernin and pianist and ABC Classic presenter Tamara-Anna Cislowska share stories from a friendship and collaboration that's lasted decades, including how Tamara-Anna convinced Elena to perform with her, by sharing a single piano. Elena's concerto, Ancient Letters, was recorded by Tamara with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and that album is nominated for an ARIA Award.
The collaboration between experimental saxophonist Colin Stetson and piper Brìghde Chaimbeul is comparatively recent, but looks set to continue for a long time. Colin talks to Andy about hearing Brighde's music for the first time and why he’s so interested in capturing the sort of sounds from his instrument that most sax players work very hard to remove from a recording.
Join us at Fillmore’s in Kiama on Thursday 29th October for a conversation with Sandy Evans and Andrea Keller before their Resonance performance with Michelle Nicolle and Jenny Barnes.
Elena and Tamara-Anna are performing in Maitland on Sunday Oct 25.
Music heard in this program:
Title: Dirt DanceArtist: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulComposer: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulAlbum: All the light in the world Label: Envision Records
Title: Ancient Letters, i. Tiger CubArtist: Tamara-Anna Cislowska & Tasmanian Symphony OrchestraComposer: Elena Kats-CherninAlbum: Elena Kats-Chernin: Ancient LettersLabel: ABC Classics
Title: All the light in the world Artist: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulComposer: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulAlbum: All the light in the world Label: Envision Records
Title: Sorrow: II - Lento E Largo — TranquillissimoArtist: Colin StetsonComposer: Henryk Górecki & Colin StetsonAlbum: Sorrow (A Reimagining Of Gorecki's 3rd Symphony)Label: 52Hz
Title: Even though the frost is harsh Artist: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulComposer: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulAlbum: All the light in the world Label: Envision Records
Title: Andrea’s Special DaysArtist: Andrea Keller & Sandy EvansComposer: Sandy EvansAlbum: ResonanceLabel: Independent release
The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Gumbaynggirr Country
Technical production by Timothy Jenkins
The Avalanches and Patti Smith
2026/10/16
Listening to the new album by The Avalanches is like being on the dancefloor and then getting hit in the head with a whole desktop computer. Electronic, nostalgic, sample-laden and manic, their latest record is called No Bad Memories. The band - Robbie Chater, Toni Di Blasi, and Andy Szekeres - join Andy to unpack the record.
Patti Smith was Andy's guest on stage at the Melbourne International Festival's Spiegeltent back in 2008, where she performed live and talked about her relationship with poetry and opera. It's one of Andy's favourite interviews in his 32 years on the show.
Plus a new version of a very old song from Lotte Betts-Dean and Joseph Havlat, and solo jazz piano inspired by the Blue Mountains from Matt McMahon.
Music heard in the show:
Title: GloriaArtist: Patti SmithComposer: Smith, PattiAlbum: HorsesLabel: Arista
Title: Superfun TV SpotArtist: The AvalanchesComposer: Chater, Robert; Di Blasi, Anthony; Szekeres, Andrew; Patton, Mike Album: No Bad MemoriesLabel: Polydor
Title: No Bad MemoriesArtist: The AvalanchesComposer: Chater, Robert; Di Blasi, Anthony; Szekeres, Andrew; Spencer, Jim; Tossing, Ed Album: No Bad MemoriesLabel: Polydor
Title: HighfieldArtist: The AvalanchesComposer: Chater, Robert; Di Blasi, Anthony; Szekeres, Andrew; Lennox, Noah; Reilly, Vini Album: No Bad MemoriesLabel: Polydor
Title: My Lagan LoveArtist: Lotte Betts-Dean, Joseph HavlatComposer: trad., arr. Havlat, JosephAlbum: KinLabel: Delphian
Title: Wing, GratefulArtist: Patti SmithComposer: Smith, PattiRecorded live at Melbourne International Festival, 2008
Title: CascadeArtist: Matt McMahonComposer: McMahon, MattAlbum: Burra KorainLabel: ABC Jazz
The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country
Technical production by Ann-Marie Debettencor
Cezary Skubiszewski: a life's soundtrack
2026/10/16
The musical voice behind Australian classics like Two Hands and Red Dog, Cezary Skubiszewski is being honoured at the 2026 Screen Music Awards for Distinguished Services to the Australian Screen.
In an extended conversation with Andy, Cezary explores building tension in bank robberies, writing music based on the time signature of a pigeon’s coo, and bringing children to tears.
Music heard in this program:
Music from Two Hands, composed by Cezary Skubiszewski & Jan Skubiszewski - Love Theme, The Station, The Robbery, Fletcher's House
Title: Love ThemeArtist: Steven Hadley, Peter Jones, Barry Palmer, Shane O'Mara, Tony HicksComposer: Cezary Skubiszewski & Jan SkubiszewskiAlbum: Two Hands SoundtrackLabel: Festival Records
Title: The StationArtist: Steven Hadley, Peter Jones, Barry Palmer, Shane O'Mara, Tony HicksComposer: Cezary SkubiszewskiAlbum: Two Hands Original ScoreLabel: C-ZEE
Title: The RobberyArtist: Steven Hadley, Peter Jones, Barry Palmer, Shane O'Mara, Tony HicksComposer: Cezary SkubiszewskiAlbum: Two Hands Original ScoreLabel: C-ZEE
Title: On The BeachComposer: Cezary SkubiszewskiAlbum: Lilian's Story - Music From The Motion PictureLabel: Columbia
Title: Betty Et ZorgComposer: Gabriel YaredAlbum: Betty Blue SoundtrackLabel: Virgin Movie Music
Title: The Godfather WaltzComposer: Nino RotaAlbum: The Godfather SoundtrackLabel: Paramount Records
Title: The SearchComposer: Cezary SkubiszewskiAlbum: Red DogLabel: Roadshow Music
Title: High Country creditsComposer: Cezary Skubiszewski & Jan Skubiszewski
Title: PolymorphiaArtist: Aukso OrchestraComposer: Krzysztof PendereckiAlbum: Threnody for the Victims of HiroshimaLabel: Nonesuch
Title: What's Happening Out There?Artist: Eric SerraComposer: Eric SerraAlbum: Leon The Professional soundtrackLabel: Waxwork Records
Title: Fletcher's HouseArtist: Steven Hadley, Peter Jones, Barry Palmer, Shane O'Mara, Tony HicksComposer: Cezary SkubiszewskiAlbum: Two Hands SoundtrackLabel: Festival Records
Title: Bande Originale Du Film "Pickpocket"Composer: Jean-Baptiste LullyAlbum: Bande Originale Du Film La Verte Moisson / Bande Originale Du Film PickpocketLabel: Polydor
Title: Machine Gun LullabyComposer: Ennio MorriconeAlbum: The Untouchables SoundtrackLabel: A&M Records
Title: The Music BoxArtist: Cezary Skubiszewski Composer: Cezary Skubiszewski Album: The Sound of One Hand Clapping SoundtrackLabel: EMI
Title: Let There Be LightArtist: Polish National Symphony OrchestraComposer: Cezary Skubiszewski Album: Night SountrackLabel: Origin
Title: Mosquito State TitlesComposer: Cezary Skubiszewski
The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Kaurna Country
Technical production by Ann-Marie de Bettencor
Cellist Freya Schack-Arnott, and two foley artists on the thin line between sound effects and music
2026/10/10
Cellist and composer Freya Schack-Arnott divides her time between classical and experimental music, exploring all of the possibilities of her instrument. Her latest project, Nornir - which premieres at the Melbourne Fringe Festival - is something different again: a mixture of movement and composition that breaks down the very idea of the cello.
The line between foley (cinematic sound effects) and percussion can be a blurry one, and The Music Show loves a blurry line. Andy talks to foley artist John Simpson, who has recently performed as the foley soloist in Thomas Meadowcroft's Hollywood Parsifals, a concerto for Percussion, Foley, and Orchestra; and Gabriel Fischer, a foley artist and percussionist who has taken his foley skills into his work with a piece for alfoil, snare drums and speakers called Makronomaly II.
Nornir is at Melbourne Fringe 15-17 October.
Listen to Hollywood Parsifals on ABC Classic’s Evening Concert program, Wednesday 14 October at 8pm.
Music heard in the show:
Title: Hollywood ParsifalsArtist: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Ughetti, John Simpson, Benjamin NortheyComposer: Meadowcroft, ThomasRecorded for broadcast by ABC Classic
Title: CirklerArtist: Freya Schack-Arnott and Benjamin WardComposer: Schack-Arnott, Freya; Ward, BenjaminAlbum: MalleeLabel: Independent
Title: Finnish MarchArtist: Runa CaraComposer: trad.Album: Runa CaraLabel: Independent
Title: Makronomaly IIArtist: Gabriel FischerComposer: Fischer, GabrielCourtesy of Phoenix Central Park
Title: Hollywood ParsifalsArtist: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Ughetti, John Simpson, Benjamin NortheyComposer: Meadowcroft, ThomasRecorded for broadcast by ABC Classic
The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Kaurna Country
Technical production by Tom Henry and Simon Branthwaite
Emma Ruth Rundle finds her people in These Killing Times
2026/10/09
Emma Ruth Rundle describes herself as a guitarist - an instrument she's taken from metal bands to ambient minimalism. But it's her voice that's been front and centre on recent albums, alongside her writing, which has recently extended to a book of poetry. Her latest album, These Killing Times, is a return to full-band mode after the stripped-back and confessional Engine of Hell, and it's a culmination of everything she's done thus far.
Randy Newman’s songs are surprising, poignant, sardonic and frequently very funny, whether they are poking fun at various US administrations, bigots, or self-satisfied characters living above the Mason-Dixon line. He was in Australia in 2011 touring with three of the state orchestras and also found time to sit down at a piano in the Music Show studios.
Music heard in this program:
Title: CowboyArtist: Randy NewmanComposer: Randy NewmanAlbum: Live Performance (originally on Randy Newman)
Title: PowerlessArtist: Emma Ruth RundleComposer: Emma Ruth RundleAlbum: These Killing TimesLabel: Errant Child Recordings
Title: Blooms of OblivionArtist: Emma Ruth RundleComposer: Emma Ruth RundleAlbum: Engine of HellLabel: Sargent House
Title: Kite, Known As HopeArtist: Emma Ruth RundleComposer: Emma Ruth RundleAlbum: Music From The Bella VistaLabel: Unnamed Press
Title: Catherine WheelArtist: Emma Ruth RundleComposer: Emma Ruth RundleAlbum: These Killing TimesLabel: Errant Child Recordings
Title: MarieArtist: Randy NewmanComposer: Randy NewmanAlbum: Live Performance (originally on Good Old Boys)
Title: Dixie FlyerArtist: Randy NewmanComposer: Randy NewmanAlbum: Live Performance (originally on Land of Dreams)
The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Kaurna Country
Technical production by Simon Branthwaite
Sally Walker performs to an audience of one and Mixtape blends music and gameplay
2026/10/02
In 2020, the only way of making concerts work was suddenly to have very small audiences, so the 1:1 series allowed Sally Walker to continue to perform and connect with listeners. Sally has kept the concerts going post-lockdown, and she tells Andy about the unusual places where she’s set up a stage, and why a concert for a single person has a unique power for both performer and audience.
A coming of age story, featuring three teenagers on their last day together, the computer game Mixtape has been a critical success, and is nominated in 5 categories at the Australian Game Design Awards. Johnny Galvatron and Josh Abrahams, the game’s director and composer, join Sky Kirkham to explain why music was behind every decision they made about the game.
Sally Walker will be premiering Last Flight To Mars, composed by Richard Tognetti, at the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival on Oct 10.
Josh and Johnny are appearing at High Score, part of Melbourne International Games Week.
Music heard in this program:
Title: That's GoodArtist: DevoComposer: Gerald V. Casale & Mark MothersbaughAlbum: Oh, No! It's DevoLabel: Warner Bros. Records
Title: Caoineadh Cú ChulainnArtist: Emily Granger & Sally WalkerComposer: Bill Whelan, arranged by Sally Walker & Emily Granger Album: Caoineadh Cú Chulainn singleLabel: Independent release
Title: The Memories of Poplar TreesArtist: Sally Walker and Helentherese Good Composer: Sally GreenawayAlbum: The Memories of Poplar TreesLabel: Independent release
Title: Galaxy in TuriyaArtist: Alice Coltrane Composer: Alice Coltrane Album: World GalaxyLabel: Impulse!
Title: FreakArtist: SilverchairComposer: Daniel JohnsAlbum: Freak ShowLabel: Murmur
Title: Yesterday's HeroArtist: John Paul YoungComposer: Vanda & YoungAlbum: HeroLabel: Albert Productions
Title: State of the HeartArtist: Mondo RockComposer: Eric McCuskerAlbum: Mondo Rock ChemistryLabel: Avenue Records
The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country
Technical production by Simon Branthwaite
What Pulp did for an encore
2026/10/02
Australian mezzo soprano Jenny Duck-Chong, and soprano Nicole Thomson have developed a new resource for artists, teachers, and students: an online database called the Australian Art Song Resource. They join Andy to uncover some great and little known Australian art song, and perform live in studio.
And director Garth Jennings on What Do You Do For An Encore?, his documentary covering britpop band Pulp's history as well as their recent reconvening, new record, and world tour. The documentary is streaming on MUBI.
Plus the recently unearthed collaboration between Tim Finn and the late Chrissy Amphlett, which is the subject of Australian Story this week. Episode one is already available on ABC iView, with episode two airing Monday 5 October.
Music heard in the show:
Title: Common PeopleArtist: PulpComposer: Cocker, Jarvis; Senior, Russell; Mackey, Steve; Banks, Nick; Doyle, CandidaAlbum: Different ClassLabel: Island Records
Title: Bonny at MornArtist: Jenny Duck-Chong, Daniel HerscovitchComposer: Banks, DonAlbum: Don Banks Vocal and Chamber MusicLabel: Toccata Records
Title: Three May Keep a Secret if Two of them are DeadArtist: Jenny Duck-Chong, Ruth McCallComposer: Holland, DulciePerformed live in The Music Show studio
Title: Ode to TechnologyArtist: Nicole Thomson, Ruth McCallComposer: Wesley Smith, MartinPerformed live in The Music Show studio
Title: He’s In LoveArtist: Chrissy Amphlett, Tim FinnComposer: Amphlett, Chrissy; Finn, TimAlbum: Some TimesLabel: Origin
Title: Disco 2000, BabiesArtist: PulpComposer: Cocker, Jarvis; Senior, Russell; Mackey, Steve; Banks, Nick; Doyle, Candida; Webber, MarkAlbum: Live!Label: Rough Trade
Title: Sensitive SpotArtist: Grand BandComposer: Moore, KateAlbum: Grand Band LiveLabel: Cantaloupe
The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country
Technical production by Simon Branthwaite and Emrys Cronin
John Coltrane
2026/09/25
In celebration of John Coltrane's centenary this week, we trace the style and influence of one of jazz's greatest musicians, composers, and collaborators.
We’ll hear a wide range of voices from the Music Show archive: jazz legends like McCoy Tyner, Wayne Shorter, and Gary Bartz, who played with him; artists like Branford Marsalis, Kurt Elling, Dave Liebman, Phil Slater, Andy Sugg and Lakecia Benjamin who were inspired by him; and John Scheinfeld, director of the documentary Chasing Trane.
Music heard in the show:
Title: A Love Supreme: AcknowledgementArtist: John ColtraneComposer: Coltrane, JohnAlbum: A Love SupremeLabel: Impulse!
Title: My Favourite ThingsArtist: John ColtraneComposer: Hammerstein, Oscar; Rodgers, RichardAlbum: My Favourite ThingsLabel: Atlantic
Title: Mr. KnightArtist: John ColtraneComposer: Coltrane, JohnAlbum: Coltrane Plays the BluesLabel: Atlantic
Title: AlabamaArtist: John ColtraneComposer: Coltrane, JohnAlbum: Live at BirdlandLabel: Impulse!
Title: A Love Supreme: PsalmArtist: John ColtraneComposer: Coltrane, JohnAlbum: A Love SupremeLabel: Impulse!
Title: Bye Bye BlackbirdArtist: Miles Davis Composer: Dixon, Mort; Henderson, RayAlbum: ‘Round About MidnightLabel: Columbia
Title: Greensleeves (Alternate take)Artist: John ColtraneComposer: trad.Album: Africa/Brass Sessions Vol. 2Label: Impulse!
Title: My One and Only LoveArtist: John Coltrane, Johnny HartmanComposer: Wood, Guy; Mellin, RobertAlbum: John Coltrane and Johnny HartmanLabel: Impulse!
Title: NaimaArtist: John ColtraneComposer: Coltrane, JohnAlbum: Live at the Village Vanguard Again!Label: Impulse!
Title: SerenityArtist: John ColtraneComposer: Coltrane, JohnAlbum: MeditationsLabel: Impulse
Title: Ogunde Artist: John ColtraneComposer: Coltrane, JohnAlbum: The Olatunji Concert: The Last Live RecordingLabel: Impulse!
The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country
Technical production by Tegan Nicholls
Takuya Nakamura's jazz-jungle fusion & a new book of letters between composer Larry Sitsky and Gwen Harwood
2026/09/25
Some might think that jazz and electronic music don't have much in common, but Japanese DJ and trumpeter Takuya Nakamura has proven all that wrong. Growing up in 1980s Tokyo, he moved to the United States in 1990 to study under the legendary jazz composer George Russell, and went on to bring this expertise to the New York jungle electronic scene. He now performs live DJ sets of jungle, trip hop, dub, and all sorts of experimental electronic music with trumpet in hand.
Larry Sitsky may be one of Australia's most important living composers, and he's certainly the most commissioned. One of his most important creative relationships over his long career was with poet Gwen Harwood, who wrote many of the libretti for his operas. A new book filled with the substantial thirty-year correspondence between the two has just been released. Ann-Marie Priest is a longtime scholar of Gwen Harwood's work, and is the editor of the book, Fiery Tales: The Correspondence of Gwen Harwood and Larry Sitsky
Takuya Nakamura is performing as part of Move My Way festival, on October 3 in Eora Sydney, and October 4 in Naarm Melbourne. His forthcoming album -- Shape The Future is out November 12.
Fiery Tales: The Correspondence of Gwen Harwood and Larry Sitsky is out now via Monash University Publishing.
Music heard in this program:
Title: Jungle JungleArtist: Takuya NakamuraComposer: Takuya NakamuraAlbum: Mysteries of the Cosmos
Title: The Banks of the Moldau, Act1 Sc3Artist: Raymond Myers (Rabbi Judah Loew), The Australian Opera Chorus, Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, Christopher Lyndon Gee (cond.), Barrie Kosky (dir.)Composer: Larry Sitsky, Gwen Harwood (libretto)Album: The GolemLabel: ABC Classics
Title: EpilogueArtist: Gerald English (tenor) as Lenz, Isabel Veale (soprano), Lyall Beven (baritone), James Christiansen (baritone), Marilyn Richardson (soprano), The Corinthian Singers, Adelaide Symphony OrchestraComposer: Larry Sitsky, Gwen Harwood (libretto)Album: LenzLabel: ABC Classics
Title: Broken Jazz feat. Tim ReaperArtist: Takuya NakamuraComposer: Takuya NakamuraAlbum: Shape the Future
Title: Giant StepsArtist: John Coltrane (tenor sax), Tommy Flanagan (piano), Wynton Kelly (piano), Art Taylor (drums), Paul CHambers (bass), Jimmy Cobb (drums)Composer: John ColtraneAlbum: Giant StepsLabel: Atlantic 1311
The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country
Technical production by Tegan Nicholls
Four hundred years of family singing: Bob Copper
2026/09/18
For hundreds of years, the Copper family have sung for their own pleasure, and for the pleasure of the people of Rottingdean, the East Sussex village where the family have been living since at least the 1500s. Singing together in pubs and houses, the BBC first recorded them in 1951, and they've gone on to become stars, particularly in the United States, where they toured extensively.
Andy went to East Sussex to sit down with Bob Copper, the paterfamilias of the family, in 2003 when Copper was 88 years old. In 32 years of presenting The Music Show, this might be his favourite ever conversation. Enjoy listening to this wide-ranging and philosophical conversation about an unbroken line of family singers and the music of the English chalk coast.
Music heard in the program:
Title: The Claudy Banks; Come Write me down, Ye Powers of love Artist: The Copper Family (Bob & Jim)Composer: Trad.Album: Come Write Me Down: The Copper Family of RottingdeanLabel: Topic
In the interview, Bob sings parts of The Birds in the Spring, and The Threshing Song, both trads.
Title: My Favourite ThingsArtist: John ColtraneComposers: Rodgers, Richard; Hammerstein, OscarAlbum: CMy Favourite ThingsLabel: Atlantic
This program was originally produced by Penny Lomax and Maureen Cooney. Ce Benedict did a tiny bit of work on this version.
Technical production by Harvey O’Sullivan
Bryce Dessner's Trembling Earth & Bob Scott's enormous radio
2026/09/18
Drawing references to Kerouac, Munch, and Hildegard of Bingen, Bryce Dessner's music builds on a rich tradition of art that extends far beyond music. The classical composer (and guitarist for The National) is presenting the Australian premiere of his cello concerto, Trembling Earth, with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and talks to Andy about his influences, NY's music scene, and his new opera.
In a new sound installation called The Enormous Radio, Bob Scott and Roslyn Oades are tuning a huge room of old radios in to the sounds of the natural world. Frogs, dingoes, flies, and goats take on a ghostly tone, as field recordings are reshaped into something almost unrecognisable.
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra performance of Trembling Earth is on the 19th and 20th of September. And Bryce Dessner: A Portrait in Music is heading to Sydney and Melbourne.
The Enormous Radio is on as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival from Sept 30.
Music heard in this program:
Title: Pond LifeArtist: Bob Scott & Roslyn OadesComposer: Bob Scott & Roslyn OadesAlbum: Sound installation
Title: St. Carolyn By The SeaArtist: Bryce Dessner, Aaron Dessner, Copenhagen Philharmonic OrchestraComposer: Bryce DessnerAlbum: St. Carolyn By The SeaLabel: Deutsche Grammophon
Title: Song for Ainola Artist: Anastasia KobekinaComposer: Bryce DessnerAlbum: Bryce Dessner - SolosLabel: Sony
Title: Garcia CounterpointArtist: Bryce DessnerComposer: Bryce DessnerAlbum: Day Of The DeadLabel: 4AD
Title: DingoesArtist: Bob Scott & Roslyn OadesComposer: Bob Scott & Roslyn OadesAlbum: Sound installation
Title: Jane SheldonArtist: flowermuscleComposer: Jane Sheldon & Bob ScottAlbum: flowermuscleLabel: Independent release
The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country
Technical production by Harvey O'Sullivan
Benjamin Clementine isn't a jazz musician
2026/09/12
To mark Andy’s departure from the show at the end of this year, we’re bringing you some of his favourite conversations from 32 years on air. This week, we’ll hear the American pianist, composer and teacher Seymour Bernstein in a conversation from 2015. Bernstein died earlier this year, just before his 100th birthday, and in that long life he passed on a huge amount of wisdom about music, from how to play Beethoven to helping Ethan Hawke overcome stage fright.
Benjamin Clementine, who is an amazing musician, says he’s not an amazing musician. He’s a British Ghanaian singer, pianist, songwriter, and creative sponge: one of those artists who soaks up so many influences it leads to a totally unique sound which defies categorisation. He’s about to tour Australia and he tells Andy how his songs start as poems, his influences, and his sanguine attitude towards categorisation.
Benjamin Clementine tour dates:
Adelaide 15 OctoberMelbourne International Jazz Festival 20 OctoberSydney 21 OctoberPerth 24 October
Music heard in the show:
Title: NemesisArtist: Benjamin ClementineComposer: Clementine, BenjaminAlbum: At Least For NowLabel: Virgin EMI
Title: Gottes zeit is Die Allerbeste Zeit, BMV 106: Prelude [Actus Tragicus]Artist: Seymour BernsteinComposer: Bach, Johann SebastianAlbum: Seymour: An Introduction (Soundtrack)Label: Varese Sarabande
Title: Intermezzo in A major, Op.118 No.2: excerptArtist: Seymour BernsteinComposer: Brahms, JohannesAlbum: Seymour: An Introduction (Soundtrack)Label: Varese Sarabande
Title: GethukArtist: The Jawa Pitu BandComposer: The Jawa Pitu BandAlbum: KapindhoLabel: Independent
Title: Pizza MindArtist: Benjamin ClementineComposer: Clementine, BenjaminAlbum: SingleLabel: Preserve Artists
Title: CornerstoneArtist: Benjamin ClementineComposer: Clementine, BenjaminAlbum: At Least For NowLabel: Virgin EMI
Title: Pizza MindArtist: Benjamin ClementineComposer: Clementine, BenjaminAlbum: SingleLabel: Preserve Artists
Title: You’re the VoiceArtist: John FarnhamComposer: Thompson, Chris; Ryder, Maggie; Qunta, Andy; Reid, KeithAlbum: Whispering JackLabel: Wheatley
The Music Show is produced on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country
Technical production by Antonia Gauci
John Farnham: The voice behind The Voice
2026/09/11
You’re The Voice remains a favourite for generations of Australians and the album it's on, Whispering Jack, has sold more than 1.5 million copies. But John Farnham was 37 by the time he recorded that album and the music industry wasn’t all that interested in a new direction from a 60s pop star - until word of mouth began spreading that this was something special.
In some ways it’s that background that makes the result so remarkable. Andrew Ford charts the story behind Farnham's biggest hit and explores why Farnham's voice has earned him such admiration.
Featuring interviews with David Hirschfelder, Gaynor Wheatley, Michael Paynter, and Poppy Stockell.
The Songs of John Farnham: A Living Legend, The Celebration Concert is on September 20.
The Sydney Theatre Company’s musical, Whispering Jack, begins on November 15.
Music heard in this program:
Title: Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My HeadArtist: John FarnhamComposer: Burt Bacharach & Hal DavidAlbum: Looking Through A TearLabel: Columbia
Title: Sadie The Cleaning LadyArtist: John FarnhamComposer: David White, John Madara, Ray GilmoreAlbum: SadieLabel: Columbia
Title: Playing To WinArtist: Little River BandComposer: John Farnham, Graham GobleAlbum: Playing To WinLabel: Capitol Records
Title: The TempleArtist: John FarnhamComposer: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim RiceAlbum: Jesus Christ Superstar - 1992 Australian Cast Label: Polydor
Title: Age of ReasonArtist: John FarnhamComposer: Johanna Pigott, Todd HunterAlbum: Age of ReasonLabel: Wheatley Records
Title: That's FreedomArtist: John FarnhamComposer: Jean Anne Chapman, Tom KimmelAlbum: Chain ReactionLabel: Wheatley Records
Title: You're The VoiceArtist: John FarnhamComposer: Andy Qunta, Chris Thompson, Keith Reid, Maggie RyderAlbum: Whispering JackLabel: Wheatley Records
Title: Blind EyesArtist: Little River BandComposer: John Farnham, David Hirschfelder, Ray ChapmanAlbum: Playing To WinLabel: Capitol Records
Title: It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll)Artist: John FarnhamComposer: Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Bon ScottAlbum: Age of ReasonLabel: Wheatley Records
Title: Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)Artist: John FarnhamComposer: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim RiceAlbum: Jesus Christ Superstar - 1992 Australian Cast Label: Polydor
Title: Pressure DownArtist: John FarnhamComposer: Harry BogdanovsAlbum: Whispering JackLabel: Wheatley Records
The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country
Technical production by Antonia Gauci
Robert Forster's Swedish Strawberries and the Red Spirit Singers let their voices ring out
2026/09/04
Recorded (largely) as-live in Sweden, with a group of that country's indie luminaries, Robert Forster's latest album Strawberries shows the singer-songwriter in a playful mood and embracing the role of storyteller. Speaking to Andy for the first time in quite some time, Forster explains why he made the trip and why he refused to tour the album until he could bring the band over to play it with him.
With up to thirteen singers and ten drummers, all clustered around a giant communal drum, the Red Spirit Singers produce a huge sound. The group, composed of members of the Ute Nation in Utah, have been performing their music for almost 40 years, with multiple generations involved over that time. Founder AJ Kanip talks about that history and about the importance of the songs, old and new.
Music heard in this program:
Title: Bear DanceArtist: Red Spirit SingersComposer: Red Spirit SingersAlbum: Land of the SunLabel: Independent release
Title: StrawberriesArtist: Robert ForsterComposer: Robert ForsterAlbum: StrawberriesLabel: Tapete Records
Title: DiamondsArtist: Robert ForsterComposer: Robert ForsterAlbum: StrawberriesLabel: Tapete Records
Title: All Of The TimeArtist: Robert ForsterComposer: Robert ForsterAlbum: StrawberriesLabel: Tapete Records
Title: Veteran's SongArtist: Red Spirit SingersComposer: Red Spirit SingersAlbum: Land of the SunLabel: Independent release
Title: Meet Me At The Ute PetroleumArtist: Red Spirit SingersComposer: Red Spirit SingersAlbum: Land of the SunLabel: Independent release
Title: You're The VoiceArtist: John FarnhamComposer: Andy Qunta, Chris Thompson, Keith Reid, Maggie RyderAlbum: Whispering JackLabel: Wheatley Records
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