Shows
Trusty ChordsEpisode 64: Davey Lane – You Am IWhen you think about Australian music, it's a little hard not to think about Davey Lane. That might sound grandiose, but given he's spent more than 25 years as a guitarist for local legends You Am I, it's hard to classify him any other way.Joining the already-established outfit at just the age of 18, Lane swiftly found himself as part of Aussie music royalty, eventually going on to be part of ARIA Award-winning releases and countless revered live shows.He's also stretched his musical wings with his other band, The...2025-08-0843 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 63: John Busby – HalfwayHello and welcome to Trusty Chords, the podcast which aims to celebrate music and those that create it.For the past 25 years, Brisbane's Halfway have operated as one of those well-kept secrets that often feels as though only a select few know about.Of course, with ARIA, APRA, and AIR Award nominations (and a win the latter category), along with three Queensland Music Awards, it's fair to say that their reputation and creativity has managed to transcend the categorisation of well-kept secret and become one of those groups with...2025-07-251h 02
Trusty ChordsEpisode 62: Bryan EstepaFor a few decades now, one of Australia's greatest unsung musical heroes has been none other than Bryan Estepa. Born in the Philippines before moving to Australia as a child, Bryan has had a storied career as a musician, performing in bands such as Swivel and Hazey Jane before turning his attention toward solo gear. That solo gear first took form under the moniker Adeline before he decided to use his real name around 20 years ago.Since then, he's been a prolific artist, writing a...2025-07-181h 07
Trusty ChordsEpisode 61: Justin Burford – End Of FashionCast your mind back 20 years and you might be taken right back to a moment in time where one of the most exciting Australian bands out there on the scene was none other than End Of Fashion.Formed in Perth by Justin Burford, who was at the time a member of The Sleepy Jackson, End Of Fashion found itself slowly finding fame thanks to constant airplay on triple j, and by the time 2005 rolled around, the group were readying their debut album.I can speak from experience when I...2025-07-111h 05
Trusty ChordsEpisode 60: Ashlea Jaye – Left On SeenIf you know me (or simply listen to the podcast – both are very good options), then you'd likely know how much I like to surround myself with musicians I both enjoy and respect. Frankly, with that in mind, I reckon you can't go past someone like Ashlea Jaye.A lifelong lover of music and a self-described theatre kid, Ashlea has been a supporter of music for as long as I've known her. If you're from Adelaide, you might know her from her time hosting the Peripheral Noise show on Three D Radio, or you mi...2025-07-041h 35
The Readings PodcastTyler Jenke in conversationIn this episode, a conversation with writer Tyler Jenke, author of an in-depth look at the rise of enigmatic Australian rock band TISM, the unexpected success of their 1995 album, Machiavelli and the Four Seasons, and the continued trajectory of their storied career.
Focusing on one of Australia's most enigmatic bands, This Is Serious Mum (better known as TISM), Jenke forms an analysis of the anonymous, pseudonymous Melbourne collective's rise to prominence and unlikely success on the popular music charts with their third album, Machiavelli and the Four Seasons (1995).
Jenke details TISM's origins as they slowly went from a bedroom concept...2025-06-2725 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 59: Eliot Argus – Cardboard CutoutsEver since they released their debut single back in 2019, Queensland alt-rockers Cardboard Cutouts have been determined to keep themselves moving. Whether it's trying new things on the writing or recording front, or simply looking towards myriad artists for inspiration, it's easy to see they're a group who aren't happy to stay in one lane.Indeed, these past few years have seen the group slowly grow and evolve with each and every release, with EPs such as 'Weekends' and 'Patchwork' now giving way to their debut album, 'Politics & Footy Tips...2025-06-2748 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 58: Josh Morris – The ElectorateFor a few years now, the Australian music industry has been home to a band whose current iteration has roots spanning back decades.In the early '90s, the Sydney scene featured an indie-rock trio dubbed The Templebears. Issuing three releases across as many years, the group never released a debut album, ultimately splitting around 1992.Its members would soon find themselves playing in bands such as Big Heavy Stuff and Atticus, before eventually re-emerging as The Templebears around 15 years ago.Fast-forward to 2019, and those...2025-06-2053 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 57: Crystal Choi & Simeon Kavanagh-Vincent – Phoebe RingsIf you're someone who likes their music a little bit dreamy, a little bit hazy, and a whole lot of brilliant, then you need to point your peepers toward New Zealand, where Auckland's Phoebe Rings have been providing just that for some years now. Initially beginning as something of a solo project for Crystal Choi, it swiftly expanded, bringing together a group of stellar artists to form what we now know today as Phoebe Rings.Of course, if you look a bit closely, you might recognise some of the a...2025-06-1342 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 56: Ciarann Babbington – Bakers EddyAre you someone who likes their music with a bit of energy and a bit of fun? Then let me point you towards Bakers Eddy.Formed in Wellington, New Zealand when its members were still quite young, the group found itself crafting a pop-punk sound and issuing a few tracks and an EP before heading west and relocating to Melbourne, Australia.Since 2017, Bakers Eddy have been an Australian band in location only, with the group's profile consistently rising ahead of their debut album, 'Love Boredom Bicycles,' in 2022. And...2025-06-0646 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 55: Nick Thomas – The Spill CanvasFor over 20 years now, music-lovers of the world have been lucky enough to exist within the same timeline as The Spill Canvas.Formed by Nick Thomas back in 2001, the group rose to fame throughout the decade, with their work equally being categorised as alternative rock, emo, pop rock, and more. Thanks to releases like the 'Denial Feels So Good' EP, 'One Fell Swoop,' and 'No Really, I'm Fine,' the group managed to make a name for themselves as one of the finest groups in the genre.2025-05-3031 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 54: Chris Penney – Private FunctionWhen it comes to explaining Private Function in just a few short paragraphs, there's a lot of difficulty at play. After all, they're a Melbourne punk outfit who have been around for close to a decade now, pumping out blistering tunes while employing a visceral sense of humour as they use their platform to succeed in the rock world while simultaneously turning the genre back on itself and laughing at it.Over the years, they've released albums like their Metallica-referencing debut 'St. Anger' and '370HSSV 0773H,' which w...2025-05-231h 35
Trusty ChordsEpisode 53: Craig Finn – The Hold SteadyAnyone who knows me knows that I love a good lyricist, and then that means you should definitely know the great Craig Finn.For the uninitiated, Craig was the man behind the likes of Lifter Puller, and following their split in 2000, he moved from Minneapolis to New York City and, well, didn't do much. That was, until he formed The Hold Steady after being inspired by the likes of Drive-By Truckers.If you've not yet listened to The Hold Steady, then you need to do me a favour – turn of...2025-05-1536 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 52: Chris Hannah – PropagandhiIf you're someone who hasn't yet listened to Propagandhi, then I'm sure you're about to have the time of your life as you discover their eclectic and celebrated discography.Forming in Canada back in 1986, they've been a going concern for close to four decades now, though it wasn't until 1993 that they released their first album. After a few years, they released 2001's 'Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes,' which is often considered to be a seminal record in the world of political punk music. Personally, it's an album that I f...2025-05-0935 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 51: Steve Sladkowski – PUPFor 15 years now, Canadian outfit PUP have been defying the concept that their name stands for a Pathetic Use of Potential and have been proving all and sundry wrong as they travel around the world with their unique blend of alt-rock and punk.Formed in 2010 as Topanga, PUP issued their self-titled album in 2013, with 'The Dream Is Over' following just a few years later. Records like 'Morbid Stuff' and 'The Unravelling Of PUPTheBand' have since cemented their status as consistent, reliable purveyors of stellar music, and their live shows have cemented them as favourites...2025-05-0246 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 50: Jesse Coulter – GrenadiersThere’s no denying the fact that Adelaide is just one of those cities that can’t help itself but breed amazing bands. Sure, you can look at groups like The Angels, Cold Chisel, and more, but why not look at groups like Stolen Youth, The Rivalry, Sleeptalker, and Dick Wolf?They’re also amazing bands, and for the trainspotters amongst us, you might recognise that those bands have one constant thread, and that’s Jesse Coulter. Jesse’s been in the music scene for a good number of years now, whether it’s up the front...2025-04-2545 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 49: Ella & Jesse Hooper – Killing HeidiIf you’re anything like me, the name Killing Heidi was one that was synonymous with the Australian music scene at the turn of the millennium.Formed in regional Victoria by siblings Ella and Jesse Hooper, Killing Heidi first rose to fame as part of triple j’s Unearthed series, with the track ‘Kettle’ featuring a newly-teenaged Ella on vocals. This promise that triple j saw soon exploded in 1999, with tracks such as ‘Weir’ and ‘Mascara’ serving as an indicator of what was to come on their debut album, ‘Reflector.’‘Reflector’ was a...2025-04-1839 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 48: Jesse F. Keeler – Death From Above 1979, MSTRKRFTThere was a period of time in the early ‘00s when one of the most exciting bands in the game was Canada’s own Death From Above. Well, that’s what they were called at first, but by the time they released their debut album ‘You’re A Woman, I’m A Machine,’ Sebastien Grainger and Jesse F. Keeler had lengthened their name to Death From Above 1979 due to a lawsuit.But that didn’t detract from that album becoming a ferocious piece of work, with tracks like 'Romantic Rights,' 'Blood...2025-04-1156 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 47: Damian Cowell – TISM, Damian Cowell's Disco Machine, The Arseless ChapsWhen it comes to Damian Cowell, the only word that accurately sums up his career is ‘prolific.’A staple of the Melbourne music scene for close to five decades now, Cowell has been involved in more bands than I’ve had hot dinners. On the prehistoric side of things, there’s bands such as Tall Stories and I Can Run, and then there’s a rather well-known group called TISM. That’s probably the band he’s best known for, with the group’s anonymous, pseudonymous members releasing six albums, and nabbi...2025-04-042h 00
Trusty ChordsEpisode 46: Levi Cooper – Raccoon CityFor about 15 years now, Adelaide has been home to a stellar outfit called Raccoon City. Though not exactly trailblazers of the screamo and post-hardcore genre in the city, for a while, they were arguably one of the most prominent, setting themselves apart as a leading figure within those circles at a time when the genre du jour was a breezy indie-rock.Personally, Raccoon City were one of those groups that became rather formative for me during the time I would find myself at gigs in Adelaide. They were a...2025-03-271h 10
Trusty ChordsEpisode 45: Kingsley Hall – Benefits, The Chapman FamilyIf you don’t recognise the name Kingsley Hall, then I want you to stop what you’re doing right now and do a bit of musical research.For most, Kingsley’s name would be recognisable thanks to his role up the front of English outfit The Chapman Family, where he was better known as Kingsley Chapman. Though relatively unknown down here in Australia, their successes were notable (after all, they played the likes of Glastonbury and even boasted IDLES as a support act), though they split around 2013.In recent...2025-03-201h 38
Trusty ChordsEpisode 44: Barry Adamson – Magazine, Nick Cave & The Bad SeedsI’m going to hazard a guess that even if the name Barry Adamson isn’t one you recognise right off the bat, you’re definitely aware of his contributions to the world of music.At the age of 19, Barry found himself joining the nascent Magazine as his first band, with wayward Buzzcocks vocalist Howard Devoto recruiting him for the new band. An influential presence in the world of post-punk, the group's short tenure resulted in a handful of well-regarded albums before they split in the early '80s. Soon, B...2025-03-1343 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 43: Matthew Hayward – Street LegalIf you’re on the cutting edge of music, then you would be aware that there is a band hailing from unceded Kaurna Country (that is to say, the South Australian capital of Adelaide) that is one you definitely need to know. That band is Street Legal, a group whose sound might be rooted in the romanticism of ‘80s sonics and nostalgia, but heavily progressive, and boasting an approach to their music which is cutting edge, forceful, and – above all – a lot of fun.Having first made their recorded debut in...2025-03-0557 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 42: Anika Ostendorf – HachikuIf you’re anything like me, then the chances are good you’ve been spending the past few years eagerly awaiting a full-length return from Hachiku.Started as the musical project of Anika Ostendorf just under a decade ago, Hachiku rose to fame as part of the beloved Milk! Records stable, with a handful of releases preceding the arrival of her debut album, 2020’s ‘I’ll Probably Be Asleep’.Again, if you’re anything like me, you probably listened to that album and truly fell in love with it. After all, how...2025-02-2758 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 41: Kristin Hersh – Throwing Muses, 50 Foot WaveIf you’ve not yet heard of Kristin Hersh, well, I envy you because she has a rather storied career ready for you to dive into. Having first formed Throwing Muses alongside her stepsister Tanya Donelly in the early ‘80s, the group swiftly became an impressive musical force, with records arriving via the influential 4AD label.In 1991, Donelly left the group to form Belly (having co-founded The Breeders just a few years earlier), and Throwing Muses continued as a trio. By 1994, Hersh had kicked off a solo career, and in 19...2025-02-2057 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 40: Beth Seymour – Beth Seymour & The Lizzies, Hormones, La FamigliaIf you’re a music fan from Melbourne, the chances are pretty good you’ve heard of Beth Seymour. By her own admission, it’s a name you might not be quite familiar with just yet. After all, as she says; new name, new her, new era.But for years, Beth has been a vital part of the Melbourne music scene, with an irresistible combination of earnest lyricism, power-pop melodies, and a punk attitude resulting in a sound that is – for folks like myself, at least – impossible to ignore.You might...2025-02-131h 44
Trusty ChordsEpisode 39: Jimmy Christmas – The D4, Luger Boa, Jet GenerationsIf you’ve ever thought, “There just aren’t enough rock and roll bands out there who make me want to release my pent-up energy,” then you need to set your sights towards New Zealand and check out The D4.
Around the turn of the century, The D4 were one of the more prominent rock outfits emerging from New Zealand, with debut album ‘6Twenty’ arriving as an all-killer, no filler example of what the band do best.
Before long, they were a bit of a sensation around the world, with the gro...2025-02-0656 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 38: Ben Stewart – Slowly SlowlyThere’s a lot of bands out there who manage to craft music that is as emotional as it is poignant, but I feel there are few who get quite the same reaction to their work that Melbourne’s Slowly Slowly does.
If you’ve been listening to Australian music over the last decade, then I’m pretty sure you would’ve heard them at some point.
First formed in 2015, Slowly Slowly released their first album in 2016, but soon turned heads thanks to 2018's ‘St. Leonards’ after they signed to the UNFD la...2025-01-3056 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 37: James Curd – Modern Living, GreenskeepersBy his own admission, James Curd isn’t exactly a household name. However, the chances are pretty good that you’ve been exposed to his work at some point over the years.Having launched his musical career back in Chicago in the ‘90s, James rose to fame as part of the group Greenskeepers, which managed to find a bit of widespread fame thanks to songs like ‘Lotion’. If you found yourself listening to triple j back in 2004, then the 'Silence Of The Lambs'-inspired ‘Lotion’ is one that you probably remember very well.Bu...2024-12-0549 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 36: Tim Steward – ScreamfeederWhen it comes to the ‘Australian alternative rock scene’, it’s pretty hard to look past the likes of Screamfeeder.
After all, they’ve been around for over 30 years now, and whenever anyone imagines an Australian alternative band, it’s a band like Screamfeeder they’re thinking of.
Loud, melodic, critically-acclaimed, and commercially-overlooked, Screamfeeder commands an intense fanbase, and you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone with a bad word to say about them.
While records like 1996’s ‘Kitten Licks’ are a brilliant example of the sort of music...2024-11-2947 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 35: Andrew Cox – The FauvesIf you were to ask me my opinion on the greatest Australian bands of all time, The Fauves would be found pretty close to the pointy end of things.
I’m sure I’m not alone in that assertion either, after all, they’ve been around for 36 years now, constantly and consistently performing as one of the country’s most underrated and underappreciated groups.
You won’t be finding them performing headline dates in arenas, and you won’t often find their albums on the ARIA charts, but their songwriting i...2024-11-2137 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 34: Andy BullI don’t know about you, but when I try to describe Andy Bull, I have a hard time. After all, to simply call him a musician feels like it’s not going far enough.
Sure, he’s released a handful of EPs and albums over the years (including 2014’s ‘Sea Of Approval’) and he’s shared plenty of wonderful songs, such as 'Dog' (with Lisa Mitchell), 'Baby I Am Nobody Now', 'Talk Too Much', and much more, but it feels like he’s a little more accomplished than just a regular artist.
T...2024-11-141h 05
Trusty ChordsEpisode 33: Jamie Hutchings – Bluebottle Kiss, Infinity BrokeFor lovers of Australian music, the name Jamie Hutchings would be a familiar one.
Most notably, he’s known as the frontman of Sydney rock outfit Bluebottle Kiss, who lasted for 14 years and issued a raft of amazing records before their split in 2007. They’ve been called “Arguably Australia's most idiosyncratic guitar band,” and their music is arguably not as marketable as critics would like it to be, but Jamie isn’t exactly someone who puts that high on his list of priorities.
Since Bluebottle Kiss split, he’s continued wit...2024-11-071h 05
Trusty ChordsEpisode 32: Mac McCaughan – Superchunk, Portastatic, Merge RecordsIf you’re someone with a fondness for indie music, then the chances are good that your life has been touched in some way by Mac McCaughan.
On one hand, he’s known as the vocalist for the likes of North Carolina band Superchunk, whose very output feels like the blueprint for any aspiring indie rock band of the ‘90s. Then, he’s been the head of groups like Portastatic, and played in the likes of Bricks, Seam, Go Back Snowball, and much, much more.
However, if none of those na...2024-10-3135 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 31: Dave McCormack – Custard, The Titanics, The PolaroidsI think it’s fair to say that my music taste would not be what it is without Dave McCormack.
Hailing from Brisbane, McCormack is the prolific musician best known as the frontman for beloved alt-rock outfit Custaro… uh, Custard.
Together, the group are best known for classic tracks like 'Apartment', 'Girls Like That (Don't Go For Guys Like Us)', and 'Music Is Crap', along with other exceptional tunes such as 'Hit Song', 'Nice Bird', 'Ringo (I Feel Like)', 'Anatomically Correct', and... well just about the whole discography.
...2024-10-2554 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 30: Chit Chat Von Loopin Stab/Glenn Dormand – Machine Gun FellatioIf you found yourself listening to the so-called ‘alternative music’ coming out of Australia across the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, then you very well might have listened to Machine Gun Fellatio.
As their name might indicate, controversy was a bit of a staple for the group throughout their career, but another thing that was a constant was the quality of their music.
Firstly, it’s worth pointing out that Machine Gun Fellatio are an interesting, yet very accomplished band. By the time that they made their debut in 1997, members su...2024-10-1948 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 29: ILUKAIf you’ve been listening to music over the last decade, then the name ILUKA might be one you’ve come across. After all, when you give even a cursory listen to her music, it’s easy to see why her profile has been rising so rapidly in recent years.
Born in Australia but now based in America, ILUKA grew up playing music, with this love being fostered by classic names like Stevie Nicks and Janis Joplin – all of which are names often used in descriptors of her own music.
But he...2024-10-1836 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 28: Jon Toogood – Shihad, The AdultsIt’s the standard story that any band goes through. You’re watching a David Lynch adaptation of a Frank Herbert novel when you decide to name your band after a word you heard during the film, only to misspell it, and before you know it, you’re one of the most successful bands to ever come out of New Zealand.
Of course, if you recognised the story I just told you, then you’re either Shihad’s Jon Toogood, or someone else I really want to have on this podcast. But in the case of th...2024-10-1147 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 27: Jenna McDougall – Hevenshe, Tonight AliveFor as long as I’ve loved music, I’ve loved that sort of music that connects with people for so many different reasons. When I was in my teenage years, I discovered a Sydney band called Tonight Alive, who managed to find themselves as one of the more prominent purveyors of pop-punk out of Australia.
Across four amazing albums over the span of seven years, Tonight Alive found themselves dishing out songs that were heavy yet sweet, and fun yet serious, offering fans the world over (including a strong following in the famously hard...2024-10-0441 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 26: Tom Lanyon – CeresFans of the Melbourne music scene were this year excited to hear about the return of Ceres. For those playing along at home, it’s a pretty exciting prospect to have them back in our lives, especially given that they effectively disappeared at the end of 2019, leaving fans to wonder what the future held.
After making their debut with ‘I Don't Want To Be Anywhere But Here’ in 2014, Ceres followed it up in 2016 with ‘Drag It Down On You’, and again making magic happen with 2019’s ‘We Are A Team’. Blending emo, indie rock, and alternative...2024-09-271h 37
Trusty ChordsEpisode 25: Jordan Dreyer – La DisputeIn the world of post-hardcore bands, it’s often easy to find groups which feel as though they follow the paths and trends crafted by the trailblazers before them. Then, of course, there’s groups like La Dispute.
Formed in 2004 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the US group have been hard at it for two decades now, garnering critical acclaim with almost every move they make.
Following a series of EPs and singles, La Dispute released their debut album back in 2008, with their first Australian show following the next year.
...2024-09-2025 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 24: Darren Cross – D.C Cross, Jep And Dep, GerlingWhen it comes to prolific, diverse, and unafraid musicians, it’s a little hard to look past the unstoppable Darren Cross.
If that name doesn’t sound familiar right off the bat, then you might remember him as one third of the enigmatic Sydney outfit Gerling. Formed back in the early ‘90s, Gerling were hard to pin down. Beginning with a blending of alternative rock and noise, they soon incorporated more electronic elements into their work and – as Darren puts it – started doing full-on house music.
I’ll tell anyone that ‘Children Of Telepathic Experiences’ is a must-listen...2024-09-131h 15
Trusty ChordsEpisode 23: Jason Katsaras – Hard Rubbish, Big Town, Dead Roo, Burnside MumsThere’s no denying that the Adelaide music scene is one which is equally small and large. Small in the sense of its physical size, but large in just how far and wide its influence reaches thanks to the talented, welcoming people who comprise it.
One of those people is Jason Katsaras, a musician whose influence over the last decade is still felt despite his current absence from his hometown.
If you’ve been a regular of the classic SA venues, then you very well might have seen him as a member of bands like Burn...2024-09-0651 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 22: Felicity CrippsIf you’ve spent a bit of time in Melbourne venues over the years, then there’s a good chance you might have come across the wonderful Felicity Cripps.
For most people, Felicity would have landed on your radar as a member of Houlette back in the day, which soon evolved into the three-piece band Hoy. As time went on though, Felicity kept evolving, with music under her own name arriving before too long.
In fact, it was in 2016 we were introduced to the Felicity Cripps Band, a nascent vehicle for its namesakes own musical idea...2024-08-3050 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 21: Jake Bicchieri & Neve Tullberg – Echo Social ClubI’m going to be completely transparent right from the start and tell you that I am entirely biassed when it comes to today’s artist. This week, I am talking about Echo Social Club, a Melbourne rock duo who I have been completely enraptured by since I first saw them live in early 2023.
Featuring former Pseudo Mind Hive and The Hum Drums member Jake Bicchieri on guitar and vocals, and former Heavy Amber member Neve Tullberg on drums and occasional vocals, the pair are a ferocious mix of blistering rock that have left me s...2024-08-2357 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 20: Caiti BakerSome of my favourite artists are those who do so much amazing work yet often find themselves flying under the radar. While I’m a huge proponent of the fact that they should all be household names due to their exceptional output, they continue to operate as well-kept secrets, beloved by their diehard fans.
A great example of this is the wonderful Caiti Baker. For years now, Caiti has been crafting some truly amazing music. For example, she was one half of Sietta with partner James Mangohig (otherwise known as Kuya James), and after a...2024-08-1653 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 19: Ben Simpson – Chavez CartelIf you’ve been paying attention to artists coming out of the Gold Coast over the last six years, then you might have come across Chavez Cartel.
A five-piece alternative rock band, Chavez Cartel wasted almost no time in making a name for themselves on a local scale. Releasing a handful of singles in their debut year, the band shared both the ‘Lucky, Lucky’ and ‘Confidence Is All I’m Taking Home’ EPs in 2019.
Alongside a long list of live shows and festival slots, their profile continued to rise, with a COVID-inspired silence being ended by the ‘Man’s...2024-08-0931 min
Trusty ChordsBonus Episode 4: Alexia Roditis & Violet Mayugba – Destroy BoysI feel it’s rather customary for me to say that if you’re a fan of bands who blend genres like garage rock, punk rock, and hardcore punk, then I know exactly a band you should be listening to. That band, my friends, is California’s Destroy Boys.
Formed in late 2015 by Violet Mayugba and Alexia Roditis, Destroy Boys took influence from all manner of classic punk and rock bands to craft something that is entirely unique. It’s a little hard to categorise too. While they’ve been compared to countless other bands out there – including th...2024-08-0619 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 18: Alex Laska & Fergus Linacre – KingswoodIf you’re someone who enjoys a bit of rock music and you haven’t found yourself listening to Kingswood at some point over the last decade or so, then you need to change that immediately.
Formed in Melbourne around the late 2000s, Kingswood wasted no time in letting their music get heard by the world. Following a self-titled EP in 2010, and their ‘Change Of Heart’ EP in 2012, a competition run by triple j Unearthed to play the iconic Splendour In The Grass festival shot the band to wider fame that very same year.
In 2014, they rel...2024-08-0255 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 17: Jo Gardiner & Niam Hegarty – Dental PlanWhen it comes to Melbourne indie/alternative/punk bands, I would say that I’m in a pretty good position to talk about Dental Plan.
First formed in 2018 by guitarist and vocalist Niam Hegarty, bassist and occasional vocalist Jo Gardiner, and drummer Stu Young, the band kicked off writing, recording, and gigging pretty quickly, establishing a respectable fanbase around the city as they did so.
Following their self-titled 2018 EP, they group released a single in 2019, before emerging from the depths of COVID in 2021 with ‘Hole In Me’, a track which saw Rolling Stone Australia label them a...2024-07-2654 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 16: Jim Reid – The Jesus And Mary ChainThe world of alternative rock would likely not be anywhere close to what it is today without bands like The Jesus And Mary Chain. Forming in Glasgow back in 1983 by brothers Jim and William Reid, the Scottish outfit are these days considered to be pioneers of genres like alternative rock, shoegaze, and noise-pop. Combining these genres with their own unique take on post-punk and indie-rock, and you’ve got a recipe for something that feels impossible to describe.
Having emerged from a world in which punk rock and pop music had reigned supreme, The Jesus And Mary Ch...2024-07-1927 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 15: CHAIIIf you’re not across Iranian-born, New Zealand-raised artists, you’re not only doing yourself a disservice, but you’re missing out on the magnificent CHAII.
Ever since the Persian musician moved to Auckland at eight years old, she’s been a firm fan of hip-hop, and as her creativity flourished, so too did she become involved within the world of music, crafting her own unique blend of beats, lyrics, and aesthetics.
Alongside the classic tenets of hip-hop, you can find CHAII dropping in flavours of her own cultural identity, whether it be by way of the Pe...2024-07-1230 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 14: Matt Weedon – TorsIf you’ve not yet heard of English trio Tors, there’s a very good chance that’ll be changing soon. Formed by brothers Matt and Theo Weedon in 2016, the “three-piece harmonic indie band” were joined by drummer Jack Bowden after picking him up on Gumtree.
However, the band’s history can actually be traced back quite some years, with Matt’s career as a songwriter beginning with a casual appearance of one of his tracks on the beloved TV show ‘Skins’. Fast-forward a few years and a few bands, and now Tors have been continuing on their world-beating...2024-07-0541 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 13: Frank Carter & Dean Richardson – Frank Carter & The RattlesnakesFor the majority of the last 20 years, one of the most explosive performers on the music scene has been Frank Carter. Unassuming with his short stature and red hair, Frank burst onto the scene as a member of Gallows back in 2005, blowing away everyone with his intense stage presence and mesmerisingly powerful voice.
After six years with Gallows, Frank left to form Pure Love, an alternative rock band that slightly eased off the pedal of intensity that we’d previously seen. After a few years there, Frank partnered with Heights guitarist Dean Richardson to form yet another ne...2024-06-281h 08
Trusty ChordsEpisode 12: CJ Ramone – the Ramones, Me First & The Gimme GimmesIf you’ve only heard of one punk band, it’s likely the Ramones. After all, they pretty much wrote the book on the leather-jacketed aesthetic, and the musical delivery of short, sharp, and punchy songs that influenced the genre’s earliest years, and is still heard to this day.
Though all of the band’s founding members have long since passed, their lineup wasn’t static for their existence, and in 1989, they were joined by a young bass player named Christopher Joseph Ward. Of course, he was better known as CJ Ramone, which is exactly how I introduc...2024-06-2023 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 11: Holly Ross & David Blackwell – The Lovely EggsIf you’ve been listening to this podcast for the last 12 weeks, you’re probably aware I tend to focus on artists who aren’t exactly household names.
That much is certainly true for this week’s artist, Lancaster duo The Lovely Eggs. Comprising married couple Holly Ross and David Blackwell, The Lovely Eggs have been going for 18 years now, having played their first gig in New York back in 2006.
Since then, phrases like ‘little known’, ‘underrated’, and ‘underground heroes’ have all been bandied about when describing the pair. This shouldn’t particularly come as any surprise though, especially given the way they conduct t...2024-06-1448 min
Trusty ChordsBonus Episode 3: Jeff Martin & Jeff Burrows – The Tea PartyIf you’re listening to this podcast in Australia, there’s a chance you know The Tea Party. In fact, they’ve probably played more live shows in this country than you’ve had hot dinners. That might sound impressive, but it’s all the more admirable given they’re a Canadian outfit who have been on the scene since 1990.
Formed by Jeff Martin, Jeff Burrows, and Stuart Chatwood (who apparently didn’t get the memo regarding his name), The Tea Party made a name for themselves thanks to their unique musician style they’ve dubbed ‘Moroccan-roll’.
Across their di...2024-06-1119 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 10: Dave Powys – The Paper KitesThe Australian music industry has long had a habit of churning out some great artists who manage to curate an intense and fanatical fanbase around the world thanks to the wonderful music that they create.
If anyone understands what it’s like to have a massive fanbase, it’s likely Dave Powys, who has been the guitarist and a multi-instrumentalist with Melbourne indie-folk group The Paper Kites since 2010.
If you know The Paper Kites for any reason, it’s possibly due to their 2010 single ‘Bloom’, which managed to do what Aussie bands only dream of, and went Pl...2024-06-0753 min
Trusty ChordsBonus Episode 2: Kevin Devine – Bad Books, Miracle Of 86By his own admission, you probably haven’t heard of Kevin Devine, but for almost 30 years now, he’s been a prolific musician who treats making music in much the same way the rest of us treat the need to breathe. That is to say, he deems it to be pretty bloody important.
In fact, in addition to a solo career, Kevin’s been a member of bands like Infind, Delusion (who later renamed themselves Miracle Of 86), and Bad Books (which features members of Manchester Orchestra), plus he’s also got a pretty fruitful solo career, both under hi...2024-06-0416 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 9: Audrey PowneIf you’re someone who has your finger on the pulse of the world of jazz, then Audrey Powne is a name that you might be aware of. If hers isn’t a name you know, well, then you definitely need to listen to today’s podcast.
Based in the UK, but originally from Melbourne, Audrey is an artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist who has been aptly described as a creative force carving out a distinctive path in the worlds of future jazz and soul.
Having been drawn to jazz at a young age, Audrey honed her cra...2024-05-3155 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 8: Ben Gumbleton – Boo SeekaFor close to a decade now, Ben Gumbleton has been the driving force between the masterful Boo Seeka.
From albums like ‘Never Too Soon’ in 2017, which hit number eight on the Aussie charts, 2022’s ‘Between The Head & The Heart’, and this year’s ‘Midnight Highlight’, he’s become renowned as a wonderful musician you need to hear.
This week, Ben joins the podcast as he talks through the Boo Seeka story and opens up about his musical process. 2024-05-2436 min
Trusty ChordsBonus Episode 1: Phil Jamieson & Pat Davern – GrinspoonAfter almost 30 years, iconic rockers Grinspoon are still going strong, and following a 12-year gap between records, they’re back with new material. Yesterday saw the announcement of new single ‘Unknown Pretenders’, which will appear on the forthcoming ‘whatever, whatever’, and will be supported by a 45-date tour.
Needless to say, these blokes don’t do things by halves.
Fresh off the back of this announcement, Phil Jamieson and Pat Davern joined the podcast this week for the inaugural bonus episode, which just sees us mainly delving into their own Trusty C2024-05-2124 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 7: Eddie Boyd – Human NoiseIf I had to put it simply, Human Noise are a band you need to know. Based between Sydney and Melbourne, the four-piece outfit craft a truly unique sound that gets inside your head and takes you over.
Last month, they released their latest album, ‘Glitching Colour’, and it’s a truly stellar release.
This week, the wonderful Eddie Boyd joins the podcast for an informative chat about the band’s history, their sound, and their newest album.2024-05-1737 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 6: Kav Temperley – Eskimo JoeSince the late ‘90s, Western Australian alt-rockers Eskimo Joe have been tearing up the charts with their iconic tracks. I’m talking albums like ‘Girl’, ‘A Song Is A City’, and ‘Black Fingernails, Red Wine’, and songs like ‘Sweater’, ‘Who Sold Her Out’, and… ‘Black Fingernails, Red Wine’.
Needless to say, if you’re looking for an accomplished, celebrated, talented band, look no further than Eskimo Joe.
Following on from the release of their latest single, ‘The First Time’, earlier this year, and a head of a run of regional tour dates, bassist and voc...2024-05-1037 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 5: Paddy Macrae – The DreggsSunshine Coast duo The Dreggs have been making some of the smoothest music you’ve ever heard for about seven years now, and most recently, the group have just released their debut 'album, Caught In A Reverie'.
As you might expect, it’s a corker of an album, packed full of that breezy, folky, pop-influenced sound upon which they carved out a niche for themselves.
If you’re someone who likes those summer vibes presented to you on-demand, then you’d do quite well to check out The Dreggs.
With the album out in the w...2024-05-0327 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 4: Quan Yeomans – RegurgitatorIt’s hard to imagine an Australian music scene without Regurgitator. For over three decades now, the trio have been dishing out highly-regarded albums packed full of songs that are as catchy as they are fun; and backing it up with undeniably stellar live shows along the way. Their discography includes the likes of their classic debut ‘Tu-Plang’, the highly-decorated ‘Unit’, and other brilliant records like ‘…art’, ‘Mish Mash’, and more.
After a brief hiatus around 2013, The Gurge have since been hard at it ever since, even going as far as to release a children’s album in...2024-04-261h 03
Trusty ChordsEpisode 3: Jason Black – Hot Water MusicIf you’re a fan of punk rock, then I think you would do very well to listen to Hot Water Music. Ever since they formed back in 1994, they’ve spent much of that time writing amazing songs, touring relentlessly, and carving out their own unique niche which has equally seen them considered an enduring pillar of American punk, incredibly influential, and – in the very same breath – wholly underrated.
Across 30 years, two breakups, and ten albums, the group have gone from hit new and exciting heights with each and every move they make. This year, th...2024-04-1945 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 2: Kevin Mitchell – Jebediah, Bob EvansEver since they first formed as teenagers almost 30 years ago, Jebediah have been synonymous with Australian music. Hailing from Perth and harnessing a penchant for whipping up catchy pieces of alt-rock, they released four albums between 1997 and 2004, with another arriving in 2011 following some time off.
Across their career though, they’ve scored numerous top ten records, received five ARIA Award nominations, taken home eight West Australian Music Industry Awards, and even been inducted into the latter’s Hall Of Fame. Plus, with songs like ‘Leaving Home’, ‘Harpoon’, ‘Animal’, ‘Jerks Of Attention’, and countless others, you can see why they...2024-04-1244 min
Trusty ChordsEpisode 1: Dan Haggis & Tord Knudsen – Sunship Balloon, The WombatsFor more than 20 years now, Dan Haggis & Tord Knudsen have made up two thirds of English outfit The Wombats. Across five albums, numerous singles, and a near-constant touring schedule, the group have curated a reputation within the music world as reliable artists from which you'll never hear a bad song.
In 2019, the pair decided to form Sunship Balloon, a new outlet in which they could share their musical talents, and place some of the ideas that didn't quite fit in with their more well-known group. After the release of debut album Everywhen in 2020, Dan...2024-04-051h 09
Trusty ChordsWelcome To Trusty ChordsTrusty Chords is a new podcast which aims to celebrate music and those that create it.
My name is Tyler Jenke, and for well over a decade now, I’ve been either a music journalist, an educator, a media commentator, or simply writing about music in some capacity. I’ve written for plenty of publications over the years, though you might know me from my time spent as the Editor of Rolling Stone Australia from 2019 to 2022.
However, one thing I have always loved about being a journalist and being invo...2024-03-2102 min
Record RoyaleTISM 'Machiavelli and the Four Seasons' vs. Regurgitator 'Unit' w/ Tyler JenkeTyler Jenke is one of Australia's premier music journalists, writing for Tone Deaf, The Industry Observer, and The Brag, plus overseeing Australia's Rolling Stone Magazine, and today he's on the show to chat two Aussie classic bands in TISM and Regurgitator! TISM's 'Machiavelli and the Four Seasons' was a huge success for the band, as was 'Unit' by Regurgitator - and they've been fun to listen to this week. Enjoy!(0:00) - Intro(8:49) - Chat with Tyler(18:12) - The Facts(26:26) - The Elements(36:57) - The Segments(1:00:04) - RatingsFollow Record Royale...2022-09-041h 10
T minus 20Mundine cops it in the ringSend us a textIt's the run into Christmas, the tree is up, the lights are lit and we're getting all festive.We've got a bunch of rap releases that are the perfect stocking filler for the OG in your family. In the news it's thuggery on the high seas, the substitute for walking that didn't quite land on its feet and the nation rejoices as The Man get silenced in the squared circle. Plus Tyler Jenke, the current editor for Rolling Stone Australia is here to tell us all about the latest i...2021-12-011h 39
Super Awesome MixGuest Mix: Tyler Jenke, Rolling Stone Australia editor, with his favorite and most influential bands (Mix #11, S1)Tyler Jenke, editor of Rolling Stone Australia, joins Matt and Samer this week to take them through 12 songs that define his life. We had such a great conversation with Tyler -- his backstory of how he got into music, mix tapes, and ultimately his role at Rolling Stone was so cool to learn and hear about. We can't wait to have him back on the show! We've been listening to some of the new bands/music he introduced us to ever since he sent this mix over, and we think you will, too!Y...2021-06-1036 min