Alt Down Under

Alt Down Under hits 20 episodes! For this milestone show, Luke catches up with Sonic Reducer, a 4-piece punk group from Canberra. Bassist, Louie Hanna, is on hand to discuss why the band are doing things differently to the generic 4-piece bands that we've grown tired of over the years. Find out the impact that the closing of venues in Canberra has had…and the creative workarounds that artists are coming up with. And punk….is it a genre that doesn't get the respect it deserves? Louie describes how legends of the scene – The Clash and The Buzzcocks – created music with deeper meaning than many give them credit for, and how that depth has etched itself onto the creations of Sonic Reducer, including new single, NEEDLES. Plus, a Dream Gig Venue with free Guinness on tap. What's not to love?!

This time out, we take a trip west....to see what alternative gems New Zealand has to offer! That comes in the form of episode 19's featured artist, Phoebe Rings. Joining Alt Down Under is lead singer, Crystal Choi.  Native to Korea, Crystal tells all about how moving to The Land of the Long White Cloud has impacted her life and her song-writing. And...is starting a band a few months before the covid pandemic the worst move ever? Find out how Phoebe Rings bounced back with a devotion to collaboration which has helped create their irresistible space-age sound, full of retro synth pop with influences rooted in Korea.  It's a sound that has created a beautifully well rounded record, in their upcoming debut album, Aseurai. All this, plus a Dream Gig Venue where glitter is a big part of the dress code.

With Aussie winter around the corner, it feels like the time of year where music that warms the soul is on the menu. Step in, Annie-Rose Maloney, the featured artist in episode 18 of Alt. Down Under! The Naarm-based singer-songwriter's debut album Circle Walking is the perfect antidote to winter blues. With insights into her personal journey to seeking happiness and battling life's dramas along the way, the record is full of alcoves that invite you in to explore your own journey and to feel the shared experience that Maloney so openly lays down. Listen to how stripping things back, listening to her heart and how adopting the mantra “the law of the least effort” all combine in reaping the best rewards. Plus – how does a day job as a teacher help to connect to childlike wonder and a sense of living in the present. All this plus the creation of the chilliest vibe ever, in Annie-Rose's Dream Gig Venue!

Slap bang in the middle of their Aus/NZ tour, we caught up with The Murder Capital! Joining Luke Scanlan in conversation is bassist, Gabriel Blake. After waiting years to finally play to fans in the region, Gabriel speaks of what it means to give fans a taste of tunes from across their three albums: When I Have Fears, Gigi's Recovery and Blindness Plus, why he thinks albums – also referred to as ‘records' – can be taken as a true record of your life at the time of release. Find out what it was like to step up a gear and work with Grammy-winning producer, John Congleton. The guy has only worked with global names such as Phoebe Bridgers, Nelly Furtado, The War on Drugs, Bono, Sigur Ros, Bombay Bicycle Club… no big deal, right?! Gabriel opens up on the moment that Irish music is having right now, with The Murder Capital and Fontaines DC both touring the APAC region in 2025. Plus, he gives his thoughts on the pride in Irishness emanating from KNEECAP and what it was like to play alongside them at festivals in their early days. And…. The Murder Capital's early days. What was it like to fly the post-punk flag and burst onto the scene at the same time as Fontaines and shame? A huge episode. One you cannot miss!

This time out, it's the melodic vocal genius of The Stamps under the spotlight, joining us as our artist in residence! Ahead of a big week of announcements for the Melbourne-based group, singer and songwriter Scarlett Graham drops by for a chat. One third of the vocals behind the band formed after a suggestion from their school music teacher – Scarlett tells all about the story behind new single Jamie's Song and how ideas for tracks crop up at the most random of times. Jamie's Song  is released alongside the huge news of the band's debut album - In All The Ways I Am - which drops on August 8th. Find out how the band feels ahead of that first album release….and why Scarlett wants NO DRESS CODE at her Dream Gig Venue, ‘The Post Office'. All this, plus a review of Kasabian's foundation-shaking set at The Forum in Melbourne…and why host Luke Scanlan is more pumped than ever for an upcoming Melbourne gig!

James Hatcher and Andy Clutterbuck, better know as HONNE are this week's artist in residence on Alt. Down Under. Fresh from the release of their latest album, Ouch, the British electronic duo drop by to talk us through the stories behind the new tunes. From stepping into fatherhood and making sure to squeeze all that you can from life. And of course, the boys build their Dream Gig Venue. How the hell do they aim to remain sexy when free cheese and onion appetisers are on the menu? This comes all before their tour in Australia later in March 2025!

Another fantastic guest artist interview for you in episode 14 of Alt. Down Under... This time out, it's the unreal Girl and Girl. Speaking with Luke is frontman Kai James and drummer, Aunt Liss. They've just caught a breath after an 8-date whistle-stop tour around Australia, bringing the energy to cities up and down the country. It's not every day an aunt ends up being the drummer for her nephew's band - you can hear how the hell that happened, how they operate as a family unit and the pride they feel in each other's contributions to the magic that is Girl and Girl. Kai opens up on using "theatric" elements in the band's debut album Call a Doctor as a means of opening up on his personal battles with mental health, the "beast" that is his vocal range and....all eyes on America! What it means to be heading Stateside and flying the flag for Australian music, whilst supporting Naked Giants. AND....their Dream Gig Venue. The corpse of David Bowie playing at The Armpit? Sure, why not.

Don't they say "never work with a partner"? It might be a disaster for some, but Sydney duo Salarymen have found the magic formula...and we are here for it. Thom Eagleton and Renee de la Motte sit down for a chat off the back of their latest EP release, Day By Day. Why is being honest with each other so crucial to the way they operate as a couple and as artists? PLUS - social media - love it or loathe it, it's something any musician has to have some kind of relationship with. Thom and Renee discuss their experiences of it and take some suggestions from Luke for future posts! AND they look back on tours with Royel Otis and San Cisco as well as the time they learnt a Japanese song whilst touring the Land of The Rising Sun...all before putting together their Dream Gig Venue, The Extra-terrestrial Disco Club. Anyone for a slug-slime martini?

The fantastic Romanie is the guest artist for Episode 12 of Alt. Down Under. After meeting her in his first week in Australia when she performed alongside Katy J Pearson, Luke finally sits down with the Belgian songwriter to chat through her experiences of moving down to Aus. Romanie explains how stepping out of her comfort zone has shaped her as a person as well as empowering her work as an artist. Making the move has been huge in bringing the best out of Romanie's irresistible talents, with last year's debut album 'Are We There Yet' notching nominations for Australian Music Prize and winning the 2023 Upstart Award. One year on, she opens up on her appetite to get album number two out into the big bad world, off the back of the rollercoaster that was a health scare and misdiagnosis. It's been a one hell of a journey, and here, Romanie bravely opens up on every twist and turn. PLUS - her Dream Gig Venue - how did Romanie end up with gems on her teeth at Coachella and why Bowie needs to come back to life.... A gig review this time out features a look at Confidence Man's fantastically absurd set at The Forum, Melbourne.

Lotte Gallagher is Episode 11's featured artist for Alt. Down Under! The rising star of Melbourne's Indie & Alternative scene drops by for a chat all about her debut EP, A Better Feeling – which landed earlier this month. The Naarm-based singer opens up on how she was able to find her feet as a songwriter in her early teens, why family has been so important to her journey so far and how music has been a huge help with her mental health.  Plus….with Oasis coming to Australia next year – is Melbourne really big enough for THREE Gallaghers?! Lotte gives the lowdown, before building her Dream Gig Venue…The Blasé Vengeance. All this plus gig reviews from Luke after recent shows watching Radio Free Alice & Gut Health. BOOM!

Alt. Down Under podcast is back with another slice of Indie chatter! The Paris 2024 Olympics might be in full swing, but Melbourne post-punk/new-wave outfit Radio Free Alice are this year's real athletes... Fresh from a mammoth 2-month, 24-date stint in the UK and Europe, front-man Noah Learmonth drops by to talk about life on the road and the British food that has fuelled the band. Find out if there have been any holiday romances with Gregg's sausage rolls or cheap pints at Wetherspoons. Plus, the music industry: hated and adored. It's a tough nut for a lot of emerging bands, so what drives Radio Free Alice to keep taking a crack at it, as fans await the release of their second EP, Polyester? AND....Noah's Dream Gig Venue... he explains why a shaman is running the front door security and why fellow Melbourne acts Sex Mask & Rain Dogs make the dream line-up. Host Luke Scanlan returns from months in backpacking wilderness – a time when he has been able to catch Royel Otis – and send the Alt. Down Under team to catch The Last Dinner Party playing in Australia. This past year has been a whirlwind for the British band – a year that has seen them crack America. But how did they go down with the Aussie crowds? Loads for ya – don't miss it!

This week, a Melbourne Rock n Roller…. Jacob Fitzgerald! He's had a recent support slot with UK outfit Sea Girls and is opening for Pacific Avenue in Sydney next month. Jacob takes us through his love of Bruce Springsteen, old school rock and his band, The Electric City. Find out about the labour of love that is living - and creating music - with lead guitarist, Rick Hollywood. PLUS His new track, Sophia, which drops on Valentine's Day. AND Jacob's Dream Gig Venue, The Heartbreaker Club. Find out why people will be breakin' hearts and wearing PJs whilst having a boogie to Jacob and Huey Lewis. 

Lead guitarist. Vocalist. Master on the keys. There's not much The Vanns' Cameron Little can't do. Here, he drops in for a chat with Luke Scanlan to chat through his experience of the music biz and how The Vanns have developed such widespread appeal - all ahead of the band's huge regional tour across Australia across the next few months! As for his Dream Gig Venue? Well...this week, we are heading to Cameron's Thunder Dome! Plus - Luke explains the mad 5 minutes that led to him getting inked for the first time! AND... A review of Sea Girls and Jacob Fitzgerald at The Corner in Melbourne!

Masego. The artist carving out a whole genre of his own. TrapHouseJazz with splices of R&B, Soul and Rap. This guy isn't afraid to express – isn't afraid to experiment. On this episode of Alt. Down Under, the US star runs us through the brilliance of his band Sax Fifth Avenue, the fluid jazz style in his live shows and why he is dead-set on pulling people together by being truly present whenever taking to the stage (all whilst killing it on his sax [AKA '"Thor's Hammer"]) Over 7 million streams per month on Spotify and Grammy nominations under his belt, Masego is a force to be reckoned with and this is where you can hear about his Dream Gig Venue. Fruit platters and Caipirinhas on tap? Yes please. If you haven't heard of Masego before….you're welcome.

Time for an episode of Alt. Down Under with an artist with a real exciting future ahead of them… It's Melbourne's Ruby Cannon! Ruby drops by for a chat about her retro-inspired tunes that are based on her love of music that runs deep through both her life and her work as an artist. She also opens up on the challenges facing artists that are trying to break through right now. In the age of streaming, social media and having to churn out content… do musicians have to jump on the bandwagon or get left behind? Plus – how does London's gig scene compare to Melbourne? Ruby shares her thoughts, having had a taste of the UK last year!

2024 is here and Alt. Down Under is back with a huge episode! Hit the link in the bio now to hear our chat with the ever-adapting and ever-changing Declan McKenna, fresh from his tour in AUS/NZ and appearance at Heaps Good in Adelaide. He tells all about coming through as a younger artist, with breakout hit ‘Brazil', building confidence in his career and never being afraid to express himself. You can find out why he's so excited for his forthcoming album,  ‘What Happened to the Beach?' and why - in his Dream Gig Venue - eye patches and booze-laced milk is the order of the day! It's good to be back, baby!

This week in the Dream Gig Venue....it's Dulcie! Have you ever wondered how Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Freddie Mercury might handle event security? Then look no further. Ashleigh Carr White - vocals & keys for the WA outfit - runs us through how the two icons are set to take care of things at AshSLAY's. Plus - a look at Dulcie's rise over the past few years, their growing aspirations and why Ashleigh's rap career never quite got off the ground.  Another mega fun episode, with an ace Australian artist! Feliz navidad!

HERE IT IS! Alt. Down Under's interview with Foals, ahead of their upcoming tour of Aus & NZ. Listen in to hear Luke Scanlan's chat with Foals guitarist Jimmy Smith! Jimmy tells all about being a part of the mid-late noughties Indie scene in the UK, how touring days haven't really changed over the years and who out of the band rocks the budgie smugglers on the beaches of Australia! Inside his Dream Gig Venue, find out why Jimmy wants Miles Davis as support act and why proper Mexican tacos will be flowing freely in the crowd. Foals are a band that have been at the top of their came across the past three decades, with a back-catalogue that would make any artist green with envy, and a track record of playing arenas and huge venues across the world. 

4 albums in 4 years. Countless tours. Big plans in 2024. Find out how the hell The Grogans are doing it! Here, drummer Jordan Lewis explains the love the band have for creating new music, how they are part of an ever-growing Alternative scene in Australia and why their name is actually Aussie slang for.....shit! Plus - his Dream Gig Venue - why are singlets the choice of dress code...and why is so much tequila flying round? All this and a gig review for the soul legend that is Lee Fields.  Buckle up!

FIRST EPISODE IS HERE! Alt. Down Under is a new alternative music podcast with Luke Scanlan - your resident pomme who is on a mission to check out the hottest artists Australia has to offer - and the artists that travel all this way on tour. Kicking things off in episode numero uno is Lenny (Sam Barrett-Lennard) - the drummer of WA indie rockers, DICE. He tells us all about how the band are loving their recent tours around Aus, what it is that makes them bring the energy during live shows and why they have their sights set on playing the big-name venues! Lenny is also the first guest to pick his Dream Gig Venue: the name and capacity of the venue, the free food & drink on offer, the dress code and who has the job of running the security on the night. It's the first of a big adventure....welcome along for the ride!