In Brackets with Shaun Allen

In Brackets will be returning in 2020 after a long hiatus, and it's going to get significantly weirder. Here's a preview of some of what you'll hear. If you enjoy the tunes please check out WAWAWOW's debut album "Pink Elephant", available everywhere Friday Feb 14 2020.

Guitarist and radio host Matt Wright has experienced some major tragedies in recent times, and is channelling the energy into a number of projects including blues group Widower and the Women Who Rock podcast. Matt and Shaun chat about climate science, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and the cathartic power of the blues.   Music by Matt Wright, Greyscale, Widower, and WAWAWOW.

Polish Club have hit astounding heights since their inception in 2014, with David Novak's vocals adding a soulful tinge to their succinctly gritty sound. David and Shaun chat their favourite James Bond themes, the constraints of politeness and why there's always room for a good time rock 'n' roll band. Music by Polish Club and WAWAWOW. Smash Mouth/Gary Jules segment arranged by David Gonzalez-Dysinger.

Light Entertainment are one of the most brilliant bands to come out of Sydney in recent years, described as "an unorthodox mélange of psychedelia, Spaghetti Western soundtrack and krautrock with hints of jazz". Frontman James Dunlop visits the mattress palace to chat excesses in studio recording, avoiding macho culture and the genius of The Ramones. Music by Light Entertainment and WAWAWOW. Musical credits from introduction available on our Facebook.

Thraxxy Kilmister is best known as one half of electronic hip hop outfit Bustacap, but also has had a ridiculous amount of creative pursuits to her name. Thraxxy chats about starting a local wrestling federation, addressing sexism in the music industry, and shares stories from working in a Darlinghurst tattoo shop. Music by Bustacap and WAWAWOW. Star Wars quotation courtesy of RedLetterMedia.

Cameron Menegoni holds arguably the most important role for emerging bands in Sydney, hosting The Band Next Door on 2SER Radio for the last six years. Cam and Shaun chat tall poppy syndrome, Marilyn Manson's career moves and muse on the brilliance of Shaun Micallef. Music by WAWAWOW. "The Way" by Narla used with permission.

Jeremy Neale is recognised as one of Australia's most talented pop songwriters, receiving the Grant McLennan Fellowship last week in addition to great reviews of his new album Getting the Team Back Together. Jeremy joins Shaun in the mattress palace to chat day jobs, musical trends, and sleeping on a bed of Alec Baldwin's voice. Music by Jeremy Neale and WAWAWOW. T-Rax voiced by Jeremy Neale, not a real dinosaur.

Ben Ellwood cut his teeth in the Sydney comedy circuit for over a decade, performing alongside acts like Sam Simmons and Marc Maron. Ben and Shaun chat about about Twin Peaks, the intolerance from the left, and the impact of the Holocaust on Ben's family.   Music by WAWAWOW.

The Cops have been one of Shaun's favourite bands since the age of 14. Frontman Simon Carter joins in to chat the recording process, labels, making party music as a dad and Hitler's failed Russia campaign. Music by The Cops, Simon Carter, Beat Club and WAWAWOW.

With a ferocious yet dynamic approach to the kit, watching Skarlett Saramore on drums is a show in itself. She joins fellow drummer Shaun to chat gigs, recording, depression awareness and the brilliance of Narla.   Music by Particles, Fait Accompli, Shaun Allen and WAWAWOW.

Richard "Dickie" Mills is a music promoter, but only in the literal sense of the phrase. With venues in Sydney undergoing a shift, the Psyched As nights run by Mills and his housemates have provided a rite of passage for dozens of local bands in the last year. Dickie and Shaun get deep into the changing landscape, vested interests and stories of the best and worst of Sydney.   Moving to Melbourne used with permission from Unity Floors. House price skit features data from January 2016.

Lachlan Wylie has been championing local bands on community radio since the day of his final high school exam. He joins Shaun in the mattress castle to discuss late night talk show hosts, types of radio voices and the Kennedy assassination. Music by WAWAWOW and Shaun Allen.

Shaun Allen attempts to explain the In Brackets podcast through a midi keyboard. Please subscribe and leave a review, and welcome to the show!