Rhythms Magazine

Allison Russell, multi-award winning singer, songwriter, poet, activist, and multi-instrumentalist will be in Australia this month for concerts in Melbourne (April 15) and Sydney (April 17) as well as appearances at Bluesfest (April 19-20). Rhythms editor Brian Wise spoke to Allison about her recent work, which included an appearance in the Broadway musical Hadestown.

Sly Lives! is a 2025 documentary about the life of Sly Stone and the band Sly and the Family Stone.  The film is also known as The Burden of Black Genius.  It was directed by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson and premiered at Sundance in January 2025. It's the second documentary directed by Questlove, following his Oscar-winning documentary Summer of Soul. It was released on Hulu and Disney+ on February 13, 2025 and Michael Mackenzie and Brian Wise discuss the enormous influence this troubled genius has had on funk, soul, psychedelia since his multi-gendered, multi-racial band became superstars in the late 1960s.

Texas-born and bred singer Leon Bridges has just began his Australian tour in Bowral on Sunday January 19 and he has appearances in Sydney (January 21) and at at the Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on Thursday January 23. Brian Wise spoke to Leon about his career and his latest album, simply titled Leon. The interview also contains music from the latest album. Concert details and tickets at: leonbridges.com

Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie discuss A Complete Unknown, James Mangold's biopic on Bob Dylan starring Timothy Chalamet as Bob, Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo (Suze Rotolo), Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Edward Norton as Pete Seeger. Is this the best music biopic of all time?

  Paul Kelly joined Brian Wise in the studio at Triple R in Melbourne to talk about his recent American our, the film How To make Gravy based on his song of the same title and his latest album Fever Longing Still. He also performs two songs from the new album for us: 'All Those Smiling Faces' and 'Down To The River With Dad'. 

Michael Connelly is the American author of thirty-seven novels,  including the Harry Bosch series, the Lincoln Lawyer series, and the Renée Ballard series. They alone have sold more than eighty million copies worldwide. Michael Connolley was in Australia for the Sydney and Brisbane Writers Festivals and spoke to Rhythms Editor Brian Wise about the use of music, especially jazz, in his Bosch series and other works. It was produced by Michael Mackenzie.

Michael Connelly is the author of thirty-seven novels, including #1 New York Times bestsellers Desert Star, The Dark Hours, and The Law of Innocence. His books, which include the Harry Bosch series, the Lincoln Lawyer series, and the Renée Ballard series, have sold more than eighty million copies worldwide. Connelly is a former newspaper reporter who has won numerous awards for his journalism and his novels. He's the executive producer of three television series: Bosch, Bosch: Legacy, and The Lincoln Lawyer. He spends his time in California and Florida. Michael Connolley was in Australia for the Sydney and Brisbane Writers Festivals and spoke to Rhythms Editor Brian Wise about the use of music, especially jazz, in his Bosch series and other works. Produced by Michael Mackenzie.

Our guest in this Rhythms podcast is Boo Mitchell, the son of legendary Memphis producer Willie Mitchell, whose Royal Studios featured the incredible Hi Rhythm Section playing behind a myriad of hits from the likes of Al Green, Ann Peebles and many more. Boo has his own formidable career working with many high profile musicians at Royal and producing the acclaimed 2014 documentary Take Me to the River, celebrating the intergenerational and interracial musical influence of Memphis, in the face of pervasive discrimination and segregation. There is also a New Orleans version and in this podcast Boo reveals plans for another documentary in an overseas location.  Boo Mitchell is bringing some of the remaining Hi Rhythm Section members to Blues on Broadbeach this weekend (May 16-19)with guest vocalists Lina Beach and Jerome Chism. Boo will also be showing Take Me To The River and taking about the documentary.   

Martha Wainwright is touring Australia this month and Rhythms Editor Brian Wise caught up with her by Zoom to talk about the tour, her return to touring, writing new songs and a tribute to singer/songwriter Connie Converse. The podcast starts with music from Martha's lates studio album Love Is Reborn.  Songs: Hole In My Heart/Getting Older/Love Will Be Reborn - Martha Wainwright (Love Will Be Reborn), Five Years Old - Loudon Wainwright III (Fame & Wealth), One By One - Martha Wainwright, Wild Mountain Thyme (feat. Anna McGarrigle, Chaim Tannenbaum, Lily Lanken, Lucy Wainwright Roche & Martha Wainwright) - Rufus Wainwright (Folkocracy). You can find Martha's tour dates at: https://www.marthawainwright.com/shows  

Jon Cleary is currently touring Australia with his Absolute Monster Gentlemen. Rhythms Editor Brian Wise spoke to him just before he set off for the tour and just after he had played The Bitter End in New York, which is s story in itself.  Jon is also appearing at Blues On Broadbeach this weekend, May 16-19, 2024. You can check out Jon's touring dates here: https://www.joncleary.com/tour

Wilco are touring Australia in March and Rhythms Editor Brian Wise spoke to Jeff Tweedy about the band's latest album Cousin and Jeff's new book World Within A Song: Music That Changed My Life and Life That Changed My Music.  This edition of the Rhythms Podcast is sponsored by Love Police Tours. You can find full details of the Wilco tour at lovepolice.com.au/tours.  

Muireann Bradley, 17 year-old singer/guitarist from County Donegal in Ireland, has just released her debut album I Kept These Old Blues (interpretations of blues classics) on the American label Tompkins Square which first spotted her at the age of 13 after seeing her play on YouTube! Brian Wise spoke to Muireann just a week or so prior to her 17th birthday and just as her debut was about to be released. Listen to her amazing story.

Awash in full-throttle fiddle, weeping steel guitar, a sprinkling of heavenly backing vocals, and anchored by her warm, expressive vocals, Leigh's latest album is an emotion-packed revelation. Rooted in vintage country, Ain't Through Honky Tonkin' Yet is an unapologetically beer-and tear-soaked homage to an era when hard-country weepers burst forth from AM transistor radios. The album's country roots run deep, with guests like Marty Stuart and Rodney Crowell and a lineup of top-flight musicians.

Rhiannon Giddens has made a singular, iconic career out of stretching her brand of folk music, with its miles-deep historical roots and contemporary sensibilities, into just about every field imaginable. A two-time GRAMMY Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning singer and instrumentalist, MacArthur “Genius” grant recipient, and composer of opera, ballet, and film, Giddens has centered her work around the mission of lifting up people whose contributions to American musical history have previously been overlooked or erased, and advocating for a more accurate understanding of the country's musical origins through art. In 2023 Rhiannon has taken time from her busy life to tour her first album of all original material called You're The One, and Brian Wise asks her to guide us though this extraordinary melange of gospel, blues, rock, jazz, folk and darkly atmospheric.

One of the music documentaries at the Melbourne International Film Festival is Joan Baez: I Am A Noise which digs deep into the life of the renowned folk singer/activist as she retires from touring and reflects on her life. Co-director Karen O'Connor has been a friend of Baez for many years and has managed to gain access to a treasure trove of archival material. The film also uncovers some surprising revelations about the life of one of the most famous voices of the '60s protest movement and the singer who helped kick start Bob Dylan's career.

Lucinda Williams talks to Rhythms Editor Brian Wise about her recently published memoir Don't Tell Anybody The Secrets I Told You and her album Stories From A Rock 'n' Roll Heart. 

JODY STEPHENS is the sole surviving member of iconic early '70s power pop legends Big Star, and the only man other than Alex Chilton to play on all three of their peerless original albums. He was also a member of pioneering alt-country supergroup Golden Smog, alongside members of Wilco and the Jayhawks. LUTHER RUSSELL is an acclaimed singer/songwriter and producer (Richmond Fontaine amongst others) who formed his first band as a teenager with Jacob Dylan (before the son of Bob formed The Wallflowers).  Luther has made a handful of solo records, having first come to attention as a member of The Freewheelers in the '90s, during which time his songs were described as having "the appeal and personality of those by Randy Newman and Harry Nilsson". Together, Jody Stephens and Luther Russell are THOSE PRETTY WRONGS, who combine the lyrical and soulful harmony and jangle of both Big Star and classic '90s alt-country.Touring Australia on the back of their new album Holiday Camp, Those Pretty Wrongs will be joined by some special friends and perform their own gorgeous material as well as some classic Big Star.   Check the tour dates  at: Love Police Touring  

Brian Wise's guest in this podcast is Jason Isbell. To call Isbell the King Of Americana is not an idle claim. Since 2009 he has won 9 Americana Awards and been nominated for another ten - to add to his four Grammy Awards! Born and raised in Alabama and got a publishing deal with Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals when he was just 21, joined Paterson Hood in the Drive By Truckers and after five years began his solo career which included forming the 400 Unit and releasing 8 albums, the latest of which is Weathervanes, which follows the album Georgia Blue in 2021. Brian first spoke to Isbell when he was in Australia for the first time with Justin Townes Earle in 2012 and they have chatted frequently since. Last year they caught up by Zoom to talk about the Fender Jason Isbell Signature model while Isbell was on the set of Martin Scorsese's latest film Killers of the Flower Moon in which he plays the role of farmer Bill Smith.  This time Brian and Jason met to talk about the new album Weathervanes prior to Isbell's show at the Palais in Melbourne during his April tour of Australia with the 400 Unit, supported by Allison Russell.

Willy Vlautin is an American author, musician and songwriter. He was the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of Portland, Oregon rock band Richmond Fontaine from 1994–2016 and is currently a member and main songwriter of The Delines who will be touring Australia from June 8 to June 18 (tour details at lovepolice.com.au) Born and raised in Reno, Nevada, Vlautin released 12 studio albums with Richmond Fontaine and has released another four with The Delines. He has also written six novels: The Motel Life, Northline, Lean on Pete, The Free, Don't Skip Out On Me and The Night Always Comes. The Delines were formed when singer Amy Boone was touring with Richmond Fontaine and singing the female parts from that band's 2003 album, Post to Wire, which had been performed by her sister Deborah Kelly with whom she had been in the Texas band the Damnations. Vlautin then formed the Delines centred on Boone's vocals.  Rhythms Editor Brian Wise caught up with Vlautin to talk about the forthcoming tour and The Delines' music.

For his latest studio album, The Chicago Sessions, acclaimed singer-songwriter/producer Rodney Crowell journeyed to Chicago to record at Wilco's Loft with Jeff Tweedy as producer. Crowell brought three players with him - guitarist Jedd Hughes, pianist Catherine Marx, and bassist Zachariah Hickman — while Chicago natives John Perrine and Spencer Tweedy (Jeff's son) split drumming duties. Jeff Tweedy appears on vocals, guitars, and banjo throughout and co-writes one of the songs.  Most of The Chicago Sessions consists of newly written material but Crowell revisits two tracks from the 1970s: 'You're Supposed to Be Feeling Good,' one of his songs first recorded by Emmylou Harris on her 1977 Luxury Liner album and Townes Van Zandt's “'No Place to Fall.' Rhythms Editor Brian Wise caught up with Rodney Crowell by Zoom to talk about The Chicago Sessions.  

Pieces of Treasure (BMG Modern Recordings), Rickie Lee Jones' fifteenth studio album, not only explores her love of jazz but also reunites her with producer Russ Titelman who produced her 1979 debut album and its follow up Pirates in 1981. Of course, Jones has recorded jazz -oriented albums before – Girl at Her Volcano and Pop Pop  - and in 1989 she was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Jazz Vocal Performance category for her rendition of “Autumn Leaves” from Rob Wasserman's Duets album and a year later she won in the same category for her duet with Dr. John of 'Makin' Whoopee'. But with Pieces of Treasure Jones spends an entire album with the American Songbook. Pieces of Treasure was recorded over five days at Sear Sound in midtown Manhattan and the studio ensemble consisted of Rob Mounsey on piano, guitarist Russell Malone, bassist David Wong and drummer Mark McLean. I last spoke to Rickie Lee in 2021 about her Last Chance Texaco: Chronicles of an American Troubadour so I was delighted to talk to her about music and caught up with her by Zoom at her home in New Orleans, where she has lived for the past decade.

Don Walker is one of Australia's most revered, respected and most successful songwriters. He first established his reputation as the principal songwriter in Cold Chisel, the most played band on Australian radio and his career has extended through solo albums (under his own name or Catfish) and albums with Tex Perkins and Charlie Owens in Tex, Don and Charlie. Many others have recorded his songs and he is rightfully a member of the Australian songwriting Hall of Fame as well as a multiple ARIA and APRA award winner.  Don's latest solo album, his first for ten years, is titled Lightning In A Clear Blue Sky and I caught up with him by zoom to have an extensive chat about it. 

Swamp pop legend Tommy McLain began his career in the 1950s and enjoyed his biggest hit, 'Sweet Dreams', in 1966. CC Adcock was a founding member if Lil' Band O' Gold who toured Australia twice and he has also had his own acclaimed solo albums out. CC has produced Tommy's first album in 40 years, I Ran Down Every Dream which features guests Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe and Augie Meyers amongst others. Tommy and CC are currently visiting Australia. You can check their tour dates here: love police.com.au 

Five-time Grammy Award winning musician Robert Glasper was raised in Texas and went to school with Beyonce before heading off to New York to pursue his love of jazz music playing with some notables of the genre. However, Glasper's musical horizons extend way beyond jazz and while he won a Grammy for his work on the music for the Miles Davis biopic Miles Ahead he has won another four for his R&B albums, mainly the Black Radio series. Robert Glasper will be appearing at Bluesfest Melbourne and Bluesfest in Byron Bay as well as gigs in Brisbane and Sydney. This Rhythms podcast is sponsored by Bluesfest Melbourne.

This episode features Steve Earle, who's been a frequent visitor to Australia since the late 80s when he was riding high in the charts with his third album Copperhead Road. Earl didn't release his debut album Guitar Town until he was 27 years old, but he'd already established himself as a noted songwriter in Nashville. By the end of 2022, Steve Earle had released 21 studio albums, many with his long standing band The Dukes. He's also a published author, has appeared in the TV series The Wire, has produced an album by Joan Baez, and also been involved in several stage plays. He's also released tribute albums to some of his key influences, such as Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark and Jerry Jeff Walker, and in 2021 released the album JT - a tribute to his son Justin Townes Earle who died in 2020. Steve will be appearing at Blues Fest in Melbourne along with Lucinda Williams over the Easter weekend, and also at Blues Fest in Byron Bay, plus the Enmore Theatre on April 3. This podcast sponsored by Bluesfest Melbourne.

Mary Coughlan began her recording career in 1985 with the acclaimed album Tired & Emotional. Since then Mary has released another fifteen studio and live albums and has become one of Ireland's most celebrated vocalists. Mary's life – turbulent at times - has been chronicled in the stage play Woman Undone and also in her latest studio album Life Stories, which she will no doubt showcase in her forthcoming appearance at the Port Fairy Folk Festival and other dates, But she is also working on a fascinating new project that she will talk about in this podcast. 

Billy Bragg, the Bard from Barking, is a singer-songwriter and activist renowned for his politically charged lyrics and social commentary. Billy began his career in the early 1980s with the release of his debut album, Life's A Riot with Spy Vs Spy, which featured the hit song "A New England" and established what was to become an abiding interest in politics. Over the years, Billy has released a dozen studio albums, several live albums, and has collaborated with other artists such as Wilco and Joe Henry. He is also a published author with books on Skiffle and politics. In addition to his music career, Bragg has been involved in various political campaigns and social issues. He is known for his passionate performances and dedication to using his platform to promote social justice.  Brian Wise caught up with Billy Bragg to talk about his latest album, recorded and released during the pandemic, The Million Things That Never Happened. (Brian and Billy first spoke in 1984 not long after the release of that first album!). Billy Bragg will be back in Australia in March/April 2023 for a series of special shows including a headline appearance at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. This episode of the Rhythms Podcast is sponsored by The Port Fairy Folk Festival. 

Eric Bibb has the perfect background for a folk/blues musician. His father was the renowned singer Leon Bibb which enabled Eric to mix with some of music's greats - including Bob Dylan - in New York's Greenwich Village scene of the 1960s. Eric has been recording and touring since 1972 but for many years has lived in Sweden which gives him a different perspective on his homeland. His last studio album was Dear America, released in 2021. Eric will be appearing at the Port Fairy Folk Festival, March 10-13, 2023 (portfairyfolkfestival.com) and doing other dates. Check out his touring schedule at .  This Rhythms Podcast is made possible by the Port Fairy Folk Festival - www.portfairyfolkfestival.com.

Guitarist James Calvin Wilsey was   responsible for one of the most memorable song intros of all time on 'Wicked Game' by Chris Isaak; yet Wilsey remains largely unknown. Michael Goldberg sets out to rectify that with his book Wicked Game: The True Story of Guitarist James Calvin Wilsey. In this Rhythms podcast, Goldberg talks to Brian Wise about the book.

Bonnie Raitt talks to Brian Wise about her latest album Just Like That. Bonnie was on the cover of the very first Rhythms magazine back in April 1992 and appeared on the cover of the 30th anniversary edition in May/June 2022. For more information check out rhythms.com.au

Brian Wise talks to Terence Crawford, narrator of the acclaimed play Girl From The North Country, written by Conor McPherson, which opens at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne on April 29 and runs through to June 4. The play, which has already had a season in Sydney, will also be in Canberra from August 25. and in Brisbane at QPAC from September 8.

WILLIAM CRIGHTON discusses his new album, Water & Dust, with Rhythms editor Brian Wise.  

  Brian Wise talks to musician Kerry Tolhurst who played at Sunbury 1972 and 1973 with Greg Quill's Country Radio and then with The Dingoes. Brian also talks to Ken McLeish who attended the first two Sunbury festivals as a punter. We also hear music from SCRA, Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs, Greg Quill and Country Radio and Spectrum.

                            Elvis Costello talks to Rhythms Editor Brian Wise about his new album The Boy Named If (And Other Children's Stories). The album, recorded with members of The Imposters, also comes with an 88-page book of stories and illustrations. This podcast also includes selections of songs from the new album and, at the end, a rarity recorded by a young DP McManus. 

Paul Kelly, who has already written one of the great Christmas-related songs with ‘How To Make Gravy' - talks to Rhythms Editor Brian Wise about his new album Christmas Train - an eclectic mix that includes guests such as Vika and Linda Bull, Dan Kelly, Alice Keath, Lior, Kasey Chambers, Emma Donovan, Marlon Williams, Waleed Aly and more.  

Brian Wise and Stuart Coupe talk to Sylvie Simmons, acclaimed music journalist, author (of the international best seller I'm Your Man:  The Life of Leonard Cohen, amongst others), musician and recording artist.

Tex Perkins talks to Brian Wise about his latest project, The Fat Rubber Band album, that he recorded with Matt Walker and friends. This interview also contains songs from the album and a track from Link Wray's Beans & Fatback album which was one of the inspirations for the Fat Rubber Band project.

Billy Bragg talks about his new album The Million Things That Never Happened in a wide-ranging conversation that includes excerpts from the album and songs associated with the chat. 

Sam Teskey is guitarist, singer, songwriter and engineer in the multi-award winning Teskey Brothers, along with his brother Josh. Sam won the Engineer of the year award at the 2019 ARIA Awards and was also nominated for Grammy. Up to May 2020 it had been an amazing couple of years for the Teskey Brothers – No.1 albums, including a live double album, multiple ARIA Awards, and a huge US tour, including a spot on Jimmy Fallon. Then it all stopped with the pandemic. But Sam used his time to record a solo album, Cycles, influenced, as he will tell you, by Pink Floyd's album Meddle.

Brian Wise and Stuart Coupe talk to Michael Goldberg about Bob Dylan's latest box set Springtime In New York Vol.16 1980 - 1985. You can read Michael's review at: rhythms.com.au

Brian Wise and Michael Goldberg talk to Michael Belfer of The Sleepers and Tuxedo Moon about his memoir When Can I Fly?: The Sleepers, Tuxedomoon & Beyond, written with Will York (on Hozac Books).

Vika & Linda are one of Australia's most loved duos and they have finally released a new studio album of original songs after a 19 year gap! It is aptly titled The Wait. Brian Wise caught up with the singing sisters by Zoom to chat with them about the new album which was released on September 17.

Michael Chugg has been touring local and international artists for decades and knows first hand the effects of the Covid-19 on the music industry. 

Wanita is Australia's self-proclaimed 'Queen of Honky Tonk.' The documentary I Am Wanita, which will be showing at film festivals around Australia, follows her on a trip to Nashville to record an album. (Warning: this conversation does contain occasional strong language). Brian Wise and Stuart Coupe catch up for their regular chat and also talk to Wanita about the documentary and her career. You can check out Rhythms Magazine at rhythms.com.au

Almost 50 years on since the release of his debut solo album, Jackson Browne discusses with Brian Wise his new album Downhill From Everywhere as well as talking about his early career. This extended conversation also includes excerpts from the new album and other eras of Browne's career.   

Brian and Stuart talk to author Barry Divola about his novel Driving Stevie Fracasso. Barry is a renowned music and travel writer and this new novel explores the story of jaded music journalist Rick McLennan who is commissioned to write the story of his ex-rock-star brother, Stevie, and drive him from Austin, Texas, to New York to play one final gig.  You can find a Spotify playlist for the music mentioned at: DRIVING STEVIE FRACASSO MUSIC ON SPOTIFY

                  Brian Wise and Stuart Coupe are joined by Liz Stringer who has just   released her seventh album, First Time Really Feeling, on Milk Records. Liz usually shares her time between Canada and Australia but is currently in Melbourne during the latest lockdown. Liz recently toured with Midnight Oil playing guitar and singing as part of the Makarrata Project ensemble. Liz was named emerging artist of the year in 2019 by the Woodford Folk Festival and was involved in the Dyson-Stringer-Cloher album release and tour.  You can check out Rhythms Magazine at: rhythms.com.au

Brian Wise, Editor of Rhythms, talks to Stuart Coupe about what he has been listening to and then they are joined by Mark Mordue to talk about his recently published and acclaimed biography: Boy On Fire: The Young Nick Cave.

Richard Thompson talks about his memoir Beeswing: Losing My Way and Finding My Voice, 1967-1975. Interview by Rhythms Magazine Editor, Brian Wise

Rickie Lee Jones talks about her fabulous memoir Last   Chance Texaco: Chronicles of a Troubadour.

To celebrate Bob Dylan's 80th birthday Brian talks to Michael Chaiken, curator of thee Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.