Megan Burslem is an engaging storyteller who shares her journey from a young musician to PhD and now radio host with ABC Classic.

Dr. Megan Burslem is a violist, educator, and researcher who is leading the charge in fresh conversations about music in the contemporary landscape. Megan is a radio presenter and host of Classic Breakfast on ABC Classic. In previous years, she hosted Mornings on ABC Jazz and Classic Drive on ABC Classic.

We touch on various topics, including school music programs, tertiary music education, gender and music, musicology, practice, composers, finding her niche, life, conversations, music history and tradition, exploring the ABC music library, Australian composers, the audience, listening to unfamiliar music, curating music as a presenter, working with a producer, creating authentic art, valuing music, film and video game music, and music as a trade. It was a great time, and I’m grateful to have been hosted by Megan to continue the value of in-person conversations.

Visit our website for the list of Megan’s 10 favourite female composers at the moment, links to her radio show and engaging instagram account:

aredrummersmusicians.com/conversations/meganburselm

Ann Blackburn is our special guest this week, a full-time oboist with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO).

Ann was very generous to share so much with us, and I learnt a lot in this conversation. We dive further into the classic music scene as Ann shares about life as an orchestral musician, its pros and cons, practice and performances, ‘winning a job’, study, comradery, and even reed-making.

Ann has had a prolific career, performing with essentially all major Australian professional orchestras, the Australian and Victorian Operas, and worked internationally with orchestras and her chamber group, including in Germany, New Zealand and Malaysia. She has held the second oboe chair with the MSO since 2013.

For more information and links to videos of Ann teaching reed making basics and playing, visit our website:

https://www.aredrummersmusicians.com/conversations/annblackburn

This is a fun and philosophical chat with composer and piano accompanist Tim Mallis, as we dive into his experiences, perspectives and unique roles. Tim draws on his various experiences with the Australian and Victorian Operas, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Australian Boys Choir, and work as a freelance accompanist and composer to ask and answer many, many questions;

What is AI doing to the music industry? What does a surtitlist do at the opera? Do you think about the audience when you make music? How much influence does an accompanist have? Do fish actually dream because their eyes don’t blink? Listen to find out more.

Visit our website for links to Tim's website, music, videos, pictures and more here:

https://www.aredrummersmusicians.com/conversations/timmallis

Full of life, laughs and wisdom, this chat with singer, DJ and producer Amber Ferraro was a great time! She’s doing great things as lead vocalist of her band, Honey, and with the Sunshine and Disco Faith Choir, and rapidly reached success as a DJ, with a regular local residency at One Six One nightclub and performances supporting international acts including Luuk Van Dyke, Kolter, and DJ Koze. Join us as we chat about her music, recordings, performances, bands, DJing, and creating a special experience with Crozier called Silhouette.

For music, photos, clips and more about Amber, head to our webiste:

https://www.aredrummersmusicians.com/conversations/amberferraro

This week we are speaking with Peter Carolane; keys and organ player, session musician, bandleader and co-founder of new record label, North Fitzroy Records. We chat about lots, from Peter’s journey with music, life at the Melbourne Con in the 90s, performance and academic pursuits, playing contemporary music and developing a passion for recording and production. This was a fun chat with Peter before he went on a short tour of China and Japan with Tamas Wells, and we got to chat about the records he’s been making with his band The Anti-Fall Movement too.

For pictures, links, music, and more, head to our website:

https://www.aredrummersmusicians.com/conversations/petercarolane

Join us for a chat with Elliot Lamb - a talented trombonist, vocalist, and composer. We cover a lot of ground, discussing their journey with music, developing a sound and place in the local scene, co-running the Jazzlab Orchestra, getting commissioned for a composition and the struggles and triumphs that process which led to their suite, ‘Between Worlds.’ Ellie is a regular presence in the local jazz scene as well as having performed at all major jazz festivals here and worked in various jazz-adjacent and contemporary music contexts. An old friend and special human, I had a great time catching up with them and hope you enjoy this conversation too.

For links to their music and instagram, visit out website here.

Join us today as we sit down with singer and guitarist Paul Davies. We quickly dive into a gear chat rabbit hole, where Paul shares his passion for vintage Gibson guitars, details his quest for the perfect instrument, and provides a comprehensive rig rundown.

Alongside gear talk, Paul discusses his musical fulfilment, various projects, and collaborations. He also highlights his recent venture, Music Legends Productions —a tribute act dedicated to music icons—that has been captivating audiences and selling out performances. We'll delve into their past successes and look ahead to upcoming shows.

For more details, links and videos of Paul, head to our website:

https://www.aredrummersmusicians.com/conversations/pauldavies

There were lots of laughs this week on the podcast with emerging drummer, Jude Harris. They discuss his influences, studying at the VCA, bands, studio work, and even his recent adventure being the drum technician (‘drum tech’) for the legendary Graham Bidstrup (‘Buzz’) from GANGgajang. Don’t miss this deep dive into the journey of a young musician navigating the vibrant Melbourne/Naarm music scene and beyond.

For more information visit our website:

https://www.aredrummersmusicians.com/interviews/judeharris