Gavin Wood's Podcast

Jane Gazzo is an Australian radio and television presenter, performance and club DJ, television personality, voice artist, author, and music journalist.

It was in her mature teenage years that she joined 3RRR Radio in Melbourne, presenting a Sunday afternoon (4pm-7pm) new music show called Calamity. She also began contributing stories to the UK's Q magazine and Dolly Australia under the name Calamity Jane.[citation needed]

She later became well known as a result of her national radio and TV shows, including Triple J radio's Super Request and ABC Television's live three-hour Saturday morning program, Recovery. It was on this TV show that she interviewed some of the world's biggest international bands as they toured Australia.[citation needed]

In 1992, Gazzo formed a punk band, "Rubher", as lead singer. They released 2 EPs through Mushroom Records before disbanding in 1996. In May 2018, Jane reformed the group for a one-off show with The Mavis's.

In 1998, she recorded with Australian band Underground Lovers, under the Japanese pseudonym "Mitsuame"; covering Can's 1976 song "I Want More" (from their album, 

Gazzo relocated to London, England in 1999, sharing a flat with The Prodigy founding member and former dancer Sharky. In London, she first worked at numerous jobs, including a summer at the Rough Trade record shop, promotions at Virgin Records and DJ'ing at Alan McGee's Death Disco.[citation needed]

In 2000 she became a presenter on the London radio station XFM (Weekend Breakfast). Her time there included a three-week stint producing Russell Brand on-air before he was sacked by the station for bringing in a homeless man.[9] She later joined its parent station Capital FM, presenting the Capital Top 30 Album Chart Show and The Rock Show.

Gazzo made her UK Television debut in 2001 presenting an eight-part music series called "Play Loud" on BBC TV channel Play UK.[10][11]

In 2001 she also briefly worked for Courtney Love, sharing a London house with the former Hole lead singer.

Her presenting work has also led to involvement with charities. In February 2006 she hosted the first ever Cancer Research UK "Rock Memorabilia" auction at Abbey Road Studios, helping to raise £130,000.[13]

She joined BBC Radio 6 Music in 2002, and presented Jane Gazzo's Dream Ticket[14] from June 2004 to September 2005, as well as other BBC Radio 6 Music shows and specials.

In 2006 Gazzo presented pre-recorded music shows on VH-2 TV in the UK as well as the "Download" in-flight radio show on Emirates Airlines (described as "the best modern rock and alternative from some of today's top bands"[16]).In January 2007 she joined Rockworld TV, presenting and interviewing various artists.[citation needed]

She also DJ'd at various festivals and venues around the UK including All Tomorrow's Parties music festival in Camber Sands as well as Death Disco, Camden Lock, Keston Lodge, Latitude Festival and Defectors Weld venues in London.[citation needed]

In May 2007 Jane returned to Australia to join Foxtel music Channel V as daily presenter and VJ. She co-hosted the whatUwant daily request show, as well as artist and festival specials. Her first major broadcast for Channel [V] was presenting the network's Live Earth coverage from Sydney Football Stadium on 7 July 2007. She has also presented from the Homebake festival, Splendour in the Grass, the ARIA Awards red carpet, Sound Relief and the Big Day Out.[citation needed]

From late 2010, Jane became a co-host on Channel [V]'s The Riff. She shared the presentation job with Danny Clayton, Billy Russell and Kyle Linahan (later replaced by Carrissa Walford.) The programme was broadcast weekly on Saturday mornings.She also hosted the daily music news programme "WTF" three times a week.

In June 2012, Gazzo moved to Max, a 24-hour music platform on Foxtel as a full-time host and VJ, presenting countdowns and interviews.

In February 2015, Jane became morning presenter on Triple M in Melbourne.She also hosted the national Australian music show "Homegrown" and the syndicated celebrity show "My Generation". After 3 years, Gazzo left the station to concentrate on freelancing media work.

In August 2019, Jane was chosen as the opening DJ for Hugh Jackman, on the Melbourne leg of his Australian concerts at Rod Laver Arena, playing six shows as his main support act.

In 2020, Jane hosted weekly music program The Sound on the ABC under the tutelage of the late Michael Gudinski.

On this episode of Gavin Wood’s Countdown podcast, guest host Lee Simon catches up with iconic Australian singer-songwriter, Kasey Chambers.

Kasey Chambers is one of Australia’s most beloved country music artists, with a career spanning over two decades. Her debut solo album, The Captain (1999), catapulted her to fame, earning her widespread acclaim and multiple ARIA Awards.

Known for her raw, emotional song writing and distinctive voice, Kasey has released a string of hits, including Not Pretty Enough, Pony, and True Colours, solidifying her status as a leading figure in the country and roots music scene.

With over 14 studio albums and numerous accolades to her name, including being inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, Kasey continues to tour and create music that resonates deeply with fans around the world. Her music blends elements of country, folk, and rock, touching on personal experiences, relationships, and social themes.

25 years into her solo career and Kasey is still sharing her story, publishing her second book and releasing a new album, Backbone, which Kasey will take on tour next year.

Listen to the podcast now to hear Lee Simon and Kasey Chambers discuss her incredible career, influences.

On this episode of Gavin Wood’s Countdown podcast, Gavin catches up with Australian record company legend – Bill Duff.

With a career spanning decades, Bill Duff is a true icon of the Australian music industry. His contributions to record companies and artist development have left an indelible mark on the landscape of Australian music. Bill worked behind the scenes with major artists, helping to shape the careers of some of the most successful musicians in the country and abroad, including Elton John, Cat Stevens, and Skyhooks.

From discovering new talent to managing the intricacies of the recording business, Bill’s influence has been felt far and wide. His passion for music and dedication to nurturing home-grown talent has made him a beloved figure within the industry, and his insights continue to resonate with both artists and executives.

Listen to the podcast now to hear Gavin and Bill’s chat about his incredible journey through the highs and lows of the music business:

Boyzlife, the musical supergroup formed by Brian McFadden of Westlife and Keith Duffy of Boyzone, are thrilled to announce their upcoming tour to Australia and New Zealand in 2025.

Brian Nicholas McFadden (born 12 April 1980) is an Irish pop singer and television presenter. He rose to fame in 1998 as a member of the Irish boy band Westlife. Following his departure from the group in 2004, McFadden released his debut solo album, Irish Son. He has since released four studio albums: Set in Stone, Wall of Soundz, The Irish Connection, and Otis.

Keith Peter Thomas Francis Julian John Duffy (born 1 October 1974) is an Irish singer, actor, radio and television presenter and drummer who began his professional music career as part of Irish boy band Boyzone alongside Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Stephen Gately in 1993. The band decided to focus on solo projects in 2000 since which Duffy has taken acting roles in soap operas such as Coronation Street and Fair City. He has also presented The Box and You're a Star.

Duffy has been an autism awareness campaigner since his daughter was diagnosed with the condition at age 18 months, and acts as the patron for Irish Autism Action holding regular fundraising events and informational talks.

Duffy was the winner on the British reality series The Door in 2010 and came third in the first series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2001, and in the second series of Splash! in 2014

Melissa Morrison Higgins (born 19 August 1983), stage name Missy Higgins, is an Australian singer-songwriter and musician. Her Australian number-one albums are The Sound of White (2004), On a Clear Night (2007) and The Ol' Razzle Dazzle (2012), and her singles include "Scar", "Steer" and "Where I Stood". Higgins was nominated for five ARIA Music Awards in 2004 and won 'Best Pop Release' for "Scar". In 2005, she was nominated for seven more awards and won five. Higgins won her seventh ARIA in 2007. Her third album, The Ol' Razzle Dazzle, was released in Australia in June 2012 (July 2012 in the US). As of August 2014, Higgins's first three studio albums had sold over one million units.[1]

Higgins's fourth studio album, Oz, was released in September 2014 and consists of cover versions of Australian composers, as well as a book of related essays.

Alongside her music career, Higgins pursues interests in animal rights and the environment, endeavouring to make her tours carbon neutral. In 2010 she made her acting debut in the feature film Bran Nue Dae and also performed on its soundtrack.

Darren Stanley Hayes (born 8 May 1972) is an Australian singer, songwriter, music producer and composer. He was the frontman and singer of the pop duo Savage Garden until their disbandment. Their 1997 album Savage Garden peaked at number 1 in Australia, number 2 in the United Kingdom and number 3 in the United States. It spawned the singles "I Want You", "To the Moon and Back", and Australian and US number 1 "Truly Madly Deeply". The duo followed the success of their debut album with Affirmation (1999), which provided additional hits such as Australian and US number 1 "I Knew I Loved You", and Australian number 3 "The Animal Song". Savage Garden parted ways in 2001.

Hayes released his first solo album Spin in 2002. The album sold two million copies worldwide, debuted at Number 2 in the UK and number 3 in Australia. It delivered the hit single "Insatiable". Hayes's second album, The Tension and the Spark, preceded by single "Pop!ular", was released in 2004. Hayes parted ways with his record label Columbia Records in 2006 and started his own independent record label, Powdered Sugar, from which he would release his third and fourth solo albums, 2007's double-album This Delicate Thing We've Made and 2011's Secret Codes and Battleships. After a decade-long hiatus, Hayes returned in 2022 with his fifth studio album; Homosexual, which was released in October 2022, spawned the singles "Let's Try Being in Love", "Do You Remember?", "Poison Blood", "All You Pretty Things" and "Feels Like It's Over". Hayes' autobiography is due for publication by Penguin Books in 2024.

In 1970, Brewster, with his brother Rick Brewster and Doc Neeson, formed Moonshine Jug & String Band in Adelaide, the band evolved into The Keystone Angels in 1973 An appearance at the 1975 Sunbury Pop Festival, resulted in touring with AC/DC, and with Chuck Berry as his backing band. By the end of 1975 they become The Angels. Other members included Chris Bailey on bass guitar. Brewster left the band and joined The Party Boys in February 1986. He remained with The Party Boys until mid-1989, before teaming up with his friend, Alan Lancaster to form The Bombers.