Hear 2 Zen Podcast

We have officially hit the big 300!

To celebrate this monumental milestone for The Hear 2 Zen Podcast, we could think of no one better to sit down with than the enigmatic, charismatic, and incredibly talented frontman of Bush, Gavin Rossdale.

From day one, this podcast has been about raw, and real conversations, just music loving people, kicking back and talking about the what we love.

To celebrate 300 episodes, Gavin joins the show to look both backward and forward in an incredibly candid chat. We dive deep into Bush’s powerful tenth studio album, I Beat Loneliness, exploring how its raw themes of mental health, isolation, and resilience have resonated with not just fans, but also Gavin himself a full year out from its release.

Gavin opens up about what it takes to build real band chemistry and the pure magic of breathing new life into these heavy tracks in a live environment. We also take a trip down memory lane to look back at their time down under for the Under The Southern Stars tour, the legendary camaraderie shared between bands on the road, and the hilarious reality of playing massive outdoor shows, complete with stray cows and Porta-loos sitting in the middle of open fields.

Plus, Gavin shares some brilliant everyday cooking tips, looks ahead to Bush's massive upcoming co-headlining tour with Shinedown, reveals a few classic "Spinal Tap" moments on stage, and lets us know if we can expect brand new music sooner rather than later.

Catch this massive rock package hitting venues across Australia and New Zealand this spring!

The tour kicks off over in Auckland on Thursday 17 September at Spark Arena, before crossing the ditch to heat up Brisbane on Sun 20 September at the iconic Riverstage. From there, the noise moves down the east coast to Sydney on Wed 23 September at Hordern Pavilion, followed by a massive Friday night rock show in Melbourne on Fri 25 September at John Cain Arena. 🎸 The bands will then head over to Adelaide on Sun 27 September to play the Entertainment Centre Theatre, before finally wrapping up the entire run out west in Perth on Tue 29 September at the Perth HPC. ⚡

A Massive Thank You to the Zen Tribe: Reaching 300 episodes is an incredible milestone, and it belongs to every single one of you who has tuned in, shared an episode, and joined us on this wild ride since 2018. Your support keeps the amps cranked and the microphones on. Thank you for being the heartbeat of Hear 2 Zen. Trust us when we say, 300 episodes is only the beginning!

Don’t Miss an Episode!

🔗Head to the website for all the info

📺 Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and hit that notification bell so you never miss a legendary interview.

🎧 Listen on the Go: Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all your favorite podcast platforms.

📱 Get Social: Follow the journey by searching Hear 2 Zen on all social media platforms!

#Hear2Zen #Podcast300 #GavinRossdale #BushBand #IBeatLoneliness #Shinedown #UnderTheSouthernStars #RockPodcast #LiveMusic #AlternativeRock #HeavyRock #MusicJournalism #PodcastMilestone #NewMusic

Welcome to Episode 299 of the Hear 2 Zen Podcast!
In this massive episode, we are diving deep into the weird, wonderful, and heavily layered world of the Pusciverse. We are joined by the incredible Mat Mitchell and Carina Round of Puscifer to unpack their stunning latest album, Normal Isn't, and look ahead to their highly anticipated December 2026 tour down under supporting A Perfect Circle.
Puscifer, the electro-rock powerhouse consisting of Maynard James Keenan, Mat Mitchell, and Carina Round has spent nearly two decades defying genres. Known for seamlessly blending dark electronic textures, post-punk atmospherics, and deeply theatrical storytelling, the band has created a 21st-century freak show where anything goes, everyone is welcome, and nothing is off-limits. Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and listen in as we talk personal evolution, the fine line between absolute absurdity and devastating sincerity, and what to expect when this chaotic live experience lands on Australian and New Zealand shores this December.

We talk

The Evolution of the Pusciverse: Mat and Carina share their personal journeys within the band over the years. They discuss how the project has morphed from a loose, revolving door of brilliant collaborators (including Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Sarah Jones, and even actors like Bob Odenkirk) into a finely-tuned, tight-knit creative nucleus.

Vulnerability in the Writing Process: Is it hard to let your guard down when writing for a project as complex as Puscifer? Carina and Mat pull back the curtain on their studio dynamic, exploring how they build trust to create music that is intensely vulnerable yet sonically aggressive. Balancing Gravity with "Bunghole": One of the most fascinating aspects of Puscifer is their ability to juxtapose deep, existential angst with pure absurdity. We talk about the literal bucket list challenge of keeping a track serious while inserting words like "bunghole" (look out for the track "Self Evident" on the new record!).

The Anatomy of Comedy: Humor is a permanent pillar of the Puscifer universe—evident in characters like Billy D, Hildy, Major Douche, and the new additions, Bellendia Black and Fanny Grey. Mat and Carina reveal their favorite comedians and break down what they believe makes a truly great comic mind.

Commanding the Stage: When it comes to bringing this wild, theatrical multi-media circus to life on stage, who steers the ship? The duo breaks down the primary leads in production and how they construct their singular, immersive live experience.
A PERFECT CIRCLE & PUSCIFER – AUS/NZ 2026 TOUR DATES:
🎟️ Fri 4 Dec – The Drive, Adelaide 🎟️ Sun 6 Dec – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne 🎟️ Tue 8 Dec – Riverstage, Brisbane 🎟️ Thu 10 Dec – Carriageworks, Sydney (NEW SHOW ADDED) 🎟️ Fri 11 Dec – TikTok Entertainment Centre, Sydney 🎟️ Sun 13 Dec – Spark Arena, Auckland

Get your tickets before they're gone! See ya in the front row. 🔥

Don’t Miss an Episode!

📺 Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and hit that notification bell so you never miss a legendary interview.

🎧 Listen on the Go: Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all your favorite podcast platforms.

📱 Get Social: Follow the journey by searching Hear 2 Zen on all social media platforms!

#Hear2Zen #Podcast #Puscifer #MatMitchell #CarinaRound #NormalIsnt #APerfectCircle #MaynardJamesKeenan #LiveMusicAus #ConcertPhotography #NewMusic #AlternativeRock #IndustrialGroove #Hear2ZenPodcast

Australia’s premier high-voltage rock ‘n’ roll export, Airbourne, have never been a band to do things by halves. On their upcoming self-titled sixth studio album, dropping August 28th via Spinefarm Records, they have completely outdone themselves.

In this episode of the Hear 2 Zen Podcast, front-man Joel O'Keeffe stops by for a massive chat about the new record, which channels the immortal spirit of rock ‘n’ roll, and maps out their massive upcoming Australian tour supporting the legendary Guns N' Roses later this year.

To capture the true, sweat-soaked danger of their live sound, the band knuckled down at the Music Farm Studio in the Byron Bay jungle. They tracked the record on a piece of pure Australian music history: the original Neve console from Alberts Studios, the very desk used by AC/DC, The Angels, and Rose Tattoo to shape the bedrock of Aussie hard rock.

Joel dives deep into the making of the album, detailing their work with a powerhouse production squad: producer Brian Howes, legendary engineer Mike Fraser, and mix master Zakk Cervini. We trace the heavy Canadian studio influence, paying homage to the iconic "Little Mountain Sound" that helped give this record its buzzsaw guitars and cannon-blast drums.

Beyond the technical gear, Joel opens up about the emotional core of the new music. Tracks like "Alive After Death" and "Send Me To Rock 'N' Roll Heaven" serve as roaring tributes to fallen idols like Lemmy, Bon Scott, and Doc Neeson. And, because it wouldn't be an Airbourne chat without it, we also break down the importance of a freezing cold, top-tier beer.

Grab a cold one, crank the volume, and join us for an absolute barnstormer of an interview!

1. Gutsy

2. Alive After Death (Last Plane Out)

3. Here She Comes

4. Kid In A Candy Store

5. Sky High

6. Who Put The Rhythm In You?

7. Christmas Bonus

8. Last Man Standing

9. Rock 'N' Roll Ya

10. Bogotá

11. Hell's Got No Vacancy

12. Send Me To Rock 'N' Roll Heaven

📺 Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and hit that notification bell so you never miss a legendary interview. 

🎧 Listen on the Go: Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all your favorite podcast platforms. 

📱 Get Social: Follow the journey by searching Hear 2 Zen on all social media platforms!

Airbourne (Self-Titled) Tracklist:Don’t Miss an Episode!

Out of the ruins of the past, something massive has risen. 💥 On Episode 297 of the Hear 2 Zen Podcast, we are joined by the incredible Grace Pasturini (Lilith), vocalist for the international cinematic metal project VINDICTA!

Before they descend down under this June for their first-ever global live performances, Grace sits down to open up about moving past the pain of industry turmoil, reclaiming absolute creative freedom, and building an ambitious new chapter from the ground up.

We dive deep into their debut single “The Face of the Clown,” what to expect from their highly atmospheric, theatrical live show, and the writing process behind their upcoming music. This is a story of rebirth, resilience, and pure heavy metal ambition. 🎧🤘

Australia, you are the first in the world to witness this ritual live next week. Don't sleep on these dates!

🗓️ VINDICTA – The Reckoning Australian Tour 2026:

⚡ Wed 24th June – ADELAIDE, The Gov (w/ Spectral Dominion)

⚡ Thu 25th June – MELBOURNE, Max Watts (w/ Bulletbelt)

⚡ Sat 27th June – SYDNEY, Crowbar (w/ Noveaux)

⚡ Sun 28th June – BRISBANE, Crowbar (w/ Terror Parade)

📺 Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and hit that notification bell so you never miss a legendary interview. 

🎧 Listen on the Go: Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all your favorite podcast platforms. 

📱 Get Social: Follow the journey by searching Hear 2 Zen on all social media platforms!

Hashtags:

#Hear2Zen #Hear2ZenPodcast #MusicJournalism #Vindicta #GracePasturini #Lilith #TheFaceOfTheClown #CinematicMetal #ModernMetal #WomenInMetal #HeavyMetal #MetalInterview #AustralianMetalTour #HardlineMedia #TheReckoningTour #AdelaideGigs #MelbourneMusic #SydneyMetal #BrisbaneLiveMusic #NewMetal2026

Don’t Miss an Episode!

What happens when you walk away from an award-winning, international hairdressing career in the UK to chase a teenage dream? If you’re Amy Russell, you trade the scissors for a camera body and end up jet-setting across the globe to document rock royalty. But her latest adventure, crossing the equator to serve as the official touring photographer and content creator for American pop-punk titans Bowling For Soup during their Australian run, is the kind of surreal, rock 'n' roll folklore that sounds almost too good to be true, and Amy is our guest for Episode 296 of The Hear 2 Zen Podcast.

This isn't just a gig; it's the ultimate fan-to-inner-circle evolution. Amy has been a die-hard BFS devotee since the early 2000s. By relentlessly backing her own creative vision, she didn't just get into the photo pit, she earned family status with the very band that soundtracked her youth. Now a permanent fixture in the BFS camp, her undeniable talent is evident in every high-octane frame she shoots, matched only by the deep, hilarious, and wholesome mutual respect shared between her and the band both on stage and behind the scenes.

Fresh off capturing the chaos of their massive Australian co-headlining tour alongside Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls and local legends Talk Heavy, Amy’s fairytale trajectory is officially in overdrive. While she modestly chalks up her ongoing adventures to "a lot of luck," make no mistake: you don't get this far by accident. From a massive career pivot and pulling double duty on merch, to navigating onstage fart jokes and unforgettable fan interactions, this is the definitive insider look at how a super-fan became an indispensable part of the touring machine.

In This Episode, We Dive Into:

The Origin Story: How Amy officially made the leap and cut her teeth in the photography world.

The View From the Stage: What it's really like sharing the stage with the BFS lunacy night after night.

Chaos & Carnage: Onstage mishaps, accidents, and the unpredictable nature of live rock shows.

The Famous BFS Bar: The stories behind the most iconic onstage watering hole in music.

The Perfect Frame: Amy’s absolute favorite venues to shoot in.

Beyond the Soup: The other incredible bands she loves collaborating with.

Don’t Miss an Episode!

📺 Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and hit that notification bell so you never miss a legendary interview.

🎧 Listen on the Go: Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all your favorite podcast platforms.

📱 Get Social: Follow the journey by searching Hear 2 Zen on all social media platforms!

#Hear2Zen #Podcast #AmyRussell Photography #BowlingForSoup #BFS #LiveMusicPhotography #ConcertPhotographer #MusicJournalism #TourLife #FrankTurner #TalkHeavy #FromFanToPhotographer #rockphotography

He’s back! On this episode of the Hear 2 Zen Podcast, we are thrilled to welcome back the powerhouse vocalist and former INXS frontman, JD Fortune. Fresh off the announcement of his highly anticipated October 2026 Australian tour, JD sits down with us for a deep, unfiltered conversation that spans his past, present, and future in rock 'n' roll.

We dive straight into the massive news surrounding the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination and what it means for the enduring legacy of INXS. JD also takes us behind the glass to look back at the studio production of the 2005 album Switch, sharing rare insights into the creation of the tracks, the bonus material, and the remixes that fans still obsess over.

Plus, we get a nostalgic look into his pre-fame days with his old band JUICe, and he pulls back the curtain on the reality TV machine, revealing exactly how creative editing is used to manufacture drama for the cameras. Finally, with an explosive Australian tour on the horizon this October, JD gives us a taste of what to expect from a live set packed with iconic anthems. Whether you're a die-hard INXS fan or a lover of pure rock history, this is an episode you cannot miss.

JD FORTUNE October 2026 Australian Tour Dates

Thursday 1ST October QUEANBEYAN, The B

Friday 2nd October THIRROUL, Anita’s Theater

Saturday 3rd October MARICKVILLE, Factory Theatre

Wednesday 7th October, NEWCASTLE, Nex Newcastle

Friday 9th October, TWEED HEADS, Twin Towns

Saturday 10th October, BRISBANE, The Triffid

Friday 16th October, DONCASTER, Shoppingtown Hotel

Saturday 17th October, MELBOURNE, Max Watts

Tuesday 20th October ADELAIDE, The Gov

Saturday 23rd October PERTH, Astor Theatre

Don’t Miss an Episode!

📺 Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and hit that notification bell so you never miss a legendary interview.

🎧 Listen on the Go: Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all your favorite podcast platforms.

📱 Get Social: Follow the journey by searching Hear 2 Zen on all social media platforms!

#Hear2Zen #Hear2ZenPodcast #JDFortune #INXS #RockStarINXS #SwitchAlbum #PrettyVegas #DevilsParty #INXSFans #LiveMusicAustralia #AusTour2026 #ClassicRock #RockPodcast #MusicJournalism #NewEpisode #BrisbaneMusic #TheTriffid #MaxWatts #TheGov #AstorTheatre #AnitasTheatre #FactoryTheatre

Welcome to Episode 294 of the Hear 2 Zen Podcast! On this episode, we are catching up with one of the hardest-working, most versatile guitarists in modern rock today, Sam "Bam" Koltun.

Currently holding down guitar duties for rock titans Godsmack, Sam checked in from home during a brief, well-deserved breather between Leg 1 and Leg 2 of their massive world tour. We dive deep into his incredible musical journey, tracing his steps from a rock-obsessed kid in the Midwest to commanding arena stages worldwide.

We map out his entire trajectory: growing up in St. Louis, making the definitive leap to Los Angeles to study at MIT, and paying his dues in the trenches of the legendary LA jam night circuit. Sam opens up about getting down and dirty on the road with sleaze rock royalty Faster Pussycat, pulling double duty during his stellar stint with Dorothy, and the unforgettable moment he got the definitive "big call-up" to join Godsmack.

We also get into some serious gear talk about his undying love for the classic Gibson Les Paul, and Sam shares his essential, real-world advice on what it actually takes to survive and thrive on the road. Grab a drink, crank the volume, and join the congregation for an absolute masterclass in rock 'n' roll work ethic!

Don’t Miss an Episode!

📺 Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and hit that notification bell so you never miss a legendary interview. 

🎧 Listen on the Go: Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all your favorite podcast platforms. 

📱 Get Social: Follow the journey by searching Hear 2 Zen on all social media platforms!

#Hear2Zen #Hear2ZenPodcast #SamBamKoltun #Godsmack #FasterPussycat #Dorothy #GibsonLesPaul #LesPaul #Guitarist #RockPodcast #LiveMusic #MusicJournalism #LAJamScene #RockGuitarist #NewEpisode #PodcastLife

Episode 293: The Ultimate Good Things 2026 Lineup Speculation Spectacular

The heavy music festival season is officially cooking. With the Good Things Festival 2026 dates locked in for December, the number one question flooding every metalhead's inbox and DM feed is glaringly obvious: Where is the lineup?

While the festival team is busy putting the final pieces of the puzzle together behind the scenes, we couldn't wait any longer. For Episode 293 of the Hear 2 Zen Podcast, we are breaking new ground with our first-ever cross-podcast collaboration. We’ve joined forces with our longtime brother-in-arms, Troy from the incredible May The Rock Be With You.

Troy and I have been friends for over 20 years, cutting our teeth and working within the music business together, but we have never actually done a formal collab. When those December dates dropped, it felt like the absolute perfect opportunity to sit down, fire up the microphones, and talk some heavy music folklore.

What’s Packed Into This Episode:

• The Headliner & Lineup Predictions: We put our reputations on the line and map out exactly who we think will be topping the bill and filling out the main stages this December.

• The "Cross 'Em Off" List: The rumor mill has been spinning out of control. We play executioner and rule out a bunch of highly requested bands, breaking down the cold hard scheduling conflicts and tour data as to why they won’t be hitting the East Coast.

• The Wildcards: We both bring an Australian and an International wildcard artist to the table, the kind of left-field bookings that would completely steal the weekend.

• The Ultimate 80s Fantasy Bill: To top it all off, we indulge our inner old-school rock purists and curate a dream-scenario Good Things Festival made up entirely of legendary 80s rock and metal bands.

This episode was an absolute blast to record, and it marks the first of many joint ventures between Hear 2 Zen and May The Rock Be With You.

Official Festival Update: The July Intel

If you are losing your mind waiting for the official bill, don't panic. The Good Things team has confirmed they've been working on this massive, multi-city beast since well before last year’s gates even closed.

To keep the community in the loop, they have committed to a major update dropping in the first week of July. Keep your eyes glued to their socials, because they’ll be launching an official “Guess the Lineup Drop Date” competition to see who can precisely predict when music festival Christmas lands, complete with killer prizes.

Until then, block out your calendars for the biggest weekend of the year:

• Friday, 4th December: Melbourne

• Saturday, 5th December: Sydney

• Sunday, 6th December: Brisbane

Listen to Episode 293 now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your go-to podcast platform. Make sure to follow both Hear 2 Zen and May The Rock Be With You on all social channels so you don't miss a single beat.

📺 Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and hit that notification bell so you never miss a legendary interview. 

🎧 Listen on the Go: Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all your favorite podcast platforms. 

Don’t Miss an Episode!📱 Get Social: Follow the journey by searching Hear 2 Zen on all social media platforms!

The internet loves to hate a "nepo baby," but are we throwing the baby out with the bathwater?

On Episode 292 of the Hear 2 Zen Podcast, we are diving deep into Stanley Simmons , the brand-new project from Evan Stanley and Nick Simmons. Yes, those last names. The sons of Kiss co-founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons have teamed up, and the internet comments section has some serious thoughts. From their accidental garage origins to working with legendary producer Rob Cavallo, we break down their history and review their four stellar singles: "Body Down," "Dancing While The World Is Ending," "Temporary Love," and the brand-new psychedelic trip "Cellophane."

We are also putting YOUR comments up on the screen during the episode to show exactly what the rock community is saying.

WE WANT TO KNOW: Does Stanley Simmons deserve the pre-emptive internet hate just because of who their famous fathers are? Or does the music stand entirely on its own merits?Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and we might feature you on the next segment!

Don’t Miss an Episode!

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and hit that notification bell so you never miss a legendary interview.

Listen on the Go: Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all your favorite podcast platforms.

Get Social: Follow the journey by searching Hear 2 Zen on all social media platforms!#Hear2Zen #Hear2ZenPodcast #StanleySimmons #EvanStanley #NickSimmons #NewMusic2026 #FolkRock #PsychedelicPop #DancingWhileTheWorldIsEnding #KISSArmy #RockHistory #MusicJournalism #SupportNewMusic #RockPodcast

In this episode, we are joined by Australian rock royalty: John Brewster. As a founding member of The Angels, John has been at the epicenter of the pub rock movement that defined a nation’s sound.

With the band hitting the road this June to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their debut track, Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again, we dive deep into the legacy of a song that has evolved from a folk-tinged ballad into a multi-generational cultural anthem.

We chat about 🤘 "Brotherhood" with Rick, the unique energy of touring with his sons,

🤘 The high-stakes pressure of working with legendary producers Vanda & Young.

🤘A potential collaborations with Slash

🤘 Which classic Angels record John is itching to get back into the studio to remix.

🤘 How Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again transcended generations and became an indelible part of Australian culture.

🤘 The Low End: Leaning on the expertise of some of Australia’s most iconic bass players throughout the band’s tenure.

Don’t Miss an Episode!

📺 Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and hit that notification bell so you never miss a legendary interview.

🎧 Listen on the Go: Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all your favorite podcast platforms.

📱 Get Social: Follow the journey by searching Hear 2 Zen on all social media platforms!

#TheAngels #JohnBrewster #Hear2Zen #AussieRock #AmIEverGonnaSeeYourFaceAgain #PubRock #LiveMusicAustralia #Podcast #MusicJournalism #rocklegends