Katie shares more about her time at the 2026 National Folk Festival, as well as some experiences she has had at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival. She plays a track from the important new album from War Child Records, and new songs by local and international artists. Here is the playlist:

Above: Sarah Carroll’s Get Low EP cover design by Sarah and Ricky Carroll, photo by Leigh Ivin

The post Imaginary friend – Show #386 (part 2), 12 April 2026 appeared first on Miss Chatelaine.

Katie recaps the 2026 National Folk Festival, which she attended last week in Canberra. She was particularly interested in the new Australian organisation Folk the System, which describes itself as “a space for folk musicians and activists to connect and organise for positive change and resistance”, and which hosted a number of events during the festival. Meanwhile, the fabulous new albums and EPs keep on coming, and Katie plays tracks from a number of them in this hour. Here is the playlist:

Above: Shane O’Mara & Jac Tonks’ Sorrow Hides the Longing to Be Free album cover artwork by Kate Reid

The post Tell me what is true love – Show #386 (part 1), 12 April 2026 appeared first on Miss Chatelaine.

Another hour of fabulous new releases, including by queer artists Will Edgar and Brandi Carlile, Victorian Surf Coast singer-songwriter and producer Melody Moon, Miss Chat favourite Jack Carty, and 83-year-old Australian folk legend Dave de Hugard. There’s also a tune by Narrm-based artist moonsea with one of the best song titles ever! Here is the playlist:

Above: Will Edgar’s ‘Hold You Close’ single cover by Hazal Alakus

The post Hold you close – Show #385 (part 2), 29 March 2026 appeared first on Miss Chatelaine.

Today’s first hour features songs about storms, relationship conflicts, how the past intrudes into the present, the importance of community, unrequited love, losing a loved one to Alzheimer’s, and more. The artists are from Melbourne, Ballarat, Daylesford, Gippsland, Fremantle and the USA. Here is the playlist:

Above: Chloe Violette’s Colourfast album cover photo by Emily Dynes

The post Beginnings – Show #385 (part 1), 29 March 2026 appeared first on Miss Chatelaine.

Katie spends an hour in the JOY studio with the grande dame of Australian folk music, queer icon Judy Small AM. As well as being a celebrated singer-songwriter, Judy is a former judge of the Federal Circuit Court and former chair of the Midsumma Festival Board. Judy and Katie talk about Judy’s recent announcement on her Facebook page that she has been diagnosed with Lewy body disease, a neurodegenerative disease, and the outpouring of love and support that followed. Judy has worked with renowned local folk historian and singer-songwriter Ruth Hazleton to record and release two songs that were written in 2013; Ruth is also in the studio to talk about the process. The songs receive their world-premiere plays during the show. Judy chooses a couple of songs by artists she loves and shares memories from her career. It’s an hour filled with music, love and laughter! Here is the playlist:

Visit Judy Small’s official website and follow her on Facebook and find her music at Bandcamp.

Above: Photo of Judy and Katie by Betty Sujecki

The post Judy Small – Show #384 (part 2), 22 March 2026 appeared first on Miss Chatelaine.

Katie plays exceptional new releases by artists based in Aotearoa/New Zealand, England, Narrm/Melbourne, Sydney, the NSW Northern Rivers, the Gold Coast, and Fort Worth, Texas. She also tells a story about encountering a fellow JOY presenter In the wild during the week! Here is the playlist:

Above: Cooee’s Messengers album cover art by Kirli Saunders and Mark Chester Harding

The post Downstream – Show #384 (part 1), 22 March 2026 appeared first on Miss Chatelaine.

Katie talks to Irish singer-songwriter Gráinne Hunt and US drummer and singer Jules Stewart, partners in life and love, in the JOY studio at the beginning of their Australian tour. The chat covers how Gráinne and Jules met, the difference between traditional Irish folk music and what is called ‘nu-folk’, Gráinne and Jules’s friendship with Australian lesbian duo and Miss Chat favourites Great Aunt, and more. Gráinne and Jules also play a song live in the studio! Here is the playlist:

Visit Gráinne Hunt’s official website, follow her on Facebook and Instagram, and find her music and merch at Bandcamp. Jules Stewart has a website too, and you can also follow her on Instagram.

Above: Photo of Gráinne, Katie and Jules by Elliot Attard

The post Gráinne Hunt and Jules Stewart – Show #383 (part 2), 15 March 2026 appeared first on Miss Chatelaine.

And the excellent new albums keep on coming! Katie plays tracks from some of them, including those by fast-rising Narrm singer-songwriter and guitarist Steph Strings, beloved Meanjin pop artist Meg Washington, Tennessee-based ‘Afro-Appalachian’ folk artist Mon Rovîa, US trans artist Anjimile, and gay Canadian country musician Orville Peck. Here is the playlist:

Above: Meg Washington’s ‘Honeysuckle Island’ single cover photo by Zac Bayly

The post Honeysuckle Island – Show #383 (part 1), 15 March 2026 appeared first on Miss Chatelaine.

Katie previews the 49th Port Fairy Folk Festival, which takes place from 6 to 9 March 2026, by playing tracks by some of the outstanding artists on the festival line-up. They include several of the queer artists appearing this year and songs with queer themes, as well as some particular Miss Chat favourites. Here is the playlist:

Above: Port Fairy Folk Festival artwork by Tom Hulse, Hound Machine Studio

The post Port Fairy Folk Festival preview – Show #382 (part 2), 1 March 2026 appeared first on Miss Chatelaine.

Katie plays tracks from some of the many new and recent album releases, including those by Irish folk duo Ye Vagabonds, American-Japanese singer-songwriter Mitski, Aotearoa/NZ ‘progressive bluegrass’ band You, Me, Everybody, Narrm/Melbourne soul/jazz outfit Jake Mason Trio, US queer artist Brandi Carlile, and more. Here is the playlist:

Above: Mitski’s Nothing’s About to Happen to Me album cover art by Marc Burckhardt

The post I’ll change for you – Show #382 (part 1), 1 March 2026 appeared first on Miss Chatelaine.