Trent Dalton is a master storyteller. His debut novel Boy Swallows Universe is an international bestseller, it was turned into a Netflix series and recently voted as Australia’s #1 read of the last quarter century, in Radio National's Top 100 books.

A Walkley Award winning journalist, Trent followed this stunning debut with several other works of fiction, and a collection of Love Stories from the streets of Brisbane. And now he has a new novel, Gravity Let Me Go, for us to sink our teeth into.

You’re about to hear an incredible conversation; some big yarns and the music that has shaped Trent Dalton’s whole life story. If you know him, you know he’s a massive music fan, and I’ve been wanting to have him Take 5 for yonks. I soon found out the feeling was mutual.

Trent Dalton's song choices:

1. 1.Vera Lynn - '(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs Of Dover'
2. 2.Melanie - 'Ruby Tuesday'
3. 3.Pearl Jam - 'Alive'
4. 4.Powderfinger - 'These Days'
5. 5.Taylor Swift - 'Out Of The Woods'

00:00 Introduction and Opening Anecdote

00:19 Meet Trent Dalton: A Master Storyteller

01:40 The Power of Music in Writing

03:00 SONG 1: Vera Lynn - '(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs Of Dover'

03:26 Family War Story and the Ultimate Sacrifice

08:48 Love Stories and Personal Reflections

14:29 SONG 2: Melanie - 'Ruby Tuesday'

14:46 A Tale of Two Parents

24:05 Pearl Jam: A Lifelong Influence

27:22 Reflecting on Pearl Jam's Influence

28:28 A Memorable Graduation Night

29:58 Meeting Eddie Vedder

31:37 SONG 3: Pearl Jam - 'Alive'

34:58 The Impact of Boy Swallows Universe

37:24 The Love Story with Fiona

39:32 Powderfinger and Bernard Fanning

42:33 SONG 4: Powderfinger - 'These Days'

45:26 Writing About Long-Term Relationships

48:44 SONG 5: Taylor Swift - 'Out Of The Woods'

52:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever lost touch with a friend or been heartbroken by a platonic breakup, Stella Donnelly’s new album is for you. 

Documenting the end of a friendship, it’s a brutally honest, heartbreaking, and hopeful record so many of us can relate to. And Zan couldn’t wait to talk with her all about it.

Justine Clarke is a legend. For most of her life she’s been in ours; as a child actor who graduated to a lifelong career on the big and small screen and into an acclaimed theatre actor. 

For the last 20 years she’s probably been entertaining your kids, as a regular on Play School and ARIA winning singer of many children’s albums. But running parallel to all of this, has been music. 

Way before she stepped into roles on Mad Max and Home and Away, music was her lifeblood. With our annual Ausmusic Month kicking off, Justine Clarke shares her Australian songbook.

Justine Clarke's song choices:

1. 1.Vince Jones – 'Jettison'
2. 2.Paul Kelly – 'From St Kilda To Kings Cross'
3. 3.Lisa Miller – 'Eleven'
4. 4.You Am I – 'Purple Sneakers'
5. 5.Angie McMahon – 'Slow Mover'

00:00 Introduction and Early Career

00:50 Justine Clarke's Musical Journey

03:02 Influence of Family and Early Music Exposure

04:53 Jazz and Live Music Experiences

05:00 SONG 1: Vince Jones – 'Jettison'

10:06 Paul Kelly and Iconic Collaborations

12:30 SONG 2: Paul Kelly – 'From St Kilda To Kings Cross'

16:44 Exploring Australian Country Music & ABC's Going Country

19:03 SONG 3: Lisa Miller – 'Eleven'

20:02 Reflecting on a Classic Australian Film

20:44 The Power of Music and Grief

22:33 Creating Music for Play School

23:29 Unexpected Career as a Children's Performer

25:53 Collaborations and Live Performances

26:16 SONG 4: You Am I – 'Purple Sneakers'

29:51 Memories of Tina Turner

33:17 SONG 5: Angie McMahon – 'Slow Mover'

35:58 Wrapping Up and What's Next

Watch Take 5 on ABC iview:

https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

Oasis are undoubtedly the biggest band to rise out of Brit Pop. And it’s hard to describe how massive their return is. For years, the public fighting between the Gallagher brothers suggested they’d never come back. And one day, they did.

Oasis have been playing all over the world to stadiums of screaming fans, young and old. And as they finally return to Australia, we’re celebrating by sharing a Take 5 for the ages from the archives.

A couple of years ago Zan Rowe sat down with Noel Gallagher in his own studio, in Kings Cross, London. At this stage, the reformation tour was not on. He was recording and touring with his band the High Flying Birds, and had just released an album called Council Skies. Noel’s history is everywhere in his songs. And the songs he loves, too. You'll hear songs you're expecting, but it's the ones you're not that'll pack a real punch. And the stories? All time.

Noel Gallagher's song choices:

1. 1.Pink Floyd – 'Nobody Home'
2. 2.The Smiths – 'Asleep'
3. 3.Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass – 'This Guy's In Love With You'
4. 4.Air – 'All I Need'
5. 5.The Beatles – 'I Am The Walrus'

00:00 Introduction and Oasis' Impact

00:57 Noel Gallagher's Studio and memorabilia from The Haçienda nightclub

02:11 SONG 1: Pink Floyd – 'Nobody Home'

07:35 Reflecting on life as a rock star & post-fame

09:45 SONG 2: The Smiths – 'Asleep'

14:55 Growing up in Manchester

17:02 SONG 3: Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass – 'This Guy's In Love With You'

17:11 A Memorable Encounter with Burt Bacharach

24:09 Remembering Burt Bacharach

25:38 SONG 4: Air – 'All I Need'

30:52 The Shift to Digital Music

31:30 Wild Times with Oasis

35:09 Transition to a Calmer Life

36:33 SONG 5: The Beatles – 'I Am The Walrus'

39:48 The Night That Changed Everything for Oasis

41:37 Reflecting on Oasis' Final Tour

42:55 The Joy of Songwriting

44:25 Closing Thoughts and Future Guests

Watch Take 5 on ABC iview:

https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

Contains strong language. This episode was originally broadcast in 2023.

Get ready to laugh, cry, and go head-to-head with two of Australia's most loved comedians. 

Denise Scott and Matt Okine are Mother and Son (the remix). And as the second series comes to a close on ABC TV and ABC iview, I roped them in to Take 5.

A bit out of the ordinary, but oh boy, they embraced it. This is beautiful and hilarious Take 5, and you’re gonna walk away from it feeling all the richer.

Denise Scott and Matt Okine's song choices:

1. 1.Neil Young - 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart'
2. 2.Bruce Springsteen - 'Thunder Road'
3. 3.Jordie Lane - 'New Normal'
4. 4.Radiohead - 'Paranoid Android'
5. 5.Bag Raiders - 'Shooting Stars'

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:14 Denise Scott's Journey in Comedy

00:37 Mother and Son Reboot

00:55 Personal Stories and Reflections

01:25 Behind the Scenes of Mother and Son

03:16 The Origin of the Reboot Idea

05:29 Musical Memories and Mix Tapes

05:36 SONG 1: Neil Young - 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart'

09:12 Heartbreak and Humor

13:58 SONG 2: Bruce Springsteen - 'Thunder Road'

18:19 Family Dynamics and Aging

21:07 The Vulnerability of Performing

21:36 Denise's Son Jordie Lane and His Music

21:42 SONG 3: Jordie Lane - 'New Normal'

24:58 Scotty's New Standup Show Tickety Boo

27:18 SONG 4: Radiohead - 'Paranoid Android'

28:46 The death of Matt's mother

33:45 Judith Lucy and Denise's secret - The Power Weep

36:16 SONG 5: Bag Raiders - 'Shooting Stars'

39:28 Conclusion and Next Episode with Noel Gallagher

Watch Mother and Son on ABC iview:

https://iview.abc.net.au/show/mother-and-son

Paul Kelly is a national treasure, who's written the soundtrack to our lives. Road trips, first loves, heartbreak, our very sense of identity; he’s explored it all over more than 40 years and 30 albums. 

But who are the songwriters that tickle him? And what place do they take him to? That was the theme I gave PK, when I invited him to Take 5. And you’re about to dig  into an extraordinary conversation, about place, time, family, and the mystery of song.

Paul Kelly's song choices:

1. 1.Kinks – 'Waterloo Sunset'
2. 2.The Go-Betweens – 'Cattle And Cane'
3. 3.Joni Mitchell – 'River'
4. 4.Queen Latifah – 'Just Another Day…'
5. 5.Archie Roach – 'Charcoal Lane'

00:00 Introduction to Paul Kelly's Musical Journey

01:40 Paul Kelly's Influences and Visual Songwriting

02:59 SONG 1: Kinks – 'Waterloo Sunset'

07:13 Paul Kelly's Early Life and Musical Education

10:26 Discovering Jazz and the Trumpet

13:45 SONG 2: The Go-Betweens – 'Cattle And Cane'

16:33 Songwriting Process and Inspirations

21:59 SONG 3: Joni Mitchell – 'River'

25:35 The Magic of Christmas Songs

29:28 The Song's Characters and Their Stories

31:12 Writing the Sequel: Unexpected Turns

32:32 Exploring the Mystery of Songwriting

35:21 SONG 4: Queen Latifah – 'Just Another Day…'

35:31 Contrasts in Music: Queen Latifah's 'Just Another Day'

37:12 Hip Hop and Folk Music: Unexpected Parallels

43:38 The Art of Songwriting: From Poems to Albums

47:42 SONG 5: Archie Roach – 'Charcoal Lane'

53:08 Final Reflections and Future Directions

Watch Take 5 on ABC iview:

https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

Jarvis Cocker has had a dream run. As founding member and lead singer of Pulp, he hit the highest of the highs during Brit Pop in the 90s, before embarking on a solo career that was just as celebrated. 

A few years ago he published a different kind of memoir called Good Pop, Bad Pop, which visually catalogued his stuff and told his story through its memories. And within that was revealed the Pulp Masterplan, a manifesto by young Jarvis of what a band would look, sound, and be like. Much of it came true.

You’re about to spend time with one of the most charismatic frontmen I’ve met. But offstage, Jarvis Cocker is somewhat shy, reserved, and more than a little self-deprecating. 

It took me by surprise when we sat down in an old theatre in London’s Shepherd’s Bush. The Jarvis I’d grown up with, was different to the one facing me in Bush Hall. 

Settle in for a beautiful, funny, and poetic conversation about life, love and and endless obsession with song.

Jarvis Cocker's song choices:

1. 1.The Cryin’ Shames – ‘Please Stay’
2. 2.B52s – ‘Dance This Mess Around’
3. 3.Scott Walker – ‘It’s Raining Today’ 
4. 4.Judy Dench ‘Send In The Clowns’ / Boys Town Gang ‘Can't Take My Eyes Off You’ Jarvis Cocker Mash-Up [unreleased]
5. 5.Bob Dylan – ‘Isis’

00:00 Introduction and Memorable Moments

00:18 Jarvis Cocker's Career and Memoir

01:04 The Charismatic and Shy Jarvis

02:02 Music as an Escape

03:51 The Take 5 Theme of Love

07:12 SONG 1: The Cryin’ Shames – ‘Please Stay’

10:51 Childhood and Early Influences like The Beatles

15:28 Sheffield and Moving to London

18:16 SONG 2: B52s – ‘Dance This Mess Around’

22:32 The Pulp Master Plan

29:41 The Reality of Fame

31:03 The Impact of Fame

32:13 SONG 3: Scott Walker – ‘It’s Raining Today’

37:50 Pulp's Reunion and New Beginnings

41:25 SONG 4: Judy Dench ‘Send In The Clowns’ / Boys Town Gang ‘Can't Take My Eyes Off You’ Jarvis Cocker Mash-Up [unreleased]

42:00 A Unique Wedding Story

44:37 Reflections on Love and Relationships

46:58 Pulp's 2025 album More

48:29 Glastonbury Performance: Then and Now

54:06 The Magic of Live Performances

55:54 SONG 5: Bob Dylan – ‘Isis’

58:29 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Watch Take 5 on ABC iview:

https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

At the age of 16, Lorde went #1 across the world. She was catapulted from the suburbs of Auckland to the Grammy's stage, winning Song of the Year. 

12 years and four albums later, she's continued to defy expectations as a pop artist and is one of the most gifted songwriters of our time. This is an episode of Take 5 that was filmed for the TV series, but this podcast is an extended edit - capturing even more stories, insight, and sounds. It's an incredible conversation with one of the most thoughtful people I've met. 

Lorde has been going through a massive period of change. A chrysalis, taking new form. So I worked up a Take 5 theme to draw that out. And from Lucinda Williams to Westerman to something very close to home, hearing her speak about the craft of song is a rare treat.

Lorde's song choices:

• Lucinda Williams – 'Fruits of My Labor'
• Bronski Beat – 'Smalltown Boy'
• Nina Simone – 'Suzanne'
• Westerman – 'Confirmation'
• Charli xcx & Lorde – 'Girl, so confusing featuring lorde'

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:49 Lorde's Early Influences and First Song Choice

02:03 SONG 1: Lucinda Williams – 'Fruits of My Labor'

02:33 Lucinda Williams' Impact on Lorde

09:30 Lorde's Childhood and Musical Beginnings

12:56 The Mystery of Songwriting

14:02 SONG 2: Bronski Beat – 'Smalltown Boy'

18:55 Writing songs about life experiences

21:05 Reflecting on the huge success of 'Royals', The Love Club EP and being world famous at 16

24:10 Reflecting on Teenage Years and Womanhood

28:22 Lorde's Relationship with Her Parents

30:18 SONG 3: Nina Simone – 'Suzanne'

30:27 Nina Simone's Transformative Cover of 'Suzanne'

31:16 Leonard Cohen's Inspiration and Poetic Imagery

32:12 Nina Simone's Unique Interpretation

35:39 Exploring Gender and Identity in Music

36:36 Relationship break-up and personal transformation

39:47 SONG 4: Westerman – 'Confirmation'

42:01 The Creative Process Behind 'Virgin'

44:55 Physical reactions to music

46:15 SONG 5: Charli xcx & Lorde – 'Girl, so confusing featuring lorde'

46:44 Charli xcx releasing 'Girl, so confusing' about Lorde

48:04 Lorde's verse and working it out in the remix

49:08 Articulating the complexity of female friendships

54:02 Lorde reflecting on her friendship with Charli xcx

55:22 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

Watch Take 5 on ABC iview:

https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

You’re about to learn a whole lot more about Kevin Bacon. The prolific actor has been on our screens for more than 40 years. It was his breakthrough part as Ren in Footloose that got him attention, but he was just getting started. Acclaimed roles in Apollo 13, A Few Good Men, The River Wild, and Mystic River would follow. In fact his filmography and range is so broad he literally had a game made up about him – Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon – where you could connect any Hollywood actor to him in six or less steps, he’s worked with that many stars.

But bubbling away in the background, Kevin has always loved music. He played and wrote songs as a kid, joined his brother’s band and formed The Bacon Brothers in ’95, and shares his love of songs on the regular, across his social media.

It was this thread I wanted to pull at, when I asked him to Take 5. But what emerged was a greater sense of the man himself. Deeply empathetic, very grounded, and with his heart in all the right places.

Kevin Bacon's song choices:

• Earth, Wind & Fire – 'Happy Feelin'
• Spin Doctors – 'Little Miss Can't Be Wrong'
• John Prine & Iris DeMent – 'In Spite of Ourselves'
• Frank Ocean – 'Thinkin Bout You'
• Brandi Carlile – 'The Joke'

00:00 Introduction to Kevin Bacon's Musical Journey

01:00 Kevin Bacon's Love for Music

02:19 Kevin Bacon's Acting and Music Synergy

04:11 SONG 1: Earth, Wind & Fire – 'Happy Feelin'

05:59 The Influence of Philadelphia's Music Scene

09:59 Kevin Bacon's Acting Aspirations and Early Career

14:38 SONG 2: Spin Doctors – 'Little Miss Can't Be Wrong'

18:02 The Bacon Brothers and Overcoming Stage Fright

22:53 SONG 3: John Prine & Iris DeMent – 'In Spite of Ourselves'

23:28 Marriage to Kyra Sedgwick and singing together

30:32 SONG 4: Frank Ocean – 'Thinkin Bout You'

35:21 Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon and Philanthropy

39:51 SONG 5: Brandi Carlile – 'The Joke'

44:28 Kevin Bacon's Musical Journey

45:57 Upcoming Episodes and Podcast Details

46:29 Double J Radio Highlights

Watch Take 5 on ABC iview:

https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

You’re about to see a side to Aaron Chen you’ve never seen before. 

You might know him as George in Fisk, or Guy Montgomery’s sidekick on Spelling Bee. 

Maybe you cheered his win on Taskmaster Australia season 3. 

He’s also an acclaimed stand-up comic. But when I sat down with Aaron in his new home in New York City, I got a totally different sense of what makes him tick.

This podcast is a companion to the TV episode you can see now on ABC iview. But here, you’re getting a whole lot more. More stories, silliness, and backstory to Aaron Chen. 

I really loved this conversation, mainly cos I had no idea what to expect. And what I walked away with was a rich portrait of a really beautiful human with his heart in the right place.

Aaron Chen's song choices:

• Arcade Fire – 'Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels)'
• Matt Berry – 'Take My Hand'
• Vampire Weekend – 'Jerusalem, New York, Berlin'
• Faye Wong – 'Dreams (夢中人)'
• Kacey Musgraves – 'Deeper Well'

00:00 Introduction to Aaron Chen

01:26 Aaron's Move to New York

02:49 Comedy and Music

03:57 SONG 1: Arcade Fire – 'Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels)'

04:38 Growing Up in Suburban Sydney

12:06 Early Comedy Days

15:29 SONG 2: Matt Berry – 'Take My Hand'

16:05 First TV Show Experience

20:43 Friendship with Sam Campbell

25:16 SONG 3: Vampire Weekend – 'Jerusalem, New York, Berlin'

25:38 Journey to America

27:49 Auditioning for Fisk

29:44 Meeting Kitty Flanagan

30:29 Finding My Comedy Voice

34:29 Faith and Grounding

37:09 SONG 4: Faye Wong – 'Dreams (夢中人)'

41:50 Marriage and Moving to New York

44:27 American TV and Movie Roles

48:30 SONG 5: Kacey Musgraves – 'Deeper Well'

48:36 Final Reflections and Future Plans

Watch Take 5 on ABC iview:

https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe