Back in the early '90s, a little band called Slowdive were making waves in the UK. With wall of sound, they dwelled in the same realm as My Bloody Valentine, a real shoegaze sensibility, and they thrived. Then they hit a wall. As the loud, brash sounds of Britpop rose, the press soured on shoegaze, and the band decided to call it a day in the mid '90s.

In 2013 they made a comeback and a few years later they made their first ever visit to Australia. As Slowdive ready their return for another tour in 2025, I’m reminded of a brilliant convo I had with singer Rachel Goswell on that first trip, when I invited her in to Take 5.  

From her memories as a 7 year old dancing to ABBA, to idolising Siouxsie (and taking her song name as a band moniker), the shoegaze legend shares stories of the '90s British music press, and what is it that inspires her to make music today. 

• ABBA - 'SOS'
• Grace Jones - 'La Vi En Rose'
• Siouxsie & The Banshees - 'Cities In Dust'
• Cocteau Twins - 'Lorelei'
• Joni Mitchell - 'River'

Lucy Dacus is one helluva songwriter. Whether collaborating with boygenius, or crafting solo songs, she’s gathered a dedicated following across the world.

Lucy just recently put out her fourth album Forever is a Feeling, but back in 2019 she was in Australia touring her second Historian, and I swooped at the chance to have her Take 5. She was 23 at the time, but already showing a wisdom that proved she’d have a long songwriting road ahead of her. And she loves a good cover, as you'll hear in this very charming conversation.

• Yo La Tengo - ‘Tom Courtenay’
• Jesse Pearson - ‘One Last Kiss’
• Louis Armstrong - ‘When You’re Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You)’
• The Cure - ‘Close To Me’
• Sixpence None The Richer - ‘Kiss Me'

A special treat in the feed this week, as Zan speaks with Justin Vernon in his only Australian interview. Bon Iver have just released their first new album in 6 years, and it's a lush, heartfelt love letter of song.

Justin doesn’t give interviews often, and this conversation finds him more open than ever before. He’s also really happy. But it’s not without nuance, as you’ll hear across this beautiful conversation.

Five albums in, and he’s gone from a cabin in the woods, to collaborating with some of music’s biggest stars, and making layered, conceptual produced records like i,i and 22, A Million… But on SABLE, fABLE he pulls back the veil, and shares more of himself than ever before.

The acclaimed rapper, actor, poet and activist joined Zan Rowe for a joyous Take 5 at the end of 2020.

It was after a tumultuous year in American politics and the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Common had spent a huge chunk of the year on the campaign trail with Joe Biden, during which he recorded and released an EP called A Beautiful Revolution (Pt. 1) which featured huge guests like Stevie Wonder, Chuck D and Lenny Kravitz. 

For his Take 5, Common shared his music for a movement; the soundtrack that lifted him up and empowered him to be a force for change.

• Brand Nubian - 'Wake Up (Reprise In The Sunshine)'
• Fela Kuti - 'Water No Get Enemy'
• Mos Def - 'Umi Says'
• Sounds of Blackness - 'Optimistic'
• John Coltrane – 'A Love Supreme, Pt.3: Pursuance'

As the oldest child of Jimmy and Jane Barnes, music has always been in Mahalia Barnes' blood, so it was no surprise that she inherited her dad’s extraordinary set of pipes, and set off on her own path.

We may have first met her as a little kid in The Tin Lids, but pretty soon Mahalia entrenched herself in a world of jazz and soul. Forming her own band, collaborating with American guitarist Joe Bonamassa, and now – singing her heart out on stage with Jesus Christ Superstar. Her starring role as Mary Magdelene was the catalyst to invite her in to Take 5, with her songs of soul, and from Betty Davis to Stevie Wonder to Aretha, this is a beautiful celebration of the greats.

• Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Up Above My Head I Hear Music in the Air (Ft. Marie Knight)
• Stevie Wonder - I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)
• Betty Davis - Game Is My Middle Name
• Prince - Purple Rain
• Aretha Franklin – I’ve Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)

Watch Jimmy Barnes Take 5 here https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe/series/2/video/AC2218H003S00

Mel Buttle knows how to make you laugh. She’s one of Australia’s most loved comedians, and this year got to check another thing off her bucket list when the Melbourne International Comedy Festival asked her to host their Gala.

It’s no surprise to anyone who’s seen her. Ever since she took to the stage more than 15 years ago, Mel has been a regular on our TV screens and radio stations. She’s hosted podcasts with Patience from The Grates, and popped up on your Instagram feed as the grey cardigan wearing every mum, called Lyn. She keeps busy. 

She also knows how to collect a tale, and over five songs shared the Gala of her own life; heart on sleeve memories, laugh out loud moments, and everything in between. This chat will fill your cup.

• Hilltop Hoods - The Nosebleed Section
• The Grates - Aw Yeah
• John Williamson - Cootamundra Wattle
• Future Islands - A Song For Our Grandfathers
• Robyn - Dancing On My Own

Julia Stone is one of Australia’s most successful musicians.

With her brother Angus, she’s topped the Hottest 100 and sold-out massive shows across the world. As a solo artist, Julia has worked with some amazing collaborators.

Back in 2021 Julia joined me to Take 5. It was right after she’d released her solo album Sixty Summers, which was a sonic shift from anything we'd heard from Julia Stone before.

• Björk – 'Hyperballad'
• James Blake – 'Barefoot in the Park [Ft. Rosalia]'
• Fiona Apple – 'Fetch the Bolt Cutters'
• David Bowie – 'Let’s Dance'
• Robyn – 'Honey'

Kristin Hersh is a singular artist. For almost 40 years she’s been writing and performing songs. She may have gotten her start as a kid in Throwing Muses, but her creative life has expanded to other bands, solo work, critically acclaimed books, and iconic collaborations.

Even if you’re not across Kristin’s work, you’re going to love the conversation you’re about to hear. About the magic of song, how music industry gets in the way of art, and the deep friendships she’s formed across her life.

From Vic Chesnutt to Sam Cooke to X, this is one of my favourite conversations about music, muses, and creativity.

• Violent Femmes - 'Kiss Off'
• X - 'White Girl'
• Vic Chesnutt – 'Bakersfield'
• Tendon Levey - 'Tendril'
• Sam Cooke - 'Nothing Can Change This Love'

Over the years of I've chatted with many incredible people from the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Artists, comedians, musicians, singers; and a common thread through all these conversations is how much music has meant to them. How it’s been a place of joy and solace, love and healing.

As we celebrate the annual Mardi Gras parade, I dug into the archives to pull out some of my favourite moments on Take 5.

All of these stories come from the heart, but they also show just how much music is a map for all of us. How it can be a home, a salve, a lightbulb moment, and a community.

• Scissor Sisters - 'Running Out'
• David Bowie - 'Boys Keep Swinging'
• Maddie Zahm - 'You Might Not Like Her'
• Ry Cooder & V. M. Bhatt - 'Isa Lei'
• N-Joi - 'Anthem'

Listen to the full episodes here:

Rhys Nicholson Takes 5 with the unexpected https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/rhys-nicholson-take-unexpected/103148616

Jake Shears' boundary pushing songs https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/jake-shears-take-5/10905602

Casey Donovan's sanctuary songs https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/casey-donovan-take-5-sanctuary-songs/104562904

Ed Le Brocq's songs on the road https://www.abc.net.au/listen/doublej/ed-le-brocq-take-5-on-the-road/102427136

HAAi's pride songs https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/double-j-take-5-zan-rowe-haai/102019612

Lifeline: 13 11 14

For more than 15 years, Sharon Van Etten has worn her heart on her sleeve. 

Over 7 albums she's processed the raw emotions of life through some incredible songs, and continued to evolve her sound with every album.

From early days playing indie folk and Americana, to big anthems, incorporating synths, and now collaborating with her band for the first time on the writing of an album. With The Attachment Theory on deck for her latest, I invited her to Take 5 with her songs of metamorphosis, and what she revealed was the very blueprint of her musical heart.

• Jethro Tull - 'We Used To Know' 
• Mary Chapin Carpenter - 'Passionate Kisses'
• The Lemonheads - 'Ever' 
• Nine Inch Nails - 'Terrible Lie' 
• Portishead - 'Only You'