The Music Show

To celebrate AusMusic Month, The Music Show brings you The Dot Strong Sessions. Named for the ABC's formidable tea lady (and the outdoor terrace that bears her name at ABC Ultimo in Sydney), we'll bring you sessions from great Australian artists throughout November.

Katie Noonan was the first to set her keyboard out under the jasmine vines, performing tracks from her 30th studio album, Alone But All One.

And live in the Melbourne music studio, Lisa Miller celebrates the 30th anniversary of Quiet Girl With A Credit Card, which spent decades out of print and is finally available once again.

Katie Noonan is currently on tour - the full set of dates can be found here

Lisa Miller is playing two shows in Victoria on the 6th and 8th of November. 

Music heard in this program:

Title: This Isn't What I Signed Up ForArtist: Katie NoonanComposer: Katie NoonanAlbum: Alone But All OneLabel: Independent release

Title: Alone But All One (live)Artist: Katie NoonanComposer: Katie NoonanPerformed live on The Dot Strong Terrace from the album Alone But All One

Title: In Your Shoes (live)Artist: Katie NoonanComposer: Katie NoonanPerformed live on The Dot Strong Terrace from the album Alone But All One

Title: When The Heart Falls Apart (live)Artist: Katie NoonanComposer: Katie NoonanPerformed live on The Dot Strong Terrace from the album Alone But All One

Title: Guitar Boat (live)Artist: Lisa MillerComposer: Lisa MillerPerformed live in The Music Show studio from the album Quiet Girl With A Credit Card

Title: Big Small TownArtist: Lisa MillerComposer: Lisa MillerPerformed live in The Music Show studio from the album Quiet Girl With A Credit Card

Title: Merrily Kissed The QuakerArtist: PlanxtyComposer: Andy Irvine, Christy Moore, Donal Lunny, Liam O'FlynnAlbum: PlanxtyLabel: Polydor

The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung  Country

Technical production by Isobella Tropiano, Brendan O'Neill, and Emrys Cronin

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised this program contains the names and voices of people who have died.

Fanny Lumsden’s new album is a rollicking country record with her voice - both as a singer and songwriter - right at the centre of it. She’s brought her guitar and her bassist Dan Freeman into the studio to give us a live rendition of some tracks from the album.

Assyrian-Australian vocalist Lillian Albazi and double bassist Oscar Neyland have come together to extend their original collaborations into a lush new record called Bright Phantoms, bringing together works by Colin Stetson, Nick Cave, ANOHNI, Björk and Adrianne Lenker. They perform live in The Music Show studio. 

Plus another opportunity to listen to the late Yorta Yorta singer Jimmy Little on The Music Show back in 1999, around the release of his seminal Australian songbook album Messenger.

Music heard in the show:

Title: (Are You) The One That I’ve Been Waiting ForArtist: Jimmy LittleComposer: Cave, NickAlbum: MessengerLabel: Festival

Title: TraditionsArtist: Fanny LumsdenComposer: Lumsden, FannyPerformed live in The Music Show studio from the album Traditions

Title: Difficult WomanArtist: Fanny LumsdenComposer: Lumsden, FannyPerformed live in The Music Show studio from the album Traditions

Title: Darker With the DayArtist: Lillian Albazi, Oscar Neyland, James Sherlock, Niran Dasika, Callum MintzisComposer: Cave, NickPerformed live in The Music Show studio from the album Bright Phantoms

Title: Who the Waves Are Roaring ForArtist: Lillian Albazi, Oscar Neyland, James Sherlock, Niran Dasika, Callum MintzisComposer: Stetson, ColinPerformed live in The Music Show studio from the album Bright Phantoms

Title: Down BelowArtist: Jimmy LittleComposer: Rumour, Dan ; Elliott, Jim; Perkins, TexAlbum: MessengerLabel: Festival

Title: Into TemptationArtist: Jimmy LittleComposer: Finn, NeilAlbum: MessengerLabel: Festival

The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country

Technical production by Isabella Tropiano, Emrys Cronin, and Brendan O’Neill

Loudon Wainwright III is a songwriter who falls somewhere between Woody Guthrie and Tom Lehrer. As well as being a storyteller and comedian, he's the father of a brood of musical children including Rufus and Martha Wainwright. He's 80 now and planning his first Australian tour in over twenty years. 

And from The Music Show's archives, another chance to hear Andy's favourite of a few interviews with Canadian singer k.d. lang, who spoke to him about creating a great Canadian songbook with her album Hymns of the 49th Parallel. 

Join us at Fillmore’s in Kiama on Thursday 29th October for a conversation with Sandy Evans and Andrea Keller before their Resonance performance with Michelle Nicolle and Jenny Barnes.

Music heard in the show:

Title: Bird on a WireArtist: k.d. langComposer: Cohen, LeonardAlbum: Hymns of the 49th ParallelLabel: Nonesuch

Title: Lifetime Achievement, White Winos, I Remember Sex Artist: Loudon Wainwright IIIComposer: Wainwright, LoudonAlbum: Loudon Live in LondonLabel: The Last Music Company

Title: A Case of YouArtist: k.d. langComposer: Mitchell, JoniAlbum: Hymns of the 49th ParallelLabel: Nonesuch

Title: HelplessArtist: k.d. langComposer: Young, NeilAlbum: Hymns of the 49th ParallelLabel: Nonesuch

Title: By the RiverArtist: Fanny Lumsden feat. Paul KellyComposer: Lumsden, Edwina MargaretAlbum: TraditionsLabel: Red Dirt Road Records

The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Gumbaynggirr and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country

Technical production by Isabella Tropiano and Timothy Jenkins

Composer and pianist Elena Kats-Chernin and pianist and ABC Classic presenter Tamara-Anna Cislowska share stories from a friendship and collaboration that's lasted decades, including how Tamara-Anna convinced Elena to perform with her, by sharing a single piano. Elena's concerto, Ancient Letters, was recorded by Tamara with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and that album is nominated for an ARIA Award. 

The collaboration between experimental saxophonist Colin Stetson and piper Brìghde Chaimbeul is comparatively recent, but looks set to continue for a long time. Colin talks to Andy about hearing Brighde's music for the first time and why he’s so interested in capturing the sort of sounds from his instrument that most sax players work very hard to remove from a recording.

Join us at Fillmore’s in Kiama on Thursday 29th October for a conversation with Sandy Evans and Andrea Keller before their Resonance performance with Michelle Nicolle and Jenny Barnes.

Elena and Tamara-Anna are performing in Maitland on Sunday Oct 25.

Music heard in this program:

Title: Dirt DanceArtist: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulComposer: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulAlbum: All the light in the world Label: Envision Records

Title: Ancient Letters, i. Tiger CubArtist: Tamara-Anna Cislowska & Tasmanian Symphony OrchestraComposer: Elena Kats-CherninAlbum: Elena Kats-Chernin: Ancient LettersLabel: ABC Classics

Title: All the light in the world Artist: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulComposer: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulAlbum: All the light in the world Label: Envision Records

Title: Sorrow: II - Lento E Largo — TranquillissimoArtist: Colin StetsonComposer: Henryk Górecki & Colin StetsonAlbum: Sorrow (A Reimagining Of Gorecki's 3rd Symphony)Label: 52Hz

Title: Even though the frost is harsh Artist: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulComposer: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulAlbum: All the light in the world Label: Envision Records

Title: Andrea’s Special DaysArtist: Andrea Keller & Sandy EvansComposer: Sandy EvansAlbum: ResonanceLabel: Independent release

The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Gumbaynggirr Country

Technical production by Timothy Jenkins

Listening to the new album by The Avalanches is like being on the dancefloor and then getting hit in the head with a whole desktop computer. Electronic, nostalgic, sample-laden and manic, their latest record is called No Bad Memories. The band - Robbie Chater, Toni Di Blasi, and Andy Szekeres - join Andy to unpack the record.

Patti Smith was Andy's guest on stage at the Melbourne International Festival's Spiegeltent back in 2008, where she performed live and talked about her relationship with poetry and opera. It's one of Andy's favourite interviews in his 32 years on the show. 

Plus a new version of a very old song from Lotte Betts-Dean and Joseph Havlat, and solo jazz piano inspired by the Blue Mountains from Matt McMahon.

Music heard in the show:

Title: GloriaArtist: Patti SmithComposer: Smith, PattiAlbum: HorsesLabel: Arista

Title: Superfun TV SpotArtist: The AvalanchesComposer: Chater, Robert; Di Blasi, Anthony; Szekeres, Andrew; Patton, Mike Album: No Bad MemoriesLabel: Polydor

Title: No Bad MemoriesArtist: The AvalanchesComposer: Chater, Robert; Di Blasi, Anthony; Szekeres, Andrew; Spencer, Jim; Tossing, Ed Album: No Bad MemoriesLabel: Polydor

Title: HighfieldArtist: The AvalanchesComposer: Chater, Robert; Di Blasi, Anthony; Szekeres, Andrew; Lennox, Noah; Reilly, Vini Album: No Bad MemoriesLabel: Polydor

Title: My Lagan LoveArtist: Lotte Betts-Dean, Joseph HavlatComposer: trad., arr. Havlat, JosephAlbum: KinLabel: Delphian

Title: Wing, GratefulArtist: Patti SmithComposer: Smith, PattiRecorded live at Melbourne International Festival, 2008

Title: CascadeArtist: Matt McMahonComposer: McMahon, MattAlbum: Burra KorainLabel: ABC Jazz

The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country

Technical production by Ann-Marie Debettencor

The musical voice behind Australian classics like Two Hands and Red Dog, Cezary Skubiszewski is being honoured at the 2026 Screen Music Awards for Distinguished Services to the Australian Screen. 

In an extended conversation with Andy, Cezary explores building tension in bank robberies, writing music based on the time signature of a pigeon’s coo, and bringing children to tears.

Music heard in this program:

Music from Two Hands, composed by Cezary Skubiszewski & Jan Skubiszewski - Love Theme, The Station, The Robbery, Fletcher's House

Title: Love ThemeArtist: Steven Hadley, Peter Jones, Barry Palmer, Shane O'Mara, Tony HicksComposer: Cezary Skubiszewski & Jan SkubiszewskiAlbum: Two Hands SoundtrackLabel: Festival Records

Title: The StationArtist: Steven Hadley, Peter Jones, Barry Palmer, Shane O'Mara, Tony HicksComposer: Cezary SkubiszewskiAlbum: Two Hands Original ScoreLabel: C-ZEE

Title: The RobberyArtist: Steven Hadley, Peter Jones, Barry Palmer, Shane O'Mara, Tony HicksComposer: Cezary SkubiszewskiAlbum: Two Hands Original ScoreLabel: C-ZEE

Title: On The BeachComposer: Cezary SkubiszewskiAlbum: Lilian's Story - Music From The Motion PictureLabel: Columbia

Title: Betty Et ZorgComposer: Gabriel YaredAlbum: Betty Blue SoundtrackLabel: Virgin Movie Music

Title: The Godfather WaltzComposer: Nino RotaAlbum: The Godfather SoundtrackLabel: Paramount Records

Title: The SearchComposer: Cezary SkubiszewskiAlbum: Red DogLabel: Roadshow Music

Title: High Country creditsComposer: Cezary Skubiszewski & Jan Skubiszewski

Title: PolymorphiaArtist: Aukso OrchestraComposer: Krzysztof PendereckiAlbum: Threnody for the Victims of HiroshimaLabel: Nonesuch

Title: What's Happening Out There?Artist: Eric SerraComposer: Eric SerraAlbum: Leon The Professional soundtrackLabel: Waxwork Records

Title: Fletcher's HouseArtist: Steven Hadley, Peter Jones, Barry Palmer, Shane O'Mara, Tony HicksComposer: Cezary SkubiszewskiAlbum: Two Hands SoundtrackLabel: Festival Records

Title: Bande Originale Du Film "Pickpocket"Composer: Jean-Baptiste LullyAlbum: Bande Originale Du Film La Verte Moisson / Bande Originale Du Film PickpocketLabel: Polydor

Title: Machine Gun LullabyComposer: Ennio MorriconeAlbum: The Untouchables SoundtrackLabel: A&M Records

Title: The Music BoxArtist: Cezary Skubiszewski Composer: Cezary Skubiszewski Album: The Sound of One Hand Clapping SoundtrackLabel: EMI

Title: Let There Be LightArtist: Polish National Symphony OrchestraComposer: Cezary Skubiszewski Album: Night SountrackLabel: Origin

Title: Mosquito State TitlesComposer: Cezary Skubiszewski 

The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Kaurna Country

Technical production by Ann-Marie de Bettencor

Cellist and composer Freya Schack-Arnott divides her time between classical and experimental music, exploring all of the possibilities of her instrument. Her latest project, Nornir - which premieres at the Melbourne Fringe Festival - is something different again: a mixture of movement and composition that breaks down the very idea of the cello.

The line between foley (cinematic sound effects) and percussion can be a blurry one, and The Music Show loves a blurry line. Andy talks to foley artist John Simpson, who has recently performed as the foley soloist in Thomas Meadowcroft's Hollywood Parsifals, a concerto for Percussion, Foley, and Orchestra; and Gabriel Fischer, a foley artist and percussionist who has taken his foley skills into his work with a piece for alfoil, snare drums and speakers called Makronomaly II. 

Nornir is at Melbourne Fringe 15-17 October.

Listen to Hollywood Parsifals on ABC Classic’s Evening Concert program, Wednesday 14 October at 8pm. 

Music heard in the show:

Title: Hollywood ParsifalsArtist: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Ughetti, John Simpson, Benjamin NortheyComposer: Meadowcroft, ThomasRecorded for broadcast by ABC Classic

Title: CirklerArtist: Freya Schack-Arnott and Benjamin WardComposer: Schack-Arnott, Freya; Ward, BenjaminAlbum: MalleeLabel: Independent

Title: Finnish MarchArtist: Runa CaraComposer: trad.Album: Runa CaraLabel: Independent

Title: Makronomaly IIArtist: Gabriel FischerComposer: Fischer, GabrielCourtesy of Phoenix Central Park 

Title: Hollywood ParsifalsArtist: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Ughetti, John Simpson, Benjamin NortheyComposer: Meadowcroft, ThomasRecorded for broadcast by ABC Classic

The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Kaurna Country

Technical production by Tom Henry and Simon Branthwaite

Emma Ruth Rundle describes herself as a guitarist - an instrument she's taken from metal bands to ambient minimalism. But it's her voice that's been front and centre on recent albums, alongside her writing, which has recently extended to a book of poetry. Her latest album, These Killing Times, is a return to full-band mode after the stripped-back and confessional Engine of Hell, and it's a culmination of everything she's done thus far.

Randy Newman’s songs are surprising, poignant, sardonic and frequently very funny, whether they are poking fun at various US administrations, bigots, or self-satisfied characters living above the Mason-Dixon line. He was in Australia in 2011 touring with three of the state orchestras and also found time to sit down at a piano in the Music Show studios.

Music heard in this program:

Title: CowboyArtist: Randy NewmanComposer: Randy NewmanAlbum: Live Performance (originally on Randy Newman)

Title: PowerlessArtist: Emma Ruth RundleComposer: Emma Ruth RundleAlbum: These Killing TimesLabel: Errant Child Recordings

Title: Blooms of OblivionArtist: Emma Ruth RundleComposer: Emma Ruth RundleAlbum: Engine of HellLabel: Sargent House

Title: Kite, Known As HopeArtist: Emma Ruth RundleComposer: Emma Ruth RundleAlbum: Music From The Bella VistaLabel: Unnamed Press

Title: Catherine WheelArtist: Emma Ruth RundleComposer: Emma Ruth RundleAlbum: These Killing TimesLabel: Errant Child Recordings

Title: MarieArtist: Randy NewmanComposer: Randy NewmanAlbum: Live Performance (originally on Good Old Boys)

Title: Dixie FlyerArtist: Randy NewmanComposer: Randy NewmanAlbum: Live Performance (originally on Land of Dreams)

The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Kaurna Country

Technical production by Simon Branthwaite

In 2020, the only way of making concerts work was suddenly to have very small audiences, so the 1:1 series allowed Sally Walker to continue to perform and connect with listeners. Sally has kept the concerts going post-lockdown, and she tells Andy about the unusual places where she’s set up a stage, and why a concert for a single person has a unique power for both performer and audience.

A coming of age story, featuring three teenagers on their last day together, the computer game Mixtape has been a critical success, and is nominated in 5 categories at the Australian Game Design Awards. Johnny Galvatron and Josh Abrahams, the game’s director and composer, join Sky Kirkham to explain why music was behind every decision they made about the game.

Sally Walker will be premiering Last Flight To Mars, composed by Richard Tognetti, at the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival on Oct 10.

Josh and Johnny are appearing at High Score, part of Melbourne International Games Week.

Music heard in this program:

Title: That's GoodArtist:  DevoComposer: Gerald V. Casale & Mark MothersbaughAlbum: Oh, No! It's DevoLabel: Warner Bros. Records

Title: Caoineadh Cú ChulainnArtist: Emily Granger & Sally WalkerComposer: Bill Whelan, arranged by Sally Walker & Emily Granger Album: Caoineadh Cú Chulainn singleLabel: Independent release

Title: The Memories of Poplar TreesArtist: Sally Walker and Helentherese Good Composer: Sally GreenawayAlbum: The Memories of Poplar TreesLabel: Independent release

Title: Galaxy in TuriyaArtist: Alice Coltrane Composer: Alice Coltrane Album: World GalaxyLabel: Impulse!

Title: FreakArtist: SilverchairComposer: Daniel JohnsAlbum: Freak ShowLabel: Murmur

Title: Yesterday's HeroArtist: John Paul YoungComposer: Vanda & YoungAlbum: HeroLabel: Albert Productions

Title: State of the HeartArtist: Mondo RockComposer: Eric McCuskerAlbum: Mondo Rock ChemistryLabel: Avenue Records

The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country

Technical production by Simon Branthwaite

Australian mezzo soprano Jenny Duck-Chong, and soprano Nicole Thomson have developed a new resource for artists, teachers, and students: an online database called the Australian Art Song Resource. They join Andy to uncover some great and little known Australian art song, and perform live in studio. 

And director Garth Jennings on What Do You Do For An Encore?, his documentary covering britpop band Pulp's history as well as their recent reconvening, new record, and world tour. The documentary is streaming on MUBI. 

Plus the recently unearthed collaboration between Tim Finn and the late Chrissy Amphlett, which is the subject of Australian Story this week. Episode one is already available on ABC iView, with episode two airing Monday 5 October.

Music heard in the show:

Title: Common PeopleArtist: PulpComposer: Cocker, Jarvis; Senior, Russell; Mackey, Steve; Banks, Nick; Doyle, CandidaAlbum: Different ClassLabel: Island Records

Title: Bonny at MornArtist: Jenny Duck-Chong, Daniel HerscovitchComposer: Banks, DonAlbum: Don Banks Vocal and Chamber MusicLabel: Toccata Records

Title: Three May Keep a Secret if Two of them are DeadArtist: Jenny Duck-Chong, Ruth McCallComposer: Holland, DulciePerformed live in The Music Show studio

Title: Ode to TechnologyArtist: Nicole Thomson, Ruth McCallComposer: Wesley Smith, MartinPerformed live in The Music Show studio

Title: He’s In LoveArtist: Chrissy Amphlett, Tim FinnComposer: Amphlett, Chrissy; Finn, TimAlbum: Some TimesLabel: Origin

Title: Disco 2000, BabiesArtist: PulpComposer: Cocker, Jarvis; Senior, Russell; Mackey, Steve; Banks, Nick; Doyle, Candida; Webber, MarkAlbum: Live!Label: Rough Trade

Title: Sensitive SpotArtist: Grand BandComposer: Moore, KateAlbum: Grand Band LiveLabel: Cantaloupe

The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country

Technical production by Simon Branthwaite and Emrys Cronin