The Rider, with Becko

Nic Cester who we know as the lead-man from Jet has had a busy time in lockdown. Early on, recording and releasing an album with the Jaded Hearts Club - featuring Matt Bellamy and Miles Kane. Now with the help of his daughter, Matilda he shows a very different side to his creativity with the children's book and companion album, "Skipping Girl" - which is out now.

We all know the famous Skipping Girl sign in Melbourne and the sight of this landmark on a recent trip home, sparked so many memories from his childhood. Nic tells Becko all about the work behind the book and soundtrack.

Ben Lee is about as Indy as it gets, but as he releases his 20th album, "I'm Fun" - you get a feel that 2022 could be his year. It's like you've grown up with him, watched as he matured from a Bondi kid to hanging out with celebs in NYC, then being noticed by the Beastie Boys. It hasn't all been easy, he has reinvented himself countless times, made enemies and in some cases disappeared from the scene - but if you caught one of his variety shows lately with wife, Ione or maybe those small 'covid friendly' tours he did earlier this year - you get a feel that he is really comfortable with this stage of his music career. 

We find out how he managed to make all the collaborations work on this new album "I'm Fun" and how the hell did he get famous on TikTok!! 

This is Ben Lee, on The Rider with Becko

It feels like Andrew Farriss is the perfect guest to launch The Rider. Last count, INXS has sold 75 million (plus) records, and most of those were either written by him or co-written with Michael Hutchence. On the anniversary of Michael's death and recently, the 30th anniversary of "Live Baby LIVE" Andrew opens up on how he and Michael complimented each other so well as song writers for INXS. 

Andrew also tells Becko how many like to package you as either a rock artist or a country artist and put you in a little box - why can't you do something new that challenges you? 

He also shared how he felt INXS were really destined for something great on that fateful tour of Australia in 1997.  

Please enjoy the first episode of The Rider with Becko and guest, Andrew Farriss (and click subscribe!!) 

The Rider is a series of podcast and video interviews that get the gritty details from some of rock and roll’s greatest. From the process of bringing an album to life, to the gigs, the parties and everything in between. Fans want to know the hard work that goes into bringing entertainment to the masses and how the rock stars manage it all.

This podcast is an ode to the rider: the thing that gets musicians through the grind of a tour and the punishing schedule of late nights and red eye flights. Whether it’s their favourite brand of whiskey, or sweet, mellow tunes to get an artist in the zone.

Most of all, The Rider gives true fans access to the raw, unfiltered experience of loving rock and roll. Listeners will feel like they’re knocking one back at the Rainbow Bar and Grill on Sunset Strip.

Becko has been rocking on the airwaves since 1997. This podcast is his tribute to decades of interviewing rock and roll superstars from Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Angus Young, Gene Simmons, Billy Joe Armstrong, Kevin Parker and Mike Shinoda.

His most recent stint with Triple M in Sydney, Australia over 13 years saw Becko conduct a number of exceptional interviews, including heading backstage in Santiago, Chile to interview Iron Maiden for the start of their Legacy of the Beast tour in 2019. (Remember when we could travel?)

These interviews have struck a chord with listeners getting write ups in Rolling Stone, NME and local music press. These are interviews that gets people talking, gets the listeners plugged in and sheds new light on fan favourites.