Our guest this week is Matt Berninger. Best known as the frontman and lyrical voice of The National, he has spent the better part of two decades helping craft one of the most celebrated catalogues in modern indie rock, from the brooding intimacy of Boxer through to Sleep Well Beast, which earned the band their first Grammy Award. His baritone voice and deeply literary songwriting have made him one of the most distinctive and revered figures of his generation. This month, he brings his solo project to Australia for the very first time, touring behind Get Sunk in what are shaping up to be some of the most highly anticipated shows of the year. On today's episode, Matt joins us to talk about what separates his solo shows from a night with The National, the making of Get Sunk and the creative headspace behind it, and how one of the indie generation's finest songwriters first found his way into writing songs.

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Our guest this week is Jena Malone. The actress and musician has spent decades building one of the most fascinating and wide-ranging creative careers in entertainment, delivering memorable performances across films like Stepmom, Donnie Darko, and the Hunger Games franchise while also pursuing her songwriting through projects like The Shoe and Jena Malone and the Blood Stains. Last week she released ‘Flowers for Men’, her debut album under her own name and a distinctly imaginative record that weaves together sci-fi influences and alt-country textures. On today's episode, Jena joins us on the podcast to talk about why now felt like the right moment to make a solo record under her own name, her approach to songwriting and the freedom that comes with it, and whether there's a world where her film and music careers might one day meet on the big screen.

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Our guest this week is Thundercat, and we couldn't have picked a better one to mark our 500th episode. The Los Angeles-born bassist, vocalist, and producer has built a reputation as one of the most gifted and distinctive voices in contemporary music, an artist who has never been content to stay in one place, with a body of work that pulls from funk, jazz, soul, and avant-garde R&B. A Grammy Award-winner whose collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Flying Lotus, and the late Mac Miller have made him as celebrated on other people's records as his own, with his records ‘Drunk’ and ‘It Is What It Is’ standing as benchmarks of his solo work. Last month, he released Distracted, his first album in six years, and he's currently in Australia on tour in support. On today's episode, Thundercat joins us to discuss what it felt like to come back with a new record after such a long absence, the qualities he seeks out in a collaborator, and the deeply personal process behind She Knows Too Much, made in conjunction with Mac Miller's estate.

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Our guest this week is Amy Shark. The Gold Coast singer-songwriter has cemented herself as one of Australia's most beloved and decorated artists, breaking through with the ARIA Award-winning smash Adore and building a devoted following off the back of her gift for deeply personal and emotionally direct songwriting. She recently returned with Our Last Fight, the second single from her upcoming album soft pop, due July 31st. On today's episode, Amy Shark joins the podcast to chat about the songwriting behind Our Last Fight, building the sound of soft pop alongside producer Dan Hume, and how her role on Australian Idol and her forthcoming film BEAST feed into her creative process.

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Our guest this week is KNEECAP. The Belfast rap trio have become one of the most thrilling and provocative acts to emerge from Ireland in years, known for their sharp, politically charged lyricism, chaotic energy, and unapologetic celebration of the Irish language. Their self-titled film earned widespread critical acclaim, and an infamous Coachella set last year cemented their status as one of the most electrifying live acts in the world. This week, they release their brand new album FENIAN. On today's episode, Mo Chara joins us to talk about recording the album during one of the band's wildest stretches yet, what first drew him into making music, and why the celebration of native languages sits at the heart of everything Kneecap do.

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Our guest this week is trials. Recorded live at SXSW Sydney, this special episode captures the Ngarrindjeri artist, rapper, songwriter and producer from Adelaide in conversation at a pivotal moment in his career. Across more than two decades, trials has helped shape Australian hip-hop as one half of ARIA Award-winning duo AB Original and as a collaborator with artists like Hilltop Hoods, Archie Roach, Gurrumul and Paul Kelly. Now, he steps out solo with his debut album hendle, a deeply personal and hard-hitting record entirely written, produced, performed and mixed by trials himself. The project is also accompanied by a memoir and an interactive exhibition of his artwork, forming the most complete portrait of the artist yet. On today’s very special episode, we chat with trials about telling his story on his own terms, the themes behind hendle, and what this record means after a career spent in service of so many other artists.

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Our guest this week is Matt Corby. The acclaimed Australian songwriter has spent over a decade becoming a much beloved household name, known for his smooth, soulful voice and deeply emotive songwriting. Across his career, he’s released multiple EPs and four studio albums, while also launching his own label, Rainbow Valley Records. Last week, he returned with his latest album Tragic Magic, an immersive and vulnerable record that explores themes of grief, joy, loss, and isolation. On today’s episode, we chat with Matt Corby about the emotion and vulnerability that runs throughout the album, how fatherhood has shaped his songwriting, and what it was like creating Tragic Magic alongside his close collaborators.

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Our guest this week is Charley. The Sydney-based pop artist has spent years crafting infectious, hook-filled songs, with tracks like Arizona, Worst Taste in Girls, and Hard for Me showcasing her vocal range and sharp pop instincts. Along the way, she’s supported the likes of Griff and G Flip, earned ARIA Award nominations, and taken home the Emerging Global Songwriter Award at the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition, cementing her place as one of Australia’s most exciting pop voices. This week marks a huge milestone with the release of her debut album The Chronicles of A Serial Idealist, a record that leans into her emotional songwriting while expanding her sound into new territory. No stranger to This Song Is Yours, Charley joins us for her fourth appearance to chat about the album and its themes, what she’s learned from supporting major pop acts, how that’s shaped this record, and what fans can expect from her upcoming headline tour across Australia.

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Our guest this week is Sly Withers. The Perth emo-rock four-piece have grown from humble beginnings into one of Australia’s most beloved bands, building a loyal following through heartfelt songwriting. Since forming in 2013, they’ve toured extensively with artists like Amy Shark and Stand Atlantic, while earning WAMI Award nominations, landing in the Hottest 100, and charting in the ARIA Top 10. Today, they return with their new album To Be Honest, a record that captures the band in a period of change and delivers some of their most raw, vulnerable, and compelling songwriting yet. No strangers to the podcast, we’re welcoming Jono and Sam back for their fourth appearance to chat about the making of To Be Honest, working with producer Stevie Knight, the creative freedom of being independent, and how these new songs are translating live, including their upcoming acoustic tour.

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Our guest this week is José González. The Swedish folk singer-songwriter broke through with his 2003 debut Veneer and the iconic “Heartbeats,” going on to carve out a unique space in modern folk through his delicate guitar work and introspective songwriting. Across his career, he’s released five albums, amassed over a billion streams, and was inducted into the Swedish Music Hall of Fame in 2024. Last week, he returned with his latest record Against the Dying of the Light, a reflective album exploring the ideologies shaping our world. On today’s episode, we chat with José about the themes behind the record, his approach to complex songwriting, the evolution of the industry, and his long-standing connection with Australian audiences.

José González: Instagram / Spotify / Website

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