Trusty Chords

• Episode 74: Gareth Liddiard – The Drones, Tropical Fuck Storm

  Ask anyone, and there's a good chance that many Australian music fans will describe Gareth Liddiard as one of the pillars of this country's music scene.For Liddiard, his musical career began back in the '90s, entering this creative world alongside the formation of The Drones, who are often regarded one of Australia's most revered bands. Alongside numerous albums and myriad live performances, The Drones took home awards like the inaugural Australian Music Prize, while 'Shark Fin Blues' was voted the best Australian song by contemporary songwriters.While The Drones would enter a hiatus of sorts in 2016, Liddiard has kept at it, forming Tropical Fuck Storm the following year. Since then, that's been his main project, though he's also dabbled with Springtime alongside luminaries Chris Abrahams and Jim White.Weird, discordant, and ever-arresting, Tropical Fuck Storm this year released 'Fairyland Codex,' their fourth studio album, and first full-length record since 2021. It's a stellar album, and one they're about to head out on the road to support with an Australian tour.This week, I was lucky enough to speak to Gareth Liddiard once again, funnily enough, just a day after 'Fairyland Codex' nabbed a spot as a finalist for the Australian Music Prize.Anyway, have a listen to Tropical Fuck Storm's 'Fairyland Codex,' buy a ticket to their upcoming tour, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

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• Episode 73: Gabe Stove & Justin Teale – dust

  For the past few years now, I've been watching Newcastle outfit dust rise through the ranks, ticking achievements off their bucket lists as if it's no big deal.I've eagerly watched them since I wrote their very first piece of press back in 2021, premiering their first single, and manifesting good things for them. Since then, it's been stunning to see them continuously drop stellar pieces of incendiary post-punk, deliver amazing live shows, and even find themselves supporting names like Interpol, Bloc Party, and more.Needless to say, it's always great to see a band such as dust reaching huge heights and continuing to represent Australian music on the global stage.This month, the group unleashed their long-awaited debut album, 'Sky Is Falling.' If you've not listened to it yet, you're undoubtedly in for a treat, with dust showing themselves as one of the most exciting groups in Australia today.This week, I was lucky enough to speak to vocalists and guitarists Gabriel Stove and Justin Teale from dust about their rise to fame and the release of their amazing debut album.Anyway, have a listen to dust's 'Sky Is Falling,' buy a ticket to their upcoming tour, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

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• Episode 72: Evan Dando – The Lemonheads

  If you're a fan of music from the '90s, or just the indie-rock genre in general, then the chances are probably pretty much perfect that you're aware of The Lemonheads.First formed in Boston back in 1986, the group has been fronted by Evan Dando since its earliest days, with Dando being the driving force (and only original remember) since 1989.The Lemonheads rose to widespread prominence in the early '90s thanks to records like 'It's A Shame About Ray' and 'Come On Feel The Lemonheads,' with the former being largely written in Australia when Dando became good friends with Smudge's Tom Morgan.Though The Lemonheads would split back in 1997, they've been an active presence again since 2005, with a self-titled record arriving in 2006. Since then, there's been a few archival releases and reissues, while the brilliant 'Varshons' cover albums arrived in 2009 and 2019.However, earlier this year, it was announced that The Lemonheads would finally be releasing their first new record of original material since 2006. Titled 'Love Chant,' it's a brilliant record that any self-respecting music fan needs to listen to immediately.News of the record also brought with it a return to Australia for The Lemonheads, who played their first local shows in the country since 2019 back in May. A massive return for a group who are effectively honorary Australians these days, I was lucky enough to get the chance to catch up with Dando while he was in the country, visiting him in his hotel room for his first local interview, just hours after he landed in the country.If you know me, then you'd likely know how stoked I was to have this opportunity to chat to a figure in the musical world whose legacy has been immensely impactful. But as expected, it was a bit of a wildcard experience, with Dando also giving this podcast its first live performance of… well, anything to date. We also had a couple of technical issues but it works out fairly well, I feel.Anyway, have a listen to The Lemonheads' 'Love Chant,' have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

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• Episode 71: Tom Partington & Harley Wilson – The Rions

  Since 2021, New South Wales quartet The Rions have been rising stars in Australia's eclectic music scene.First forming in year seven back in 2016 and releasing a few singles at the start of this decade, The Rions rose to fame four years ago when they were announced as the winners of triple j's Unearthed High competition.Winning the esteemed prize despite being unable to promote their work too strongly thanks to the ongoing pandemic, the group remained determined to keep on creating, releasing further singles and then a pair of EPs across 2023 and 2024.Now, we come to 2025 where they've finally arrived at the release of their debut album, 'Everything Every Single Day.' A stellar release from the (still comparatively) young group, it shows The Rions operating at their best, forging ahead as they continue to craft enticing music and bring it around the world.Oh, and I say the world given that their profile has risen so dramatically that they've now been performing an impressive run of dates throughout the UK and Europe alongside Australia, with further shows in these regions set to take place very soon.This week, I was lucky enough to have a chat with drummer Tom Partington and guitarist Harley Wilson for the podcast.Anyway, have a listen to The Rions' 'Everything Every Single Day,' buy a ticket to their upcoming tour, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

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• Episode 70: Dave Graney

  For decades now, Dave Graney has been one of the most important names in the world of Australian music.First making his appearance in the music world in the late '70s, the South Australian-born Graney found wider fame as a member of The Moodists with partner Clare Moore, with the group's influential post-punk sound seeing them based in London as their profile grew.Following the band's split, Graney and Moore pivoted by way of forming Dave Graney 'N' The Coral Snakes. An eclectic project which lasted for around a decade, it ended up being one of Graney's most popular undertakings, resulting in myriad acclaimed records and even a famous ARIA Award for Male Artist Of The Year.That win was off the back of the brilliant album, 'The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound,' which – while actually the lowest-charting of all charting Coral Snakes albums – helped mark Graney's name in the history books with indelible ink.Though other projects would follow over the years (including The Dave Graney Show, The Royal Dave Graney Show, The Lurid Yellow Mist, solo work and others), this year, the Coral Snakes are hitting the road to give 'The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound' its well-deserved 30th anniversary treatment. Frankly, I'd be heading along just to hear one of Australia's greatest songs, 'Rock 'N' Roll Is Where I Hide,' in the live setting.This week, I was lucky enough to have a chat with Dave for the podcast. It was actually supposed to be both him and Clare on the call, but she had to pull out at the last minute, so I'll be sure to catch her another time.Anyway, have a listen to Dave Graney 'N' The Coral Snakes' 'The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound,' buy a ticket to their upcoming tour, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

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