Trusty Chords

Hello and welcome to Trusty Chords, the podcast which aims to celebrate music and those that create it.

Spend just a few minutes chatting to Nick Manuell, and it's pretty clear that he's one of the hardest-working folks in the Australian music scene.

Having been interested in music since his early years, a number of bands gave way to The Sinking Teeth, who were a staple of live stages for quite some time – close to a decade in fact.

However, Nick's current list of bands can be traced back to 2013, when The Sinking Teeth went out on tour with punk icons Bodyjar for their 'Role Model' tour. Performing alongside Luca Brasi as fellow supports, it was just six years later that he'd be asked to join Bodyjar as their bassist.

Since then, he's served as a member of the legendary rock group, starting another band – Raging Hormones – along the way.

Most recently, Nick went back to that 2013 tour, because in 2024, he also joined Luca Brasi, this time as their rhythm guitarist. Needless to say, if you're in a band right now, be careful chatting to Nick, or else he might just be coming for your job.

Alongside his stellar work in his numerous bands, Nick's work also extends to the worlds of photography, videography, recording, and so much more. I've been lucky enough to share stages with him, record in the studio with him, and have his camera pointed at my face, and he's a dedicated professional in every aspect.

Next week, Nick is hitting the road with Luca Brasi as they kick off their 'If This Is All We’re Going To Be' tenth anniversary tour, but before he does that, he was kind enough to join for a lengthy chat about his musical history.

Anyway, buy a ticket to Luca Brasi's upcoming Australian tour; listen through the discographies of The Sinking Teeth, Bodyjar, Raging Hormones, and Luca Brasi; and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

It's pretty hard to think about punk music over the past 50 years without paying mind to the great Greg Ginn.

Beginning his career with a radio equipment company before he was even a teenager, Ginn co-founded the band Panic with vocalist Keith Morris in 1976, with the group adopting the name Black Flag in 1978.

The ensuing decade has been studied, talked about, written about, and immortalised at great length, with Black Flag quickly becoming one of the most hard-working, prolific, and energetic punk bands on the scene. 

When someone talks about hardcore punk, laments the 'glory days' of the genre, or turns their attention to what a punk band 'should' be, they're probably talking about Black Flag.

Though Black Flag would split in 1986, a batch of reunions have taken place since, and just last year – in 2025 – Ginn announced the latest lineup of the band. This time around, it made headlines, largely due to the fact that the combined ages of his new bandmates don't equate to his own.

While some critics have derided the latest era of Black Flag for featuring a 'Gen Z' lineup, and others have exercised some misogyny with comments towards their newly-recruited vocalist – the first woman to hold down the role – recent footage has shown that the band are actually firing on all cylinders.

This May, Black Flag  are returning to Australia for a batch of shows, and to celebrate, the normally media-shy Ginn joined me for a brief chat about the band's latest happenings. We don't quite get to all of his favourite songs, but with such a hard question put to a great musical mind, who can blame him?

Anyway, buy a ticket to Black Flag's upcoming Australian tour, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

I'll admit that when it comes to music in Australia, Canberra is a music scene that is typically overlooked.

Which is a shame, because that's where most folks got to experience the rise of Kim Yang.

Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Kim's formative musical years saw a brush with fame by way of an impressive appearance on Taiwan's Super Idol TV show. However, after relocating to Australia to professionally study music, Kim revisited the world of performing by way of busking in the streets of Canberra, eventually releasing a batch of recordings into the world.

Following support slots for a run of local acts such as Josh Pyke, Ben Lee, Katie Noonan, and more, Kim's impressive foray with widespread attention preceded a move to Beijing in 2023, where she continued her musical journey on a global scale.

In early May, Kim will release her debut album, the stellar 'Turn On The Lights.' It's an album that is a true pleasure to listen to, with Kim's penchant for curating an intimate, comforting mood with her music underpinned by her innate ability to showcase a sense of vulnerability and humanity in her lyrics.

With lyrical themes focusing on identity, purpose, fear, and anxiety, while also drawing on her own journey through self-doubt, discovery, and acceptance, it's an album you would do very well to listen to.

This week, I was lucky enough to have a chat with Kim ahead of the release of her album, and it was a true pleasure to learn more about her musical journey, and approach to her craft.

Anyway, have a listen to Kim Yang's 'Turn On The Lights' when it arrives on May 7th, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

For the Australian music fans among us (and I've looked at the podcast demographics – that's most of you), the name Dean Hanson might not be to the level of household recognition, though his work is certainly on the way.

For close to two decades now, Dean has served as the guitarist of Ball Park Music, a group who are – in my opinion – one of the country's most consistently good groups. 

Sure, they might not have won an ARIA (yet), and they might have only received their first local chart-topper (so far) last year, their work is stellar, their live experience immense, and their reputation as solid performers established.

But for fans of Dean (and there are plenty), there's good news in the pipeline, because he has today released his debut album under his solo moniker, Zeano.

Dubbed 'Window Seat, Always,' Dean figured it was time to put all those ideas he had bubbling away under the surface to good use and to finally make a record which showcases them all. Working with Tim Hart of Boy & Bear, a ten-day recording period gave way to an album which is truly exceptional.

Some records get unfairly overlooked when described as a 'solo project', but don't let that fool you, Dean has crafted a record which could easily stand tall on its lonesome if he had no prior brand recognition.

That is to say, this is a record you should give your time to. Come for the outgoing pop rock near the start, and stay for the introspective work that populates the back end – you won't regret it.

As you might be able to assume, I was lucky enough this week to have a chat with Dean for the podcast, where we talked about solo projects, supporting big name acts, and creating music solely for the love of it.

Anyway, have a listen to Zeano's 'Window Seat, Always,' buy a ticket to his album launch show, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

Those keeping their finger on the pulse of the Australian music scene may have noticed that just a few weeks ago, we were blessed with the release of 'Spectacular Denial,' the debut album from Anna Smyrk.

An artist who has been performing for many years in various guises, Anna has been working on a solo career for most of the last decade, and it's been a pure treat watching her release music with increasing regularity.

According to her website, she's someone who crafts songs for "word nerds and pop hook obsessives", which is probably why I enjoy her music so much.

With her long-awaited debut album, we've received a powerful collection of tracks that transcend genre lines and traverse myriad topics, with much of the record serving as a vehicle for dealing with grief.

That's all to say, it's an album that is as powerful as it is immersive, and vulnerable as it is brave. I don't think I'm making a bold claim when I say it's one you should definitely listen to.

Recently, I was lucky enough to have a chat with Anna about her many years spent as a wonderful musician, and the journey to this stunning record as well.

I will apologise in advance that there's a few audio hiccups from time to time, but as always, if you don't mind, then neither do I.

Anyway, have a listen to Anna Smyrk's 'Spectacular Denial,' buy a ticket to her upcoming shows, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.