Take 5

Katy Steele has always been surrounded by music. Her brothers came up with the Sleepy Jackson and Empire of the Sun, and her dad Rick Steele was a legendary blues guitarist around Perth. But Katy made her own mark more than 20 years ago, when she burst out as the songwriter and frontwoman of Little Birdy. With her soaring voice and knack for writing catchy pop songs, their debut album BigBigLove made a huge mark on Australian music. And now the band are reuniting to play that record in full for the first time in years. Good reason to invite her in to Take 5, and trek through some of the musical moments that have helped her break out as a songwriter.

It's been a big year for Sam Cromack and his band Ball Park Music. A sold out tour, a #1 album, and a step away from their jaunty indie tunes into a more heartfelt, reflective moment. Like Love has solidified their place and one of Australia’s most loved bands. It got me thinking about other artist's departures; when they shifted the needle on their sound and surprised us all (for the better). Dive into a gloriously nerdy and warm convo with one of Australia's best songwriters, as we explore his favourite departures in song.

Isabella 'Izzi' Manfredi was born to be a frontwoman. As lead singer for The Preatures, she brought rock n roll swagger and brilliant pop songwriting to the scene, when they arrived in the 2010’s. They called it a day in 2020, but recently decided to reform and celebrate that brilliant debut album Blue Planet Eyes. It was the catalyst to invite Izzi in to Take 5, and hear about the music that had been the foundations and moulded around her ever-evolving existence.

Kumi Taguchi is freshly minted author. Long known to us as a journo with ABC News and the current host of Insight on SBS, she’s just put out a beautiful memoir titled The Good Daughter. Kumi has always had that perfect blend of curiosity and empathy, it’s what makes her a great journo. She’s also got a strong grounding in music, having trained in violin as a child and even winning a scholarship to study music. So when I asked her to Take 5, I knew she'd have stories. Settle in for a beautiful convo about connection with the world, and finding yourself (with one helluva soundtrack).

Tim Carroll has got stories. One half of Holy Holy, he’s been adventuring around the world for most of his adult life, and place is key to his story with bandmate Oscar Dawson. As Holy Holy get ready to wrap it up for a while, I grabbed Tim on the way out of the door, to Take 5. His great sense of adventure and exceptional music taste locked this one in as a highlight, so go for a journey of sound and story with Tim.

It was 2006 when UK band The Kooks burst onto the scene with their debut record Inside In / Inside Out. Six albums later, they're returning to the same raw energy that captured their beginnings, and a nod in the album title too.On the day Never/Know comes out, frontman Luke Pritchard joined Zan to Take 5, and celebrate the songs that capture that same energy. From Lykke Li to David Bowie to The Police, this is a joyful chat about inspiration, indie-sleaze, and how music forms the foundations of our shared memories.\

You’re about to hear a side of Antony Green you’ve never heard before. The longtime Chief Election Analyst for the ABC is about to hang up his boots, after calling close to 100 elections in his time. He’s the guy we look to as the polling booths close, crunching the numbers, understanding the swings, and with a brain and knowledge bank that would rival the best computers. Antony is an icon, and arguably the most trusted person in Australia. But who is he behind the numbers? Get ready to find out, as we Take 5 and analyse the man himself across five songs.

Ahead of the dreamy indie icons’ return to Australia, founding member and vocalist Rachel Goswell shares songs by performers who have inspired her to take to the stage, from ABBA to Joni Mitchell.

The talented solo artist and boygenius collaborator has just released her fourth album Forever is a Feeling, but back in 2019 Dacus was in Australia touring her second record Historian, and dropped by Double J to Take 5 with her dream covers.

Zan Rowe speaks with Justin Vernon in his only Australian interview about Bon Iver's first new album in 6 years, SABLE, fABLE.

The acclaimed rapper, actor, poet and activist joined Zan for a joyous Take 5 at the end of a tumultuous 2020.

As the oldest child of Jimmy and Jane Barnes, music has always been in Mahalia Barnes' blood, so it was no surprise that she inherited her dad’s extraordinary set of pipes, and set off on her own path.

Mel Buttle first thought Future Islands had a, "dumb name". Watching them at Splendour In The Grass changed that.

Julia Stone is one of Australia’s most successful musicians. With her brother Angus, she’s topped the Hottest 100 and sold-out massive shows across the world. As a solo artist, Julia has worked with some amazing collaborators. Back in 2021 Julia joined me to Take 5. It was right after she’d released her solo album Sixty Summers, which was a sonic shift from anything we'd heard from Julia Stone before.

Kristin Hersh is a singular artist. For almost 40 years she’s been writing and performing songs. She may have gotten her start as a kid in Throwing Muses, but her creative life has expanded to other bands, solo work, critically acclaimed books, and iconic collaborations. Even if you’re not across Kristin’s work, you’re going to love the conversation you’re about to hear. About the magic of song, how music industry gets in the way of art, and the deep friendships she’s formed across her life. From Vic Chesnutt to Sam Cooke to X, this is one of my favourite conversations about music, muses, and creativity.

Over the years of I've chatted with many incredible people from the LGBTQIA+ community. Artists, comedians, musicians, singers; and a common thread through all these conversations is how much music has meant to them. How it’s been a place of joy and solace, love and healing. As we celebrate the annual Mardi Gras parade, I dug into the archives to pull out some of my favourite moments on Take 5. All of these stories come from the heart, but they also show just how much music is a map for all of us. How it can be a home, a salve, a lightbulb moment, and a community. Listen to the full episodes here: Rhys Nicholson Takes 5 with the unexpected https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/rhys-nicholson-take-unexpected/103148616 Jake Shears' boundary pushing songs https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/jake-shears-take-5/10905602 Casey Donovan's sanctuary songs https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/casey-donovan-take-5-sanctuary-songs/104562904 Ed Le Brocq's songs on the road https://www.abc.net.au/listen/doublej/ed-le-brocq-take-5-on-the-road/102427136 HAAi's pride songs https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/double-j-take-5-zan-rowe-haai/102019612 Lifeline: 13 11 14

For more than 15 years, Sharon Van Etten has worn her heart on her sleeve. Over 7 albums she's processed the raw emotions of life through some incredible songs, and continued to evolve her sound with every album. From early days playing indie folk and Americana, to big anthems, incorporating synths, and now collaborating with her band for the first time on the writing of an album. With The Attachment Theory on deck for her latest, I invited her to Take 5 with her songs of metamorphosis, and what she revealed was the very blueprint of her musical heart.

New Zealand band Shihad are calling it a day. Over almost 4 decades they’ve torn up stages around the world, proving themselves one of the best live bands around. As they hang up the guitar leads, what better time to ask them to Take 5 and share some of their best memories? This is a blueprint for how Shihad came to be. It's also the story of a friendship that began in a schoolyard in Wellington and lives strong between lead singer Jon Toogood and drummer Tom Larkin, to this day. From Killing Joke to AC/DC to Metallica, horns up for a helluva farewell.

One of the most influential bands of our time are coming back to Australia. To celebrate New Order’s return, I’m dusting off a cracking Take 5 from 2020 with the one and only Bernard Sumner. The frontman joined me to share the songs that made him, which was a real treat given his blueprint has changed the course of modern music. Dive into the Haçienda, and hear some incredible stories with this Mancunian legend. Listen to Peter Hook's Take 5 here

What do you say about Wayne Coyne? The legendary frontman of Flaming Lips has been bringing us joy for more than four decades. Their live shows are the stuff of legend; wild visuals, confetti, balloons, furry animal costumes and giant plastic balls rolling across the crowd. And then there's their music, strange and uplifting pop songs that have become the soundtrack to our own lives. As they visit Australia to play Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots in full, Wayne opens up his record box and shares the very foundations of who he is today. Listen to why comedian Adam Hills picks a classic Flaming Lips song in his Take 5 here