The Rider with Becko and Rob Hirst - Final Interview

Rob Hirst, much loved and will be missed dearly.

Paul Kelly is an Australian music icon. His 30th album is out now, "Seventy" which feels like part 2 of "Fever Longing Still." (Because it is)His songwriting feels effortless, but it's a natural skill that many of us would dream of. Paul has had a massive year, sold-out arena shows, back to back albums and the Red Hot Summer Tour in 2026.‘Seventy' traces its inspiration to Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales and Boccaccio's Decameron, where disparate souls come together to swap yarns and keep the darkness away. “Telling stories is deeply human and has been since we started to become humans,” says Kelly.'Seventy' comes with the song 'Rita Wrote a Letter' - Part 2 of 'How to Make Gravy'. In this interview, Paul reflects how this song has been on the shelf for a little while - but for one big reason. The release of 'Seventy' comes as Kelly rides a wave of unprecedented demand, having recently sold out his extensive arena tour across the country. The tour reinforced his position as Australia's unofficial poet laureate, with Rolling Stone declaring: "He is one of the grand masters of songwriting and our unofficial poet laureate. This year he turned 70, and long may he run." The Age reflected on his enduring cultural impact: "He's forever connecting us back to memory, to place, to home. Kelly's set got me thinking about how he's baked into our national consciousness and perhaps played a part in forming it.”This is The Rider with Becko, and Paul Kelly.

You might remember where you were when the Hottest 100 of 2006 was announced, and for the first time in ages it was a winner you couldn't argue against. "One Crowded Hour" was the standout song of the year, a masterpiece.Augie March were on a slow build, up until then. They had setbacks and tragedy that we'll tackle in this episode. 2006 was a year they will never forget. Catch Augie March on tour in April as they celebrate 20 years of "Moo, You Bloody Choir,"This is The Rider with Becko, and Glenn from Augie March.

The story of Murray Cook's 'sliding doors' moment is one for the ages - if he didn't go to uni and meet Anthony and Greg, there would be no Wiggles and no amazing music as part of the Soul Movers.Over time the Soul Movers have changed and broadened their style with Lizzie Mac on vocals - so the name change to 'Murray and The Movers' opens the door to a more rocky edge.Check out Murray and The Movers on tour this Summer and the new song "If I'm With You".This is The Rider with Becko and Murray Cook.

Youth Group are a gifted band that have always deserved more focus. They have just wrapped up their tour off the back of their 6th album, "Big Whoop." You might remember when they burst onto the scene with one of the greatest covers of all time, "Forever Young" which made it onto the O.C. and all of a sudden, they were hot property - and won an ARIA in 2006. Over the years, Toby has released three solo albums and toured, but when Youth Group get together (which is rare), it feels special. Check out the new album and new song "When I was" - one of the best hooks we've heard all year. This is Toby Martin from Youth Group, on The Rider with Becko.

"Shotgun Karaoke" began as a backstage challenge while Something for Kate were on tour. Paul was thrown impossible songs to cover from artists like Iron Maiden and You Am I. Strangely the challenge started to get a following on Youtube and it sparked something - a covers album!"Shotgun Karaoke" came out and then Paul toured the country, but he didn't necessarly want to be known as the 'covers guy'. (But we all loved his "Wrecking Ball" version all the same!)In 2025, "Shotgun Karaoke II" was released with covers from Cher, Max Q, REM and Patti Smith. The tour also continues in Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne. This is The Rider with Becko, and Paul Dempsey.

Ione Skye, has written one of the greatest books of the year - "Say Everything".Ione, Hollywood it girl as many refer to her is now an adopted Aussie: married to the iconic Ben Lee and living in Sydney. Their podcast "Weirder Together" has some hilarious takes and worth checking out. In 1986 fifteen-year-old Ione Skye landed the breakout role in 'River's Edge' and then she inspired John Cusack’s iconic boombox serenade in the hit Cameron Crowe film, 'Say Anything. 'Her experiences around music and musicians is what makes this memoir so special. Growing up in the Hollywood Hills and living in Laurel Canyon, surrounded by so many gifted people from the Fleetwoods to the Zappas - Ione saw it all. This is The Rider with Becko and Ione Skye.

Franz Ferdinand are set to return to Australia for another massive tour, Perth to Sydney this November and December. The timing is appropriate, after releasing their 6th album - coming back to the country that elevated Franz Ferdinand onto the main stage at The Big Day Out. The rise of Franz Ferdinand blew everyone away when 'Take Me Out' charted across the world and earned the band a Grammy nom and Mercury Prize. There is a winning formula behind the sound of the band, and it made them stand out compared to other guitar based artists. Make sure you catch them in November and December - tickets through Frontier Touring. This is The Rider with Becko, and Bob from Franz Ferdinand

Davey Lane is one of the hardest-working musicians I know. Guitarist for You Am I, he's on various touring projects including the album celebrations of Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, and now his fourth album is released: "Finally, A Party Record."Finally, A Party Record.  is an eclectic mix, chock full of late-‘70s LA party vibes.Singles released so far are God, I’m Fucked Up Over You and Over, Over & Out.Lending vocals up front on lead is Nitida Atkinson (An Absent Lover), with backing vox on other tracks from the likes of Phil Jamieson (Flippant Words), Angus Leslie (Not Expecting To Fly), Loretta Miller (Not Expecting To Fly, Flippant Words, Remedies), Gem Choir (If It Can Rain, It’ll Rain) and a scream from Kram on Remedies.   Go and check out the new album and sit back and enjoy the stories. This is The Rider with Becko and Davey Lane.

It's hard to believe 30 years have passed since one of the most important albums of the indy scene was released: Dave Graney & The Coral Snakes "The Soft N Sexy Sound". Dave Graney & The Coral Snakes were part of a huge movement, long before most of us discovered the band in the mid-90s. Whether it was Melbourne, Sydney or London, we all have a story of stumbling into a smokey bar and seeing the 'loung lizard' in action... and it was something. Fast track 30 years, the upcoming Anniversary shows promise to bring the cool and collective sounds of DG & The Coral Snakes’ acclaimed album to life in full on the stage. The setlist will dive deep into The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound, with standout tracks such as  “Rock'n'Roll is Where I Hide", "I'm Not Afraid to Be Heavy”, and "I'm Gonna Live in My Own Big World”, along with a second set of classics and fan favourites.Dave says: The Soft ‘n’ Sexy Sound. 1995. Gold status. ARIA award for Best Male Artist (I called it “king of pop” as that sounded less pretentious). Rock’n’Roll Is Where I Hide, I’m Not Afraid To Be Heavy, Apollo 69, Morrison Floorshow.This is The Rider with Becko and Dave Graney & Clare Moore