The Music Show

ABC Australia
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Music Interviews
  • Updated weekly

All kinds of music and all kinds of musicians in conversation with Andrew Ford.

  1. 6 hr ago

    Cover Story: Never Tear Us Apart

    Never Tear Us Apart began its life as a bluesy demo by INXS’s keyboardist and songwriter Andrew Farris. Frontman Michael Hutchence gave it lyrics, producer Chris Thomas gave it synthesisers, and the public gave it a place on every Australian Music best-of list.  And the covers come from far and wide: you’ll hear English, American, Welsh, French and Lanarkshire accents amongst the covers.  Andy’s guests are ABC Classic’s Alice Keath, and Double J’s Al Newstead.  Every great song gets covered. Sometimes beautifully, sometimes badly, and sometimes by people who clearly should have known better. Cover Story, returning for its third series, hunts down the best, the worst, and the downright strange versions of classic songs, and asks the question: why does this version give us goosebumps while that one makes our skin crawl? Never Tear Us Apart Words by Michael Hutchence, music by Andrew FarrisFirst performed by INXSOn the album Kick, 1987 Versions heard in the show: Joe Cocker - Respect Yourself (2002)Tom Jones feat. Natalie Imbruglia - Reload (1999)The National - Songs for Australia (2020)The Ten Tenors - Wish You Were Here (2017)Courtney Barnett - Rehearsal Room Recording (2018)The Twilight Sad - single (2011)Paloma Faith - John Lewis Ad (2012)INXS with Ben Harper and Mylene Farmer - Original Sin (2010)Next time on Cover Story: The Beatles’ Can’t Buy Me Love. Technical production by Tegan Nicholls The show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.

    55 min

  2. 6 hr ago

    Embracing the choir: Alina Pash returns to Ukraine and Kristina Olsen takes up choral composition

    Alina Pash was last on the show back in 2021, before the Russian invasion of her country began. At that point, Pash said that she wanted to stay in Ukraine and be part of a strong emerging music scene there. Circumstances changed and Alina is now based in the USA, but she returned home last year with the Belgian-Canadian producer Apashe. Together, they recorded with local choirs in Kyiv, drawing on the traditional music of Ukraine to create something very modern. Singer-songwriter Kristina Olsen has been a regular guest on the Music Show over the years, playing folk, jazz, and blues. But her latest work sees her taking on a new challenge - choral compositions. With a suite of works inspired by the equinoxes and solstices, Olsen is connecting with local choirs on her latest tour across Australia. Kristina Olsen's full tour dates are available here Music heard in this program: Title: Winter Solstice EveArtist: Kristina Olsen, Angie Doctor, Kim Scanlon, Ed Johnson, Avi JacobsonComposer: Kristina Olsen Title: KyivArtist: Apashe & Alina PashComposer: Apashe & Alina PashAlbum: Hymns of ResilienceLabel: Majestic Collective Title: EverestArtist: What So Not ft. Alina PashComposer: Chris Emerson, Alina PashAlbum: Everest singleLabel: Independant release Title: PortalArtist: Alina Pash & David AugustComposer: Alina PashAlbum: Alina Pash Coven DeluxeLabel: Bad Witch Good Corporation Title: VoyagerArtist: PJ HarveyComposer: PJ HarveyAlbum: Voyager SingleLabel: Partisan Records Title: I Still Do Miss You Pierre (live)Artist: Kristina OlsenComposer: Kristina OlsenAlbum: Live performance Title: Maybe Better (live)Artist: Kristina OlsenComposer: Kristina OlsenAlbum: ChemistryLabel: Take A Break Productions Title: Never Tear Us ApartArtist: INXSComposer: Michael Hutchence, Andrew FarrisAlbum: KickLabel: WEA The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Tegan Nicholls and Marcus Hobbs

    55 min

  3. 19 Jun

    Cover Story: Wonderwall

    A love song, a football anthem, and a weapon of war for men with acoustic guitars: Noel Gallagher said he thought Wonderwall was an annoying song when he wrote it.  Cover Story dips more than a toe into the world of Britpop with composer and ex-Go-Between Amanda Brown, and conductor, composer and singer Dan Walker.  Every great song gets covered. Sometimes beautifully, sometimes badly, and sometimes by people who clearly should have known better. Cover Story, returning for its third series, hunts down the best, the worst, and the downright strange versions of classic songs, and asks the question: why does this version give us goosebumps while that one makes our skin crawl? Wonderwall Words and music by Noel GallagherFirst performed by OasisOn the album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, 1995 Versions heard in the show: The Mike Flowers Pops - single (1995)Cat Power - John Peel Session live at the BBC (2000) Bring Me the Horizon, single (2025)Paul Anka - Rock Swings (2005)Brad Mehldau - Brad Mehldau Trio Live (2008)Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays The Music of Oasis (1997)Ryan Adams - Love Is Hell (2004)The Killers - Live At Lollapalooza Chile (2018)Oasis - Live in Dublin August 2025Next time on Cover Story: the nation’s favourite Australian song, Never Tear Us Apart by INXS. Technical production by Antonia Gauci The show this week was made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.

    55 min

  4. 19 Jun

    A solo debut from Trials and Isobel D'Cruz Barnes is working In Shadows

    As one-half of A.B. Original, Trials was responsible for one of the key moments in Australian hip-hop over the last decade with the album Reclaim Australia. Away from that collaboration he’s worked with everyone from Paul Kelly to the Hilltop Hoods. His latest work though marks a debut of sorts - his first solo release, called Hendle. Shadow puppetry, dance theatre, and music are all part of a new show called In Shadows, featuring a live composition by Hantu. Isobel D’Cruz Barnes explores the myths and traditions behind her latest work. Music heard in this program: Title: Tree of LIfeArtist: HantuComposer: HantuAlbum: In ShadowsLabel: Live Recording Title: run to the riverArtist: TrialsComposer: Daniel RankineAlbum: hendleLabel: Universal Music Australia Title: whistle while I walkArtist: TrialsComposer: Daniel RankineAlbum: hendleLabel: Universal Music Australia Title: what’s the colour of love?Artist: TrialsComposer: Daniel RankineAlbum: hendleLabel: Universal Music Australia Title: That's How I PrayArtist: Vika & LindaComposer: Vika Bull, Francesca De Valence, Karen Jacobsen, Mark SholtezAlbum: Where Do You Come From?Label: Mushroom Title: PartyArtist: HantuComposer: HantuAlbum: In ShadowsLabel: Live Recording Title: Tree of LIfeArtist: HantuComposer: HantuAlbum: In ShadowsLabel: Live Recording Title: WonderwallArtist: OasisComposer: Noel GallagherAlbum: (What's The Story) Morning Glory?Label: Epic The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Antonia Gauci

    55 min

  5. 12 Jun

    Cover Story: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow

    Cover Story makes a long overdue visit to the songwriting of Carole King, who with her then-husband Gerry Goffin wrote Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow as songwriters-for-hire in the Brill Building music factory of 1960s New York. Originally recorded and made famous by The Shirelles, King's own version of the song on 1971's Tapestry might be its most famous iteration, but there are many brilliant, unforgivable, and indefinable versions for Andy and his guests, Felix Cross and Laura Case, to dig their teeth into.  Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow Music by Carole King, lyrics by Gerry GoffinFirst released by The Shirelles on Tonight’s The Night, 1960 Versions heard in this episode: Carole King - Tapestry (1971)Johnny O’Keefe - B-side to single ‘Rock'n'Roll Will Stand’ (1964)Linda Ronstadt - Silk Purse (1970)Amy Winehouse - Lioness: Hidden Treasures (2011)Taylor Swift - Carole King Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction (2021)Dana Valery - single (1976)Andy Gibb/P.P. Arnold - Andy Gibbs Greatest Hits (1980)Ann Hampton Callaway - Slow (2005)Carole King & James Taylor from Live at the Troubadour (2010)Next time on Cover Story: Oasis's britpop anthem Wonderwall Technical production by Tegan Nicholls The show was made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.

    55 min

  6. 12 Jun

    David Mills' glamour and despair and Lawrence Power shines a light on British music

    Comedian David Mills takes his acerbic humour into the world of cabaret for this year's Adelaide Cabaret Festival. He joins Andy to talk about pessimism, storytelling, and picking the right song for the moment. Violist Lawrence Power joins the Australian Chamber Orchestra this month for a program wending its way through the rolling hills of English music, from Thomas Tallis and Henry Purcell to Jonny Greenwood and Kate Bush.  Music heard in this program: Title: The Man With The Child In His EyesArtist: Kate BushComposer: Kate BushAlbum: The Kick InsideLabel: EMI Title: The SnakeArtist: Oscar Brown JrComposer: Oscar Brown JrAlbum: Tells It Like It Is!Label: Columbia Title: Pirate JennyArtist: David MillsComposer: Kurt Weill & Bertolt BrechtAlbum: Live RecordingLabel: Supplied by artist Title: MothersongArtist: Leah SeniorComposer: Leah Senior and Jesse WilliamsAlbum: Pt. RoadknightLabel: Third Eye Stimuli Title: Flos Campi - Moderato alla marciaArtist: BBC National Orchestra of Wales ft. Lawrence PowerComposer: Ralph Vaughan WilliamsAlbum: Ralph Vaughan Williams/McEwen: Flos Campi & Viola ConcertoLabel: Hyperion Title: Flos Campi - Andante quasi lentoArtist: BBC National Orchestra of Wales ft. Lawrence PowerComposer: Ralph Vaughan WilliamsAlbum: Vaughan Williams/McEwen: Flos Campi & Viola ConcertoLabel: Hyperion Title: Symphony, for double string orchestra - Allegro moltoArtist: London Symphony Orchestra/Vernon HandleyComposer: Elizabeth MaconchyAlbum: Elizabeth Maconchy: Selected worksLabel: Lyrita The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Tegan Nicholls

    55 min

  7. 5 Jun

    Different versions of Daniel Avery and clipping's experimental approach to hip-hop

    Daniel Avery has been filling dancefloors around the world for more than a decade, both as a dj and with his own critically acclaimed records. On his latest, Tremor, Avery has embraced his love of rock and shoegaze, blending driving guitars with his normal electronics. Not content with one set of songs, Avery completely remixed his own album, turning it back to the dancefloor with his Midnight Versions.   There aren’t many musicians who have been nominated for a Hugo - one of the biggest sci-fi awards - but the hip-hop group clipping have had that honour twice, a testament to the narratives that drive their songs. They’re an unusual group musically as well, drawing inspiration from experimental composers and techno music, as well as from their own genre. William Hutson and Jonathan Snipes share how theatre brought the group together, and the very surprising lengths they've gone to in order to get the sounds they want. Daniel Avery is on tour, including date at Rising, Vivid, and Dark Mofo. Details here. Clipping is on tour, including Dark Mofo. Details here. Music heard in this program: Title: DodgerArtist: clippingComposer: Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Snipes, William HutsonAlbum: Dead Channel SkyLabel: Sub Pop  Title: Haze (with Ellie)Artist: Daniel AveryComposer: Daniel AveryAlbum: TremorLabel: Domino Title: Until The Moon Starts ShakingArtist: Daniel AveryComposer: Daniel AveryAlbum: TremorLabel: Domino Title: Until The Moon Starts Shaking (Midnight Version)Artist: Daniel AveryComposer: Daniel AveryAlbum: Tremor (Midnight Versions)Label: Domino Title: DominatorArtist: clippingComposer: Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Snipes, William HutsonAlbum: Dead Channel SkyLabel: Sub Pop  Title: Bring The NoiseArtist: Public EnemyComposer: Public EnemyAlbum: It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us BackLabel: Def Jam Recordings Title: Get UpArtist: clippingComposer: Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Snipes, William HutsonAlbum: CLPPNGLabel: Sub Pop Title: Run For Your LifeArtist: clippingComposer: Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Snipes, William HutsonAlbum: There Existed An Addiction To BloodLabel: Sub Pop  Title: Ask What HappenedArtist: clippingComposer: Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Snipes, William HutsonAlbum: Dead Channel SkyLabel: Sub Pop  The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Isabella Tropiano

    55 min

  8. 5 Jun

    Cover Story: Jolene

    Every great song gets covered. Sometimes beautifully, sometimes badly, and sometimes by people who clearly should have known better. Cover Story, returning for its third series, hunts down the best, the worst, and the downright strange versions of classic songs, and asks the question: why does this version give us goosebumps while that one makes our skin crawl? According to some Dolly Apocrypha, Dolly Parton wrote Jolene and I Will Always Love You on the same day: a lifetime's worth of goosebump production in a single day. And whilst I Will Always Love You is best known by its Whitney Houston cover, Jolene is Dolly's most covered song.  And the variety is stunning. Join Andy and his guests - Adelaide Cabaret Festival's Reuben Kaye and Gillian Cosgriff - to paint a picture of a beauty beyond compare.  Adelaide Cabaret Festival runs until 21 June Jolene – Dolly Parton Composed and performed by Dolly PartonReleased as a single, January 1974 Versions heard in this episode: Olivia Newton John - Come On Over, 1976Beyonce - COWBOY CARTER, 2024Dami Im - Jolene (Acoustic) single, 2018Nicola Zuraitis, Dan Pugach and his Big Band - single, 2025Strawberry Switchblade - Strawberry Switchblade, 1985Darcy Clay - Jesus I Was Evil (EP), 1997Miley Cyrus - Attention (Live), 2022and Reuben Kaye and Gillian Cosgriff - live in The Music Show studio, 2026Next time on Cover Story: Carole King's Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?  Technical production by Isabella Tropiano and Angela Grant The show this week was made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.

    55 min
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About

All kinds of music and all kinds of musicians in conversation with Andrew Ford.

Information

  • Creator
    ABC Australia
  • Years Active
    2006 - 2026
  • Episodes
    946
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All right reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Music Show

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