Trusty Chords

Tyler Jenke
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Trusty Chords is a podcast which aims to celebrate music and those that create it. Hosted by Tyler Jenke, it features a casual chat with an artist, and their own trusty chords – the one artist the changed their life, the three albums that impacted them greatly, and the five songs they can always turn to.

  1. Episode 96: Nick Manuell – Bodyjar, Luca Brasi, Raging Hormones

    1D AGO

    Episode 96: Nick Manuell – Bodyjar, Luca Brasi, Raging Hormones

    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.

    1h 31m
  2. Episode 95: Greg Ginn – Black Flag

    APR 30

    Episode 95: Greg Ginn – Black Flag

    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.

    25 min
  3. Episode 94: Kim Yang

    APR 23

    Episode 94: Kim Yang

    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.

    44 min
  4. Episode 93: Dean Hanson – Ball Park Music, Zeano

    APR 16

    Episode 93: Dean Hanson – Ball Park Music, Zeano

    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.

    1h 13m
  5. Episode 92: Anna Smyrk

    APR 9

    Episode 92: Anna Smyrk

    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.

    50 min
  6. Episode 91: Wilsen Conn, George Inglis & Brooke Kymberley – Fairtrade Narcotics

    APR 3

    Episode 91: Wilsen Conn, George Inglis & Brooke Kymberley – Fairtrade Narcotics

    I'm going to make a bold claim that if you're listening to this podcast, you've got a very good taste in music. That's why I think you'd do very well to check out Melbourne's own Fairtrade Narcotics. A genre-defying six-piece ensemble who are often described as blurring the edges of jazz rock and psychedelic pop, they've been in the game for close to a decade now, making lovers of luscious tunes swoon, and melting faces along the way. This week, they release their second album, 'Recession Pop', and I believe it's one of those albums you need to listen to in full to really appreciate. Don't go shuffling it on streaming or picking out the singles – pop it on, sit with it, and let it musically overwhelm your senses. Describing the record as a "soundtrack to a bubble-gum dystopia", it's an album which comes from a period of evolution and change for the band.  Alongside relocating studios, welcoming new members, and further honing their eclectic sound, Recession Pop is a sonic snapshot of a band who have been at it for some time, but are only now showcasing their full potential as songwriters, performers, and artists. This week, I was lucky enough to catch up with Wilsen Conn, George Inglis, and Brooke Kymberley of Fairtrade Narcotics for a chat. If George sounds familiar, that's because he joined in during the Sleepazoid chat a few weeks back. Much like that podcast, drummer Luca Soprano couldn't make it – but I'm not taking it personally. Anyway, have a listen to Fairtrade Narcotics' 'Recession Pop', buy a ticket to their upcoming tour and their album launch show this evening, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

    1h 12m
  7. Episode 90: Alex Cameron & Ben Marwe – Bad//Dreems

    MAR 26

    Episode 90: Alex Cameron & Ben Marwe – Bad//Dreems

    For close to 15 years now, I've been a massive fan of Adelaide's Bad//Dreems. Regarded as one of Adelaide's finest purveyors of pub-rock (a term they initially shied away from), Bad//Dreems first formed back in 2011, and wasted no time hitting the ground running. A debut EP gave way to 2015's 'Dogs At Bay,' which was followed by 2017's 'Gutful,' and 2019's 'Doomsday Ballet.' In 2023, the group re-emerged from COVID with Hoo Ha!, their best-performing record to date, and their only one to (so far) to receive an ARIA Award nomination. As I said at the start, I've been a massive fan of Bad//Dreems across this past decade-and-a-half. In fact, if you know anything about me, it's how much I am a fan of this group. As it stands, they're currently the band I've seen the most, I've also spent time in the studio with them, and they even refer to me as their number one ticket holder – which I'm not going to complain about. Last week, they released their fifth album, 'Ultra Dundee,' which is arguably one of their finest releases to date. It's powerful, it's mysterious, it's angular, jagged, and luscious, and it's the distillation of what Bad//Dreems have been leading to after all these years. Sadly, the record was also accompanied by the news that, after their upcoming tour, Bad//Dreems will be going on an indefinite hiatus. So I recently wiped away the tears and had a chat with founding Bad//Dreems members guitarist Alex Cameron, and vocalist Ben Marwe. Together, we had a lengthy chat about their career, their new record, and what this hiatus means for them. Anyway, have a listen to Bad//Dreems' 'Ultra Dundee,' 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.

    1h 3m
  8. Episode 89: William Crighton

    MAR 19

    Episode 89: William Crighton

    If you've ever thought to yourself, "Son of a gun, I reckon 'bush-psych' is one of those genres that should exist," well, have I got a name for you. That name is William Crighton, the Australian musician originally from Dubbo, who launched his career 25 years ago. However, his musical journey really begins in earnest with the release of his self-titled 2016 album. Remarkable in his musical approach thanks to a profound compositional and lyrical sense that manages to intertwine time, place, country, and emotion in a raw, yet profound mix, Crighton's work has been recognised as, I believe the technical term is 'pretty bloody good', having taken home the ARIA Award for Best Blues And Roots Album off the back of 2022's 'Water And Dust'. Today, Crighton is back with another corker of a record, 'Colonial Drift'. If you're in the mood for a good time, I implore you to pop those headphones on, sit back, and let him transport you with his myriad musical talents. This week (well, we recorded this over a month ago), I was lucky enough to be joined by William Crighton for a chat about his new record, his musical past, and everything else. The audio is a bit spotty due to a poor internet connection, but I won't fret if you don't. Anyway, have a listen to William Crighton's 'Colonial Drift', have a listen to our chat, buy a ticket to his upcoming tour, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

    35 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Trusty Chords is a podcast which aims to celebrate music and those that create it. Hosted by Tyler Jenke, it features a casual chat with an artist, and their own trusty chords – the one artist the changed their life, the three albums that impacted them greatly, and the five songs they can always turn to.

Information

  • Creator
    Tyler Jenke
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    104
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Tyler Jenke
  • Show Website
    Trusty Chords

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