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. Odetta – Gallows Pole (Live) Peter Gabriel – The Book of Love (Live) Adrianne Lenker – Sadness As A Gift Rick Steele – Dianella Janis Ian – Stars

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. Big Thief - 'Spud Infinity' Beck - 'Paper Tiger' Julia Jacklin - 'Body' King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - 'Planet B' Radiohead - 'Idioteque'

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. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On) Cat Power - Ruin The Angels  - Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again (live)  Christine Anu - Island Home Charli xcx & Bon Iver - I think about it all the time featuring bon iver

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). Deep Forest - Sweet Lullaby Jamiroquai - Too Young To Die The Presets - Promises L'Impératrice - Agitations Tropicales Daft Punk - Beyond

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. Ennio Morricone - ‘Ave Maria Guarani’ Sinéad O’Connor - ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ Courtney Barnett - ‘Avant Gardener' CocoRosie - ‘By Your Side’ The Knife - ‘Heartbeats’ 

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.\ Bob Dylan - 'Like a Rolling Stone' Lykke Li - 'Complaint Department' David Bowie - 'Oh! You Pretty Things'  The Strokes - 'Under Control' The Police - 'Walking On The Moon'

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. Traffic – 'The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys' Pretenders – 'Up The Neck' Pete Shelley – 'Telephone Operator' Simple Minds – 'I Travel' D:Ream – 'Things Can Only Get Better'

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 knows how to make you laugh. She’s one of Australia’s most loved comedians, and this year got to check another thing off her bucket list when the Melbourne International Comedy Festival asked her to host their Gala. It’s no surprise to anyone who’s seen her. Ever since she took to the stage more than 15 years ago, Mel has been a regular on our TV screens and radio stations. She’s hosted podcasts with Patience from The Grates, and popped up on your Instagram feed as the grey cardigan wearing every mum, called Lyn. She keeps busy.  She also knows how to collect a tale, and over five songs shared the Gala of her own life; heart on sleeve memories, laugh out loud moments, and everything in between. This chat will fill your cup. Hilltop Hoods - The Nosebleed Section The Grates - Aw Yeah John Williamson - Cootamundra Wattle Future Islands - A Song For Our Grandfathers Robyn - Dancing On My Own

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. Björk – 'Hyperballad' James Blake – 'Barefoot in the Park [Ft. Rosalia]' Fiona Apple – 'Fetch the Bolt Cutters' David Bowie – 'Let’s Dance' Robyn – 'Honey'

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. Violent Femmes - 'Kiss Off' X - 'White Girl' Vic Chesnutt – 'Bakersfield' Tendon Levey - 'Tendril' Sam Cooke - 'Nothing Can Change This Love'

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. Scissor Sisters - 'Running Out' David Bowie - 'Boys Keep Swinging' Maddie Zahm - 'You Might Not Like Her' Ry Cooder & V. M. Bhatt - 'Isa Lei' N-Joi - 'Anthem' 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. Jethro Tull - 'We Used To Know'  Mary Chapin Carpenter - 'Passionate Kisses' The Lemonheads - 'Ever'  Nine Inch Nails - 'Terrible Lie'  Portishead - 'Only You'

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. AC/DC – 'Back In Black' Headless Chickens – 'Gaskrankinstation' David Bowie – 'Let’s Dance' Killing Joke – 'Love Like Blood' Metallica – 'Master Of Puppets'

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. Iggy Pop - 'Shades'  Joe Smooth - 'Promised Land' Electronic - 'Twisted Tenderness' Arcade Fire - 'Ready To Start' David Morales - Hideaway [Ft. Blondewearingblack] [Classic Mix] 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. The Beatles – 'Strawberry Fields Forever'  Billie Eilish – 'BIRDS OF A FEATHER'  Nancy Sinatra – 'You Only Live Twice' Julee Cruise – 'Falling' Aphex Twin – 'Flim' Listen to why comedian Adam Hills picks a classic Flaming Lips song in his Take 5 here