2023 had moments for huge celebrations - we were gripped by Matildas fever, celebrated the 50th anniversary since hip hop began its ascent to dominance, saw technology make the impossible possible and heard more great albums than we can count. And music has been there through the hard times too - with devastating global conflicts, a referendum defeat and escalating cost of living pressures.Join Caz Tran as she reflects on some of the year’s biggest music and cultural moments, tracks that got us pumped as well as a whole heap to get excited for in 2024. 

DJ Shadow (Josh Davis) changed the game of instrumental hip hop in the 1990s. An early signee of British label Mo' Wax, his debut album Endtroducing….. blew minds with its fusion of electronic music and hip hop beats and it was entirely composed using samples. But he's not been content to peddle more of the same. Keeping us guessing, pushing himself and the music forward with each release he's experimented with composing, bringing collaborators onboard (like Run The Jewels) and finding new ways of sourcing samples. DJ Shadow recently released his seventh studio album Action Adventure and it’s the perfect time for us to follow him into the studio, backstage at some of the biggest festivals and into crate-filled basements of record stores to understand how he makes his music.In this episode we also hear how Australian producers, musicians and DJs Katalyst, Joelistics and Beatrice Lewis rate DJ Shadow.

Olivia Newton-John is one of the best selling artists of all time. Across a six-decade career that spanned music, stage, screen and health advocacy, she firmly embedded herself in our hearts.Before the huge success of Grease she’d already made her name as a recording artist, earning Grammys, Country Music Awards and a swathe of hit singles.The story of Olivia Newton-John is full of interesting bumps and swerves. She came first in a TV talent contest as a teenager that won her a trip to England where her career first took off. She went from starring in a 1970s sci-fi film that flopped to being cast as a lead in Grease after a chance meeting at a dinner party at Helen Reddy's house. And she nearly didn't release her hit song Physical because she felt it was too risqué!For the final episode of Aus Music Month get to know this legendary singer, performer and advocate who died last year at the age of 73. 

We’re handing the mic to Yorta Yorta rapper and Double J's Australian Artist of the Year winner Briggs.Adam Briggs has carved out such an important legacy in Australian music. From his early days in Shepparton, supporting artists like MC Reason, Funkoars and The Hilltop Hoods to teaming up with Trials in A.B. Original, building his own label Bad Apples Music, and mentoring the next crop of rappers. The J Files celebrates this legend with archive and reflections from Trials, Reason, The Hilltop Hoods, Nooky, BARKAA, DJ Jaytee and more.

He may not be a household name, but Ron S. Peno had all the makings of a star. From his smalltown regional NSW upbringing to his early glam and punk groups in Brisbane and Sydney, to wowing audiences overseas and being splashed across the coolest music mags, his life and legacy is as colourful and chaotic as it has been artistic and influential. He was a singer, a songwriter, keen collaborator and dynamic frontman for many different bands, most notably Died Pretty—with albums like Doughboy Hollow, Free Dirt, Every Brilliant Eye remaining on high rotation with music lovers to this day. After Died Pretty, Peno continued performing and recording music, forming alt-country duo The Darling Downs with Kim Salmon and Ron S. Peno and The Superstitions with Cam Butler. His presence and contribution to Australian alternative rock over nearly 50 years has been immense. The J Files is paying tribute to this charismatic, unique and bold singer who died in August this year at the age of 68.

For eight years Camp Cope shook up the Australian music industry with their fearless anthems, raw punk rock and stand against sexism and harassment.  After three albums, countless live shows and a music industry forever changed by their advocacy, Georgia Maq, Sarah Thompson and Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich have decided to call it a day. This episode of The J Files celebrates this trailblazing band and their legacy. It features one of their last ever interviews, reflections from fans at their final Sydney Opera House show and from musicians like Teenage Joans, Jen Cloher and Ben Lee.

In the late 90s and early 2000s The Chicks (formerly The Dixie Chicks) were the biggest selling female group in the U.S—selling tens of millions of records and changing the face of country music. The trio weren’t afraid to do things their own way—maintaining independence from their label and speaking out about social justice issues. But their comments about George W. Bush at the height of the Iraq War in 2003 saw them blacklisted from country radio stations, receive death threats, have their CDs burnt in public and their songs tumble from the charts.  They’ve regrouped, renamed and have come back fighting. Get the full story of the rise, fall, and rise again, of The Chicks ahead of their Australian tour. Featuring stories and reflections from Chicks fans Tami Neilson, Freya Josephine Hollick, Fanny Lumsden, Georgia Maq and more.

Jamiroquai’s blend of soul, funk, rock, house and jazz was an instant hit. Songs like ‘Cosmic Girl’, ‘Little L’, 'Love Foolosophy' and ‘Virtual Insanity’ are still on high rotation across dancefloors around the world. Fronted by charismatic singer Jay Kay, the English group are in the country later this month to play Harvest Rock festival. This episode is a chance to dive deep into their sound and story—travelling from the early 1990s to now. Featuring archival interviews with Jay Kay, Acid Jazz label founder Eddie Piller, fansite owner David Rowe, and Jamiroquai fans DJ Nina Las Vegas and Allan McConnell from electronic duo Close Counters.

Australian post-punk group The Birthday Party were loud, raucous and genre-defying. Forming in 1973 as The Boys Next Door, they found limited audiences on home turf and in 1980 they jetted overseas for a crack at breaking into the London music scene, changing their name in the process. The Birthday Party's famously raucous live shows were often confronting and disturbing, and their ferocious sound as a band was a potent cocktail of depravity, absurdity, and the primitive—leading them to be dubbed by the press as "one of the most violent bands in Britain". The group was relatively short-lived, although albums and EPs like Junkyard, Prayers On Fire, Mutiny! and The Bad Seed influenced plenty of bands both in the UK and Australia. The Birthday Party also launched the legendary music careers of Rowland S Howard, Mick Harvey and Nick Cave. In this episode of The J Files hear archival interviews with the band, sound engineer Tony Cohen, filmmaker Ian White, biographer Mark Mordue as well as fresh reflections from Warren Ellis, Tex Perkins and Party Dozen.

Australia has produced its fair share of pop stars, but few are as cherished as Kylie Minogue.  From humble soap star beginnings to worldwide chart domination, moving effortlessly between pop, dance, and indie, she has truly earned her title as Queen of Reinvention. On the eve of her sixteenth studio album Tension with instant dancefloor hits 'Padam Padam' and 'Tension' we're bringing you up to speed on how she went from doing 'The Loco-Motion' to being an international superstar. With huge thanks to Gemma Pike, Gab Burke and everyone involved in the 2018 Kylie Minogue J Files that this episode is built upon.

System of a Down's blend of thrash metal, alternative rock and politics was like nothing we'd ever heard before. Songs like 'Chop Suey', 'Aerials' and 'Toxicity' introduced new fans to heavy music in the late 90s and early 2000s – and were major breakthrough hits for the Armenian-American band that thought they'd never be played on radio. This popularity sat uncomfortably with some of the band, who wanted System to represent a middle finger to conformity and mainstream commercial success. In this episode of The J Files hear interviews with all four band members from the triple j archives discussing the politics, the tension and the legendary live shows. We also check in with triple j legends Emmy Mack, Courtney Fry and Lochlan Watt about why they're still loving System of a Down all these years on.

On the 50th anniversary of hip hop The J Files shines the light on one of the 21st Century's most important voices - Kendrick Lamar. The Compton rapper has had a stratospheric rise since releasing his early mixtapes under the name K.Dot. With five studio albums, a swag of GRAMMYs and a Pulitzer Prize under his belt - he's managed to maintain his artistic integrity and the respect of his peers. Albums like good kid, m.A.A.d city, To Pimp A Butterfly and DAMN. cemented him as a musical icon, but they're not necessarily easy listens. His records are complex and dense conceptual works of art, requiring patience and focused attention.  So how has he managed to crossover in such a huge way— commercially as an artist, as well as legitimising the language of hip hop and the stories of the streets? To get the low down on Kendrick Lamar this episode features interviews with the man himself, his biographer Marcus J. Moore, his collaborators Thundercat, Robert Glasper and Kamasi Washington and Australian rappers taking cues from the King - Sampa The Great, JK-47, Tkay Maidza, Ziggy Ramo, B Wise and Tasman Keith.

Twenty years ago The Panics (Jae Laffer, Drew Wootton, Paul Otway, Jules Douglas and Myles Wootton) released their debut record A House on a Street in a Town I'm From. It was brimming with sun-streaked visions and hazy memories of the people, places and experiences of their hometown Perth. It was clear straight away that this band was onto something special. Across five critically acclaimed albums (including ARIA and J Award winner Cruel Guards), a handful of EPs, relentless touring and massive tracks like 'Don’t Fight It', 'Creaks' and 'My Best Mistake' the band have helped soundtrack some of the key moments in our lives.  Singer Jae Laffer guides us through the story of the band, from screen-printing Panics T-shirts in high school art class to being scouted by the Happy Mondays drummer Gaz Whelan  to performing on stage with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

Angélique Kidjo's powerful voice, infectious enthusiasm and fusion of African rhythms and dancefloor-ready pop music has had the world grooving for close to four decades. Born in Benin, the singer songwriter and activist moved to Paris in her 20s and is now based in New York. Since the early 1990s albums like Logozo and Ayé and hits like 'Agolo' 'Batonga' and 'Wombo Lombo' caught the attention of music fans and DJs in Australia and around the world. Angélique Kidjo is an artist who is constantly pushing the boundaries. As well as singing her own songs in many different languages, she's covered artists like Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix and Talking Heads (her 2018 re-imagining of Remain In Light is a standout). And she's collaborated widely—from Sampa The Great to Phillip Glass and the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra. Hear interviews with Angélique from her many tours down under, as well as from tour promoter Mark Sydow who brought her to Australia for the first time, African music broadcaster Stani Goma, and former triple j World Music Show presenter Jaslyn Hall. 

From its South Bronx beginnings to being the dominant force in music, the evolution of hip hop has been extraordinary – and incredible women have been there every step of the way. They’ve told their stories, vented their spleens, and brought wisdom and spirit – as well as sass and attitude – to hip hop. And in the process, they’ve been a major force in embedding rap music’s place in the mainstream. The J Files bows down to generations of these heavy hitters who injected their own flavour into a male-dominated scene. Hear from artists and hip hop lovers Sampa The Great, Salt-N-Pepa, Rico Nasty, Lauryn Hill, MC Trey, Okenyo, Mawunyo Gbogbo, Tkay Maidza, M.I.A, BARKAA and more.  This episode originally aired in May 2022 and was produced by Sam Wicks, with thanks to Gab Burke, Corynne Tait, Phoebe Bennett and Mawunyo Gbogbo.

Courtney Barnett is one of the most important songwriters of a generation. Songs like 'Avant Gardener', 'Depreston' and 'Pedestrian at Best' find joy in the mundane and have taken Courtney's self-deprecation, dry sense of humour, and playful storytelling to an international audience. Courtney Barnett’s story is entwined with that of Milk! Records, the label she founded from her Melbourne bedroom back in 2012 to release her first EP I've Got A Friend Called Emily Ferris. Digging into a decade of interviews, live performances, albums, EPs and B-sides, The J Files charts the stratospheric rise of this singer songwriter and finds out what the next chapter holds. We’ll also hear from Milk! Records label artists Jen Cloher and Fraser A. Gorman, as well as filmmaker Danny Cohen, musicians Kim Deal, A.C. Newman, Darren Hanlon and Sibylla Stephen (The Little Stevies).

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that this program contains voices, names and music of people who have died. When No Fixed Address formed on Kaurna Country in the late 1970s, their fusion of rock and reggae was like nothing we'd ever heard before.  They were sometimes referred to as "Australia's most controversial band" because their lyrics fought back against racism and colonialism (especially in songs like 'Pigs', 'Black Man's Rights' and 'We Have Survived'), and their reggae rhythms got us dancing, and listening, to what they had to say. No Fixed Address were the first Aboriginal band to tour overseas, and their appearance in the film Wrong Side of the Road brought issues facing First Nations musicians to national attention and helped to blaze a trail for artists and storytellers that followed. This episode features Bart Willoughby and Ricky Harrison of No Fixed Address, along with fans of the band like Goanna's Shane Howard, journalist and producer Russell Guy, ABC host of Island Music Rick Howe and Gumbaynggirr rapper Wire MC.

Kraftwerk were true innovators, blurring the line between human and machine and always on the forefront of musical technology. But how did these self-described musical outsiders from Düsseldorf, who were classically trained, neatly groomed, and softly spoken, go on to have such an immense impact on the development of electronic music, as well both hip hop and techno? There’s a lot to unpack in Kraftwerk’s sound, story and success—spanning from their early acoustic albums of the 1970s like Kraftwerk and Ralf and Florian, to the highly produced concept albums Trans-Europe Express, Autobahn, Computer World and The Man Machine. In this episode we’ll be exploring Kraftwerk’s sonic development with founding member Ralf Hütter, as well as a roll call of fans from all corners of music…people like Beck, Brian Eno, Dan Whitford (Cut Copy), Kate Crawford (B(if)tek), Elton John, Max Richter, John Foxx (Ultravoxx) and more.

Trailblazing trio De La Soul cemented their place in hip hop history with their astonishing debut album 3 Feet High and Rising which blended humour, playful samples and a flower power image that was at odds with gangsta rap ethos of the time.  Over 30 years and across eight more albums,  Kelvin "Posdnuos" Mercer, David "Trugoy the Dove" Jolicoeur, and Vincent "Maseo" Mason have kept that inventive spirit alive, experimenting with concepts, skits, live instrumentation, obscure samples, eclectic collaborators and a sharp eye on social and political issues. 2023 has been a year of great highs and lows for the group—in February, Jolicoeur AKA Trugoy The Dove died at the age of just 54.  A few weeks later, the group’s music finally appeared on streaming platforms for the first time after decades of complex, and protracted battles with their label. Joining the party to celebrate De La Soul on the eve of the 50th anniversary of hip hop is Sky High's Hau Latukefu , Urthboy, DJ Nick Toth, 1200 Techniques, Chief Xcel from Blackalicious and many more.

Joy McKean isn't the biggest name in Australian music, but she has every right to be. The first ever Golden Guitar winner, the writer of so many of Australia's most iconic country songs, a workhorse who, along with her husband Slim Dusty, blazed a trail for what an artist could do in this country. Her music has helped bring communities together across the nation and her influence is impossible to overstate. Learn more about her incredible life and career in this special celebration of a true icon. This episode of The J Files was originally broadcast in November 2021. In light of the news of Joy McKean's passing, we've re-released the broadcast as a podcast on 26 May 2023.

Depeche Mode have been an enduring force of electronic music for over forty years. On The J Files, hear the story of how a bunch of mates from Basildon, UK formed a synth pop band, rehearsed in a spare bedroom, and didn't have a drummer because they "didn't know one".  With upbeat early hits like 'Just Can't Get Enough' and 'New Life', the band's sound evolved into something darker and more experimental, with increased emotional oomph. Critically acclaimed albums like Black Celebration, Violator, Songs Of Faith And Devotion, Music For The Masses, and their 2023 release Memento Mori have found them fans across continents and generations. In this episode hear from all past and present members of the band, Mute Records founder Daniel Miller, documentary filmmakers D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus, musicians Gotye and Jimmy Pop (Bloodhound Gang), author of Sweet Dreams: The Story of the New Romantics Dylan Jones, and Australian superfan Tim Sowden.

Yoko Ono is a songwriter, a singer, a visual and performance artist, an activist, a feminist, a mother and a widow. She may also be one of the most misunderstood and maligned musicians of the twentieth century. This provocative artist has lead an extraordinary life— she was born in Tokyo before moving to New York in 1952, immersing herself in the burgeoning avant-garde art and music scenes long before she ever met John Lennon. This year marks Yoko Ono's 90th birthday and The J Files is celebrating the musician and the muse through iconic tracks with John Lennon like Give Peace A Chance, Happy Xmas (War Is Over) and Imagine, as well as her immense and varied solo output with songs like Walking On Thin Ice, Waiting For The Sunrise, Nobody Loves Me Like You Do and Kiss Kiss Kiss. Fans of her music exist across the musical spectrum and this episode features perspectives from Ben Lee, Peaches, Harry Nilsson, Death Cab For Cutie’s Ben Gibbard, The Go-Betweens’ Lindy Morrison, Rebecca Barnard, Carla Lippis and more.

What do you get when you mix a bluesy instrumental surf rock band with one of Australia's most charismatic frontmen? The Cruel Sea. Tex Perkins was working as the band's lighting technician when he was invited to write and sing with the group. He joined full-time for their mainstream breakthrough third album The Honeymoon Is Over, which turns 30 this month. Fusing surf pop with dirty blues, dub and reggae rhythms and a good wallop of rock ‘n’ roll, this Sydney band quickly earned a reputation as one of Australia’s best and most energetic live acts, playing both the smallest pubs and the biggest festivals. Dive into this episode of The J Files for the stories behind making their six studio albums, raucous live shows, stolen ARIA trophies, troubled relationships with mainstream success and good old fashioned rock 'n' roll.

The story of how the B-52’s went from being a little dance band from Athens, Georgia to one of the world’s favourite party groups is a wild ride. Formed by five friends (Fred Schneider, Cindy Wilson, Ricky Wilson, Kate Pierson and Keith Strickland) over cocktails at a Chinese restaurant, they jumped from small town clubs and house parties to conquer NY’s tough punk scene, and then saw instant success with their early albums (1979’s The B-52’s and 1980’s Wild Planet). Tracks like ‘Private Idaho’, ‘Rock Lobster’ and 'Planet Claire' are still in high rotation at parties and clubs around the world. After the tragic death of the group’s guitarist, Ricky Wilson, and a five-year hiatus, their 1989 album Cosmic Thing (and ubiquitous single ‘Love Shack’, and fan-favourite 'Roam') brought them hurtling back into the charts. The B-52's unique sound blended 50s rock & roll, 60s girl groups, surf, funk and punk along with sc-ifi, horror, B-grade movies and all things kitsch. Their energy as a live band is totally contagious, but after 45 years together the band is calling it quits with a string of final dates in the States this year.  Join The J Files in throwing these new wave legends the farewell party they deserve!

From a very early age Ben Lee knew he wanted to be a pop star. He started writing songs in his bedroom as a 10-year-old before fronting the high school rock band Noise Addict at 14. The group drew the attention of Beastie Boys and Sonic Youth after they were discovered by a record label boss who happened to hear them play at a community sausage sizzle. His solo career has taken many twists and turns—with albums about sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll sitting alongside records that take on spirituality, dream states, politics and family life. With hits like ‘Catch My Disease’, ‘Cigarettes Will Kill You’, ‘We’re All In This Together’ and ‘Rise Up’ it’s fair to say that he’s one of Australia’s favourite, and most prolific, songwriters. Ben Lee’s story is one of raw talent, brazen ambition and pluckiness, plenty of hard work, a great sense of humour and a relentless curiosity and optimism spanning three decades.

Filmmaker David Lynch has been subverting our senses since his feature length debut Eraserhead in 1977. He’s consistently tread a hazy line between dream and reality, comfort and menace, innocence and perversion with television and films like Mulholland Drive, Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet, Lost Highway and Wild At Heart. At the very centre of his cinematic world are the soundtracks, many of them featuring the compositions of Angelo Badalamenti and the voice of Julee Cruise.  In light of the passing of both Cruise and Badalamenti last year, we’re revisiting a J Files special on the music of David Lynch which was hosted by Francis Leach in 2015. This episode touches on some of Lynch’s most iconic musical moments— Nicolas Cage channelling ‘The King’ in Wild At Heart, Bobby Vinton’s Blue Velvet becoming irreversibly creepy, David Lynch’s own songwriting forays, and Trent Reznor’s fingerprints all over the soundtrack to Lost Highway (including Nine Inch Nails’ hit written for the film—'The Perfect Drug'). We’ll also hear from Adalita, Yuka Honda from Cibo Matto, experimental post-punk band Xiu Xiu, music director David Coulter, Australian fans of his music and art as well as from Lynch himself. 

UK dance duo Basement Jaxx are responsible for iconic music videos and classic dancefloor tracks like ‘Where’s Your Head At’, ‘Red Alert’, ‘Good Luck’, ‘Romeo’ and ‘Do Your Thing’. Across seven studio albums—from 1999’s debut Remedy, to 2003’s Grammy-winning Kish Kash, and their latest, 2014’s Junto—they’ve always kept us guessing where their musical heads are at. Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe have teamed up with guest vocalists like Dizzee Rascal, Yoko Ono, Siouxsie Sioux, Lisa Kekaula and in recent years worked with orchestras around the world to give their dance-floor bangers lush string arrangements. Basement Jaxx are in the country right now for a run of DJ sets, and Felix Buxton joins Caz Tran to plug into some of their biggest moments across their 30-year career (like the time they snuck Prince Harry onto a festival stage disguised in a monkey suit).

Sharon Van Etten is one of the most revered singer songwriters of our time and her songs make us feel things deeply. From 2009's sparse and delicate Because I Was In Love, to 2022's textured synth epic We've Been Going About This All Wrong, Sharon has experimented with her sound across six studio albums. Her melodic writing and soaring contralto voice capture our hearts from the first notes every time.  Artists flock to collaborate with Sharon Van Etten, including Josh Homme, Angel Olsen, Margo Price, as well as Jack Ladder and BATTS who share their admiration for her in this episode.

When Outkast burst onto the scene in the early 90s they quickly shook up the notion of what hip hop could be. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia the duo put Southern rap on the map and showed the world that the South had something to say. Across two decades Outkast released groundbreaking albums like 1998's Aquemini, 2000's Stankonia, and 2003's epic Speakerboxxx/The Love Below - with hits like 'Hey Ya', 'Roses', 'The Way You Move' and 'Ms Jackson' getting everyone up on the dancefloor. The duo always kept fans guessing their next move - incorporating instruments not normally heard in hip hop, fusing funk with drum 'n' bass, featuring up-and-coming MCs and never being afraid to get weird. Outkast remain one of the most influential hip hop groups of all time. Caz Tran is diving deep into their catalogue with help from Tasman Keith, Beck, Sa-Roc, Mark Ronson and more.

Double J’s music doco show The J Files is coming back! Bringing you the stories behind the music you love.  We’ll be diving deep into tonnes of iconic bands and artists like Ben Lee, The Cruel Sea, Sharon Van Etten and Outkast. The J Files is back Thursday nights at 7 on Double J, or listen to the podcast anytime on the ABC Listen app or your favourite podcast app. 

When it comes to unforgettable moments in music 2022 did not disappoint.

The Audreys went from small clubs in Adelaide in the early 2000s, to conquering the world's stages.

When Sunnyboys splashed onto the Sydney music scene in 1980, their impact was immediate.

Archie Roach was one of Australia's most loved and essential voices.

Little Birdy walked an exquisite line between joy and heartbreak.

Mary J. Blige is the Queen of Hip Hop Soul.

Kimbra is a uniquely talented singer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and collaborator.

Green Day have always been up for causing a ruckus.

David Bowie impacted music in profound ways, well before the world was ready for such changes.

Eddy Current Suppression Ring are one of Australia's finest ever garage rock bands.

Gillian Welch is one of the most fascinating and endearing songwriters in contemporary music.

D'Angelo's moody experimentation and smooth voice brought a change to R&B and soul music.

Homegrown heroes You Am I have dominated Australian rock’n’roll for more than 3 decades.

Cocteau Twins were the blueprint for shoegaze and dream pop bands in the 80s and 90s.

His time on this earth was tragically cut short, but Biggie's legacy has endured for decades.

Drumming is an intriguing and individual combination of skill, instinct and physicality.

With Damon Albarn's musical flair and Jamie Hewlett's proven record for creating engaging virtual characters, it's no wonder the collaboration has been so fruitful and successful.

The voice and songs of Florence Welch hit us like a brick from the very beginning. Such an auspicious start is a lot to live up to, but Welch and her band have delivered over and over again. Five albums in and their songs remain as affecting and rousing as ever.

Yothu Yindi are one of the most important Australian bands of all time.

No one does rowdy punk rock quite like Frenzal Rhomb. The Sydney band have always stood out with their crude lyrics, on-stage shenanigans and strong sense of social awareness.

Trials is one of the most revered and in demand producers in Australia right now.

There's so much more to Kate Bush than 'Running Up That Hill'.

When it comes to covering broad musical territory, few bands compare to Faith No More.

Lana Del Rey has perfected tragic Hollywood romanticism with her love of vintage glamour and beautiful melancholia.

Archie Roach is one of the country’s most loved and essential voices.

This rapper, singer, songwriter and producer has worn many hats over a three decade-plus career.

Ever since these high school friends burst out of Fremantle, their irresistible pop rock has had us turning up our stereos.

The xx have come a long way since uploading bedroom demos to MySpace in the mid-2000s.

Foo Fighters are one of the biggest rock bands on the planet, a long way from the one-man band Dave Grohl cooked up in the wake of Kurt Cobain's death.

A love letter to the music and movements that have helped us through the year.

Michael Gudinski's legacy is among the most immense of any other figure in the history of Australian music.

When Melbourne's The Bamboos started making waves in the 2000s, they were trailblazers.

From mod revivalist to Britpop overlord, the Modfather has been British rock royalty since the late 1970s.

For over 30 years, these New Zealand titans of hard rock have strived to be the best, and rarely fallen short of getting there.

Keeping the vibes high while singing about vital issues, Blue King Brown are a band who make you think as much as they make you dance.

As Badmotorfinger celebrates its 30th anniversary, we look back at these Seattle sons' huge career and the legacy they have left.

From his all-time classic debut LP Illmatic to now, Nas remains one of the most revered rappers on the planet.

Crafting dramatic atmosphere with stormy command, The Jezabels cemented themselves as one of Australia’s most engrossing indie rock bands.

From 'Skinny Love' to his seemingly endless other musical projects, Justin Vernon remains one of modern music's most wonderfully enigmatic creators.

The Norwegian duo are true masters of modern electronic music.

Step into the kaleidoscopic world of Kelis, the singer, songwriter and chef who has never stood still.

With 40 years of heavy riffs, over 125 million albums sold, and a fan base that spans generations, there's simply no other band like these metal titans.

With their knack for crafting exquisite indie folk, Boy & Bear found themselves at the forefront of indie-folk music.

After the birth of Sonic Youth 40 years ago, indie rock was the never the same again.

Electronic music owes an immeasurable debt to Ed Banger Records.

Few Australian bands have broken harder and faster internationally than The Vines did in the 2000s.

It's been 25 years since The Coming, the monumental debut album from American hip hop king Busta Rhymes.

Kim Deal is an integral part of the history of indie rock.

One of the biggest forces in 90s rock was also one of the most politically charged.

For Reconciliation Week 2021, we explore some of the most powerful and enduring protest songs written by First Nations artists across the past 90 years.

Siouxsie Sioux is a post-punk icon like no other.

Hilltop Hoods took Australian hip hop to a level it'd never reached before.

Danger Mouse has had a hand in some of the most iconic songs of the 2000s.

The supergroup is a staple of the music business – a mash of egos, styles, genres, fan bases and, presumably, touring calendars.

Brisbane band george put an intriguing spin on alt-rock in the early 2000s.

It feels like The Offspring have lived many lives.

TISM were the ultimate shit-stirrers and Australian music fans loved them for it.

Sonic anarchy, funny lyrics, and genius pop songs made Regurgitator a vital part of Australia’s alternative music explosion in the 1990’s.

Kasey Chambers changed Australian country music for good when she emerged as a solo artist in the late 1990s.

Africa is at the root of just about all the contemporary music we love. One of the most recent examples of this is the frenetic, hypnotic genre of Afrobeat.

The impact of Gossip on the indie scene of the 2000s cannot be overstated.

When Muse formed in the mid-90s, Britpop reigned supreme. But the trio from Devon had grander musical ambitions, and those objectives only became bolder as their career progressed.

With Damon Albarn's musical flair and Jamie Hewlett's proven record for creating engaging virtual characters, it's no wonder the collaboration has been so fruitful and successful.

Jay-Z has gone by many names.

The Triffids never enjoyed the same mainstream success as many of their peers, but there are few bands in this country who have been as acclaimed and influential.

When Lily Allen's career exploded in the 2000s, her name was on every music lover's lips.

For almost 40 years, Los Angeles icons Red Hot Chili Peppers have defied convention with their mashed-up brand of funk and rap-infused rock'n'roll.

It might be a year we want to forget, but there's been plenty worth remembering about 2020.

Perth's Pendulum are one of the biggest musical exports of the 2000s so far.

Celebrating one of Australia's most endearing musicians and personalities.

Kev Carmody might have been a late bloomer, commencing his music career in his 40s, but his contributions to music and culture will resonate for generations.

There's such charm in Josh Pyke's songs that it's no surprise that he commanded a huge following after breaking though in the mid-2000s.

Alicia Keys is not your average pop star.

The taut and melodic rock of Adelaide's The Superjesus was a vital part of Australia's late-90s soundtrack.

Robyn has been making pop music since she was just a kid.

Of all the incredible punk bands that broke through in the 90s, few made the kind of impact as Blink-182.

Groove Armada are responsible for some of the biggest dancefloor filling tracks of our time.

The voice and songs of Florence Welch hit us like a brick from the very beginning.

Wu-Tang Clan remain one of the most influential hip hop acts in history

Few bands from the 90s have had the staying power of Pearl Jam.

These days, we know Sinéad O'Connor as one of Ireland's most successful and outspoken musicians. But, 33 years ago, her debut album The Lion and The Cobra hit us like a slap in the face.

It didn't take long for everyone to realise that Tiddas were special.

Smashing Pumpkins helped define what rock music sounded like in the 1990s.

It's time to go full throttle into the grimy and explosive sounds of drum'n'bass.

The world went wild for pop punk in the 90s. Australian music lovers were no exception.

The Cat Empire aren’t so much a band, they’re a live music institution.

There is no more powerful artist on the planet right now than Beyoncé.

There are few bands as influential as New York punk progenitors The Velvet Underground.

Even if you don't know Philippe Zdar by name, you know his music.

The Avalanches' 2000 album Since I Left You remains one of the most forward-thinking, intriguing and influential albums of this century.

How quarantine birthed Canada's newest punk band.

It's no surprise that LCD Soundsystem made such a strong impact with their brilliant, self-titled debut album in 2005. They weren't like any regular fledgling band.

Missy Elliott is one of hip hop's most uncompromising figures.

Bands don’t come much more likable than Custard.

Bloc Party are one of Britain’s most enduring but curious indie rock successes.

In 2007, a Sydney brother and sister duo in their early 20s released their debut album – a warm and engaging collection of folk songs – and fast became one of the most beloved acts in the country.

Everything about New York is overwhelming. And so much about it is awe-inspiring.

Belgian brothers David and Stephen Dewaele have made a lot of music in the past 25 years.

Something For Kate have become one of Australia's most loved rock bands.

Ice Cube is one of the great game changers of hip hop.

Missy Higgins has come a long way since being Unearthed by triple j back in 2001.

Deftones are one of the most revered heavy bands of the modern era.

When Melbourne's The Bamboos started making waves in the 2000s, they were trailblazers.

PJ Harvey's standing in the world of modern music can not be overstated.

Messages can take on more power when set to music.

Australian art-pop group Architecture In Helsinki have had a wonderful career full of creative twists and turns.

Australia fell hard for Jurassic 5 in the late-90s and early-2000s.

Modern rock'n'roll bands don't come much bigger than The Strokes.

The final years of the Big Day Out were mired in controversy.

The Big Day Out's most successful years were also the most turbulent.

In 2001, tragedy struck the Big Day Out.

After the accidental success of the first Big Day Out in 1992, the festival grew quickly.

The Big Day Out was once the biggest touring music festival in the world.

As 2019 comes to an end, it's time to reflect.

Sampa the Great is the Double J Australian Artist of the Year

Damien Lovelock was a rock'n'roll icon. But there was so much more to him than that.

Megan Washington's career has been as unpredictable as it has been acclaimed.

How a bunch of Perth kids playing Ratcat covers became beloved Australian favourites.

The final years of the Big Day Out were mired in controversy.

The Big Day Out's most successful years were also the most turbulent.

In 2001, tragedy struck the Big Day Out.

After the accidental success of the first Big Day Out in 1992, the festival grew quickly.

The Big Day Out was once the biggest touring music festival in the world.

The Flaming Lips are one of the most mind-bending psychedelic bands of the modern era.

We first heard him as part of N.W.A., but that was just the beginning of Dr Dre's ascent in popular culture.

Trip hop was one of the defining sounds of the 1990s. Portishead were one of its most vital merchants.

Intense, enigmatic, uncompromising and technically brilliant; it’s no wonder people are obsessed with Tool.

Song has forever been an important way of sharing stories, experiences and culture.

The Temper Trap's 'Sweet Disposition' is a stunning, evocative song.

In the 11 months between March 2010 and February 2011, we witnessed the birth of a new indie superstar.

Celebrating a British hip hop game-changer.

A tribute to one of the best Australian songs of all time.

Sia is a bona fide superstar, but her origins are humble.

London's Hot Chip have been at the forefront of indie dance music for almost 20 years now.

You can't help but feel that R&B would be a different game if it weren't for TLC.

Nirvana are one of the great success stories in modern popular culture.

When Sigur Rós first came to our attention roughly 20 years ago, it felt like a new world had opened.

Some of the best bands in history have had women in the engine room, holding down the all-important basslines on which their songs are grounded.

Robert Smith wanted to make a masterpiece.

Cut Copy are one of our most successful indie exports of the past couple of decades.

For music lovers of a certain persuasion, there are no two words in the English language more powerful than Neil Young.

In a couple of weeks, Kate Miller-Heidke will be on the biggest stage of her career as she represents Australia in the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest.

Iggy Pop is one of the few living gods of rock'n'roll.

There are plenty of words you can use to describe M.I.A.

There were a lot of great British electronic acts that emerged in the 1990s. But there is only one The Chemical Brothers.

It seems like more and more Australians fall in love with Japan every year.

There’s something special about Fat Freddy’s Drop.

Archie Roach is one of our country’s most essential voices.

Liz Phair has always been a bit of a game-changer.

Born out of the thriving UK rave scene in the early 90s, they fused rock and techno with a freaky, punkish edge. There was no one like The Prodigy.

In 2006, the Arctic Monkeys exploded like few bands before them ever have.

They’re so much more than just that band from TV.

John Butler is a truly unique artist.

The Cranberries were a vital rock’n’roll force, who sounded like no one we’d heard before.

There was a lot of great music to celebrate in 2018.

Musicians as talented as Gurrumul do not come around often.

Spencer P. Jones was the unsung hero of Australian rock’n’roll.

Missy Higgins has come a long way since being Unearthed by triple j back in 2001.

Elefant Traks celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2018.

Australia has produced some great pop stars over the years, but Kylie Minogue is special.

Is The White Album the best Beatles album?

Nine Inch Nails are one of modern music’s most uncompromising outfits.

The story of Fleetwood Mac is almost as good as their music.

Bloc Party are one of Britain’s most enduring but curious indie rock successes.

Radiohead are the world’s most famous cult band.

Few can rival Powderfinger’s status as Brisbane’s biggest band, and certainly one of Australia’s most loved.

In terms of impact, Tupac Shakur was arguably the most iconic and important rapper of his generation.

Moloko never played by anyone’s rules but their own. The electronic pairing  of Irish singer Róisín Murphy and Mark Brydon was one of a kind, and here Murphy dives deep, looking back at their 25 year legacy. 

What’s the sexiest song you’ve ever heard? Whether it’s seductive lyrics, smooth basslines, or saucy stage presence, we’ve all got a soft spot for the steamy songs dedicated to everyone’s favourite bedroom pastime (besides sleeping).

For over three decades, Underground Lovers have lived up to their name, remaining truly alternative and very much loved as mainstays of the Australian music scene.

She’s an icon in music, fashion, film, marketing and pop culture in general. The very mention of her name elicits so many memories and so many thoughts about her career – the music, the controversies, the enduring legacy.

The fact that one man could create three pieces of work like Bringing It All Back Home, Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde On Blonde in the space of just 15 months is beyond comprehension. That all three stand up as works of unparalleled genius over 50 years later is no easier to understand.

Elliott Smith was one of the great songwriters of the late 20th Century. That he received such well-deserved mainstream recognition of his talent through breakthrough songs like ‘Between The Bars’ and ‘Miss Misery’ and albums XO and Figure 8 feels like some justice. But that he left us so early in his life and career remains as heartbreaking as the saddest of his songs.

Iceland is small, isolated, cold and punches well above its weight in terms of musical output.

There are songs, there are good songs, there are great songs, and there are anthems.

Ten Australian musicians share their memories of this year's J Award winner

Regina Spektor had a unique introduction to music

There are lots of bands in this world. But there has never been a band like Creedence Clearwater Revival.

It was only a matter of time before we celebrated one of Australia's most prominent musical exports

For almost 30 years, Warp Records has been a champion of musical mavericks.

The soundtracks to the films of Baz Luhrmann are often as memorable as the movies themselves.

Punk rock legends. New wave innovators. Hip hop torchbearers. Blondie have forever pushed the envelope

Join Gemma Pike for the Xavier Rudd J Files, Thursday 24 May from 8pm on Double J.

Join Gemma Pike for the Ice Cube J Files from 8pm Thursday 18 May

Famously cobbled together as a kind of producer-led supergroup, Garbage almost immediately became something far more profound.

Join Gemma Pike for the Belle and Sebastian J Files, Thursday 3 May from 8pm.

Feature by Tatjana Clancy

Are you ready for this jelly? Gemma Pike presents the Beyoncé J Files on Thursday 19th April at 8pm AEDT.

The Presets are titans of Australian electronic music.

Join Gemma Pike for the Mazzy Star J Files from 8pm Thursday 5 April

Nile Rodgers is one of the most prolific hitmakers on the planet.

The frontman goes back in time to tell the stories behind their biggest moments

Gemma Pike presents the Manchester J Files from 8pm Thursday 15 March.

Australian music wouldn't be the same without the immense contribution Deborah Conway has made over the past four decades.

Gemma Pike presents The Living End J Files Thursday 1 March on Double J

The story of one of France's finest ever rock bands

Join Gemma Pike for the Kate Bush J Files, 40 years on from the release of her debut album, Thursday 15 February from 8pm AEDT.