Suffering Jukebox

To celebrate Radiothon 2025 and mark the start of 4ZZZ's 50th Birthday celebrations, this morning's episode features an interview with iconic Brisbane songwriter Robert Forster. Known for his work with The Go-Betweens and his lengthy solo career, I recently caught up with Robert by phone to discuss his latest album Strawberries, the ever-changing face of Brisbane and his observations on 4ZZZ's five-decade history. Find out more about Robert Forster (and purchase his music) here https://robertforster.bandcamp.com/

Today's playlist is all about the Radiothon/50th Birthday theme of "Fifty Years In Your Eyes," featuring songs from 1975 to now by some of my favourite local artists.

Nick's Pick for this week is a little different to usual. Instead of reviewing a single album, I am doing a  recap of some of my favourite local albums (and EPs) from the first eight months of 2025. Read the recap below.

Top Five Local Releases (So Far) From 2025

Ed Kuepper & Jim White: After The Flood (12XU/Remote Control)

Released March 21st

It’s Ed Kuepper and Jim White, enough said. If I must elaborate, however, After The Flood is a long overdue collaboration between two of the greats of the Australian underground. Kuepper digs deep into his extensive discography, reinterpreting deep cuts and classics with the assistance of White and his nimble, expressive drumming. Essential Track: Demolition.

Mess Esque: Jay Marie, Comfort Me (Drag City)

Released March 28th

Mess Esque’s beautiful third album, Jay Marie, Comfort Me, was met with almost universal critical acclaim, including the much coveted accolade of being 4ZZZ’s Album of the Week. These honours should surprise no one who has spent any time with Helen Franzmann and Mick Turner’s latest collaborative record, for it is perhaps their finest work to date, featuring all the intricate guitar work and whimsical lyrics one has come to expect from the group. Essential Track: No Snow.

Valve: Family Trust EP (Team Glasses)

Released May 8th

Family Trust is the debut EP from Valve, one of the Meanjin/Brisbane music scene’s finest live acts. Recorded back in 2023, Family Trust captures the group at the start of their musical journey and contains four tracks of raw noise-rock/post-hardcore, plus an intro. Whilst it fails to capture the intensity of the band’s current live performances it showcases the power and promise of a band who are destined for bigger things. Essential Track: …Where Your Subtleties Lie.

Robert Forster: Strawberries (Tapete Records)

Released May 23rd

Another moving collection of songs from a titan of the Brisbane music scene. Strawberries finds Robert Forster in fine form indeed and contains some of his finest songwriting in years. Forster has always set a high bar for himself, but Breakfast On A Train may be up there with his best writing ever, including with The Go-Betweens. Essential Track: Breakfast On A Train.

Slowcut: Flesh EP (Self-Released)

Released July 18th

Flesh is the second release from local post-metal act Slowcut, with a far more refined sound than that of its predecessor, In Death Is Relief. Slower, moodier and heavier, with Flesh, Slowcut manage to distill their sound down to its very essence and also manage to accurately capture the sheer brutality of their live performances. Essential Track: Threaded.

Nick Stephan