The Big Note

04/11/2025

Here I am in the studios of 3MDR 97.1 FM playing Australian music for Aus Music Month. There was a fair bit of talking last week, what with having not one but two wonderful guests to interview, so this week, I'll try and have more music, less talk! 😁

PLAYLIST:
* Soufflé - Mighty Horse from “Road Movie Dream” [20-03-25]
* Under The Milky Way - Jimmy Little from “Messenger “ [2000]
* Forgiveness - Nakai Ni Wortawor - Bortier Okoe [22-11-24]
* The Unified Field - All India Radio Band from “THE UNIFIED FIELD” [31-10-25]
* Test Pattern - Ollie Olsen, Andrew Duffield, Bill McDonald from “Last Recordings” [13-12-25] Eternal Music Projects
* Final Girl - effe [02-09-25]
* Good Times - Royel Otis from “hickey” [22-08-25]
* Streets of your Town - The Go Betweens from “16 Lovers Lane” [1988]
* Acheron - Three Wise Monkeys from “Pseudomonarchia Daemonum” [07-11-24] CERCA TROVA
* When You Go Home - Light Burst from “Light Burst” [07-11-24] Eternal Music Projects
* Orb - Glass Beams from “Mahal” [22-03-24]
* She Knows - Enli [24-10-25]
* Time will Tell - Mornz from “Time Will Tell” [05-09-25] HVProductions
* As They Are - Dub Machine [02-11-25]
* LeSnack - Playlunch from “Sex Ed” [19-09-25] ABC Music
* Mental and Dental Affirmations for Mouth and Mind 432hz - S.Miles from “Mouth Mantras - Healing Frequencies for Mouth & Mind 432hz” [06-08-25]
* Through The Rhythm Glass - Crunchtime Music from “Glass Half Full” [27-08-23] Smartsonics Studio

30/10/2025

Elgar, Stravinski & Zappa OH MY!! (& more of course)!! In case you missed it, I chatted with Carl, Squawkestra's conductor in the last hour of Wednesday's The Big Note - you can listen back here: https://omny.fm/shows/the-big-note-3mdr/the-big-note-podcast-2025-10-29

Coming up!
Sunday Nov 9th!

30/10/2025

If you are in or near Woodford, get along and see this! Not only incredible fun & great music from these two lovely, extremely talented people but also very educational!! Love it!

We're performing Notey and Noisy: A Sound Science Mathemusical at Woodford!

29/10/2025

For episode 115 of The Big Note on 3MDR 97.1 FM, I am lucky enough to chat with two wonderful Naarm musicians today from opposite sides of town but united by their love of music and in particular Frank Zappa!
First up I chat with Michael Avanitakis, a teacher. musician and hills local - we play some of his latest compositions as well as playing and talking about music he has chosen that has influenced & inspired him.
Michael has an upcoming gig on the afternoon of Sunday, 9th of November at Nevedya, Upwey with where he will be accompanying his friend Jordan in their project Alchemy Duo first along with playing his latest music.
In the second hour I have a conversation with Carl Polke, Naarm/Melbourne based composer/sound designer and musician/performer. We chat about his projects past and present and in particular Squawkestra a community of orchestral instrument playing individuals of varying experience, of which he is the current conductor. We also play and briefly discuss music that he has chosen that has influenced & inspired him. Squawkestra have a concert coming up on Sunday November 9th at Preston Town Hall from 2:30pm!

Playlist:

* Bridge Over Babylon Bay - Michael Arvanitakis [2025]
* Cheepnis - Frank Zappa & The Mothers from “Roxy & Elsewhere” [1974]
* Hyacinth House - The Doors from “L.A. Woman” [1971]
* Have You Ever Been to Electric Lady Land? - Jimi Hendrix (Track 2) from Electric Ladyland [1968]
* Dragonfly Odyssey - Michael Arvanitakis [2025]
* She Said, She Said - The Beatles (Track 7) from “Revolver” [1966]
* Woomaa Joo - One Spirit Africa from “Africa” [2008]
* String Quartet No 5: III. Scherzo: Alla Bulgarese - Juilliard String Quartet from “Bartok: String Quartets (Complete)” [1982]
* Gyae Su - Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band from “Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band” [15-06-2015]
* Sofa - Frank Zappa from “Zappa In New York [Live]” [1977]
* Movement 1 (feat London Symphony Orchestra) - Floating Points and Pharoah Sanders from “Promises” [26-03-2021]
Episode Image: Carl Polke and Squawkesra (Image courtesy of the Squawkestra blog)

22/10/2025

On TBN today on 3MDR 97.1 FM we delve into the field Organology (from Ancient Greek ὄργανον organon 'instrument' and λόγος logos 'the study of') is the science of musical instruments and their classifications. It embraces study of instruments' history, instruments used in different cultures, technical aspects of how instruments produce sound, and musical instrument classification. There is a degree of overlap between organology, ethnomusicology (being subsets of musicology) and the branch of the science of acoustics devoted to musical instruments. It’s a fascinating field to me and I hope to you too.

Playlist:

* Holding On - imber [14-08-25]
* Exploration - Ehsan Gelsi from “Ephemera” [13-03-21]
* E. Mambo - voiceof_lele [16-05-25] walanbaa music
* I’ll Never Abandon Myself Again - Liz Stringer from “The Second High” [28-03-25] Dot Dash Recordings
* Y&I (save you online)[Feat. Nina Kravitz & Archibeau] - DeepFaith [17-10-25]
* Dream a Little Dream of Me - Bec Jean [2021]
* The Red Room - All India Radio Band from “The Unified Field” [31-10-25]
* Kurts Rejoinder - Brian Eno from “Before and After Science” [1977]
* Djole - Mamady Keïta from “Wassolon” [1989]
* Do Not Disconnect (Hit 7) - Mat Watson from “Reflective Hits 2” [17-07-25] Eternal Music Project
* History (featuring Mozë) Remix - Delsinki [07-05-25]
* Casa Casa Atougra - MALEEM MAHMOUD GHANIA w/ PHAROAH SANDERS from “The Trance Of Seven Colors“ [04-10-2019]
* Echo Point - Isophene from “Echo Point” [25-08-2020]
* Changes - Empire of the Sun from “Ask That god” [26-07-24] EMI Music

Episode Image: The Melbourne Town Hall Grand Organ [19-08-23] C. Stephen

15/10/2025

Today on Episode #113 of The Big Note on 3MDR 97.1 FM I play some excellent music from home and abroad but also talk about Pirate Radio (& follow up a bit on last weeks chat about Community Radio) I also talk about “Water” a 1985 film starring Michael Caine & Billy Conolly which involves a Pirate Radio station in it’s plot (I recall it being very funny but my memory’s critic has been known to get things wrong) and The Boat That Rocked (2009) a film I haven’t seen loosely based on Radio Caroline, a popular Pirate Radio ship. This one gets very underwhelming reviews but I will have to check it out and make my own mind up!
Episode Image: The Pirate Radio Ship “Radio Caroline” photo attribution unknown.

PLAYLIST:

* In Fields of Color - A Calmer Feeling from “Pianos in the Fields of Color” [15-08-25]
* Thank You - Jason Robertson [09-10-25]
* Coming Home - Liz Stringer from “The Second High” [28-03-25] Dot Dash Recordings
* Must Be Sentimental - 32 Bars [13-10-25] 32 Bars
* Steady - New Delica from “Stonewater” [12-09-25] Prospect Studios Melbourne
* Little Fling - Cassidy-Rae [24-09-25] Independent
* Which Way's East - The Man From Atlantis from "Spirits Align" [27-09-24] Ramble Records
* Mexican radio - Wall of Voodoo from “Call of the West” [1982]
* Absolutely Free - Frank Zappa & The Mothers from “We’re Only In It For The Money” [1968]
* Medieval Overture - Return To Forever from “Romantic Warrior” [1972]
* Microgravity - Tarcutta from “Rain In Space” [14-10-25]
* Pumpkins - War Room from “Please Don’t Fight In Here” [28-02-25] caps lock records
* Sample & Hold - Neil Young from “Trans” [10-1-25]
* Alien Architecture (Arrangement 2) - Pete Hawkes from “Pete Hawkes: His Complete Classical, Choral & Cello Works Vol 3” [10-10-25]

14/10/2025

Episode #112 of the Big Note (last Wednesday) on 3MDR 97.1 FM was only half the show it usually is as I had pressing business elsewhere that required my presence, hence the playlist is a bit shorter and topic discussion was limited, but I did talk a bit about Community Radio in Australia.

PLAYLIST:
* Move Your Feet - Mitch Tambo [12-09-25] Purple Muse
* The City of Soul - The Black Sorrows from "The Way We Do Business" [18-10-24] ABC Music
* Open for Business - Angus1 from “Open for Business” [18-04-24]
* Big Business - FUZZ TOADS from “Small Business” [15-12-23]
* Something New - Romæo from “Eternal Recurrence” 10-09-25]
* To Survive - Liz Stringerfrom “The Second High” [28-03-25] Dot Dash Recordings
* Bossa 1 - War Room from “Please Don’t Fight In Here” [28-02-25] caps lock records
* Making Plans for Nigel - XTC from “Drums & Wires” [14-09-1979]
* Dirty Work - Steely Dan from “Can’t Buy a Thrill” [1972]
* The Best Years of Our Lives - Richard Clapton from “The Great Escape” [1988]

Send a message to learn more

01/10/2025

It's week 3 of our Radiothon at 3MDR 97.1 FM and yesterday I mainly played music on The Big Note and talked about the benefits of being a community radio listener and subscriber. *Don't forget - It's BANDCAMP FRIDAY coming up at the end of the week!

Playlist:

* Spring Cleaning - ZERRIN [27-05-24]
* Emerald Skies- Rob Edwards [02-10-24]
* Gaia (Ethereal Fantasy) - Dream Dolphin from “Gaia: Selected Ambient & Downtempo Works (1996-2003)” [04-03-23] Music From Memory
* Cat 5 (Cyclone) - King Stingray from “For The Dreams” [08-11-24] Sony Music Entertainment
* In Your Eyes feat. Charlotte Day Wilson - BADBADNOTGOOD from “IV” [2016]
* Red Shoes - Little Quirks from "Little Quirks" [20-09-24] ABC Music
* Wiser by Mr. Rachele from his online album “Wiser” [09-03-24]
* Daylight - Peak Park from “Love, Kindness” [29-08-25] Peak Park
* In the Narrow Beam - Bellyspeak from “Bold Instruction” [17-06-25] Future-Bass-Hype
* Bad Advice Social Club- Good News Now We Can Eat All The Vampires [29-08-25] Walking Horses
* Scared - Clint Wilson [29-09-25] from “Actually, It’s You” Big Stretch Records
* Five Foot - Rebma Rose [25-09-25]
* Love Comes Back - STAV. [14-09-25]
* Who Listens to the Radio? - The Sports from “Don’t Throw Stones” [1979]
* The Things I Do - Bec Jean [01-11-24]
* Zoot Allures - Frank Zappa from “Zoot Allures” [1976]
* Sakura No Mizu - Kuniyuki Takahashi from “Early Tape Works (1986 - 1993) Vol. 2” (2018) Music From Memory

24/09/2025

It's week 2 of the 3MDR 97.1 FM annual Radiothon month and this week we are focusing on Artist Subscribers, so I thought I'd play some arty and art-adjacent songs with some discussion about them and the benefits of being an artist-subscriber.
Consider becoming an Artist subscriber - by Artist we mean: Visual Artists, Musicians, Poets, Writers, Dancers, whatever your jam is!!
Artist subscribers to 3MDR ($55 per year including GST) receive a weekly shout on on a program of their choosing and a weblink to their artist page - this is the most cost effective audience building activity ever!
Artist subscribers receive a FREE two week on air announcement to promote their work, an event, launch, release, etc. Artist subscribers ALSO receive 50% off all future sponsorship campaigns!

PLAYLIST:�
* The Sherbrooke - Albrecht La'Brooy [20-10-2014]
* Hold Onto Me - Kris Mizzi [18-09-20] MGM Distribution
* Man of Colours - Icehouse from “Man of Colours” [21-09-87]
* Art Deco Hotel - Kinematic [29-08-25] Somersault Music
* Artists Only - Talking Heads from “More Songs About Buildings and Food” [1978]
* When I Go Out With Artists - Crash Test Dummies from “God Shuffled His Feet” [1993]
* Wrapped In Grey - XTC from “Nonsuch” [1992]
* Can I Be Your Secret - Paul Louis Villani[25-08-25] CDBaby
* René Magritte - Artichoke (Single) [2019]
* AudioVisual - hunt from “Audiovisual” [29-08-25]
* The Night Watch - King Crimson from “Starless and Bible Black” [1974]
* The Second High - Liz Stringer from “The Second High” [28-03-25] Dot Dash Recordings
* Love Is a Camera - Sophie Ellis-Bextor from “Wanderlust” [2014]
* Ways of Seeing - BADBADNOTGOOD from ”Mid Spiral” [25-10-24]
* Shahla Bagh (feat. Jaubi) - Tenderlonious from “Ragas from Lahore: Improvisations with Jaubi” [2020]

Episode Image: John Schmidli (of SideTracks 3mdr 97.1fm fame) & I in the other studio prior to The Big Note today. (John was guest hosting Mad Mile Music Club)

17/09/2025

Today on The Big Note 3MDR 97.1 FM was a lot of fun! I had a surprise guest this morning in the manifestation of Norman Weakly from the excellent show The Sounds From Inbetween, which can be heard from 5 to 7pm on Monday's on 97.1FM 3MDR. Along with spinning some great tracks we chat about many things, including the benefits of subscribing (or re-subscribing) to 3MDR during our 2025 Radiothon. We also briefly cover bands with the same name. Christina the Astonishing from You Never Can Tell - a Tuesday morning 3MDR program also joins us towards the end of an enjoyable, slightly chaotic 2 hours!

Playlist:
* Love Is A Dog - Tinpan Orange from “Love Is A Dog” [08-04–16]
* Sheel Sheel Ya Ajmal Sheel (The Drone Song) - Ahmed Muin Abu Amsha & Gaza Birds Singing [2025]
* To Beirut - Aden & Simon [19-09-25]
* Road To Nowhere - Ben Konarov [09-09-25]
* Hitchhikers Guide to Nowhere - Beth Seymour & the Lizzies from “You Wouldn’t Like It Inside My Head” [28-08-25]
* Higher - Better Than The Wizards [03-09-25]
* I Prefer To Swing - 32 Bars from “32 Bars Volume 2” [09-08-25]
* Primera Vez Cuanto Te Ví - Genesis & Ariel Tica from “Genesis” [11-02-24]
* Rubber Band Man - The Spinners (US) from “Happiness Is Being With The Spinners” [1976]
* John Peel - The Spinners (Liverpool) from “Songs Spun in Liverpool” [1962]
* Dune Systema - Mei Saraswati from Inner Escapes [12-01-2021]
* Nova - Stathis//Davey//Kim from “Chairway to Heaven” [2021]
* Howlin' At The New Moon (feat. Mayer Hawthorne) - Alice Ivy from ”Do What Makes You Happy” [22-11-24] Helix Records
* Eyes on Me -BADBADNOTGOOD from ”Mid Spiral” [25-10-24]
* Man In No Ki - Takashi Nishioka from “Even A Tree Can Shed Tears: Japanese Folk & Rock 1969-1973” [2107]

Episode Image: Cam & Norman in the Studio (photo courtesy of Tina Nabb)

10/09/2025

On 108th Episode of The Big Note on 3MDR 97.1 FM, Sooji from Stathis//Davey//Kim kindly speaks with me about her and the collective's past and present projects and all three members of Stathis//Davey//Kim also give an insight into the songs that inspired them in music and synthesis!

Playlist:

* When The Weekend Ends - Zara Chantelle [27-06-25]�
* Tezetaye - Nū [21-02-25]�
* Epic Pads - Stathis// Davey//Kim (& Fox) from “Hypno’s Cave” [2021]
* Gongdes Martenot & Butterfly - Stathis//Davey//Kim from “Chairway to Heaven” [2021]
* Nothing is as it Seems - Sooji (Rachel Kim) from “Modulisme Session 120” [20-01-2025]
* Sanctum - InfraGhosts from “Body Heat” [09-11-2023]
* The Perfect Kiss - New Order from “Substance” [1983]
* Requiem for CS70 and Strings - Floating Points from “Crush” [2019]
* The Beautiful Ones - Prince from “Purple Rain” [1984]
* Wannaz - Mei Saraswati from “Inner Escapes” [12-01-21]
* Cut My Hair - Hextape from “The Marriage of Meat and Fruit” [13-11-2017]

Episode Image: Sooji (Rachel Kim) performing with Stathis//Davey//Kim at The Science Gallery, Naarm/Melbourne on Friday the 31st of August 2025 as part of the Now or Never festival.