Take 5

This is one of the best bits from Take 5.

Caroline Polachek had a huge 2023, and at the end of it she joined Zan Rowe to Take 5. 

The energy of her most recent album Desire, I Want to Turn Into You had been replicated with a volcano at her live shows, so her theme was centred around explosive songs of release (i.e. 'volcano' songs). 

It wasn’t the first time she’d done Take 5, but more than a decade had passed, so we...

This is one of the best bits from Take 5.

Emily Wurramara had a remarkable year in 2024. She won an ARIA, was nominated for Double J Artist of the Year, and she toured all over the country. 

Emily joined Zan Rowe to Take 5 on the same day her second album NARA was released and the energy in the studio was pumping. It’s very much a record of renewal, and one of Double J's 50 Best Albums of 2024.

• Brandy – ‘Sittin' ...

Fontaines D.C. are in a real purple patch. Over the last few years, they’ve become one of the most compelling bands around, and their latest album Romance topped our list at Double J of the 50 Best Albums of 2024.

Back in 2023, lead singer Grian joined Zan to Take 5. He doesn’t do a whole lot of interviews, but he really embraced this one. Maybe because it was all about poetry, which is the very foundations of Font...

2024 was a massive year for Take 5.

We reached all over the world to chat with extraordinary people about the music that's shaped their lives.

Some of the best moments from Take 5 in 2024 include (but are not limited to!): 

Beth Ditto's triumphant return with a new Gossip album, Bill Bailey's take on the future of humanity and Artificial Intelligence, Angie McMahon's stand-out year, DOBBY's brilliant debut record, an...

We’re winding out 2024 with a beautiful Take 5. 

Jamie xx is one of my favourite producers, so it’s really special to cap off what’s been a big year, with the man himself. Looking back the last couple of years, the final Take 5 has been really reflective. Caroline Polachek was poetic at the end of a huge 2023, and he year before Jon Hopkins gifted us a transcendent set of songs. All three artists came to that conve...

Katie Crutchfield has been making music as Waxahatchee for almost 15 years. In the early days she self-released on cassette, lo-fi indie music that would blossom into Americana around a decade later. That foray, with her acclaimed album Saint Cloud, brought her a whole new audience. But she has always been a brilliant songwriter. 

Katie doesn’t waste a word, which is why I love chatting with her about songs. And wh...

There aren’t many Australian bands who have sold 23 million copies of their albums. 

Cast your mind back to the late 90’s, and a duo from Brisbane called Savage Garden. 

Darren Hayes was the angel-voiced frontman, and after putting out two hugely successful albums he went solo. Now many years later he’s published a memoir titled Unlovable, and the story of his life as a little kid growing up in the South Brisbane su...

It’s hard to believe that 20 years ago Casey Donovan won Australian Idol. Just 16 years old, she was thrust into the spotlight and every high and low was captured for all to see. She took away the main prize, but in the years following would be working as a medical receptionist and a rideshare driver to pay the bills.

Casey threw her hat back in the reality show ring with I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here, and w...

Bernard Fanning is no stranger to the limelight. With Powderfinger he sold millions of albums and rocked out to stadiums of adoring fans.

Then he stripped it back as a solo artist and went Number 1 again. Bernard holds the record for the most amount of Hottest 100 number 1’s, he is adored by generations of Australians, and is one of the most enjoyable people to chat music with.

Bernard’s new project with Paul Dempse...

Neil Finn is one of our greatest living songwriters. In Split Enz and Crowded House, solo and in his collaborations, his tunes have become the soundtrack to our lives. 

I’ve been chasing Neil to Take 5 for the TV series since the beginning, and finally he said yes. Even better, he invited us to film at his own studios. Roundhead, a pale green building on an Auckland street that has seen some incredible music histor...

Many of us have grown up with Claudia Karvan. She's been on our screens since she was 10 years old, starring in films like The Big Steal and The Heartbreak Kid. And we’ve fallen in love with her on the small screen, in her long running roles on The Secret Life of Us and Love My Way. These days, Claudia is not only an actor but a hugely successful producer behind TV shows like Doctor Doctor and Bump.

Through all she...

Bill Bailey is one of the most loved comedians in the world. From his breakout role as Manny in the cult TV show Black Books, to his exceptional talent for playing multiple instruments, he always leaves his audiences feeling brighter. Bill is fascinated with natural history and humanity, his curiosity knows no bounds and music has been a constant companion. 

I asked him to Take 5 with songs that reflect humanity, a...

We’re diving into a new season of Take 5 on ABC TV and ABC iview, with all of season three now up to stream! And while Take 5 comes back to your screens, you’re gonna hear special extended cuts right here on the podcast. 

Season 3 is a ripper. Comedian Bill Bailey, beloved actor Claudia Karvan, rock legends Neil Finn and Bernard Fanning, performer extraordinaire Casey Donovan… and to kick it all off, the one and on...

Irish singer CMAT has been taking the world by storm. Shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize and counting Elton John as a fan, her country-twinged songs capture heartbreak with a healthy dose of humour.

A couple of albums in, and an Australian visit on the way, I thought it was high time we got to know the woman from Ireland, born Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson. After listening to this, you'll want to be her bestie. Wi...

Michelle Brasier is a comedian, actor, writer and singer. You might have seen her on Aunty Donna, Mad As Hell and Thank God You're Here, or caught one of her award winning stand-up shows.

Michelle has also just published her first book; it’s a memoir titled My Brother's Ashes are in a Sandwich Bag, and it’s beautiful, it’s funny, and it's filled with hope. It reminds us of the little moments in life that make it sh...

Dan Kelly is one of our best songwriters. He's whimsical, charming, and with indie-pop hooks for days. Almost 10 years since his last album, he’s now back with GOLDFEELS, and a decidedly more serious outlook. But Dan still knows how to draw you into a yarn and make you smile.

He also looks to some heroes for inspiration, grounding, and to follow their arrow. So dig into his 'story time' Take 5 with five incredible ...

Noel Gallagher is just like you.

Putting aside the fame and fortune, the hit records and the very public family issues, at his heart he's a big music nerd. As a kid he idolised the songs on the record player and worshipped the legends who wrote them.

His Take 5 theme was 'escape', and growing up in a council estate in The North, music was Noel’s escape. He’d be transported by older kids' records and dance till dawn ...