A box set should tell a story, not merely find new ways to sell you the same songs. In Episode 45 of On The Record, Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie reckon Elvis Costello has delivered one worth hearing.

The expanded My Aim Is True receives an enthusiastic assessment from both hosts, who hear its early recordings, alternate versions and live performances as a portrait of a songwriter becoming himself.

“This really builds a story about how Elvis Costello came to be,” says Wise.

For Wise, that story comes with eyewitness credentials. Living in London, he heard Costello’s demos on Charlie Gillett’s radio programme, then headed to the Hope and Anchor expecting a quiet night. Instead, he found a queue stretching around the corner.

Mackenzie’s memories are dawn starts cleaning a restaurant ship on the Thames, with Live Stiffs in his headphones. Costello’s performance of “I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself” still takes him straight back there.

Show Notes

Elvis Costello Unboxes ‘My Aim Is True’ 49th Anniversary Edition 

Elvis Costello Walk On (Hope & Anchor Studio) 

Elvis Costello & the Attractions - I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself 

Whole Wide World (Live Stiffs, at University of Lester, Lester, UK / October 22nd, 1977) 

Elvis Costello (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding (Live at Great American Music Hall,... 

Elvis Costello Trust Full Album 

The Kings of America Live At The Royal Albert Hall 

Elvis Costello Brilliant Mistake (Live) 

Spectacle: Elvis Costello With... 

Lou Reed shows Sweet Jane riff 

Lou Reed and Elvis Costello perform "Perfect Day" 

Best of Bleak Squad 

Bob Dylan. Tangled Up In Blue. Lights of Autumn Tour. Oslo. October 17, 2026 

Zach Bryan - Nine Ball 

The Gentlemen | A Guy Ritchie Series Official Trailer | Netflix 

“I ain’t gonna drive in Maggie’s car no more.”

Bob Dylan’s “Maggie’s Farm” gets an unlikely alternative lyric in Episode 44 of On The Record with Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie, as the hosts consider its licensing to an Audi electric-vehicle ad.

For Wise, the commercial’s invocation of Dylan’s electric breakthrough at Newport raises an uncomfortable question: what happens when a song’s cultural associations become advertising material? 

Mackenzie is more amused by Dylan’s apparent indifference to how others treasure his catalogue.

Between them lies the familiar predicament of the devoted listener: the artist has moved on, but you’re still attached to what the music meant.

Show Notes

Emily Wurramara - 'Adore Me' (Official Music Video) 

Dylan on Audi Ad Rewrite the rules | the Audi RS 5 

Karen Dalton: In My Own Time | Official Trailer 

Karen Dalton In My Own Time on SBS 

Amazon in court for introducing ads to Prime Video using allegedly unfair contract terms 

Elvis Costello Imagination (Is A Powerful Deceiver) 

Official Trailer | Dustfall | ABC iview 

Blade Runner 2099 - NYCC Trailer | Prime Video 

Brian Wise has reached a familiar collector’s reckoning: “I’m just rebuying my entire record collection.”

In Episode 43 of On The Record with Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie, the latest Rubber Soul box set provides both the evidence and a persuasive defence. Wise hasn’t exhausted every outtake, but the new stereo mix has renewed his enthusiasm for an album he first encountered in rather less revealing circumstances.

The expanded edition brings together Giles Martin and Sam Okell’s stereo remix, sessions and demos, the original mono album and its differently configured American counterpart. For Wise, “Nowhere Man” is a sonic highlight; for both hosts, the songs capture a band rapidly outgrowing its early pop template. George Harrison’s “Think for Yourself” and “If I Needed Someone” earn particular appreciation.

Show Notes

The Beatles - If I Needed Someone - 2026 Mix (Visualiser) 

JUDY COLLINS ~ In My Life 

The Beatles Complete On Ukulele - Rubber Soul 

The Beatles Balcony Appearance in Melbourne - Color Home Movie #2 - 14 June 1964 

The Beatles - Rain 

THE GET OUT Official Trailer (2026) Russell Crowe 

UNABOMBER | Official Trailer | Netflix 

The Weight | Official Trailer (HD) | Vertical 

The Hunt for the Last Nazis | Official Trailer | SBS & SBS On Demand 

Neagley S1 - Official Trailer | Prime Video 

Murder in a Small Town (FOX) Trailer HD - Kristin Kreuk series 

THE MUSICAL MIND a portrait in process | Trailer | Amazon Prime

Silverchair - Emotion Sickness (Official Video) 

What makes a great cover version? For Paul Dempsey, it is not fidelity. It is risk.

In Episode 42 of On The Record, Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie welcome the Something for Kate frontman to discuss Shotgun Karaoke, his disarmingly loose—and increasingly popular—solo covers project. 

Across two albums and a growing run of sold-out shows, Dempsey has turned the familiar songs of Cher, Bruce Springsteen, Phil Collins, R.E.M., Hüsker Dü, Tanita Tikaram and more into a rolling invitation for audiences to sing, shout and occasionally rescue him from a forgotten lyric.

Show Notes

Kylie Minogue TAKES FLIGHT at the 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final (Full Performance) 

John Craigie I Swam Here Full Album 

Something For Kate - Monsters (Official Video) 

Something For Kate The Killing Moon 

Paul Dempsey – 'Twist In My Sobriety' – Visualiser for ‘Shotgun Karaoke Vol II' 

Paul Dempsey - Don't Want To Know If You Are Lonely 

Paul Dempsey - Bats 

XTC - This Is Pop (Documentary) 

R.E.M. - Losing My Religion (Official HD Music Video)

Bright Eyes - Light Pollution 

Paul Dempsey - "Born To Run"

Tony | Official Trailer HD | A24 

Tony Soundtrack Album

The Tony Blair Story on Iview

The Dropout | Trailer | Hulu 

What makes a rock star? It is not simply the hits, the haircut or the size of the crowd. 

In Episode 41 of On The Record, Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie turn to a 2014 essay by Robert Forster for a more exacting test: a rock star, Forster argues, is one even when nobody is watching.

Show Notes

SPIT Trailer (2025) Comedy Movie HD https://youtu.be/7mPdrlAJOQ4

Robert Forster "What’s the difference between a rock star and a pop star?" 

Amyl and The Sniffers - Guided By Angels 

Neil Young Casting Me Away From You from his new album Second Song

Lanterns | Official Trailer | HBO Max 

Madness - Baggy Trousers (Official 4K Video)

Madness - One Better Day 

Death Valley | BritBox Original Trailer 

Smithsonian Starstruck

Madness - Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est La Vie

The 25th Americana Honours & Awards at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium sits at the centre of Episode 40 of On The Record with Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie.

Though, as ever, the definition of “Americana” proves ripe for debate.

Brian Wise watched the ceremony while keeping one eye on Hawthorn training, and salutes the Americana Music Association’s efforts to broaden its representation. 

The night’s winners included Molly Tuttle as Artist of the Year, Tyler Childers’ Snipe Hunter for Album of the Year, Brandi Carlile’s “Returning to Myself” for Song of the Year, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings as Duo/Group of the Year, and Ken Pomeroy as Emerging Act of the Year.

Show Notes

The 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards 

Ken Pomeroy "Deportee" (Official Visualizer) 

Big Ears Festival 

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 

Sam Bush & Emmylou Harris, "Walls of Time", Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, San Francisco, 10-4-25 

The Milk Carton Kids - Live From The Ryman - Official Release (Full Concert - 2/1/2024) 

BANSHEE - Season 1 | Full TRAILER | HD 

NOAH | Official Trailer [HD] | Paramount Movies 

Doobie Bros Toulouse Street 

Audience - Jackdaw 

Radiohead’s long-awaited return to Australian stages provides the spark for Episode 39 of On The Record with Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie—and the hosts could scarcely have more divergent views. Plus new and old Richard Thompson, Cassandra Wilson and Bill Nye's latest performances.

Show Notes

Radiohead - Weird Fishes/Arpeggi [HD] 

David Byrne - This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody) | Prague | 17|6|26 

Man About The House: 50 Years Of Laughter - C5 Documentary HD Version 

Man About The House S02 E06 Carry Me Back To Old Southampton 

Cassandra Wilson: 

You Gotta Move  Death Letter 

Lazarus - Official Trailer | Prime Video 

&SONS Official Trailer 

Sopwith Camel - Fazon 

April 18 1976 Bob Dylan – If You See Her Say Hello Lakeland 

Wynonna Judd - "Am I Missing Out" 

Richard Thompson Cocaine Walking, Booze Talking 

Elvis Costello Withered And Died 

Episode 38 of On The Record with Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie begins with welcome news for Australian audiences: Gillian Welch and David Rawlings will return in 2027, making it three visits in as many years.

For a duo whose shows can feel like a form of secular communion, it is a remarkably generous run. 

The episode also pauses to honour Dolly Parton, whose death at 80 has prompted an extraordinary outpouring of affection.

Show Notes

The Wallflowers One Headlight 

Dolly Parton Train, Train (from The Grass Is Blue)

Dolly Parton - Long As I Can See The Light (feat. John Fogerty) (Official Audio) 

RN Music Show Tribute To Dolly 

Harris, Parton, Ronstadt on Late Show, March 24, 1999 (full, stereo)

Robert Plant's Nonesuch Selects Robert Plant's Nonesuch Selects

LE_MYSTERE_DES_VOIX_BULGARES_VOL.1 - PILENTSE PEE 

Suspicion — Official Trailer | Apple TV 

Patrick Radden Keefe discusses his new book LONDON FALLING 

In this encore episode of On The Record, we worship at the altar of Gillian Welch & David Rawlings with guest Andy White joining the chat. 

The conversation widens into stagecraft: tuning mishaps, the art of filling dead air, and the delicate question of whether you should tell stories between songs or let the song do the work. 

You’ll also hear Brian and Michael bickering over the relative merits of a British crime series spoken mostly in Scottish Gaelic.

Important Links

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings: Tiny Desk Concert

Andy White - James Joyce's Grave (live at Abbey Road)

The Rolling Stones - Can't You Hear Me Knocking (Live At The Wiltern)

Billy Bragg - A New England (Later... with Jools Holland) 

EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert | Official Main Trailer 

Paradise Season 2 | Official Trailer | Hulu

An t-Eilean | BBC ALBA trailer

RTÉ | These Sacred Vows trailer

Blue Lights | Trailer - BBC

BILL FRISELL TRIO - "You Only Live Twice" @ XJAZZ Festival | LIVE FROM BERLIN

Bill Frisell's New Album In My Dreams

Bill Frisell - In My Dreams (Live / Visualizer)

Bill Frisell - A Change Is Gonna Come

Guy Clark - Desperados Waiting For A Train

Episode 37 of On The Record with Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie travels from Melbourne International Film Festival screenings to the changing state of music journalism, with a detour through elite sport, television drama and the strange joy of old-fashioned telephones.

Show Notes

CONGO BOY Trailer

TOMORROW I'LL BE BRAVE trailer 

Joy Bubbles KSTP 

Dead Man's Wire Trailer #1 (2026) 

Official promo video for Dave Marsh's new anthology KICK OUT THE JAMS...35 YEARS OF MUSIC WRITING 

Rolling Stone Tribute to Dave Marsh 

THE BEATLES: The SECRET, Folk-Rock 'RUBBER SOUL' Studio SESSIONS You NEED To HEAR! (Rare Outtakes)

Mojo Mag article on Rubber Soul Redux 

Rubber Soul - khttps://youtu.be/RfBEqiEhCgM?list=PLycVTiaj8OI9Ptzsl9nzxfwUgZ0jx-Hyb

Judy Collins In My Life 

The Beatles - Michelle (Take 1 / Visualiser) 

Josh Rouse - "January Sky" [Official Audio] 

Episode 36 of On The Record with Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie moves from the car parks of a Grateful Dead revival to the piano stool of one of rock’s great behind-the-scenes players, with Don Walker’s new album providing the local centre of gravity.

Show Notes

Summer Tour At Miff 

The Session Man | Nicky Hopkins: The Unsung Hero Behind Rock's Greatest Hits | Full Documentary 

Sympathy for the Devil (Isolated Piano) 

Link Wray: The Rock Prophet on SBS

Don Walker Darwin 

Shakespeare Always (2026) - Official Video - Icecream Hands