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In 2017 Melbourne musicians Ed Service and Jack Madin recorded a song in their Brunswick studio. It was recorded with, and for, their friends.The track got some love at local gigs and warehouse parties, but disappeared pretty quickly. Ed and Jack soon moved on with their lives and got day jobs.But four years later that song they wrote has gone international. It’s playing at festivals and stadiums all over the world. It’s even been remixed by David Guetta. The track has been streamed millions of times and is rocketing up the charts.So what happened? Today on The Culture we look at how two Melbourne musicians took the world by storm.Guest: Ed Service and Jack Madin from Shouse.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a new COVID-19 financial support package for Sydneysiders currently in lockdown. The new measures were welcomed as a necessary response to help those impacted by a loss of work and business.But the announcement was met with frustration from other states, particularly Victoria, who had been asking for help during their own lockdowns.Today, contributing editor of The Monthly Rachel Withers on why it took an outbreak in his own backyard for Scott Morrison to act.Guest: Contributing editor to The Monthly Rachel Withers.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Cheers is a psychologist who spent the long lockdown in Melbourne last year supporting people struggling with their mental health. A few days ago he began sharing advice on social media about getting through lockdowns, as a way to support those in Sydney. His posts went viral, encouraging other Melbournians to share their own tips.Today, Chris Cheers on how those of us not in lockdown can support our friends and family who are, and why listening is one of the most helpful things we can do right now.Guest: Psychologist Chris Cheers.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been over 50 years since equal pay for equal work became law in Australia, but right now women are still significantly underpaid.In recent years, efforts to better value women's work and increase wages have stalled but now, a new case being brought to the Fair Work Commission by a group of aged care workers could change that. Today, writer for The Saturday Paper Kristine Ziwica on the case that could help close the gender pay gap. Guest: Writer for The Saturday Paper Kristine Ziwica.Background reading: The case that might close the wage gap in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to most scientists, the world has until 2030 to transition away from coal-fired power in order to prevent runaway climate change.Six years ago one Australian energy company tried to do just that. But now, new details have emerged showing the role played by the federal government in trying to stop that from happening.Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on how ideology keeps trumping economics when it comes to Australia’s climate policies. Guest: National Correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.Background reading: Exclusive: Frydenberg pushed AGL to sack boss in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past few years the federal government has passed more and more laws granting police and security agencies greater access to our private communications.  Law enforcement agencies claim the powers protect Australians from criminals, but there are growing concerns that they actually weaken our online security.Today, writer for The Saturday Paper and chair of Digital Rights Watch Lizzie O’Shea on Australia’s ever expanding surveillance powers, and if they could actually make us more vulnerable. Guest: Writer for The Saturday Paper and chair of Digital Rights Watch Lizzie O’Shea.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In basements and bars across the country crowds gather to cheer on people wearing tight, spandex outfits as they toss and pummel each other all over a ring.In today’s episode we visit Deathmatch Downunder: one of the most spectacular, violent and progressive professional wrestling events in the country.It’s popular, it’s growing and it’s the perfect combination of sports and entertainment. But where did it come from and what makes it so compelling? Guest: Contributor to The Monthly and author of ‘Everything Harder Than Everyone Else’, Jenny ValentishSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For most of the past year the Coalition government has faced sustained criticism over its treatment of women.Now a former Liberal MP has added fuel to the fire, lashing a culture of sexism and bullying in the Liberal party, and accusing a cabinet minister of sexual harassment. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the latest allegations levelled against the Morrison government and why there seems to be no consequences.And a warning, this episode contains descriptions of sexual harassment. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For most of the past 18 months, Australia has been hailed as a world leader in terms of its handling of the pandemic.But now, some of our biggest cities have been plunged back into lockdowns, restrictions and border closures, while Europe and the United States reopen.Last week the federal government outlined a plan to get us back to some kind of normality but it’s been criticised for being pretty light on the details.Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on whether Australia wasted its good luck, and when we might finally reopen.Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading: Exclusive: Morrison ignored chief health officers’ advice in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A scathing new report has found that in the lead-up to the last election the federal government spent more than half a billion dollars on infrastructure projects heavily targeted to seats held by the Coalition, or seats they were trying to win.The funding was specifically for car parks, but it raised serious questions about how government funding decisions are made, and the politicisation of the public sector.Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on what happens when hundreds of millions of dollars and 47 car parks meet a federal election. Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.