Few artists in Australian rock can rival the mystique and creative longevity of Steve Kilbey, the visionary frontman, bassist, and chief songwriter for The Church.
In this captivating and wide-ranging episode of A Breath of Fresh Air with Sandy Kaye, Steve joins Sandy for an honest, funny, and deeply revealing conversation about his extraordinary life in music — before, during, and long after The Church became global icons.
Born in Welwyn Garden City, England, and raised in Canberra, Australia, Steve’s story begins long before his name became synonymous with the band that gave us Under the Milky Way.
He talks about his early fascination with sound — from his parents’ record collection to the spark that led him to pick up a guitar. Before fame, there were years of small gigs, knock-backs, and sheer determination to make his art heard.
In 1980, that persistence paid off. Steve co-founded The Church, alongside guitarist Peter Koppes, drummer Nick Ward, and later Marty Willson-Piper. Their unique blend of shimmering guitars, surreal lyrics, and atmospheric soundscapes quickly set them apart.
Their debut single, The Unguarded Moment, catapulted them to prominence, and soon The Church became one of Australia’s most distinctive exports — a band equally loved for its mystery as for its music.
But it was 1988’s Starfish that turned The Church into international stars. The haunting single Under the Milky Way became a global anthem, securing their place in rock history. In this episode, Steve tells the story behind that song — the serendipity of its creation, his initial doubts, and how it continues to define the band’s legacy decades later.
Steve also shares candid insights into the creative tensions and triumphs within The Church — what it’s like to lead a band for more than forty years, to evolve through changing line-ups, and to stay inspired through it all.
He discusses how albums like Priest=Aura and Hologram of Baal marked turning points in their sound, and how the band’s most recent work, including The Hypnogogue, proves they’re still pushing boundaries today.
Beyond the band, Steve’s story is one of relentless creativity. He’s released more than 20 solo albums, collaborated with artists like Grant McLennan and Martin Kennedy, and built a reputation as a painter, poet, and author. His life is art in motion — a never-ending exploration of sound, colour, and language.
Throughout the conversation, Sandy and Steve explore everything from fame and spirituality to songwriting, success, and the wisdom that comes with time. He reflects on how his creative process has evolved, the lessons he’s learned from the highs and lows, and what keeps him making music with such passion after all these years.
As always, Steve’s dry humour, self-awareness, and poetic way of thinking shine through. This episode is more than an interview — it’s an invitation into the inner world of a true artist, still searching, still experimenting, and still mesmerising audiences worldwide.
If you’ve ever been moved by Under the Milky Way, fascinated by the evolution of Australian rock, or curious about what drives a lifelong creative soul, this is one you won’t want to miss.
🎧 Listen now for a journey through sound, story, and the mind of Steve Kilbey — the heart and soul of The Church.
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