Episode #115 - Interviews! Michael & Carl 
For episode 115 of The Big Note I am lucky enough to chat with not one but two Naarm musicians today both from different parts of town and united by their love of music and in particular Frank Zappa! 
First up I chat with Michael Avanitakis, we play some of his latest compositions as well as playing and talking about music that 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 Squawkestra. (Image courtesy of the Squawkestra blog) 

Episode #115 - Interviews! Michael &amp; Carl  For episode 115 of The Big Note I am lucky enough to chat with not one but two Naarm musicians today both from different parts of town and united by their love of music and in particular Frank Zappa! First up I chat with Michael Avanitakis, we play some of his latest compositions as well as playing and talking about music that he has chosen that has influenced &amp; inspired him.&nbsp; Michael has an upcoming gig on the afternoon of Sunday, 9th of November at <a href="https://nevedya.com.au/">Nevedya</a>, 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 &nbsp;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 &amp; inspired him.<a href="https://squawkestra.com.au/2025/10/28/spring-concert-9-november-2025/"> Squawkestra have a concert coming up</a> on Sunday November 9th at Preston Town Hall from 2:30pm! Playlist: 
* Bridge Over Babylon Bay - Michael Arvanitakis [2025]  * Cheepnis - Frank Zappa &amp; The Mothers from &ldquo;Roxy &amp; Elsewhere&rdquo; [1974] * Hyacinth House - The Doors from &ldquo;L.A. Woman&rdquo; [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 &ldquo;Revolver&rdquo; [1966] * Woomaa Joo - One Spirit Africa from &ldquo;Africa&rdquo; [2008]  * String Quartet No 5: III. Scherzo: Alla Bulgarese - Juilliard String Quartet from &ldquo;Bartok: String Quartets (Complete)&rdquo; [1982]&nbsp; * Gyae Su - Pat Thomas &amp; Kwashibu Area Band from &ldquo;Pat Thomas &amp; Kwashibu Area Band&rdquo; [15-06-2015] * Sofa - Frank Zappa from &ldquo;Zappa In New York [Live]&rdquo; [1977] * Movement 1 (feat London Symphony Orchestra) - Floating Points and Pharoah Sanders from &ldquo;Promises&rdquo; [26-03-2021] Episode Image: Carl Polke and Squawkestra. (Image courtesy of the <a href="https://squawkestra.com.au/blog/">Squawkestra blog</a>)&nbsp;

Plato told us “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”

Napolean Bonaparte said “Music is what tells us that the human race is greater than we realise"

Frank Zappa simply said “Music Is The Best”

Have you ever wondered exactly what Music is? Where does it come from, who defines it and what does it mean to us?

"The Big Note" goes beyond the surface of popular hits or classical standards, embracing a spirit of curiosity and exploration. We will celebrate the global diversity of music and the rich tapestry of sounds from different cultures and traditions. From traditional folk tunes to world fusion experiments, we'll bring you on a sonic adventure that transcends boundaries and connects us through the universal language of music.

Your input, requests, and questions are welcomed as we embark on this exciting exploration of all things musical. Tune in, turn up the volume, and let the symphony of "The Big Note" fill your ears, heart, and soul. Get ready to be inspired, entertained, and enlightened as together we uncover the captivating stories and sounds that make up the fabric of our musical heritage and understanding.

You can also find The Big Note here:

https://www.instagram.com/the_bignote/

https://www.facebook.com/BigNoteRadio/

I would like to extend a huge thank you to The Big Note's subscribers:

Performer subscribers: Bec Jean | Fennec

Listener Subscribers: Ren from Nazza Wazza Norf | Maureen from Monbulk | Nat from Newport | Beth from Elwood | Jane the Great | Gregor | Daryl from Murumbeena | Jeff from Lyonville | Meliza from Upper Ferntree Gully | Chris from Emerald | Tricia | Liz from Hobart

Offbeat subscribers: The Tea Cat | Frank the Fanciful Frequency | Bitey Banjo



If anyone else would like to subscribe to The Big Note and support 3MDR, or indeed subscribe to any of the other wonderful programs available, please go to the 3MDR homepage and hit the subscribe tab!

Plato told us “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”
Napolean Bonaparte said “Music is what tells us that the human race is greater than we realise"
Frank Zappa simply said “Music Is The Best”
Have you ever wondered exactly what Music is? Where does it come from, who defines it and what does it mean to us?
"The Big Note" goes beyond the surface of popular hits or classical standards, embracing a spirit of curiosity and exploration. We will celebrate the global diversity of music and the rich tapestry of sounds from different cultures and traditions. From traditional folk tunes to world fusion experiments, we'll bring you on a sonic adventure that transcends boundaries and connects us through the universal language of music.
Your input, requests, and questions are welcomed as we embark on this exciting exploration of all things musical. Tune in, turn up the volume, and let the symphony of "The Big Note" fill your ears, heart, and soul. Get ready to be inspired, entertained, and enlightened as together we uncover the captivating stories and sounds that make up the fabric of our musical heritage and understanding.
You can also find The Big Note here:
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_bignote/">https://www.instagram.com/the_bignote/</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/BigNoteRadio/">https://www.facebook.com/BigNoteRadio/</a>
I would like to extend a huge thank you to The Big Note's subscribers:
Performer subscribers: Bec Jean | Fennec
Listener Subscribers: Ren from Nazza Wazza Norf | Maureen from Monbulk | Nat from Newport | Beth from Elwood | Jane the Great | Gregor | Daryl from Murumbeena | Jeff from Lyonville | Meliza from Upper Ferntree Gully | Chris from Emerald | Tricia | Liz from Hobart
Offbeat subscribers: The Tea Cat | Frank the Fanciful Frequency | Bitey Banjo
 
If anyone else would like to subscribe to The Big Note and support 3MDR, or indeed subscribe to any of the other wonderful programs available, please go to the 3MDR homepage and hit the subscribe tab!

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