Celebrating a year now on 2SER, The Weekly Meltdown is a cascade of music of  the lesser-heard variety – from lofty, euphoric highs to deep, dark slow-jams. Hosted by DJ and Synth tragic, Hildy Fine aka Jane Fondu, it’s an always surprising dive through countercultural music of all kinds, and some fascinating guests from the local music community. We caught up with Jane Fondu to find out more.

Hey Hildy, what can you tell us about your show, The Weekly Meltdown? How did it get started here on 2SER, and how long has it been running for?

I was actually emailing the music manager at 2SER for about 2 years before we got the show on the air! I was finishing a Psychology degree and I’m generally a scattered person so there would be long pauses of months between emails. I was very impressed with the patience, flexibility and support I was given to develop the show idea over time. After some deliberating, we settled on a somewhat themeless music show, in the spirit of my first ever DJ gig back in 2001, which was called ‘Hildy Plays Whatever She Likes’! As a working DJ, it feels purely therapeutic to have an outlet where there is no pressure to conform to a music brief designed to keep patrons drinking or getting them on the dancefloor. In truth, I mostly listen to downbeat music in my own time –  soft and soothing, or upbeat but dark & moody.

We got The Meltdown on the air in November last year (2024) so we’re coming up to the one year anniversary on Nov 23rd! I’m putting a show together with a retrospective of some favourite tracks I’ve had the pleasure of playing over the last year.

Your show covers a range of styles from euphoric highs to deep, dark slow-jams. Often genreless. What stands out to you in the music you choose to play?

I’m definitely stuck in the 80s – but not in its mainstream! I’m obsessed with all the independent releases, overlooked should-have-been-hits and weird and wonderful experimental sounds – especially involving synths. That being said, I’m just as likely to branch into some dream pop or an obscure 90s grunge number. I specifically avoided naming genres in my show description as they can feel like confinement to me, and I prefer a large open space to move around in. I also favour music that’s written/ produced/ played by women or gender diverse peeps. I also just lurve the sound of a femmy voice speaking over lo-fi electro, if there’s a recipe to suck me in – that’s the one!

This is me as an obnoxious 21 year old and Synth obsessive

Over your time on the show, what have been the most memorable moments? Have you had any guests on that you really enjoyed?

Absolutely, my most memorable moments have indeed been all the wonderful guests who’ve joined me on the airwaves. I’ve had so many good ones; but one stand-out is Mz Morpho, who opened up to me about deeply personal mental health issues on air. I was so honoured to hold that space for her, and the insight it gave to her music was incredible. Another standout guest moment was Julia from JuliaWhy?, an artist who I’ve loved for a long time, and approached at a gig the night before my show! She said yes to coming on air the very next day. It was a beautiful, spontaneous meeting of minds.

For a solo show, my favourite was just a few weeks ago when I received a personal record number of texts from guests listening in. It means so much to me to know you’re all out there – and that people are enjoying what I’m playing as much as I’m having a ball dancing around the studio on a Saturday arvo! Thanks for all the love, and thanks to 2SER for supporting community in so many integral ways.

The Weekly Meltdown airs on 2SER every Saturday at 5pm.