Composer Stephen Adams has an incredibly storied history with radio, both professionally and musically. Between a 19-year turn at ABC Classic FM, a celebrated musical career and a new radio-centric live work on the horizon this week, there’s a lot of ground to cover – and that’s barely the half of it.

“One of my fond early memories is of me and my sister Prue as kids on a Saturday morning taking mum’s small transistor radio from the kitchen into the backyard while Mum and Dad were still in bed,” Adams tells Limelight.

“We’d go down and sit swinging on the old iron swings behind the oleander bush listening to songs on AM radio, the experience coloured by the dawn chorus of birds bursting into song on two huge gum trees in the next-door neighbour’s garden.”

Stephen Adams showcasing Imaginary Radio Station. Photo © Nick Barnett

In 2004, Adams’ life “took a surprise turn” and he began working as the Australian Music Curator and Producer for ABC Classic (the first and, as yet, the only one he notes), where he remained until 2023. It’s a natural home for someone with a lofty...