Zan Rowe is an Australian radio and television presenter whose career has been shaped by curiosity, music and the emotional stories behind creative work. She is particularly known as the creator and host of Take 5, an interview format in which guests select five songs connected to a specific theme.
Rowe began building her national profile through Australian radio, including prominent presenting roles at triple j and Double J. Her deep knowledge of music and relaxed interviewing style helped her connect with both emerging artists and globally recognised performers.
The idea behind Take 5 is simple: music can unlock memories that conventional interview questions may not reach. Each guest chooses songs associated with experiences such as love, identity, grief, change or personal growth. The discussion then develops around the memories attached to those selections.
What began as a radio segment grew into a podcast and an ABC television series. Its guests have included musicians, actors, writers, cultural figures and political leaders. The format has received industry recognition, including awards for music and interview podcasting.
Rowe’s approach differs from promotional celebrity interviews. She gives guests time to explain why particular songs matter to them and how music shaped important periods of their lives. As a result, familiar public figures often reveal more reflective and personal sides of themselves.
Her work also demonstrates how music journalism has evolved across platforms. Radio remains at its foundation, but the concept now reaches listeners and viewers through podcasts, television and streaming.
Zan Rowe has created a distinctive place in Australian broadcasting by treating songs as more than entertainment. In her interviews, music becomes a doorway into memory, creativity and the experiences that shape a person’s life.
