Now I can’t say I know a huge amount about Jazz. Most of what I know I picked up from writing about Jack Kerouac and his jazz influences at university. Other than that my knowledge of jazz extends to a few of the big names, the likes of Count Basie, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and…
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Those of use who live amongst the local independent scene are well initiated with the many incarnations of Zayd Marcel Thring. There is no denying the effervescent force that exudes from the man when he takes to the stage, whether it be with Pets With Pets, Towels or his latest project Ladydreams. The music is…
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Sometimes I just love my job. Last week I received a copy of Basick Records new 2012 sampler, which has combined some of the best independant progressive metal bands in the world and placed them all on one album. This album is absolute magic, its brutal and intense, its laid back and moody, it’ll bring…
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The new music video from Zulu Winter – “We Should Be Swimming” – has recently dropped and we have it for you here on the AU! The UK group have been making huge waves of late, supporting Friendly Fires in the UK recently, and they will soon head to the States for a trip that…
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Aussie rockers Faker have been added to Movie Extra Tropfest’s line-up of free entertainment, which also includes an afternoon performance by 2009 Tropscore winner Pluto Jonze, a giant bungee trampoline, photo booths, bucket loads of free things to take home, and of course world class short films on Sunday 19 February in Sydney’s Domain. Bring…
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In the middle of the courtyard there is a wooden dining room table, with four chairs. The lights dim, and from the four corners of the courtyard four men dressed in black make their way to the table and each take a seat. The lights raise again. A somewhat incongruous and misleadingly simple start to…
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Last weekend, the Laneway Festival tour completed its last Australian leg with a stop at Perth. With a stellar line-up and perfect weather, the festival cemented its position as one of the best festivals in the country right now. It was a laid back and chilled out affair, with top quality performances, and none of…
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With an open-air concert out of question given the rather low temperatures and heavy rain that night, MIDEM had raised a big top for the event: Chapiteau Croisette, set in the beautiful location (on a sunny day that is) of Palm Beach and next to the casino. First to hit the stage were French indie…
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The first night of live music took me to the French entertainment and music store FNAC on rue d’Antibes, where a special showcase for young Canadian artist Chris Assaad had been organised. Shoppers and MIDEM delegates had all gathered to listen to Assaad, who greeted everyone both in French and English, before he started off…
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What is MIDEM, you may ask? Well, literally it stands for Marché International du Disque et de l’Edition Musicale… though in our own words, it’s the world’s largest music industry trade show. Taking place each year in Cannes (France), it’s an opportunity for all music key players, businesses, start-ups and new technologies to meet and…
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Welcome to issue 5 of the AU review’s ARTS review, our weekly venture into what is new in Art and Film. In This Issue: OUTERWAVES performs for Brisbane Emerging Art Festival, call to arms for Biennale of Sydney, Joe Satriani in 3D, Corey Taylor book signing announced and Tropfest 2012 to open next week. BRISBANE:…
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The chillwave bromance was on as two of America’s hippest electronic maestro’s teamed up for a double headlining extravaganza at Melbourne’s Hi Fi bar. The sound at this venue always leaves a lot to be desired and tonight was no exception with barely audible vocals and deafening bass marring the first few minutes of Washed…
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Larry Heath catches up with UK group Kitty, Daisy and Lewis ahead of their performance at the Sydney Big Day Out. They chat about their time in Australia, their latest record, trumpets, what’s coming next and much more… includes footage from the band’s spectacular performance at the Sydney Metro Theatre on 24th January 2012. Camera:…
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Following the release of her latest record Queen of the Minor Key, Alt Country Chanteuse Eilen Jewell has announced tour dates in Australia to accompany her previously announced appearance at the Byron Bay Bluesfest in April. Eilen will be accompanied by her regular touring band of guitarist Jerry Miller, drummer Jason Beek, and upright bassist…
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Ahead of their Australian tour as part of Soundwave, Larry Heath caught up with Switchfoot drummer Chad Butler while he was home in San Diego to chat about the tour, the latest record, How’s the weather (in San Diego) this time of year? Oh yeah, it’s a good thing to be home. There’s good waves,…
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Locals Twerps had the arduous task of warming up the crowd on an early, Wednesday evening. Their dreamy laid back pop goes down well on record, however the bulk of their set didn’t do much for me. Twerps play with no thrills, their live performance doesn’t add much to the studio recordings, they didn’t seem…
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Craig Schram and Nathan Burge from Canadian indie band The Provincial Archive sat down with me for a quick chat on MIDEM’s last day. We talked about their music, the origin of their band’s name and the potential release of a new album. So, last day here at MIDEM, how has it been for you?…
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While at MIDEM in Cannes (France), I caught up with young Canadian singer-songwriter Chris Assaad to talk about his music, his new EP “Into The Light” and his love for Australia. How are you Chris? Is it your first time in Cannes? I’m good. Well, sort of, I’ve been to Nice a couple of times,…
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Brooklyn band Here We Go Magic return with the single “Make Up Your Mind” taken from the forthcoming album A Different Ship, produced by Radiohead’s “sixth member” and producer Nigel Godrich who became ‘a big fan’ after watching their set at the 2010 Glastonbury Festival. Listen to it below and then our contributors will give…
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Last in Australia performing spellbinding shows with Isobel Campbell for Splendour, Mark Lanegan will be bringing his Band to Australia for the first time in 8 years, celebrating the release of their new record Blues Funeral, released just last week. Produced by Alain Johannes, Blues Funeral (out now through Remote Control) is Mark Lanegan Band’s…
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Sometimes words can’t do justice to the beauty music can evoke. You have to experience it for yourself. At the very least, I don’t consider myself a good enough writer to do so. Tonight at the Sydney Opera House brings me one such moment, where UK songstress Laura Marling embraced a sold out crowd performing…
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It was revealed today that Splendour in the Grass will be returning to its home in Byron, after two years at Woodfordia. But given the public forums over the application to have the festival at North Byron Parklands, they have decided to return to where it all began: Belongil Fields. According to the press release,…
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I arrived at the Metro Theatre for this phenomenal (and criminally undersold) triple bill to hear a couple of new tracks from Sydney’s Guineafowl, opening up the night in their usual classy fashion. The new track sounded promising, keeping us on our toes for their long awaited debut LP, hopefully being released later this year….
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Sleepmakeswaves, the Sydney-based instrumental rockers, kick off an extensive Australian tour tomorrow, celebrating their debut album …and so we destroyed everything. The band’s “(hello) Australia” tour stretches across 6 states in February and March, before heading to the USA showcase at SXSW in Austin, Texas and then embarking on a headlining European tour, including co-headlining…
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Speaking at a press conference in Sydney a short time ago, the Hon. George Souris (NSW Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Arts) alongside the President of Disney Theatrical Group, Thomas Schumacher, on satellite from New York (along with a few performers from the Broadway production), announced the return of The Lion King to…
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And so here we have it. Another day, another festival announcement. But there are few we get quite as excited about as Groovin’ The Moo. Touring five region cities every May, the festival is a unique way to connect with festival goers outside of the capital cities, while creating a lineup and atmosphere that competes…
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Last Friday night, The Bakery in Perth played host to American psych-rockers and Animal Collective label signees, Prince Rama as part of the second annual Fringe World Festival. Local duo Gulls kicked off proceedings with a subtle and mesmerising performance. Gulls are made up of Amber Fresh (Rabbit Island) on vocals/guitar and Matt Aitken (Gilbert…
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The irony of hosting Melbourne’s hippest festival in the western suburbs will never grow old and while the party has been in its new home for the third year running, some minor teething problems are yet to be eradicated, so let’s get the whinging out of the way first. The actual set up of the…
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In September 2011, Australian soul singer/songwriter Ray Mann relocated to Berlin and began recording and releasing his new album Sketches, online, one track at a time. Instead of disappearing for 12 months and then resurfacing with a finished album, Ray is completing each song – and its accompanying video – online, month-to-month, with audience participation….
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Not a cloud could be found as we made our way to the St Jerome’s Laneway Festival in Sydney. Indeed, the sun had come out to play on a typically beautiful Sydney summer day (which we haven’t seen much of this year); a stark contrast to the weather of last year and a very welcome…
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