Year: 2013

the AU interview: Eugene Hutz from Gogol Bordello (New York)

We talk to the frontman of one of the most infamous live bands on the planet, Gogol Bordello to catch up on their new album, Pura Vida Conspiracy, whether they have any plans to tour Australia again, clown training and more! Congratulations on the new album. Are you enjoying getting to play the new songs…

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Album Review: Various Artists – Melodie Française (2013 Compilation)

We may seem far from a world of heightened suffering and melodramatic love affairs but the Australian reworking of French classics on Melodie Française could be the perfect soundtrack to a wine-heavy dinner party. Francophiles will love it – there is more value upon recognising the originals – but the album speaks to any music…

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The Last 5 Years: Zeahorse (Sydney)

the AU review turned five years old earlier this month, and to celebrate, throughout the month of August we’re asking many of our music industry friends to help us look back on the last five years of music! Today we catch up with rockers (and favourites of the AU) Zeahorse who fill us in on…

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the AU interview: L-FRESH The LION (Melbourne)

We caught up with up-and-coming Melbourne hip hop artist L-FRESH The LION to talk about his music, speaking at TEDx, launching a clothing label (Power To The Peaceful Community), asylum and the current Australian election, his new single “One” and much more… Tell us a bit about how you got started in music. I started…

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the AU interview: Tim Nelson of Cub Sport (Brisbane)

Editor’s Note: The following interview took place last week, before Brisbane’s Cub Scouts announced they were changing their name to Cub Sport in response to legal proceedings from Scouts Australia. It’s a pity to see this happen – but like The Preatures, PVT and DZ Deathrays before them, a slight name change might actually be…

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Film Review: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (M15+) (USA, 2013)

Upon the trailer’s release, those who aren’t familiar with Cassandra Clare’s novels – the source material – immediately began comparing The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones to Twilight and Harry Potter. While the Harald Zwart-directed film is a worthwhile addition to the tween fantasy genre, it fails in more ways than one and is unlikely to impress anyone over the…

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Theatre Review: The Little Mermaid – The Blue Room Theatre, Perth (22.08.13)

The Little Mermaid. Many of you are sitting there thinking you know the story; you might even be humming “Under the Sea” to yourself. What you may be unaware that the Disney like with many of its miscellany of movies drew inspiration from fairy tales, predominantly those written by Hans Christen Andersen. However, unlike their…

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Photo Gallery: Guttermouth + Beaver + Topnovil + Nerdlinger – Manning Bar (23.08.13)

Guttermouth played the Manning Bar on Friday night for their Farewell Australian tour with support from Beaver, Topnovil and Nerdlinger. Gwendolyn Lee was there and brings us these photos from the pit.

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Live Review: Tom Odell – Kings Cross Hotel (23.08.13)

British singer-songwriter Tom Odell is the talk of the UK music scene. After two EPs and nominations with BBC Sound of 2013 award and winning the Brit Awards Critics Choice, Sydney was treated to an intimate showcase ahead of his performances at Falls Festival over New Years.

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Album Review: Jacob Butler – Reason (2013 LP)

Generally for most Australian artists, it’s all about breaking the local market before heading off into the wide world. Singer-songwriter Jacob Butler opted to take his guitar driven pop-rock material OS and managed to ink several licensing deals, get radio airplay and physical release in Europe and South Africa before his LP Reason even saw the light on local…

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Soundwave Festival first announcement for 2014 revealed!

He might have been saying that the lineup wouldn’t be as “big” as the Metallica helmed 2013 event, but AJ has still delivered an incredible first announcement for the 2014 Soundwave Festival, with Green Day, Avenged Sevenfold, Stone Temple Pilots, Placebo and past Soundwave favourites Alice in Chains and Rob Zombie sitting at the top…

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The Last 5 Years: MAX presenters Jane Gazzo and Chit Chat

the AU review turned five years old earlier this month, and to celebrate, throughout the month of August we’re asking many of our music industry friends to help us look back on the last five years of music! Today we caught up with MAX Music TV presenters Jane Gazzo and Chit Chat who told us…

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the AU interview: Tara Simmons (Brisbane) on the Long Player Sessions

Tomorrow night at the Brisbane Powerhouse we’re going to be treated to two incredible performances: Tara Simmons will be performing Dummy by Portishead in full, while Charlie Horse will be performing PJ Harvey‘s To Bring You My Love. We caught up with Tara to find out how things are going as she prepares the set,…

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The Last 5 Years: Tim Carroll of Holy Holy (Brisbane)

the AU review turned five years old earlier this month, and to celebrate, throughout the month of August we’re asking many of our music industry friends to help us look back on the last five years of music! Next we catch up with Tim Carroll from Brisbane’s Holy Holy, who looks back on his top…

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The Last 5 Years: Spender (Sydney)

the AU review turned five years old earlier this month, and to celebrate, throughout the month of August we’re asking many of our music industry friends to help us look back on the last five years of music! Next we catch up with Tommy Spender, who looks back on his top five musical moments of…

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The Last 5 Years: Marty Smiley – Presenter on Channel [V]

the AU review turned five years old earlier this month, and to celebrate, throughout the month of August we’re asking many of our music industry friends to help us look back on the last five years of music! Today we talk with Channel [V] presenter Marty Smiley about his five favourite albums of the last…

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Possible Worlds Film Festival Review: Drinking Buddies (USA, 2013)

The closing night screening of Drinking Buddies as part of the Possible Worlds Film Festival was aptly capped off with pre-drinks (thanks to sponsors 4 Pines and Wild Turkey) and the announcement of the best American and Canadian film winners, as voted by this year’s jury. Passionately put by our presenter, it’s about fighting to bring back the social…

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Melbourne International Film Festival Review: Foxfire – Confessions of a Girl Gang (M15+) (Canada/France, 2013)

In 1950s upstate New York in the small fictional town of Hammond, a group of 15 year old girls band together under the weight of post-war culture which aims to crush them with its sexist, oppressive ideals. Mostly hailing from broken homes where abuse and violence are the norm, these spirited young women form a…

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Photo Gallery: Ash + Skipping Girl Vinegar + Charlie Horse – Metro Theatre (20.08.13)

Ash performed their album 1977 in full at the Metro Theatre on Tuesday night with support from Skipping Girl Vinegar and Charlie Horse. Gwendolyn Lee was there and brings us these photos from the pit.

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The Last 5 Years: Billy Russell – Presenter on Channel [V]

the AU review turned five years old earlier this month, and to celebrate, throughout the month of August we’re asking many of our music industry friends to help us look back on the last five years of music! Today we talk with Channel [V] presenter Billy Russell about his five favourite albums of the last…

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Melbourne International Film Festival Review: John Dies at the End (USA, 2013)

If Evil Dead (the original 80s version not the dodgy remake), met the Supernatural brothers in an alleyway and they got into a fight, this film would most likely emerge, dusting itself off, out of the aftermath. (aka David Wong) horror comedy is chock-a-block full of dark slapstick humour, freakishly mind boggling scenes and enough gristly gore to make one’s stomach…

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Live Review: Bloods + Major Leagues + The Fabergettes – Brighton Up Bar (16.08.13)

On a day when a “Fuck Abbott” t-shirt was causing controversy in the music industry thanks to The Preatures’ Isabella Pitway – who won the Vanda and Young Songwriting competition, accompanied a slew of other amazing female singer/songwriters, including the wonderful Thelma Plum – it felt appropriate to be at a rock show with three…

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New Music Video: The Polyphonic Spree "You Don't Know Me" (2013)

The video for The Polyphonic Spree‘s single, “You Don’t Know Me” has just been released, the first single from their forthcoming album Yes It’s True, out September 6.

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Album Review: William Beckett – Genuine and Counterfeit (2013 LP)

It’s only been two years since The Academy Is… announced their disbandment, but William Beckett has accomplished a lot in that time. Three EPs, an album of acoustic sessions, and a fair bit of touring is more than you’d expect from somebody who’d spent the previous nine years creating music with the support of a…

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Live Review: Giraffage – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (17.08.13)

Giraffage a.k.a. Charlie Yin took to the stage, still and unassuming, until he began playing and grooving along to his own music. He is no macbook act – working the board in real time and constructing his own soundscape. Donned in black t-shirt and gold chain, he suggests an illusion of simplicity, while dipping into…

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Theatre Review: Hedda – The Blue Room Theatre, Perth (15.08.13)

Hedda, currently being presented at Perth’s The Blue Room Theatre, is a reinterpretation of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen’s classic play Hedda Gabler; originally written and produced in the 19th century. A multicultural effort of sorts, the production sees Norwegian actress and producer Marthe Snorresdotter Rovik collaborate with actor and director Renato Febratti, a graduate of…

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Photo Gallery: Blues and Grooves – The Hi-Fi (16.08.13)

Pop Standen, “Lightning” Jack Ridge and Phil Emmanuel played the Hi-Fi on Friday night for Blues and Grooves with support from Devil’s Kiosk, JHD Revival and Shaun Kirk. Gwendolyn Lee was there and brings us these photos from the pit.

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the AU interview: Boy and Bear (Sydney) on "Harlequin Dream"…

I sit down with Dave Symes, Jon Hart and Killian Gavin – three fifths of the ARIA award winning Sydney band Boy and Bear – to talk about their just released album Harlequin Dream. We talk about recording, playing Splendour in the Grass – as well as a secret launch for the new album the…

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