Year: 2014

Meeting Mr. Mayhem – The end of Sons of Anarchy.

WARNING: This piece contains spoilers regarding the final episode of Sons of Anarchy. “Doubt thou the stars are fire Doubt that the sun doth move  Doubt truth to be a liar But never doubt I love.” Appearing just prior to the end credits’ final scroll, Hamlet’s words to Ophelia hung onscreen as fans of FX’s outlaw drama Sons…

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What to Watch: The Iris’ Weekly TV Picks (11th-14th December 2014)

Thursday Chow Masters, 7 Mate, 8 pm AEST In this episode, chef Sammy DeMarco and Hollywood director Frank Coraci travel to America’s Music City, Nashville to devour a trio of mouthwatering barbecue sandwiches. From glazed pork belly to a Goo Goo Cluster mole sauce, this program is sure to leave you salivating like one of…

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Film Review: Horrible Bosses 2 (USA, 2014)

In 2011, during the aftermath of the GFC and in the wake of what would become the Occupy Movement, Hollywood gave the world three unlikely heroes, who were well and truly part of the 99%, and created a plot that would allow this trio – Dale (Charlie Day), Nick (Jason Bateman) and Kurt (Jason Sudeikis)…

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Stumbled Upon #007 – Luke Morris (Byron Bay)

In our 7th instalment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Byron ‘s folk troubadour Luke Morris , and chat about his album, Sugarcane Road’. Musician: Luke Morris Website / Social Media: Facebook / Triple J Unearthed Genre: Alternative folk Members & their roles: We tour mostly as a two piece. Nick Bampton on lead guitar and…

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Hotel Review on the AU: Twin Room at Ibis Perth

Smack dab in the middle of Perth’s busy West End – sitting just 300m from the Murray and Hay Street shopping malls – is the Ibis Perth‘s 192 room hotel. Though only listed as a three star establishment, it seems unfair to throw it in the same category that many seedy motels around the country…

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David Goyer is creating a new Superman series…sort of.

  DC go-to-guy and target for nerd rage David Goyer has partnered with SyFy to create a new series called Krypton. Penned by Ian Goldberg (Flash Forward) the Warner Bros/DC production will tell an origin story, not unlike Gotham, that shapes the future home of our hero. Superman won’t make any appearances (as far as we know) as…

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Box Office Report: Hunger Games shows no sign of slowing.

In its second week since opening The Hunger Games has performed incredibly at the box office, taking number 1 again with just over $3 million. Opener Exodus: Gods & Kings – Ridley Scott’s new venture also had an impressive first week, making $2.6 million. The story of Moses and his war on the Egyptian army has helped push…

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the AU interview: Sharon Van Etten (USA) talks Are We There

Ahead of her Australian tour next year, with visits to Golden Plains Festival, Womadelaide and the Perth International Arts Festival, we caught up with American singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten to find out a bit more about her most recent album Are We There, her approach to songwriting, and her thoughts on touring Australia, and the…

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the AU interview: New Street Adventure (UK) on No Hard Feelings, influences and more!

Following the release of their debut album No Hard Feelings back in October, we caught up with frontman Nick Corbin from New Street Adventure, a new wave soul band from London, to find out a bit more about the band, their debut album, and their new single “Be Somebody”. How did New Street Adventure come…

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Stumbled Upon #006 – Rebecca Clements (Bristol, UK)

In our 6th instalment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Bristol’s folk rock songstress Rebecca Clements , chat about getting started at a young age and get a sneak peak at her latest track. Musician: Rebecca Clements Website / Social Media: Facebook / Soundcloud / Instagram / Twitter Genre: Indie Folk-Rock Members & their roles: Rebecca…

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Ball Park Music take home the AU Award's inaugural People's Choice Award for best live act of 2014.

This morning on 2SER radio in Sydney, the AU review’s Larry Heath announced the winners of the first annual people’s choice award as part of the AU Awards – celebrating the best in live music in Australia. Close to 10,000 votes were cast as fans from Australia and around the world voted for their favourite…

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Ten performances not to miss at Sydney Festival 2015

From the 8th of January, the city of Sydney will once again be transformed by the annual month long extravaganza known simply as Sydney Festival. The event will take over spaces around the city – some, such as the Famous Spiegeltent, are only here for the festival. But with hundreds upon hundreds of performances, it’s…

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Film Review: Paddington (UK & France, 2014)

“Please look after this bear”. This is what the tag that is initially around Paddington’s neck says but it is also applicable to this movie adaptation. The film is a re-telling of Michael Bond’s stories that has been carefully updated to a modern setting. This means it’s a charming tale that doesn’t compromise on quality…

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interview: Joby J. Ford of Mariachi el Bronx (USA) chats recording, touring and Bluesfest

Mariachi el Bronx are just one of the many bands to hit our shores early in 2015 for Bluesfest in Byron Bay. Our reporter John Goodridge chats to guitarist Joby J. Ford about the recording process and life on the road. Hey Joby, what are you guys up to at the moment? We are home…

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Ice Cube debuts trailer for Straight Outta Compton at Sydney concert

This past week saw legendary West Coast emcee Ice Cube return to Sydney on his current Australian tour for the first of two shows at the famed Enmore Theatre. Fans were not only treated to a set list of some of Cube’s best tracks, but they also became some of the first in the world…

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Film Review: Exodus: Gods & Kings (USA, 2014)

Ridley Scott’s latest shot at epic storytelling Exodus: Gods and Kings as is as grand as one would expect, making full use of cutting edge visual effects and immersive, atmospheric set pieces to ensure the film is never dull to look. In terms of plot, the other side of the coin is balanced much better…

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What to Watch: The Iris’ Weekly TV Picks (8th – 10th December, 2014)

Monday Castle, Ch. 7, 9.30pm AEST Tune in to Castle for a tense hour of television as Det. Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) and mystery writer Richard Castle (Nathan Fillon) work to unravel the motives of a gunman holding their colleague Esposito (Jon Huertas), and others, hostage on a subway. It promises to be one of…

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TV Review: Bones Season 10, Episode 9 “The Mutilation of the Master Manipulator” (USA, 2014)

Bones is at the top of its game with its 199th episode, so the expectations are high for next week’s Hitchcock inspired 200th show. This week was both sweet and fun and introduced some new dynamics to the show that are going to be interesting to explore over the season. In this episode, the Jeffersonian…

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Michael Bay-produced TV series Black Sails Season 1 now available on Blu-Ray and DVD

Treasure hunting TV series Black Sails has enjoyed a successful first season this year, with the Michael Bay-produced show filling the need for a pirate-themed television show in the current landscape of popular fantastical TV. Anchor Bay Entertainment has now delivered the Starz Originals series on home release, following the show’s premiere season on Foxtel’s…

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Film Review: Love is Now (Australia, 2014)

Love is Now is ultimately a testament to DSLR film making, with striking photography and some superb production coming together to ensure the film never dips below a certain visual standard, playing out as something photographers the world over will herald as a marvel achievement. Backed by Nikon Australia, the film succeeds at capturing the…

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Recipe: Strawberries and Cream Sandwich

Over the years, the festive season has become associated with excessive, and indulgent eats, and so what better way to further this connection than with a series of dessert recipes? First up we have some Strawberry and Cream cookies, so no matter what the dynamic is in the annual (obligatory) family get-together, there is no…

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Photo Gallery: The Preatures + Holy Holy + Hot Spoke – The Hi-Fi Sydney (05.12.14)

The Preatures drop into Sydney on their National tour showcasing their debut release Blue Planet Eyes supported by Holy Holy and Hot Spoke. Pete Dovgan brings you photos from the night:

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the AU sessions: Canadian troubadour Tim Chaisson performs "Animals" in a park in Sydney

Before he hits the stage as part of our LIVE AU sessions series in Sydney on Tuesday, December 9th, Canadian troubadour Tim Chaisson joined us at a park in Central Station to perform his beautiful track “Animals” for our AU sessions web series. Enjoy it here, and don’t miss his LIVE and FREE at our…

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the AU interview at Clockenflap: CHVRCHES (Scotland) talk "Drive" and recording "Dead Air" for the Hunger Games Soundtrack

While we were in Hong Kong covering a festival called Clockenflap, we sat down with the Scottish trio Chvrches. You may have already watched some of our chat – now read on as we talk to the band about Hong Kong, plans for their Winter and their work on the Hunger Games and Drive soundtracks….

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Terminator: Genisys trailer shows return of Arnold Schwarzennegger and Emilia Clarke as Sarah Connor

Get ready for those quotable, robotic one-liners because Arnold Schwarzenegger is back on the big screen for the upcoming reboot of the Terminator film series. Terminator: Genisys will be the first film in what is apparently going to be a trilogy reworking the iconic franchise. The impressive cast line up also includes Australian actors Jai Courtney…

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The Hunger Games single “The Hanging Tree” (Featuring Jennifer Lawrence) Debuts At #12 on the Billboard Hot 100

“The Hanging Tree”, the breakout track from The Hunger Games Mockingjay – Part 1 has debuted at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart with the soundtrack debuting in the Top 20 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart and score for the film debuting in the Top 40. In its first week, “The Hanging Tree”…

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Schedule revealed for the 2015 Little Darlings Night Owls Kids Film Festival in Sydney.

What a great way to start the new year. Families can now enjoy the fourth annual Little Darlings Night Owls Kids Film Festival which will be held in Sydney’s Darling Quarter from Friday January 9 to Sunday January 25 2015. The Festival will bring a program jam-packed with films for kids, families and the young…

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Hello Asia! Festival Review: Clockenflap Music & Arts Festival – Hong Kong (28-30.11.14)

Over the course of its seven years, the uniquely named Clockenflap has become Hong Kong’s premiere contemporary music and arts festival, presenting a mix of local Hong Kong indie bands with the finest artists from around the world. This year, with music spread over 3 days and 9 stages, the event proved bigger than ever,…

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the AU interview at Clockenflap: Stuart Braithwaite of Mogwai (Scotland) talk Australia, their 20th anniversary and the year of "Rave Tapes"

Larry Heath talks to Stuart Braithwaite of iconic Scottish band Mogwai backstage at Clockenflap in Hong Kong to talk about their upcoming 20th anniversary, their experiences touring Asia, their year of touring Rave Tapes and their 2015 return to Australia – their first headline tour of our country in some six years… Mogwai Australian Headline…

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the AU interview at Clockenflap: Raul Pacheco from Ozomatli (Los Angeles) on their year of touring "Place In the Sun"

Larry Heath talks to Raul Pacheco from Ozomatli about coming to Hong Kong for the first time and we reflect on their year of touring Place In the Sun, which included a jaunt in Australia that included the iconic Byron Bay Bluesfest.

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