Month: October 2015

These Aussie producers are the first official signings for Nina Las Vegas’ NLV Records

Starting a new record label is never easy, but Nina Las Vegas has announced a pretty solid base for NLV Records, following the news that, after 10 years, she will be hanging up the headphones at triple j and jetting off to the USA. Joining her on this new venture will be a batch of…

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Film Review: Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (USA, 2015)

Paranormal Activity has become a huge moneymaker over the years, requiring a modest budget and commanding endless profits despite quality – as if with most horror franchises – slipping fast. The film’s formula of night-vision cam jump scares quickly defined the genre in the 21st century right alongside the other big franchise of the times,…

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The 2015 Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards: A Recap.

Yesterday morning, I jumped on a plane to Melbourne to attend my second Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards or, as everyone calls them, the AIR Awards. Bad//Dreems, one of the acts performing at the event, were on my flight over and it was a general consensus held that we were all going to be going large. Held at…

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Sam Cromack (Brisbane) talks about his latest project My Own Pet Radio, hip thrusts and more!

Sam Cromack… that name sparks a familiarity in your brain right? And rightly so… the eccentric front-man of Brisbane indie wizards Ball Park Music is now gifting the world with solo material under the pseudonym My Own Pet Radio; a project that grants ample shoegazing access into the depths of Cromack’s mind. And let’s face it, if you’ve ever…

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Stumbled Upon #087 – Damien Ike (East London, UK)

In our 87th instalment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Damien Ike from East London, and chat about his start in the music industry and get a sneak peak at his latest track ‘Kingdom Come’ off his latest release, Even In War. Musician: Damien Ike Website / Social Media: Facebook / Twitter / Soundcloud Genre: Alternative…

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Courtney Barnett wins big at the Carlton Dry AIR Awards for 2015!

Last night, the Australian independent music industry was celebrated at the historic Meat Market in North Melbourne – the Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards. For its 10th anniversary, AIR put on a ceremony that brought together artists from all realms of the industry, not to mention the people who toil away behind the scenes for…

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Tame Impala, San Cisco, Tired Lion among WA Music Awards nominees for 2015!

Today has seen some of WA’s best musicians honoured, with the nominations for the 2015 WA Music Awards being revealed again as part of the WAM Festival. Tame Impala leads the charge this year, scoring six  nominations (excluding individual nominations in the Craft Awards), while Pond aren’t too far behind, with five noms to their name. Nominations…

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Album Review: Shihad – FVEY (2014 LP)

It takes a total of about two seconds to recognise the work of Melbourne-based Kiwis Shihad in the opening track of their latest offering, FVEY. A better hit than a double-shot mocha-choca-latte with added rocket fuel, it bursts forth with their familiar intense sound, waking every cell in your being. FVEY, pronounced Five Eyes, refers…

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Single of the Day: Deutsch Duke “Harder Without You” (2015)

Sydney based electronic music producer Deutsch Duke has had a jam packed year. After the release of his first single late in 2014, he’s gone on to play with Flight Facilities, co-producing the track “Sunshine”, and providing his smooth vocals to the track “Down To Earth”. The newest single “Harder Without You” jumps between sweeps, and…

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Last Week On Late Night: The Five Best Musical Performances on US Late Night TV (12th-16th October)

US late night talk shows are a showcase of all-things celebrity, politics, humor, comedy and music. They are often treated as the final thing we see before we go to sleep. With The Late Show with Stephen Colbert debuting in the same 11:30pm slot opposite Kimmel and Fallon – all shows were keen to pull…

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Kuki Blaze of Fat Freddy’s Drop (New Zealand) talks about new LP Bays and dance floor affliction

An affinity for drawing on a lexicon of genres and a live show that packs a punch. That’s Fat Freddy’s Drop. Their unguarded structures enable their signature improvisation to teem, rife with their ever-familiar horns and the soulful croon of Joe Dukie. The welcomed release of Bays will see the much adored Fat Freddy’s Drop…

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Music Video of the Day: The Drones “Taman Shud” (2015)

The Drones are an undeniably powerful band, (you just need to check out their live shows to see that), and their new single “Taman Shud” is no exception to this. Recorded at Tropical Fuckstorm Studios produced and engineered by Gareth Liddiard and Aaron Cupples, the new single has flawless production, even in its heaviest parts, and…

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Video Games Review: Guitar Hero Live (Xbox One, 2015)

With Guitar Hero Live and Rock Band 4 hitting Australian store shelves within a week of each other, the music and rhythm genre that dominated lounge rooms everywhere only five years ago is officially back from hiatus. With Guitar Hero Live, developer FreeStyle Games is attempting to bring something new to the table. The question…

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This Week’s DVD Release Picks: Self-made Legends (23rd October 2015)

This week’s DVD releases all feature self-made men and women, who have something to prove to the world, whether it be through through fighting, vengeance, or…stripping.

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Film Review: Mistress America (USA, 2015)

In Frances Ha, co-writers (and real-life couple) Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig brought to the screen this generation’s twenty-something creative; simultaneously spoilt and burdened by choice. Their Frances, played adorably by Gerwig herself, was lively and resourceful, optimistic yet melancholic in her struggle to achieve some level of “success” and establishing a career post-college. Mistress America,…

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Pusha T announces Australian headline shows for January

In addition to his anticipated appearance at Sydney NYD tradition Field Day, irrepressible emcee Pusha T has announced that he will be headline some sideshows up and down the east coast with stops planned for Melbourne and Brisbane. last out here as a support act for Kanye West, Push has already shown Australian audiences just…

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José González, Josh Pyke, John Butler Trio and more announced for Melbourne Zoo Twilights Series 2016

The lineup for the Melbourne Zoo Twilight Series has been announced! The program for 2016 once again offers a diverse range of music with the likes of The Waifs, José González, Josh Pyke, John Butler Trio and more set to take the stage. Melbourne Zoo Twilight Series Lineup: Far From Folsom Featuring Tex Perkins and The Tennessee Four with…

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Exclusive Album Stream: Future Love Hangover Traditional Late Night Drinking (2015 LP)

Today on the AU, we’re proud to premiere the new album from Future Love Hangover Traditional Late Night Drinking. Written from 30 years in the future, this album is an exploration of multi-dimensional, futuristic sound. “I didn’t approach the album with any preconceived notions of what I would write or how I would write it. Each time…

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the AU Weekend Gig Guide: October 22nd – October 25th

As the end of the year draws nearer, artists are getting their last shows in. This weekend is set to be a big one, with some of the biggest stars of the far past, recent past, and future set to play down under. Check out the gig picks for the coming days! Fleetwood Mac –…

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LUCIANBLOMKAMP (Melbourne) talks about ‘From Afar’ clip and new LP Bad Faith

Polished, concise and ambitiously experimental. LUCIANBLOMKAMP or better still, Lucian Blomkamp (for those on a need to know basis) makes considered electronic music, pushed to inventive limits of possibility. Following on from the release of his first studio album, Post-Nature, Blomkamp has diversified, progressing into unfamiliar territory with relative ease. With a newfound focus on…

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Album Review: City and Colour – If I Should Go Before You (2015 LP)

Dallas Green is a man of great talents. Since the days of Alexisonfire, Green has been setting himself up by putting together music that is emotive, intricate and personal. There’s no denying that what he writes lyrically empowers many others too. With Green’s latest offering, If I Should Go Before You, we see him experiment…

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Music Video of the Day: Urthboy “Long Loud Hours ft Bertie Blackman” (2015)

It’s been a long time between drinks for Urthboy, releasing his first music in over three years today. The new track, “Long Loud Hours”, has less of a focus on beats than a lot of Urthboy‘s earlier work, and more on lyrics. The emotive track features vocals from Bertie Blackman in choruses, soaring over piano…

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Video Games Interview: Treyarch’s David Vonderhaar talks Call of Duty: Black Ops III

The 2015 EB Expo was a huge show boasting equally huge titles, and few titles are as huge as Call of Duty. With Black Ops III right around the corner, we caught up with Treyarch’s Studio Design Director David Vonderhaar to talk about his dev career, what we can expect from the new game and where we go…

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Watch the full trailer for Lawrence Leung’s Sucker with YouTube star John Luc, Timothy Spall and Shaun Micallef

Based on the award-winning stage show by Lawrence Leung, Sucker is a coming-of-age story that follows 18-year-old Lawrence as he embarks on a road trip with unusual characters and learns many life lessons along the way. Leung co-wrote the feature film adaptation with director Ben Chessell. The film stars YouTube sensation John Luc (who has more…

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Film Review: Burnt (USA, 2015)

If you’re the kind of person who loves, without a doubt, the idea of work-life balance, this is not the film for you. If you’re easily upset at the sight of workplace bullying, or stress caused by an unstable manager and a professional environment that breeds unhealthy well being choices, this is not the film…

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Video Games Review: Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden (3DS, 2015)

Dragon Ball Z’s place in pop culture in unquestionably prevalent. Its ability to crossover and interject itself into a range of mediums has been the reason for its longevity. It’s no surprise then then that its transition to video games is not only academic but highly welcome for a demographic that wants just that little…

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Photographer Simon Griffiths celebrates the humble vessel in his new book "Boat" (Australia, 2015)

There are few who seem to understand the concept of the coffee table book as well as photographer Simon Griffiths, who today releases Boat – a “celebration of the humble vessel that symbolises escape, trade and travel” – as the press release aptly puts it. The beautifully designed book is one you can judge by…

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AWME announces its music industry speakers & conference delegates for 2015 event!

The Australian World Music Expo has announced its industry speakers and conference delegates for this year’s event, set to take over Arts Centre Melbourne from November 12th-14th. The event is recognised for bringing music industry professionals together to nurture and foster networks, check out some brilliant musicians perform and learn from a wide variety of  experiences…

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Killer Mike is out for blood on Frank the Butcher’s “Eat What You Kill (EWYK)”

We don’t often hear Killer Mike without El-P nowadays with Run the Jewels being such a hugely in-demand project. Killa Kill from the ‘ville has briefly left his super producer buddy behind for this one though, jumping on a track from producer-designer Frank the Butcher’s Puma collection “Eat What You Kill”, for a track of…

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