Month: May 2017

Music Video of the Day: Press Club “Headwreck” (2017)

Talk about bursting onto the scene. Melbourne’s very new and very, very good Press Club are a force to be reckoned with, the small handful of gigs that they’ve played bringing glowing praise from all sides. They’ve only just released their first single, and my god. Wow. The four Brunswick locals deliver frenetic and commanding punk, ‘Headwreck’…

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The best band you’ve never listened to, Tennis (Denver), talk Yours Conditionally and the development of their sound over four albums

While at Coachella last month, I caught up with Denver husband-wife duo Tennis, who in spite of releasing four breathtaking albums (their latest, Yours Conditionally, is out now), have never made many waves down here in Australia. We here at the AU think it’s about time they made some waves, so join us as we…

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Nintendo details preliminary E3 2017 plans

Nintendo have opened up a bit about their plans for the 2017 E3 Expo in Los Angeles next month. An important year for the Big N with their newest machine, the Nintendo Switch, tearing up the sales charts, their E3 show will have a focus on Super Mario Odyssey among other 2017 titles.

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BAM9 kicks off tonight in Melbourne! Here’s where you can see every fight

Fighting game tournament Battle Arena Melbourne 9 kicks off tonight at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, bringing with it the latest stop on the 2017 Capcom Pro Tour. Fans of fighting games like Street Fighter V, Super Smash Bros and those wanting a look at the final console version of Tekken 7 ahead of release need only…

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Who is David Thewlis’ character seen in the final trailer for Wonder Woman?

Note: This article contains minor spoilers The brand new trailer for the highly anticipated origin film Wonder Woman (a long overdue stab at the character), gave audiences a brief look at David Thewlis‘ character, Sir Patrick, an alias for the God of War Ares. Ares is one of the most prominent villains in Wonder Woman’s…

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A mammoth Australian & NZ contingency lines up for the 2017 Austin City Limits Festival

Though it was the late addition of Jay Z onto the Austin City Limits festival line up ahead of the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chance the Rapper, The Killers and sis-in-law Solange that has had everyone talking, a quick look at the mammoth ACL lineup for 2017 shows off an impressive list of Australian and New Zealander artists amongst…

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Win a double pass to Sierra Boggess’ Australian concert tour in Sydney

Broadway and West End music theatre star Sierra Boggess is making her debut Australian tour from Saturday 3 June 2017, performing in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Regarded by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber as “the best” Christine in Phantom of the Opera, this international award winning music theatre superstar will wow audiences with her magnificent voice,…

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Single of the Day: LADI6 “Guru” (2017)

If you’re even a passing fan of New Zealand soul music, the name Ladi6 is one you’ll know carries much gravitas. Their new single “Guru” has been born out of recent sessions for their forthcoming Royal Blue 3000 EP and man, does it go in. Minimal production opens the way for Ladi’s incredible voice to shine, as it…

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Exclusive Music Video Premiere: The Wildbloods “Red Box” (2017)

Sydney four piece The Wildbloods today premiere their new music video for “Red Box” ahead of their Australian east coast tour in support of their album All The Adversity! The tune itself sticks out as one of the heavier tracks on the band’s latest record, and draws influences from some of our favourite indie rock bands like Arctic…

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Sound the alarm: The National have announced album #7, Sleep Well Beast

FINALLY. The National have re-emerged with details of their long-awaited new album, Sleep Well Beast, due for release this September 8th. To be released through 4AD/Remote Control Records, Sleep Well Beast is the seventh studio record for The National and saw the Dessner brothers on production duties. Also revealed today was the first taste of the new album from…

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Melbourne MC Sinks takes out the 2017 Hilltop Hoods Initiative

Emerging MC from Melbourne, Sinks, has won the 2017 Hilltop Hoods Initiative! Having already come through the ranks over the last few years and an artist to watch, the rapper and producer impressed the judging panel and has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Hoods and APRA AMCOS. The prize money will be put towards…

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Listen to Warpaint’s remix of D.D Dumbo’s “Brother” ahead of his Australian tour

It’s no surprise that D.D Dumbo has been having one hell of a ride since album Utopia Defeated was released. He’s got an APRA Song of the Year behind him as well as an extensive national tour kicking off next month but today, today, we want you to check out this special little nugget of new music out…

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Exclusive Single Premiere: Jack & The Kids “Your Eyes” (2017)

Bendigo’s Jack & The Kids have made their impression well and truly known with their single, “Your Eyes”, premiering today on the AU. In a music climate where pockets of Australian music is reliant more than ever on soaring indie pop choruses and hooks, it can be hard to stand out, especially if you’re making your…

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Archie Roach and Tina Arena headline first speaker announcement for BIGSOUND 2017

The BIGSOUND programming announcements have kicked off for yet another year, with some Aussie legends being announced as keynote speakers for the September music conference. Leading the announcement today, Archie Roach and Tina Arena will both be appearing in Brisbane for BIGSOUND – the two Australian music icons set to open up about their acclaimed and extensive careers. Says…

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Watch Bishop Briggs look ahead to Splendour, reflect on her massive 2017 and talk about her new tattoos

Our very own Larry Heath had a one-on-one backstage at Coachella 2017 with emerging superstar Bishop Briggs to reflect on her amazing year, look ahead to her Australian debut for Splendour in the Grass this July, talk about her new tattoos and much more… You can watch our chat here: Don’t miss Bishop Briggs when…

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Bad Pony (Sydney) talk about their “Deficiency” single tour and writing with Marc Orrell (ex-Dropkick Murphys) in the USA

Hitting the road today on their national “Deficiency” single tour, the criminally underrated Sydney quintet Bad Pony were recently over on the other side of the world in Toronto, Canada for the annual music festival and conference Canadian Music Week. While there, I sat down with Jarred and Sam from the group to talk about…

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Film Review: Ridley Scott tugs on existential threads with Alien: Covenant (USA, 2017)

2012’s Prometheus marked the beginning of a franchised prequel to Ridley Scott’s original Alien, not only taking fans back to the origins of this iconic sci-fi franchise, but diving deeper into the meaty philosophies such a concept brings, finding purpose with the motif of creation. The introduction of synthetic android David (Michael Fassbender) emerged as…

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Grey Box gets why you’re mad about Rime being $80AUD on the Switch

When publisher Grey Box announced Australian pricing for their forthcoming puzzle adventure title Rime, Nintendo Switch owners couldn’t help noticing that the game was significantly more expensive on their console than it was on any other. Grey Box have now addressed the issue, and detailed exactly what they plan to do about it.

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And the first eight films we’ve booked on our Sydney Film Festival 2017 flexipass are…

The 64th Annual Sydney Film Festival launched its amazing program yesterday, and over 12 days this June, there’ll be more film premieres and screenings than you’ll know what to do with. Over the next couple of weeks we’ll be letting you know plenty of our highlights – and we’re starting off with counting down the…

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New report suggests Mass Effect franchise on hiatus, Bioware Montreal undergoing restructure

A new report has suggested that, following the less-than-stellar response to Mass Effect: Andromeda from fans and critics alike, BioWare Montreal is being “scaled down” and that staff from the satellite studio are being moved onto different projects within the company. Worse, the same report indicates that the beloved science fiction franchise is being put on…

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Video Games Review: Cities Skylines: Xbox One Edition (Xbox One, 2017), or Zen and the Art of Urban Planning

Gaming history is littered with console ports of PC strategy titles. Sometimes they get close to emulating the PC experience, sometimes they miss the mark by a wide margin. Cities: Skylines is the latest to make the jump to console, thanks to Melbourne heroes Tantalus Media, but is it a success?

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Talking new music, touring & the influence of a woman’s touch in studio with Murph of The Wombats

It’s a chilly night when I sit down with The Wombats frontman Murph, as Groovin The Moo continued to roll on around us. It’s perhaps the third time I’ve sat down with Murph, testament to the long-running relationship the British band have had with Australia – we can’t remember how long it’s been since their last tour or…

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Music Video of the Day: Slowly Slowly “Ivy on the Fence” (2017)

New Slowly Slowly – that is all. Take a look at the music video for the band’s new single, “Ivy on the Fence Line” – another absolute jam from the guys who’ve brought us “Dinosaurs” and of course, 2016’s Chamomile. As another taste of Slowly Slowly’s sophomore record, “Ivy on the Fence Line” is a moody and introspective…

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Listen to Nick Murphy’s two new Missing Link tracks, including the KAYTRANADA produced “Your Time”

Nick Murphy has emerged from the studio with a brand new EP in Missing Link – the first proper collection of material fans have gotten since he began making the musical transition from Chet Faker to work under his actual name. Two songs have been dropped from the EP for us to get around, as a huge world tour…

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Red Bull Sound Select returns to Sydney with Friendships, SK Simeon and Cassius Select

FBI Radio’s new Music Director, the wonderful Amelia Jenner, presents her first line up for Red Bull Sound Select on May 26th, with the curated event coming to Ricardo’s in Marrickville. Set to perform on the night is a diverse trio of artists from Melbourne and Sydney: dancehall guru SK Simeon, the devilishly chaotic Friendships and Sydney’s own Cassius Select. From…

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Single of the Day: WAAX “Wild & Weak” (2017)

Mate. If you haven’t listened to WAAX, then you’ve been depriving your ear holes of one of Australia’s best up-and-coming acts. Fronted by the slightly manic and immensely talented Marie De Vita, the group melds raw energy with potent lyrical themes. The Brisbane five-piece have dropped a third taste of their upcoming EP, this time the title track…

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Australian Box Office Report: Guardians remain leaders of the Galaxy for the second week in a row

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 topped the box office ladder again this week, taking in $4.99m in earnings.  The only steady title in the top three, it’s already earned $23.06m since it premiered on Anzac Day, and is set to overtake the first Guardians of the Galaxy if it can make a total of $27m –…

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Aled Jones sings us some surprising “duets” with Ed Sheeran, BTS’ Jungkook and Kylie Minogue

While Aled Jones was recently in Sydney we decided that, in the theme of his new album One Voice, we would ask him to do a couple of surprising duets. Of course, nothing could be as surprising as singing with your 15 year old self… but we think we found him some good ones! So, may we…

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Book Review: Dirk Kurbjuweit’s Fear asks how far would you go to protect your family?

Dirk Kurbjuweit is deputy editor-in-chief at Der Spiegel, receiving numerous awards for his writing over the years. Fear is the first of his works to be translated into English, as well as being adapted for film, television and radio. Fear is set in Berlin and East Germany, around the time the Berlin Wall went up. Randolph Tiefenthaler,…

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Book Review: Ouyang Yu’s Billy Sing explores our Australian war heroes through descriptive prose

Stating that “no risk was too great for him to take”, William ‘Billy’ Sing, the real life protagonist of Ouyang Yu’s new book Billy Sing, arrived in Gallipoli in 1914 and became one of our greatest snipers. Whilst now regarded as a  war hero, his start in life wasn’t always so auspicious. Born in 1886, Billy grew up,…

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