Month: August 2020

Win a DVD set of the complete series of Schitt’s Creek

Out this week through Acorn Media, you can now enjoy the entire hilarious Canadian series Schitt’s Creek thanks to a jam packed 12 disc DVD box set. That’s no less than 80 episodes across 6 seasons, from the award winning, critically acclaimed and much loved show that stars Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara (who in…

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Talem Press authors - Bronwyn Eley, Bonnie Wynne, Helen Scheuerer

Talem Press vs COVID-19: How one indie publisher is navigating the pandemic – and what you can do to help

Amidst shutdowns, restrictions, and the ever-present health implications, it’s a trying time for many as we collectively navigate the COVID-19 global pandemic. This is as true of the Australian publishing industry as any other. With freelancers and small presses already working hard to be seen, the difficulty is only increasing, as the online spaces they…

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Josh Pyke

Interview: Josh Pyke on seizing opportunities, anxiety and ROME.

Josh Pyke is a staple in the Australian music industry. With a career spanning close to two decades, he’s dog-eared many chapters in the music scene with his work, and has played his part in the careers of many other celebrated Aussie musicians such as Angie McMahon, Alex Lahey and Gordi as a mentor through…

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Exclusive Single Premiere: Elenore “Maybe I Am” (2020)

Melbourne indie-pop singer Elenore is about to release her latest single, “Maybe I Am”, and we are thrilled to be premiering it today.  “Maybe I Am” is a strong bold statement from an artist who is defiantly holding her ground. This song has sass and defiant cool vibes in spades. It’s got a totally captivating…

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In The Studio: Behind the Scenes with The Holiday Collective in Byron Bay

It only took one big week in a Northern Rivers studio during mid-July 2019, for Jesse Higgs’ musical moniker HOLIDAY, to swiftly evolve into The Holiday Collective (THC). Former bandmates (and brother) Isaac Williams and Jade Higgs (Younger Dryas), made the trip up from Tassie to join Byron Bay comrades Meg Hitchcock, Marquee Moon &…

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Interview: Washington on finding the secret ingredient for her new LP Batflowers

Megan Washington is super-excited about the pending release of her latest album, Batflowers, and she has good reason to be. It’s nigh-on six years since the release of There There, the sophomore long-play, after her debut I Believe you Liar in 2010. “It’s not for lack of trying” said a buoyant Washington when I put…

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The Changing Investor Landscape: An Interview with Robert Kiyosaki

In the past few years, there has been a river of intrigue surrounding financial freedom flowing through Australia. More and more people are interested in breaking out of the debt cycle, building their wealth and securing their financial futures. One of the most common books people turn to in getting started is Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad,…

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DJI’s feature-rich Osmo Mobile 4 gimble launches in Australia

DJI is betting heavily on magnetic mounts with its newly announced Osmo Mobile 4 (OM4) smartphone gimble, a follow-up to its super popular, an super flexible, predecessor. The motorised smartphone stabiliser’s biggest evolution is the two magnetic mounts, one which wraps around the phone in an instant, and one which attaches to the back of…

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The Discomfort of Evening wins the 2020 International Booker Prize

In a virtual ceremony Marieke Lucas Rijneveld’s debut novel, The Discomfort of Evening, translated into English by Michelle Hutchison has been unveiled as the winner of the 2020 International Booker Prize.  The £50,000 prize will be split equally between Rijneveld and Hutchison, giving both the author and translator equal recognition.  The Discomfort of Evening was…

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Organisers have cancelled this year’s Falls Festival

Earlier today, Falls Festival organisers sadly announced that this year’s celebration has been cancelled amid growing COVID-19 concerns. Event organisers initially planned to give the festival the go-ahead with an Australian-only line-up. After careful consideration however, organisers have chosen to pull the plug on the Lorne, Byron Bay, and Fremantle Festivals. “Given the current status…

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Win a double pass to see Bill & Ted Face The Music in Australian cinemas

We have ten double passes to give away to the upcoming release of the third film in the classic and hilarious Bill & Ted film series – Bill & Ted Face The Music – starring Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves as the titular characters. After a brief delay due to cinema shutdowns, it’s one of…

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The Greengate Hotel is doing up a tasty discount for National Burger Day

National Burger Day is this Thursday and to celebrate all things delicately stacked and impossibly cheesy, The Greengate Hotel is offering $12 for all their burgers and $8 pints of craft beer. Not only are they serving up their classic burgers, they’ve also announced three new additions to the menu. This includes menu special, the…

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Exclusive Video Premiere: Sophisticated Dingo “Don’t Wanna Be” (2020)

We have the exclusive video premiere of “Don’t Wanna Be” by Melbourne duo Sophisticated Dingo. It features some pretty cute animation by Gabbie Rossiter,  a cartoonist and animator who not surprisingly has been in hot demand during lockdown. The track is on their sophomore EP “How’s The Carry On!? which dropped last week. It’s a fun…

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Playlist: Revisiting the Best Songs of 2011

As we continue to reflect back on the last decade of music, join us as we revisit 2011. We’ve taken the songs from our top 40 tracks of 2011 poll – as voted for by our contributors almost a decade ago – and curated a ripper playlist on Spotify. Gotye and Kimbra topped the list…

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These five NSW hotels are getting pup-friendly for International Dog Day

To celebrate International Dog Day (which is today, you’re welcome), various IHG hotels across Australia are opening up various ways to pamper the many good boys and girls that have been mostly stuck inside right along with us. Your dog needs a staycation too, so take note of all the hotels introducing ways to pamper…

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needtobreathe

Album Review: NEEDTOBREATHE – Out of Body (2020 LP)

As per usual, the new offering from NEEDTOBREATHE is firmly rooted in gospel sensibilities. The music on Out of Body is unmistakably spiritual by design. Yet, agnostic as I am, I can’t be mad about it. If anyone was ever going to convince me to re-enter a church, it would be this band. And this…

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The AU’s Father’s Day Gift Guide: Nintendo Edition

For the dad that likes to stay mobile, but still squeeze a bit of gaming in, there’s no better platform than the Nintendo Switch. An ideal Father’s Day gift idea, the Switch can be a constant entertainment companion. Hardware Nintendo Switch Lite This one’s for the dad who doesn’t spend much time in front of…

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Indigenous Literacy Day

Indigenous Literacy Day celebrations to go virtual for 2020

COVID-19 continues to disrupt events across Australia. With this disruption also comes opportunities. Events to mark Indigenous Literacy Day usually take place outside the Sydney Opera House. This year due to COVID-19, the event is going online and will be open, for the first time, to everyone Australia wide. The celebrations will be held live…

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Syrup

Track of the Day: Syrup “Sun” (2020)

Spring is right around the corner and Brisbane alt-pop outfit Syrup are here to help you shake off those winter blues. Their new single “Sun”, which dropped last week, embraces all the best parts of the Summer season. Sure, we’ve still got a season to go until we get there, but I’ve been reliably informed…

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Black Rabbit George

Interview: Black Rabbit George invites us down the rabbit hole on Warren

Black Rabbit George, the latest project from Tijuana Cartel guitarist/singer/songwriter Paul George delivers mesmerising psych-folk, opening doors to the subconscious. Warren, the second album from the Gold Coast-based artist, is an immersive journey spread across eight tracks. Each of the album’s songs carefully mix acoustic instrumentation with subtle psychedelic production techniques. Guitar phrases intertwine, rhythms…

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Bad Sydney Crime

BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival goes online and international for 2020

The 2020 BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival is all set to go ahead from 10-13 September. This year the festival will be held virtually, in what organisers are describing as a “4-day virtual crime extravaganza”. Each year, the BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival showcases some of the best writers of crime fiction. This year, eight prominent…

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JBL Club One Review: A step in the right direction

JBL’s latest collection of Club series noise-cancelling wireless headphones reaches its apex with the Club One, inching into the higher-end category and competing with acclaimed offerings from Bose, Sennheiser and Sony. It’s a crowded market for sure, but JBL certainly has what it takes to muscle around with the most popular cans on the market….

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Album Review: Cut Copy – Freeze, Melt (2020 LP)

It makes you feel old when you consider that Melbourne synth-pop rockers Cut Copy have been around more than 15 years now, but here they are with their sixth studio album Freeze, Melt. Between 2017 album Haiku From Zero and this release, the band went their separate ways, with likeable lead singer Dan Whitford moving…

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‘Looking Past the Pandemic’ with Grievous Bodily Calm from Perth, Western Australia

Keeping travel dreams alive and setting goals has never felt more important. We can all agree that 2020 has been an unfortunate year so far, and almost every facet of daily life has been wrought by this ongoing global pandemic, the start of which now feels like forever ago. The arts has been one of…

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Track of the Day: The Paper Kites ft. Lucy Rose “For All You Give” (2020)

Australia’s favourite folk/rocksters The Paper Kites are back with a beautiful new song, “For All You Give”, featuring UK singer-songwriter Lucy Rose. It’s the first track of their forthcoming 5th studio album, Roses which will be released next year. “For All You Give” is a song laden with joyful acoustic guitars and beautiful harmonies. Close…

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The AU’s Father’s Day Gift Guide: Xbox Edition

The Xbox One is a console with serious Dad Energy, and we say that with love. It’s full of military shooters and high-quality racing sims, the kind of games that get dads of all stripes a touch excited. If you’ve run out of ideas for Father’s Day gifts, look no further. We’ve got this handy…

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Sammi Constantine

Exclusive Single Premiere: Sammi Constantine “Growing Pains” (2020)

2020 is proving to be a big year for Sydney singer/songwriter  Sammi Constantine. She has released a new track every month, and we are thrilled to be premiering “Growing Pains” which is the latest in this journey. Central to the theme of these tracks has been the exploration of mental health, self-growth and empowerment.  This…

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Win the collector’s edition of new game No Straight Roads

Rock takes on EDM in No Straight Roads, a new action-adventure game directed by Wan Hazmer, lead game designer of Final Fantasy XV and Daim Dziauddin, concept artist of Street Fighter V. The artful blend of rhythm-infused combat, vibrant offbeat world, and killer soundtrack take this far beyond your average video game while you guide…

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Logitech G915 Lightspeed Keyboard review: Simply the best money can buy

Logitech’s design team knows that they created something special, and they sure are charging accordingly. At a whopping $399, the high-end G915 Lightspeed Keyboard demands a hefty investment, but returns with superior quality and offers a full sized, remarkably thin and low-profile wireless mechanical gaming keyboard that is built to last for a very long…

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Exclusive Video Premiere: Luke Daniel Peacock “Give Me a Reason” (2020)

Fans of the sounds of Manchester in the late 80’s and early 90’s are going to find plenty to love in Luke Daniel Peacocks latest single, “Give Me a Reason”. We’ve for the first look at the video for this banger of a tune. It has a wonderful retro feel to it. Think smoke machines,…

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