Month: February 2021

Four Pillars and QT Hotels come together for exclusive coconut and bamboo “Ordered Chaos” gin

Yarra Valley’s eternally beloved Four Pillars has teamed up with the equally adored QT Hotels and Resorts for a playful new collaboration which will see the distillery’s latest gin available exclusively across QT’s family of boutique-minded hotels. And though you might not be able to get Four Pillars’ new Ordered Chaos Gin at your local…

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Interview: Julie Sokolow on her documentary Barefoot: The Mark Baumer Story

Screening as part of the digital Transitions Film Festival, we caught up with Director Julie Sokolow to talk about her new documentary Barefoot: The Mark Baumer Story. What first attracted you to making a film about Mark Baumer? Back in 2016, a friend of mine frequently shared Mark’s videos on Facebook. I finally clicked on…

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brent ii Jeremy Zucker Chelsea Cutler

Interview: Jeremy Zucker & Chelsea Cutler on brent ii, first songs and how they met

“Don’t fix what isn’t broken” is exactly the mantra Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler seemingly live by as they offer their latest EP brent ii as a follow up to their 2019 global success together. Through the 2020 summer of the pandemic, the pair retreated to an upstate New York cabin to continue the story of brent as they evolved…

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Delta to increase Sydney to Los Angeles flights in March on their flagship A350-900

Finally, some news of an airline increasing, not decreasing, flights between the US and Australia. Delta Air Lines, who have been praised for their Delta Care Standard implemented during the pandemic, will start flying their flagship A350-900 aircraft six times a week from 8th March 2021. This will give Australians and Americans looking to return…

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PlayStation Play At Home

PlayStation Play At Home returns, drops free games over four months

PlayStation has confirmed that its Play At Home initiative will continue in 2021. At the height of lockdown delirium in 2020, PlayStation launched the program by giving Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection and Journey away for free for two consecutive months. This time around, the program will run from March to June and will give…

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PlayStation VR PS5

Sony announces next-gen PlayStation VR headset coming to PS5

Most were not expecting Sony to announce a PS5 iteration of its PlayStation VR headset. Announce it they did though, via the official PlayStation blog. Sony confirmed that work is underway on a next-gen PlayStation VR headset for the PS5. The headset promises significant performance improvements on the current model. One of the most significant…

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State of Play

Where to see tomorrow’s State of Play in Australian times

The latest PlayStation State of Play broadcast kicks off on Friday, February 26. But what time can you expect to see in your neck of the woods? See below for when you can see the new State of Play in Australian times.   NSW, VIC, TAS 9AM AEDT Viewers in NSW, VIC and TAS will…

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State of Play

First PlayStation State of Play broadcast of 2021 set for Friday

The first PlayStation State of Play broadcast of 2021 will stream on Friday morning, February 26. News of the broadcast came among a raft of PlayStation news yesterday. First, a brand new PlayStation VR headset underway at the hardware maker. Then, the next stage of its PlayStation At Home initiative was announced. Finally, the news…

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Black Sunday

Book Review: Dive in Tola Rotimi Abraham’s stellar debut, Black Sunday

Twin sisters Bibike and Ariyike and their younger brothers Peter and Andrew live a comfortable life in 1990s Lagos. But when their mother loses her job and abandons them, and their father gambles away their home and disappears shortly after, it is the twins who slowly take control of the newly orphaned family’s destiny. Switching…

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Henry Cavill Mass Effect

Henry Cavill teases Mass Effect involvement

Henry Cavill, the Man of Steel, the White Wolf himself, appears to be working on a project related to the Mass Effect universe. Cavill shared a picture of himself on Instagram earlier today with the caption “Secret project? Or just a handful of paper with random words on it… Guess you’ll have to wait and…

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Interview: ‘People think we’re Geronimo still’, Sheppard returns with ambitious new album

Brisbane indie pop band Sheppard have never quite been wholly accepted by Australian audiences, despite massive world tours, top 10 hits around the globe and boasting more than 740 million streams across all platforms led by huge 2014 hit “Geronimo”. Sheppard – now a core three-piece consisting of siblings George, Amy and Emma – are…

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Album of the Week: Julien Baker’s Little Oblivions is near enough to perfect

Julien Baker has always been an artist that makes you stop, notice and absorb her talents. Now onto her third album, Baker is as prolifically complete on Little Oblivions as she’s ever been since releasing debut album Sprained Ankle half a decade ago. There’s very little, if any, façade to what pours out in her…

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Anthem

Anthem development to end, BioWare focused on Dragon Age 4

It’s been over a year since Bioware announced they planned to beat Anthem into shape. Today, that lofty dream is over. BioWare and EA have announced that development on the beleaguered 2019 online shooter will cease. The Anthem team will join the Dragon Age 4 staff. The announcement came via the official BioWare blog, and was…

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Guest Playlist: June Jones takes us through the songs she is listening to now

Undoubtedly one of the most fascinating artists currently on the scene is singer/songwriter June Jones. June has just dropped her sophomore album, Leafcutter. Self-produced, it’s a collection of highly personal songs, confessional in nature, often using her rich tones to help convey the emotions of the song. Jones is a multi-faceted musician with many talents….

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Exploring Koga: one of Japan’s secret attractions, and an ideal Tokyo day trip

When first-time tourists visit Japan, they often take such a well-trodden route that it has a nickname within the Japanese tourism circles. Known in the industry as ‘the golden route,’ this commonly explore circuit travels from Tokyo to Osaka and Kyoto and often Hiroshima. While it’s a stunning and undeniably rewarding path to take, the…

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Interview: Melanie Bracewell on Season 3 of Wellington Paranormal and how no idea is ever too crazy to pitch

As season 3 of Wellington Paranormal arrives on screens (February 24th at 8:30pm on SBS VICELAND), we chatted with writer and producer (and all around funny girl) Melanie Bracewell to discuss the process of pitching outlines for such a show and how no idea is ever too crazy. The episodes I caught were hilarious, I…

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You Am I

Track of the Week: You Am I “The Waterboy” (2021)

You Am I have just dropped the first single, “The Waterboy” off their eleventh studio album. It showcases the songwriting skill and inventiveness of frontman Tim Rogers. It was inspired by a song, “I Can See Elvis” on the classic Waterboys album, Modern Blues.  There is a recurring line in “The Waterboy” – “Edinburgh, Galway,…

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Pipin

Exclusive Single Premiere: Pipin “Tunnel Vision” (2021)

Pipin is the solo-project for Brisbane singer-songwriter Bec Hoole. She is known for her dreamy pop songs sprinkled with touches of throwback disco. We are thrilled to premiere her first single of 2021, “Tunnel Vision” ahead of its release on Friday. We also have an accompanying video that is as striking as it is inventive….

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Win a TCL 10 Pro smartphone worth $749

In the market for a premium mid-range smartphone? The latest flagship offering from TCL Electronics (yes, the ones that make those consistently impressive super premium televisions) is the TCL 10 Pro and we’ve got one to give away to one lucky reader. Retailing for $749, the TCL 10 Pro provides an immersive experience to users…

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Ian Moss

Photo Gallery: The Sounds Of Sydney (Re)Opening Night Gala – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (22.02.21)

After being closed for eleven months, due to renovations and the pandemic, it was a triumphant re-opening last night of the Enmore Theatre, for the Sounds Of Sydney gala event. It was an incredible lineup, with profits from ticket sales being donated by the venue to Support Act, an organisation that is providing much-needed support…

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Say hello to the Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne’s newest ritzy and reimagined performance venue

A swanky new performance venue is about to open in Melbourne’s old Metropolis House on Sydney Road. The Brunswick Ballroom is set to become Melbourne’s most eclectic and diverse new entertainment venue, hosting Australian and international acts, from music and cabaret to comedy. Spearheaded by new venue owner and impresario Andrew Kay AM, Brunswick Ballroom…

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Transitions Film Festival Review: Barefoot: The Mark Baumer Story is an inspiring look at an activist who walked to the beat of his own drum

Barefoot: The Mark Baumer Story was my first introduction to the eccentric writer and eponymous artist. Baumer went viral in 2016 after he embarked on a barefoot walk across America. This documentary takes in various beats along his journey of over 100 days. It’s a portrait that is as rich and detailed as an oil…

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The Mauritanian confirms Australia and New Zealand release after Golden Globes & BAFTA nominations

The Mauritanian, the new highly anticipated thriller by Kevin Macdonald will premiere on Amazon Prime Video in Australia and New Zealand on 24th March. Starring Jodie Foster, Tahar Rahim, Benedict Cumberbatch and Shailene Woodley, the film is based on the best-selling memoir Guantànamo Diary by Mohamedou Ould Slahi and follows the inspiring true story of Slahi’s fight for freedom after being…

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Everyday Madness

Book Review: Take a closer look at the everyday madness of modern life in Susan Midalia’s new novel

Detective-novel loving vacuum salesman, Bernard, barely listens to his wife anymore. They live in the same house, but that’s about the extent of things. Gloria talks a lot. Like, a lot a lot. So when she suddenly stops talking to him, the silence comes as a bit of a shock. But, after weeks of suffering…

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The Fallen Robins

Exclusive Video Premiere: The Fallen Robins “Driving Song” (2021)

We are thrilled today to have the video premiere of “Driving Song” from Sydney-side folk-trio The Fallen Robins. The band was started in 2019 by three siblings; Charlotte, Jess and Sarah. With harmonies that tug your heartstrings and authentic story-telling, their music is joyously uplifting. The track reflects upon the arc taken when on the…

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Julien Baker

Interview: Julien Baker talks Little Oblivions, songwriting, boygenius and creative freedom

Singer-songwriter Julien Baker is all set to release her forthcoming album Little Oblivions later this week. Officially released on February 26th, the album delivers a sound that is bigger, bolder and more expansive than the sparse intimacy that we’ve come to expect from Baker. Recorded pre-COVID, Little Oblivions might be a sonic shift for Baker,…

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ABIA longlist announced ahead of April awards show

Well, it’s that time of the year again, book fans! The Australian Book Industry Awards have just revealed the contenders for the 2021 prizes! Here’s all the nominees – get ready to grow your bookish wishlist! Biography Book of the Year A Bigger Picture – Malcolm Turnbull (Hardie Grant Publishing, Hardie Grant Books) A Repurposed…

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Highline

Interview: “Staying Sane” with Sydney’s Highline

Sydney’s Highline haven’t let a little thing like a global pandemic throw off their hard earned momentum. The quartet are back with a new single, “Staying Sane”, and with the promise of more to come.  It was still early days for the band pre-covid. They’d released their debut EP and played their first ever shows…

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Burning Crusade

World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Classic coming in 2021

In response to overwhelming fan demand, World of Warcraft Classic will add the beloved Burning Crusade expansion to its roster. The Burning Crusade was the first major expansion to World of Warcraft and made numerous changes to gameplay and mechanics. For players that have exhausted all of WOW Classic‘s content, you will be able to…

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World of Warcraft: Shadowlands

World of Warcraft Shadowlands unleashes the Chains of Domination

The first major content upgrade to World of Warcraft Shadowlands, Chains of Dominion, makes some dramatic changes to the Shadowlands post-game story. The Jailer’s power grows. Anduin is held in the thrall of the Lich King. Baston has fallen. Sylvanas questions her own brutal crusade. Chains of Domination is the same Patch 9.1 that leaked…

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