Year: 2021

Palace of the Drowned

Book Review: Palace of the Drowned wrestles with second novel syndrome in more ways than one

It feels strange to be writing a review of a novel in which the catalyst is a negative book review. In Palace of the Drowned, Christine Mangan (Tangerine) returns to the literary thriller genre with a story of writers block and obsession. It follows Frankie Croy, a career author whose first book was one of those…

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Interview: Director Saul Abraham on directing short film Enjoy and exploring men’s mental health

Statistics regarding the prevalence of mental illness in men today have become a more commonly known factor as the walls of machoism continue to break down.  No longer a subject that goes undiscussed, the depression aspect of a man’s mental psyche is at the centre of Saul Abraham‘s striking short film, Enjoy. Following its screening…

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Interview: Natalie Holt on composing Loki and pushing the Marvel sound in a new direction

As fans across the globe gear up for the anticipated final episode of Loki this week, Disney put our own Peter Gray in touch with the show’s lauded composer, Natalie Holt. After expressing his appreciation for her contribution to the Paddington score, Peter and Natalie discussed the audition process in securing her role, if any…

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Damien Binder

Exclusive Video Premiere: Damien Binder “Everything But” (2021)

Perth-based New Zealand singer/songwriter Damien Binder recently released his second track for 2021, “Everything But”. We are thrilled today to have the exclusive video premiere for the track which will be on the fifth album from this talented artist. The track was written by Damien and Bob Shepheard. It was produced by Matt Gio, who…

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Melbourne International Film Festival announce full program ahead of August 5th launch

Celebrating its 69th edition, Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) has revealed its 2021 program, with an astonishing lineup of 283 international and Australian films and transformative screen experiences. Presenting 199 feature films, 84 shorts and 10XR experiences, the program includes 40 world premieres — the most in the festival’s history — and 154 Australian premieres,…

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San Joseph

Melbourne’s San Joseph takes us behind the scenes of filming the music video for “Blink Twice”

Last month, alt-pop artist San Joseph released the video for his debut single “Blink Twice”. He has certainly hit the ground running with his first track out into the world, a striking mix of acoustic guitar, a catchy soulful voice and a tune that stays in your head long after it has reached the end….

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Mashd N Kutcher

Mashd N Kutcher made another lockdown jam about video games

Brisbane-based dance duo Mashd N Kutcher‘s new track is a bit of a lockdown banger. The duo made the song in partnership with Turtle Beach, a brand known for creating consumer-grade gaming headphones. The song, appropriately titled WHEN U COLLAB WITH TURTLE BEACH samples sounds commonly heard in the life of a gamer day-to-day. The…

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Film Review: Space Jam: A New Legacy makes a few neat shots in its attempt to continually slam dunk

Whilst subtitling the film “A New Legacy” seems a bit too confident for the team behind this Space Jam sequel, it’s arguably not straying too far from the truth in relation to its selected talent.  Whilst the original film received a mixed reception upon its release in 1996, it made considerable bank and has, in…

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Sarah Yagki

Guest Playlist: Sarah Yagki takes us through the songs that influenced her

Sydney’s multi-instrumentalist alt-pop artist Sarah Yagki last month released her latest single, “Can’t Hardly Lie”.  This is an emotive track, reflecting on a relationship that ultimately ended. Sarah has a voice with great range and power, and she uses it so effectively in this track showcasing all the feelings. This is a track that swirls,…

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First impressions: HBO’s The White Lotus is an understated representation of exaggerated comedy

The first episode of The White Lotus, the latest darkly comedic effort from the mind of Mike White (Enlightened), sets itself up as a more humorous Big Little Lies, offering a seasonal hook in the first few minutes that suggests the titular paradisal resort is anything but. A stoic Shane (Jake Lacy) sits at an…

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Interview: Don Cheadle on playing a villain in Space Jam: A New Legacy and sharing the court with LeBron James

No stranger to the world of CGI wizardry and starring alongside names of sizeable weight, Don Cheadle is utilising both his talent and knowledge for his latest big screen venture – Space Jam: A New Legacy – opposite Los Angeles Lakers MVP, LeBron James.  Talking with our own Peter Gray ahead of the anticipated sequel’s…

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9 acts you won’t want to miss at Brisbane Comedy Festival

Kicking off just as mask restrictions (hopefully!) ease in Brisbane next week, the Brisbane Comedy Festival has got a stellar line-up planned for its 2021 iteration. With so much to choose from, including legends such as Ross Noble, Akmal, Cal Wilson, and Jimeoin, as well as internet sensations Nat’s What I Reckon and Christian Hull,…

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What is Georgian Cuisine? 5 Mouth-Watering Dishes To Eat Before You Die (And How!)

The Republic of Georgia is a land nestled within the gorgeous Caucasian mountain range and is home to many things – friendly faces, rich history, beautiful scenery and, of course, food to die for. If you’ve never tried Georgian cuisine, let me sum it up into two simple words: cheese and wine. Food plays an essential part…

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all trailers State of Play

All the trailers from today’s PlayStation State of Play

We’ve rounded up all the trailers from today’s PlayStation State of Play broadcast in one convenient place! There were some surprise announcements, like a sequel to beloved PSVR hit Moss and new looks at previously announced titles like Lost Judgment. However, Sony saved the best for last with a nine-minute look at Arkane Studios’ upcoming…

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How To Celebrate Your Birthday From Home

After a year filled with different activities and emotions, people always look at their birthday as a sign of hope to make new plans for a better future. Typically, many people celebrate the occasion in many places – bars, an office event, or at a friend’s house. However, in many places of the world right…

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Anticipated Books

The AU’s Most Anticipated Books of 2021: Jul – Sep

We’re over halfway through the year. How are your 2021 reading goals going? Have all the mini snap lockdowns around the country had you turning to a good book? We’re back to take a look at a handful of the new titles coming out across the next couple of months. With so many books published each…

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State of Play Australian times

Where to catch Friday’s PlayStation State of Play in Australian times

PlayStation has announced the next episode of its State of Play broadcasts will kick off, in Australian times, Friday morning, July 9. The broadcast will be largely dedicated to Arkane Studios’ upcoming PS5 exclusive Deathloop.  Sony says this segment will run about nine minutes out of the twenty-minute broadcast. For more on Deathloop, you can…

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Dust of Us

Sydney electronic duo Dust of Us share their favourite Sydney spots

Sydney electronic duo Dust of Us recently released their latest EP, Never Had The Time. This is a collection of seven songs, imbued in moody vocals and succinct layered electronica. We were crushing on the track “Punching Bag” when it was dropped late last year, and have been keenly anticipating the release of this EP. It…

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Tkay Maidza

Album of the Week: Tkay Maidza – Last Year Was Weird Vol. 3 (2021 EP)

It’s about time Australia and the world stops sleeping on Tkay Maidza. After releasing more than her fair share of quality singles and EPs, Maidza is back with Last Year Was Weird Vol. 3, a slinky and complete progression from an act who’s more than ready to make an impact on the global hip hop…

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Reading Australian Writer

Book Review: Reading Like an Australian Writer updates the syllabus for Australian literary studies

How do we define an Australian writer? What is Australian literature? New South Books’ latest collection of essays, Reading Like An Australian Writer doesn’t seek to answer these questions definitively. Instead, using as its source material a line-up of well-known Australian literary figures and their books, it offers up a round table of discussions on…

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King Brown

Perth’s King Brown gives us their favourite local venues, bands and haunts

Perth continues to enhance its reputation as a creative hub, with resident rockers King Brown dropping their debut EP, Out In The Desert last month. It’s a quality collection of six tracks. It’s a bit bluesy, with some surf-rock leanings and superb story-telling. The strong vocals and searing guitars are a standout. It’s an exciting…

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Film Review: Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra is a fierce look at the dance company’s rich and complex history

If you want an example of the transportive power of dance then you need to look no further than Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra. This documentary packs a lot into its slender 96-minute run time, by tracing the origins of this First Nations dance troupe. This film draws together many facets and stories including the…

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Meghna

Meghna: Top 5 Movies I Watch Again and Again

We premiered “Bad Thoughts” from Australian/Indian artist Meghna last September, and have been keenly anticipating the follow-up. Meghna hasn’t disappointed, with the gripping “In My DNA”. The track was written about her parents and grandparents who grew up in India, experiencing poverty, with the fear that they might not be able to escape that poverty….

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Book Review: Trek the Pennine Way with Anita Sethi in new memoir I Belong Here

After being subjected to a racist attack on a TransPennine Express train, Anita Sethi decided enough was enough. With no one on the train willing to step in and stop her abuser on his vicious tirade, she reached out to train staff and police herself, choosing to speak up for herself in a way she…

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Switch OLED

Nintendo announces new OLED Switch hardware

The long-rumoured “Switch Pro” turned out to be real — kind of. Nintendo calls it the Nintendo Switch (OLED Model), complete with parentheses right there in the name because who would Ninty be without a little idiosyncrasy. Handheld clarity The OLED screen itself measures 7 inches (or 17.78cm) across. For those hoping the system would…

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Partefacts

Track of the Week: Partefacts “Time Travel” (2021)

“Time Travel” is the debut single from new band on the block Partefacts, and taken from their forthcoming EP Lifestyle Blob.  Partefacts is the brainchild of Canadian multi-instrumentalist Christa Belle and Australian producers Lani Bagley and Craig Schuftan. If those last two names sound familiar to you, then good. Bagley and Schuftan also make up…

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Film Review: Black Widow proves that a female voice is a tone that suits the Marvel canon

Eagerly awaited, though perhaps a few years too late, Marvel’s latest excursion of the bombastic kind – Black Widow – isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel.  That’s not necessarily a bad thing though as Cate Shortland‘s venture adopts a more grounded mentality (at least for the most part), playing as a type-of Bourne Identity actioner that…

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Saiyon

Exclusive Video Premiere: Saiyon “Kerosene” (2021)

Melbourne-based Saiyon produces an enthralling blend of alternative R’n’B’ and electronica, and we are thrilled to be premiering the video for “Kerosene”, ahead of its release on Thursday. In an era where mansplaining and repression of women is still all too prevalent, “Kerosene” is a celebration of a young woman who is feeling empowered and…

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Mario Golf Super Rush

Mario Golf Super Rush Review: Dangerously close to the rough

A no-show in the Wii era, I warmly welcomed the announcement of Mario Golf Super Rush for the Switch. And now, at long last, a Mario-themed golf-sim with motion controls. Finally, Switch owners can enjoy a pseudo-realistic golf experience in the comfort of our homes — without having to brave the heat of the sun…

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Em George

Exclusive Video Premiere: Em George “Metropolis” (2021)

Sydney singer/songwriter Em George recently dropped her latest single, “Metropolis”. George released her EP Wolves last year, the follow up to her debut self-titled EP that was released in 2016.  We are thrilled today to be premiering the video for “Metropolis”, the lead single from her next EP. “Metropolis” has a beautiful lush folk/Americana feel to…

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