Year: 2023

Series Review: Based On A True Story is a darkly comic satire on society’s obsession with true crime podcasts

To say society has a fascination with true crime would be putting it mildly.  No longer just contained to a select audience who got their grisly fix on news-skewered programs, true crime – or, more specifically, murder – is now a multi-million dollar business in itself, cornering the market on books, podcasts, docuseries’ and the…

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Game Preview: F1 23 returns with new mechanics and a Braking Point sequel

It’s that time of the year again. With the Formula 1 season off and running, we recently got some hands-on time with the upcoming F1 23. In many ways, F1 23 is looking to return in strong form, with various adjustments to physics, a direct Braking Point story sequel and a whole new F1 World…

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Katy Steele

Interview: Katy Steele on Big Star, striking a chord on Tik Tok and her upcoming tour

Katy Steele won our hearts with Little Birdy, with a voice that is instantly recognisable. She dropped her debut solo album, Humans in 2016 and on Friday this week, the follow up, Big Star is about to be released. The first single for the album was “Feel So Bad”, which was released in September last…

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Game Review: System Shock is a fantastic and faithful remake

The original System Shock was admittedly released the year I was born, but even though I’ve had plenty of time over the past 28 years, I had never gotten around to playing it until only a few years ago. I had understood its impact as a spiritual predecessor to one of my favourite games of…

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Crows Nest

Book Review: Nikki Mottram’s Crows Nest is an intense, suspenseful thriller set in country Queensland

Crows Nest is the debut novel from author Nikki Mottram. Mottram, has used her extensive experience in child protection and psychology to great effect, crafting a thriller that is intense and grounded in reality. The novel is set in the late 90s in Toowoomba, Queensland. It’s a novel that delves into the often secretive world…

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Eliza Hull

Eliza Hull shares five of her favourite artists with disabilities in honour of her new single “Running Underwater”

The Australian singer-songwriter Eliza Hull returns to the music scene with a mesmerising new release showcasing her ethereal vocals and poetic lyricism. “Running Underwater” sees Hull collaborate with ARIA Award-winning producer Pip Norman to create a powerful and introspective song that explores the experience of living with the condition Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) and challenges societal perceptions…

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Film Review: The Flash conjures awe, emotion and humour as it speeds to the upper echelons of its genre

The wants and needs of comic book fans is something of a tall order when it comes to successfully executing a story that has a certain level of lore attached to it.  In terms of The Flash, there’s perhaps an even stronger necessity for the film to prove its worth off the back of certain…

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Slim Jimz

Exclusive Video Premiere: SLIM JIMZ “25” (2023)

Sydney’s SLIM JIMZ have been winning hearts and minds in their hometown and beyond through their infectious and heartfelt indie rock. A track that deftly captures their ability to resonate is “25”, released a week ago. We’re thrilled today to have the video premiere for the track ahead of its release on Friday. The track…

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Tech Review: The Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED Monitor is gorgeous, but incredibly expensive

Look, I get it. You get what you pay for. Corsair’s Xeneon 27-inch, QHD, 240Hz OLED monitor is many things. It’s sleek, crisp, responsive and vibrant. As many would have come to expect in recent years, any OLED option is looking to take the crown when it comes to panel quality, proving some of the…

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Series Review: Appetite delivers insight into the dark side of the gig economy

Short-form series Appetite, the only Australian production to be selected for in-competition screening at Canneseries, starts an important conversation on the effects of the gig economy through its bite-sized episodes. The mystery-comedy follows a group of housemates turned food-delivery riders who find themselves at the centre of a conspiracy as they unravel the truth behind…

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Young Henrys and South Sydney Rabbitohs collaborate to launch Glory Haze XPA

Celebrating South Sydney Rabbitohs‘ supporters and five years of friendship, Young Henrys have produced a limited edition Glory Haze XPA. Young Henrys is a group of passionate brewers, beer lovers, distillers, musicians and artists, united for the love of good beer. Established in 2012 in the back streets of Newtown and in the hearts of…

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Cover of The Anniversary

Book Review: Stephanie Bishop’s The Anniversary dives deep into the writerly mind

Award-winning Australian author Stephanie Bishop published her fourth novel The Anniversary in late March, though you may be forgiven for having missed it given the proliferation of big names with novels due out around the same time. (Pip Williams, anyone?) Centring on the relationship between a novelist J B Blackwood and her filmmaker husband, Patrick (who…

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Tech Review: The Asus ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition Gaming Mouse nails the essentials

Wow, that title was a mouthful. But unlike the Asus ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition’s overly long name, there’s a much simpler, refined review to unpack. Firstly, this version of the mouse is inspired by Aim Lab, the very home of FPS aiming training, meaning it’s specifically made for those hardcore FPS fans. While…

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Foo Fighters return to Australia & NZ this Summer – dates and supports announced

Fresh from the release of their new album But Here We Are last week Foo Fighters have announced their return to Australia and New Zealand this summer, with a run of stadium shows across the two countries from November through to January. The band were last in the country for a one off show in…

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Photo Gallery: Ethel Cain – Vivid Live, Sydney Opera House (04.06.23)

Ethel Cain played her third sold out Vivid Live show at Sydney Opera House in the Drama theatre. Unfortunately Ethel collapsed during her second show and was unable to finish her set. There were concerns that she may not make an appearance tonight, but she announced on instagram that “all this touring and traveling has…

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Film Review: We Were Once Kids is a look at those infamous skater teens after they grew up

In the mid-90s a little film named Kids was released. It became a phenomenon that catapulted its stars into the mainstream consciousness. We Were Once Kids is a documentary that looks behind the scenes at the original filmmaking process, while also asking the question, “Where are they now?” Eddie Martin directs this film, which is…

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Scenes From A Climate Era

Theatre Review: Scenes from the Climate Era at Belvoir is a lesson we should have learnt a long time ago

Climate change, global warming, greenhouse effect, carbon emissions – there are many words to describe it and even more emotions associated with its impacts. Scenes from the Climate Era at Belvoir explores our complicated and tumultuous relationship with climate change. Presenting over fifty stories which delve into climate science, activism, and denial, it doesn’t pull…

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Photo Gallery: Ásgeir – Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne (01.06.23)

Icelandic singer-songwriter Ásgeir performed at Melbourne Recital Centre on Thursday night. Our reviewer Sarah described the show as “an enchanting journey through emotion and melody, leaving an enduring impression on all who were present”. You can read Sarah’s review in full HERE. Eloise was there to capture the beauty of a remarkable performance.

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Live Review: Ásgeir – Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne (01.06.23)


As the lights dimmed and the crowd hushed in anticipation, Icelandic singer-songwriter Ásgeir took the stage at Melbourne Recital Centre for a sold-out performance that can only be described as truly captivating. From the moment he and his band graced the stage, it was evident that the intimate venue was the perfect setting for their…

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Film Review: The Roundup: No Way Out manoeuvres the beats of the action genre with a welcome unpredictability

Despite being the third film in the respective Crime City series – preceded by The Outlaws (2017) and The Roundup (2022) – The Roundup: No Way Out very much operates on its own.  Sure, it helps to have seen the other films, but Lee Sang-yong‘s enthusiastic actioner transmits a joy and an individuality that doesn’t…

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Film Review: Padre Pio; Shia LaBeouf’s committed performance can’t be faulted in uneven faith-driven drama

Whilst it’s fair to say that not every respective project of director Abel Ferrera and actor Shia LaBeouf is successful in their individual execution, you can’t deny the absolute dedication they both have regarding their craft.  Ferrara, whose varied career has seen him helm such divisive works as King of New York, Harvey Keitel’s lauded…

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Middle Kids

New Music Discoveries 2nd June: Middle Kids, Beach Bleach, Marville and more

As we roll into June, we’ve added eleven new tracks to our Discovery playlist on Spotify and Apple Music. Our track of the week is “Bootleg Firecracker” from Middle Kids. “Bootleg Firecracker” is their first release since their incredible 2021 album Today We’re The Greatest. Not resting on their laurels, they spent six weeks in the…

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Katie Wighton

Track by Track: Katie Wighton takes us through her stunning debut LP, The End

Katie Wighton has today released her much-anticipated and stunning debut LP, The End. The album is a series of reflections on events that have occured in Katies life. They touch on relationships with the wrong person, heartbreak, reconciliation and reaffirming the need to live your best life. Katie is one quarter of the much-loved ARIA award-winning…

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Film Review: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is bombastically ambitious, beautifully imaginative and emotionally rich

Expanding everything that made 2018’s revolutionary Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse work so wonderfully, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is bombastically ambitious, beautifully imaginative and emotionally rich.  It’s also drastically complicated for anyone not (Spider)versed in the ways of its animated predecessor, so – like many comic book movies that are specifically intertwined with their own franchise…

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Sydney Writers’ Festival: A sneak peek at Clementine Ford’s I Don’t: The Case Against Marriage left us questioning the need for marriage – it’s about time!

Why do people get married? Why would a person willing choose to legally and financially bind themselves to another person, particularly in 2023? For love? Security? A great big party? It’s this myth of marital happiness that author Clementine Ford will explore in I Don’t: The Case Against Marriage, due for release on the 31…

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Tech Review: The Samsung MX-ST50B Sound Tower packs the punch to match its size

I’ll be honest, I’ve owned and reviewed plenty of Bluetooth speakers, but have never owned a more prominent sound tower. I never thought I really needed one. But after a few weeks with the Samsung MX-ST50B Sound Tower, I’m starting to rethink how I’ve ever gone without one for so long. Be it the seamless…

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Rhys Coventry

Exclusive Single Premiere: Rhys Coventry “Carry Me Home” (2023)

It’s always exciting when a debut release lands in our inbox, and we were blown away by the first listen of “Carry Me Home”, from Rhys Coventry. We are super pumped to have the premiere of this uplifting slice of indie-folk, ahead of its release on Friday. “Carry Me Home” is about being surrounded by…

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Movements drop latest single “Fail You” and announce new album RUCKUS!

In case you missed it, last Friday California alt-rock favourites Movements dropped the new single “Fail You” and announced their third album RUCKUS! will be out 18 August via Fearless Records. The gritty, upbeat track – their third this year – has something for all fans to enjoy, from the chunky lead riff to the…

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The VANNS give us a gear rundown with their new album Last of Your Kind

Sydney indie-rock quartet The VANNS have returned with their sophomore record Last of Your Kind, released 19 May. Featuring the singles “Making it Out Alive”, “Haunted” and “Ever”, the anticipated new album follows from their 2019 debut full-length Through the Walls. In support of the album, the band treated fans to an intimate East Coast…

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Elvis

Elvis: A Musical Revolution will be in the building (Sydney and Melbourne) from August

Lace up your blue suede shoes and get ready to relive the storied life of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley in the premiere of a brand new bio-musical – Elvis: A Musical Revolution. Following successful Australian runs of The Wedding Singer and Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical, David Venn Enterprises presents a…

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