Year: 2023

Interview: Kitty Green on directing The Royal Hotel, subverting genre tropes and committing to an unhappy ending

After the uncomfortable mastery of The Assistant, an increasingly intense drama following the daily activity of an assistant to an insidious, powerful movie mogul, director Kitty Green easily placed herself on the map of filmmakers to follow. For her sophomore feature she’s maintaining that sense of dread – though she would beg to differ –…

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Interview: Director Susanna Fogel on casting Cat Person and toying with audience expectation

When Margot, a college sophomore, goes on a date with the older Robert, she finds that IRL Robert doesn’t live up to the Robert she has been flirting with over texts.  Directed by Susanna Fogel (TV’s The Flight Attendant, The Spy Who Dumped Me), adapted by Michelle Ashford from the acclaimed New Yorker short story…

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Bonnie Fraser of Stand Atlantic chats about Good Things Festival, touring and new music!

Sydney alternative rock group Stand Atlantic have had a massive year following the release of their album f.e.a.r in 2022, playing countless shows across the country and internationally. Currently, they’re on tour supporting Waterparks and have recently dropped their latest single, “Sex On The Beach”. I had the absolute joy of chatting with lead singer…

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Acchy

Exclusive Single Premiere: Acchy “when i met you” (2023)

We’ve been big fans of Melbourne-based singer/songwriter Acchy since we showcased his 2021 single, “Never Falling in Love Again”.  That track was written in response to a relationship that didn’t work out, so we’re thrilled to be premiering today the flip side of that emotion, the heartwarming “when i met you’. Acchy has built a…

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Translating a 100 year-old Japanese Master – an interview with Ryan Choi

Ryūnosuke Akutagawa inspired Murakami and Kurosawa, but what’s it like reading his work today? The Akutagawa Prize is one of Japan’s most prestigious literary prizes. Kurosawa’s beloved 1950 film Rashomon, was inspired by Akutagawa stories, and Haruki Murakami counts him as a favourite. But what would today’s readers think? And what about translating it? Ryan…

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The Hummingbird Effect is an orangey-red book with a green geometric pattern that looks like wings underlayed below the title. The author's name is along the bottom: Kate Mildenhall.

Book Review: Kate Mildenhall’s latest is a multi-faceted examination of some of our scarier philosophical challenges

For many writers, their second novel is often less remarkable than their debut. Not so the case of Kate Mildenhall, whose sophomore book, The Mother Fault, cemented its author’s status as a writer to watch in Australian literature. Mildenhall’s third novel, The Hummingbird Effect continues her trajectory as a writer who is not afraid to push boundaries…

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Live Review: SAFIA + Gold Fang + BIRDEE 王煒 – Forum Melbourne (18.11.23)

Saturday night in Melbourne saw SAFIA return to the Forum to celebrate their recent studio release, A Lover’s Guide to a Lucid Dream. Having already witnessed their performances across Canberra and Hobart, Melburnians were in for a treat, as SAFIA rarely disappoints. Pop artist BIRDEE 王煒 opened proceedings at the venue with a short set…

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Photo Gallery: SAFIA + Gold Fang + BIRDEE 王煒 – Forum Melbourne (18.11.23)

Saturday’s performance at the Forum Melbourne was a fantastic showing of SAFIA’s new album A Lover’s Guide to a Lucid Dream. Joined by Gold Fang and BIRDEE 王煒, it was a highly memorable evening for all attending. You can read Dan’s review of the show HERE.  

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Lainey Wilson (US) adds shows to debut Australian tour due to popular demand

Lainey Wilson is set to headline her debut Australian tour this March, 2024. Due to popular demand the tour has been extended, with additional shows in Sydney and Melbourne The award-winning country music artist will headline four shows in Australia (Melbourne and Sydney) in addition to her slot at the CMC Rocks 2024 festival (QLD)….

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Post-punk royalty THE THE announces 2024 Australian tour

New wave London icons THE THE are returning to Australia as part of their Ensouled world tour. After four decades of making music and selling out Sydney and Melbourne during their last visit in 2018. They will also play their first Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide shows in over 30 years. They broke through to the…

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Interview: Ben Stewart of Slowly Slowly talks touring, Good Things, and upcoming projects

With Good Things Festival around the corner, I had the pleasure of catching up with Ben Stewart, lead singer of Melbourne’s very own Slowly Slowly. Known for their emotive lyrics, dynamic sound, and captivating live performances, Slowly Slowly has been making waves in the Australian music scene. In this interview, Ben shares insights into their…

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Knotfest Australia sets its lineup and dates for 2024 and it looks bigger than ever!

Knotfest, the ultimate fusion of music and counterculture, is set to make waves along the East coast of Australia for the second time, commencing its fiery journey on Thursday, March 21st at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, before storming into Sydney on Saturday, March 23rd at Centennial Park, and culminating in Brisbane on Sunday, March 24th…

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Kangaroo Islands Spirits has released the world’s first gin using 100% locally grown juniper

There isn’t much in the world of craft gin that Aussies haven’t seen before. Yet, Kangaroo Island Spirits has managed to one-up itself by releasing a First Harvest Juniper Gin. This is the world’s first gin made exclusively from Australian grown, single sourced common juniper harvested on Kangaroo Island. Taking 100% locally grown juniper, the…

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Film Review: Trolls Band Together hits the right musical note across its pop-filled family journey

As someone who’s childless and pushing a certain age bracket, on the surface it would seem as if the Trolls films shouldn’t necessarily appeal to me.  But within their candy-coated, unicorn fever dream-like aesthetic are surprisingly well-aimed jokes of maturity and, as an unashamed pop music enthusiast, a far-too-enjoyable soundtrack.  Children will absolutely lap this…

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Interview: Director Walt Dohrn on Trolls Band Together, the NSYNC reunion, and cast improvisation

This holiday season, get ready for an action-packed, all-star, rainbow-colored family reunion like no other as Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake return for the new chapter in DreamWorks Animation’s blockbuster musical franchise: Trolls Band Together. And orchestrating this slew of superstar voices – and perhaps a few boyband members for good measure – is director…

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Track by Track: Nighteyes takes us through her debut album, The Way Back Down

Nighteyes is the solo project of New Zealand-born and Melbourne-based multi-instrumentalist Rachel Trainor. She has just released her stunning and haunting debut album, The Way Back Down.  The Way Back Down is a collection of tracks steeped with drama and stories. They are a mix of dark rock, folk and electronica, which navigate a broad range…

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Pastures

Exclusive Single Premiere: Pastures “The Garden” (2023)

Sydney-based five-piece Pastures are an indie-rock band reknowned for their jangly guitars and warm sounds that tug on the heartstrings. True to form, their latest single about to drop, “The Garden”, does just that, and we are delighted to be premiering it ahead of its release on Tuesday. The track follows on from “Sweet Desires”…

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Beyond the Black

Review: Pirate Life Brewery’s Froth and Fury Festival was a solid day of heavy and alternative music (18.11.23)

With 36 bands over three stages running all day, there was so much to see at Froth and Fury Festival that it would be impossible to see it all. From local punk rock outfits to the raucous antics of Suicidal Tendencies,  there had to be a heavy metal band to suit your tastes. Taking over…

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Photo Gallery: Interpol + Bloc Party + Dust – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney (18.11.23)

Indie Rock legends Interpol from New York and Bloc Party from London joined forces for a double headlining gig at the sold-out Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion. They were supported by Australian post-punk outfit Dust. Pete Dovgan was there to capture the night.  

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Game Review: Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name feels fantastic to play, but a little too familiar

It’s a long title, but this is also a long franchise. With the Like a Dragon series heading in a new direction, we see the Gaiden games coming back to piece together some of the missing pieces. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name picks up the story of the previous protagonist…

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Theatre Review: Complex or confused? Oil at the Sydney Theatre Company may leave you scratching your head

Set across five distinct time periods, Oil at the Sydney Theatre Company depicts different moments in the modern history of petroleum (crude oil) and its far-reaching impacts. Written by UK playwright Ella Hickson and directed by Paige Rattray, the play follows the journey of May (Brooke Satchwell), a strong-willed woman who longs for a better…

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New Music Discoveries 17th November: The Terrys, Molly Lewis, Thelma Plum and more

Another ten tracks have been added to our Discovery playlist on Spotify and Apple Music this week; amongst them are two tracks we had exclusive premieres for earlier in the week. And, our Track of the Week goes to perennial AU favourites The Terrys for their brand new single “No Bad Days”. “No Bad Days”…

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Tech Review: The OPPO A58 is yet another impressive entry-level handset

OPPO is no slouch when it comes to providing a wide range of handsets, from entry-level value to premium competitors. While we recently reviewed the OPPO A78 5G, the newly released OPPO A58 might sit below in terms of outright specs, but is still an incredible alternative for the everyday user, given its lower price…

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Game Review: Super Mario RPG has been remade to near-perfection

In 1996, Nintendo and Square Enix teamed up to release what would go on to become the acclaimed Super Mario RPG, successfully combining Nintendo’s Mario franchise with Square Enix’s Final Fantasy style of game to become a cultural icon. It was such a gigantic hit, even if they forgot to make a PAL version, meaning…

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Photo Gallery: Suicidal Tendencies + Mannequin Death Squad + Astrodeath – Metro Theatre, Sydney (16.11.23)

Suicidal Tendencies brought their Still Cyco Punk After All These Years tour to Sydney’s Metro Theatre on the 40th Anniversary of their landmark, self titled debut. 1983’s Suicidal Tendencies! Supported by Melbourne’s thrash power pop duo Mannequin Death Squad and local Sydney metal duo Astrodeath. Pete Dovgan was there to capture the mayhem.

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Exclusive Single Premiere: Atlas Franklin Alexander “Young Love” (2023)

Mulubinba/Newcastle post-punk artist Atlas Franklin Alexander is back with the dreamy and immersive “Young Love”, richly textured and spellbinding, for which we are delighted to be premiering, along with its video ahead of its release on Friday. This atmospheric beauty features vocoder-enhanced vocals, moody guitars and echoing synths. The production is all class, and it is…

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Film Review: Saltburn; Emerald Fennell’s psychosexual satire indulges in its own wickedness

The thematics of power and the consequences of privilege Emerald Fennell explored in 2020’s confronting Promising Young Woman are exacerbated in her wicked follow-up, Saltburn, which feels as if The Great Gatsby and The Talented Mr. Ripley were invited to participate in an orgy with Bret Easton Ellis and the cast of Euphoria in a…

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Dakota Johnson weaves a Marvel origin story in first Madame Web trailer

“Meanwhile, in another universe…” In a switch from the typical genre, Madame Web tells the standalone origin story of one of Marvel publishing’s most enigmatic heroines. The suspense-driven thriller stars Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic in Manhattan, who may have clairvoyant abilities. Forced to confront revelations about her past, she forges a relationship…

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Film Review: Thanksgiving; Eli Roth’s gory horror treat is for those that like their meals bloody

Similar to how Robert Rodriguez expanded his faux trailer Machete into a feature-length exploitation action movie following its positive reception ahead of his and Quentin Tarantino’s joint B-movie double feature Grindhouse (2007), Eli Roth has finally made good on his mock trailer and turned in Thanksgiving, a self-aware slasher that embraces its R-rated bad taste…

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Film Review: The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is a prequel that asks more questions than it can answer

If you’ve read any (or all) of the Hunger Games novels or seen the films then you’re likely to have a specific view on one Coriolanus Snow.  But the presidential position (and villainous temperament) the character held in the original trilogy of novels, and later quartet of films as played by Donald Sutherland, is far…

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