80’s pop mega-stars, BROS, are reforming for three shows only in 2017. Two shows at London’s O2 Arena are taking place in August, with the first show selling out in an astonishing seven seconds. Twins Matt and Luke Goss are also bringing the show to Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on November 4th and I had…
Read More
Before heading off on their new run of Australian tour dates, Society of Beggars took some time out for a quick chat about their brand new EP, vampires, and world domination. What can you tell me about the idea behind the name, An EP Called Night? The EP itself is supposed to reflect the rush in the…
Read More
If, like me, you’re a stressed out over-thinker struggling with the constant sensory input of our increasingly busy lives, then you’ll find this absolute gem by MT Warning to be a much needed oasis of calm and serenity. Mikey Bee manages storytelling and imagery woven together with heart-on-sleeve lyrics, all delivered with emotive and honest…
Read More
Though firmly anchored in Americana Chris Shiflett‘s third solo album, West Coast Town, translates beautifully to the Australian country scene. I most recently listened to the album as I churned through a road trip through Victoria and New South Wales and it made many of the 1400 kilometers melt away. There’s something about the wide…
Read More
New York duo Chasing Moonlight have been garnering some decent buzz online as of late, with their music connecting the young duo to thousands of fans in the US. With a debut album in the pipeline for May as well as a growing online media presence, members Brett Steinberg and Zeke Hunter tell us a bit more about…
Read More
I never miss a support act when I’m reviewing. Ever. I think it’s important to support the support every chance you get. Almost every artist we admire has been a support act at some point. Tonight, sadly, I missed Anabelle Kay‘s slot at The Toff In Town owing to circumstances beyond my control. I’m sorry,…
Read More
Roo Panes is a singer songwriter from the UK and he’s currently on tour in Australia. I was lucky enough to grab a chat with him in Melbourne ahead of his show at The Toff In Town. Welcome to Melbourne! Is this your first trip to Australia? Yes, well, I’ve travelled to Australia before, I…
Read More
Chris Shiflett, widely known as the awesome guitarist from Foo Fighters, is releasing his third solo album, West Coast Town, next month before heading out on a US tour to support the album release. We were lucky enough to snag some of his time to have a quick chat with him before the madness begins….
Read More
As I sat in the airless room near The Corner Hotel in Richmond I pondered the irony of interviewing Frightened Rabbit about their latest album, Painting of a Panic Attack, whilst I was personally mid-way through my very own anxiety attack. At least the stifling temperature in the room would hopefully serve as a sufficient…
Read More
It’s midnight, I’m sitting in a budget hotel, and I have to be up in four hours to catch my flight back home to Melbourne to work. I’ve also just been at the Sydney Opera House to see Kasabian’s second show of their two-nights-only Australian visit. There is so much adrenaline ripping through my system…
Read More
As a long-time fan of The Living End it was with great delight that I had the chance to have a chat with drummer-extraordinaire, Andy Strachan, about their seventh album, Shift, life on the road, and the fear of Meatloafing. Firstly, congratulations on the latest album; it’s a killer, I think. Thank you, that’s good…
Read More
Over the last week, we’ve taken you on board Jennifer Quinlin’s journey from Melbourne to London with Air New Zealand atypical route for Australian travellers, via Auckland and Los Angeles. So far she’s taken us through legs one and two of the journey, as well as her experience in transit in Los Angeles. Now today…
Read More
The Air New Zealand service NZ2 (the first leg of which I reviewed last week) is a rare flight at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), with the airport serving as a transit point for the plane: with the plane continuing on to London. But not before you have to deal with the airport’s infamous security measures. While…
Read More
Earlier this week, Jennifer started her journey to London with Air New Zealand with her first leg from Melbourne to Auckland (You can read that review HERE). Today she takes us on the second leg, from Auckland to Los Angeles on Air New Zealand‘s remarkable Premium Economy “Spaceseat” service, abroad their stunning Boeing 777-300 aircraft. Airline: Air New…
Read More
While most fly to London via Asia or the Middle East, Air New Zealand offer a service that take you via Auckland and Los Angeles. It’s a longer journey, but depending on the needs of your travel could end up being a better option. Our own Jennifer Quinlin recently flew from Melbourne to London on Air…
Read More
UK band Catfish and the Bottlemen, named after lead vocalist Van McCann’s encounter with an Australian busker called Catfish the Bottleman, have recently released their follow-up album to 2014’s debut, The Balcony. The Ride is a stonkingly good collection of tunes which are so polished and mature in their sound and production that I was…
Read More
Ahead of their impressive run of Australian dates next month and through July, we catch up with Tom Larkin of Shihad to find out how the band recovered from their recent chaotic venture of slamming down three shows across three NZ cities in one freaking day, what the re-release of the beloved Fish album means to the band and the direction of…
Read More
I’m ancient enough to have been around when Madonna‘s career was in its infancy. I can clearly recall Molly Meldrum championing her on Countdown as a huge talent, and I have vivid memories of dancing around the bedroom with my cousins to “Holiday” and “Lucky Star”. She has featured in my musical consciousness for almost…
Read More
This Is How I Let You Down is Montreal-based alternative folk-pop band The Franklin Electric’s debut album. The band is headed up by Jon Matte on vocals, piano and trumpet, with Liam Killen on drums and vocals, Alexis Messier on guitar, and Martin Desrosby on bass. Matte is also the songwriter, plus he produced the…
Read More
Ultra mellow singer-songwriter Fraser A. Gorman opened proceedings to a building Friday night crowd at The Corner Hotel in Melbourne’s Richmond. With a breezy blend of tunes, including a cover of Wilco’s “Passenger Side”, and some quirky, off-beat story telling (my favourite moment was a tale regarding the evil nature of children, just beating the…
Read More
A gloriously warm, sunny Melbourne evening saw a sold out crowd descend upon Melbourne Zoo for Birds of Tokyo‘s gig as part of the Zoo Twilights series. The Zoo Twilights run for two weeks, with all proceeds going towards fighting the extinction of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot. As the sun slowly made its way to…
Read More
Sydney-based former Novocastrians, Love Parade, released their second album, Shake On The Mission, earlier in 2015 and it’s one of the sneakiest albums I’ve heard in a while. I’ve found myself randomly humming or singing tunes from the album at the oddest of times, usually when I’m supposed to be deeply engrossed in something heinously…
Read More
Brisbane-based The Creases arrived on stage with no fuss or introduction and set to warming up the crowd at 170 Russell prior to The Maccabees‘ Falls Festival sideshow. Despite a litany of technical glitches – including microphones attempting to electrocute them to the point they needed to protect themselves with shirts from their merchandise line,…
Read More
British folk-punk band Levellers are coming to Australia to perform their classic, platinum-selling 1991 album, Levelling The Land, in its entirety, along with an extensive list of their impressive back catalogue. From playing pub gigs in Brighton to becoming the headline act at Glastonbury, Levellers were propelled into the musical consciousness of the UK through this…
Read More
Legendary Irish singer/songwriter Luka Bloom has just announced he is returning to Australian shores in early 2016.Showcasing his brand new album, Frugalisto, Bloom returns for his 12th Australian tour since 1992. Of the upcoming trip, Bloom is incredibly keen, noting the connection he’s maintained with our country and how it’s been felt on the record….
Read More
The music line-up has been announced for the Spectrum Now Festival @ The Domain, the much-anticipated event that forms the beating heart of The Sydney Morning Herald Spectrum Now Festival presented by ANZ. This 11-day outdoor fiesta will come alive with music, art, performance, food, drink and a reimagined vintage circus vibe. Running from March…
Read More
The response to the first Australian dates by London duo Oh Wonder was overwhelming, with tickets selling out within 48 hours of going on sale. As a result, both shows were upgraded – with Sydney subsequently selling out, and Melbourne soon to follow. Supporting them at their Melbourne show at the iconic Corner Hotel will be…
Read More
It was a packed house at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre for the first of two shows by American singer-songwriter Chris Cornell. Cornell is probably best known as the frontman of Seattle’s Soundgarden, as well as Temple of the Dog, and supergroup Audioslave. He’s also a highly successful solo artist, and has an enviable catalogue of soundtrack work…
Read More
I confess, somewhat shamefully, that Mutemath have only ever existed for me on the peripheral of my musical consciousness. I’ve known about them, primarily, through a friend who has raved about them for years, but I’ve never managed to sit down and actively listen to anything they’ve released. Listening to their new album, Vitals, I…
Read More
Recorded at their own studio in Wellington, New Zealand, and self-released on The Drop, the label they own and operate, BAYS is the fourth studio album by internationally acclaimed, yet intrinsically Kiwi, Fat Freddy’s Drop. BAYS is the 7-piece’s follow up album to 2013’s Blackbird. Having previously lived in Wellington for ten years, Fat Freddy’s…
Read More