Author: Jodie Sloan

she/her Brisbane/Meanjin I like fancy cocktails, pro wrestling, and spooky shit.

Track of the Day: Teenage Joans “Three Leaf Clover” (2020)

Teenage Joans might have only burst onto the scene a year ago, but they’ve made quite the impact. Single “Three Leaf Clover” won them the triple j’s Unearthed High prize earlier this year, and with the duo releasing a new video for the alt anthem, there’s never been a better time to share this one…

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Track of the Day: Sam Kaiser “Good Things” (2020)

Today’s stunning Track of the Day comes courtesy of singer-songwriter Sam Kaiser. Splitting his time between Hong Kong and Ontario, Kasier’s sound is folksy and intricate, all bound together by a soulful voice that belies his youth. Fans of Passenger and José Gonzalez will find plenty to enjoy here. Latest track “Good Things” might just…

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The Freedom Circus

Book Review: Survival, love, and circus clowns abound in Sue Smethurst’s The Freedom Circus

The first time Sue Smethurst sat down with her husband’s grandmother and asked about her experiences during the Holocaust, she was shooed away. Surrounded by fellow survivors in the Montefiroe Jewish nursing home in Melbourne, Mindla (pronounced Marnya) Horowitz felt no need to share her story. Everyone around her had one much the same, after…

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Clanlands

Book Review: Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish’s Highlands travelogue Clanlands is for the Outlander faithful

Last year, Outlander stars Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish set off for the Scottish Highlands in a questionable campervan, keen to explore more of the country they grew up in. From Glencoe to Culloden and countless lochs and castles in between, Clanlands is a record of their adventure filming what would eventually become Starz doco…

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A Wind from the Rift

Book Review: Bonnie Wynne ups the ante in The Price of Magic sequel, A Wind From the Rift

Gwyn just wants to go home. After months of imprisonment, first in the Clockwork City’s Bird Tower prison, then its horrific Charnel Vaults, her control over her magic is weakening, and the sooner she’s safe amongst friends, the better. But the Mancers of the Syndicate have come to a decision. Too dangerous to be freed,…

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Track of the Day: James Abberley “You’re The One” (2020)

If you’re after some new coastal acoustic sounds, then look no further! We’ve got the latest from WA singer-songwriter James Abberley, and we’re loving it’s gentle folk-like vibe. “You’re The One” follows on from recent release “Drifting“, and it’s got a passion to it that belies its laidback, easy-listening veneer. It’s a real slow-burn, and…

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Track of the Day: Jess Locke “Destroy Everything” (2020)

Melbourne based singer-songwriter Jess Locke has dropped another tantalising glimpse of the forthcoming album Don’t Ask Yourself Why. Following on from recent grunge-fuelled release “Fool“, sad-pop anthem “Destroy Everything” is melancholy in all the right ways, with a wonderfully ethereal edge. Of the new track, Locke says: “The song ‘Destroy Everything’ is about destruction as…

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Evening Morning

Book Review: Witness the birth of Kingsbridge, in Ken Follett’s prequel novel The Evening and the Morning

The year is 997 and the Vikings have come to Combe. After losing both his father and his lover in a devastating raid, Edgar sets out for Dreng’s Ferry, taking up an offer to rent a nearby farm and start over. Shipbuilders by trade, Edgar and his family attempt to begin a new life as…

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Hollowpox

Book Review: Morrigan Crow returns in Jessica Townsend’s Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow

Morrigan Crow has finally found a place to call home. Spending her days with her Wundrous Society classmates, and her evenings with the inhabitants of the magical Hotel Deucalion, Morrigan can now focus on her real task: mastering her growing Wundersmith powers. But something strange is happening in Nevermoor. Well, stranger than usual. Nevermoor’s peaceful…

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Song of the Crocodile

Book Review: Dive into Nardi Simpson’s mesmerising debut Song of the Crocodile

The Billymil family have lived in the small town of Darnmoor for three generations, and expectant parents Celie and Tom are preparing to welcome the newest addition. But tensions between Darnmoor’s Indigenous and settler families are rising. And the divide between the white run town and the Campgrounds, where the Billymils call home, is growing….

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Lionhearts

Book Review: Nathan Makaryk’s Robin Hood tale misses the target in sequel Lionhearts

Robin Hood is dead. A grief-stricken Will Scarlett takes on the mantle, struggling to balance the need to survive with the desire to end those who have taken everything from him. But he is not the only one calling himself Robin Hood; others have co-opted his friend’s myth, and their intentions are less than pure….

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Track of the Day: Un-Ti “Stay” (2020)

Central Coast trio Un-Ti are back with another pop banger, the catchy AF “Stay“. With influences ranging from Ed Sheeran to The Weeknd, the latest from high school mates Lachie, Reid, and Ben is polished pop perfection, and a great follow-up to previous single “Love Me Like Yesterday“. With gorgeous vocals and some seriously good…

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Caitlin Moran

Book Review: Caitlin Moran offers up another witty and wise memoir with More Than A Woman

Caitlin Moran is back with new memoir (and a new silver streak). Opening with modern day Moran travelling back in time to visit her thirty something self, who is fresh off saving the final draft of 2011’s How To Be A Woman. But the Moran of More Than A Woman has distressing news for her…

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Track of the Day: Teddy Swims “Broke” (2020)

Atlanta’s Teddy Swims dropped latest track “Broke” a few days ago, and we’re excited to be naming it as today’s Track of the Day. Otherwise known as Jaten Dimsdale, the surname ‘Swims’ is actually an anagram, standing for Someone Who Isn’t Me Sometimes, a reference to the struggles the Atlanta artist had fitting in throughout…

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Talem Press authors - Bronwyn Eley, Bonnie Wynne, Helen Scheuerer

Talem Press vs COVID-19: How one indie publisher is navigating the pandemic – and what you can do to help

Amidst shutdowns, restrictions, and the ever-present health implications, it’s a trying time for many as we collectively navigate the COVID-19 global pandemic. This is as true of the Australian publishing industry as any other. With freelancers and small presses already working hard to be seen, the difficulty is only increasing, as the online spaces they…

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Kathleen Jennings

Interview: Author Kathleen Jennings on Flyaway, the Aussie landscape, and the intersection of picture and prose

It’s been a week or so since Kathleen Jennings released her debut novella Flyaway into the world. You can read our review of the book here! We caught up with the Brisbane based writer and illustrator to chat about the release of Flyaway! First of all, can you tell us a little about Flyaway? What’s it…

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Riven

Book Review: Return to Bronwyn Eley’s stunning fantasy world with Riven

With Lord Rennard dead, Kaylan is on the run. Bound to a powerful Relic she has little control over, she’s headed for Stynos, the one place she might find an ally, and someone who can help her manage this dark and dangerous power. But with Edriast guards on her tail, restless rebels watching from the…

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Track of the Day: PURSE “Speak” (2020)

After losing hours travelling to and from band practice in Brisbane, PURSE decided to throw all that creative energy into a solo project. The result is “Speak“, a catchy debut with shades of early 2000s indie. Think We Are Scientists circa After Hours and you’re somewhere in the right ballpark. “This single came from reflection…

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Flyaway

Book Review: Gothic fairytale comes to small town Australia in Kathleen Jennings’ Flyaway

When Bettina Scott’s father and brothers disappeared, her mother took charge. The wild ways of her childhood were over, and Bettina was moulded into a proper young lady. But, when a mysterious letter arrives and a painted warning appears on their perfect picket fence, Bettina is forced to confront what really happened all those years…

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18 Tiny Deaths

Book Review: Meet Frances Glessner Lee, the mother of modern forensics, in Bruce Goldfarb’s 18 Tiny Deaths

Born into a wealthy Chicago family in the 1870s, Frances Glessner Lee was supposed to marry well and raise a family. A career was never on the cards. Let alone one that would see her recognised as the mother of modern forensics. Instead a chance encounter with an old family friend, George Magrath, changed her…

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Sketchbook Pictures

If you thought 2020 wasn’t scary enough, check out horror short Bill

Bill, recently released by Sketchbook Pictures‘ Dan Gitsham and Sophie Mair, might only clock in around the three minute mark, but it certainly makes an impact. Featuring Roxanna Vilk as a woman trying desperately to contact her dead husband, the horror short is eerie, suspenseful, and lingers long after the final scare. Inspired by the ghost…

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Film Review: Love Sarah delivers a charming but under-baked cinematic confection

When the eponymous Sarah unexpectedly passes away, her best friend and business partner Isabella (Shelley Conn) throws in the towel and backs out of their dream of running a bakery. But when Sarah’s daughter and estranged mother (Shannon Tarbet and Celia Imrie, respectively) re-enter her life, things are set right back in motion. With the…

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Track of the Day: Moscow Apartment “New Girl” (2020)

Toronto twosome Moscow Apartment are back with “New Girl“. This lush slice of indie-pop is our latest glimpse at forthcoming EP Better Daughter, out on July 10th. The sophomore release sees the duo, consisting of Brighid Fry and Pascale Padilla, putting the weight of a full band behind their folk sound. Of “New Girl”, a…

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Track of the Day: WALKEN “Fever Dreams” (2020)

Brisbane trio WALKEN have returned with their blend of alt-rock, punk, and power pop. Latest single “Fever Dreams” boasts a seriously catchy synth hook, and harkens back mid-2000s pop-punk in all the right ways. Consisting of Matt Cochran (vocals/guitar), Patrick Shipp (guitar/backing vocals) and Beej Vaughan (drums/backing vocals), WALKEN have steadily made a name for…

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Track of the Day: Wing Defence “Relocate” (2020)

With a new EP just a few weeks away, Adelaide’s Wing Defence have dropped their latest teaser – the pop-punk infused “Relocate“.  We might have to wait until July for Friends, but this catchy track is should tide us all over nicely! The indie duo, consisting of Skye Walker and Paige Court, say: “This song…

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Track of the Day: SoSo “(Shit) Love Story” (2020)

Today’s track of the Day comes from Sydney quintet SoSo, who have just dropped latest single “(Shit) Love Story“. It’s a three minute blast of pure pop-punk, with a chorus that demands to be sang along to. Singer Rhys de Burgh says: “About 6-7 years ago I was in a relationship with someone that I…

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Interview: Runaway Belles on lockdown, livestreams, and latest single “The Weekend”

Performers and housemates Tash Parker and Emma Angelesy have joined forces to create Runaway Belles. Fresh off the release of their first single, “The Weekend“, and a series of weekly livestream performances, we caught up with the Tasmanian folk duo to find out more! Firstly, thanks for your time girls! Pleasure! Thanks for having us….

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Sydney Fringe partners with international festivals to present digital global fringe festival

Yesterday, Sydney Fringe Festival became one of the latest victims of the COVID-19 lockdowns, announcing that its September 2020 run would be cancelled. Festival CEO Kerri Glasscock said: “We are devastated not to be presenting our annual festival but the uncertainty and risk no longer make it viable for us proceed this year. Instead of…

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Guest Playlist: Marco gives us his isolation anthems

It’s been a couple of weeks since Brisbane’s Marco dropped latest single “Only Want You“, a dreamy slice of low-fi indie pop, perfect for fans of Shawn Mendes and Frank Ocean. Stripped back production gives Marco’s gorgeous vocals a real opportunity to shine, and though he’s never been one to reveal the true inspo behind…

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Exclusive Video Premiere: Colin Lillie “Broken” (2020)

Taken from EP Petrichor, “Broken” is the latest from Alice Springs singer-songwriter Colin Lillie. We’re excited to be bringing you an exclusive look at the track’s video here on The AU Review! Since the release of acclaimed debut album Glass Homes, Lillie has had a great run, including taking home the first ever NT Live…

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