Author: Larry Heath

Founding Editor and Publisher of the AU review. Currently based in Toronto, Canada. You can follow him on Twitter @larry_heath or on Instagram @larryheath.

the AU interview: Rob Swire and Kevin Sawka of Pendulum (Perth)

A few hours before they hit the stage of Home Nightclub in Sydney as part of the Mastercard Priceless Gig series, I sat down with Rob Swire and the new drummer Kevin Joseph Sawka of UK-based Pendulum. Although in our eyes, they’ll always be the Drum and Bass pioneers from Perth! As we relaxed in…

Read More

the AU interview: Luke Temple of Here We Go Magic (Brooklyn, NY)

One of the more recent buzz bands, circling the internet and globe, are Here We Go Magic – originally the solo moniker of Luke Temple. Now a five-piece signed to Secretly Canadian, indeed a lot has changed since Luke first recorded their self-titled LP, by himself on a 4-track. As the group were sitting in their…

Read More

Album Review: The Preachers – Self-Titled EP (2010)

Coming out of pretty much nowhere, Sydney five piece The Preachers have already made a substantial splash in the local scene – something which I’m sure comes as much of a surprise to them as the rest of us. And off the back of this momentum comes their debut self-titled EP – a stunning five…

Read More

David De Santi – Artistic Director, Snowy Mountains of Music Festival

In the lead-up to their exciting second year, we had a chat with David De Santi, the Artistic Director of the unique music festival – Snowy Mountains of Music. Thanks for taking the time to chat with us David!  You’ve been a busy man in the Australian music industry for many years now.  Where did…

Read More

SOSUEME and MUM – QBar and World Bar (14.05.10)

Almost every Friday night, I have someone asking me – what’s going on in the city tonight? Where can I see some great bands? And in my opinion, it’s almost always difficult to choose between SOSUEME at QBar, and MUM at World Bar. So for a simple exercise in effort, this Friday in question, I…

Read More

the AU interview: Luke LaLonde of Born Ruffians (Canada)

In a couple of weeks, Born Ruffians will finally release the follow up to the acclaimed debut “Red, Yellow & Blue” – “Say It”, which we reviewed here on the AU review earlier this month. Let it be known that it’s an impressive beast of an album! In advance of the launch, we chatted to…

Read More

Andrew Keese of Departed Sounds – Melbourne's New Independent Label

As a website that does its best to focus on independent Australian artists, it’s always great to hear that people in the industry continue to support the same. Enter Departed Sounds, the latest independent record label in Australia – run out of Melbourne. We chatted with co-founder Andrew Keese about the label – plus he…

Read More

the AU interview: Jeff Lang (Australia)

I recently had the opportunity to chat to one of Australia’s most respected musicians, Jeff Lang. We chat about his new album Chimeradour, and look ahead to his performance at the Snowy Mountains of Music Festival. Thanks for chatting to us Jeff! I’d like to start at the very beginning – where did you first…

Read More

the AU interview: Ben Weinman of Dillinger Escape Plan (New Jersey, USA)

With their Australian tour just days away, I had a chat to the founder and guitarist of Dillinger Escape Plan – Ben Weinman. He’s also the only original member still in the band! A quick look at their Wikipedia page will reveal just how many members they’ve gone through… while he sat in a mall…

Read More

Special Track Preview: TIËSTO vs BLK JKS – “Dreaming”

As part of a global “Smirnoff Experience” event in South Africa, the company is about to release an exclusive track, “Dreaming”, which shows DJ/Producer Tiësto merging his unique sound with BLK JKS – an emerging prog rock band from South Africa, and recent SAMA winners for “Best Alternative Music Album” (South African Music Awards, the…

Read More

the AU interview at SXSW: Bob Vennum and Lisa Kekaula of The Bellrays (USA)

One interview which I spent most of my week in Austin looking forward to was this one. Bob Vennum and Lisa Kekaula of one of my favourite bands The BellRays, who many of you may have seen a few years back at Laneway. They were in Austin pumping out some new material, and I chatted…

Read More

Big British Sound feat. Bertie Blackman – Metro Theatre (07.05.10)

Bring on the product placement! Yes, the Ben Sherman sponsored event Big British Sound is back for a second year, giving us another healthy dose of local artists playing their own tracks, and a cover or two from their British idols. It’s an interesting premise, and more interesting still was that no one chose The…

Read More

the AU interview: Ryan Van Gennip of Chase The Sun (Sydney)

Hot off the hells of their new album Rednecks and Gentlemen, Ryan Van Gennip of Sydney’s Chase the Sun had a chat to us about the new album, bagpipes, performing at the upcoming Snowy Mountains of Music Festival, and Bluesfest last month! Hey guys thanks for taking the time to chat with us at the…

Read More

Nathan Bobik of Nacional (Melbourne)

With a recent change to their line-up – their singer no less – we chat to drummer Nathan Bobik about what this means for Nacional, what’s next, and being an up and coming band in Melbourne! Hey Nathan, thanks for taking the time to chat with us today! First up, can you tell us a…

Read More

Top 20 Splendour in the Grass 2010 Music Videos: Part Four – 5 to 1

The day has just about arrived! Tomorrow morning you’ll find out whether or not you’re one of the lucky ones who’ll be heading to Woodword, QLD, for the tenth annual Splendour in the Grass Festival. But before the day arrives, here are the top FIVE music videos by the bands you can’t miss at this…

Read More

the AU Big British Sound interview – Pikelet (Melbourne)

Tomorrow night, the Big British Sound will be hitting the Corner Hotel in Melbourne – and along for the ride are Bertie Blackman, Whitley, Big Scary and this lovely lady – Evelyn Morris. Although you’ll probably know her better as Pikelet. In advance of this performance, we talk to Evelyn about her favourite British artists,…

Read More

the AU Big British Sound interview: Fergus Brown (Sydney)

In advance of his stint as part of the Big British Sound in Sydney this Friday night, we chatted to Fergus Brown about the genius of Jon Brion, his not-so-secret soft spot for Green Day, experiences in Canada and at SXSW, and of course, what we’ll expect from his show later this week! Larry: I…

Read More

the AU interview: Ben Johnston of Biffy Clyro (Scotland)

As he prepared for a show in Scotland, I chatted to Ben Johnston, the drummer from Biffy Clyro in advance of their anticipated Australian tour later this month. We chatted about the tour, the Biffy Army, “The Captain”, the success, the shivers and the Cajón. Good Afternoon Ben! Where abouts am I speaking to you? Funnily…

Read More

the AU interview: Craig Jackson of The Sirens of Venice (Melbourne)

As we await a new Gersey album, Craig Jackson has been hard at work on a new project with wife Camilla – The Sirens of Venice. The duo have teamed up with six others to make a truly beautiful album, and just before it’s released in stores, alongside an accompanying tour, I chatted to Craig about…

Read More

the AU interview: Thomas L. Fagerlund of The Kissaway Trail (Denmark)

One of the buzz bands at this years SXSW, Denmark’s The Kissaway Trail just released  their second LP Sleep Mountain in Australia. While they were in Pheonix Arizona, touring around the States with The Temper Trap, I chatted to lead singer Thomas L. Fagerlund about the tour, the new album, and going home. Larry: I understand…

Read More

Top 20 Splendour in the Grass 2010 Music Videos: Part Three – 10 to 6

Next week will bring one of the most stressful days for any music fan in Australia with a chunk of change in their pockets – the day Splendour in the Grass goes on sale – it’s Australia’s Glastonbury in more ways than one. And to celebrate the amazing lineup, we’re counting down the top 20…

Read More

Major Label Launch with Made in Japan + Guineafowl + Underlights – Oxford Art Factory (28.04.10)

While some may criticise the fact a brand like General Pants is starting up an event like Major Label simply to sell more jeans… wait a minute, this surely isn’t a criticism anyone with half a brain would make, would they? With the music industry the way it is, it’s through companies like General Pants…

Read More

Lucy Hall + Young Werther – Raval (25.04.10)

When Melbourne’s Young Werther took to the stage in the gorgeous Raval room at the Macquarie Hotel, launching into “I Don’t Want to Go to the Circus”, I have to say I was a little surprised. I thought they were headlining! But it was local Lucy Hall who took these honours, so I went ahead…

Read More

Chicks Who Love Guns + Doc Holliday Takes The Shotgun – Oh My! Rebel Rebel Bandroom at Home Nightclub (23.04.10)

The Friday night experience known as “Oh My!” at Home Nightclub has received an additional push of late, by way of the Rebel Rebel Band Room. Those playing along at home may remember Rebel Rebel as the run of nights that launched many years ago with Liars and Shout Out Louds (what a night!!)– and…

Read More

the AU interview: Erland Cooper of Erland and the Carnival (London)

It was a long wait, but the debut album from Erland and the Carnival was finally released in Australia at the beginning of the month to great critical acclaim – not the least of which from yours truly. Shortly after the release, we chatted to Erland Cooper, the ringleader of the carnival about the album, supporting Wild…

Read More

the AU interview: Adam Harris and Ric Albert of LO-STAR (London)

By pure chance, I briefly caught up with the Lo-Star boys in Austin. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the chance to do an interview. Let me be honest here. It was going to involve a hot tub, and possibly a few drinks before we had to jet out of town. But the morning of, was the…

Read More

Top 20 Splendour in the Grass 2010 Music Videos: Part Two – 15 to 11

We’re back with the best music videos from the bands you can’t miss at Splendour in the Grass 2010! You better believe we’re excited… So without further ado, here’s 15 to 11: 15 LCD Soundsystem – Drunk Girls  Coming in at number 15 is the brand new track from LCD Soundsystem, “Drunk Girls”. They’re well…

Read More

Top 20 Splendour in the Grass 2010 Music Videos: Part One – 20 to 16

God bless the Australian Dollar. First we had Laneway blow us away with a supremely impressive indie line-up. Bluesfest brought us legend after legend. Soundwave brought a horde of the finest ‘rockier’ internationals. And now here comes Splendour 2010, with what is easily the most impressive line-up Australia has seen in many years. In fact,…

Read More

the AU interview at Bluesfest: Patty Larkin (Boston, USA)

Another beautiful day in Byron Bay, and we had the opportunity to chat with iconic Boston-based singer/songwriter Patty Larkin – or as she prefers, “Patty Gaga”! She brings us up to date on her latest LP, “25”, celebrating her 25 years in the industry. Welcome to Bluesfest Patty! Is this your first time performing here?…

Read More

the AU interview: Ben Ellingworth of MM9 (Sydney)

I recently chatted with Ben Ellingworth, drummer of Sydney quartet MM9. The recently, finally, released their debut LP “The Air Between”. We chat about the new album and life on the road. Special thanks to David Young, who contributed to our questions. Congratulations on the release of your debut album “The Air Between” – it…

Read More