Books Editor. An admirer of songs and reader of books. Simon has a PhD in English and Comparative Literature. All errant apostrophes are his own.
Melbourne-based artist K.L. Mazlin has taken the leap into solo territory and released his debut single, “Aurora Glass”. For some Mazlin might be a recognisable name, having spent the better part of his musical career plying his trade across several bands, most notably Hungry Kids of Hungary. Produced by good friend and bandmate, Holy Holy’s…
Read More
The shortlist for the 2020 Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs) has been unveiled today. The awards are a key fixture in the Australian literary scene, and are designed to celebrate the very best in homegrown literature and publishing. Usually a red carpet affair, this year the awards gala will be heading online, with the winners…
Read More
Sydney duo PLGRMS released their new single, “Disappeared”, on Friday. It is their first release since they were forced into a hiatus in early 2019. With singer-songwriter Jacob Pearson working to overcome his battle with chronic pain. Cut to 2020 and they’re back with the gloriously moody new single and some stunning black and white…
Read More
The shortlist for the 2020 Women’s Prize for Fiction has been announced overnight during a special online event (Covid-19 strikes again!). Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, the prize was previously known as the Orange Prize for Fiction and until recently was the Bailey’s Prize for Fiction. It is awarded annually to the best work of…
Read More
Esperance, WA blues rockers Grand Casual unveiled their latest single last week. “Western Border”, the band’s fifth single, is a high octane journey in two distinct parts. By all accounts it’s a fan favourite of their live shows, and it’s not hard to see why. Recorded and mixed last year at Debaser Studio by Andy…
Read More
Friday saw Ben Catley release his brand new single, “Open Skies (This Splendid Sun)”. The track was recorded in collaboration with Tijuana Cartel’s trumpet player Eamon Dilworth. Today we’re pleased to premiere the uplifting and isolation busting music video that accompanies it. Filmed by surfer and filmmaker Lachlan Ross, the video captures the stunning scenery…
Read More
Alt-Country has been enjoying something of a renaissance in recent years. You need only look at the recent success of Jason Isbell and more, to see this. But, for all those award winning artists, there are so many plugging away, creating quality music, often ‘under the radar’. In that vein, let us introduce you to…
Read More
There are elements of M. Hofmann’s story that will be familiar to many music fans. He picked up a guitar in his early teens. He plied his trade in various band’s over the years, moving up and down the East Coast, having left his childhood home in Tasmania. Songwriting became a habit, and then he…
Read More
Brian Fallon has traded in the punk rock of The Gaslight Anthem and his youth for the countrified folk of Local Honey. Though followers of his career, will know he’s no stranger to the acoustic guitar. Local Honey is Fallon’s third solo album, and his first in two years, following 2018’s acclaimed Sleepwalkers. It’s also…
Read More
Indie record stores across Australia, like so many retailers, are doing it tough at the moment due to the COVID-19 crisis. The postponement of Record Store Day, often those stores biggest trading day of the year, until later in the year will only have added to the pressures. Independent record stores, along with our live…
Read More
Melbourne-based songwriter Camp 8 has released his first track of 2020, the sumptuous and soothing new single “Hurt”. The brainchild of Reuben Apirana, Camp 8 is still project in its infancy. Bursting onto the scene with his own distinctive slice of introspective indie-folk. His debut single, “Everything”, was featured as a Track of the…
Read More
The doors might be closed thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s still business as usual for the Keepers and residents at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, including their 365kg Saltwater Crocodile Rocky With that in mind, the Keepers are going to be holding the first ever live stream of Rocky the Crocodile’s feeding time. With many…
Read More
London-based singer-songwriter Tadhg Daly released his new single, “Come Alive”, earlier this month. It’s his second release of the year, and probably his most personal to date. As Daly describes it, “Come Alive” is a “song for anyone who’s found themselves lost in darkness. It’s a song for anyone that’s searching for the light.” It’s…
Read More
With Covid-19 causing mass disruption to everyday lives, including the cancellation of the Leading Edge Books Conference, the winners of 2020 Indie Book Awards have been announced online. This is the first time the Indie book Awards have been announced online. The big winner for 2020 was Favel Parrett, who takes home The Indie Awards…
Read More
Brisbane rockers The Rockefeller Frequency released their debut album, Chemicals, earlier in the month. The album’s creation was a DIY journey from start to finish. It’s been a few years in the making too, with the band taking some time off before reemerging in 2018. Recording took place in the band’s Basement Studios in Brisbane,…
Read More
Not content with just releasing her debut eponymous EP back in January, Brisbane singer-songwriter Hartley is back with a brand new single. Co-produced alongside Ninajirachi, “Bittersweet” is a playful bop all about wanting those things you know aren’t good for you. That extra slab of chocolate, bottle of wine, that certain someone you have your…
Read More
February saw Dutch contemporary classical composer Michel van der Aa release his debut indie-pop album. Time Falling saw the composer collaborating with the ever talented and versatile Australian singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke. Today we’re incredibly excited to bring you the exclusive premiere of the music video for album track “What A Dream”. Time Falling is billed…
Read More
Shacks & Palaces is the new solo project from The Temper Trap bassist Jonny Aherne. The Australian-born, Brooklyn-based artist has already dropped the project’s debut single, “Once Upon A Hilltop”, and a delightful music video to accompany it. With the world pretty much doing into lockdown, “Once Upon A Hilltop”, is the uplifting slice of…
Read More
Berlin-based composer and producer Ben Lukas Boysen returns in May with his long-awaited third album Mirage. Ahead of its release the producer has teased the album, through new single “Medela”. Mirage follows Gravity (2013) and the acclaimed 2016 full length Spells. The latter was as admired by his peers as by his fans. Indeed, since…
Read More
Tasmanian singer-songwriter Nuria is kickstarting her 2020 with her latest single, “Noise”. The punchy slice of electro pop is the fourth single from her forthcoming debut album. The elegant track, which features production work from Alice Springs-based Dave Crowe (Resin Moon), explores relationship discord, and how these feelings can be channeled into sound. It’s basically…
Read More
Honey Cutt is the project of Boston-via-Florida singer-songwriter Kaley Honeycutt. Whilst she cut her teeth playing in New England, she put out a couple of EPs under the moniker Baby!, including 2018’s Sunny F.L. Cut to 2020, and with a name change, it’s time for the project’s debut album: Coasting. If you like your indie…
Read More
Fremantle folksters Jack Davies and the Bush Chooks have dropped their first release of 2020. “Half Frozen Beer”, is the first track from a forthcoming EP, and caps off a busy and impressive 2019. “Half Frozen Beer” starts slow. But, quickly evolves into a rollicking good time. It’s got that foot-stomping, feel good vibe so prescient…
Read More
Melbourne singer-songwriter BATTS is back with brand new single, “City View”. A self described love song, “City View” is the first taste of BATTS’ new material post The Grand Tour. It’s great timing too, with the Melbourne artist jetting off to America for SXSW in a matter of weeks. The conceptual thread that ran through…
Read More
WA singer-songwriter Michael Dunstan is currently on his way to South Australia, driving across the Nullarbor. He’s a handful of dates into his three month national tour in support of his debut album In The Grand Scheme. Released last week, the album is a fourteen track journey of mindfulness, good vibes and beautiful songwriting. We…
Read More
The bestselling and much beloved author and LGBT activist, Armistead Maupin is returning to Australia in July. Tales Of The City with Armistead Maupin will see the author recount his favourite stories from the past five decades, and offer his observations on contemporary society. Armistead Maupin has been a part of US popular culture since…
Read More
It’s always fun discovering a new genre. Today it’s the turn of sophisti-pop. Quite what sets sophisiti-pop apart from other genres is still a bit of a mystery. But it’s the genre of choice for Elrichman, the project of Paul Erlichman, the creator of “Cop On A Horse”, our Track of the Day. The new…
Read More
Thanks to the likes of Ziggy Alberts, Kyle Lionheart and Kim Churchill the Australian folk/surf rock scene is in fine form. Now, there’s a new name we can add to the list: Michael Dunstan. Though he’s far from a newcomer to the scene. In The Grand Scheme might only be his debut album, the Western…
Read More
Fetch Phillips’ world is just like ours. Well except for the magic, and all that comes with that: chimera, wizards, elves, vampires and more. But, the magic has gone out, leaving the world irrevocably changed. And, our erstwhile “hero” Fetch might have more to do with it than we imagine. The Last Smile in Sunder…
Read More
Late last month saw Sydney pysch pop six-piece Misty Lane release their new single, “Charmer”. Their first release of the year, it follows the news they’ll be supporting Japanese psychedelic masters Kikagaku Moyo in Sydney next month. “Charmer” is only the band’s second release since they dropped their debut record in late 2017. It sits…
Read More
Fresh from an impressive summer of festivals and gigs, Canberra’s up-and-coming grunge rockers Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers return with their new single, “Desk Chair”. Formed at a Year 10 sleepover after watching School of Rock, the Canberra four piece are only nineteen and fresh from high school. But, thanks to their gritty and…
Read More