Interviews

From Absinthe to DiscoShow – Spiegelworld is an Australian success story in Las Vegas

If you’ve been to a variety show in a Spiegeltent in the last decade or so, chances are you’ve been lucky enough to see a production from the cirque ensemble Spiegelworld. The organisation emerged in 2006, with their show Absinthe making a splash in a travelling Spiegeltent at Pier 17 in New York City. While…

Read More

Interview: Barry Conrad on joining the Australian production of In The Heights, career lessons and aspirations, and the importance of authenticity in his work

Barry Conrad’s multifaceted career spans screen, stage and music. After breaking out on the reality series The X Factor, both local and international tours followed, including openings for such R&B icon acts as Brian McKnight, Craig David and Eric Benet. Landing a role on FOX’s Power Rangers: Ninja Storm, his first feature film was the…

Read More

Aussie Indie Artists: Anton Wilk talks his unique Perth perspective

Aussie Indie Artists is a series of interviews with lesser known Aussie creators across all forms and fields. The goal is to share exciting new works, find new angles towards the art, and peek behind the scenes. Perth is a city that has been photographed once, twice, and a million times, but Anton Wilk never…

Read More

Aussie Indie Artists: Leon Holmes on the life of a travelling oil painter

Aussie Indie Artists is a series of interviews with lesser known Aussie creators across all forms and fields. The goal is to share exciting new works, find new angles towards the art, and peek behind the scenes. You’ll never see dull, grey gravel in a Leon Holmes painting, it’ll be flecked with mint, royal blue,…

Read More

Aussie Indie Artists: Tania Malkin on her abstract aerials, artistic inspirations, and Fujifilm project

Aussie Indie Artists is a series of interviews with lesser known Aussie creators across all forms and fields. The goal is to share exciting new works, find new angles towards the art, and peek behind the scenes. You could easily mistake the brilliant swirling colours, and twisting alien shapes of Tania Malkin’s photos for abstract…

Read More
Four paintings by Belinda Wiltshire.

Aussie Indie Artists: Belinda Wiltshire on her painting and pottery

Aussie Indie Artists is a series of interviews with lesser known Aussie creators across all forms and fields. The goal is to share exciting new works, find new angles towards the art, and peek behind the scenes. The colour and light in Belinda Wiltshire’s oil paintings turn the mundane into the magical. The soft glow…

Read More

Interview: Actors & Entertainers Benevolent Fund of Queensland President Michael Balk on supporting the arts industry; “Right now we need people to help the people that usually help everyone else”

During COVID-19 the Actors & Entertainers Benevolent Fund of Queensland received an unprecedented number of calls for help, with requests for assistance increasing by 720% since March 2020. Despite being the most difficult year in the Fund’s 46 years history, the charity was able to meet each and every single request for assistance from people…

Read More

Interview: Brisbane burlesque star Trigger Happy talks all things Shreklesque

You might know him from America’s Got Talent, but burlesque performer Trigger Happy has added another string to his already well-strung bow in the form of Shreklesque. Yep, you read that correctly. Shreklesque. Blending burlesque, drag, and everyone’s favourite orgre, Shreklesque has been entertaining sold out audiences since its first outing at Perth Fringe last…

Read More

‘Looking Past the Pandemic’ with Bridgette Meinhold from Park City, Utah

Keeping travel dreams alive and setting goals has never felt more important. We can all agree that 2020 has been an unfortunate year so far, and almost every facet of daily life has been wrought by this ongoing global pandemic, the start of which now feels like forever ago. The arts has been one of…

Read More

‘Looking Past the Pandemic’ with Leah Doeland from Port Macquarie, NSW

Keeping travel dreams alive and setting goals has never felt more important. We can all agree that 2020 has been an unfortunate year so far, and almost every facet of daily life has been wrought by this ongoing global pandemic, the start of which now feels like forever ago. The arts has been one of…

Read More

Interview: MasterChef alumni Matt Sinclair shares his tips and techniques on all things beef

As warmer weather approaches, what better way to celebrate spring than a good old fashioned BBQ or cooking up a Sunday roast? The AU Review spoke with MasterChef finalist and restaurant owner of Sum Yung Guys, Matt Sinclair, who enlightened us with his knowledge of the best beef cuts and cooking techniques. From slow braising,…

Read More

The story behind Paddington’s ambitious new mural: Renegades of Funk

Sydney-based outsider artist Joel Veness has examined the idea of isolation and grown it into the city’s newest large-scale mural, adding a meaningful and provocative piece to the inner-city’s growing collection of street art. Although Melbourne nears monopoly when it comes to discussions about street art in Australia, works like this are important to spread…

Read More

Interview: Sarah Marriott gives us the lowdown on Lounge Room Sessions

With venues across the country closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, performers are looking to digital platforms to share their creativity. Enter Sarah Marriott and an exciting new project, dubbed Lounge Room Sessions. With more than 2,000 tuning into the first event last weekend, Lounge Room Sessions are already off to a flying start. Fronted by…

Read More

Art Gallery of Ballarat director Gordon Morrsion talks Ballarat’s artistic vision (part 2)

Yesterday we published part one of an interview with the director of the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Gordon Morrison. In that first half, we heard his vision for the gallery and what its place will be for future exhibitions stemming from the gallery’s recent exhibition of the touring Archibald Prize artworks. For those art lovers…

Read More

Meet the Ships in the Night #13 headliners: Tristan Fidler

Ships in the Night, Perth’s bi-monthly celebration of words and music, returns this week. After two successful showings at Perth’s Fringe World, where the evening inhabited a ger or yurt, the team are back in a more conventional venue this month – Paper Mountain. We caught up with the two headliners Laurie Steed and Tristan…

Read More

Meet the Ships in the Night #13 headliners: Laurie Steed

Fresh from a successful double showing at Fringe World back in February, Ships in the Night is returning on Thursday for their thirteenth celebration of local words and music. Taking place at Paper Mountain in Northbridge, the event will once again feature a collection of local writers, and musicians headed up by two headline acts; who…

Read More

The AU Interview: Actor Kane Alexander Talks “City of Angels” Australian Premiere

Having spent the last few weeks indulging in movies as part of his character research, actor Kane Alexander, is certain he and his cast members will bring to life one of Broadway’s most successful shows. Life Like Company have taken a risk bringing City of Angels to Australian audiences, but given the way Kane has…

Read More
state champs

Tyler Szalkowski of State Champs (New York) talk second LP, “Shot Boys” and touring with 5SOS

New York pop-punk band, State Champs have had a busy two years since releasing their debut album, The Finer Things. It’s hard to imagine how far they have come since 2013 and it’s clear that they pretty much gave it their all to be where they are now. After several international tours and countless opportunities, they managed to…

Read More
this will destroy you

Chris King of This Will Destroy You (USA) on instrumental music and its emotional impact

For people that follow Rooster Teeth, animator and writer Monty Oum sadly passed away in February this year. Not only was Oum a workmate but he was also a beloved friend to the Rooster Teeth community. To commemorate his passing, the team made a beautiful tribute towards the end of this podcast video while using This Will Destroy You’s “The Mighty Rio…

Read More
other lives

Jonathan Mooney of Other Lives (Oklahoma) talks on new LP, Radiohead and more

Being influenced by highly acclaimed alternative rock band, Radiohead, it’s clear that three-piece indie-rock band, Other Lives put a sense of passion and feeling in their music. Coming from Stillwater, Oklahoma, the band feel that their latest album, Rituals is their best work and as they grow as a band, the bond they have with each other strengthens as…

Read More
busby marou

Jeremy Marou of Busby Marou (Brisbane) talks Mother’s Day Polo Classic event, AIME and more

Acoustic folk-duo, Busy Marou, will be playing a special event on behalf of Maserati’s Mother’s Day Polo classic, this weekend (Saturday May 9th) and all proceeds will go towards people living with disabilities as aid for the development of day programs that will assist them in their daily lives. We had a chat with the lovely…

Read More
the colour code

Michael Soltys of The Colour Code (Melbourne) talks band’s history, upcoming EP and more

From Melbourne, Australia, pop-rock legends of The Colour Code have many sound influences that can be heard through their music. To sound different, especially in the local market is tough but when you take a listen to tracks such as “Alibi” and “It’s Up To Me”, there’s no denying that this band has clear-cut chemistry. In this…

Read More
ilan rubin the new regime

Ilan Rubin of The New Regime (USA) chats about Exhibit B, his role as a vocalist and more

Multi-instrumentalist, Ilan Rubin is a hardworking individual and there’s no doubt that he’s accomplished many things alongside his music career. Working with bands such as Nine Inch Nails, Paramore and Angels and Airwaves has given him plenty of opportunities to learn the ropes of creating and writing his own music. With his solo music project being under the name of The New Regime,…

Read More
gang of youths

Dave Le’aupepe of Gang of Youths (Sydney) talks about new LP and future “brutal” music collabs

Ambitious indie-rock band, Gang of Youths are one of those local gems that you need to know – especially if you live in Sydney. With their melancholic tunes of heartache and loss, they’re a band who lets their story unfold in a way that no one else can. With the upcoming release of their debut LP, The Positions,…

Read More
silverstein

Shane Told of Silverstein (Canada) talks ten-year anniversary tour for Discovering the Waterfront

Heading back to our shores next month, Silverstein will be doing a leg of shows in Australia for their ten-year anniversary tour of Discovering the Waterfront. In this interview, frontman, Shane Told reminisces about the journey of the record, the band’s sound progression and what his journey as a musician has meant for him. With their new record, I Am…

Read More
howard

Howard Feibusch of Howard (Brooklyn) tells all about SXSW, The Beatles and more

For those who attended SXSW this year, you’ve probably heard of the band Howard. And those who didn’t may have spotted them listed on our editor’s festival picks. The Brooklyn-based band have displayed a unique take on folk music with a cheeky, electronic twist. With the release of their debut album Religion and reaping all kinds of success from their single…

Read More
death cab for cutie

Nick Harmer of Death Cab for Cutie (USA) tells all about Kintsugi and songwriting process

Having a strong catalogue of albums and reigning success in the indie/alternative rock scene, Death Cab For Cutie are clearly great at what they do. With their eighth studio album, Kintsugi just released, we chat to bassist player, Nick Harmer about the meaning of the term “Kintsugi”, the details behindChris Walla‘s departure and how the band have evolved using both experimentation…

Read More
peaches

Peaches (Canada) talks about upcoming Groovin’ The Moo festival and creative avenues

Coming to Australia next month, Canadian electronic artist, Peaches, will be heading our way for Groovin’ The Moo festival to dazzle audiences with her delightful presence on stage. After putting her heart and soul into writing lyrics for her new album, she takes a bit of a breather in Berlin, mentally preparing herself for the upcoming busy schedule…

Read More
you me at six

Max Helyer of You Me At Six (UK) talks Cavalier Youth, band’s sound progression and Kanye West

Providing a sense of hope and inspiration with their 2014 release, Cavalier Youth, English alternative rock band, You Me At Six have achieved world-renowned success with stellar tracks such as “Lived A Lie”, “Cold Night” and “Room To Breathe”. Good news for Australian fans as the band are coming back to our shores in April/May to do Groovin’ The…

Read More
mayday parade

Derek Sanders of Mayday Parade (USA) reflects on band’s journey, tour life and more

Teaming up with Yellowcard in July, Mayday Parade are coming back to Australia to do a leg of shows whilst showcasing their tug-on-your-heartstrings kind of songs that have made fans fall in love with the band around the world. The alternative rock band from Tallahassee, Florida have gone through challenge after challenge but it’s safe to say that they’ve…

Read More