the AU interview: Cameron Potts of Dead Letter Chorus (Australia)

Shortly after Song Summit in Sydney, we caught up with Cameron Potts of Dead Letter Chorus – the man responsible for the Vocals, Guitar and Harmonica. Indeed he’s a busy man on the stage, and we had a chat about the touring life, their pals Two Hour Traffic, successes in Canada and their upcoming album….

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the AU interview: Daniel Stricker of Midnight Juggernauts (Melbourne)

With their new album, The Crystal Axis, well and truly in the collective consciousness of the Australian music community, we chatted to Daniel Stricker of Melbourne outfit Midnight Juggernauts. We talk about the new album, their upcoming tours, and the Sydney based Fashion Launches Rocket Launches project. I understand you’re about to head over to…

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the AU interview – WAMi Festival 2010: The Novocaines (Perth)

While over in Perth for the 2010 WAMi Festival I sat down in the recording studio of The Novocaines. After hearing some of their new killer tunes, I chatted to the lead vocalist and guitarist of the group, brothers Corey and Jay Marriott, respectively. They dished the dirt on playing with Them Crooked Vultures, gave…

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Album Review: Steering By Stars – Cables (2010 LP)

Adelaide has laid claim to some exceptional Australian bands over the years, and now it can proudly add young locals Steering By Stars to its credit. One of the more intriguing bands to come from the city of churches, the five piece are also one of the city’s most interesting live acts, a label that’s…

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Cloud Control + Kyu + We Say Bamboulée – Annandale Hotel (25.06.10)

As Sydney’s infamous Annandale Hotel celebrates its tenth birthday, bands from around Australia are joining in on the party, in a series of live performances for the venue. For some, like The Vines and Regurgitator, it’s a chance to relive the glory days when they were up and coming local artists. And for the new…

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Song Summit LIVE Day 2 feat. Dead Letter Chorus – Home (20.06.10)

Now I know the World Cup was on and all, but with such an amazing lineup, I’m quite surprised the Home Nightclub was without an endless queue! Indeed, the place wasn’t packed, but the night was certainly packed in with an eclectic mix of artists from around Australia – and even the world! Taking the…

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the AU interview: Brian Hill – Drummer of The Soft Pack (USA)

They were just confirmed for Falls Festival, their debut album is in stores now – and you can get a taste of San Diego’s finest with three shows in Australia next month. In advance of the tour, we chatted to drummer Brian Hill about playing SXSW, David Letterman, living in LA and growing up in…

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Hot Damn! with Noxshi + The Initiation – Spectrum (24.06.10)

I can’t say Hot Damn! is the place I would normally choose to spend a Thursday night. I don’t spend hours on my hair, I don’t have any tattoos or piercings, I don’t like bands like AFI and I don’t wear eyeliner. I couldn’t stick out more if I tried! But when I heard UK’s…

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Song Summit LIVE Day 1 feat. Parades – Home The Venue (19.06.10)

Having filled up on the meal the Song Summit Conference had provided me, I was fairly content to relax, take a seat and enjoy the first band to grace the main stage, The Jezabels. In fact, despite plenty of other bands playing at the two other stages during the 3-or-so-hour event, I was perfectly content…

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Vivid Music: Song Summit – Sydney Convention Centre (19 – 21.06.10)

The second Sydney Song Summit has come to an end, leaving many to ask – so what was it all about? From my own viewpoint, I hadn’t even heard of the conference in its first appearance, back in 2008, and I could imagine many of you are in the same boat in 2010. So please,…

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Train + Ryan Meeking and the Few – Enmore Theatre (21.06.10)

Returning to Australia for their first tour since 2003, I’ve got to say: Train are a comeback I didn’t see happening. The ARIA Platinum, Number 1 hit single “Hey, Soul Sister” has launched them back into the Australian and international consciousness. In fact it’s their most popular song to date. This is especially surprising when…

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Katie Noonan & The Captains + The Jezabels + Brackets – HiFi Bar & Ballroom (18.06.10)

Another Friday at the pub, and the line down Swanston street was huge as an eager bunch of fans queued up early, eagerly awaiting the gorgeous songstresses that awaited us that evening. First up were a band called Brackets. This haphazard group of men seemed to be on a personal mission to deafen the audience…

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Rocketsmiths + Red Ink + Royal Chant – The Evelyn, Melbourne (17.06.10)

Spending Thursday night on Brunswick street is always a pleasure, particularly when the Evelyn serves $2.50 pots to stave off the subzero temperatures of a harsh Melbourne winter. First up in the band room were NSW wild men Royal Chant. Royal Chant are Andrew, Brendan, Matt and Mark and their live show was endlessly disappointing….

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Nadastrom + Kato + Three Fingers – Oxford Art Factory (19.06.10)

It’s been quite some time since I had a night at Oxford Arts Factory and for me the night started half way through Three Fingers session behind the decks. These were two guys throwing out some good tracks and although the floor was a bit empty, this was no indication of their set. Rocking an…

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Cassette Kids + Howl + Kids of 88 – Oxford Art Factory (18.06.10)

Local heroes Cassette Kids returned to the Oxford Art Factory on Friday night, performing to a sold out crowd who gave the four piece a true pop star reception. To thank us, they brought lasers. But we had some supports to get through first! Kids of 88 opened up the night, and I have to…

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the AU interview: Derek E. Miller of Sleigh Bells (USA)

My favourite album of 2010 (so far), it goes without saying that I was stoked to chat to Derek Miller, one half of Sleigh Bells, about their debut LP Treats. While he was on a short break in Jupiter, Florida, he gave the AU review a call, and chatted to us about the album, Spike Jonze,…

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the AU interview: Keith Murray of We Are Scientists (USA)

Ahead of the release of their third album Barbara, and their appearance at Splendour in the Grass next month, We Are Scientist’s Keith Murray took time out of his busy schedule to call AU HQ and chat to us about the new album, returning to Australia, the illiteracy of the Jackass crew and the World…

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Album Preview: Bliss n Eso – "Running on Air" (2010 LP)

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Bliss n Eso and listen to their upcoming album “Running on Air”. Those who know me, know this: I’m totally sick of Aussie Hip Hop. I’m bored by it. I’m bored by everyone sounding the same, “rapping” about the same shit, and trying so desperately to…

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the AU interview – WAMi Festival 2010: Benny Mayhem of Project Mayhem

As World Cup fever sweeps the … ahem, world … we take you back to last month’s WAMi Festival. On the closing day of the event, many members of the bands who performed that weekend, took part in a soccer tournament. Benny Mayhem, leader of outfit Project Mayhem, spoke to us while he was on the…

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Grum – Heartbeats (2010 LP)

Ooooooohhh, Fashion! The sparkling sounds of Grum are inescapably smile inducing. I have to admit, I’m a little more used to his drivey synth sounds heard in the likes of his quality remixes of Revolte – Ironical Sexism and even Passion Pit – To Kingdom Come or his grunge throwing original, Go Back. Having said…

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the AU interview: Noxshi (UK)

In town from the UK to support Yusef Islam (Cat Stevens) on his long awaited Australian tour, and featuring Yusef’s son Yoriyos Adamos, is the band Noxshi. While in town, we had a brief chat to the band about their upcoming debut album and the Australian tour! Hey guys, welcome to Australia! How has it…

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Boy & Bear + Oh Ye Denver Birds + The Chemist – Annandale Hotel (12.06.10)

I’m a little bit embarrassed to admit that until now, I hadn’t been to the Annandale. I’d driven past countless times and loved the scummy exterior appearance. I’d wondered if it was an ode to the musical history of the place and that the inside would be refurbished, clean and comfortable. I was happy to…

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the AU interview – WAMi Festival 2010: Boom! Bap! Pow! (Perth)

Just before they took to the stage at The Court as part of the WAMi Festival in Perth, I enjoyed a beer with and chatted to local up and comers Boom! Bap! Pow! – about their upcoming album, secret agents, robots, Steven Malkmus and breakfast cereals… read on! From left to right, above: Paul, Novac,…

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Album Review: Sia – We Are Born (2010 LP)

The at times mind-blowingly sexy, and at times irritatingly screechy vocals of Sia will surely lure listeners in to the luscious dance-pop that is We Are Born, the fifth album from this Adelaide “pop-sensation”. Comprised completely of heavy loaded pop music designed solely to induce a frenzy of intoxicatingly sweet happiness, this album is the…

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Creative Sydney Session #4 – Scratching The Surface (10.06.10)

Destroying art in the name of… art? That was the theme of tonight’s Creative Sydney “Sydney Session”, featuring the instrumental talents of Cameras and Red Ghost, performers from the Rapid Response project (directed by Laura Scrivano) and artists Beastman, Max Berry, Numskull, Phibs and Roach. A comment on the way Sydney treats its artists, I…

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Album Review: Drawn From Bees – Fear Not The Footsteps of the Departed (2010 LP)

Creative workaholics to the core, Brisbane psych-pop quartet Drawn From Bees have churned out an amazing three EPs in just twelve months – 2008’s The Boy And The Ocean and 2009’s back-to-back And The Blind Shall Lead The Naked / The Sky Is Falling. The band’s debut LP Fear Not The Footsteps Of The Departed…

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Album Review: Sleigh Bells – Treats (2010 LP)

Remember Crystal Castles? While they made a few catchy songs, to be completely honest, it got a bit tiresome after listening to 3 or 4 songs in a row. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to listen to the album from start to finish, yet at the same time I would still consider myself…

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the AU interview – WAMi Festival 2010: Boys Boys Boys! (Perth)

Fresh off the WAMi stage, I chatted to Bridget Turner (Guitar, Vocals, Synths), Jerico Wallace (Vocals, Synths) and Janelle Morse (Keys, Vocals, Bass) from the energetic and entertaining band Boys Boys Boys! We chatted about their recent successes, and eating a whole wheel of cheese. So we’re sitting here in the Court just after your…

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