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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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We’re just a little over a week away from the second coming of the Snowy Mountains of Music Festival in Perisher. As such, as thought we’d check in with one of the artists playing the festival – Jake Savona of Mista Savona. We chat about the past, present, future of Mista Savona – and of…
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The first time I saw Cabins was in 2008. They were just getting started as a band, while I was just finishing up my Undergraduate Degree. I remember the promise they showed in the early days, while they were finding their sound and a fan base. So now, to see them a couple of years…
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James Hull & Amanda Picman took a few minutes out of Dave Hosking‘s life to talk about Boy & Bear and the fast approaching Come Together Festival at Luna Park – and plenty of other tidbits about their new life on the road… Enjoy. Amanda: This is Amanda and James from the AU Review. How…
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Late last week, I headed along to the Forum in Sydney to check out the latest installment of [V] Live – this time showcasing the young talents of Operator Please. On entry, I was immediately impressed by the set up. Up front, the underage were given prime access, giving the 10 camera set up a…
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As the band prepare for the release of their new LP Round the World, the first single of which, “Here We Go”, is now available (and streaming below), we had a chat to Adelaide’s Lowrider. We chatted about the new album, upcoming tour, the scene in Adelaide, and the war of words between Christina and…
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It was my last day in Perth, and before flying on home, I headed over the Festival Wrap Party at Mojos in North Fremantle. I arrived just in time for young rockers, King George (Pictured Below). Tonight, the four piece – all of whom are still in High School to my understanding – were three….
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After a brief interval involving some chicken schnitzel, it was time to head to the Amplifier/Capitol for the Saturday Spectacular closing party: a three stage mini-festival which saw headliners Jebediah return to the stage, Will Stoker and the Embers shine and Tomas Ford spend most of his anticipated set in the crowd, rubbing his sweaty…
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It’s the Saturday Spectacular at the WAMi Festival! Dozens of bands are spread around 9 venues in Northbridge, putting on some killer free shows for both the public and conference attendees. And with the conference ending just hours earlier, you better believe everyone was ready to party. But when you’ve got 9 venues to choose…
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After my first night of music in Perth was spent enjoying the festivities of the 2010 WAMi Awards, Friday brought with it a barrage of live music choices. While originally heading somewhere completely different, I ended up at the “Someday” single launch for local up-and-coming act The Morning Night. Taking place at the Amplifier Bar,…
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