Year: 2023

Unless you’re a Spielberg or a Cameron, it seems increasingly difficult to launch an original, high-concept, sizeably budgeted film with major studio backing.  So, in that regard hats must go off to director Gareth Edwards for getting The Creator off the ground and into multiplexes; extra points for doing so with a film centred on…

You just can’t keep a good serial killer down, can you?!? The puppet master better known as Jigsaw has terrorised audiences – and on-screen body parts – for almost two decades now as part of the lucrative Saw film series, the little Aussie horror movie that could that birthed a billion dollar franchise. Despite the…

How many of us wanted to run away with the circus when we were young? Thanks to the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA), it’s now even easier to do just that. NICA has a purpose built circus venue, which is where the two-day Australian Circus Summit will be held. It promises to inspire while…

  Aussie national treasures Ocean Alley have just kicked off their AUS/NZ headline tour with support act Winston Surfshirt. Starting in New Zealand, this tour will see them play twelve shows, including three music festivals and venues spanning from Auckland’s massive Spark Arena to Melbourne’s quaint but classic Forum. But that’s not all, you’ll also…

I’ve checked out a few BlueAnt products over the years, including both Bluetooth speakers and soundbars alike, and can safely say that the brand is squarely focused on bridging the gap between affordable price points and competitive levels of quality. It is with that sentiment, that BlueAnt’s latest X3i Bluetooth speaker, comes out swinging, providing…

Ubisoft has been a prominent player in the world of open-world racing games, and they’re back with their latest offering, The Crew Motorfest. As an avid racing fan, I couldn’t wait to dive into this title and experience its high-octane action. And after countless hours exploring its vast open world, competing in various races, and…

Perth quartet Sophian are back with another slice of dreamy reggae-infused surf rock with their latest single, “Beautiful Day”, and we are thrilled to be premiering it before its release tomorrow. Fronted by Sophian Manik, the track has a summery-infused reggae groove. The uplifting melody and sweet guitars are artfully stitched together, creating a sonic…

There was something darkly, deliciously special about the way writer/director Emma Seligman and actress Rachel Sennott announced themselves with 2020’s Shiva Baby.  A claustrophobic black comedy that indulged in a spiralling, horrific temperament, their collaboration set a certain precedent for the boundary-pushing, topical humour that’s furthered in Bottoms, a wild, oft-violent, sexually liberated high-school comedy…

With its ludicrous potential built right into its title, Slotherhouse nabs your attention immediately with its narrative hook.  A mammal as notoriously slow as a sloth surely can’t be fast enough to kill predatorial animals, let alone a house full of sorority girls, right?  It’s just so bombastically ridiculous that it could absolutely work as…

Steeped in alt-country vibes, Sydney-based indie band Lady Lyon have just released their Friends in Hell EP. With jangly guitars and blessed with the soaring vocals of frontwoman Hayley Lyon, the EP is a beautifully varied collection of songs with all the feels. The songs are all written by Hayley, ranging from personal and self-reflective…

Rex Orange County returned to Australia after cancelling his shows earlier in the year. After selling out his first show at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, he played a second one to the delight of his fans. He was supported by the Sydney-born Filipino artist Grent Perez. There are still a few shows left of his Australian tour….

For many years now the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 has been the ultimate party speaker. You’ll spot it at kick-ons at your mates house. You’ll eye a pair linked up at a pool party in Sydney’s Double Bay. When you go camping, it’s a no-brainer to expect as least one of your friends was wise…

The Queen of British comedy, Dawn French, has announced her return to the Australian stage with her one-woman stand-up show, “Dawn French is a Huge Twat”, playing across the country in April and May of 2024. Few people are as firmly ensconced in the British comedy firmament as Dawn French. As one half of the…

Beloved Aussie duo Holy Holy release their highly anticipated fifth studio album Cellophane today, and to celebrate they’re playing six very special events across the country! These intimate listening parties will see Tim and Oscar chat about the making of Cellophane, as well as a Q&A and album signing with their fans. They’re also going to treat…

Holy Holy, one of Australia’s most beloved musical acts, have just dropped their fifth studio album, Cellophane. With the reputation as one of Australia’s best live acts, it was a pleasure to sit down with Tim and Oscar and chat all things Holy Holy. I’ve had a listen to the album, I absolutely love it!…

SIG SALI, is an electronic alt-pop band hailing from Sydney, and they have teamed up with vocalist and songwriter Natassa Zoe to create the emotive dance banger, “Pillow Thoughts” which was released today. It’s the third track from SIG SALI to be released, following on from “Stay Tonight” and “Reasons”. They’ve been kicking it out…

Ten more tracks have been added to our Discovery playlist on Spotify and Apple Music, including two tracks we had exclusive premieres for earlier in the week. We’re injecting a bit of extra twang into the playlist this week with “The Tallest of Tales”, the new single from Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits – our Track…

After 4 films that amassed acclaim, both critically and commercially, it only makes sense that the world created within the John Wick films be continued in some form separate from the series itself; even though many are hoping the titular character’s rather definitive send-off in Chapter 4 is somehow retconned. Next year will see the…

In Other Words, OzAsia Festival‘s writing and ideas program, has today revealed its three day line-up, with more than 60 Asian writers and thinkers heading up an exciting array of panels and special events. Running from Friday 3rd November to Sunday 5th November at Adelaide Festival Centre, In Other Words is the perfect way to…

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,…

If, like me, you are a fan of farming sim games like Stardew Valley, Story of Seasons and Disney’s Dreamlight Valley, expect to lose a bunch more of your time in Phoenix Labs’ new game Fae Farm. It is not only visually stunning but also boasts an expansive farming system that integrates a magical element…

It seems that the Australian publishing industry’s hunger for anti-rom-coms (or as I like to call them, Sad Girl Lit) is showing no signs of abating. The perfect successor to the Cecelia Ahern and Marian Keyes heyday of the last decade, today’s heroine is stressed out and has major FOMO. Prue, the heroine of Jessica…

While I appreciate each yearly NBA 2K iteration, it’s usually for something different each and every time. Be it a new and exclusive mode, deeper customisation and progression or new and enhanced gameplay mechanics, there’s generally something that keeps me around for the year to come. NBA 2K24 certainly provides enough in terms of variety…

Last year, singer/songwriter Baby Velvet released her stunning debut solo album, the exquisitely titled Please Don’t Be In Love With Someone Else. The album was nominated for an AIR Award for Best Blues and Roots Album, and in our opinion, justifiably so. Baby Velvet tomorrow releases her first single since the album, the wistful “Wild…

After sold-out shows in The USA and hometown London, Rex Orange County started the Australian leg of his Pacific tour in Adelaide. Alexander James O’Connor, as his mother calls him, released Bcos U Will Never B Free in 2015 and began his set with “Rex (Intro)” from that mixtape, seated in low red light at…

There’s something rather amusing about the fact that even though Liam Neeson has a vast career of playing everything from a Jedi master to historical figures, it’s the not-always-an-average-man-with-a-certain-set-of-skills archetype that he’s become synonymous with.  Ever since Taken proved that the then-56-year-old was a force to be reckoned with, the now 71-year-old has settled into…

The Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF), presented by MINI, has announced its 2023 program with an incredible line-up of Queensland and Australian premiere features, with Taika Waititi’s Next Goal Wins, starring Michael Fassbender, serving as the Australian premiere and Closing Night event. BIFF’s program is further brimming with Queensland premieres from highly acclaimed and visionary…

Thanks to StudioCanal we have 5 double in-season passes (Admit 2) to see Saw X, the eye-popping new entry in the hit Saw franchise. John Kramer (Tobin Bell) is back. The most chilling instalment of the SAW franchise yet explores the untold chapter of Jigsaw’s most personal game. Set between the events of SAW I and II, a sick…

It’s hard to believe that Dharug/Western Sydney-based indie-rock artist Jack Anthony only released his debut single, “On My Own” in July this year. Today we are thrilled to have the premiere of the follow-up, “Call My Name” and it’s an absolute belter. “Call My Name” is a rollicking slice of indie rock. The emotive lyrics are…

Developer Outright Games has announced that in partnership with BBC Studios, they will be bringing the first ever Bluey video game to consoles and PC later this year on the 17th of November. Aptly titled Bluey: The Videogame, players will be able to take control of the titular Blue Heeler dog Bluey, along with Mum,…