Year: 2024

We’ve seen some pretty strange things from behemoth spirit labels before, but this one takes the stream of alcoholic cinnamon bombs. The fun-loving folks at Fireball Whisky have introduced an actual Fireball Bubbler to celebrate Footy Finals season. Yes, you read that right. It’s just like those bubblers that you never drank from in high…

Sitting at the edge of New York’s Theatre District is CIVILIAN, one of Manhattan’s newer hotels and a nice balance between designer charm, premium accommodation and – what is perhaps most important in New York right now – affordability. New York always so desperately needs more hotels to accommodate the constant influx of visitors that…

If you had the ability to travel back in time and correct your past mistakes, would you? Forming part of the September season of UnWrapped at the Sydney Opera House, AUTO-TUNE examines how life-altering our choices can be. Set in Wagga Wagga in the early 2000s, the performance follows Michael (Mark Rogers), a young Silverchair…

EDITOR’S NOTE: We are updating our Concord review, given the recent news that Sony is pulling the game from digital and physical storefronts alike, with full refunds being offered. The game will go offline at the end of the week, and will not be playable in any fashion.  Live-service games take a little longer to…

Readers should be advised that this book contains themes of sexual assault. Inspired by the Ancient Greek myth of Persephone and Demeter, Rachel Lyon’s sophomore novel Fruit of the Dead is an inventive tale that explores mother-daughter tensions, power plays and addiction amidst the backdrop of a billionaire’s private island. If you haven’t brushed up…

Boston Manor‘s fifth studio album, Sundiver drops this Friday, September 6th and serves as the follow-up to their 2022 release, Datura. Sundiver, produced by Larry Hibbitt and engineer Alex O’Donovan, represents a clear departure from its predecessor, with a refreshing evolution in sound and style. “Datura (Dawn)” opens the album with a serene ambiance, featuring…

English rock band Boston Manor have been making quite an impact within the scene since the release of their debut album in 2016. Now, over eight years later, the group are getting ready to release their fifth studio album, Sundiver, which is serves as a contrasting second part to their 2022 album Datura. Recently supporting…

At the AU we are suckers for beautiful folk music, and today we have a gem from Atlanta-based folk artist and singer/songwriter Brianna McGeehan with “Home”, her first new single since 2020, and indeed her debut release under her own name. We’re thrilled today to be premiering the track ahead of its release on Friday. Brianna’s…

After releasing second album Make It Feel Like the Garden in July of this year, Queensland’s Eliza & the Delusionals are gearing up for a tour through North America with The Frontbottoms. We were lucky enough to catch up with lead singer, and the band’s namesake, Eliza Klatt to chat about hand injuries on the eve…

SXSW Sydney (October 14th – 20th, 2024) is back for its second year, and its bringing a bold and inspiring mix of local and international features, showcasing the best across drama, horror, comedy and documentaries for its Screen Program. The lineup includes the Australian premiere of Lucy Lawless‘s directorial debut, Never Look Away, a documentary about…

The ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra is the latest flagship phone to hit the Android market. It’s impressive at first glance with a shiny AMOLED 6.78-inch screen that can go up to 144HZ refresh in-game genie mode. While it has a sleek and comfortable body that does feel good to hold in the hand, what’s keeping…

Is it that time of year again already? PAX Aus is finally nearly back on our shores bringing with it, the largest-ever schedule ever assembled! The jam-packed event will keep everyone busy and find something for everyone over the three-day event. With special guests this year from the Weta Workshop to talk about their upcoming…

Saturday August 31st saw the last gig of Trophy Eyes’ headline tour, with support from Towns and Boston Manor. Melbourne’s Forum was packed for the sold-out show, with fans lining up hours in advance. It was great to see hundreds there early to show their support for Adelaide duo Towns, who in the past have…

I have to admit, I mostly picked this one up for two reasons – the title, and because I chuckled at the premise. The Hitwoman’s Guide to Reducing Household Debt, the debut novel from Mark Muposta-Russell, promised to be everything I love in a book – funny and quirky, but still full of enough heart…

Thanks to StudioCanal Australia and Think Tank Communications, we have 5 family passes (Admit 4) to giveaway to see the new Australian comedy Runt, starring Celeste Barber, Jai Courtney, Matt Day and Jack Thompson, in Australian theatres from September 19th, 2024 (with Queensland starting from September 12th). Based on Craig Silvey’s best-selling novel, this delightful…

At over 2 hours long, with performances that are predominantly uninspired, and a script that doesn’t delve beyond setting up a narrative solely to off its variety of stock-standard characters, Michael Leavy‘s slasher Stream leaves a lot to be desired.  In the same breath, it’s so gloriously gory and committed to not taking itself seriously…

In a world grappling with complex political and economic challenges, there’s something that continues to drive progress, hope and helps bring people together… SCIENCE! The Beaker Street Festival in Hobart just wrapped up its eighth year, and it’s clear that the city was buzzing with excitement. This annual celebration isn’t just your average science fair—it’s…

Whether he’s blasting away behind the drum kit for beloved Sydney noise-rock duo Party Dozen or churning out distorted bass-lines for punk power trio Arse, there’s no mistaking the towering presence of Jonathan Boulet in the contemporary Australian music scene. The multi-instrumentalist even makes waves behind the boards, having served as a producer for bands…

Though it leans into the action/thriller genre with a supreme wink, Thelma, Josh Margolin‘s frequently hilarious, always poignant ode to his own grandmother (and, clearly, a love of the action genre), is never spoofing the films it so evidently is earning its laughs from; and it’s that sweetness and keen sense of reinvention that helps…

Thelma Post is a 93-year-old grandmother who loses $10,000 to a con artist on the phone. With help from a friend and his motorized scooter, she soon embarks on a treacherous journey across Los Angeles to reclaim what was taken from her. Not the most likely action narrative, but it’s the perfect genre entry for…

Legendary Australian seminal punk rock band The Saints have announced new dates for an ever expanding Australian tour, celebrating their music released between 1973 to 1978. The tour is now set to coincide with the release of a brand new (I’m) Stranded vinyl Boxset release. This version of the group includes original founding members Ed…

Today we head to Austin, Texas, the home of Parker Woodland, a power trio and their new single, “Never Met a Stranger”, featuring some fabulous psych rock. Tackling grief it showcases the ability for music to heal, and takes us on quite the journey, with dark psychedelic guitar lines, hushed vocals, haunting yet upbeat. We…

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst is a sweet, cosy fantasy story about letting people in, building community, and making a home for oneself. Kiela has lived and worked in the Great Library in the city of Alyssium for many years. She’s sequestered in the stacks with the previous volumes that she is responsible for…

The gaming world keeps pushing the envelope with gear that’s all about taking your game to the next level. Whether you’re deep into e-sports, streaming, or just gaming for fun, the right accessories can make all the difference. This year’s lineup isn’t just about high-powered hardware—it’s about software and tools that boost every aspect of…

Vietjet Redcliffe KiteFest is returning to Brisbane on 14-15th September 2024. With over 30,000 visitors expected, this year’s festival promises an amazing display of kite artistry and diverse cultural performances. Kite artisans come from diverse places such as Malaysia, China and Vietnam to showcase their prowess in kite-making skills. Vietjet will have a booth where…

While we don’t frequently review routers as far as technology reviews go, we had the pleasure of reviewing this router’s older sibling a couple of years back, in the form of the D-Link DSL-X1852E AX1800 router. I mention that previous review, because in many ways, this newer D-Link DSL-X3052E AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Modem Router provides…

The Prince Kitano New York is almost the mid-way point between the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building. It’s also just a 500-metre walk from Grand Central Station and, on the way, Bryant Park. You’ll only walk a short distance to get to the picturesque edge of East River with its many vantage points, and…

The Historic Hotels in America is a program that recognises over 300 hotels across the Americas, noted for their heritage value and deep connection to local stories. Many of these stories are retold beautifully to guests, expressing the building’s age through design, amenities and dining experiences. Some – the best ones – have so much…

This week, American indie rockers Enumclaw released their second full-length album, Home In Another Life. Hailing from Tacoma, Washington, the band’s name references the small town of 12,000 people located about 45 minutes east of Tacoma. But beyond the census details of small-town America, “Enumclaw” is a Native American word meaning “thundering noise,” a fitting…

Dubai is only 190 years old. Yes, the famously futuristic city really hasn’t been around that long. It started as a humble fishing village in the early 18th Century and has sprouted up to be a symbol of ambition and power, offering an experience unlike anything else in the Middle East. Or the world. It’s…