Living, writing, and reading in Brisbane/Meanjin. Likes spooky books, strong cocktails, and pro-wrestling.
When the Murrumbidgee River bursts its banks and sweeps into the fledgling town of Gundgai, it is Wagadhaany’s father, Yarri, and other Wiradjuri men who come to the rescue of the trapped townsfolk. Now an indentured servant to the Bradleys – a family who, years ago, ignored her father’s pleading not to build on the…
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This week’s Track of the Week comes courtesy of Scottish post-punks Book Klub! With influences ranging from shoegaze to noise-pop and a whole heap in between, Book Klub have been building quite the following, performing in some of Edinburgh and Glasgow’s most iconic small venues. Consisting of Reece Robertson (guitar and vocals), Jack Martin (drums…
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The Yarra Valley Writers Festival will once again welcome readers, thinkers, and wine-lovers to Warburton, Victoria in mid-July. Boasting a fantastic line-up, including Kate Holden, Helen Garner, Tony Birch, Kate Mildenhall, Nardi Simpson, Stuart Coupe, Rick Morton, Jessie Tu, Louise Milligan, and more, the festival’s program will be accessible both in-person and online. Rather than…
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It’s been a little over a year since Helen Scheuerer officially closed out The Oremere Chronicles with short story collection Dawn of Mist. Now, the indie author is prepping for the launch of an all new dark fantasy series, Curse of the Cyren Queen. It all kicks off on July 15th with A Lair of…
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Talia is on the run. The mastermind behind a plan to escape from a home for juvenile delinquents, her end goal is simple. Reunite with her father and make it to Bogotá Airport in time for her flight to the US. And waiting for her on the other side? Her estranged mother and siblings, and…
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LA’s Tennis System have teamed with Hundreth‘s Chadwick Johnson for latest single, “Autophobia“. With a new LP (also titled Autophobia) on the way later this year, this glimpse of what’s to come has been dubbed this week’s Track of the Week! The dictionary definition of autophobia is a fear of being alone, and with people…
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Not the typical Hollywood star, it stands to reason that Sharon Stone‘s The Beauty of Living Twice isn’t the typical Hollywood memoir either. For starters, it’s beautifully written. Candid and conversational, it is at times lyrical and evocative, at others harrowing and heartbreaking. Revelations of childhood abuse, Hollywood toxicity, and the agony of recovery sit…
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Established back in 1992 to support Shepparton writers, The Furphy Literary Award decided to expand its reach in 2020, opening its doors to unpublished short stories from writers across Australia. Inspired by Joseph Furphy, author of Australian classic Such Is Life, and the yarns told around his brother’s foundry, writers are encouraged to offer up…
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MELT Festival is returning to Brisbane later this month, bringing with it all the queer arts and culture we could possibly want – and then even more besides! Gearing up for a huge night at Brisbane Powerhouse are Ruby Clarke, Chloe-Rose Taylor, and Natasha Veselinovic – otherwise known as The Local Lesbians. Teaming up with…
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Dreckly Jones lives by one core rule. Don’t be a hero. She wouldn’t have lived this long without it – and as a 140-something year old sprite that shouldn’t have existed in the first place, that’s no mean feat. But when a group of supernatural beings come to her, begging for help, her resolve is…
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With the power of two Relics now at her command and with the rebel leader Bellamy finally apprehended, Kaylan has a new challenge ahead of her. In order to rid the world of the corrupting magic of the stones, she must collect all five and destroy them once and for all. But convincing the other…
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Brisbane Writers Festival is just a few days away, and with a huge range of events both online and at the BWF hub at the State Library of Queensland, we’ve decided to do a bit of the hard work for you! To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of eight unmissable events – though…
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When Pastor Vern and the Gifts of the Spirit Church bring rain to Peaches, the drought-stricken townsfolk can’t embrace their saviours fast enough. But, as the drought drags on, and her mother is banished, fourteen year old Lacey May begins to question her role in the church that holds such a grip on the Californian…
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“We Got Gods to Blame” is the latest single from electro-folk singer-songwriter Hayden Calnin. Infused with hymn-like harmonies that will leave you feeling positively devout, it’s a gorgeous track from the Aussie artist, and a shoo-in for this week’s Track of the Week. When he’s not crafting his own tracks, and sharing the stage with…
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Daughter of cruel King Minos and sister to the Minotaur, Ariadne lives a life governed by the fear her monstrous brother instils into the enemies of Crete. Athens, in particular, suffers, forced to send regular sacrifices for the Minotaur, exchanging some of its young people for peace with the island nation. But one year, a…
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The Australian Book Industry Awards have just released their 2021 shortlist, with the final winners to be announced at a star-studded event on April 28th at Sydney’s Carriageworks. In an ABIA first, a limited number of tickets to the awards night will be available to the general public. And for anyone who can’t make it…
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Queensland’s oldest standing theatre, The Princess, is set for a new lease of life as the team behind Fortitude Valley’s The Tivoli announce the purchase of the Woolloongabba venue. The Tivoli’s owners, brothers Steve and Dave Sleswick, alongside prominent Brisbane businessman Steve Wilson, recently revealed their plans for revitalising the 133 year old Princess, aiming…
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It should have been Marie Tussaud’s greatest success. An automaton, rendered lifelike through her waxworking skills. It would stand, walk, elegantly wave a fan. Even sweeter that it should be Marie Antoinette; the French Revolution had cost both queen and artist plenty. But when her business partner, a magician named Philidor, ignores her instructions, the…
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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…
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Shopping mall beauty pageants and wedding anniversaries meet true crime and Victorian taxidermy in Night Rooms, a stunning personal essay collection from Gina Nutt. There’s likely an expectation that, given that she’s writing about it, Nutt’s life is packed with adventure or trauma or something generally monumental. It isn’t. But Night Rooms is no less…
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After being caught up in Melbourne’s lockdown, indie singer-songwriter Riley Pearce and his long-term girlfriend took two big steps: they returned to Riley’s hometown of Perth AND got a puppy. That sure sounds like love to us! It was also a great opportunity for Pearce to take his first musical deep dive into love song…
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It’s been a monster six months for Bugs. They’ve shared sold out stages with the likes of Mallrat and Waax, and even made their triple J Hottest 100 debut with their Like A Version cover of Mallrat’s “Charlie”. Now, the trio is back with a new single, and we’re stoked to be naming “Diamond” this…
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US ebook and audiobook subscription service Scribd has officially thrown its hat into the Australian ring – and it’s got Amazon and Audible firmly in its sights. For $13.99 month, Scribd users will get unlimited access to a vast library of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, podcasts, and sheet music. And to sweeten the deal, the Scribd…
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In the tiny tourist town of Ciudad de Tres Hermanas, brother and sister Rafa and Rufina are slowly unravelling in the aftermath of their mother’s death. But, although Rosalinda has passed away, she is yet to pass on, making her presence known by banging pots and pans and kicking the walls. Rufina sees and hears…
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Now in its eighth year, The Stella Prize is the latest award to announce its 2021 longlist. Named for celebrated author Miles Franklin, prize’s goal is to address gender imbalances in Australian literary awards, and to celebrate the work of the country’s finest female and non-binary writers. Over 160 entries were whittled down to just…
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With a single due every month, it was only a matter of time before Chicago’s Devon Kay & The Solutions popped up as one of our Tracks of the Week. After teaming with Less Than Jake‘s Chris DeMakes for a cover of “Big“, the six-piece needed a cracking follow up. “Frustrated People of the World,…
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Twin sisters Bibike and Ariyike and their younger brothers Peter and Andrew live a comfortable life in 1990s Lagos. But when their mother loses her job and abandons them, and their father gambles away their home and disappears shortly after, it is the twins who slowly take control of the newly orphaned family’s destiny. Switching…
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Well, it’s that time of the year again, book fans! The Australian Book Industry Awards have just revealed the contenders for the 2021 prizes! Here’s all the nominees – get ready to grow your bookish wishlist! Biography Book of the Year A Bigger Picture – Malcolm Turnbull (Hardie Grant Publishing, Hardie Grant Books) A Repurposed…
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Covering a century of Australian literature, author and editor Craig Munro has assembled a somewhat motley crew of characters, to celebrate a handful of key figures from the world of publishing and editing. From A.G. Stephens, the “three initialled terror” of the critic world, to Munro’s former colleague, the late Roseanne Fitzgibbon, Literary Lion Tamers…
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Melbourne post-punker KAI CULT has dropped his follow-up to “Massive Checks“, and it’s another absolute ripper. Mixed by Ashwin Rao of Singapore’s Knightingale, “Cigarette Burns” is a fast-paced slice of frenetic punk. It’s energetic and anthemic, designed to be played loudly or not at all. The accompanying music video is a deliciously DIY affair, shot…
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