Author: Larry Heath

Founding Editor and Publisher of the AU review. Currently based in Toronto, Canada. You can follow him on Twitter @larry_heath or on Instagram @larryheath.

Watch the AU's Chris Singh go head-to-head with Australian UFC Fighter Robert Whittaker in Mortal Kombat X (PS4, 2015)

Last week the AU’s Chris Singh went head-to-head against Australian UFC Fighter Robert Whittaker, fighting for the fatalities in the brand new next gen game Mortal Kombat X. See what happened when the two went at it on the Playstation 4 in this exclusive video below and then read on for Chris’ first impressions of…

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the AU sessions at SXSW: Ross Leighton of Fatherson (Scotland) performs an acoustic version of "Foreign Waters"

Last week you may have seen our interview with Ross Leighton of emerging Scottish trio Fatherson from our SXSW pop-up venue! Now, we’re pleased to bring you the special intimate, acoustic performance Ross gave us with the beautiful song “Foreign Waters”. The stunning track comes off their debut album I Am an Island. Be careful,…

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Get a glimpse of Ant-Man‘s tiny nemesis “Yellowjacket” in the first full length trailer!

We’re being treated to so much Marvel goodness this year. In less than two weeks the new Avengers will hit screens and then less than three months after that we’ll have a brand new Marvel franchise to feast our eyes on… Ant-Man starring Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas. This is without question the smallest super…

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Exclusive Single Premiere: The Dawn Chorus "Big World" (2015)

We’re excited to present today the exclusive premiere of “Big World”, the second single to be taken from The Dawn Chorus‘ upcoming album, set for release late 2015. Front man Mitch Davis shines on the release, and the track features Kyla Van Mason. Produced at Pix Studios, in their hometown of the Sunshine Coast, it’s…

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Live Review: Gary Clark Jr – Metro Theatre, Sydney (10.04.15)

At this point, I feel I’ve said everything there is to say about the great Gary Clark Jr, yet once again I find myself at one of his concerts in absolute awe of his talent. The way he makes everything look so effortless, the way he moves along that guitar and makes us move in…

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Flight Review: Southwest Airlines – Los Angeles to San Antonio (WN3124)

We continue our Flight Review series, this time back in the USA on our way to Texas for SXSW. Instead of flying directly to Austin, I flew in via San Antonio – about 90 minutes drive from Austin – to bring you a run of coverage that you’ll be seeing online soon. Flying Southwest to…

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Hat Fitz and Cara, John Butler Trio, Sticky Fingers, Mama Kin and more Australians to join Kanye West at Ottawa Bluesfest 2015

We’re excited to be heading over to Ottawa Bluesfest for the first time this July, and in the last couple of weeks the festival has announced its massive lineup, with Kanye West among the many, many major names to grace the event’s stages from July 8th to the 19th. The festival, as you can tell…

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My SXSW 2015 Diaries: A glimpse into *some* of the madness of the Interactive and Film portion of the event…

It’s hard to capture really what SXSW is like without you actually attending yourself. There really is nothing else like it. Just the pure variety of people you meet and things you get to do… there’s no equal. I took my camera along to the festival – which ended a couple of weeks ago now…

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Theatre Review: Endgame – Sydney Theatre Company (Performances through May 9th)

Following the success of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting For Godot in 2013, it made sense for the Sydney Theatre Company (STC) to take on one of the great playwright’s better known plays as a follow up – Endgame – with one of Godot’s leads, Hugo Weaving, in the production’s lead role. In what must be Weaving’s…

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the AU sessions: Microwave Jenny (Central Coast) perform "Shine Like New" in a park in Sydney

Central Coast duo Microwave Jenny perform their track “Shine Like New”, taken from their latest EP, Microwave Jenny and the Six Song EP, available now! The track was performed in a park in Sydney – kazoo and all – as part of the AU sessions – a series of intimate, exclusive acoustic performances in locations…

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the AU sessions at SXSW: Lucette (Canada) performs "Able May" off her debut record "Black Is the Color"

As part of our live sessions series at SXSW, Canadian artist Lucette joined us at our pop up venue to perform a special acoustic version of her track “Able May”. The track, which pours out a beautiful flavour of Americana, comes off her debut record Black Is the Color, which came out last year. Watch…

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the AU sessions at SXSW: Hamish Anderson (Melbourne) performs "Little Lies" off his EP "Restless"

While in Austin for the annual SXSW music festival and conference, Melbourne based singer/songwriter Hamish Anderson stopped by our pop up venue to perform a solo and acoustic version of the track “Little Lies”, taken from his sophomore EP Restless, which is out now. Since popping into our studio he’s been announced for Ottawa Bluesfest…

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Alison Wonderland and SAFIA top the first announcement for Australia's electronic cruise ship festival: Seas and Beats

Australia is getting its first ever “electronic music festival at sea” next year, with Alison Wonderland, Hot Dub Time Machine, SAFIA, The Kite String Tangle, Touch Sensitive and more ready to play the massive event that will see 2000 revellers transported from Brisbane to a mystery island for what is destined to be a four…

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the AU sessions: Ruby Boots (Perth) performs her latest single "Wrap Me in a Fever" in a park in Sydney

Perth based artist Ruby Boots performs her single “Wrap Me in a Fever” in a park in Sydney as part of the AU sessions series: Live, exclusive and acoustic. The track comes from her new record Solitude, which comes out on April 24th.

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Did you spot the Spinal Tap hat in The Princess Bride at In The House?

In the film’s opening scenes, Peter Falk begins reading the Princess Bride to Fred Savage… You may have caught a glimpse of the boy’s baseball cap hanging near his bed. This cap was placed there by the movie’s director, Rob Reiner, to fulfill a request by Mark Knopfler, who composed the music for the movie….

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the AU sessions at SXSW: Julio Tavarez of The Black and The White (Los Angeles) performs "Torn Up"

the AU review captures Julio Tavarez – the lead vocalist and guitarist of Los Angeles group The Black and The White – in the AU’s pop up venue at SXSW performing their latest single “Torn Up” as part of their SXSW AU Sessions series. Follow the band on Facebook to hear more: https://www.facebook.com/theblackandthewhitemusic

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The Theme Park Traveller: Hong Kong Disneyland

Disneyland Hong Kong is the iconic brand’s second home in Asia, after launching its Tokyo location back in 1983. It’s also the Disney Theme Park that’s geographically closest to Australia – and with the park originally opening in September 2005, that means that this year they will be celebrating their 10th Birthday! I had the…

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SXSW Film Review: Spy (USA, 2015)

Earlier this month, ahead of its May release in Australia and in the US, the new action-comedy Spy had a premiere screening at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas. Though seemingly unorthodox for a major release (and a mainstream comedy at that) to see a public screening so far in advance of its release,…

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SXSW Film Review: Mavis! (USA, 2015)

When it comes to true music icons, it’s fair to say they’re a rare breed – but anyone who knows Mavis Staples will tell you: she’s in a league of her own. With some sixty five years of performances behind her – and more still to come (she’s touring Australia as we publish this piece) –…

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Exclusive Music Video Premiere: Ninth of May "Ramen" (2015)

Today marks the day that Brisbane-based “edgy chunk rockers” Ninth Of May are releasing the music video for the brand new single “Ramen”, and we’re proud to exclusively premiere the track on the AU today. The entirely self-produced project sees jjj unearthed winners collaborating with some of Brisbane’s finest musicians, delivering a striking yet mesmerizing…

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SXSW Film Review: Lost River (USA, 2015)

When Ryan Gosling premiered his Directorial debut Lost River to a packed house at Cannes last year, it’s fair to say the odds were stacked against him. He couldn’t have picked harsher critics to premiere his film to. This is a crowd who have rarely been fans of Actors turned Directors. Do you remember The Brave – Johnny…

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Exclusive Single Premiere: Quintessential Doll "Thunder Gods" (featuring Clio Em) (2015)

Self-described as “darkly whimsical folktronica”, Quintessential Doll are an up-and-coming Brisbane outfit fronted by Steph Linsdell, who is today premiering her new track “Thunder Gods”, featuring the incredible vocals of Clio Em, on the AU. The genre-bending track, jumping between the words of Opera, Electronica, Indie Pop and, indeed, “folktronica”, is a stand out of…

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Watch M Phazes and Thief join Penelope Austin to cover the Kasey Chambers and Bernard Fanning track "Bittersweet"

Last Tuesday saw the annual tradition of the APRA Music Awards hit Sydney, a celebration of the Australian music which has made the biggest impact at home and around the globe over the past 12 months. Thanks to a special between Moshcam and APRA, the “Song of the Year” live performances were recorded and streamed,…

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The best ways to get to Toronto, Canada from Australia (and a few travellers tips for your arrival)

This May, the annual music festival and conference Canadian Music Week will be opening its doors to the world, shining a spotlight on Australia and New Zealand, bringing with it dozens of bands and delegates from our countries up to the great city of Toronto. Why not come and join us? Over the next two…

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the AU interview at SXSW: Aaron Bruno of AWOLNATION (Los Angeles) talks touring, surfing, the new record "Run" and more!

the AU review sat down with Los Angeles based group AWOLNATION‘s frontman Aaron Bruno while at SXSW earlier this month. We talk about the madness of SXSW, “it’s kind of like how life on the road is in general… I think people come together at South by and experience a little bit of what it’s…

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Six local comedians not to miss at the 2015 Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) through 19th April!

Kicking off over the weekend, it’s hard to know where to begin with the 2015 Melbourne International Comedy Festival schedule. Every night there is so much amazing comedy – both from local and international talent – that it’s a job within itself to try and decide what to see. Well, we thought we’d lend a…

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the AU interview at SXSW: P.S. (Paul Saulnier) of PS I Love You (Kingston, Canada) on Australian bands, the live show, leaving your home and old musicians.

the AU review sits down with Paul Saulnier of Canadian outfit PS I Love You at SXSW to talk about the festival, their latest music with For Those Who Stay, working with Paper Bag Records in Toronto, potential trips to Australia, his favourite Australian bands, evolving the live show “we’ve gotten better at it, I…

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Tour Diary: Lenka returns to her fourth SXSW in Austin, Texas

Head to Texas for her fourth SXSW, Lenka has brought us back a tour diary of her return to the massive event, which was full of birthday celebrations, delayed flights and a brief few days in LA for rehearsals and Pho. Day One: Arrive in Los Angeles for rehearsals with my LA-based band, (who I’ve…

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the AU sessions at SXSW: Great Caesar (Brooklyn) "Hey Jolene"

the AU review captured Brooklyn group Great Caesar in the AU’s pop up venue at SXSW performing a brand new track “Hey Jolene” as part of their SXSW AU Sessions series. Watch the full performance here: For more on the band head to: http://www.greatcaesarband.com/

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Watch Lisa Mitchell and Jake Clemons perform Sheppard's "Geronimo" at the 2015 APRA Awards

Earlier this week at the APRA Awards – which took place at Carriageworks in Sydney – artists joined together for unique collaborations to cover the songs that were nominated for APRA Song of the Year. It’s an annual tradition at the Awards and it’s always an entertaining and unique part of the night. We’ll be…

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