Author: Mallory Arbour

Passenger

Interview: Passenger on getting drunk, being vulnerable and playing a sad clown

Passenger will release his 13th studio album, Songs For The Drunk & Brokenhearted on January 8th. Penned by Passenger – aka Mike Rosenberg – when he was newly single, the album features that raw and authentic vulnerability that Passenger’s global fan-base has grown to love. Fans from all over the world will have the opportunity to…

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Theatre Review: The Beautiful Game makes its goal-scoring Melbourne debut.

The Beautiful Game is a lesser known award-winning collaboration between the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton. On premise, it’s difficult to be excited by a musical based on football (soccer) if you have no interest in the sport, but by the end, you’ll discover that that’s not really what the story is about…

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Interview: Tricia Helfer on Battlestar Galactica‘s legacy, voiceover work, and pretend running and driving.

Canadian actress, Tricia Helfer is best known for her roles as Number Six in Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagined Battlestar Galactica series and Charlotte Richards/Mom in the newly-renewed series, Lucifer. She can also currently be seen playing Dracula in Syfy’s Van Helsing. I spoke to the former model-turned-actress while she was in Melbourne for Australia’s Ultimate Pop…

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Interview: Osric Chau on conventions, cosplay and individualism

Canadian actor and filmmaker, Osric Chau is best known for his roles as Kevin Tran in Supernatural and Vogel in Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, as well as starring in The Walking Dead, Sherlock and 2012. Also, a seasoned con-goer and cosplayer, he returns to our shores this weekend for Melbourne’s Oz Comic Con.

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Theatre Review: Muriel’s Wedding is a colourful celebration of the Australian way of life (Melbourne)

The 1994 motion picture Muriel’s Wedding, written and directed by PJ Hogan, thrust stars Toni Collette and Rachel Griffiths to International stardom and instantly became an Australian cult classic. Grossing an equivalent of AU$117 million, today, even those unfamiliar with its origins know its iconic quotes. Now adapted into a humorous, smart and colourful stage…

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Live Review: Hanson + The Million – Melbourne Zoo (01.03.2019)

I thought I knew what to expect going to see Hanson perform as part of Zoo Twilights at Melbourne Zoo. Being the fan that I am, I also saw them earlier this week at the Palais Theatre on their String Theory Tour – and to say I was underwhelmed by this tour would be an…

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A Survival Guide for the Tamworth Country Music Festival first timer

I’ve been a country music fan for over ten years and I’d never attended the legendary Tamworth Country Music Festival until this year. Blasphemy, you say! But better late than never, right? I didn’t know what to expect; I thought I’d hate it (at least subconsciously anyway) but I was pleasantly surprised to love every…

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Five Australian country music artists you should be watching in 2019

Country has long been a dirty word in the Australian music industry. That iconic image of a grizzled, cowboy hat-wearing, man strumming away on his banjo and singing about the bush is a thing of the past. But the genre is changing, albeit a little sexy, with home-grown artists Keith Urban and Morgan Evans, as…

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Interview: Brodie Rainbird of The Wolfe Brothers (Hobart) discuss their new country crossover single

It’s been a busy year for the Tasmanian country-rock band, The Wolfe Brothers – with the release of their highly-anticipated fourth studio album Country Heart in March, its two chart-topping singles ‘Ain’t Seen It Yet’ and ‘No Sad Song’, as well as an accompanying national tour. The album debuted on the ARIA Country Chart at…

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Interview: Morgan Evans (Newcastle) talks going #1, coming home and what it takes to make it in America

Morgan Evans has been dubbed as an artist to watch. His debut US single ‘Kiss Somebody’ recently topped the US country charts, making him only the fourth Australian to reach such momentous feat. The Newcastle born singer-songwriter now lives in Nashville with his pop-country superstar wife, Kelsea Ballerini, and is currently back in Australia on…

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Interview: Adam Brand (Perth) reflects on his twenty years in the industry

On July 13th, 1998, Adam Brand released his debut album. Fast forward to 2018, and he’s done what a lot of artists have failed to do before him – and that’s last 20 years in the competitive music industry. Celebrating his two-CD release Milestones…20 years, after a nation-wide call out for unique venues, he’s taking…

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Interview: Adam Harvey (Australia) on Nashville, the 1970s and how political correctness has no place in country music

Fulfilling a dream of recording in the US, Adam Harvey’s tenth studio album The Nashville Tapes is inspired by country music of the 1970s and its icons. Off the back of last year’s tour of The Great Country Songbook Volume II alongside Beccy Cole, the eight-time Golden Guitar winner is again on the road, this…

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Interview: Catherine Britt (Australia) talks recording her new album while pregnant

Since her last release Boneshaker in 2015, Catherine Britt has gotten married, given birth to her first child, won a battle with breast cancer and released her seventh studio album, Catherine Britt and the Cold Cold Hearts, alongside Michael Muchow and Andy Toombs. Recorded in her own backyard studio with engineer Jeff McCormack, this release,…

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Interview: Damien Leith discusses his app Storytime, bullying and making his film debut

He’s an award-winning singer, songwriter and accomplished author and now, Damien Leith can add app designer to his ever-expanding list of impressive achievements. Released late February this year, Damien Leith Storytime! is designed for children aged four-and-up and features a wide range of stories all told in his voice, with appearances by his three children.

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After the Games: How to spend 24 Hours in Queensland’s Surfers Paradise

Known for its beaches, theme parks and seafood, Australia’s second largest state Queensland remains a popular tourist destination all year-round. It’s a big place with an abundance of things to do and places to see. And at the moment its Southern most city is home to the 2018 Commonweath Games. However, if you don’t want…

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Interview: Shelby J (US) on celebrating Prince’s life and legacy in Nothing Compares 2 Prince

Shelby J is an American singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and social activist, who has toured nationally and internationally with her band Blackgypsy and as leading backing vocalist in Prince’s The New Power Generation. In Australia next month for the World Premiere of Nothing Compares 2 Prince, she will be one of the twelve performers involved in…

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Interview: Benedict Goold from UK’s Ghouls on their first Australian tour & taking a break from social media

UK Alt-Punk Rockers Ghouls are heading down under for their first Australian co-headline tour, sharing the run will be Australia’s own Foxblood. Starting in 2013, the band consists of Benedict Goold (Lead Vocals and Guitar), Sam Mussell (Bass), Ben Maz (Saxophone), Russel Spencer (Trombone) and Jay Swinstead (Drums).

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The 8th CMC Music Awards prove the future of country music lay with a bright new generation of talent

It was Country Music’s night-of-nights on Thursday, March 15th, with the biggest local and international acts flocking to The Star on the Gold Coast to celebrate the biggest fan-voted awards in the southern hemisphere.

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Interview: Brodie Rainbird on the evolution of The Wolfe Brothers’ sound

With a new album set to be released next month, a new single out and two CMC nominations, The Wolfe Brothers have much to smile about. The new single “Ain’t Seen It Yet”, from their upcoming fourth album Country Heart, is a celebration of home and displays a more mature sound for the band. Catching up…

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Interview: Casey Barnes gears up for this year’s CMC Rocks Festival

With the release of his catchy third single “Ain’t Coming Home”, off his upcoming new album The Good Life, Casey Barnes’s star continues to rise. Nominated for a prestigious Golden Guitar Award earlier this year, I spoke to the Tasmanian-born now Gold Coast-based country music artist about his latest release ahead of his performance at…

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Interview: Tara Favell talks Tamworth, McFly and her new EP, Wild Heart

Tara Favell released new EP Wild Heart in January, following the success of her last record and feature single “Heart-Break”, which garnered over 15,000 views online and received airplay across country radio. Originally from Canberra, the country music singer songwriter performs every week around the Sydney NSW region Tara now lives.

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Interview: Josh Setterfield swaps pop-punk for country, dishes on third EP Til Dawn

Josh Setterfield started his career in Brisbane-based pop-punk band, Call The Shots. When the group disbanded, he decided to go solo and embrace the new-sound of current country music. With his second country EP, From Dusk and its singles ‘Feelin’ Love’ and ‘Hometown’, and currently working on his third Til Dawn, the buzz around his…

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Interview: Liam Kennedy-Clark checks in ahead of this weekend’s Tamworth Country Music Festival

At the tender age of 20 years old, Liam Kennedy-Clark is already an accomplished singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. He’s toured with some of Australia’s biggest acts, released four records and is set to perform at the 46th Tamworth Country Music Festival this January.

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Interview: Ben Portsmouth (UK) on bringing his Elvis tour down under

In 2012, Ben Portsmouth won the Elvis Presley Enterprises ‘Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest’, the only artist from outside the USA to ever win this prestigious title since its inception in 2007. The English multi-talented musician, singer and songwriter will bring his World Tour to Australia in January next year.

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Interview: John Williamson tackles “Pigs on the River” & shunning negativity from ‘No’ voters on “Love is The Word”

“True Blue” Australian country music legend, John Williamson has never been shy to voice his opinions on topical issues. His two latest singles are no exception or void of controversy: “Pigs On The River” expresses his anger towards irrigators on the Murray-Darling River and “Love Is The Word” about hatred in the world.

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Interview: Amber Lawrence on an Aussie Aussie Christmas

It’s been a busy year for country music singer and songwriter, Amber Lawrence. Not only has she just been nominated for a further six Golden Guitars for her collaboration Our Backyard with Travis Collins, she also managed to find time to release an 11-track original album titled Aussie Aussie Christmas.

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Interview: Natalie Pearson discusses her new single, “Mr. Wrong”, and album Long Time Running

Natalie Pearson has been making a name for herself in the country music scene. Her album Long Time Running, released early last year, debuted at #2 on the Australian Country iTunes Chart and received the award for Best Country in the 2016 MusicOz Australian Independent Music Awards.

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Interview: Paddy McHugh talks City Bound Trains and controversial lyrics

Brisbane-based Paddy McHugh‘s music and songwriting is raw, honest and authentic. His latest album City Bound Trains, depicts tales of a life in Australia and touches on many topics of interest – indigenous culture, same-sex marriage, equality and more.

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Interview: Justine Clarke on her new children’s television show & album release

Justine Clarke is a legend of Australian stage, screen and music. She began her career at age seven and has since spent three decades working in the industry. Most recently you may have seen her in the miniseries Hoges or as Diane in the 2016 film Red Dog: True Blue. Now she’s about to release…

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Interview: Rachael Leahcar (Adelaide) on shedding the ‘little girl’ image & her upcoming tour

It’s been five years since Rachael Leahcar made the Top 3 on The Voice, alongside her mentor Delta Goodrem. The Adelaide born singer and songwriter, released her latest album Shadows earlier this year, showcasing a more mature sound with heavier lyrics, and is about to hit the road on the tour of the same name.

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