Interviews

Hailing from Christchurch, New Zealand, musician Tom Lark is best known for transforming bedroom surroundings into “bedazzling” alt-pop music. the AU review’s Larry Heath chatted to Tom about his new “cheerful sounding ” EP, what lies ahead for 2015, and which actor would play him in one of his music videos. Of his new self-titled…

Adam Brand is one of Australia’s most loved and recognizable country music artists. The 12-time Golden Guitar winner is heading to Thredbo to headline the Snowy Mountains Country Music Festival this month. I spoke to Adam about set lists, fan moments and what more we can expect in 2015.

the AU review sits down with Sydney Singer/Songwriter Emma Beau to talk about her debut crowd-funded EP (available now), upcoming tour dates (playing The Bearded Lady in Brisbane on 12th March) and much more! Don’t miss Emma in Brisbane on the 12th as part of her EP launch tour! Grab all the details, and the…

the AU review sits down with Tord Øverland Knudsen and Dan Haggis of Liverpool outfit The Wombats to talk about the two music videos off their forthcoming Glitterbug LP (out 3rd April 2015 through Warner Music Australia): the surprisingly violent “Greek Tragedy” and the animated “Your Body is a Weapon”. Watch our chat about the…

In our 28th instalment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Sydney’s Betty & Oswald, and chat about the band’s spur-of-the-moment formation and their latest track ‘King Of Bohemia’. Band Name: Betty & Oswald Website / Social Media: Facebook / Soundcloud / Bandcamp Genre: Grimy city blues & art house jazz Members & their roles: Pete Sotiropoulos…

With their brand new record in stores now, we caught up with Fremantle’s San Cisco while they were in Sydney a couple of weeks back to talk about Gracetown (said new record), their upcoming travels to Mexico, SXSW, touring with Groovin’ The Moo and much more. One can assume that Nick Gardner did not expect…

In our 27th instalment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Brisbane singer/songwriter Dave Power, and chat about his last independent EP Looking Life In The Eye and his new upcoming release. Musician: Dave Power Website / Social Media: davepowermusic.com/ / Facebook Genre: singer/songwriter Members & their roles: Dave Power – Songwriter, vocals, guitars, harmonica, keyboards, producer…

American metalcore outfit Of Mice & Men have recently been in Australia debuting their latest album Restoring Force at Soundwave Festival and sideshows all around the country. the AU review’s Larry Heath caught up with the five-piece in Brisbane and spoke about the reception they’ve had so far: “I’m getting to play these new songs literally all over the world… It’s such a rewarding experience to be able to come up here and play [the new album] at night and see the crowd singing the new songs louder than our old ones.”

Whether you love them or hate them, Terror Universal is a very memorable band! Decked out in various horror masks, the four-piece recently took the stage at Soundwave Festival but not before stopping for a quick chat. In this interview, Terror Universal talk about their new release and why they believe their music has caught on so fast: “We feel our songs are really easy to get into live, we have some catchy choruses and some just groovy stuff as well as some really brutal stuff. So I mean, people just seem to grab onto it immediately.”

CMC Award winner, Morgan Evans is playing at the Snowy Mountains Country Music Festival this March. 2014 was a stellar year for Morgan, and 2015 is set to be even bigger and better. Mallory spoke to the musician about Thredbo, fans, award shows and new music. I hear you’re going to be performing at the…

Veteran front-man of rock-group Velvet City, Craig Heath is set to release his first solo single off his recently launched own label, Global Records this March. The single “All Because of You” is co-written by Craig with country-music superstar Keith Urban and Monty Powell. The song features vocals by Rick Springfield who is best known…

Photo: Johnny Au the AU review’s Larry Heath sits down with DJ and Keyboardist Chris Kilmore and the Bassist and “Voice of Reason” Ben Kenney (donning a Midnight Oil shirt, no less) from California group Incubus to talk about their new EP “Trust Fall (Side A)” – coming out later this month – their experiences…

In our 26th instalment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Brisbane’s Hemingway, and chat about their upcoming debut EP. Band Name: Hemingway Website / Social Media: Facebook / Soundcloud Genre: Alternative Members & their roles: Brad Hemingway – Lead Vox & Rhythm Guitar Christian Hemingway – Lead Guitar Cheyne Starkie – Bass & Backing Vox Brad…

In our 25th installment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet five piece alternative rockers Follow the Lion, and chat about being playing on the BBC by Tom Robinson and get a sneak peak at their upcoming EP. Band Name: Follow the Lion Website / Social Media: Facebook / Soundcloud / Twitter Genre: Alternative Rock/ Psychedelia Members…

In our 24th instalment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Melbourne’s Simon Astley, and chat his latest release, All Falls Down. Musician: Simon Astley Website / Social Media: www.simonastley.net Facebook / Soundcloud Genre: Pop/Rock Members & their roles: Simon Astley (Vocal, Piano), Clinton Forster (Guitars), Paul Slattery (Bass), Gav Oliver (Drums) What music or artists inspired…

Anticipating her performance at this month’s AU session taking place next week, the AU review caught up with Imogen Clark, fresh of a celebrated run at the Adelaide Fringe. We talk about writing, musical influences, favourite Australian artists and her new handmade acoustic CDs. Further information about the performance below. How old were you when…

Wayne ‘The Train’ Hancock will return to Australia next March, just eight short months after his last successful visit. Wayne makes music fit for any road house. With his unmistakable voice, The Train’s reckless honky-tonk can move the dead. If you see him live, you’ll surely work up some sweat stains on that snazzy Rayon…

In our 23rd instalment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Perth’s Lights of Berlin , and chat about their current national tour and get a sneak peak at their latest track ‘Chosen Ones’. Band Name: Lights of Berlin Website / Social Media: www.lightsofberlin.com Facebook / Soundcloud / Twitter Genre: Pop/Rock Members & their roles: Devon Bayer:…

Del The Funky Homosapien has been a name that hip-hop fans have long cherished, well before he gained notoriety for adding a verse to the iconic Gorillaz track “Clint Eastwood”. Before then, he’d already released an album as part of the Oakland hip-hop crew Hieroglyphics, the first Deltron 3030 album, at least four studio records…

With Soundwave Festival fast approaching this weekend, Of Mice & Men are ready to set foot on Australian soil and tear the stage with their electrifying metalcore tunes. With the recent release of their music video for “Broken Generation”, as well as their latest full length album Restoring Force, the band’s drummer Valentino Artegea talked to us about technology and…

Yesterday, before they headed to the airport back to the US, I had the chance to sit down with Britt Daniel, the frontman of iconic Austin based rockers Spoon to talk about their just wrapped Australian tour. We also looked back at their career – including their 1997 Soft Effects EP which Daniel described as…

In our 22nd installment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Winnipeg’s genre bender’s The Ruth Moody Band, and chat about their upcoming Australian tour. Band Name: The Ruth Moody Band Website / Social Media: www.ruthmoody.com Facebook / Soundcloud Genre: indie/folk-roots/acoustic/alt-country pop Members & their roles: I play banjo and guitar and sing. Adrian Dolan plays fiddle,…

This year’s Soundwave festival sees US rock-band Papa Roach make their triumphant return to Australia after a 13 year absence. I spoke with bassist, Tobin Esperance about their latest album F.E.A.R. (Face Everything and Rise), connecting with fans through music, musical influences and what fans can expect from their Aussie shows.

In our 21st instalment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Perth’s latest garage / surf rockers, Thee Gold Blooms, and chat about their debut self-titled album. Band Name: Thee Gold Blooms Website / Social Media: Facebook / Soundcloud / Bandcamp Genre: Garage / Surf / Doo-Wop Members & their roles: Jase – Guitar & Vocals Dylan…

Ah, Spoon. It’s hard not to love that band. And wouldn’t you know it, the band kick off their all-too-brief Australian tour tomorrow in Brisbane. In anticipation, I spoke to drummer and producer Jim Eno last week while at home in Austin, not long before he was set to fly to Australia. We talk about…

the AU review sits down with Swedish group Little Dragon to talk about their time in Australia as part of St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, playing the event in Singapore, their anticipations of playing the Sydney Opera House (which they did later that night), their year ahead and much more…

In our 20th instalment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Sydney’s Ed Wells, and chat his latest release, Sparrow and Seed. Musician: Ed Wells Website / Social Media: www.edwellsmusic.com Facebook / Twitter Genre: Alternative Folk/Soul Members & their roles: Ed Wells- Piano/Vocals What music or artists inspired you? I always liked music which had a certain…

In our 19th instalment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Melbourne’s Alanna Eileen, and chat her latest EP Absence, produced by Mark Myers (The Middle East). Musician: Alanna Eileen Website / Social Media: alannaeileen.com Facebook / Soundcloud Genre: Folk Members & their roles: Alanna Eileen – guitar, vocals, keys. What music or artists inspired you? Initially,…

Departing from their usual high energy performances and blazing riffs, The Cairos are taking it down a few notches with their latest single “Insane.”

Norwegian Indie pop group highasakite first captured Australia’s attention with a unique blend of synthesisers, soaring melodies and ethereal vocals. Now flash forward and their popularity is only growing with every new release, interview and performance. Larry Heath recently sat down with Ingrid Helene Havik and Kristoffer Lo when they were here touring for the 2015 St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival and asked about their experiences touring abroad, supporting London Grammar and what they did for Australia Day.