Music

Exclusive EP Premiere: Concrete Surfers – My Life on Repeat (2019 EP)

Ahead of its official release tomorrow, we’re stoked to be bringing you the exclusive premiere of Concrete Surfers’ latest EP, My Life On Repeat. Made up of brothers Jovi (vocals, guitar) and Jamie Brook (drums) and high school mates Sean Foster (lead guitar) and Trent Courtenay (Bass), the Brisbane scuzz band have shared stages with…

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Track of the Day: In Her Own Words, “Steady Glow” (2019)

Los Angeles pop punks In Her Own Words are back with “Steady Glow”. Signed to InVogue Records, the band has been working with Grammy winner and longtime Motörhead producer Cameron Webb, crafting a more mature sound ahead of their sophomore album release next month. The album, also titled Steady Glow, will be available everywhere from…

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SXSW Interview: Lauren Sanderson on the importance of vulnerability and authenticity

Last Tuesday night, Vevo House at SXSW showcased three emerging performers in front of a packed crowd. Among them was LA based Lauren Sanderson, who made waves last August with her breakthrough EP DONT PANIC! – her second to drop last year, but first to be released through Epic Records, and featuring tracks like “The Only…

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Track of the Day – Dirt Hand “Lion” (2019)

It’s hard to put Melbourne’s Dirt Hand into a genre. Even the bands own press release goes so far as to label the project “art-wank”. It’s part neo-folk, alt-rock, jazz but at all times it is experimentally enchanting and atmospheric. Built off a series of hand clap patterns, Arun Roberts set out for spontaneous creation….

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SXSW Wrap-Up: The AU Review and Hello Asia! team up for Official Showcase with San Mei, I Know Leopard, Geowulf and more

On Thursday night in Austin, Texas at Australia House, the very website you’re currently reading, alongside our sister publication Hello Asia! teamed up for our first ever official showcase at SXSW. Three acts from Australia were joined by two from Japan and one from Korea – the first acts from those regions to ever play…

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Track of the Day – Beverly Kills “Revellers” (2019)

Coming in at a short, but blistering two and a half minutes is the fourth single from Sweden’s Beverly Kills. “Revellers” follows on from the bands three single releases in 2018 – “Fourteen”, “Melodrama” and “Dreamless”. Like the band’s previous singles, the new track mixes complex and dark lyrical content with energetic and vibrant sonic landscapes….

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Adelaide Fringe review: Ambient Orchestra presents an Ambient Primer of Fripp / Eno, Laraaji and Satie – Elder Hall (15.03.19)

American Composer/Conductor Evan Ziporyn opened a two-night residency in Elder Hall with a world premiere featuring new arrangements of Fripp/Eno’s “Evening Star, Side A”; Laraaji’s “Dances From Day of Radiance” plus his own “Frog’s Eye” and an Ambient Orchestra arrangement of Satie‘s Gymnopedies. Ziporyn addresses the audience at the start of the show to explain…

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Adelaide Festival Photo Gallery: Washington – Palais (15.03.19)

Megan Washington graced the floating Riverbank Palais on Friday night following a season which included Augie March, J Mascis, Sarah Blasco, and They Might Be Giants. Washington’s performance included a four-string accompaniment for some of the songs, adding an ethereal feeling to an already magical space. There were crowd favourites and plenty of banter about…

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Photo Gallery: Julia Jacklin + Olympia + Annie Hamilton – Metro Theatre, Sydney (15.03.19)

With support from Annie Hamilton and Olympia, Julia Jacklin debuted her new album Crushing to a sold out Metro Theatre on Friday night. Belinda Dipalo was there to bring you these photos.

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Live Review: Julia Jacklin + Olympia + Annie Hamilton – Metro Theatre, Sydney (15.03.19)

Julia Jacklin has had a massive start to 2019. With international tours and the release of her second album Crushing already in the bin, it looks like this year could be one for the record books. Returning to Sydney’s Metro Theatre almost two years since her last headline national tour, the Blue Mountains native wooed…

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Track of the Day: Tadhg Daly “Hit The Ground” (2019)

“Hit The Ground” is the new single from Jersey born indie pop artist Tadhg Daly. With only two singles to his name so far, Daly has been slowly been making a name for himself in the UK. Whilst he’s only been performing for a relatively short period of time, he’s been invited to play at…

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Track of the Day: Jade Alice and Ivoris “Flower” (2019)

Melbourne based singer-songwriters Jade Alice and Ivoris have combined their talents for brand new single “Flower”, a gentle electro-pop song with echoes of the likes of Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey (though perhaps with a little less angst!). Friends since childhood, Jade Alice and Ivoris have blended their distinctive sounds together and “Flower” is…

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Album of the Week: Stella Donnelly – Beware Of The Dogs (2019 LP)

I haven’t watched the movie School of Rock in maybe 10 years, but from memory there’s a scene where Jack Black’s character talks about sticking it to the man, as well as singing a song with lyrics “you’re not hard core, unless you live hardcore.” While Stella Donnelly may not be a middle aged man…

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Photo Gallery: Khruangbin­ + Harvey Sutherland – Metro Theatre, Sydney (14.10.19)

With support from Harvey Sutherland, Houston trio Khruangbin performed to a sold out Metro Theatre in Sydney last night as part of their debut Australian tour. Belinda Dipalo was there to bring you these photos.

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Exclusive Video Premiere: Noah Dillon “Holding On” (2019)

Perth’s Noah Dillon has exploded on to the national scene of late, garnering attention from Triple J and punters up and down Australia’s East Coast on his recent tour. So, we’re particularly excited today to bring the exclusive premiere of a live studio video of his latest single “Holding On”.  Recorded live at Tunafish Studio,…

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Track of the Day: Shura “BKLYNLDN” (2019)

A small, gentle drum pattern sits behind “BKLYNLDN” (Brooklyn London), the incredibly effective new single from English synthpop artist Shura. And it’s simplicity which defines this new offering, giving Shura a swooning backdrop for her remarkably delicate performance, illustrated by the embrace of two women in a blue-tinged music video. The song’s visuals are inseparable…

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Live Review: Download Festival – Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne (11.03.19)

With the sun pelting down as you walked in, Download Festival was off to a hot one in Melbourne. Luca Brasi helped kick things off, with a set on one of the two main stages. I Prevail were an early highlight, too, as punters piled into the Flemington Racecourse. Eric Vanlerberghe’’s vocals punched through the air and drew a…

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Photo Gallery: Christine and the Queens – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (10.03.19)

Christine and the Queens performed to an eager and packed Enmore Theatre in Sydney on Sunday night as part of their debut Australian tour. Our photographer Belinda Dipalo was there to bring you these photos from the night.

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Photo Gallery: Download Festival – Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne (11.03.19)

On a glorious public holiday Monday it was Melbourne’s turn to bask in the glory of all things metal at Download Festival. Kerrie Geier went along for the AU review and brings us shots of Slayer, Ghost, Sum 41, Rise Against, High Tension, Anthrax and more.

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Live Review: The Eagles prove legends never die with flawless Sydney show

Finding a way to continue Eagles without Glenn Frey, who passed in 2016, must have been difficult. How does one treat a legacy so treasured by music fans the world over, after a loss so deep? The answer, in this case anyway, is actually quite simple. “We aren’t the same band we once were”, founding…

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Exclusive Single Premiere: Plotz “Baby Shakes” (2019)

Melbourne quartet Plotz are kick starting their 2019 this week with the release of “Baby Shakes”, their first single since their EP All Up The Wall And Down The Street in 2017, and the first from the band’s forthcoming EP, which is due for release later this year. Ahead of the official release of “Baby Shakes”…

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Track of the Day: Maurice and the Stiff Sisters “French Exit” (2019)

Ever made a quick getaway from a party without saying goodbye? Skipped class without permission? Clicked attending on Facebook and never actually attended? Well, turns out there’s a word for that. It’s called a “French exit”, which also happens to be the name of the latest track from brass fuelled power pop quintet Maurice and the…

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The New Colossus reignites live music in New York’s Lower East Side as international acts warm up for SXSW

The first year of the new showcase festival The New Colossus kicked off on Thursday night, taking over the lower east side of New York City not unlike CMJ had done for so many years. In fact taking over venues like Pianos, The Delancey (home to The Aussie BBQ during CMJ) and Arlene’s Grocery brought…

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San Mei: Meet the Queenslander taking SXSW by storm this week

Hailing from the Gold Coast, Indie Pop Rock rising star San Mei (AKA Emily Hamilton) is in Austin this week to play at the iconic SXSW event, with a run of appearances that includes our very own showcase at the event, which is happening this Thursday night. We caught up with Emily to find out more…

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Exclusive Single Premiere: Lucifer Gunne “Energenetic” (2019)

Coming straight out of New Zealand’s capital, young Wellington rockers Lucifer Gunne are in full attack mode as they unleash the heavy “Energenetic”: a certified sledgehammer of a track that should easily hammer this four-piece into the hearts and minds of listeners the world over. The AU Review are proud to exclusively premiere the track…

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US Chef Rachael Ray serves up Castlecomer, WAAX and Angie McMahon to play her SXSW 2019 events

Every year at SXSW, US chef Rachael Ray puts on one of the best events – “Feedback” – which takes over Stubb’s BBQ on the Saturday, open to the public, and an invite only “Feedback House” that runs for a few days in accompaniment. Of course the food is amazing, but the music is even…

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Track of the Day: Pool Shop “Shooting Star” (2019)

“Shooting Star” is the new single from Brisbane dream pop outfit Pool Shop, the first since the transition from solo project to a full band operation.  Pool Shop is the brainchild of Jamiee Fryer, the guitarist and vocalist for Major Leagues. Initially the project had been a solo affair, but for the recording of “Shooting…

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Geowulf: We meet the Aussie duo making waves overseas ahead of their SXSW debut

Originally from the Sunshine Coast, and now based in the UK, Australian duo Star Kendrick & Toma Banjanin make up the rising outfit Geowulf. They’re in Austin this week to play at the iconic SXSW event, with a run of appearances that includes our very own showcase at the event, which is happening this Thursday…

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Live Review: Snail Mail + Major Leagues + Shaad – Estonian House, Melbourne (08.03.19)

There was a quiet excitement through the crowd as Shaad DJ’d through the opening half hour at Estonian House in Brunswick on Friday night. Obviously, there was something to look forward too with the final of two shows performed by band, Snail Mail beginning within the hour. Artist Lindsay Jordan has had a cult following…

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Interview: Sean Caskey of Last Dinosaurs (AUS) talks living in Japan, a language faux pas and touring the world.

Brisbane-band Last Dinosaurs are back on the road to tour their third studio album, Yumeno Garden, around the country. With a US and Asia tour also on the horizon, lead singer and rhythm guitarist Sean Caskey gave up some of his precious time to talk with us about the creation of the album, his experience living abroad…

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