Emma Louise is relaxing by the fireplace at her home when she answers her phone. Her voice is a friendly murmur; a contrast to the smoky baritone she uses across her latest album Lilac Everything. “Yeah, it definitely sounds like I’ve been chainsmoking some serious ciggies,” she laughs. That voice is actually the result of…
The first few days of Austin City Limits flies by as the legendary festival’s 2018 iteration wraps up its first of two 2018 weekends with nothing but strong performances from top-billing acts and memorable festival newcomers. The likes of Twin Shadow, Elle King, and Hailey Knox impressed, while later in the day huge sets from…
Tonight at the second annual Cal Jam Fest in San Bernardino, California – the festival put on by Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters – a much teased and anticipated event happened. They got Nirvana back together. Surviving members Dave Grohl and Kris Novaselic got together with Joan Jett, Pat Smear and John McCauley of…
Day Two of Austin City Limits 2018 brought with it performances from the likes of Nelly, St. Vincent and CHVRCHES, and many more. Chicago’s Supa Bwe opened up the Honda Stage following a short rain delay. It was a great opening act, and the Chicago artist and producer really engaged those early arrivals, showing off some the new songs…
The iconic festival Austin City Limits kicked off its 2018 edition today in style today, with the help of Sir Paul McCartney, Brockhampton and Khalid. It was a busy day of live music, with plenty of great acts in action, including Fatai and Gang of Youths flying the flag for Australia. Melbourne’s Fatai, wearing all black in solidarity with the…
Ahead of a tour of Japan which kicks off tomorrow, Gold Coast singer-songwriter Alexander William has dropped his new single “Roses”, the first from his forthcoming debut album, and quite simply it is really beautiful stuff. There is a precociousness to Alexander William, and “Roses” in particular, there is a maturity and worldliness at work…
Much loved Australian ska and jazz band The Cat Empire have returned with their fourth release of the year, “Kila” along with a brand new music video. And today we’re excited to bring to you the exclusive premiere of the spectacular interactive 360 degree music video for the track. “Kila” provides the upbeat grooviness that The…
British folk rock band Mumford and Sons are coming back to Australia, and it couldn’t come at a better time. Nearly four years after the release of their ARIA chart topping album Wilder Mind the boys are releasing a new album Delta on November 16th; and die-hard Australian fans will be amongst the first to…
“Fall Asleep” is the latest single from London’s Big Joanie, and the first taste of their forthcoming debut album Sistahs, which will be released next month via Thurston Moore’s brand new record label, The Daydream Library Series. Big Joanie, a black feminist punk band, were formed in 2013 out a frustration at the lack of intersectionality within…
Since the release of his debut album The Fox and the Monk in 2006, British folk musician John Smith has built a reputation as one of the UK’s finest songwriters and guitar players. With five albums to his name, and with another set for release tomorrow, he is an artist that is not only well…
The ARIA Awards have announced the nominees for this year’s Artisan, Fine Arts and Best Comedy categories. With titles such as Best Classical Album, Best Jazz Album, Best World Music Album, along with Producer Of The Year, Engineer Of The Year, Best Cover Art and Best Comedy up for grabs. Topping the list are Amy Shark, Gurrumul…
This week, Melbourne’s The Cat Empire have released their fourth brand new song of 2018, “Killa”, as they steadily build toward the release of their next studio album. The song’s author Felix Riebl explains, “Kila is one of those songs you write and know that an album will be built around it.” All the while, the band…
Dave Jenkins Jr’s new indie rock project, Not A Boys Name, is off to a flying start with the release of an impressive new single “Hazard Perception Test”, and a video to match. A song about resilience and learning how to navigate negativity, “Hazard Perception Test” is punchy and melodic. The video, directed by Matt…
The second and final day of the Yours & Owls Festival in Wollongong promised another day of beautiful weather and even better music; with (in my opinion), an even stronger lineup than the preceding day. E^ST opened things up on the main stage, and then rising star Didirri – who has had an amazing 2018…
Tommy and the Commies are a punk band from Ontario, Canada, and have just delivered their debut project Here Come. Even as most punk releases go, this project is quite short, weighing in at just 16 minutes. But it makes up for its brevity with some excellent pacing, writing, and instrumental work. The project starts…
C’est La Vie may be American musician Phospherescent’s seventh studio album, but it is probably his first blatantly optimistic ode to love, life, and everything in it. The first release, “New Birth in New England,” was released a few months ago, and indeed hinted at a friendly, easy return after a five-year hiatus. A time during…
Yesterday Sharon Van Etten announced the forthcoming release of her new record Remind Me Tomorrow, her first since Are We There was released four years ago, dropping a new single, and taste of what’s to come, “Comeback Kid” in the process. Van Etten has been busy in those intervening years, with the New Yorker heading back…
Brisbane pop-rock artist Shanon Watkins is back with a new music video for his latest single “We Lived“, and ahead of its official release this Friday, we’re excited to premiere it exclusively on the AU today. “We Lived” deviates slightly from Shanon’s usual optimistic tone, embracing a more sombre feeling, allowing the listener a chance…
The Corner Hotel was fortunate enough to welcome some young talent into its band room at the end of last week; the ceiling suspending multiple fluorescent light tubes giving the atmosphere quite a futuristic twist to the traditional spotlights and strobes. It was all in place for Ruel, the 15-year-old Sydney based singer-songwriter who has…
The NYE festival NYE In The Park have announced the festival’s return to Sydney’s Victoria Park on New Years Eve 2018. Following up on the success of last year’s party, this year the crew will bring an even bigger line up on stage to ring in the new year. Headlined by Aussie electronic dance duo The…
The audience surrounded the square stage set-up in the middle of The Tivoli. It’s part of Brisbane Festival’s Tivoli In The Round programme, where fans experienced intimate performances from Australia’s best musicians. However, Gareth Liddiard found it unusual to have eyes on him from all directions, quipping to the crowd, “You’ve got to remind me…
Father, the ringleader of cutting-edge Atlanta multimedia label Awful Records, has returned with a new album in collaboration with Adult Swim – a DIY label and a DIY network coming together to craft something truly unique. Father’s style is one that many try to replicate and often struggle to do so – his odd delivery,…
If you haven’t heard any of Kira Puru‘s music, exactly how big is that rock you’re hiding under? Her single “Molotov” has had a lot of airplay on Triple J, and her undeniably cool ‘Like A Version’ performance of Katy Perry‘s “Last Friday Night” is what dreams are made of. Her debut self-titled EP contains the…
Tonight in Sydney, the third annual National Live Music Awards announced the nominees across 55 categories, and revealed the addition of the award’s “Hall of Fame” equivalent, detailing their plans to induct a legendary Australian band as the award’s first “Live Legends”. The band in question will be announced closer to the 6th December event, and will…
The second day of Yours & Owls brought more incredible talent to the Wollongong foreshore including Cub Sport, Methyl Ethel, Pist Idiots, Alex The Astronaut, Sarah Blasko, Hockey Dad, Alison Wonderland and many, many more. Danny Hanssen brings us back these photos from the festivities:
Ahead of the release of their debut album next month, Melbourne’s The Putbacks have dropped the record’s first single, a twisted, eclectic and wonderful odd collaboration with Bilal called “The Ways”. Since their formation in the early 2000’s The Putbacks have established themselves as one of Australia’s premiere funk ensembles; they’ve served as the house…
The first day of Yours & Owls brought a slew of incredible talent to the Wollongong foreshore including Maddy Jane, CLEWS, Alice Ivy, Mallrat, Tiny Little Houses, Middle Kids, Hellions, The Jungle Giants, Peking Duk and many, many more. Danny Hanssen brings us back these photos from the festivities:
Retrowave and synthwave are still rather under-the-radar sub-genres of electronica. They often involve a strong link to pop culture and 80’s-inspired musical themes. Last week, I got the chance to speak with ALEX, a U.K based producer and thought leader in the retrowave and synthwave genres. ALEX’s most recent album, Simulations, is a 10-track stream-of-consciousness…
Upon the coloured light bulbs and mood lighting, the room filled up with an agenda of groovy beats and neo-soul. Allen Stone was in town, playing at the Croxton Bandroom in Melbourne’s sacred north. It would be his only Australian show before hitting the Byron Bay Blues Festival in early 2019. Not being familiar with…
While it may just be her on stage alias, the brains, vocals and stories behind Jack River is so much more. An entrepreneur, promoter and musician, Holly Rankin brought to life her musical talents and journey as the Sydney leg of her Sugar Mountain album tour made its way to a sold out Metro Theatre….
