Music

Performers and now-fierce collaborators Sunny War and Micah Nelson (aka Particle Kid) have been bringing their own brands of rich music together in LA for a minute now, with SXSW being the latest platform for the artists to strut their stuff. And now they’re releasing a split LP under the name “Particle War“. With shows throughout the Austin festival…

You’ll remember Black Summer from last year – the teenager took triple j Unearthed by storm with “Young Like Me” (currently sitting at a cute 3 million plus streams online) and soon became a name to be buzzed about. He’s not even 15 yet, but the producer (aka Rhys Toms) has come through with another strong track, this…

It’s been a long five years between drinks for iconic American rockers Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – both in terms of the album releases and visits to our shores. Their tour this month in Australia comes just weeks after the release of their brilliant LP Wrong Creatures, with songs like “All Rise” amongst the best…

After freshly finishing his first ever sold out headline show in Sydney and Melbourne, indie-folk singer Ryan Downey is back with a new single “Those Eyes that Answer” off his debut album Running. Downey’s rich voice accompanies a haunting sci-fiesque melody to showcase a deeply colourful and beautiful song, accompanied with a music video shown only…

Over nine nights in Austin this month, I caught dozens upon dozens of live performances from bands from all over the world. This year I found myself discovering more talent than I have in the past few years – both at the SXSW Festival, and at Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion event, which happens at his…

Talented singer and songwriter Fatai has been calling Chicago home for some time now, but the Melbourne-born artist has maintained strong links with home, even from the other side of the globe. A newcomer to the SXSW fold, Fatai caught up with Larry recently to touch base and share her experiences in the States. What are the…

Melbourne’s Pretty City recently packed their bags for another short sojourn to the USA where recording of new music, as well as a cheeky stop at SXSW awaited. The band’s new album Cancel the Future is out tomorrow and in coming months, Pretty City will be out on the road (in Australia and abroad) with this new bad…

Kicking off their Australian tour over Easter long weekend, LA’s own Together Pangea are going to be heading out on a belter with our favourites, Bleeding Knees Club! Bringing their latest album Bulls & Roosters out to Australian fans, the guys from Together Pangea are making sure this debut tour is one to remember. Ahead of the shows,…

If you’re looking for an alternative song that combines masterful guitar solos with feelings of nostalgia then look no further than indie rock band Jarrow, with their newest single “Bleach”. The garage-style band, consisting of front-man Dan Oke as well as an assortment of instruments, are about to embark on an east-coast tour, travelling to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane,…

The High Breed have come back with their latest track Weirdo, blessing us with a new perspective on the world through the eyes of “Weirdo”, and honestly its all kinds of wonderful. This is the first time experimenting with trap for the Hip-Hop group, but it is obviously paying off. The psychedelic-filled video feels like…

One of the Australian artists who stood out at SXSW this year was L.A. based Australian producer, songwriter and vocalist, Benji Lewis. Off the back of his latest single “Deep Blue”, Lewis takes us through his new music and what’s still to come! Can you tell me a little bit about how things have gone for you so…

Recently, NSW coast boys turned Melbourne residents – Mild Manic – released a killer new single in “Global Threat”; 4:44 minutes of energetic pop punk that simply does not relent. With artists like Luca Brasi and CERES storming forward with such a frenetic brand of punk music, Mild Manic slide in well alongside. triple j Unearthed…

Born Lion have been killing it on stages around the traps recently, the band’s highly anticipated new album Celebrate the Lie more than satiating the appetites of fans who’ve been waiting for more new music from the group. A fitting follow up to their acclaimed debut album Final Words, Celebrate the Lie has seen the band only become stronger and…

Mallrat is a name fast gaining traction and renown amongst Australian music fans but for Texans and those visiting SXSW this year, this was a perfect introduction to the Aussie currently preparing to take more international sectors by storm. We caught up with Mallrat to find out more about her time in the US, and what’s…

Overnight at The Langham, the official program for the Melbourne International Jazz Festival was launched to a room of artists, media, sponsors and other industry folk who had gathered to see what Artistic Director Michael Tortoni and his team have curated for the festival’s 21st year. Masters of Jazz are to be highlighted, while the new guard of contemporary…

SXSW has always been a massive melting pot of musical influences and a platform for musical discovery but in the last few years in particular, the festival has played host to an enormous hip hop, R&B and soul community that has come together from all over the world. Whether they be some of the biggest names…

If you’re looking for a funky track with a hint of indie-rock, electronic and pop, then The Ramona Flowers will be right up your alley with new infectious track “Strangers”. The 5-piece band, named after the female protagonist in Scott Pilgrim vs The World, have recently caught gained traction over the world, performing at the…

Music isn’t always about smiles and rainbows. Sometimes it can take time away for a group to come back stronger and better than ever. This is exactly the case with indie rock group FRANKIIE, who, after a winter away from each other, have come back together with their newest single and video for Glory Me. The song is…

Ahead of the release of their anticipated debut album Elephant Room, Melbourne’s Fan Girl continue to build up the hype in letting us know a bit more about each track you can be getting your ears ’round, come March 23rd. We’ve already heard (and loved) “Small Town”, but let the band tell you some more about the…

It’s going to be another massive few weeks in Sydney this winter, when the Harbour City comes alive for Vivid LIVE. We already knew R&B goddess Solange would be touching down exclusive Australian shows this year, but with the official program being released, we’re most definitely hyped for what’s to come. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year,…

Returning for its 13th year in May, the acclaimed Stonnington Jazz Festival has unveiled its 2018 program and as expected, it’s set to bring some eclectic shows to venues throughout the district. A favourite of the festival (and Melbourne), The Shaolin Afronauts return, the Adelaide jazz fusion group taking to the Astor Theatre in presenting…

Its rare to find beautiful music videos that pair well with a retro song that you can jam out to, yet equal parts alluring and vivacious, Toronto artist RALPH has returned with September Fades, accompanied with a video with a taste a nostalgia and disco-groove. The video, shot in a 1950’s Toronto motel, provides a soulful and…

Though the big annual jam by The Roots and friends (with rumours of SWV, DMC, Dermot Kennedy, Nathaniel Rateliff, Jessie Reyez and Rapsody being the unannounced guests) was cancelled due to a credible bomb threat, the final night of SXSW left no music lover wanting for more. Those scoping out the remainder of SXSW Film…

While at SXSW, we caught up with Albert Hammond Jr. – an artist who needs no introduction. What was being introduced during the festival however, was AHJ’s fourth studio album Francis Trouble, an album that has recently seen him on tour with The Killers and further expanding his live set up on huge stages. I think the last time…

After gaining recognition and traction from his hit singles Insanity and My World, Sydney producer and songwriter BLESSED is back again with his newest track “Superfly” The feel-good track is a relatable piece, talking about how you may be broke but you can still be the flyest in the room. With great beats and a groovy…

Australia House and G’Day USA weren’t messing around when it came to this year’s The Aussie BBQ, kick starting the annual showcase event with nothing but top quality Australian music, sweeping through everything from one of the country’s most dynamic (and intense) indie-rock acts Bad Pony on the Backyard Stage to the delicate sounds and…

Hip hop fans were very well taken care of on SXSW’s second last day. Fader Fort revealed their surprise guest as Rae Sremmurd, with the duo also playing their own “announced at the last minute” showcase event with the likes of it producer Mike WiLL Made It and buzz acts like Duckwrth. Though the Rae…

Come March 24th, Melbourne will be hosting the first ever Australian Download Festival. An event that will undoubtedly fill the hole Soundwave left for many heavy metal and punk fans, Download has already put an impressive stake in the market, announcing the likes of Korn, Slipknot and more to their inaugural Australian line up. Carving out a fine…

The thing puts you off-guard seeing Big Boi isn’t his skill as a lyricist, or the sheer breadth of hit songs are at his disposal. It’s seeing how effortless he makes it all look. 20 years into the game anything could have happened, he easily could have lost interest in the whole hustle of the touring and…

It was a jam packed Wednesday at SXSW in Austin, Texas. Here’s a look at just a few of the many highlights… Kicking off numerous showcases at SXSW this week, Tinashe hit up Vevo House for her second performance of the night and – to no one’s surprise – completely owned the smoky jungle-like stage…