Music

Start planning! Final Music Cities Convention schedule now available for Melbourne

It’s coming! The 2018 Music Cities Convention will be taking over Arts Centre Melbourne for the first Australasian event of the building franchise, giving music industry folk from all over the world the opportunity to converge as this year’s edition theme stands out: Music as Infrastructure. Members will explore the relationship between music ecosystems and urban life,…

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Single of the Day: Monarchy “mid:night” (2018)

If you’re looking for a new synth-pop track to jam out to, look no further than London- based synth-pop duo Monarchy’s new song mid:night , a fresh new dance track off their forthcoming album to be released later in the year. The song started off from the idea of that joyful and dizzy feeling you get when…

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SXSW Guest Review: Why Thandi Phoenix is worthy of memorialising

While at SXSW last month, a few emerging non-Australian writers were invited to head along to watch show featuring an Australian artist. Our second writer, Jaison Oliver, looks back on his experience watching Sydney’s rising pop star Thandi Pheonix. “It’s all a blur of tacos.” Thandi Phoenix is somewhere in the middle of eight scheduled…

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SXSW Guest Review: Sydney’s Sons of the East: Dare I call this Australia-cana?

While at SXSW last month, a few emerging non-Australian writers were invited to head along to watch show featuring an Australian artist. Our first writer, Sam Jackson, looks back on his experience watching Sydney outfit Sons of the East. “The more people dance, the better we play.” I don’t think Sydney’s Sons of the East…

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Single of the Day: Sophill & Jonathan B-T “Take The Crown” (2018)

Anyone who knows me would know that I am an absolute sucker for EDM music, so when I first heard Sophill & Jonathan B-T‘s new single “Take the Crown”, I was hooked. The song was released just over a week ago under Jonathan’s independent label 1NAM, but at first listen, if I had been told the…

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Interview: Compton emcee Buddy talks “Black”, L.A. and putting a band together

When he released Idle Time back in 2014, Compton rapper Buddy immediately showed the world he was bound to be one of the next big names in hip hop. Keeping up with features from the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell and even pop star Miley Cyrus, the young emcee proved his penmanship was as sharp…

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‘The Melbourne Sessions’ bring new series of masterclasses to Yarraville in April

APRA AMCOS and Creative Victoria have linked up to bring a new series of music masterclasses to the local industry through this month – The Melbourne Sessions. Kindred Studios in Yarraville will host the one day run of workshops, sessions and networking events for emerging and mid-career songwriters to meet and learn from/exchange with visiting composers,…

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Interview: Luke Elliot on bringing Dressed for the Occasion to Australia for the first time

Over a couple of long blacks in Richmond, New Jersey songwriter Luke Elliot anticipates his debut Australian shows. Having brought his sophomore album Dressed for the Occasion out here to be performed in solo mode in some great east coast venues, Elliot’s introduction to the Australian scene is one that has been a while in the making. “Thank…

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Hein Cooper makes his long awaited return with “Hear My Voice”

Hein Cooper – easily one of our favourite songwriters of the last handful of years – has finally dropped a new piece of music in the gorgeous, “Hear My Voice”. As the first taste of Cooper’s highly anticipated new music, “Hear My Voice” isn’t afraid to put the personal on full view. “This song is…

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Exclusive Music Video Premiere: Busby Marou “Got Your Back” (2018)

It won’t be long before fans can see Busby Marou back on the road, the duo will be returning to regional venues (and some city haunts) this month and through May with their latest single, “Got Your Back”. The single itself comes as the group near the end of their successful Postcards From The Shell House album…

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Melbourne group, The Do Yo Thangs, respond to cultural appropriation criticism

Recently seen on stage supporting other Melbourne favourite, Sex On Toast, alt-R&B group The Do Yo Thangs have today announced that they’ll be changing their name, in response to claims of cultural appropriation. As songwriter and bandleader Hugh Rabinovici explains, the feedback the band received had brought issues to mind that simply were not thought about at…

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Introducing UK duo BONES: The next big thing

While in Austin, Texas for SXSW, we sat down with UK duo BONES at Australia House. In their chat with Larry, Rosie and Carmen talk us through their latest single, “Limbs” and more as we get to know more about this buzz act who are based in LA, but hail from London. And we reckon they might just…

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Music Video of the Day: Dianas’ “Leave Love” (2018)

Charmingly quirky and retro, Melbourne trio Dianas have come back with a new music video Leave Love, following the release of their latest EP last year in December. The video, directed by Tom Mannion and Dianas’ member Caity Moloney, was a painstakingly meticulous process, yet the effort paid off. The end result is a perfectly imperfect balance…

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Interview: Tinashe on new album Joyride and not letting herself get boxed in

Fans, critics, and commentators the world over have constantly filled articles and comment sections with confused question marks bemoaning Tinashe’s lack of stadium-sized success (her 2014 debut album Aquarius is so underrated it’s ridiculous). That’s not to say she hasn’t met with success though; with an enormous social media following and plenty of critical acclaim…

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Tour Diary: Hitting SXSW with Campbell Burns and Newcastle’s Vacations

Hi, hello. My name is Campbell Burns and I’m based in Newcastle, NSW. I lead Vacations, a music project I started about two years ago. I sent out an application to perform at SXSW towards the end of 2017, about two weeks before the closing date, completely on a whim. About a week later I…

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Album Review: City Calm Down – Echoes In Blue (2018 LP)

When sitting down to listen to new music, I’ve recently taken to making the first listen of an album a passive experience. In a time poor society, using the album as the soundtrack to your daily tasks, whether they’re mundane work tasks or other articles you’re reading and creating, having those new sounds play in…

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Single of the Day: Jack Grace “downstate” (2018)

Despite only re-announcing himself last September, artist Jack Grace has built himself an impressive support base, garnering praise from across Australia. Now, he has graced his presence to us once again with his latest single, “downstate”. The track comes fresh off his forthcoming EP If I Tremble, a 7 track collection set to be released on April…

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Live Review: Kele Okereke brings Fatherland to Brunswick for an intimate acoustic show

The Spotted Mallard on Sydney Road was an interesting choice of venue, I initially thought, when Kele Okereke announced a special acoustic show in support of his new album Fatherland. Sitting in the venue on Saturday night, though, it made sense. The shows that had brought Kele to The Old Museum in Brisbane and The Basement in…

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Guest Playlist: Wild Meadows’s selection of delectable tunes

Currently enjoying the release of their debut album, Melbourne’s Wild Meadows now have their eyes set on some unmissable launch shows this month! The self-titled album has seen the group delve into some excellent rhythmic motions, while embracing the atmospheric and shoegaze rays that have become synonymous with not only their music, but with some of…

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Interview: Musician Ben Dickey talks playing songwriter Blaze Foley and working with Ethan Hawke

Arkansas musician Ben Dickey is no stranger to the stage; releasing a solo record, performing in bands like Amen Booze Rooster, Blood Feathers and featuring as the vocalist and guitarist in Post-Hardcore group Shake Ray Turbine. But now the accomplished, if widely unknown, artist is taking the stage in a new role: artfully portraying singer/songwriter…

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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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Exclusive Music Video Premiere: Moonlover “Lazy Daisy” (2018)

Here’s something to soothe you this long weekend – the latest from Melbourne psych rocker, Moonlover. “Lazy Daisy”, from the debut Moonlover album Thou Shall Be Free, is a cut of gorgeous pop steeped in psych traditions that oozes romanticism and rich musical quality. The music video matches up with the tone of the song, as we…

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SXSW Interview: Nilüfer Yanya on her first trip to Texas, tackling a new year of music & more

UK artist Nilüfer Yanya sat with Larry at SXSW this year, her debut performances in Texas for the massive music festival. Here, they discuss introducing her music to larger crowds, how her local scene differs to ones elsewhere internationally, and more. Listen to the full interview, below! ———- This content has recently been ported from its…

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Our top five acts from Portland, Maine’s ambitious new music festival, Sunaana

Focused almost exclusively on discovery, Sunaana is certainly aiming to be a huge platform for rising talent across multiple genres. In it’s second year, The Portland, Maine festival grew substantially from it’s humble beginnings in 2017, stretching across two official days at Thompson’s Point. The plan is to pull the festival into downtown Portland and…

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Single of the Day: Laura Jean Anderson “Silence Won’t Help You Now” (2018)

Meet Laura Jean Anderson. We absolutely love her new sounds in “Silence Won’t Help Me Now” – thankfully, Cooking Vinyl Australia are representing Anderson, so we hope to be seeing more from this LA artist out this way soon. The first thing to notice about this track is Anderson’s vocals; smoky and hypnotic, Anderson gets personal…

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When Willie Nelson throws a party at his ranch, it’s not a festival. It’s a reunion.

The annual event Luck Reunion returned to Willy Nelson’s Ranch in Luck, Texas earlier this month, delivering an afternoon of incredible performances, food and drink in what was the event’s sixth year. But describing exactly what Luck Reunion is to someone who hasn’t been is hard. And just to be someone who’s been is hard…

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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 Industry Observer Awards list Spotify, Bluesfest, Ruel and more as winners for 2018

The Sydney Cricket Ground hosted the inaugural industry awards hosted by The Industry Observer overnight, where retailers, publicists, managers and more were recognised for their work within the industry over the last year. While live performances from Adrian Eagle and CXLOE (pictured) turned heads, the main awards also drew the numbers into the awards room on Tuesday evening. Ben and…

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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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Music Video of the Day: Quails “Powerless” (2018)

Songwriter Amy Pes is really coming through with some great music under her Quails project. The latest single “Powerless” is anything but; navigating between moody pop and darker electro-R&B, Quails is no doubt lining up a big 2018 for herself. We’re here for it. With her sophomore EP Worlds already spawning another solid release in “We Don’t Need Entertainment”,…

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