Music

Melbourne Bitter and the city’s finest illustrative artists collaborate on ‘Eskybition’

This one is a bit of a cool piece of news to get around today. Between some of the city’s most talented artists and one of Melbourne’s most iconic brands – Melbourne Bitter, of course – a new exhibition has been formed, to celebrate the Aussie Esky and to raise funds for Support Act. The initiative…

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Interview: Husky prepare to hit the road with “Walking in Your Sleep”

Long standing favourites of the Australian touring scene, HUSKY return to stages next month with their brand new single, “Walking in Your Sleep”. Between Husky Gawenda and Gideon Preiss, another piece of rich and gorgeous instrumentation has been crafted, one we’re definitely keen to see performed live. Ahead of the tour, Husky gives an insight into what it’s been…

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SXSW Interview: Rizz of LA-based Aussie group Vowws talks new album Under the World, Horror scores, and Australian tour plans

The many different textures hidden under those dark synth lines and scuzzy vocals tied together for one of the highlight sets at The Aussie BBQ at SXSW this year. Sydney-to-L.A death pop band Vowws were responsible, showcasing their brand new album Under the World and kicking off a big North American tour which is currently…

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Interview: We meet Sam Lewis at Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion in Austin

While at Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion festival earlier this month, we got to catch up with country artist Sam Lewis! Named as one of the new faces in the genre to watch through 2017, it’s been evident that Lewis’ music and subsequent shows have definitely been meeting the hype. Listen to our full interview up at…

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Music Video of the Day: Leon Bridges “Bad Bad News” (2018)

Leon Bridges is currently in Australia, touring the east coast ahead of a highly anticipated Bluesfest appearance over the Easter Weekend and man, are we glad to have this Texan back down our way. With a new album – GOOD THING – on its way this May, Bridges has continued to get us hyped with the release…

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The Palais Theatre Community Fund launches; submissions for first round grants now open!

This is a pretty cool one for the Melbourne music and arts community – the creation of The Palais Theatre Community Fund has seen Live Nation and the City of Port Philip link up in creating an opportunity for locally registered non for profits, charities, and businesses to thrive and generate more long term benefits for…

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Review: Seth Lakeman steals the show as Robert Plant adds some rarities for his Opera House debut

Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant returned to Australia this week, for his first visit since 2013, and he marked the occasion with three shows in Sydney ahead of his visit to Byron Bay Bluesfest. For the second of these shows, Plant and his band, The Sensational Space Shifters, descended on the Sydney Opera House for his…

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Could the Download Festival take Soundwave’s place? We look at some highlights from the inaugural event in Melbourne

Saturday saw thousands of metal, punk and heavy music fans pour into Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse for the debut of the Download Festival. The first time the renowned music event has been produced in Australia, the line up boasted an eclectic mix, from Amon Amarth to Prophets of Rage, through to Good Charlotte, NOFX and Limp Bizkit. With the Australian music festival scene…

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Music Video of the Day: Kailee Morgue “Medusa” (2018)

Kailee Morgue‘s latest release – an acoustic version of her Medusa EP – is out now, though the title track is a great hit of pop that has had us hooked for weeks. “Medusa” is an excellent tune, drenched in hypnotic melody and clever pop instrumentation. It’s Kailee’s breakthrough track and it’s no surprise as to why…

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Single of the Day: Sophisticated Dingo “Yuppies” (2018)

Howl about this one, y’hear? Sophisticated Dingo return with a blistering new single in “Yuppies” and as is just dose of garage punk we needed this week. The song is catchy, guitars bounding off tight percussion, while after listening to this one a few times through, you’re guaranteed to be spouting “Yuppies, baby” in no time. “We…

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Exclusive: Dermot Kennedy sits down with the AU ahead of his debut visit to Australia

While at SXSW earlier this month, I had the chance to sit down with Dublin musician Dermot Kennedy, just before he hit the stage at the Vevo House. We talk about his latest music, his time in Austin and about his highly anticipated debut visit to Australia (next week!). Listen to the full chat here:…

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SXSW Interview: CALMLY discuss their first trip to Austin, new music and that name change

WA’s CALMLY have been touring and introducing themselves to a wider international audiences over the last year – we last saw them at Singapore’s Music Matters conference and now, we were lucky to catch these talented ladies performing at SXSW. Larry caught up with the band on ground in Austin to see how their American jaunt…

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What is Sunaana? The new U.S. festival with big ambitions

Consider the size and scope of a “discovery” focused destination event like Iceland Airwaves. The reputable decades-old showcase festival has grown to such an extent that it now spreads not just through, but beyond Reykjavik and has become not only a platform for rising talent in live music, but also a way to highlight the…

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Interview: Hurray for the Riff Raff’s Alynda Segarra on her acting debut in Blaze and Bluesfest in Australia

Last week at SXSW we caught up with Hurray for the Riff Raff‘s Alynda Segarra to talk about her acting debut in Ethan Hawke‘s new film Blaze, which premiered at Sundance earlier this year. The film documents the life of songwriter Blaze Foley. While on the red carpet to promote the film, we also chatted about…

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Japanese actor Kunichi Nomura was partying with The Avalanches before Isle of Dogs Premiere at SXSW

While at SXSW, we met Japanese actor (and film co-writer) Kunichi Nomura, to chat about his new film Isle of Dogs – the anticipated stop motion film from acclaimed director Wes Anderson. While on the red carpet, once he learnt we were Australian, he took the opportunity to let us in that he’d just flown in from…

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Winners of the AU review’s 5th Annual SXSW Awards announced

We’re excited to reveal the winners of the AU review’s 5th Annual SXSW Awards, which celebrates the best performances and events we caught at the Austin, Texas festival – and some of the disappointments too. BEST AUSTRALIAN GROUP Bad Pony I knew Sydney indies Bad Pony were good live, I just didn’t know they were…

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Five Hidden Gems on the Boston Calling Festival Lineup

This year’s Boston Calling Music Festival takes place between May 25 and May 27, at Harvard Athletic Complex in Massachusetts in the USA. A festival with this many headliners – Eminem, The Killers, Jack White, Queens of the Stone Age, Paramore, and Tyler, The Creator – doesn’t really need to do much else to get…

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How to host your own DIY Festival, according to Adelaide’s SIAMESE

If you’re across Adelaide band SIAMESE, you might know they’re signed to Swirl Records and have been releasing some quality tunes in their short career so far. As a DIY band, these guys have their paintbrush in many pots, from graphic design to music production, including their debut EP, Code One. However their DIY talents extend…

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SXSW Interview: Rapsody on new Netflix docuseries Rapture and Laila’s Wisdom

With one of eight episodes from forthcoming Netflix docuseries Rapture dedicated to her story, we managed to grab a quick chat with North Carolina emcee Rapsody during a preview screening at SXSW Film Festival. The new series from Mass Appeal and Sacha Jenkins looks at the personal lives and individual contexts of various hip hop…

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Luck Reunion Interview: Sunny War and Micah Nelson on collaboration, new music and more

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…

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Music Video of the Day: Black Summer ft. Chloe Campbell “Sadness” (2018)

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…

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Live Review: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club make a heroic return to Sydney as Wrong Creatures hits the road

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…

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Single of the Day: Ryan Downey “Those Eyes That Answer” (2018)

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…

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Larry Heath’s Picks: Ten acts discovered at SXSW and Luck Reunion 2018 (and everyone needs to listen to)

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…

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SXSW Interview: Fatai chats about life in Chicago, the role music plays in her day to day, and more!

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…

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Tour Diary: Pretty City head to the States chasing new music and Texan good times

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…

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Together Pangea list their 9 favourite Aussie classics ahead of tour with Bleeding Knees Club

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,…

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Single of the Day: Jarrow “Bleach” (2018)

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,…

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Music Video of the Day: The High Breed “Weirdo” (2018)

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…

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SXSW Interview: Benji Lewis talks being an Aussie in L.A., releasing new music & “Deep Blue”

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…

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