Music

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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Mild Manic’s guide to “Global Threat” – influences that helped shape their new single

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…

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Exclusive: Watch Born Lion perform “Deadbeat” out of the ABC Studios

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…

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SXSW Interview: Mallrat reflects on her first time in Texas, and upcoming international tour dates

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…

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Branford Marsalis, Madeleine Peyroux & more to perform at the 2018 Melbourne International Jazz Festival

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…

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Chris Singh’s Picks: Five of our favourite soul, R&B and hip hop live discoveries at SXSW 2018

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…

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Single of the Day: The Ramona Flowers “Strangers” (2018)

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…

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Music Video of the Day: FRANKIIE “Glory Me” (2018)

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…

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Fan Girl introduce us to Elephant Room, track by track

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…

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Solange, Ice Cube, Cat Power and more flesh out a vibrant Vivid LIVE program

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,…

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