Music

Music Video of the Day: Fait Accompli "Born Free" (M.I.A. Cover) (2015)

Street artist Anthony Lister (better known as just “Lister”) has directed a music video for Sydney band Fair Accompli. Though the single is a cover – of M.I.A’s “Born Free” – the video is unsurprisingly original. And it’s a superb reimagining of the song to boot. Enjoy our music video of the day, here, and…

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the AU interview: Kim Moyes of The Presets (Sydney) talks BIGSOUND, Tame Impala and the gentrification of creativity

Next week, Kim Moyes of Sydney electronic duo The Presets will be speaking at the annual Brisbane based music industry conference and festival BIGSOUND. In advance of the event, we spoke to Kim about his time at the Sydney Conservatorium – who have finally introduced a contemporary music program – he gives advice for people…

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Small World Festival add special guest DJs to 2015 line-up and Announce Timetable

Small World Festival is back this September 19th, and 2015 is amping up the techno vibes as the special guest DJs have just been revealed. With a line up consisting of rock acts The Church and DZ Deathrays, Small World plans to cater to all music fans with this very cool line-up of our favourite…

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the AU interview: Ezra Furman (USA) talks about the inspiration behind and the making of his new LP Perpetual Motion People

Perpetual Motion People the latest record from Chicago native and singer-songwriter Ezra Furman is his fifth release, and his first record since signing to Bella Union. It also happens to probably be my favourite record this year to date. It’s a wondrous mishmash of genres and styles, delivered urgently and overflowing with dazzling hooks, guitar…

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the AU interview: Brother Ali (USA) talks BIGSOUND, Peter Garrett and touring Australia with the late Sean Price

Photo by Cory Dewald Photography I spoke to Brother Ali while he was at home in Minneapolis before he headed to the West Coast of the US for a few dates ahead of his arrival in Australia next month as one of the Keynote speakers at BIGSOUND – as well as a few dates along…

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Applications open for bands and filmmakers for "Captured: Australia"

The third incarnation of Captured has officially landed, with applications opening today for Captured Australia. With the films set to premiere in November as part of Australian Music Week, bands, filmmakers and musicians from around the country have just until Monday September 14th to apply to be a part of the project. Captured Australia will…

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VMA Winners Wrap Up: Kanye to run for President, Taylor wins all the moonmen and the 5 Seconds (Song of) Summer

Pictured: 5 Seconds of Summer at the 2014 ARIAs. Photo by Nathan Atkins. The MTV VMAs have come and gone for another year, and as always they’ve left people with a lot to talk about. Most notably has been Kanye West‘s attention grabbing 13 minute speech as he accepted his VMA Vanguard Award, in which…

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Stumbled Upon #074 – Harrison Storm (Mornington, Victoria)

In our 74th instalment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Victorian singer/songwriter Harrison Storm and chat about recording his debut EP Sense of Home, and moving to Melbourne to pursue music. Musician: Harrison Storm Website / Social Media: Facebook / Soundcloud Genre: Singer/Songwriter Members & their roles: Harrison Storm – Guitar, Vocals Justin Lewis – Lead…

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Over 120 new acts added to the Iceland Airwaves '15 lineup, joining Battles, Father John Misty, John Grant and more.

Pictured: Showcasing artist Kiasmos This week, over 120 new acts were announced for the iconic Iceland Airwaves festival, including Kiasmos, LoneLady, Flo Morrissey, Meat Wave, Sin Fang, Chastity Belt, Bianca Casady and The C.I.A. + Nao. They join the likes of John Grant, Ariel Pink, Beach House, Hot Chip, Perfume Genius, Father John Misty, Battles,…

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Live Review: Darren Middleton + Sahara Beck – The Vanguard, Sydney (28.08.15)

It’s always nice to see that, regardless of time, there are some Australian artists who continue to perform and remain mesmerising to watch each time you see them. Whether you saw Darren Middleton onstage with his former band Powderfinger. Or during the short-lived days of his earlier side-project band Drag. Or more recently flying solo under his own name….

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Music Video of the Day: Girl Band "Paul" (2015)

One of our discoveries at The Great Escape earlier this year, Dublin buzz group Girl Band recently released an excellent video for their latest single “Paul”. Taken from their soon-to-be-released debut album Holding Hands With Jamie, the video was directed by Bob Gallagher, who explains the idea behind the video after the jump. “The idea…

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Wollongong artist Kay Proudlove releases single "Good Soil" to raise funds for Daffodil Day 2015

After completing a ‘song a day’ writing project last year, Wollongong artist Kay Proudlove was left with an array of tunes with various themes. Some of the songs have morphed into potential album tracks for Kay’s next release, whereas others such as “Good Soil” have been found to have other uses. Written around this time…

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Adelaide's Horror My Friend sign with Poison City Records as they tour their new single "Stay In"

One of our favourite Adelaide groups, Horror My Friend, have announced they’ve signed with Poison City Records, who will release their long awaited debut album Stay In, Do Nothing, in January 2016. This is the Melbourne based label who bring us the likes of The Smith Street Band, Clowns & The Bennies – so the…

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Stumbled Upon #073 – Sasha McVeigh (Nashville, USA)

In our 73rd instalment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet the adorable and charming Sasha McVeigh from Nashville (by way of the UK), and chat about being a British country singer in the USA, Dolly Parton to Elvis and get a sneak peak at her latest track ‘Someone To Break My Heart’. Musician: Sasha McVeigh Website…

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The AU Mixtape: Nine Songs By American Bands Every Australian Should Be Listening To

Help us help you. Listen to some of the best music coming out of the US right now. 9 tracks from 9 artists that you may not be listening to. And we at the AU think you should be. Enjoy this little piece of music discovery to end your Thursday… The AU Mixtape: The Garden…

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Failure to join Dead Letter Circus and Bullet For My Valentine at Soundwave 2016!

Soundwave Festival continues to drip feed us with the announcements for the 2016 event. Today the third band to feature at the festival has been announced – LA’s Failure, the much loved group who recently from a 17-year hiatus to play a one off show that led them to record the recently released and critically…

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Seven artists who deserve your attention at Volumes Festival in Sydney this Saturday!

This Saturday, Sydneysiders are being treated to one of the finest local lineups we’ve seen in years. Headlined by Jack Ladder and the Dreamlanders and The Laurels the event – which kicks off at 2pm on Saturday 29th August – will see JACK LADDER AND THE DREAMLANDERS Well this one goes without saying. The deserving…

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Single of the Day: Falls "Let in the Light" (2015)

It was after Sydney’s folk-pop duo Falls moved to Los Angeles that they wrote the extremely personal new song, “Let in the Light”. While the track plays with universal notions of self-doubt and sadness, it ultimately offers a hopeful message, as its title suggests. Click through to listen to the track in full. “Let in…

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Exclusive Track Premiere: Best Friends "Happy Anniversary" (2015)

You surely realise this already, but one of the most exciting bands out of the UK right now are Best Friends, and this week they’re finally releasing their debut album Hot. Reckless. Totally Insane. And to celebrate, we have an EXCLUSIVE premiere track from the record in the form of the absolutely killer “Happy Anniversary”….

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Music Video of the Day: Airling "Stallin'" (2015)

Our music video of the day belongs to Brisbane artist Airling, who has just released a clip for her single “Stallin’”, a track which will see her heading out on the road this October with her three-piece band and LANKS. Directed by Matisse Forman of Forman Film, the video lets the suave moves of Nacho…

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Falls Festival and Southbound add three more acts to line-up

Every year, Falls Festival and Southbound never fail to deliver a stellar line-up of our favourite music and comedy acts. The 2015/2016 editions will be no exception with a line up that includes Foals and Bloc Party. The twin festivals have now added even more names as part of a second announcement, adding to the…

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Brendan Lukens of Modern Baseball (Philadelphia) talks social media, higher education, and more!

Editor’s Update: Not long after posting this interview, the band announced they would be cancelling their Australian tour. However, the interview remains here for your enjoyment. Please just ignore the dates at the end. Social media has provided a myriad of new opportunities for today’s band; from Facebook to Twitter, we see the music industry…

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Stumbled Upon #072 – Monogram (Glasgow, UK)

In our 72nd instalment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Scottish rockers Monogram and chat about the summer festival circuit, How to Train Your Dragon and their release Anno. Band Name: Monogram Website / Social Media: mo.nogr.am Facebook / Soundcloud / Instagram / Twitter Genre: Post-Pop Members & their roles: Liam Rutherford – Lead Vocals, Guitar…

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First round of bands announced for Australian Music Week; last minute applications extended

Pictured: WAXHEAD The inaugural Australian Music Week – taking place in Cronulla NSW this November – has announced the first round of 30 artists set to showcase at the music summit. The showcase performances will be part of a vast array of events and activities across five days, from panels and interviews to workshops and…

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Getting to know AU Sessions performer Max Marvell (Sydney)

Before he performs at the seventh AU sessions on Tuesday, we caught up with Sydney’s own emerging singer-songwriter Max Marvell. He talks about learning music, his influences, his favourite music and more. Make sure to catch him perform at the upcoming AU sessions accompanied by Elwood Myre! More details below… How old were you when…

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Dead Letter Circus are the second act confirmed for Soundwave Festival 2016

In what seems something of a break from tradition, Brisbane four-piece Dead Letter Circus have been revealed today as the second band to play the iconic Soundwave Festival in 2016. Dead Letter Circus will join Bullet For My Valentine at the three date event, who were announced last week and the reveal comes hot off…

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Stumbled Upon #071 – Lady Lamb (Brunswick, USA)

In our 71st instalment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Lady Lamb from Brunswick, USA, and chat about her second album, AFTER. and touring with The Tallest Man On Earth. Musician: Lady Lamb Website / Social Media: www.ladylambjams.com Facebook / Soundcloud / Instagram Genre: Pop, Rock Members & their roles: Aly Spaltro – writer/arranger/guitarist/ singer +…

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Exclusive Music Video Premiere: Hannah Robinson "Half Past Ten" (2015)

Fresh from playing the AU sessions last month, Sydney songstress Hannah Robinson is today premiering her remarkable brand new music video “Half Past Ten” on the AU review. The track is taken from her brand new EP Luna, which you can listen to here and buy here. She celebrated the launch last week with a…

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Peking Duk, All Day and more added to Australia's cruise ship festival Sea 'n Beats in March 2016

Pictured: Peking Duk. Photo by Daniel Boczarski As it was announced back in April, Australia is getting our very first electronic cruise ship festival, SEA ‘N BEATS, and today 16 more incredible names have been added to the event! The announcement includes the likes of EDM stars Peking Duk, hip hop’s rising oice All Day,…

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