Music

Single Stream: PILLARS "Woman Without Her Love" (2015)

London artist PILLARS has released her second beautifully haunting single, “Woman Without Her Love.” The single sits comfortably between a dark brooding number and the lightness of a dream-pop one, something true to the singer’s aesthetic. PILLARS combines the best of ethereal electronic sounds and sultry layered vocals, as samples of her voice are mixed into different hypnotic arrangements. Woman Without Her Love comes as a strong follow up to her first release “Attacker,” which caught the eyes of BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio and various Hype Machine blogs.

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sleepmakeswaves announces "Great Northern" World Tour dates through Europe, Asia (inc. China) and back to Australia.

Sydney post-rock band sleepmakeswaves have announced more dates for their extensive ‘Great Northern’ tour, which stretches across Australia, New Zealand and 20 other countries this March to June.

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the AU interview at SXSW: Hiatus Kaiyote (Melbourne) talk SXSW Chaos and their next record "Choose Your Weapon"

the AU review’s Larry Heath caught up with Hiatus Kaiyote while at Austin’s SXSW festival. In amidst the chaos, band members Nai Palm, Paul Bender, Perrin Moss and Simon Mavin were able to take time out to chat about what it’s like playing SXSW again. “It’s almost just like there’s a bunch of industry people there to see if you can hack just trying to deal with the horrible bullshit,” Bender said. “But it’s not always bad!” Separating the boys from the men, as the old saying goes.

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The Ones to Watch: 6 Exciting East Coast Live Music Venues Set to Take Off in 2015


Pictured: The Triffid, Brisbane

Ah live music, our temperamental friend! The past few years have seen Australia hit some serious highs and disastrous lows in our music scene, ranging from the growing number of niche festivals popping up to the unfortunate closer of some beloved pubs and clubs. But as much as we love festivals, not many people have the time, money or stamina to make this a regular outing. The good news is the AU review have found some of the best local venues for you to get your weekly fix from, without having to pay big dollars for big ticket events.

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Stumbled Upon #035 – LORIS (Belfast, Northern Ireland)

In our 35th installment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Belfast’s LORIS, and chat about being feature on BBC Introducing’s and get to listen to their latest track ‘Yeah’. Enjoy this one as much as we do: Band Name: LORIS Website / Social Media: www.lorisofficial.com Facebook / Soundcloud / Youtube / Twitter Genre: Electropop Members &…

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death cab for cutie

Nick Harmer of Death Cab for Cutie (USA) tells all about Kintsugi and songwriting process

Having a strong catalogue of albums and reigning success in the indie/alternative rock scene, Death Cab For Cutie are clearly great at what they do. With their eighth studio album, Kintsugi just released, we chat to bassist player, Nick Harmer about the meaning of the term “Kintsugi”, the details behindChris Walla‘s departure and how the band have evolved using both experimentation…

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Fictionist album art

Album Review: Fictionist – Fictionist (2014 LP)

There’s something about Fictionist that is promising and to have that potential makes their music something to look forward to. Unfortunately, their self-titled album doesn’t highlight their best work as some songs are of mediocre quality. The band have succeeded on their own terms by being part of the SXSW festival and for them to get that kind of…

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death cab for cutie kintsugi album art

Album Review: Death Cab For Cutie – Kintsugi(2015 LP)

The term Kintsugi is a beautiful one (the Japanese word for the art of mending broken pottery) and as the title of Death Cab For Cutie‘s eighth studio album it’s a good indication of where the band stands in both sadness and heartache. 2011’s Codes and Keys, brought an upbeat indie rock style but now, since the many changes…

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the AU interview at SXSW: Mew (Denmark) talk about their long awaited new record " +-", working with Kimbra and Australia!

Last month, Danish group Mew played their first US shows in six years at SXSW in anticipation of the release of their long awaited sixth full length record +- (Plus Minus). Larry Heath had the opportunity at the festival to sit down with Johan Wohlert and Jonah Bjerre of the group to talk about getting the band back together – with bassist Johan returning to the band for the first time since departing in 2006. We talk about working with American Producer Michael Beinhorn again – the pair having previously worked with him on the acclaimed And the Glass Handed Kites (2005). We talk about working with Kimbra and Russell from Bloc Party. But perhaps the most important question of all was: when will the band finally be coming to Australia?

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Exclusive Music Video Premiere: Ninth of May "Ramen" (2015)

Today marks the day that Brisbane-based “edgy chunk rockers” Ninth Of May are releasing the music video for the brand new single “Ramen”, and we’re proud to exclusively premiere the track on the AU today. The entirely self-produced project sees jjj unearthed winners collaborating with some of Brisbane’s finest musicians, delivering a striking yet mesmerizing…

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Album Review: Tobias Jesso Jr – Goon (2015 LP)

Our most-loved songs are often from a heartbroken man. And while Goon has an undoubtedly autobiographic touch to it, Tobias Jesso Jr at least takes on the persona of any sad lover pining helplessly for what once was. Sure a whole album dedicated to heartbreak has its melodrama, but Jesso Jr brought his real-life experience…

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Exclusive Single Premiere: Quintessential Doll "Thunder Gods" (featuring Clio Em) (2015)

Self-described as “darkly whimsical folktronica”, Quintessential Doll are an up-and-coming Brisbane outfit fronted by Steph Linsdell, who is today premiering her new track “Thunder Gods”, featuring the incredible vocals of Clio Em, on the AU. The genre-bending track, jumping between the words of Opera, Electronica, Indie Pop and, indeed, “folktronica”, is a stand out of…

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Watch M Phazes and Thief join Penelope Austin to cover the Kasey Chambers and Bernard Fanning track "Bittersweet"

Last Tuesday saw the annual tradition of the APRA Music Awards hit Sydney, a celebration of the Australian music which has made the biggest impact at home and around the globe over the past 12 months. Thanks to a special between Moshcam and APRA, the “Song of the Year” live performances were recorded and streamed,…

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the AU interview at SXSW: Aaron Bruno of AWOLNATION (Los Angeles) talks touring, surfing, the new record "Run" and more!

the AU review sat down with Los Angeles based group AWOLNATION‘s frontman Aaron Bruno while at SXSW earlier this month. We talk about the madness of SXSW, “it’s kind of like how life on the road is in general… I think people come together at South by and experience a little bit of what it’s…

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the AU interview at SXSW: P.S. (Paul Saulnier) of PS I Love You (Kingston, Canada) on Australian bands, the live show, leaving your home and old musicians.

the AU review sits down with Paul Saulnier of Canadian outfit PS I Love You at SXSW to talk about the festival, their latest music with For Those Who Stay, working with Paper Bag Records in Toronto, potential trips to Australia, his favourite Australian bands, evolving the live show “we’ve gotten better at it, I…

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Stumbled Upon #034 – Edgarville (United Kingdom)

In the 34th installment of ‘Stumbled Upon’, we meet the UK’s Edgarville and chat about keeping things simple, their upcoming 3 month tour around the UK and get to know a little more about the band. Read on: Band Name: Edgarville Website / Social Media: Facebook Genre: Acoustic Members & their roles: Ed – singer,…

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Live Review: Billy Idol + Cheap Trick + The Angels + The Choirboys – Bimbagden Winery, Hunter Valley (28.03.15)

The line up for today’s A Day On the Green at Bimbadgen Winery in the Hunter Valley has a stellar line up featuring a plethora of talented musicians. The venue appears to be practically sold out as there isn’t much green left to sit on, the regular general admission punters always arrive early to grab…

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Tour Diary: Lenka returns to her fourth SXSW in Austin, Texas

Head to Texas for her fourth SXSW, Lenka has brought us back a tour diary of her return to the massive event, which was full of birthday celebrations, delayed flights and a brief few days in LA for rehearsals and Pho. Day One: Arrive in Los Angeles for rehearsals with my LA-based band, (who I’ve…

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the AU sessions at SXSW: Great Caesar (Brooklyn) "Hey Jolene"

the AU review captured Brooklyn group Great Caesar in the AU’s pop up venue at SXSW performing a brand new track “Hey Jolene” as part of their SXSW AU Sessions series. Watch the full performance here: For more on the band head to: http://www.greatcaesarband.com/

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Watch Lisa Mitchell and Jake Clemons perform Sheppard's "Geronimo" at the 2015 APRA Awards

Earlier this week at the APRA Awards – which took place at Carriageworks in Sydney – artists joined together for unique collaborations to cover the songs that were nominated for APRA Song of the Year. It’s an annual tradition at the Awards and it’s always an entertaining and unique part of the night. We’ll be…

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Watch Thelma Plum, Andy Bull and members of Art vs Science cover Dan Sultan's "Kimberley Calling"

Talk about taking a great song and making it something even more special – Thelma Plum and Andy Bull – with the help of the Dans from Art vs Science managed to do just that, delivering a stunning cover of Dan Sultan’s “Kimberley Calling” at the APRA Awards earlier this week in Sydney. The song…

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the AU sessions at SXSW: Petter Ericson Stakee of Alberta Cross (UK via Brooklyn) performs "Isolation"

the AU review captures Petter Ericson Stakee – the lead vocalist and guitarist of UK (via New York) group Alberta Cross – in the AU’s pop up venue at SXSW performing their latest single “Isolation” as part of their SXSW AU Sessions series. The track comes from the forthcoming self-titled album (number three!), due out…

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Stumbled Upon #033 – Big Smoke (Melbourne)

In the 33rd installment of ‘Stumbled Upon’, we meet Melbourne quartet Big Smoke, and chat about their latest track ‘Try A Little Love’, the music that inspired them and find out how they got started… Band Name: Big Smoke Website / Social Media: Facebook / Soundcloud Genre: Rock ‘n’ Roll Members & their roles: Adrian…

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the AU interview at SXSW: Chadwick Stokes of Dispatch (Boston) talks about his solo record and upcoming Australian tour!

the AU review sat down in the AU’s pop up venue at SXSW with Dispatch’s Chadwick Stokes, about to head to Australia to play shows in Australia for the first time with his band – as well as appearing at Bluesfest in Byron Bay and playing solo shows of his own. Chadwick’s solo record The…

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Watch Imogen Clark perform "Things You Never Had" Live at The AU Sessions #001 in Sydney

the AU review captures emerging artist Imogen Clark performing a beautiful acoustic track at the first ever AU sessions live event at The Hive Bar in Erskineville. The track is called “Things You Never Had” and you can watch it here: Filmed at The AU Sessions – 24th February 2015. The AU Sessions takes place…

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the AU interview: Perfect Pussy (New York) on killer spiders, their favourite Australian Hardcore Bands, Koalas and more…

In the final parts from the AU review’s interview with Perfect Pussy from last month, Meredith Graves and the group talk about their favourite Australian Hardcore Bands, wanting to pet Koalas and Kangaroos and much more… And watch this clip to see what the band think about Australian Spiders (spoiler alert: they’re not a big…

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Watch Taryn La Fauci perform her single "All Of Me" live at the AU sessions #001 in Sydney

the AU review captures emerging Sydney artist Taryn La Fauci performing a beautiful acoustic track at the first ever AU sessions live event at The Hive Bar in Erskineville. The track is called “All Of Me” and you can watch it here: Filmed at The AU Sessions – 24th February 2015. The AU Sessions takes…

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the AU interview at Soundwave: Twin Atlantic (Scotland) talk home grown shows and future plans after beer pong

Scottish four piece Twin Atlantic were recently in Australia touring with Soundwave Festival and managed to stop by backstage and play a friendly game of beer pong in the AU review tournament. After the competition ended, members Sam McTrusty and Ross McNae stayed to talk about finding inspiration in Australia, what it’s like playing home grown shows and future tour plans. Check it out below!

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the AU interview at SXSW: George Maple (Sydney) talks living in LA, Future Classic and more

2015 will no doubt be George Maple’s year. The Future Classic star first won fans nationally in 2014 with her debut EP Vacant Space and had everyone singing along to lead single ‘Talk Talk’. Now the singer-songwriter is making waves overseas, grabbing the attention of music heavyweights in Los Angeles, San Diego and New York City.

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SXSW Live Review: Hype Hotel presents Wolf Alice + Best Coast – Hype Hotel (18.05.15)

Put together each year by the popular music aggregation site The Hype Machine, Hype Hotel has become a mainstay of the annual SXSW music festival. Every time the Hotel returns, it gets bigger and better, and this year was no exception, taking over a massive warehouse on the East side of town. One of our…

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