Music

Ten things you have to do while at SXSW Music 2015

Pictured: METZ in 2013, photographed by Andrew Wade This Friday, the SXSW (South by Southwest) Film and Interactive conference and festival kicks off in Austin, Texas… then the Music Mayhem starts next Tuesday! We’re just days away from flying to the great city ourselves for the 6th consecutive year of coverage, so we thought we’d…

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Listen to AU's Artist of the Month (March 2015) Courtney Barnett's AU Radio Playlist on Demand!

We’re excited to announce that Courtney Barnett is our artist for the month of March 2015, in anticipation of the release of her debut LP Sometimes I Sit and Think, Sometimes I Just Sit on March 20th. She’ll be taking over our digital radio station from time to time this month to play you some of…

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Stumbled Upon #028 – Betty & Oswald (Sydney)

In our 28th instalment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Sydney’s Betty & Oswald, and chat about the band’s spur-of-the-moment formation and their latest track ‘King Of Bohemia’. Band Name: Betty & Oswald Website / Social Media: Facebook / Soundcloud / Bandcamp Genre: Grimy city blues & art house jazz Members & their roles: Pete Sotiropoulos…

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Live Review: Shovels & Rope + Shakey Graves + Ruby Boots – The Factory Theatre, Sydney (05.03.15)

When it comes to international popularity, it might be fair to argue that the Americana scene is the strongest it’s been in some time. Not that they’re perhaps the best examples of the genre (nor from the South), but nonetheless, the popularity of artists like Hozier and Mumford and Sons has helped solidify the sound…

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the AU interview: San Cisco (Fremantle) talk about their new record "Gracetown", SXSW and Groovin' The Moo

With their brand new record in stores now, we caught up with Fremantle’s San Cisco while they were in Sydney a couple of weeks back to talk about Gracetown (said new record), their upcoming travels to Mexico, SXSW, touring with Groovin’ The Moo and much more. One can assume that Nick Gardner did not expect…

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New Music Video: Donny Benet & Kirin J Callinan "The Edge" (2015)

We’d like to give five stars to director Alex Smith for this truly amazing video for “The Edge”. For anyone who grew up watching Rage, this will warm your heart and soul. And thanks to the collaboration of Donny Benet and Kirin J Callinan, the music ain’t bad either. I’d like to go as far…

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Exclusive Playlist: The Delta Riggs' Stadium Rock Warm Up Songs

Photo Credit: Andrew Wade Currently touring Australia with the Foo Fighters and Rise Against, Sydney’s The Delta Riggs are doing big things for Australian rock n roll. So, when they’re getting ready to hit up these massive stadium stages, what gets them in the mood? Here now is an exclusive playlist – courtesy of the…

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Stumbled Upon #027 – Dave Power (Brisbane)

In our 27th instalment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Brisbane singer/songwriter Dave Power, and chat about his last independent EP Looking Life In The Eye and his new upcoming release. Musician: Dave Power Website / Social Media: davepowermusic.com/ / Facebook Genre: singer/songwriter Members & their roles: Dave Power – Songwriter, vocals, guitars, harmonica, keyboards, producer…

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falling in reverse

Live Review: Falling In Reverse + Escape The Fate + The Color Morale – The Hi-Fi, Sydney (27.02.15)

A full capacity show on a Friday night was something I half-expected for Falling In Reverse. Having struggled to set foot in Australia because of visa issues, it was a dream come true for many to see frontman, Ronnie Radke in the flesh. Waiting in line is always a tease and the struggle getting into the…

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the AU interview at Soundwave: Of Mice and Men (California) talk new songs and upcoming headline tours

American metalcore outfit Of Mice & Men have recently been in Australia debuting their latest album Restoring Force at Soundwave Festival and sideshows all around the country. the AU review’s Larry Heath caught up with the five-piece in Brisbane and spoke about the reception they’ve had so far: “I’m getting to play these new songs literally all over the world… It’s such a rewarding experience to be able to come up here and play [the new album] at night and see the crowd singing the new songs louder than our old ones.”

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the AU interview at Soundwave: Terror Universal talk about their debut EP and future tour plans

Whether you love them or hate them, Terror Universal is a very memorable band! Decked out in various horror masks, the four-piece recently took the stage at Soundwave Festival but not before stopping for a quick chat. In this interview, Terror Universal talk about their new release and why they believe their music has caught on so fast: “We feel our songs are really easy to get into live, we have some catchy choruses and some just groovy stuff as well as some really brutal stuff. So I mean, people just seem to grab onto it immediately.”

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Electric Picnic Music and Arts Festival releases lineup, naming Australian talents

One of Ireland’s biggest festivals have just dropped their 2015 lineup and it is full of stellar acts! The annual Electric Picnic Festival is a three day event held in Stradbally, Ireland. The greatly anticipated lineup was only released less than 24 hours ago and sees ethereal act Florence + The Machine and electronic duo Underworld as headliners.

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Pandora Internet Radio announces lineup for 4th Annual Discovery Den at SXSW

Just when you thought it was near impossible for South by Southwest to get any bigger, Pandora drop their Discovery Den lineup. This will mark the fourth annual event the leading internet radio service has produced with 2015 seeing 37 diverse artists from eight countries performing.

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the AU interview: Morgan Evans (Sydney) talks Thredbo, fans, award shows & new music

CMC Award winner, Morgan Evans is playing at the Snowy Mountains Country Music Festival this March. 2014 was a stellar year for Morgan, and 2015 is set to be even bigger and better. Mallory spoke to the musician about Thredbo, fans, award shows and new music. I hear you’re going to be performing at the…

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tonight alive

Festival Review: Soundwave Festival Sydney (Day 2) – Sydney Olympic Park (01.03.15)

Day 2 of Soundwave brought in more Sydney goers compared to Saturday’s festivities. With the lineup being catered to mainly pop punk fans as well as the metalheads too, it was riveting to see what the second day had in store. I liked the idea of spending my weekend at Soundwave; it was like taking a holiday…

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the AU interview: Craig Heath (Melbourne) on Nashville, influences and his upcoming album

Veteran front-man of rock-group Velvet City, Craig Heath is set to release his first solo single off his recently launched own label, Global Records this March. The single “All Because of You” is co-written by Craig with country-music superstar Keith Urban and Monty Powell. The song features vocals by Rick Springfield who is best known…

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Exclusive Single Premiere: Birds With Thumbs "Glasses" (2015)

We’re excited to bring you the exclusive premiere of the fast and solid new single from Blue Mountains surf punks Birds With Thumbs, “Glasses” – officially released this Friday, March 6th. It’s a killer track and we don’t want to waste any more time with this introduction… let’s get to the good stuff. Listen now!…

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Festival Review: Future Music Festival – HBF Arena, Perth (01.03.15)

”Fkn Insane! Sexy Amazing. Dance like nobody is watching. I’m off-chops right now, loving everybody. This is sick! 2 Chainz is lookin 4 my booty cos I got a big booty. Do you want to go out with me then break up right before Drake? We love Future!” These were just a few of the…

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the AU interview at Soundwave: Chris Kilmore & Ben Kenney of Incubus (Califonia) talk their new EP, Island Records & Australia!

Photo: Johnny Au the AU review’s Larry Heath sits down with DJ and Keyboardist Chris Kilmore and the Bassist and “Voice of Reason” Ben Kenney (donning a Midnight Oil shirt, no less) from California group Incubus to talk about their new EP “Trust Fall (Side A)” – coming out later this month – their experiences…

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Stumbled Upon #026 – Hemingway (Brisbane)

In our 26th instalment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Brisbane’s Hemingway, and chat about their upcoming debut EP. Band Name: Hemingway Website / Social Media: Facebook / Soundcloud Genre: Alternative Members & their roles: Brad Hemingway – Lead Vox & Rhythm Guitar Christian Hemingway – Lead Guitar Cheyne Starkie – Bass & Backing Vox Brad…

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of mice & men

Live Review: Of Mice & Men + Atreyu + The Devil Wears Prada – The Factory Theatre, Sydney (25.02.15)

There were nostalgic memories of my teenage years as I stepped into the Factory Theatre on Wednesday night for one of the many Sidewaves happening in Sydney. The venue filled up quickly and once the lights dimmed, I knew that the madness would commence in a matter of minutes. Making an extravagant entrance, The Devil Wears…

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Live Review: Foo Fighters + Rise Against + The Delta Riggs – ANZ Stadium, Sydney (26.02.15)

Like anything deemed “popular” in contemporary music today – especially by such mainstream media as Triple M – it’s fair to say that the Foo Fighters are a band that you either love or you hate. Though they hardly inspire the same sort of vitriol of, say, Nickelback, they certainly have their detractors. But being…

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Stumbled Upon #025 – Follow the Lion (Leeds, United Kingdom)

In our 25th installment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet five piece alternative rockers Follow the Lion, and chat about being playing on the BBC by Tom Robinson and get a sneak peak at their upcoming EP. Band Name: Follow the Lion Website / Social Media: Facebook / Soundcloud / Twitter Genre: Alternative Rock/ Psychedelia Members…

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Album Review: Quarterbacks – Self-Titled (2015 LP)

New York three-piece band, Quarterbacks, have delivered a debut album that’s obscure compared to the mainstream. With the average album running for about 45 minutes in length, this record lasts for half that time, offering a short and sweet standout in the punk genre. The dynamics of this record go far in terms of the depth…

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home by three desert album art

Album Review: Home by Three – Desert (2015 LP)

It’s refreshing to come across a band that’s raw, emotive and just plain honest when it comes to their music. Italian rockers of Home by Three make a lasting impression with their debut album, Desert, focusing on the emo/alternative rock genre, with influences from the likes of Jimmy Eat World, The Early November and The Get Up Kids. Capturing the essence of…

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roam viewpoint album art

Album Review: ROAM – Viewpoint (2015 EP)

It’s easy to overlook pop-punk music nowadays but coming across a gem like ROAM may make you think twice about that. Their recent EP release Viewpoint shows they’re not afraid to take risks and tell the world what they’re all about. This four-track release provides a taster of what they plan to offer to the pop-punk world, jam-packed with…

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Winners of 6th Annual Rolling Stone Awards announced: Sia, The Griswolds, Remi and more!

Between receiving four Grammy nominations and winning multiple ARIA awards, there’s no surprise Sia Furler took out yet another award at last night’s 6th Annual Rolling Stone Awards. The songstress beat the likes of Dan Sultan, The Preatures, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and The Church for the prestigious title of ‘Album of the Year’ for 1000 Forms of Fear.

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Andy Bull announces 'Talk Too Much' tour!

Synth-pop visionary Andy Bull is embarking on a nationwide tour this April/May in support of his latest single and 2014 album Sea of Approval. The ‘Talk Too Much’ tour will see ten performances across the country, including regional stops Wollongong and Newcastle.

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Columbus signs US agency deal and announces EP release tour!

Brisbane trio Columbus are rising through the ranks, quickly making a name for themselves as one of Australia’s most exciting punk-rock outfits. Between recently dropping their Home Remedy EP and securing a spot at the Queensland Soundwave Festival, the boys are definitely ones to watch this year.

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