Music

Album Review: Sarah McLachlan – Shine On (2014 LP)

Like stepping in from the cold to find a warm fireplace and your favourite blanket. The new album, Shine On, by Sarah McLachlan is the musical equivalent of getting re-acquainted with an old friend. Filled with her distinctive and glistening vocals that have been off the airways for far too long. In fact this album…

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Live Review: Morcheeba + Chali 2na – Metro Theatre, Sydney (19.04.14)

Morcheeba are one of those bands who claimed their success in the 90’s, making a name for themselves all over Europe. Most folk would remember them from their hit single ‘Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day’ which albeit a sweet tune, does not holistically represent their fusion sound. Blending elements of trip-hop, rock and electronica amongst…

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the AU playlist: Meet The Aussies at Music Matters in Singapore.

Kicking off tonight is the annual Music Matters conference and LIVE festival in Singapore. Over 60 bands from 18 countries will be in attendance, including an impressive dose of Australian bands. In addition to other appearances, if you happen to be in Singapore for the event, your best bet to experience all that Australia has…

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the AU interview at CMW: King Khan and BBQ Show (Montreal) talk Australian lawsuits and changing their name to "Jumbo Lions"

the AU review sits down with Montreal’s King Khan and Mark Sultan in what may be their final interview as King Khan and BBQ Show while at Canadian Music Week in Toronto to talk about their two shows at the festival, they introduce us to their newly invented game involving porno cards, they reflect on…

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From North America With Love: Tully on Tully's Tour Diaries (Part One)

As they head to Music Matters in Singapore (along with us!), Melbourne indie pop folk band Tully on Tully share with us their adventures from (and en route to) Canadian Music Week in Toronto! Part one begins after the jump… We’re officially off! Flying to Sydney for our connect to LAX then onto New York…

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the AU interview: James Vincent McMorrow (Ireland) talks VIVID Festival, Post Tropical and future collaborations.

It was only a few months ago that we were last graced by the exquisite presence of Irish singer/songwriter James Vincent McMorrow, for Falls Festival and a run of shows around the country. It was the same week that his latest, acclaimed record Post Tropical was released, meaning fans didn’t have much time to sink…

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the AU interview at CMW: Marta Pacek (Australia via Canada) talks new album "Voodoo Dolls and False Alarms"

Larry sits down with Australian artist Marta Pacek while at Canadian Music Week in Toronto to talk about returning to Toronto, living there, her new album tour for Voodoo Dolls and False Alarms, her third album and what it means to be a solo musician – her songwriting process and tackling her stage fright! In…

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CMW Live Review: Broods + Meg Myers – The Drake Underground, Toronto (07.05.14)

Following on from my overview of Toronto’s CMW for 2014, it’s time to get to the music. We start with one of the bigger shows of the week… New Zealand’s Broods headlining a night at the Drake Underground. Supporting Broods on the night was Tennessee singer/songwriter Meg Myers, on the road promoting her new EP…

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CMW Photo Gallery: The 1975 – Kool Haus, Toronto (06.05.14)

As we continue our look back at Canadian Music Week in Toronto, we bring you these photos from Kool Haus featuring one of the hottest bands out of the UK right now, The 1975. Photos by Grant W. Martin for Canadian Music Week.

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Single Stream: Bombay Show Pig "Wires" (2014)

At the end of last year, we at the AU were introduced to Amsterdam duo Bombay Show Pig while at CMJ in New York City. Since then we’ve been hanging out for them to release material here in Australia, and finally we’re got a self-titled EP of our very own on May 30 (through MGM)….

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Coldplay to play a one-off showcase at Sydney's Enmore Theatre.

As the band release their anticipated new album Ghost Stories, UK group Coldplay are set to return to Australia for a one-off promotional performance at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre on June 19th. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Tuesday, May 20th with a pre-sale at 2pm on Monday May 19th. Much like past promotional trips…

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Lily Allen announces Splendour in the Grass sideshows in Sydney and Melbourne.

In one of the more anticipated sideshow announcements for Splendour this year, this morning Lily Allen has announced massive headline shows in Sydney and Melbourne. It’s her first time down under since she appeared on the main stage at Big Day Out in 2010. The shows will be in support of her new album Sheezus,…

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Festival Review: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2014 – Part Three ft. Alabama Shakes + Arcade Fire + Christina Aguilera & More!

We’ve already covered some of the smaller stages at the event, as well as our discoveries, but as for the rest, Bruce Springsteen wasn’t the only highlight among the main stages during the three days I was at the festival. Let’s kick things off with another of the five bands we recommended to catch at…

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Reflecting on Canadian Music Week 2014 in Toronto

2014 marked a series of changes for the annual music conference and festival, Canadian Music Week (CMW). Usually held in March, the week after SXSW (though when I first attended in 2011, it was held before the Austin event), organisers moved the event to May this year to combat the much-dreaded SXSW week-long hangover as…

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the AU interview at CMW: Deon (Singapore) talks about Australia and working with Melbourne's Dru Chen on his debut album!

the AU review sits down with Singapore artist DEON at Canadian Music Week in Toronto to talk about his Australian plans and experiences, on working with Melbourne artist Dru Chen, recording a track together on DEON’s debut album… plus he talks about his band!

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Roxette announce Australian tour in Februrary 2015 with Boom Crash Opera

Are we really talking about 2015 already? Well, legendary Swedish pop-rockers Roxette are making sure that’s happening with this morning’s announcement that the group will be returning to Australia for a national tour next February, supported by Australia’s Boom Crash Opera. This is the first time since Roxette – Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle –…

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Interview: Shane Parsons of DZ Deathrays (Brisbane) talks about the band’s long awaited new album "Black Rat"

As they travel the country on their Black Rat album launch tour, John Goodridge chats to DZ Deathrays front man Shane Parsons about life on the road and the brand new album. Hey Shane, how’s it going? Not too bad man, how are you? Not bad, I’m actually in New Zealand at the moment which…

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Album Review: Play It Again – Classic Hollywood (2014 LP)

For any nostalgia driven Hollywood movie buffs, and lovers of the grand music scores from classic movies, this album is a little slice of heaven. Each track transports the listener to another time and place, swept away in magnificent and timeless orchestrations, with the only down-side of leaving you a little jarred upon returning to…

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Live Review: Michael Buble + Naturally 7 – Allphones Arena, Sydney (09.05.14)

It’s evident that Michael Buble has a special place in his heart for his Australian fans, as this is where he got his first big break in 2000, just before he almost gave up on music. Thankfully he didn’t, as his popularity and success over the last 14 years has only grown, and with good…

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Festival Review: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2014 – Part Two ft. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band!

Though our last two articles looked at some of the lesser known acts at Jazz Fest, let’s face it – it’s the headliners that get us through the door at these events. It’s their incredible and anticipated sets that we spend the day holding our breath for, while we enjoy weeks of anticipation in the…

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Festival Review: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2014 – Part One ft. Irma Thomas + Aaron Neville + Charles Bradley & more.

2014 marks the 45th Year of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, one of the world’s longest running music events; and for yours truly, it marked my second visit to the iconic event. Every year, over seven days spread across two weekends, the musical world descends on New Orleans for some of the world’s…

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Album Review: The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Soundtrack (2014 Compilation)

Music is honestly the best gift in the entire world and if I had the choice of losing my hearing or eyesight forever, I’d choose my eyesight because without my hearing, music would cease to exist in my life and the thought of that makes me want to cry. If you’re looking for a quick…

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Our Five Musical Discoveries at New Orleans Jazz Fest 2014.

Another year and another Jazz Fest has come and gone in New Orleans. With performances from the likes of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, John Fogerty, Robert Plant, Santana, Arcade Fire, Eric Clapton and a never-ending list of some of the world’s finest talents, all who attended the seven day event will have…

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the AU interview at SXSW: Chromeo (Canada) talks "White Women"

the AU review meets Chromeo in Austin, Texas, to talk about their music, their next record White Women (out in Australia May 9th), their South by Southwest (SXSW) experiences and more…

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Album Review: Bonjah – Beautiful Wild (2014 LP)

From taking a one way flight to Melbourne eight years ago to touring internationally with headline shows, the Kiwi lads from Bonjah have put a lot of hard work into their sound which is clearly evident in their third studio release, Beautiful Wild. Every track exudes that bluesy rock fuelled confidence, with frontman Glen Mossop’s…

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Feature: 5 Must See Acts at New Orleans Jazzfest 2014!

This weekend, the AU returns to New Orleans to cover Jazz Fest for the event’s second weekend of 2014, and our second time covering the event (look back on our coverage two years ago). The first weekend’s three days has already seen acts like Eric Clapton, Robert Plant and Phish come through the festival’s massive…

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Live Review: Ed Sheeran – Channel V Island Party, Sydney (29.04.14)

The sun is beginning to set and the excitable predominantly young female crowd is getting antsy. Before the performance begins we get a super brief glimpse of the man of the night arriving onto our floating barge via a super cool speedboat and that sets off the crowd even more.

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the AU interview: Anthony "Tone" Catalano of Little Hurricane (San Diego) talks about their new album "Gold Fever"

In anticipation of the release of their brilliant new record Gold Fever, I caught up with one half of US duo Little Hurricane, Anthony “Tone” Catalano, to talk about the release, their recent SXSW adventures, that time they preceded a big hurricane in New York City, we learn about their musical connections with Australia, the…

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the AU interview: Michael Ian Cummings of SKATERS (New York) talks Splendour in the Grass.

New York City quartet Skaters capture their hometown with charm as they maintain their electric, punk roots. Headed our way later in the year to play Splendour in the Grass, vocalist Michael Ian Cummings takes some time out for a casual chat with Larry about the band’s relentless touring schedule, Carson Dailey, and the art…

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the AU interview: Rodrigo Sanchez of Rodrigo y Gabriela (Mexico) talks about their new album "9 Dead Alive"

As he was waking up and we at the AU were closing up shop for the night, I had the opportunity earlier this month to chat to Rodrigo Sanchez, one half of the infamous guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela. By now, you probably know their story – a couple of musicians from Mexico get discovered…

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