Music

Album Review: Cloud Control – Bliss Release (2010 LP)

There has been a lot of buzz about young indie band Cloud Control over the past few years, and with their debut album Bliss Release, they have well and truly lived up to the hype. Hailing from the Blue Mountains, Cloud Control first began to create a stir following the release of their debut EP…

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the AU interview at SXSW: Bob Vennum and Lisa Kekaula of The Bellrays (USA)

One interview which I spent most of my week in Austin looking forward to was this one. Bob Vennum and Lisa Kekaula of one of my favourite bands The BellRays, who many of you may have seen a few years back at Laneway. They were in Austin pumping out some new material, and I chatted…

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Big British Sound feat. Bertie Blackman – Metro Theatre (07.05.10)

Bring on the product placement! Yes, the Ben Sherman sponsored event Big British Sound is back for a second year, giving us another healthy dose of local artists playing their own tracks, and a cover or two from their British idols. It’s an interesting premise, and more interesting still was that no one chose The…

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Go Genre Everything – Humans & Luxury (2010 EP)

Go Genre Everything are a complete head fuck. I’ve listened to their EP Humans & Luxury for a few days now and am still unable to decide whether this is a collaboration of musical genius’s, hipster wannabes performing a masturbatory exercise, or a group of friends simply taking the piss. They’ve written their own Wikipedia…

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the AU interview: Ryan Van Gennip of Chase The Sun (Sydney)

Hot off the hells of their new album Rednecks and Gentlemen, Ryan Van Gennip of Sydney’s Chase the Sun had a chat to us about the new album, bagpipes, performing at the upcoming Snowy Mountains of Music Festival, and Bluesfest last month! Hey guys thanks for taking the time to chat with us at the…

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Grand Atlantic + Drawn From Bees + Pioneers Of Flight – The Troubadour (04.05.10)

With only maybe twenty people inside, the Troubadour’s quietness is unusual for even a Tuesday night. It’s 8.20pm when I enter, by which time designated openers Skarlet Blue should have finished – I learn they have piked instead and Pioneers Of Flight (DFB’s Stew Riddle and Matt Wedmaier in guitar/drums mode) stepped in.  But neither…

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Hungry Kids of Hungary – Wristwatch (2010 Single)

The more I hear from Hungry Kids of Hungary, the more I like them. The four-piece from Brisbane have given us a taste of their forthcoming debut album with the feverish single Wristwatch. This is one short, sharp number jam packed with the Hungry Kids trademark twee harmonies mashed up with some deliciously pop keyboards…

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Nathan Bobik of Nacional (Melbourne)

With a recent change to their line-up – their singer no less – we chat to drummer Nathan Bobik about what this means for Nacional, what’s next, and being an up and coming band in Melbourne! Hey Nathan, thanks for taking the time to chat with us today! First up, can you tell us a…

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Top 20 Splendour in the Grass 2010 Music Videos: Part Four – 5 to 1

The day has just about arrived! Tomorrow morning you’ll find out whether or not you’re one of the lucky ones who’ll be heading to Woodword, QLD, for the tenth annual Splendour in the Grass Festival. But before the day arrives, here are the top FIVE music videos by the bands you can’t miss at this…

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the AU Big British Sound interview – Pikelet (Melbourne)

Tomorrow night, the Big British Sound will be hitting the Corner Hotel in Melbourne – and along for the ride are Bertie Blackman, Whitley, Big Scary and this lovely lady – Evelyn Morris. Although you’ll probably know her better as Pikelet. In advance of this performance, we talk to Evelyn about her favourite British artists,…

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Album Review: British India – Avalanche (2010 LP)

The latest from Melbourne indie rockers British India is ‘Avalanche’, a ten-track album and the third to grace their discography. It opens with the smashing guitar riffs of ‘Safari’, a quick tempo’d beat designed to infiltrate your mind with the absolute desire to drop everything and dance. This song would be the epitome of a…

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the AU Big British Sound interview: Fergus Brown (Sydney)

In advance of his stint as part of the Big British Sound in Sydney this Friday night, we chatted to Fergus Brown about the genius of Jon Brion, his not-so-secret soft spot for Green Day, experiences in Canada and at SXSW, and of course, what we’ll expect from his show later this week! Larry: I…

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the AU interview: Ben Johnston of Biffy Clyro (Scotland)

As he prepared for a show in Scotland, I chatted to Ben Johnston, the drummer from Biffy Clyro in advance of their anticipated Australian tour later this month. We chatted about the tour, the Biffy Army, “The Captain”, the success, the shivers and the Cajón. Good Afternoon Ben! Where abouts am I speaking to you? Funnily…

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the AU interview: Craig Jackson of The Sirens of Venice (Melbourne)

As we await a new Gersey album, Craig Jackson has been hard at work on a new project with wife Camilla – The Sirens of Venice. The duo have teamed up with six others to make a truly beautiful album, and just before it’s released in stores, alongside an accompanying tour, I chatted to Craig about…

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the AU interview: Thomas L. Fagerlund of The Kissaway Trail (Denmark)

One of the buzz bands at this years SXSW, Denmark’s The Kissaway Trail just released  their second LP Sleep Mountain in Australia. While they were in Pheonix Arizona, touring around the States with The Temper Trap, I chatted to lead singer Thomas L. Fagerlund about the tour, the new album, and going home. Larry: I understand…

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Top 20 Splendour in the Grass 2010 Music Videos: Part Three – 10 to 6

Next week will bring one of the most stressful days for any music fan in Australia with a chunk of change in their pockets – the day Splendour in the Grass goes on sale – it’s Australia’s Glastonbury in more ways than one. And to celebrate the amazing lineup, we’re counting down the top 20…

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Live Review: Revival Tour featuring Chuck Ragan + Frank Turner – Rosemount Hotel (28.04.10)

Chuck Ragan’s Revival Tour rolled into Perth on Wednesday, bringing with it some acoustic wielding musos in the form of Frank Turner, Tim Barry and Ben Nichols. Here are some of the things we learnt (in no particular order): 1. Whiskey causes Feedback. 2. Whiskey makes your voice sound awesome! 3. 6 Guys, 4 Guitars,…

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Major Label Launch with Made in Japan + Guineafowl + Underlights – Oxford Art Factory (28.04.10)

While some may criticise the fact a brand like General Pants is starting up an event like Major Label simply to sell more jeans… wait a minute, this surely isn’t a criticism anyone with half a brain would make, would they? With the music industry the way it is, it’s through companies like General Pants…

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Album Review: Gayngs – Relayted (2010 LP)

They are the latest to jump on the recent supergroup trend, but Gayngs are a band with a difference. For one, its members hail from a wide and diverse range of acts, and for another, they’re more like a ‘super-music-community’. More than 25 musicians contributed to the making of Relayted, led by Gayngs’ founding members…

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Lucy Hall + Young Werther – Raval (25.04.10)

When Melbourne’s Young Werther took to the stage in the gorgeous Raval room at the Macquarie Hotel, launching into “I Don’t Want to Go to the Circus”, I have to say I was a little surprised. I thought they were headlining! But it was local Lucy Hall who took these honours, so I went ahead…

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Eagle and the Worm – Futureman / Goodtimes (2010 EP)

Describing sound is a difficult thing to do, and with Melbourne 9-piece Eagle & the Worm the best I can come up with is chilled out chaos. Led by Jarrad Brown (Custom Kings and Your Animal), Eagle & the Worm have reinvented the happy-go-lucky acid infused tunes of the 70’s with their gem of a…

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Chicks Who Love Guns + Doc Holliday Takes The Shotgun – Oh My! Rebel Rebel Bandroom at Home Nightclub (23.04.10)

The Friday night experience known as “Oh My!” at Home Nightclub has received an additional push of late, by way of the Rebel Rebel Band Room. Those playing along at home may remember Rebel Rebel as the run of nights that launched many years ago with Liars and Shout Out Louds (what a night!!)– and…

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the AU interview: Erland Cooper of Erland and the Carnival (London)

It was a long wait, but the debut album from Erland and the Carnival was finally released in Australia at the beginning of the month to great critical acclaim – not the least of which from yours truly. Shortly after the release, we chatted to Erland Cooper, the ringleader of the carnival about the album, supporting Wild…

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the AU interview: Adam Harris and Ric Albert of LO-STAR (London)

By pure chance, I briefly caught up with the Lo-Star boys in Austin. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the chance to do an interview. Let me be honest here. It was going to involve a hot tub, and possibly a few drinks before we had to jet out of town. But the morning of, was the…

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Top 20 Splendour in the Grass 2010 Music Videos: Part Two – 15 to 11

We’re back with the best music videos from the bands you can’t miss at Splendour in the Grass 2010! You better believe we’re excited… So without further ado, here’s 15 to 11: 15 LCD Soundsystem – Drunk Girls  Coming in at number 15 is the brand new track from LCD Soundsystem, “Drunk Girls”. They’re well…

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Top 20 Splendour in the Grass 2010 Music Videos: Part One – 20 to 16

God bless the Australian Dollar. First we had Laneway blow us away with a supremely impressive indie line-up. Bluesfest brought us legend after legend. Soundwave brought a horde of the finest ‘rockier’ internationals. And now here comes Splendour 2010, with what is easily the most impressive line-up Australia has seen in many years. In fact,…

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the AU interview at Bluesfest: Patty Larkin (Boston, USA)

Another beautiful day in Byron Bay, and we had the opportunity to chat with iconic Boston-based singer/songwriter Patty Larkin – or as she prefers, “Patty Gaga”! She brings us up to date on her latest LP, “25”, celebrating her 25 years in the industry. Welcome to Bluesfest Patty! Is this your first time performing here?…

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the AU interview: Ben Ellingworth of MM9 (Sydney)

I recently chatted with Ben Ellingworth, drummer of Sydney quartet MM9. The recently, finally, released their debut LP “The Air Between”. We chat about the new album and life on the road. Special thanks to David Young, who contributed to our questions. Congratulations on the release of your debut album “The Air Between” – it…

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the AU interview at Bluesfest: Dan Sultan (Melbourne, Victoria)

Shortly after he left the main stage, I sat down with up-and-coming singer/songwriter Dan Sultan, who alongside bandmate Scott Wilson, teaches us what a Skin Flute is, and chats extensively about being an independent artist in Australia, and shitting himself before he hits the stage. Welcome back to Bluesfest Dan! Thanks to for talking to…

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the AU interview: Julie Campbell aka Lonelady (Manchester, UK)

With her debut album Nerve Up now available in Australia, Manchester’s Julie Campbell, aka Lonelady, took time out of her busy European touring schedule to chat to the AU review! She provides us with some insight into the “Mancurian Sound”, recording in a concrete box and expectations of the European audiences. Hey Julia thanks for taking…

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