the AU interview: Joe Michelini of River City Extension (USA) talks The Unmistakeable Man and Soundwave

Ahead of the band’s visit to Australia, we catch up with frontman Joe Michelini to chat about the inspiration behind their debut The Unmistakable Man, the recording of their sophomore album Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Your Anger, how the band came together, and the resurgence of Americana music. Hello, how are you…

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New Music Video: Django Django "Default" (2012)

If you loved The Beta Band, you won’t be able to get enough of one of the most catchy tunes floating around at the moment: “Default” by Django Django – a band from Edinburgh that just so happens to be helmed by David Maclean, the younger brother of Beta Band’s John Maclean. Not so much…

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Fringe World Live Review: Zack Adams: A Complete History – The Treasury Cabaret (13.02.12)

Following rave reviews for his previous show Love Song’s for Future Girl Shane Adamczak a.k.a Zack Adams returned to the Perth stage to revive his show Zack Adams: The Complete History for the Fringe World festival. An autobiographical tale peppered with some fine musical moments as well as plenty of laughs. The life of Zack…

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Opinion: Top 10 Notable Mentions about the 2012 Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are typically a night to celebrate the music industry’s biggest and brightest. However, there are always turning points that make the viewing experience that tiny bit more exciting. Here’s our top 10 noteworthy moments from the night… 1. Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt’s tribute to Etta James with “Sunday Kind of Love.”…

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the AU interview: Made In Japan (Sydney) talk debut album, Sights and Sounds

We caught up with Made In Japan to talk about their debut album Sights and Sounds, the album launch at Oxford Art Factory this month and much more! How did Made in Japan come about? Quite uneventful really, Jono was a few years above me in high school and was off doing his own thing….

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Exclusive Single Stream: Oh Ye Denver Birds "Sea Other" (2012)

One of our favourite bands here at the AU review is Oh Ye Denver Birds, and they’ve just announced that their debut album Good Ivy – will be available for online purchase on March 20th through Inertia. Exciting stuff! In celebration of this, they have made their opening track “Sea Other” available for online streaming…

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Fringe World Live Review: Mace Francis Orchestra – The Bird, Perth (06.02.12)

Now I can’t say I know a huge amount about Jazz. Most of what I know I picked up from writing about Jack Kerouac and his jazz influences at university. Other than that my knowledge of jazz extends to a few of the big names, the likes of Count Basie, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and…

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Live Review: Aa + Ladydreams – The Workers Club (13.02.12)

Those of use who live amongst the local independent scene are well initiated with the many incarnations of Zayd Marcel Thring. There is no denying the effervescent force that exudes from the man when he takes to the stage, whether it be with Pets With Pets, Towels or his latest project Ladydreams. The music is…

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Album Review: Various Artists – Basick Sampler (2012 LP)

Sometimes I just love my job. Last week I received a copy of Basick Records new 2012 sampler, which has combined some of the best independant progressive metal bands in the world and placed them all on one album. This album is absolute magic, its brutal and intense, its laid back and moody, it’ll bring…

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New Music Video: Zulu Winter "We Should Be Swimming"

The new music video from Zulu Winter – “We Should Be Swimming” – has recently dropped and we have it for you here on the AU! The UK group have been making huge waves of late, supporting Friendly Fires in the UK recently, and they will soon head to the States for a trip that…

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Faker and Pluto Jonze to play the 2012 Movie Extra Tropfest in Sydney.

Aussie rockers Faker have been added to Movie Extra Tropfest’s line-up of free entertainment, which also includes an afternoon performance by 2009 Tropscore winner Pluto Jonze, a giant bungee trampoline, photo booths, bucket loads of free things to take home, and of course world class short films on Sunday 19 February in Sydney’s Domain. Bring…

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Fringe World Live Review: The Table – State Theatre Centre: The Courtyard (09.02.12)

In the middle of the courtyard there is a wooden dining room table, with four chairs. The lights dim, and from the four corners of the courtyard four men dressed in black make their way to the table and each take a seat. The lights raise again. A somewhat incongruous and misleadingly simple start to…

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Live Review: St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival – Perth Cultural Centre (11.02.2012)

Last weekend, the Laneway Festival tour completed its last Australian leg with a stop at Perth. With a stellar line-up and perfect weather, the festival cemented its position as one of the best festivals in the country right now. It was a laid back and chilled out affair, with top quality performances, and none of…

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Live Review: MIDEM 2012 Night Two – Cannes, France (29.01.12)

With an open-air concert out of question given the rather low temperatures and heavy rain that night, MIDEM had raised a big top for the event: Chapiteau Croisette, set in the beautiful location (on a sunny day that is) of Palm Beach and next to the casino. First to hit the stage were French indie…

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Live Review: MIDEM 2012 Night One – Cannes, France (28.01.12)

The first night of live music took me to the French entertainment and music store FNAC on rue d’Antibes, where a special showcase for young Canadian artist Chris Assaad had been organised. Shoppers and MIDEM delegates had all gathered to listen to Assaad, who greeted everyone both in French and English, before he started off…

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Festival Round Up: MIDEM 2012 – Cannes, France (28-31 January)

What is MIDEM, you may ask? Well, literally it stands for Marché International du Disque et de l’Edition Musicale… though in our own words, it’s the world’s largest music industry trade show. Taking place each year in Cannes (France), it’s an opportunity for all music key players, businesses, start-ups and new technologies to meet and…

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the ARTS review: what’s happening in the world of arts & film – issue 005

Welcome to issue 5 of the AU review’s ARTS review, our weekly venture into what is new in Art and Film. In This Issue: OUTERWAVES performs for Brisbane Emerging Art Festival, call to arms for Biennale of Sydney, Joe Satriani in 3D, Corey Taylor book signing announced and Tropfest 2012 to open next week. BRISBANE:…

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Live Review: Toro y Moi + Washed Out – Hi Fi Bar (09.02.12)

The chillwave bromance was on as two of America’s hippest electronic maestro’s teamed up for a double headlining extravaganza at Melbourne’s Hi Fi bar. The sound at this venue always leaves a lot to be desired and tonight was no exception with barely audible vocals and deafening bass marring the first few minutes of Washed…

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the AU interview at Big Day Out: Kitty, Daisy and Lewis (UK)

Larry Heath catches up with UK group Kitty, Daisy and Lewis ahead of their performance at the Sydney Big Day Out. They chat about their time in Australia, their latest record, trumpets, what’s coming next and much more… includes footage from the band’s spectacular performance at the Sydney Metro Theatre on 24th January 2012. Camera:…

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Eilen Jewell announces March Australian tour dates.

Following the release of her latest record Queen of the Minor Key, Alt Country Chanteuse Eilen Jewell has announced tour dates in Australia to accompany her previously announced appearance at the Byron Bay Bluesfest in April. Eilen will be accompanied by her regular touring band of guitarist Jerry Miller, drummer Jason Beek, and upright bassist…

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the AU interview: Chad Butler of Switchfoot (Louisiana)

Ahead of their Australian tour as part of Soundwave, Larry Heath caught up with Switchfoot drummer Chad Butler while he was home in San Diego to chat about the tour, the latest record, How’s the weather (in San Diego) this time of year? Oh yeah, it’s a good thing to be home. There’s good waves,…

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Live Review: Girls + Twerps – Corner Hotel (08.02.12)

Locals Twerps had the arduous task of warming up the crowd on an early, Wednesday evening. Their dreamy laid back pop goes down well on record, however the bulk of their set didn’t do much for me. Twerps play with no thrills, their live performance doesn’t add much to the studio recordings, they didn’t seem…

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the AU interview at MIDEM: The Provincial Archive (Canada)

Craig Schram and Nathan Burge from Canadian indie band The Provincial Archive sat down with me for a quick chat on MIDEM’s last day. We talked about their music, the origin of their band’s name and the potential release of a new album. So, last day here at MIDEM, how has it been for you?…

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the AU interview at MIDEM: Chris Assaad (Canada)

While at MIDEM in Cannes (France), I caught up with young Canadian singer-songwriter Chris Assaad to talk about his music, his new EP “Into The Light” and his love for Australia. How are you Chris? Is it your first time in Cannes? I’m good. Well, sort of, I’ve been to Nice a couple of times,…

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Single Stream: Here We Go Magic "Make Up Your Mind" (2012)

Brooklyn band Here We Go Magic return with the single “Make Up Your Mind” taken from the forthcoming album A Different Ship, produced by Radiohead’s “sixth member” and producer Nigel Godrich who became ‘a big fan’ after watching their set at the 2010 Glastonbury Festival. Listen to it below and then our contributors will give…

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Mark Lanegan Band bringing Blues Funeral to Australia this April

Last in Australia performing spellbinding shows with Isobel Campbell for Splendour, Mark Lanegan will be bringing his Band to Australia for the first time in 8 years, celebrating the release of their new record Blues Funeral, released just last week. Produced by Alain Johannes, Blues Funeral (out now through Remote Control) is Mark Lanegan Band’s…

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Live Review: Laura Marling – Sydney Opera House (09.02.12)

Sometimes words can’t do justice to the beauty music can evoke. You have to experience it for yourself. At the very least, I don’t consider myself a good enough writer to do so. Tonight at the Sydney Opera House brings me one such moment, where UK songstress Laura Marling embraced a sold out crowd performing…

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Splendour in the Grass to return to Byron Bay this year!

It was revealed today that Splendour in the Grass will be returning to its home in Byron, after two years at Woodfordia. But given the public forums over the application to have the festival at North Byron Parklands, they have decided to return to where it all began: Belongil Fields. According to the press release,…

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Live Review: Portugal. The Man + Givers + Guineafowl – Metro Theatre (07.02.12)

I arrived at the Metro Theatre for this phenomenal (and criminally undersold) triple bill to hear a couple of new tracks from Sydney’s Guineafowl, opening up the night in their usual classy fashion. The new track sounded promising, keeping us on our toes for their long awaited debut LP, hopefully being released later this year….

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Sleepmakeswaves kick off national tour tomorrow with Mr Maps and more.

Sleepmakeswaves, the Sydney-based instrumental rockers, kick off an extensive Australian tour tomorrow, celebrating their debut album …and so we destroyed everything. The band’s “(hello) Australia” tour stretches across 6 states in February and March, before heading to the USA showcase at SXSW in Austin, Texas and then embarking on a headlining European tour, including co-headlining…

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