An Open Book, published late last year, is the eleventh collection of poetry from David Malouf, and his third in the last ten years. Prior to this collection I only really knew of Malouf in his capacity as a writer of prose and short stories. As it turns out he is equally adept in many…
Over the last few years, Melbournians have increasingly utilised the Lower Yarra River as a major social and gastronomic hub. And if the popularity of venues like the Arbory Afloat and Supafish are anything to go by, the idea of floating on the iconic river is forever appealing to the masses. If only you could…
Counting and Cracking was Belvoir and Sydney Festival’s lead production for 2019, launching with much fervour and excited rumour. A stadium worthy theatre piece purpose-built into Sydney Town Hall. A global casting call for 17 performers playing over 50 characters. Five languages on stage. A Sri Lankan meal awaiting each audience member as they arrive….
Gentrification hasn’t yet swept through Sham Shui Po, one of Hong Kong’s least affluent working class neighbourhoods in Kowloon. As one of the more underprivileged areas in the city, it’s certainly a few steps removed from the comparative polish of Central or Tsim Sha Tsui, but that doesn’t mean that tourists won’t find anything to…
Fifty years in the music business and Phil Collins is adamant that he’s not dead yet. His current Australian tour – named after his memoir that is also marking over 20 years between drinks – may be designed for people to lower their expectations. The English multi-instrumentalist seems older than his 67 years but while…
Very few Nintendo DS games ever fulfilled the potential of the console’s unique dual screens, but one title came incredibly close. That title, Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story, has finally gotten the recognition it deserves with a brilliant new remaster for the Nintendo 3DS. Originally released in 2009, Bowser’s Inside Story is an RPG…
Given that this is Clint Eastwood‘s first starring role in six years (his last being 2012’s under-the-radar sports drama The Trouble With the Curve), one would be forgiven for expecting something far more grand and notable than what is ultimately on offer; its push into prime Oscar season releases not helping matters either. Whilst this…
Iceland’s Hjaltalín have kicked off their 2019 with a new single and music video, teasing the possibility of a new album on the horizon. Comprised of musicians from a number of different bands, Hjaltalín have been somewhat quiet on the release front, with the last album, a soundtrack, released back in 2014 and the single…
The following admission may be considered scandalous by Resident Evil devotees: My first experience with the series was when Resident Evil 2 was first ported to the Nintendo 64. It was no small feat getting the game to run on the N64, given the storage limitations presented by its cartridges. FMV cutscenes and large amounts…
James Blake has long stood as a unique and talented artist within his own niche of alternative electronic music, with a formidable knack for contemporary hip hop inspired soundscapes as well as the ability to craft twinkling ballads of melancholy. The two sides to his talent occasionally have crossed paths previously (his remix of ‘Timeless’…
It is widely known that travelling across Europe by train is a quintessential experience for the nomadic Aussie. The trains, connected all over the continent, are a fast, convenient, accessible and, most importantly, flexible way to get hop from one city to another, with around 40,000 Australian travellers alone making use of Eurail’s rail pass…
Melbourne’s older trilogy (The Larwill Studio and The Chen are fairly young in comparison) of gallery-like properties from Art Series Hotels are located not too far from one another. You’ve got The Cullen, where it all started, directly opposite Prahran Market; The Olsen in close proximity at the top-end of Chapel Street; and finally The…
Sydney’s ever-changing dining scene has welcomed some super strong entries over the past few months, and while there are almost too many to list in just one article, we’ve done our best to zone in on five we think deserve extra special attention. From a Waterloo restaurant bringing an interesting dimension to vegan dining, to…
Mona Foma made its official Launceston debut over the weekend, featuring art installations around the city and performances from the likes of Courtney Barnett, Jonathan Bree, Neneh Cherry, Nakhane (pictured above), WWWATER, Ewah and the Vision of Paradise, Southeast Desert Metal & much, much more. Larry Heath was on ground at the event and brings us…
Following ten years in Hobart – and a free block party last year in Launceston to test the waters – Mona Foma made its official debut in the Northern Tasmanian City this weekend, with a stellar weekend of art and music which took over Launceston for an event unlike anything locals have ever seen. Grimy…
Chalk Eraserland up as one of the most anticipated albums of 2019, as Timothy Showalter, better known as Stand of Oaks, previews his seventh full length album with the astounding beauty of “Weird Ways”. In a dark place, Showalter was ready to quit music entirely last year before being coaxed back into creating his remarkably…
There’s something really underrated about bands that play with as a three piece. Sure, having twelve people in your band means you can add incredible depth to your sound, but the raw basic-ness of guitar, bass and drums is something that will always manage to be magic in live setting. This is no different when…
Chatter within Brisbane’s The Bearded Lady had one common topic: the Nazi flag incident. The previous week, a punk band caused outrage when two dim-witted members unveiled a Nazi flag. It reeked of desperate attention-seeking, especially compared to the sonic provocations of Melbourne noise legends Primitive Calculators. Formed in 1978, Primitive Calculators existed for two…
Off the back of his seventh solo studio album, Storm Boy, Xavier Rudd is playing a few select dates across the country including two sets at ‘Twilight at Taronga’ – a picturesque harbour-backdrop amphitheatre surrounded by the chorus of Sydney’s Taronga Zoo. Ahead of his soon-to-be-sold-out shows, Xavier was able to chat about his newest album, his married…
Springing from Adelaide, high energy four-piece Donnarumma are a total force to be reckoned with. Following the release of their latest single “Rollercoaster” in November, the band are currently in the middle of their six-date tour across the south and east coasts of the country. This week, the Grace Darling Hotel (Collingwood) hosted their Melbourne show, also welcoming…
Just Two People making music sounds pretty standard doesn’t it? Except that Phoebe Lou and Joey Clough are no ordinary people. With their five-piece band Snakadaktal, they gathered a loyal following in the indie pop scene until the outfit broke up in 2014. But this did not stop the childhood friends from pursuing their dream…
One of Sydney’s most popular block parties, the long-running Bad Friday, has announced a huge line up for their 10th anniversary event, featuring some of the country’s finest (plus one international) in what will no doubt be a highly sought boutique festival. Set to kick off the Easter long weekend, Bad Friday will make the…
All 46 Gelatissimo stores across Australia are now stocking a very summery limited edition flavour, which is perhaps the brand’s strangest – and possibly best – yet. The new release is a partnership with Bundaberg Brewed Drinks to capture the profile of the company’s most successful drink, that being their craft brewed Ginger Beer. “We…
After opening their first ever expansion in Chatswood, Bondi-born favourite Shuk has now revealed their third store, smack bang in the heart of breezy Elizabeth Bay. Located on the back street of Roslyn Gardens, a short walk from Rushcutters Bay and Potts Point, the 50-seat venue fits into the brand new Trebartha Apartments (those lucky,…
On Saturday 8th June 2019, Iconic chanteuse Celine Dion will finally bring her run of Las Vegas residencies to a definite close, sixteen years after she first began performing at The Colosseum. The powerhouse vocalist, now almost forty years into a storied career, is currently working her way to a historical moment for Las Vegas’…
I first tried Singapore restaurant Porta during my stay at Park Hotel Clarke Quay and while I didn’t say so in the small paragraph I wrote about it, I did immediately notice the lack of diversity on their menu in terms of dietary options. I mentioned that I was a pescetarian quite immediately when I sat…
While it is often true that Wednesday nights are relegated to early evenings or an easy night in at home, those who ventured from the safety of these homes were rewarded earlier in the week by a mammoth live performance of nostalgia and music with some of modern music’s famous artists spanning the course of…
It should come as no shock that a theatre show about one of our nation’s greatest artists looks fabulous. The world premiere of Brett & Wendy…A Love Story Bound By Art is one vivid and lyrical look at two creative tour de forces. This production is an ambitious one that covers a lot in its…
Gris is pretty special experience. It’s a game with a lot to say, but never actually says a word out loud. Instead, Gris uses its strident, beautiful art style to convey its every thought — linework, animation and colour all have a part to play in this story about finding your way back from a…
