Book Review: David Crystal’s Sounds Appealing is a learned look at English pronunciation

When you stop and think about pronunciation it’s very easy to break into a verse of “You sing potato and I sing potahto.” The academic, linguist, author and broadcaster, David Crystal certainly appreciates this. He has after all released the informative and scholarly guide: Sounds Appealing: The Passionate Story of English Pronunciation. Over the years Crystal…

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Interview: Argus and The Liar’s Joseph Duigan checks in ahead of Scouted in Adelaide

With only a few weeks to go, the Adelaide music community is gearing up for a night of live music unlike any other, with the Scouted music showcase series taking over the city. Rocket Bar is hosting the AU Review and an excellent list of artists – including Argus and The Liar. Find out some more about…

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Exclusive Album Premiere: Porpoise Spit – GOD YEAH! (2018 EP)

Melbourne’s Porpoise Spit have finally arrived at the point many of their fans have been waiting for – EP release day! The band’s debut effort comes in the form of the enthusiastically titled GOD YEAH!, an apt culmination of the kickin’ year the band has had in developing their craft. Confidentially harnessing catchy melodies and great rock…

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Live Review: Pale Waves’ glistening goth pop dazzles The Lair in Sydney

Clad in black with dark lipstick, a curly bob of black hair on lead sing Heather Baron-Gracie. Ian Curtis baggy trousers and plain black shirt on guitarist Hugo Silvani, jet black EP and single covers, morose The Cure inspired lyrics about broken hearts; but bright glistening pop. Pale Waves crave to combine the two distinct…

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Review: Mamma Mia! The Musical brings the party to Melbourne’s Princess Theatre (to September 30th)

Even if you don’t love ABBA, I dare you to listen to ‘Dancing Queen’ and not to get out of your chair and dance! Now add colourful boas, a sun kissed set, chiselled men dancing in flippers and an all-star cast- and you will have absolutely have no choice but to jiggly your body. Mamma…

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Bistro Rex is tracking this year’s Le Tour de France with a new concept menu (Sydney)

With Bastille Day rolling through Sydney (and the world) this weekend there’s going to be plenty of celebrations throughout the city geared towards all things French dining. And seeing as French cuisine is one of the most diverse and technique-heavy in the world, that’s not a bad reason to get out and eat your way…

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Interview: Suzanne Walker of Primo! (Melbourne) talks new album Amici ahead of hometown launch

Melbourne’s PRIMO! are band worthy of the added exclamation mark; with a rallying pop punk flair, the band have been making their mark on the local scene with the lead up to their new album Amici generating much excitement. Already, there is an European tour in the works, taking the girls from Melbourne – where they’ll launch the…

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Playlist: Halcyon Drive share a list of their Most Listened to tunes ahead of August tour!

Melbourne’s Halcyon Drive have earned themselves a solid reputation as a killer live act across the country over the last few years; the trio have definitely earned their stripes as favourites on the home front and in August, fans will be able to get another dose of their show, with a hyped gig (secret location, of…

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Harlem comes to Melbourne for special MEL&NYC edition of ‘Nocturnal’

The Melbourne Museum’s Nocturnal program is a favourite of many punters in the city; an opportunity to see some of the best mixing it up amongst the exhibitions. As part of the MEL&NYC event that has seen the likes of Ilana Glazer, Ronan Farrow and Regina Spektor chart visits to Melbourne, Nocturnal is throwing a party of…

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Exclusive Music Video Premiere: Luke Carlino ft. Daydream Fever “Minute” (2018)

Now calling Melbourne home, Adelaide songwriter Luke Carlino has been bringing his latest single “Minute” to life over the last week or two on stage, a slow burner of a track that continues to grow in its impact with each listen. Teaming up with Daydream Fever and VIIV on raps and production respectively, “Minute” is a strong release from Carlino,…

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Sydney’s Burgers by Josh Launch World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth Inspired Menu

World of Warcraft‘s newest expansion, Battle for Azeroth, is set to release worldwide of August 14th. The ancient conflict between the Horde and the Alliance explodes once more, and it’s time for you and your allies to pick a side. In partnership with Blizzard Entertainment, Sydney’s favourite burger restaurant, Burgers by Josh, has launched a…

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WWE 2K19 Gets Rowdy With Pre-Order Bonus Character Ronda Rousey

WWE’s newest superstar and ‘The Baddest Woman on the Planet’ is set to join WWE 2K19‘s roster as one of two playable pre-order characters, alongside WWE legend Rey Mysterio. After putting the women’s division on notice at a surprise Royal Rumble appearance earlier this year, Rousey will make her WWE video game debut, continuing a…

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Tech Review: Logitech G Powerplay Wireless Charging System: Free to play

There is a pervasive assumption among PC gaming hobbyists that wireless accessories like mice are going to be a problem. That corded solutions are always the way to go. For a long time, this rather conventional wisdom was correct, but its getting harder and harder for it to stand up under scrutiny. Devices like Logitech’s…

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Blu-Ray Review: Game Night (USA, 2018) brings the laughs from start to finish

Whether it’s an old-fashioned detective story (Murder on the Orient Express), a children’s adventure (Young Sherlock Holmes), a romantic farce (Blind Detective) or a flat-out comedy (Clue), the murder mystery is the type of genre staple that can result in lots of fun, particularly if it involves audience participation. If 2018’s latest comedy Game Night can…

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Games Review: Octopath Traveler (Switch, 2018): Looking back, moving forward

I have a rule when it comes to playing games for review: Remain objective, even when the game is in a genre you aren’t crazy about. Last week, I broke that rule. I had assumed I would detest Octopath Traveler. I had resigned myself to reviewing yet another JRPG, despite my long and well-documented history…

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Interview: Rachael Blake & Vince Colosimo digest The Second, Stan’s debut Australian feature film

This month, Stan and Screen Queensland celebrate the release of a milestone production – The Second. As the first feature film project developed for the streaming service, The Second is a shining example of not only an Australian film in its best, unfiltered form, but it’s also a cracking ride. A sexy psychological thriller featuring a selection of…

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NYC Restaurant Week announces 2018 program, opens for reservations

The most exciting time for foodies to visit New York City is once again upon us; the 26th annual NYC Restaurant Week is set to make a huge return, stretching from 23rd July to 17th August with the admirable aim of making 380 of the city’s greatest restaurants, of all ranges, a platform for culinary…

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Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki are offering a rare half-price sale on all suites

Anyone heading over to Hawaii this summer and desperately looking for ways to treat oneself while also saving some money will be happy to know that Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki are having a rare suite sale, with room rates falling to half the usual price. That’s a pretty sizable chunk of savings right there,…

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Celeste Barber’s Guide to Hollywood and Los Angeles

Celeste Barber has made a name for herself on Instagram by impersonating (or, more to the point: parodying, often unflatteringly) Instagram “celebrities”, so much so that the Australian comedian has become something of an Instagram Celebrity herself, amassing no less than 4.3 million followers on the platform. This popularity has led to a live show, #CelesteChallengeAccepted,…

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The world’s only Iron Man ride and five other reasons why Hong Kong Disneyland stands apart from other Disney Parks

Hong Kong Disneyland may be the company’s smallest theme park (the recently opened Shanghai park – whose development was memorably slowed to give the Hong Kong Park more time to grow an audience – is no less than 14 times larger than its Southern counterpart), and the only park not to have a true water ride…

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Busby Marou & Tom West heading for BreakOut West in Canada this October

As part of their international partnerships with Focus Wales, Australian Music Week and the East Coast Music Association, BreakOut West are able to welcome a contingent of artists from overseas to their festival and conference in Kelowna, Western Canada this year! The news comes as BreakOut West has thrived on this partnership, now in its second…

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Exclusive Music Video Premiere: Neon Tetra “So Far From Me” (2018)

Adelaide’s Neon Tetra unleash their new EP Pollen this week – if you were a fan of their catchy single “The End Begins Again”, you’re in luck. The band has continued to explore their love for gospel notes, soul richness and the Motown golden era, bringing these influences together with excellent synth work and current pop. Their latest…

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Win a double pass to see The Bamboos on their upcoming Night Time People tour!

Melbourne’s funk and soul powerhouse The Bamboos recently released their new album Night Time People. In celebration, the nine-piece are set to embark on a headline tour throughout August, their first since 2015. Already regarded as one of the world’s premier funk-soul outfits, The Bamboos eighth studio album is shaping to be the record that…

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Behind the Scenes: Young Monks dive into their new album, Swamp Creek

Young Monks have brought some bright new music out of Canberra with the release of Swamp Creek. Self-produced, the album is a hefty dose of indie mixed in with lashings of psych-pop and funk tones that in all, produces some excellent hits. Over 22 tracks, the listener is taken on one heck of a sonic journey –…

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Interview: Hartway on their return to Adelaide’s Rocket Bar for this month’s Scouted event!

Adelaide duo Hartway are Jack Degenhart and Conor Barkway; the described ‘acid jazz, nu disco’ group have been impressing with the release of their Motions EP last year, taking inspirations from the likes of Flight Facilities and FKJ and creating some funky music of their own. They’re one of the talented artists set to perform at Rocket Bar on July 27th…

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Tech Review: HyperX Cloud Stinger Core: Great sound on a budget

The HyperX Cloud Stinger Core shouldn’t sound as good as it does. This is a $70 AUD pair of headphones. You expect certain things from $70 headphones. You expect them to be cheap. You expect them to be made from hard, unyeilding plastic that keeps them from being worn comfortably for long periods. You certainly…

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Win a double pass to a preview screening of The Breaker Upperers in Sydney

Fifteen years ago, Mel (Madeleine Sami) and Jen (Jackie van Beek) discovered they were being two-timed by the same man. Bitter and cynical they became fast friends and formed The Breaker Upperers, a small-time business breaking up couples for cash. Now they’re in their late-thirties and business is booming. They’re a platonic, codependent couple who…

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Film Review: Skyscraper (USA, 2018) delivers lunacy and ridiculous physic-defying stunts in spades

Is there anything Dwayne Johnson can’t overcome? Earthquakes, tsunamis, oversized gorillas, Vin Diesel’s ego…the hulking man mountain has tackled them all and emerged victorious.  For his latest spat with big screen-worthy roadblocks, the man no longer credited with his “Rock” moniker faces his biggest challenge yet – a skyscraper some three-times taller than the Statue…

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KinoKonzert. Live! to present live music with a cinematic twist in Sydney

KinoKozert. Live! looks to shake up the movie -going experience with a unique series, blending film and music, while featuring some of the most talented musicians from Australia and Germany. Presented by the Goethe-Institut Australia, KinoKonzert. Live! will start 14 July with Crossroads, a modern silent film written and directed by Berlin underground legends “Alexander Hacke and…

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Blu-Ray Review: Ready Player One (USA, 2018) crams a massive, fascinating documentary into its home release

“Somehow I managed to maintain my calm facade, when inside I was just a little boy losing his mind” – Ernest Cline, while on the sound stage with composer Alan Silvestri, whose music, he said, was being played endlessly while he wrote the novel. Later, he trades a signed copy of his own book for a signed…

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