Author: Tiana Sixsmith

Interview: Melbourne band Creature Fear on where it all began and their brand new track “Makeup”

With an infectious sound that is bound to make you move, eclectic indie-rock band Creature Fear are back with a brand new single full of their bright signature sound and theatrical fun. Their second track for 2019, “Makeup” is a song about finally releasing all inhibitions and being yourself, whoever that might be. Having shared…

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Live Review: G-Flip, Ruby Fields, Methyl Ethyl and more stun crowds at Laneway Festival in Melbourne

The day started off with dark clouds and the threat of rain at any moment. A sprinkling of water showered festival go-ers as they waltzed into the festival, a pulsating mass of Gorman jackets, four dollar plastic rain coats and the occasional punter (myself) who forgot to check the weather report. There was fear in…

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Magic Dirt to be inducted as Live Legends at the 2018 National Live Music Awards

An influential element to the roaring Australian music scene, acclaimed Geelong rock band Magic Dirt are to be inducted as Live Legends at the 2018 National Live Music Awards on the 6th of December. Known for their ground breaking, ARIA award nominated album Life Was Better (1994) with stand out tracks such as “Ice” and “Amoxycillin”, the…

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Aussies Abroad: Atlanta’s Shaky Knees drop epic 2019 line-up with headliner Tame Impala, Tash Sultana, Julia Jacklin and more

Launching into its seventh year, Shaky Knees Festival is back and bigger than ever with one of the most epic line-ups we’ve seen this year. Situated in Central Park, Atlanta from the 3rd – 5th of May 2019, the festival not only boasts tonnes of high quality acts, the best bites in town and an…

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It’s not just Peking Duk: 5 musicians you didn’t know wrote children’s books

Musicians seem to be a pretty multi-talented bunch. Some of them find themselves in television and movies el la Cher and others find themselves walking the runway like Young Thug. What you might not expect however, is the amount of musicians who have delved into a different sort of profession. Writing children’s books! Rockstars expanding…

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Track of the Day: Diamond Vargas “Don’t Tell Me” (2018)

Oozing in a blend of electronic, urban soul and RnB, Melbourne’s Diamond Vargas has launched onto the scene with her debut track “Don’t Tell Me”. Written about the experience of having a strong connection with someone that is so deep that it threatens to corrupt your identity, this song is a luscious and exposing introduction…

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Track of the Day: YoWo Music “Built for Boys” (2018)

YoWo Music, a Melbourne based music program for girls and gender non-conforming young people, have announced their debut album Work Like That, which is set for release on November 23rd. With guidance and mentorship from professional musicians, the nine-track album is a heartfelt exploration through music by some of Melbourne’s brightest young female and GNC…

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The stars of Whose Line Is It Anyway? are coming to Australia: Our 5 favourite side-stitching moments

Three of America’s best improv actors are heading down under for one of the best comedy events of the year and if you’re like me and religiously watch Whose Line Is it Anyway? reruns, you had better get excited. Colin Mochrie, Brad Sherwood and Greg Proops are about to join on stage in Australia for the…

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9 events you don’t want to miss at the 2019 Perth Festival

With summer just down the track, why not prepare yourself for one of the best Arts festivals to hit WA shores. Running from the February 8th to March 3rd, Perth Festival has cultivated the growth and exploration of some of the greatest Australian and International acts and is one of Australia’s premier Arts events. Here…

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Track of the Day: Miss Blanks “This Bitch” (2018)

Warning: This song is pretty explicit, and so it darn well can and should be. Brisbane’s own Miss Blanks is reclaiming the word commonly used against women and femmes, and is turning it around onto men. Known for her out-spoken, strong and empowering beats with a knack for driving important conversations about topical issues, Miss…

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Five Arts events not to miss around Australia this November

Summer is closing in, and you know exactly what that means. Australia is home to some of the biggest and brightest selections of entertainment and there is no doubt that coming up there will be something for everybody. From Jazz Festivals to Comedy shows, November is jam-packed with ah-mazing events and we aren’t going to…

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Interview: Lime Cordiale chat about new music, hitting the road and Lost Paradise festival

Since releasing their first full length album last year, the boys from the Northern Beaches are hitting the ground running. Lime Cordiale have grown a lot since 2012 when it was just brothers Louie and Ollie strumming acoustic guitars. News Flash, they aren’t ready to stop just yet. With plenty of great stuff on the…

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5 Artists you don’t want to miss at WAMfest 2018

Now in its twenty-fifth year, WAMFest is WA’s favourite annual celebration of emerging homegrown artists, bands and producers. Devoted to celebrating and showcasing local talent, the festival is the largest of its kind in the world, and will culminate this week, with a weekend filled with outdoor performances, venue showcases, workshops, and industry events all centred…

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Track of the Day: Hotel Mira “Jungle” (2018)

The latest track “Jungle” from Vancouver based band Hotel Mira is a bright, triumphant exploration of young love and adolescence and you are bound to adore it. With an energetic and unmatchably exuberant introduction, the song tells an incredibly heartfelt story about someone’s high school experiences that was written after watching Greta Gerwig’s film Ladybird. On…

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7 tracks to get you ready for the 2019 Twilight at Taronga concert series

Quickly becoming one of the leading summer concerts in Australia, music lovers and animal lovers alike collide in the heart of Sydney’s Taronga Zoo for the annual American Express Twilight at Taronga series. Dripping in impeccable talent, the line-up boasts artists from Grammy Award nominated singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc, Australian favourite Vera Blue, 90s Icons You…

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Live Review: Ceres deliver a legendary sold out show at The Howler, Melbourne

I am about 98.98% sure that we almost made Tom Lanyon cry. From the moment Ceres walked onto the stage for their Viv in the Front Seat tour and launched into their first song, the entire crowd was singing along to every word. The Howler was packed to the brim, there are definitive bruises forming…

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Indigenous Slam Queen crowned Australian Poetry Slam Champion

Her very first performance brought the house down and now Melanie Mununggurr-Williams has been crowned Australian Poetry Slam Champion. Dropping an absolutely stunning slam about aboriginal identity, Melanie won crowds over with her complex piece about breaking free of inner demons, and “being caught between a western white mans world, and ancient aboriginal antiquity”. Her…

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Track of the Day: Stevie Jean “Estranged” (2018)

The voice that captivated everybody in 2017 and scored herself a spot in the Triple J Unearthed High Top 5 is back with another epic track. Stevie Jean‘s “Estranged” is the powerful song dedicated to all the outcasts and outsiders, breaking down the boundaries of organised faith, not judging the person you are and accepting…

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Melbourne International Arts Festival Review: One Infinity explores ideas of cultural exchange through incredible contemporary dance

I have a single word for you. Wow! Walking into Malthouse Theatre, I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect. The audience was split in two, both facing each other on opposite sides of the black lacquered stage, which is set up minimally with Eastern Asian instruments. We are told to mirror the women who sit…

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Live Review: The Pretty Littles launch epic new album at Melbourne’s Corner Hotel

Melbourne’s favourite gritty garage rocker’s The Pretty Littles are back and providing the goods with an epic show, an epic line-up and a bloody good album to go along with it. The Corner Hotel crowd was churning for opening night and the bloke beside me chimed in to let everyone know that “The Pretty Littles…

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Track of the Day: Leonie Kingdom “So Much More” (2018)

A fragile and beautiful track, Hervey Bay artist Leonie Kingdom has dropped the latest song “So Much More” from her debut EP Night Terrors. A song about learning from mistakes and life experiences, learning and growing along the way, the delicately performed song reminds listeners that there is light beyond the darkness and so much…

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Track of the Day: Hudson Thames “Last Call” (2018)

Catchy, vibrant and with a chorus that’ll have you singing at the top of your lungs, Hudson Thames‘ new single, “Last Call”, is the contemporary pop anthem that everyone has been waiting for. With a Billy Joel-esque piano intro dripping in nostalgia, friendship and darn good times, this song will have you reaching for a…

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A magical Disney themed bottomless brunch is on it’s way to Australia

Get out your glass slippers, pull on those ball gowns and pre-book your Uber so you don’t risk your carriage turning into a pumpkin. Why, might you ask? Because a Disney themed brunch is on it’s way to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and you most definitely do not want to miss out. Whether you plan…

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Melbourne International Arts Festival Review: Prize Fighter is a superb and emotional story that cannot be missed

There’s a boxing ring in the middle of the room, chairs set up like a stadium in the midst of Northcote Town Hall. As we find our seats, two people are throwing punches to the surprise of audience members, and others are working out, sweating throughout the performance space. For a moment I was deeply…

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Melbourne International Arts Festival Review: Van Diemen’s Band excite with stunning Cello Napoletano

Walking into Elizabeth Murdoch hall for the first leaves you struck by it’s beauty. It’s architectural design is distinct, elegant and intimate. Steps echo as we venture to our seats and as the band steps onto the stage, suddenly everything changes. Under the direction of Melbourne-born violinist Julia Fredersdorff, Van Diemen’s band are an array…

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Melbourne International Arts Festival Review: Campagnie Carabosse’s Fire Gardens light up Royal Botanic Gardens

Fire and gardens… it’s not exactly what you expect to go together isn’t it? Yet as the sun starts to set across Melbourne, the Royal Botanic Gardens are only just lighting up with a (completely sold out) installation churning with people and garden pots filled with flames. Different, immersive and enveloped in an eerie atmosphere,…

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Five Arts events not to miss in Australia this October

Summer might be on its way, but even without the unpredictable Spring weather there is plenty to keep us entertained indoors. There’s never a particularly quiet month in the Australian arts calendar, so here are some of our picks for the best Arts events this month. From the Adelaide Film Festival, to an exhibition re-contextualising Frankenstein…

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Melbourne International Arts Festival Review: My Name is Jimi is keeping Wagadagam culture burning bright

“There is a Fire, a bright flame that was lit in the past, it is still burning but the woods are burning out. My job is to put new woods in to keep the Fire burning.” This is a quote created and practiced by Jimi Bani‘s late grandfather, Adhi Ephraim Bani Jr. The fire represents…

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Melbourne International Arts Festival Review: NoFit State’s Lexicon circus is a crowd pleaser

Looking for a dosage of engaging, crowd-pleasing and talent filled entertainment? NoFit State‘s Lexicon has everything you need. Dripping in nostalgic, early European costumes and a magnificent live band playing immersive and often gothic folk music, the circus embraced originality whilst still holding dear to it’s roots. 250 years ago a man by the name…

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Interview: Director Bart Layton talks about his new film American Animals

Earlier this year while he was here for Sydney Film Festival – and not long after I had the chance to see the film at SXSW – I sat down with director Bart Layton to talk about his new film American Animals, which is in cinemas next Thursday. Based on a true story that happened at…

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