Author: Holly Leszczynski

Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition has opened at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney

An interactive exhibition titled, Star Wars Identities has opened at Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum. Designed for fans of all ages, the exhibition allows visitors to build their own unique and personal Star Wars character as they move through each interactive station. At the end of the exhibition, visitors will get to meet their unique creation.

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Track of the Day: Driftwood “Higher Mentions” (2018)

The latest single from Australian singer-songwriter/producer on the rise, Driftwood, has been released. The track “Higher Mentions” is stunning both aurally and visually, thanks to the accompanying music video, which was filmed and directed by Driftwood himself. Beautifully captivating, the single is also the latest release for Mammal Sounds Records. A striking and emotive track,…

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Track of the Day: The Paddy Cakes “Hollywood” (2018)

Gippsland rockers The Paddy Cakes have released their new track “Hollywood” as the first taste of their debut EP, due for release next year. Produced by Dylan Adams (Skeggs, DMA’s), the track is a punchy indie rock effort that has come just in time for summer. Catchy and fun, “Hollywood” is a solid Aussie alternative…

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Set List Essentials: Five songs we hope Damien Rice plays on his first Australian tour in more than a decade

Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice has announced his return to Australia in February 2019 to perform his first shows in over ten years. Playing intimate venues in Sydney, Brisbane, Hobart, Bendigo and Melbourne, Rice will be playing his most iconic songs and fan favourites from My Favourite Faded Fantasy, which have yet to be played live for Aussie…

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Aussies Abroad: Hands Like Houses joins epic rock lineup at Sonic Temple Festival in Ohio

The highly anticipated Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival lineup is here and it has not disappointed. Amongst the abundance of epic rock acts on the lineup is Canberra band, Hands Like Houses who will be representing the Aussies at the inaugural festival in Columbus, Ohio. Taking place in May 2019, Hands Like Houses will…

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Six acts not to miss at the 10th anniversary of Progfest 2019

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Progfest will be back in 2019! Described as the ultimate annual gathering for progressive music fans, the festival, which began in December 2008, features progressive bands of all styles and genres and the 2019 instalment is set to the biggest yet. With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of…

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Interview: Sophie Lowe talks new single “Taught You How To Feel” and shooting Medieval in Prague

Actress and singer Sophie Lowe has returned to the music game with new single “Taught You How To Feel”. An emotive and powerful track, the single follows her 2017 song “Trust” and her acclaimed 2016 EP 2. Produced by Neal Sutherland, “Taught You How To Feel” is incredibly personal, exploring past relationships and the idea of escape….

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7 new Canadian bands you need to listen to this week

Canada, stereotypically known for its love of hockey and maple syrup, is also home to some incredible bands. We were recently over on their fine shores to attend the conferences BreakOut West and Halifax Pop Explosion, and have returned with a compilation of seven bands from this great country that you need to listen to…

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Track of the Day: The Northern Folk “Cold” (2018)

Based in Melbourne but hailing from Albury, NSW, The Northern Folk have released the first single from their upcoming third album, “Cold”. The ten-piece band are all about defying the odds, combining folk, pop, stomp and rock, spreading their sound throughout the biggest of cities and the smallest of towns. “Cold” is a track that…

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Track of the Day: Slum Sociable “Afterthought” (2018)

Melbourne duo Slum Sociable have released their new uptempo and dance ready summer single, “Afterthought”. The track, out now via Liberation Records is striking, combining a playful sound with slightly melancholic lyrics, all of which shine thanks to Miller Upchurch‘s impressive vocals. Full of drum machines and synthesisers, “Afterthought” is a summer-party-ready track that is…

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Album Review: The Beatles White Album Experience delivers for Beatles fans on 50th anniversary

50 years ago, The Beatles released what is considered by many, one of the greatest albums of all time. The double album featuring 30 tracks, although technically self-titled, quickly became known as simply, The White Album. Now, five decades later, Spotify has facilitated the release of The Beatles White Album Experience, a 107 track audio-visual playlist that has attempted…

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Exclusive Single Premiere: Girl York “Lost At Sea” (2018)

Indie rock trio Girl York have teased the release of their upcoming, sophomore EP, Dreaming in 505 with new single “Lost At Sea”, which we’re pleased to premiere today ahead of its release this Friday. With elements of gritty 90s shoegaze, this track, the last little taste before the EP’s release at the end of the month,…

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Tour Diary: Australia’s Fatai makes her Austin City Limits Debut

ACL still feels like a dream. Some of the most fun weekends of my short lived life so far! Especially for an Aussie kid who left school at 13 with a dream to change the world through music, this opportunity became my classroom to learn from my peers, make new friends, show and tell, and connect new dots that couldn’t have been as divine if I didn’t take the risks to chase after my…

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Gig Guide: 7 gigs not to miss in Melbourne this November

November is almost here which means summer time is just around the corner! With warmer days and longer nights, there’s no better time to see some great live music. Step into summer the right way and get along to some unmissable gigs this November. Here are seven Melbourne gigs to check out! King Princess November…

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APRA AMCOS kicks off new Professional Development Series for Women

On Monday night, APRA AMCOS launched its new Professional Development Series for Women to an excited audience at their Brisbane offices. Featuring Next Act Coaching’s Viv Fantin, the national event series will see Viv present her popular interactive workshop “Tune Out Your Inner Critic” to APRA AMCOS members. The motivation for the series follows enormous…

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Aussies Abroad: Vance Joy announced as main support on P!nk’s 2019 European summer tour

Vance Joy will be returning to European stadiums in 2019 as the main support on P!nk‘s summer tour. Spanning over two months, the tour will follow Vance’s own highly successful tour which has totalled 83 dates globally and will wind up in Europe this November. Australian fans won’t be missing out, with the singer-songwriter playing…

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Interview: We meet Seattle rockers Thunderpussy backstage at Dave Grohl’s Festival Cal Jam

Over the last five years Seattle band Thunderpussy have been making a name for themselves with raucous live shows, acclaimed music and a playful attitude towards release titles (their EP, Greatest Tits, really sums it up). Earlier this year, the quartet released their debut LP to critical acclaim, and haven’t stopped touring since. I had…

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Album of the Week: Glades – To Love You (2018 LP)

Sydney electronic pop trio Glades are releasing their long awaited debut album, To Love You. Featuring singles “Eyes Wide Shut”, “Not About You”, “Drive” and “Do Right”, the album is out this Friday. With a remarkable 150 million streams under their belt already, this trio clearly aren’t messing around. To Love You opens with a track called “Nervous…

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Track of the Day: Alex the Astronaut “Happy Song” (2018)

Alex the Astronaut has released her new single “Happy Song” ahead of her forthcoming Space Tour this November. This track, equally optimistic and melancholic, was performed for the first time to a packed tent at this years Splendour in the Grass. Aiming straight for the heart, “Happy Song” perfectly pairs gloominess with buoyancy, delivering a…

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Rufus Wainwright, The Internet, Hanson and more line up for Zoo Twilights 2019 at Melbourne Zoo

Melbourne Zoo has announced the full lineup for their annual summer concert series Zoo Twilights. Running every weekend from 25 January to 9 March, Zoo Twilights will unite world class musicians and music enthusiasts in a one of a kind summer experience. All proceeds from ticket sales will go straight back into Zoos Victoria’s efforts…

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Exclusive Single Premiere: Graham The Grand “Go” (2018)

Singer, songwriter and producer Graham The Grand returns with new single “Go” off his debut project I Don’t Know Why I Feel The Way I Do. The track, available October 19th, is down tempo and melancholic, filled with nostalgia and reflection on Graham’s own experiences. Moving to Melbourne from his hometown in Brisbane to pursue his…

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Album Review: Moaning Lisa – Do You Know Enough? (2018 EP)

Canberra alt-rockers Moaning Lisa are back with Do You Know Enough?, a collection of love, heartbreak and reinvention that explores the journey of a queer girl manoeuvring her way through the ups and downs of her early twenties. The product of four music graduates, Moaning Lisa found their purpose in making loud noises together, operating on the…

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Anna Burns wins the Man Booker Prize for her novel Milkman

Milkman by Anna Burns has been announced as the winner of the 2018 Man Booker Prize for Fiction. The 56 year old author is the sixteenth woman, and remarkably the first Northern Irish writer to win the prestigious award. Burns drew upon the experiences of her home country to write her third full length novel….

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Album Review: Total Giovanni – Euphoria (2018 LP)

If you aren’t already listening to Total Giovanni, you definitely should be. Following the release of their recent single “Comes in Waves”, the Melbourne group are finally releasing their debut album Euphoria, on Friday. With their music described as “Paradise Garage meets Madchester on the shores of the Mediterranean,” Euphoria is bound to take Australia by storm. Emerging out…

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This Asian country just overtook Singapore to claim “The most powerful Passport in the world”

The results are in and Japan has overtaken Singapore to claim the top spot on the 2018 Henley Passport Index. This triumph comes as a result of Japan gaining visa-free access to Myanmar earlier this month, meaning Japan now enjoys visa-free/visa-on-arrival access to 190 destinations. Beating out Singapore by just one destination, the two have…

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Interview: Ben Panucci (Sydney) talks debut album Age of Consequence and its personal nature

Ben Panucci‘s debut album Age of Consequence is a deeply personal divergence from his previous sounds. Inspired by humanity, the album was written and produced by Ben himself and is set for independent release on Friday 12 October. Reflecting a change in gear for the Sydney guitarist and producer, Age of Consequence allowed Ben to refocus his life,…

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Exclusive Music Video Premiere: Shanon Watkins “We Lived” (2018)

Brisbane pop-rock artist Shanon Watkins is back with a new music video for his latest single “We Lived“, and ahead of its official release this Friday, we’re excited to premiere it exclusively on the AU today. “We Lived” deviates slightly from Shanon’s usual optimistic tone, embracing a more sombre feeling, allowing the listener a chance…

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Interview: Not a Boy’s Name talks about “Hazard Perception Test” and his BIGSOUND debut

Dave Jenkins Jr’s new indie rock project, Not A Boys Name, is off to a flying start with the release of an impressive new single “Hazard Perception Test”, and a video to match. A song about resilience and learning how to navigate negativity, “Hazard Perception Test” is punchy and melodic. The video, directed by Matt…

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Gig Guide: 7 shows not to miss in Brisbane this October

October is almost upon us which means it’s time to start planning how you’re going to spend those warmer, spring evenings. With a bunch of awesome gigs coming up in Brisbane, you’ll have no excuse not to get out and enjoy some live music. Here are our picks for the best gigs happening in Brisbane…

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Music Matters Interview: Why NZ duo Chores reckon Melbourne is better than Auckland

New Zealand producers Chores had a chat with the AU review during their recent stop in Singapore for Music Matters 2018. Although originally from Auckland, the boys are making the move to Melbourne, describing it as “the best city in the world.” Discussing Melbourne’s “thriving scene,” Chores acknowledge that “there’s just so much going on…

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