Author: Jennifer Quinlin

Live Review: Ville Valo (VV) + Dark Water – Metro Theatre, Sydney (16.03.24)

Melbourne/Naarm darkwave synthpop band, Dark Water, opened proceedings at the Metro Theatre in style. Their moody, atmospheric tunes certainly set the tone for an already packed-out room. Whilst it was a relatively short set they had the crowd engaged. I’m looking forward to seeing more of them in the future, for sure. By the time Ville…

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Tim Minchin

4 Australian acts you need to see over the next few weeks: January & February 2024

Every few months, we’re going to be taking stock of some of the most exciting Australian tours going down. Why? Well, the trend of people picking up tickets last minute is only going to get more salient from here. Cost of living means that we’re planning more things last minute than in advance, so consider…

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Interview: Ville Valo (Finland) on album Neon Noir and his upcoming Australian tour; “There’s something about the way the sun looks over yonder that is very different from other parts of the world.”

Ahead of his upcoming Australian tour, Finland’s own Dark Lord of love metal, Ville Valo, aka VV, recently took time to chat with us about his album Neon Noir. We talked about the transition from lead singer of HIM to solo artist, and the process of creating his debut solo album, including playing every instrument…

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Live Review: Foo Fighters light up Melbourne’s AAMI Park with an emotionally charged night to remember

After playing a one-off show in early 2022 in Melbourne, which would sadly serve as one of drummer Taylor Hawkins’ final shows, the legendary Foo Fighters returned last night. Opening act Hot Milk (UK) hit the stage at AAMI Park with a bang, kicking things off with “Party On My Deathbed”. Delivering a level of…

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Album Review: Muse’s Simulation Theory (2018 LP) is a masterful sensory sledgehammer

There’s an indescribable level of anxiety that comes with being a Muse fan any time a new album is announced. It’s the heady mixture of excitement, overwhelmingly peppered with fear of the unknown. It’s been a divided fandom for as far back as I can recall, with old-school versus the progressives, and there’s no shortage…

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Interview: Andrew Kinsman (UK) talks about blending life as an artist and Kasabian’s saxophonist

When you’re at a cracking live gig it’s not hard to be consumed by the performance of a frontman, and even more so when the frontman – or men, in this instance – are Tom Meighan and Serge Pizzorno of Kasabian.  It’s worth taking a moment, however, to focus on the other performers on the…

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Live Review: Biffy Clyro go “Unplugged” in Cardiff, delivering a breathtaking set

Scottish rock gods Biffy Clyro aren’t the first band that springs to mind when you think about a seated acoustic gig. Having attended many of their shows over the years I can vouch that it’s more a case of coming out with your ears ringing and your entire body dripping in sweat. If you can…

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Interview: Roo Panes on bringing Quiet Man to fruition as LP #3

When listening to the opening notes of “A Message to Myself”, the album opener of Roo Panes‘ third studio record, Quiet Man, the listener is stung with the evocative punch behind the English songwriter’s artistry almost immediately. It’s a craft Panes has developed beautifully over the course of the last few years, being embraced by audiences around…

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Album Review: Biffy Clyro – MTV Unplugged (Live At Roundhouse, London) (2018 LP)

When you think of Biffy Clyro live you’re most likely to think of a night out which leaves you sweaty, with ringing ears and a raw throat, and possibly some sort of discombobulation at a cellular level. The Scotsmen are known for their high-energy gigs, with raucous sing alongs and lack of upper body clothing…

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Interview: Frank Turner talks about kindness and the perils of politics in the age of social media

With his new album Be More Kind out tomorrow, we check in with one of our favourites, Frank Turner, to find out some more about the new record and his thoughts as a creative in an ever changing social climate. You’ve mentioned numerous times that Be More Kind is taken from Leçons de ténèbres by Clive James – what…

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Album Review: Frank Turner – Be More Kind (2018 LP)

I’m not ashamed to say that I find the world a frightening and desperate place of late, with its increasing loss of humanity and decency in the face of rising uncertainty and aggression. More and more it seems we’re losing sight of each other as individuals and hiding behind the safety and anonymity of our…

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Album Review: The Sad Song Co. – Worth (2018 LP)

If you look in the dictionary for the definition of multi-talented I’m not entirely certain you wouldn’t see a picture of Nigel Powell smiling back at you.  For the uninitiated, Nigel is the powerhouse drummer in The Sleeping Souls, the relentlessly touring (and recording) band for Frank Turner. He’s also from Dive Dive, and the…

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Live Review: Muse return to Australia with a scaled back production, but same high octane live show in Sydney

After four very long years, Muse made an extremely welcome return to Australian shores at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on Saturday night for their first of only two shows in the country this year.  Having skipped Australia on the recent Drones World Tour, it was wonderful to get the opportunity to see them on this…

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Album Review: Frank Turner – Songbook (2017 LP)

Arguably the world’s hardest-touring musician, Frank Turner has somehow managed to find enough spare time to collate and release a new album to see out 2017. Songbook is a double CD offering – the first CD being a celebration of some of his finest songs recorded so far in his career, and the second being ten…

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Interview: Blue Mountains band, Sonori, chat about their debut EP

Guitar/keyboardist Andre from Sonori recently took some time out to sit down and answer a few questions for us as their self-titled debut EP enjoys its long awaited release!   By way of introduction to our readers, can you tell me a little about how you came together as a band? When I moved to Katoomba five…

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Album Review: Foo Fighters – Concrete and Gold (2017 LP)

It can’t be easy when you’ve been around as long as the Foo Fighters, both collectively and as the myriad of musical permutations of the individuals within the band, to come up with an album that sounds fresh and exciting but Concrete and Gold, the latest offering by the Foos, is just that. From the moment…

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Interview: Jess Green/Pheno talks about crowdfunding her debut EP, Dragon Year

We chat with Aussie musician Jess Green, who has been working away on her anticipated EP release, Dragon Year. The seasoned musician has been part of the Australian scene for years now and as we learn, her career has brought her a wealth of musical experience, from jazz right through to composing for dance works. This,…

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Interview: Sydney’s Stand Atlantic on signing to Rude Records and new EP, Sidewinder

Sydney three-piece alternative pop/rock band, Stand Atlantic are set to release their new EP, Sidewinder, on September 15 via Rude Records. The trio have only been together for a couple of years but have become the first Australian band signed to the international label. It only takes an instant when hearing their stuff on Soundcloud or YouTube…

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Album Review: Alison Moyet – Other (2017 LP)

Alison Moyet has always been front of mind for me when it comes to female vocalists. Her voice has woven itself steadily through my life ever since I heard “Where Hides Sleep” years ago. Now, with the release of her ninth solo album, Other, I sit in awe still of her extraordinary voice and remarkable…

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Interview: Royal Blood frontman Mike Kerr on album number two, How Did We Get So Dark?

Following on from the meteoric success of their debut album, we had the chance to have a chat with front man and bassist, Mike Kerr, on the eve of the release of their second album How Did We Get So Dark, which is in stores now. How is it releasing an album the second time around in…

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Digging Deep or Digging Down? A Muse fan’s first impression of the band’s new single, “Dig Down”

Muse dropped their brand new single, “Dig Down”, overnight and the reaction has been varied. Sounding a lot like “Madness” from The 2nd Law it has a slow, pulsating bassline – possibly from Chris Wolstenholme‘s Kitara, an assumption based purely on the similarity to “Madness” – and Matt Bellamy delivers the vocals in breathy crooner…

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Thomas Oliver on Floating in the Darkness and his upcoming Australian tour

We spent some time catching up with Thomas Oliver recently ahead of his national tour dates in support of new album Floating in the Darkness. The New Zealander takes us through the process and his inspirations. Tell us about your latest single, “Losin’”.  Is there a story behind it? It’s a song of feeling someone I love slip…

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Catching up with Against Me! as they kick off their tour of Australia for Groovin the Moo

Against Me! are currently back in Australia, touring for the Groovin the Moo festival and with this in mind, we were stoked to catch up with guitarist, James Bowman. It seems you’ve gone through a few line up changes over the years, though you’ve been a fairly consistent presence since 2001, is it? Pretty close; I…

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Reconnecting with 80’s pop megastars BROS as their Australian return is announced

80’s pop mega-stars, BROS, are reforming for three shows only in 2017. Two shows at London’s O2 Arena are taking place in August, with the first show selling out in an astonishing seven seconds. Twins Matt and Luke Goss are also bringing the show to Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on November 4th and I had…

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Vampires and World Domination: Society of Beggars on their new EP and upcoming tour

Before heading off on their new run of Australian tour dates, Society of Beggars took some time out for a quick chat about their brand new EP, vampires, and world domination. What can you tell me about the idea behind the name, An EP Called Night? The EP itself is supposed to reflect the rush in the…

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Revisiting MT Warning’s brilliant 2015 EP, Petrified Heart

If, like me, you’re a stressed out over-thinker struggling with the constant sensory input of our increasingly busy lives, then you’ll find this absolute gem by MT Warning to be a much needed oasis of calm and serenity. Mikey Bee manages storytelling and imagery woven together with heart-on-sleeve lyrics, all delivered with emotive and honest…

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Album Review: Chris Shiflett – West Coast Town (2017 LP)

Though firmly anchored in Americana Chris Shiflett‘s third solo album, West Coast Town, translates beautifully to the Australian country scene.  I most recently listened to the album as I churned through a road trip through Victoria and New South Wales and it made many of the 1400 kilometers melt away.  There’s something about the wide…

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Brett Steinberg & Zeke Hunter introduce us to Chasing Moonlight & the music they’re making in 2017

New York duo Chasing Moonlight have been garnering some decent buzz online as of late, with their music connecting the young duo to thousands of fans in the US. With a debut album in the pipeline for May as well as a growing online media presence, members Brett Steinberg and Zeke Hunter tell us a bit more about…

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Live Review: Roo Panes + Anabelle Kay – The Toff In Town, Melbourne (15.03.17)

I never miss a support act when I’m reviewing.  Ever. I think it’s important to support the support every chance you get. Almost every artist we admire has been a support act at some point. Tonight, sadly, I missed Anabelle Kay‘s slot at The Toff In Town owing to circumstances beyond my control. I’m sorry,…

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Roo Panes chats about songwriting and 12-string guitars while out on his debut Australian tour

Roo Panes is a singer songwriter from the UK and he’s currently on tour in Australia.  I was lucky enough to grab a chat with him in Melbourne ahead of his show at The Toff In Town. Welcome to Melbourne! Is this your first trip to Australia? Yes, well, I’ve travelled to Australia before, I…

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