Author: Jennifer Quinlin

Chris Shiflett on his new solo album, West Coast Town

Chris Shiflett, widely known as the awesome guitarist from Foo Fighters, is releasing his third solo album, West Coast Town, next month before heading out on a US tour to support the album release.  We were lucky enough to snag some of his time to have a quick chat with him before the madness begins….

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Scott Hutchison & Simon Liddell of Frightened Rabbit on touring and embracing the bleak

As I sat in the airless room near The Corner Hotel in Richmond I pondered the irony of interviewing Frightened Rabbit about their latest album, Painting of a Panic Attack, whilst I was personally mid-way through my very own anxiety attack. At least the stifling temperature in the room would hopefully serve as a sufficient…

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Live Review: Kasabian – Sydney Opera House (09.03.17)

It’s midnight, I’m sitting in a budget hotel, and I have to be up in four hours to catch my flight back home to Melbourne to work. I’ve also just been at the Sydney Opera House to see Kasabian’s second show of their two-nights-only Australian visit. There is so much adrenaline ripping through my system…

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The Living End’s Andy Strachan on Shift and life on the road

As a long-time fan of The Living End it was with great delight that I had the chance to have a chat with drummer-extraordinaire, Andy Strachan, about their seventh album, Shift, life on the road, and the fear of Meatloafing. Firstly, congratulations on the latest album; it’s a killer, I think. Thank you, that’s good…

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Flight Review: Premium Economy to London with Air New Zealand – Leg Three – Los Angeles to London (NZ2)

Over the last week, we’ve taken you on board Jennifer Quinlin’s journey from Melbourne to London with Air New Zealand atypical route for Australian travellers, via Auckland and Los Angeles. So far she’s taken us through legs one and two of the journey, as well as her experience in transit in Los Angeles. Now today…

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What it’s like to transit at LAX with Air New Zealand’s NZ2 from Auckland to London

The Air New Zealand service NZ2 (the first leg of which I reviewed last week) is a rare flight at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), with the airport serving as a transit point for the plane: with the plane continuing on to London. But not before you have to deal with the airport’s infamous security measures. While…

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Flight Review: Premium Economy to London with Air New Zealand – Leg Two – Auckland to Los Angeles (NZ2)

Earlier this week, Jennifer started her journey to London with Air New Zealand with her first leg from Melbourne to Auckland (You can read that review HERE). Today she takes us on the second leg, from Auckland to Los Angeles on Air New Zealand‘s remarkable Premium Economy “Spaceseat” service, abroad their stunning Boeing 777-300 aircraft. Airline: Air New…

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Flight Review: Premium Economy to London with Air New Zealand – Leg One – Melbourne to Auckland (NZ124)

While most fly to London via Asia or the Middle East, Air New Zealand offer a service that take you via Auckland and Los Angeles. It’s a longer journey, but depending on the needs of your travel could end up being a better option. Our own Jennifer Quinlin recently flew from Melbourne to London on Air…

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Album Review: Catfish and the Bottlemen – The Ride (2016 LP)

UK band Catfish and the Bottlemen, named after lead vocalist Van McCann’s encounter with an Australian busker called Catfish the Bottleman, have recently released their follow-up album to 2014’s debut, The Balcony. The Ride is a stonkingly good collection of tunes which are so polished and mature in their sound and production that I was…

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Tom Larkin of Shihad (NZ) talks about the music business ahead of their Australian tour

Ahead of their impressive run of Australian dates next month and through July, we catch up with Tom Larkin of Shihad to find out how the band recovered from their recent chaotic venture of slamming down three shows across three NZ cities in one freaking day, what the re-release of the beloved Fish album means to the band and the direction of…

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Live Review: Madonna + DJ Mary Mac – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne (12.03.16)

I’m ancient enough to have been around when Madonna‘s career was in its infancy.  I can clearly recall Molly Meldrum championing her on Countdown as a huge talent, and I have vivid memories of dancing around the bedroom with my cousins to “Holiday” and “Lucky Star”.  She has featured in my musical consciousness for almost…

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Album Review: The Franklin Electric – This Is How I Let You Down (2015 LP)

This Is How I Let You Down is Montreal-based alternative folk-pop band The Franklin Electric’s debut album. The band is headed up by Jon Matte on vocals, piano and trumpet, with Liam Killen on drums and vocals, Alexis Messier on guitar, and Martin Desrosby on bass. Matte is also the songwriter, plus he produced the…

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Live Review: Paul Dempsey + Fraser A. Gorman – Corner Hotel, Melbourne (26.02.16)


Ultra mellow singer-songwriter Fraser A. Gorman opened proceedings to a building Friday night crowd at The Corner Hotel in Melbourne’s Richmond. With a breezy blend of tunes, including a cover of Wilco’s “Passenger Side”, and some quirky, off-beat story telling (my favourite moment was a tale regarding the evil nature of children, just beating the…

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Live Review: Birds of Tokyo + Fractures – Melbourne Zoo (13.02.16)

A gloriously warm, sunny Melbourne evening saw a sold out crowd descend upon Melbourne Zoo for Birds of Tokyo‘s gig as part of the Zoo Twilights series. The Zoo Twilights run for two weeks, with all proceeds going towards fighting the extinction of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot. As the sun slowly made its way to…

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Album Review: Love Parade – Shake On The Mission (2015 LP)

Sydney-based former Novocastrians, Love Parade, released their second album, Shake On The Mission, earlier in 2015 and it’s one of the sneakiest albums I’ve heard in a while. I’ve found myself randomly humming or singing tunes from the album at the oddest of times, usually when I’m supposed to be deeply engrossed in something heinously…

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Live Review: The Maccabees + The Creases – 170 Russell, Melbourne (06.01.16)

Brisbane-based The Creases arrived on stage with no fuss or introduction and set to warming up the crowd at 170 Russell prior to The Maccabees‘ Falls Festival sideshow. Despite a litany of technical glitches – including microphones attempting to electrocute them to the point they needed to protect themselves with shirts from their merchandise line,…

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Levellers to perform 1991’s Levelling The Land in its entirety in Australia next October

British folk-punk band Levellers are coming to Australia to perform their classic, platinum-selling 1991 album, Levelling The Land, in its entirety, along with an extensive list of their impressive back catalogue. From playing pub gigs in Brighton to becoming the headline act at Glastonbury, Levellers were propelled into the musical consciousness of the UK through this…

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Luka Bloom announces 2016 Australian Tour

Legendary Irish singer/songwriter Luka Bloom has just announced he is returning to Australian shores in early 2016.Showcasing his brand new album, Frugalisto, Bloom returns for his 12th Australian tour since 1992. Of the upcoming trip, Bloom is incredibly keen, noting the connection he’s maintained with our country and how it’s been felt on the record….

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The Jesus and Mary Chain headlining Spectrum Now Festival in 2016

The music line-up has been announced for the Spectrum Now Festival @ The Domain, the much-anticipated event that forms the beating heart of The Sydney Morning Herald Spectrum Now Festival presented by ANZ. This 11-day outdoor fiesta will come alive with music, art, performance, food, drink and a reimagined vintage circus vibe. Running from March…

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Oh Wonder Announce Support Acts For Headline Shows; Will Support Halsey In Sydney

The response to the first Australian dates by London duo Oh Wonder was overwhelming, with tickets selling out within 48 hours of going on sale. As a result, both shows were upgraded – with Sydney subsequently selling out, and Melbourne soon to follow. Supporting them at their Melbourne show at the iconic Corner Hotel will be…

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Live Review: Chris Cornell + Dave Le’aupepe – Palais Theatre, Melbourne (04.12.15)

It was a packed house at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre for the first of two shows by American singer-songwriter Chris Cornell. Cornell is probably best known as the frontman of Seattle’s Soundgarden, as well as Temple of the Dog, and supergroup Audioslave. He’s also a highly successful solo artist, and has an enviable catalogue of soundtrack work…

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Album Review: Mutemath – Vitals (2015 LP)

I confess, somewhat shamefully, that Mutemath have only ever existed for me on the peripheral of my musical consciousness. I’ve known about them, primarily, through a friend who has raved about them for years, but I’ve never managed to sit down and actively listen to anything they’ve released. Listening to their new album, Vitals, I…

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Album Review: Fat Freddy’s Drop – BAYS (2015 LP)

Recorded at their own studio in Wellington, New Zealand, and self-released on The Drop, the label they own and operate, BAYS is the fourth studio album by internationally acclaimed, yet intrinsically Kiwi, Fat Freddy’s Drop. BAYS is the 7-piece’s follow up album to 2013’s Blackbird. Having previously lived in Wellington for ten years, Fat Freddy’s…

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Maribou State (London) talk about their new LP Portraits and their upcoming Australian tour

London’s Maribou State are heading to Australia for a five day DJ set this month and they kindly took some time out for a chat about the upcoming tour, as well as giving a bit of insight into their debut album Portraits. Congratulations on the release of your debut album, “Portraits”, this year. How was…

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Album Review: Shihad – FVEY (2014 LP)

It takes a total of about two seconds to recognise the work of Melbourne-based Kiwis Shihad in the opening track of their latest offering, FVEY. A better hit than a double-shot mocha-choca-latte with added rocket fuel, it bursts forth with their familiar intense sound, waking every cell in your being. FVEY, pronounced Five Eyes, refers…

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