British dream-electropop group Blossoms are only on the way up – after their eponymous debut album spent two weeks at UK number one last year, they’ve received nominations for both ‘Best Breakthrough Act’ at the BRIT Awards and ‘Best New Act’ at the VO5 NME Awards this year. Yeah. These guys are more than alright. To add…
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The Probes bring a new meaning to psychedelic, with epic tracks and dynamic soundscapes, who recently hit the road as supports for Echo and The Bunnymen. We recently caught up with Jack Greene, singer/guitarist, to chat about the tour, and 2017 plans. How would you best summarise your sound in ten words or less? Often…
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You know those choose-your-own-adventure novels, the ones you read as a kid? With the exception of dying in 90% of the story lines, the Laneway Festival is like that – bear with me here. There’s thirty-six acts, and where you start, stop and travel is entirely up to you. I asked my maths-genius friend to…
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How do you even begin to describe Car Seat Headrest’s music – ‘lo-fi’ is a commonly used word, but what even is that? The opposite of hifi? As in, Max Watts-formerly known as-Hifi? How would that even be a genre? I digress. Really, lo-fi is a phenomenon, something in the post-emo movement, with less angst…
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Self described as ‘three hyperactive stoner cunts that didnt come here for a haircut’, Dune Rats have created their own niche with their no-bullshit, stoner rock. I’m chatting to Danny Beusa, vocalist and guitarist, as he’s ordering avo on toast in the leafy, green suburb of Indooroopilly, Brisbane. He’s the epitome of chill, considering he’s…
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You can’t deny that the Australian music scene is an entity entirely of its own – local bands pinwheel across the country, you’re struck by EPs of dazzling quality from all directions, and local music scenes steal your heart. Hailing from Adelaide, and only forming in late 2015, The Montreals are no exception to this,…
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Heads of Charm are a Melbourne-based trio, of David Gagliardi (vox, guitar), Zaire Kesha (bass) and Lachlan Ewbank (drums). Their music is hard-to-define, an astoundingly dynamic sound that led them to being pinned one of our top BIGSOUND acts of 2016. They’ve just dropped their second single of the year, “OK Yes Pls”, are about…
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How do I even introduce Zan Rowe to those who aren’t familiar with her (how!?), where do I begin? She has been a friend to many over her years at triple j, introducing so many amazing artists to so many people, guiding us to new areas in our musical tastes, and helping everyone start the…
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The dimly lit underground haunt of 170 Russell was packed with the best and brightest of Victorian music, gathering for The Age Music Victoria Awards and after party! Certain awards were decided by popular vote: the choice of the punters, after all, being the deciding factor in the success of artists. The air was jubilant, and…
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The Face The Music contemporary music summit continued for a second day yesterday, focussing on music sharing platforms, music criticism, nurturing community in Australian music, and economics of music in Australia. Speakers included renowned YouTube vloggers, musicians, radio hosts, music critics, managers, and many more industry professionals, the day rounding out with live music throughout…
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Melbourne Music Week 2016 is culminating with Face The Music, a contemporary music summit that, well, lives up to its name. This year sees some of the best and brightest in the industry coming together for two days of discussions, deliberations, demonstrations (and debaucheries). With over fifty different talks, panels, workshops and networking sessions, the…
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Nearly two years of work by two Melbourne artists, photographer Michelle Grace Hunder and filmmaker Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore, has culminated in the powerful, multifaceted Her Sound, Her Story. It’s a project created as a response to the conversation observed surrounding women in the Australian music industry, documenting more than 40 female artists who have, or…
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Since their inception in 1990, melodic death metal gods In Flames have shaped the sound of heavy music, thrashing us with an ever-evolving sound that remains distinctly their own. On the verge of releasing their twelfth full-length album, we caught up with guitarist Niclas Engelin to discuss the immensity and inspiration of their impending release,…
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The bands at Northcote Social club on Friday night exemplified the flow-through influence of the pop-punk movement, from mellow Max Quinn to Adelaide duo The Hard Aches. Associating Max Quinn with punk might be a bit of a reach, but the combination of simple, chorus-y guitars and sweet vocals reminds me of pop-punk stalwarts Modern…
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As I’m chatting to Konstantin Kersting, bassist of The Belligerents, the band has just touched down in Melbourne and their cymbals appear to be missing in action. While the remainder of the Brisbane five-piece tracked down the elusive percussion pieces, Konstantin chatted with me about their upcoming album release, their new single “Caroline”, national tours,…
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Palm Springs, a Melbourne act renowned for dark, sombre country music, dusky vocals and lyrical honesty were represented as a single act on Saturday night. Erica Dunn represented the band, bringing a set reminisce of Chelsea Wolfe; doom folk meets the blues. One woman, armed with a guitar, held The Tote’s audience hostage, with no…
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Baby Blue, born as a solo project for vocalist Rhea Caldwell, has matured into a trio that is rising through the ranks of Melbourne’s music scene. Guitarist Fabian Hunter brings a cool finesse that cements this band in the guitar-pop scene, with drummer Nathanael Riley tying the trio together. The trio’s third single, “Save Yourself”, described…
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The Jezabels’ third full-length album, Synthia, was released in February this year, delivering more of the powerful synth-pop that the band is revered for. Unfortunately, the supporting tour (planned for earlier this year) had to be cancelled, due to synth player Heather Shannon undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer. Now that everyone’s health is in check,…
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It was affirming to see that the room was already mostly filled when first act Baby Blue took to the stage, opening the night. Baby Blue brought a dreamy indie pop-rock that danced between decidedly 60s sounds, as well as moments nearly reminiscent of Major Leagues. Fronted by Rhea Caldwell’s unique voice, we were taken across a…
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The last time that Canadian punk outfit PUP were on Australian shores, they were touring as support for The Smith Street Band. It’s a kind of beautiful irony that they’re back, headlining a sold-out tour, supported by Aussie indie-punk darlings Camp Cope (who have a very intertwined history with The Smith Street Band themselves). We…
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Since bursting onto the scene with their self-titled debut album in 2010, Of Mice & Men have charged to the forefront of the metalcore genre, as well as commanding the emergence of a new metal insurrection. Their fourth studio album, Cold World, released on September 9th, marks a new era for the band, dripping with…
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Hailing from Radelaide, The Hard Aches are a pair of dudes who’ve been voraciously touring across the country for the past few years. With honest lyrics and insatiable live energy, the duo are picking up acclaim from both Australia and abroad, ahead of their anticipated EP, I Freak Out. We caught up with Ben David,…
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Since showcasing at BIGSOUND 2015, The Lulu Raes have had a hectic tour schedule, sharing stages with the likes of Jamie XX, The Jungle Giants and Sticky Fingers. In support of their recently released EP, All Our Parents Are Divorced, they’ve been touring the country, winning hearts and dance floors along the way. When they took on Northcote…
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A raucous six piece from Melbourne, Northeast Party House have been making indie party rock for just over six years. Their first LP, Any Given Weekend, received critical acclaim, and has seen the band touring across Australia and the globe, with a second LP Dare on the way. We caught up with guitarist Mitch Ansell to…
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For one magical week of the year, Fortitude Valley transforms to a musical haven; a subtropical playground bathed in the auditory ambrosia that is BIGSOUND. Christmas for the music industry has just passed, and what a week BIGSOUND 2016 has been. Dissection, examination and support of the Australian music community sustained the BIGSOUND conference during the…
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‘Twas the night before BIGSOUND, when all through the Valley, Not a showcase was playing, it was quiet as a mouse. Except for the pumping opening parties running at venues across the Valley, as well as a few thousand punters, delegates and musicians beginning their BIGSOUND 2016 frivolities early. Unable to wait to dig into…
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Ball Park Music have wooed audiences across the nation with their genre-defying versatility and clever lyrics, cementing themselves as a stalwart of the Australian alternative music scene. Their fourth studio album, Every Night The Same Dream, following on from Puddinghead, demonstrates a mature, moodier direction and does not disappoint. The shamelessly fun first track “Feelings”,…
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During my first listen of The John Steel Singers’ new EP, Midnight at the Plutonium, it’s a cold Melbourne winter day, but damn, this album makes it feel like a Brisbane summer afternoon. At just eight tracks, it’s short and sweet, and the funk that seeps through has a good chance of getting you bopping around,…
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Far From History are five dudes hailing from Herts & Essex (UK) and are undoubtedly bound to carve a place in deathcore history. Brutal breakdowns, djent-esque rhythms and a solid energy culminate in a genre-spanning sound, which is captured on their newest EP, Gallows Hill. We caught up with them between their recent UK tour…
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As I’m chatting to Charles, lead guitarist and vocalist of Brisbane favourites Babaganouj, he’s laughing, struggling to unlock the door, and has just made it through Brisbane peak-hour traffic. “It’s really not [that bad],” he laughs, reminiscent of the laid back nature of Brisbane; it’s no wonder Babaganouj’s indie pop-rock sounds are so upbeat. The…
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