Author: Simon Clark

Books Editor. An admirer of songs and reader of books. Simon has a PhD in English and Comparative Literature. All errant apostrophes are his own.

Exclusive Video Premiere: Noah Dillon “Holding On” (2019)

Perth’s Noah Dillon has exploded on to the national scene of late, garnering attention from Triple J and punters up and down Australia’s East Coast on his recent tour. So, we’re particularly excited today to bring the exclusive premiere of a live studio video of his latest single “Holding On”.  Recorded live at Tunafish Studio,…

Read More

Exclusive Single Premiere: Plotz “Baby Shakes” (2019)

Melbourne quartet Plotz are kick starting their 2019 this week with the release of “Baby Shakes”, their first single since their EP All Up The Wall And Down The Street in 2017, and the first from the band’s forthcoming EP, which is due for release later this year. Ahead of the official release of “Baby Shakes”…

Read More

Track of the Day: Pool Shop “Shooting Star” (2019)

“Shooting Star” is the new single from Brisbane dream pop outfit Pool Shop, the first since the transition from solo project to a full band operation.  Pool Shop is the brainchild of Jamiee Fryer, the guitarist and vocalist for Major Leagues. Initially the project had been a solo affair, but for the recording of “Shooting…

Read More

Exclusive Single Premiere: Loni Rae Thomson “Slowly” (2019)

Written at the beginning of a new relationship, “Slowly”, a song about taking things one step at a time, is the title track from singer-songwriter Loni Rae Thomson’s forthcoming debut EP. Ahead of the official release of the single tomorrow, we’re very excited to bring you not only this exclusive stream but also the single’s…

Read More

Exclusive Single Premiere: The Jensens “Mt. Mura” (2019)

Before its official release on Thursday we are stoked to bring you this exclusive stream of “Mt. Mura”, the new single from Brisbane rockers The Jensens. The new single comes after the success of previous release”Coma”, which saw the band garner plenty of praise from the independent blogosphere as well as attention and radio play from…

Read More

Exclusive EP Premiere: Patrick James – What We’re Fighting For (2019 EP)

Ahead of its official release this Friday, we’re excited to bring you the exclusive premiere of What We’re Fighting For, the new EP from singer-songwriter Patrick James. What We’re Fighting For is Patrick James’ first full length release in four years and marks something of a change in direction, with James trading in his guitar…

Read More

Track of the Day: BATTS “Folding Chairs” (2019)

“Folding Chairs” is the new single from Melbourne singer-songwriter BATTS, taken from her forthcoming debut album The Grand Tour, due in April, the single is stripped back, contemplative and utterly beautiful. The track is gently delivered and places BATTS’ delicate and emotive vocals front and centre. It brings to mind, or mine at least, Laura…

Read More

Track of the Day: J.S. Ondara “Torch Song” (2019)

“Torch Song” is a melancholic and yearning track from Tales of America, the debut album from singer-songwriter J.S. Ondara. It is a track and indeed an album firmly rooted in the worlds of Americana and folk music, with Ondara citing Bob Dylan, amongst others, as an influence, but there’s something a twist to the tale. …

Read More

Exclusive EP Premiere: Chakra Efendi – Until The Children Grow Old (2019 EP)

We’re excited today to be premiere, Until The Children Grow Old, the debut EP from the Brisbane via Sunshine Coast singer-songwriter Chakra Efendi. At only nineteen years old, Efendi has already built something of a dedicated cult both at home and overseas thanks to a series of demos posted to SoundCloud. Demos, which to date,…

Read More

Interview: Ben Okri talks The Freedom Artist and literary festivals

Whilst he was in the country for both Perth Writers Week and Adelaide Writers’ Week, I had the chance to sit down with author, poet and Man Booker Prize winning novelist Ben Okri to chat about his new novel The Freedom Artist. Set in a world uncomfortably like our own, The Freedom Artist is a…

Read More

Track of the Day: Aldous Harding “The Barrel” (2019)

Last week saw singer-songwriter Aldous Harding share her new single “The Barrel”, the first taste from the New Zealander’s forthcoming third album Designer.  Along with the new single, we were also treated to a wonderfully eccentric and frankly captivating Martin Sagadin directed music video. Featuring Harding dressed in her best puritan costume, the video provides…

Read More

Exclusive Single Premiere: AM Reruns “Thrill Me” (2019)

Ahead of its official release on March 7th, we’re excited to be premiering “Thrill Me”, the new single and accompanying music video from Melbourne’s AM Reruns (f.k.a. Lip Sync Chicks). Recorded and mixed by Robert Muinos (Saskwatch, Little May), the single is the second to be lifted from the band’s debut album, which is due…

Read More

Track of the Day: Carla Geneve “2001” (2019)

Coinciding with the announcement that the Perth artist has signed with the Dot Dash Recordings roster, Carla Geneve has released her new single “2001”.  The single takes its name from Stanley Kubrick’s iconic film 2001: A Space Odyssey and makes reference to science fiction writer Jack Vance and John Carpenter’s 1982 film The Thing. According…

Read More

Exclusive Single Premiere: Pirra feat. JFT “Once” (2019)

Ahead of its official release tomorrow, we’re excited to be premiering “Once”, the bright and bold new single from Sydney’s Pirra, which sees the group experimenting with electro and dance elements in collaboration with emerging artist JFT a.k.a. James From Taree.  “Once” is an exciting blend of the band’s classic indie rock vibe with some…

Read More

Track of the Day: Yungblud & Halsey Feat. Travis Barker “11 Minutes” (2019)

We’re big fans of Yungblud (Dominic Harrison) here at the AU, so we were pretty stoked to discover the British multi-instrumentalist had teamed up with the acclaimed singer-songwriter Halsey and Blink 182’s Travis Barker for new single “11 Minutes”.  The track, a hypnotic track combining moody guitar work and quality high powered drumming, features a…

Read More

Track of the Day: Machine Age “Dust” (2019)

“Dust” is the new single from Brisbane experimental electronic rock artist Machine Age, and the first taste of their forthcoming debut album, Point of Departure, due for release later this year. Machine Age is the brainchild of Adrian Mauro. When Mauro was fifteen, his older brother passed away following a long battle with leukaemia, leaving Mauro to…

Read More

Exclusive Music Video Premiere: Bobby Alu “Other Side” (2019)

Ahead of its official release we’re super excited today to premiere the new music video for “Other Side”, the recent single from the ever delightful and chilled Bobby Alu. Released in November last year, the single is a fresh feel from the Byron Bay Uke strummer, drummer and singer, and the second taste from his…

Read More

Exclusive Single Premiere: The Paddy Cakes “Depressing All” (2019)

Today we’re stoked to premiere the new single from Melbourne rockers The Paddy Cakes ahead of its official release on Thursday.  Recorded and produced by Dylan Adams (DMA’s, Skeggs, West Thebarton), “Depressing All” is all set to play a part in the quartet’s forthcoming debut EP, which is set for release on Friday March 22nd. …

Read More

Track of the Day: Patrick James “Up” (2019)

Acclaimed Sydney singer-songwriter Patrick James is back with a new single, an EP on its way, and an intimate East Coast tour. All in the next couple of months. “Up”, a delightful piano driven anthem, is the first taste of the new EP What We’re Fighting For, which is set for release early next month….

Read More

Album Review: Mavis Staples – Live in London (2019 LP)

As a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Kennedy Centre Honoree and with seventy years of performing under her belt Mavis Staples has in my opinion well and truly reached ‘National Treasure’ status in the United States. She is also one of the few remaining living links to the Civil Rights Movement, and a period…

Read More

Track of the Day: The Teskey Brothers “Right For Me” (2019)

The Teskey Brothers have kicked off their 2019 in fine form with the delightfully funky and hook-laden new single, “Right For Me”, a track that is already a well established fan favourite thanks to position in the band’s acclaimed live set.  The band, for me, were one of the big take aways from Xavier Rudd’s…

Read More

Track of the Day: Theon Cross “Candace of Meroe” (2019)

If you’ve been following the UK and London jazz scene at all over the last couple of years, you’ll already be familiar with Theon Cross, having made a name for himself as part of the Mercury Award nominated, and award-winning quartet Sons of Kemet. He’s also a permanent fixture in South London-based collective Steam Down. …

Read More

Track of the Day: Twain “Death (or S.F.?)” (2019)

“Death (or S.F.?)” is the new single from Twain, and the second single from the new EP New Miami Sounds, a collection of unreleased songs from the sessions that birthed 2017 album Rare Feeling. Twain is an indie folk project led by Mat (or Mt.) Davidson, who’s also spent time playing in both The Low…

Read More

Book Review: David Malouf’s An Open Book is a well crafted and emotive collection from one of Australia’s finest

An Open Book, published late last year, is the eleventh collection of poetry from David Malouf, and his third in the last ten years. Prior to this collection I only really knew of Malouf in his capacity as a writer of prose and short stories. As it turns out he is equally adept in many…

Read More

Track of the Day: Hjaltalín “Baronesse” (2019)

Iceland’s Hjaltalín have kicked off their 2019 with a new single and music video, teasing the possibility of a new album on the horizon. Comprised of musicians from a number of different bands, Hjaltalín have been somewhat quiet on the release front, with the last album, a soundtrack, released back in 2014 and the single…

Read More

Track of the Day: JD McPherson “Ugly Sweater Blues” (2018)

Unless you’ve somehow managed to avoid all retail stores for the past month or so, you’re probably already close to peak Christmas song saturation, so you’ve probably already had your fill of jingle bells for the year. But, please bare with us as we close out of 2018 with one last Track of the Day…

Read More

Track of the Day: The Raconteurs / The Saboteurs “Sunday Driver” (2018)

It’s been a decade between drinks, but The Raconteurs have returned with two new songs and a new album on the way sometime in 2019. The songs were released via 7” to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the groups last album Consolers of the Lonely. The Raconteurs, who are also known as The Saboteurs here…

Read More

Track of the Day: Kids At Midnight “By Your Side” (2018)

Kids At Midnight a.k.a. Melbourne’s Jane Elizabeth Hanley has channeled her inner Kate Bush with her delightfully 80’s inspired new single “By Your Side”.  Whilst Kids At Midnight initially started life as a duo it’s now morphed into a solo project, with Hanley writing and producing all her own work. “By Your Side” marks the…

Read More

Track of the Day: Ruby Tuesdays “Why You Always Gotta Fight Me” (2018)

Wollongong five piece Ruby Tuesdays have capped off a solid 2018 of releases with their excellent new single “Why You Always Gotta Fight Me”.  Recorded and produced out on the South Coast with 19Twenty’s Syd Green, “Why You Always Gotta Fight Me” is the very definition of a slow burner, with the track gradually building…

Read More

Interview: Luke Million (AUS) talks favourite New Years and playing NYE in the Park

Christmas holidays are nearly upon us, which means New Years is nearly here too, so it’s time to get those plans finalised (if you haven’t already). If you’re in Sydney your decision got a whole lot easier earlier this year, with the announcement that NYE in the Park would be returning for a second year. The…

Read More