Film Review: 13 Minutes channels your favourite childhood disaster flicks

Remember those natural disaster films from the ’90s? You know, Deep Impact? Volcano? Dante’s Peak? Twister? Well, if the recent Amazon hit Greenland has whet your appetite for disaster, then 13 Minutes will also satisfy your urge. Writer/Director Lindsay Gossling has assembled an all-star cast – including Anne Heche (to bring us back to Volcano for a…

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Quolls

Book Review: Harry Saddler’s Questions Raised by Quolls is a thought-provoking and caring read

Questions Raised by Quolls, written by Harry Saddler, is aimed at educating us all about the plight of the quolls and the environmental situation in Australia. It is a book which raises important questions, and asks us all to reflect on the situation in this country. For example, did you know that Australia has the…

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The Teskey Brothers

Album of the Week: The Teskey Brothers – Live at Hamer Hall (2021 LP)

In the two years since releasing their magical debut album, Run Home Slow, The Teskey Brothers have been incredibly busy and become overwhelmingly accomplished. Playing numerous completely sold out tours (despite the live music landscape being in complete disarray), winning awards and accolades left, right and centre, the Melbourne band has still managed to find…

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Tom Harrington

Exclusive Single Premiere: Late November “Birdbrain” (2021)

North Queensland’s Late November are a five-piece indie-rock outfit creating uplifting songs celebrating the transition into adulthood. They met in high school, and create songs that fuse their energetic math-rock riffs with soulful indie melodies. We are thrilled today to have the premiere of their latest tune, “Birdbrain”. Their material has often touched on themes…

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Film Review: Dune merges its blockbuster aesthetic with a desolate mentality.

Despite reading Frank Herbert‘s 1965 novel many moons ago and viewing David Lynch’s bizarre 1984 adaptation during my youth, Dune was still a title that felt foreign to me when entering the theatre to bare witness to Denis Villeneuve‘s much-discussed imagining.  Sure, I can clearly see the inspiration this operatic story had on the science-fiction…

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Masked Wolf & The Kid LAROI join BTS & Olivia Rodrigo atop Apple Music & Shazam’s 2021 Global Charts

Today Apple Music unveiled their global charts for 2021 for both their streaming services as well as Shazam, and the news is pretty remarkable for Australian artists. Topping the Shazam charts, as the #1 most Shazamed Song globally in 2021, is Australian hip hop artist Masked Wolf, for his track “Astronaut in the Ocean”. Within…

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Death’s Door Review: A Door Worth Knockin’ On

Gaming has always been the past time for a bit of escapism. Now more than ever, the sheer variety of games has allowed us to be whisked away to worlds we would never have even imagined. For one, you can now self-insert as a cute little crow working for the Reaping Commission Headquarters as a…

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Splendour 2022 Line-up Drops: YUNGBLUD, Glass Animals, Kacey Musgraves and more join a stacked July festival!

After a long 2021, we waited with bated breath as Splendour In The Grass expanded its line-up for 2022, with a massive announcement loaded with Australian sounds and big-hitting internationals. Previously confirmed headliners of Gorillaz, The Strokes and Tyler, the Creator will be joined by newly announced acts, Glass Animals, YUNGBLUD, Liam Gallagher, Yeah Yeah…

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Track of the Week: Budjerah “Wash My Sorrows Away” (2021)

Budjerah is back on our radar with both a Splendour in the Grass booking and a new single – the dreamy, soulful “Wash My Sorrows Away“. Not that he was ever really off it, with the track coming after he picked up both the Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the ARIA Awards…

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Tom Harrington

Exclusive Single Premiere: Tom Harrington “Be There Soon” (2021)

Victorian singer/songwriter and indie-folk balladeer Tom Harrington creates music that comforts and caresses. Following on from his debut single “Before You Go” he has been hard at work on his debut EP, and we are thrilled today to be premiering the title track, “Be There Soon”, ahead of its release on Friday, 3rd December 2021….

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Film Review: Encanto is a visually colourful and energetically paced animated musical about accepting yourself, flaws and all.

An ordinary teenager trying to fit into an extraordinary world is not exactly the road less travelled in film, and certainly not in the realms of the animated genre, but it’s where Disney have opted to explore (again) in Encanto. Now, as much as the general plot line of Jared Bush‘s and Byron Howard‘s outing…

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Interview: Kurt Goedhart from The Butterfly Effect on “So Tired”, riffs and lockdown

As one of the country’s most iconic rock bands, The Butterfly Effect have seen and done it all in their time on the forefront of local heavy music. The Brisbane quartet’s latest single ‘So Tired’ and accompanying video is an exciting taste of their forthcoming album – the first in over a decade. We caught…

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Theatre Review: Moulin Rouge! is a wonderfully lavish musical experience like no other

Put on your finest dress, button up your best tux and step into an extravagant world of glitz, glamour and romance at the Moulin Rouge! Based on Baz Luhrmann’s iconic 2001 film, it tells the story of an aspiring composer, Christian (Des Flanagan), who falls in love with Satine (Alinta Chidzey), a prominent cabaret actress and…

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Club Med to open its very first Canadian resort in Québec next week

Before the year is done and dusted, iconic luxury lifestyle brand Club Med will open its very first Canadian property, no doubt adding the country’s already solid portfolio of grand, enchanting ski resorts. Named Québec Charlevoix, positioned in the north of Québec, the new Club Med resort will soak up the area’s regional wonders and…

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Forget the chicken parm: Surry Hills icon The Clock Hotel now has a great French bistro menu

Surry Hills iconic The Clock Hotel has been through more than a few changes in its lifetime, and I’m hoping the latest is nice and permanent for the long-standing venue. That would be moving away from the typical pub grub associated with such a popular hotel into undeniably French territory, dissing the parma for some…

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Fireball Whisky and Vic’s Meats team up to offer Aussies a unique glazed Christmas ham

Fireball Whisky won’t end 2021 without making an impact. The raucous label is known for its spicy collaborations, and the latest just might take the cake. The label has teamed up with Vic’s Meats in Sydney to launch a Fireball-laced limited edition Christmas ham for anyone who wants something a bit different cooking in the…

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Woolloomooloo’s Wharf set for a big change as Il Pontile brings regional Italian flare

Woolloomooloo’s iconic Finger Wharf would be a dream location for any restaurateur, so I couldn’t even begin to imagine how overjoyed Mario Percuoco is right now as he collaborates with the latest opening by Audacia Enterprises. As the son of Buon Ricordo’s Armando Percuoco, there’s an obvious pedigree and love for hospitality that sits behind…

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Interview: Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn writer/director Radu Jude on filming through the pandemic and embracing bad behaviour in his storytelling

There are few films that take your breath away in such a graphic fashion as Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn.  The Romanian black comedy (you can read our review here) is now screening in select Australian cinemas, and to coincide with its release our own Peter Gray got to chat with the film’s writer…

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Nate Vibrations

Melbourne’s Naté Vibrations shares his musical tastes and influences

Earlier this month Melbourne-based producer and hip hop artist Naté Vibrations dropped the summer-tinged track, “Hop Out”, and irrespective of what the weather is currently doing, this is a track to get you zinging about. From the fun jaunty opening on the keys to the driving beats and vocals, “Hop Out” is a total trip….

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Battlefield 2042 Review: A Trip Into the Eye of the Storm

For a franchise centred around the conflict of war, covering several eras and stories, it’s clear that Battlefield 2042 had one target left in mind; itself. What follows is an incredibly frustrating blend of smooth action and refined gunplay, paired with numerous bugs and glitches, and the overall lack of depth within its mainline modes….

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Game Review: An Ode to Pokémon Brilliant Diamond

It’s been 15 years since the release of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl—arguably the most important entry in the Pokémon gaming franchise, as it revitalised its popularity through changes to the battle system, along with Wi-Fi connectivity and the ability to connect players to the wider Pokémon community. It was the spark for the Gen IV…

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Film Review: Cry Macho is a meandering drama that suffers from a lack of urgency

Though it’s undeniable what a powerhouse actor and director Clint Eastwood is – he won the Best Director and Best Picture Academy Award twice, for those keeping score – Cry Macho is proof that he’s losing his touch. His fourth film in three years – following 15:17 To Paris, The Mule, and Richard Jewell –…

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Film Review: Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn is blackly comic and insultingly confronting

Come for the porn.  Stay for the social commentary. A film that very much opts to take no prisoners during its confronting opening minutes of unsimulated sexual activity, Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn is at once an enraging drama and a wicked comedy that consistently goes against the grain of what we feel like…

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Film Review: The Boss Baby: Family Business commits to its ludicrous premise and enjoys playing with its narrative insanity

I think it’s a fair assumption to state that not many people expected Tom McGrath‘s 2017 effort The Boss Baby to clear the half a billion dollars it did at the global box office.  It was a bizarre comedy that entirely banked on its central premise – a baby that spoke like an entitled adult…

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The Paper Palace

Book Review: Miranda Cowley Heller’s The Paper Palace is an absorbing, if traumatic, read

Like many of Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club picks, The Paper Palace by former head of drama series at HBO, Miranda Cowley Heller quickly became the book of the moment when it was released back in July. The novel follows a woman named Elle, who has finally given into her desire for her childhood friend Jonas after…

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The Cat Empire

The Cat Empire: As they say goodbye, a fan takes a look back at all the times the band said Hello

After more than 20 years and 8 studio albums, The Cat Empire has decided to call time on a career that has spanned more than 1500 shows having played to millions of fans. Starting out as a trio in 2001, the Melbourne act has managed to light up every single stage they’ve played while bringing…

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Paris Irwin

Exclusive Video Premiere: Paris Irwin “Tendons” (2021)

Brisbane-based singer/songwriter Paris Irwin has put another step forward on a steep career trajectory with the release of her latest track, “Tendons”. This dark, broody pop song examines the end of a toxic relationship, with the protagonist calling time because she wasn’t being treated appropriately. Her partner tries to pile on the guilt, but she has…

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Choosing Sides

Choosing Sides share 10 albums that inspired their EP All I Need

Adelaide four-piece Choosing Sides have just released their latest EP, All I Need. It’s an enticing blend of indie, alt-rock and shoegaze, drawing attention to thoughtful lyrics and artful musicianship. It’s a collection of songs showing great maturity, as the band explores their relationships and place in the world. Frontman Will Wright explains: “‘All I Need’…

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JessB

We caught up with JessB to talk “FROM THA JUMP”, lockdown recording sessions, and the King Street Carnival

Auckland-based rapper JessB has been steadily rising in recent years, and the one ahead is looking to be busy and bright. The former professional netballer has already had quite an impressive career; with two EPs, a mixtape and a handful of singles under her belt, JessB also won Best New Zealand Act at the 2019…

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Film Review: Best Sellers is a safe, easy read lightly boosted by the odd-couple pairing of Michael Caine and Aubrey Plaza

Look, I know they say not to judge a book by its cover, but it’s precisely what one will do with Best Sellers, a cliched dramedy that nudges every narrative beat you expect, only mildly saved by the odd-couple pairing of Michael Caine and Aubrey Plaza; his cantankerousness at odds with her more manic downtrodden-ness….

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