Month: April 2016

Farewell, Overwatch closed beta: Our top ten likes and dislikes

Farewell (for the next week), Overwatch. Our time with your closed beta has been memorable. You were exuberant fun as often as you were one-sided and rage-enducing. After spending a good few months in the game’s second closed beta, we come before you now to pass friendly judgement on what what we loved and where we think…

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Arts Review: The Detective’s Handbook – Hayes Theatre Co (Performances until 7th May)

Who knew the old trope of the hard-boiled detective paired with eager up-and-coming youth set to solve crime and make safe the streets could be so smoothly re-imagined as a musical? An utterly hilarious musical at that! Ian Ferrington, writer of “The Detective’s Handbook” sure did. For hilarious it is. The audience could hardly save…

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Review: BLACK by Ezard (Autumn Menu 2016) – Pyrmont (Sydney)

The ultra-slick Black by Ezard has been a staple for Sydney’s discerning diners for almost five years now, maintaining the high standards of celebrity chef and owner Teage Ezard with what is presented as a modern modern grill and steak house that feels premium and casual at the same time, an ambiance upheld by it’s…

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Music Video of the Day: George Maple ft. GoldLink “Sticks and Horses” (2016)

Well, damn, this is sexy. George Maple has released the visuals for her tune with GoldLink in “Sticks and Horses” and it’s one hell of a decadent, smoky romp. The melody and production marry together flawlessly on this tune, as Maple harnesses some serious not-to-be-fucked-with vibes as the song’s narrative rolls out. The music video follows similar…

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Album News Weekly: 29th April 2016

In this issue: A bunch of fresh debut album releases to check out this week, ranging from love songs to classic metal. Time to update the music library with these fresh of the plate albums! Boxer Rebellion Described as ‘an emotional sucker punch’, London quartet Boxer Rebellion are set to release their fifth record Waves…

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The State of Affairs (29th April 2016): Australian Indie Labels heading to New York, nominations for the NIMA’s are open & more!

This week in the music industry, AIR, Sounds Australia and PPCA have announced the 12 Australian independent record labels who will be attending the annual Indie Week conference in New York, applications for the National Indigenous Music Awards are open, Support Act to celebrate and honour Paul Kelly’s contributions to the industry and we bring you…

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Borneo announce east coast tour details for this June

Sydney five-piece Borneo have announced an east coast tour, which will see them play locations in Byron Bay and Queensland. Describing their sound as “disco influenced rainbow Rock’n’Roll”, their laid back yet infectious sound is not one that you want to miss, especially in a live setting. Their latest single “Eating Animals” gained the band…

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Leon Bridges adds new Melbourne show to his east coast tour

After selling out the first Melbourne show of his upcoming tour within minutes of tickets being available, Leon Bridges has added a second Melbourne show for July 20 to his east-coast tour. The new addition will now see him taking the stage for one Sydney at the Enmore Theatre, and two shows at The Forum…

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Single of the Day: LUCIANBLOMKAMP “The Overman (Lower Spectrum remix)” (2016)

Two artists you definitely need to have your radar switched on to, LUCIANBLOMKAMP  and Lower Spectrum, have linked up for this gem of a tune – an official remix of the former’s single “The Overman”. The original track, featured on LUCIANBLOMKAMP’s new album Bad Faith, is stunning on its own and the remix takes all those nuances and…

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Drake drops VIEWS via OVO Sound Radio on Apple Music

It’s been too long a wait for Drake fans everywhere but today, finally, the 6 God has granted us with his latest album, VIEWS. Premiered with a special edition of OVO Sound Radio, Drake is going through the album along with an interview and conversation with Beats 1’s Zane Lowe. Tune into it NOW to listen! During his interview with Lowe,…

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Tyler Richardson on developing a strong band dynamic with Luca Brasi with new LP, If This is All We’re Going to Be

Luca Brasi bass player and all round legend Tyler Richardson had just received news his band had scored the lucrative ‘Feature Album’ spot on triple j as we’re talking about touring and writing new material. “I busted my fingers up for this Community Cup training session for football,” he explains. “I’ve been a little down and…

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ZHU set for exclusive Melbourne date in June

ZHU returns to Australia this year for an exclusive Melbourne show at The Forum this June – not one to be missed! Of course, fans will be turning out for the club and radio hit “Faded”, but the enigmatic producer is going to be coming back to Oz no doubt with some special treats up…

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The Cure announce Australian stadium shows for July

I don’t care if Monday’s blue. Tuesday’s grey and Wednesday too. Thursday, I don’t care about you, it’s Friday – I’m in love. Perfect timing, really. Already confirmed for Splendour in the Grass, The Cure have now expanded upon the lone Australian date, announcing a full run of Australian stadium shows! With Adelaide and Perth dates…

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Aussies at CMW: Spotlight on 2016 Showcase Artists, The Dead Love!

Sydney duo Clint Ossington and Stevie Knight are soon to throttle Toronto with their straight up, no nonsense brand of fun grunge rock tunes, as The Dead Love prepares to make their Canadian Music Week debut! As part of our series, getting to know some more about the Australians headed out for the epic music festival and conference, Ossignton…

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Owen Rabbit drops new single “Weeds” and announces tour dates

Following his breakthrough last year with singles “Holy Holy” and “Denny’s”, Melbourne-based producer, Owen Rabbit, returns with new single “Weeds” and has announced some national tour dates. His new track “Weeds”, has been beautifully crafted, with Owen being described as “one of the most exciting artists currently producing DIY experimental-electronica”. Owen Rabbit has received such…

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Hands-on with Overwatch on Xbox One

The “hallowed ground” that is FPS, as Overwatch Lead Game Designer Jeff Kaplan puts it, is one of the final frontiers for the Blizzard to really explore. Being a diehard PC gamer, I generally give console games, particularly console FPS, a wide berth. I’ll admit that I’m guilty of scoffing when I heard about Overwatch‘s…

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Bells toll and old monsters lurk in Penny Dreadful Season Three premiere

“Life for all its anguish is ours, Miss Ives. It belongs to no other.” – Lyle Prepare to travel the world in the season three premiere of Penny Dreadful as we catch up with our favourite characters, some now scattered across the globe. It is the year 1892, and it finds Ethan (Josh Hartnett) on…

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DVD Review: 99 Homes (M15+) (USA, 2015)

Once named “the director of the decade” from the late, iconic film critic Roger Ebert (who, in turn, has this film dedicated to him), Ramin Bahrani’s new film 99 Homes is a self-described “humanist thriller”, which takes us into the realities of the American housing crisis, out of which tragedy and corruption has emerged. Set…

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Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later coming to Netflix in 2017

Netflix has announced that a follow-up to last year’s Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, titled Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later. Like the name suggests, the eight-episode series will be set ten years after the original Wet Hot American Summer film. Beyond that, details are scarce but expect Elizabeth Banks, Michael Ian…

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Popular tech vlogger and “Queen of Shitty Robots” Simone Giertz signs with Australian label

Robotics is still a complicated and often overwhelming concept to some people, but turning it into a playful, accessible, and downright bizarre field is increasingly sweeping the globe in part thanks to world-renowned Youtube Simone Giertz, dubbed “The Queen of Shitty Robots”. The Swedish inventor has created robots to feed her cereal, robots to help…

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Tasmanian Comedy Series Rosehaven Starts Production

Production of ABC comedy series Rosehaven has begun in Tasmania. The creators and stars of the show are well-known Tasmanian comedians Luke McGregor (Luke Warm Sex, Utopia) and Celia Pacquola (Utopia,The Beautiful Lie). Tasmanians also feature prominently among the cast, which includes Tasmanian-based Kris McQuade, Anthony Morgan, Katie Robertson, and Noela Foxcroft, alongside mainlanders David Quirk…

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Palace Cinema Norton Street brings back the Vintage Classics program!

After a brief hiatus, the popular and loved Vintage Classics program will be returning to Palace Cinema Norton Street every Sunday afternoon at 3pm. The program will have carefully selected classic films which will definitely take audiences on a cinematic adventure from May 1st with Elvis: That’s The Way It Is through to Mel Brooks‘…

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Delta Air Lines to launch Bombardier’s CS100 aircraft in 2018

Delta Air Lines have today announced that they will be the US launch customer for Bombardier’s new C series aircraft, the CS100, with 75 of the aircraft already on order. The introduction of the new planes, due in 2018, will allow the company to reshape and upgrade its narrow-body fleet – 130 of which are being…

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Aussie Abroad: Owen Rabbit announces European tour dates

Melbourne’s Owen Rabbit has announced a brief European tour on the back of his recent singles, “Weeds”, “Holy Holy”, and “Denny’s”. The tour will see him play at the iconic music industry showcase The Great Escape in addition to showcases like The Aussie BBQ and venues like Sound Gallery. His DIY experimental-electronica sounds have made…

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Travel Diary: A day exploring Busan, South Korea

Hello Asia! editor Johnny Au visited South Korea’s second most populous city of Busan recently and took the opportunity to see how to explored the city in a day. From taking the KTX (the local bullet train) to picking out a city hop on/hop off tour, come explore this modern coastal city with Johnny. The…

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Come on, feel the Illinoise! 5 iconic music venues you have to visit in Chicago (USA)

Chicago. Chi-Town. The Windy City. Famous for its deep dish pizza and its gangsters, the largest city in Illinois has all this and more to offer the visitor coming through its fine city. For the music fan, Chicago more than satisfies, especially if you’re in town during Lollapalooza week, as the AU was back in…

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NSW’s former Chief Funster Andrew Smith reveals his 5 favourite NSW experiences (Australia)

From December 2013 to June 2014, Andrew Smith was appointed Destination NSW’s “Chief Funster”, and travelled all around NSW to see the best of what our country had to offer. Among this time, he went to Tamworth, joined the AU on a weekend in Newcastle and much more. Now back in the real world (though…

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“Equality Needs You”: Annual New York City Pride Celebration kicks off on June 19

Equality Needs You is the theme of the 2016 New York City Pride celebration, which will be held from the 19th to the 26th of June at various events and venues across the city’s five boroughs. LGBT rights have come a long way in recent years, but as Chris Frederick, Managing Director of NYC Pride, notes, the theme of…

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Aussies Abroad: Ella Fence announces tour dates in Canada and UK

Ella Fence, whose debut EP Wanderlust garnered international attention, is touring the US, Canada and the UK with her all-female Folk/Pop band. This week the artist has already performed at Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe and last night at New York’s The Bowery Electric, before travelling to Toronto for Canadian Music Week through the first week of May, and…

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Perth International Comedy Festival Review: Larry Dean – Out Now (Performances until May 1st)

Let me set the scene. It’s about half way through the set, the comedian’s just had to deliver the punch-line of a joke for the third time; and now he’s offered to get a round in for the audience because an older Swiss-Aussie audience member told him he was making him thirsty. Presumably this was…

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