Photographer: Katja Liebing – Blue Moon Photography for Life Music Media
Photographer: Katja Liebing – Blue Moon Photography
Continue reading Photo Gallery: Future Now feat. The Robert Glasper Experiment, Jose James & Taylor McFerrin – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney – 10 June 2012
Album Review: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – Here
Review by Sibel Kutlucan
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros have returned with their brand new second full-length album ‘Here’. The album is melodious, magical and yet sleep inducing. Having big shoes to fill after the popularity of their first album “Up from Below” (2009) and their hit single, “Home” they have made some distinct changes, some for the better and alas, some for the worst.
‘Here’ channels a relaxed 60’s vibe, with sing-a-longs, acoustic guitars and simple rhythms. It certainly hasn’t been as catchy for me as “Up from Below” and I was silently disappointed with how ‘tame’ it was mostly. With the opening track “Man on fire” frontman Alex Ebert singing “I want the whole damn world to come dance with me” and with the upbeat rhythm, I was anticipating an album that I could actually dance too or have something to really get into. Maybe it’s just me, but I did find it too smooth throughout after “Man on fire”; this wasn’t a particularly bad thing it just made more for background music and not something I would particularly go out of my way to listen to.
That being said they did have some high points for me, and ‘Mayla’ was definitely one. It was hypnotic and soothing, I just wanted to close my eyes and drift away. Its sweet ‘Kumbayah’ campfire sing-a-long quality was definitely something I could have on repeat if I just wanted to kick back and relax.
Jade Castrinos definitely has more of a primary singing position on ‘Here’, where she takes the lead on one of my preferred tracks, “Fiya Wata”. The track has more of a classic-rock sounding vibe in comparison to the rest of the 60s folk-rock sound on the album.
Ebert and co. have hinted at a third album coming out this year, and that the second release of 2012 with be the more ‘celebratory of the two’. Hopefully, we can expect another album with a bit more oomph. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros are quirky and lovable, they may not appeal to the masses but ‘Here’ was pleasant sounding and didn’t have any ugly bits. I’d say I wasn’t completely won over but I’ll definitely have a listen to their upcoming material.
6/10.
Review by Sibel Kutlucan
http://www.facebook.com/themagneticzeros
Album Review: Hot Water Music – Exister
Review By Helen Brown
Brace yourself for a heavy onslaught from Florida-based Hot Water Music, but prepare to be under whelmed by the punk rockers’ 8th studio release. Fuelled by a take-no-prisoners attitude, Exister is set to a relentless high octane pace, but this pace is directionless as though the brakes have been cut and the album is headed for a messy collision course.
While the beats themselves are quite catchy with some definite bop-along moments, the lazy vocals do not match the consistency of these beats. There are many tracks where there appears to be screaming for the sake of screaming, with no real purpose or direction. There is a lack of vocal control, with a string of nonsensical noises made by mouth.
Exister has a common theme of apathy, which is very fitting considering the sloppiness of the album. There are two tracks that rise above the rest of the mediocre pack, these being ‘Pledge Wore Thin’ as well as the only clear stand out, ‘Drag My Body’, a catchy number with layer upon layer of guitar riffs and impassioned vocals.
Because Exister finishes as quickly as it starts, it is virtually impossible to absorb. The album certainly has its merits though, and Hot Water Music has some wicked instrumental skills but this record is largely the result of a metaphoric train wreck. It does not grab you and is a little too unremarkable, therefore a little too easy to pass you by.
(My rating: 2 out of 5)
Review By Helen Brown
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Tour News: School of Seven Bells Australian Tour – June 2012
New York’s experimental dream-pop group, School of Seven Bells have announced that they are returning to Australia for The Hi Fi Shoreline Series.
GHOSTORY is the third full-length album from shoegaze-pop trio-turned-duo, School of Seven Bells. With the new line-up comes an evolved sound and what just might be the band’s career defining release.
Continue reading Tour News: School of Seven Bells Australian Tour – June 2012
Tour News: Emma Louise Sparks Tour | June-July 2012
Just three weeks out from her anticipated return to the live Australian circuit, emma louise has been welcomed back to her home soils with news that her debut release Full Heart & Empty Rooms has officially hit the mile-stone Gold status with sales of over 35,000 units.
Released last year, and featuring her breakthrough single, ‘Jungle’ – the EP as a whole provided a snapshot into the musical mind of a fearless and an incredibly talented young singer/songwriter who has since captivated audiences in both Australia and across the globe.
The week also bears news that the very first show of her Sparks tour in Melbourne has completely sold out. Never fear, a second show has been added on Thursday June 28, but tickets for all shows are limited due to the intimate nature of the venues.
Continue reading Tour News: Emma Louise Sparks Tour | June-July 2012
EP Launch: Alla Spina “Tony” EP launch shows | June-July 2012
To celebrate the launch of their debut E.P. ‘Tony’, Alla Spina is taking it to the streets. It will be kicking off at the Tempo Hotel June 19 followed Roma St Rock stage as part of the Fête de la musique happening simultaneously in Brisbane and worldwide on Thursday June 21. You can also catch this up and coming band and its wild, kinetic live show at the Woombye Pub on June 30 with Sunshine Coast Roots Rock band, The Floating Bridges. *more shows listed below…
Bio:
Alla Spina is a five piece band from Brisbane QLD, Australia. Forming in late 2010, Alla Spina is already becoming well known in and around Brisbane for their high energy music and performances.
Influenced by various forms of music, Alla Spina (“pumped up” in Italian), play music inflected by punk, rock, pop and ska. The band strive to transcend musical and social boundaries by sticking to a “no boundaries” formula to their hybrid sound and write about breaking stereotypes and following one’s own path.
Continue reading EP Launch: Alla Spina “Tony” EP launch shows | June-July 2012
The Quiet Storm Exhibition – Brisbane | June 2012
THE QUIET STORM EXHIBITION
Brisbane artist Sam Hillcoat refines his love of urban culture into a fine art.
The Quiet Storm exhibition is a powerful new body of work by Brisbane tattoo and street artist, Sam Hillcoat. The two day exhibition opens at Jugglers Art Space on Friday 22 June from 6pm, until Saturday 23 June, 5pm.
The exhibition, Sam’s first solo show, features striking new works on canvas using oil, acrylics and aerosol. With several successful group shows under his belt and nonstop tattoo and canvas commissions, Sam has had to lock himself away and surrender much of this precious income to prepare his prolific new body of work.
Continue reading The Quiet Storm Exhibition – Brisbane | June 2012
YELLOWCARD announces new Melbourne show!
Following unprecedented demand from Yellowcard loving Melbournians, the band’s first show at The Hi-Fi is all sold out!
Tickets were quickly snapped up to see the fun loving five-piece when the shows were announced earlier this month.
Luckily for fans, The Frontier Touring Company announced a second show on Thursday 20 September for those who missed out. The band are equally as excited, saying:
Continue reading YELLOWCARD announces new Melbourne show!
Movie Trailer: TOTAL RECALL Trailer 2012 Movie – Official [HD]
Total Recall trailer 2012 – Official movie trailer in HD – starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston, John Cho, Bill Nighy – Total Recall is an action thriller about reality and memory, inspired anew by the famous short story “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale” by Philip K. Dick.
“Total Recall” movie hits theaters on August 3, 2012.
Welcome to Rekall, the company that can turn your dreams into real memories. For a factory worker named Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell), even though he’s got a beautiful wife (Kate Beckinsale) who he loves, the mind-trip sounds like the perfect vacation from his frustrating life – real memories of life as a super-spy might be just what he needs. But when the procedure goes horribly wrong, Quaid becomes a hunted man. Finding himself on the run from the police – controlled by Chancellor Cohaagen (Bryan Cranston), the leader of the free world – Quaid teams up with a rebel fighter (Jessica Biel) to find the head of the underground resistance (Bill Nighy) and stop Cohaagen. Total Recall movie trailer 2012 is presented in full HD 1080p high resolution.
Continue reading Movie Trailer: TOTAL RECALL Trailer 2012 Movie – Official [HD]
Movie Trailer: Resident Evil: Retribution
The Umbrella Corporation’s deadly T-virus continues to ravage the Earth, transforming the global population into legions of the flesh eating Undead. The human race’s last and only hope, Alice (Milla Jovovich), awakens in the heart of Umbrella’s most clandestine operations facility and unveils more of her mysterious past as she delves further into the complex. Without a safe haven, Alice continues to hunt those responsible for the outbreak; a chase that takes her from Tokyo to New York, Washington, D.C. and Moscow, culminating in a mind-blowing revelation that will force her to rethink everything that she once thought to be true. Aided by newfound allies and familiar friends, Alice must fight to survive long enough to escape a hostile world on the brink of oblivion. The countdown has begun.
The wildly successful film franchise adaptation that has grossed nearly $700 million worldwide to the popular video game series, Resident Evil, returns in its highly anticipated fifth installment, Resident Evil: Retribution, written and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, in state-of-the art 3D.
Continue reading Movie Trailer: Resident Evil: Retribution
Photo Gallery: Simple Plan @ Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane – 9 June 2012
Photo Gallery: We The Kings @ Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane – 9 June 2012
Photo Gallery: Matt Corby, Alpine, Hayden Calnin @ The Forum, Melbourne – 6 June 2012
Album Review: Cradle of Filth – Midnight in the Labyrinth
By Meghan Player
Cradle Of Filth have always been known for their signature take on the dark wave, gothic metal sound and grandiose theatrics. Latest offering, ‘Midnight in the Labyrinth’ – an orchestral selection of the bands first four albums – is no exception.
Opening with a glorious string section of sweeping, melodic sound ‘A Gothic Romance [Red Roses For The Devil’s Whore]’ pulls the listener into an album that not only celebrates the band, but reinvents the tracks that once pounded through your headphones.
‘The Twisted Nails of Faith’ sounds almost as if it has come straight from a melodramatic, theatrical musical – with striking strings, stirring vocals and choirs intertwining with frontman Dani Filth’s narrative growl.
Continue reading Album Review: Cradle of Filth – Midnight in the Labyrinth
Tour News: Steel Panther – New Sydney show announced and a venue upgrade in Adelaide!
UPDATE: SUPPORTS ANNOUNCED! For THE ART, it began in Newtown, Sydney where their edgy, fast-paced live shows gained not only local success, but also caught the attention of LA booker and ex Guns N’ Roses manager, Vicky Hamilton.
On the back of relentless touring supporting the likes of Them Crooked Vultures, Marilyn Manson and The Pixies amongst others, THE ART are returning to Australia with their latest album in tow ‘Here Comes The War’.
THE SPANDEX ARMY HAS SHOWN ITS MIGHT!
It took 13 minutes for STEEL PANTHER to completely sellout their Melbourne show at The Palace. The show moved to up to Festival Hall with nearly 3 times the capacity and sold out again!
Shows in Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide (YES! Adelaide!) were not far behind in the expediency with which “ticket allocations” were “exhausted” and the flood of e-grief that poured into the promoter and band members’ inboxes.
So when we tell you, Sydney & Adelaide fans, that the band have decided to give their late buying fans a 2nd and final chance, we do so with caution. Tickets are limited. STEEL PANTHER’s pulling power on the other hand seems limitless. Don’t fuck around. There won’t be another chance.
Perth fans please note your show has moved a day forward and all tickets remain valid.
** Visit Soundwave Touring for all updates. **
STEEL PANTHER are “Crude, rude, filthy, and more infectious than a bad case of herpes”. – Revolver Mag.
For STEEL PANTHER, bringing the halcyon days of metal back to the world is not a job…it’s a mission statement, a modus operandi, and a way of life.
In their first ever headline tour of Australia, STEEL PANTHER are primed for an all-out assault on the senses with Michael Starr commenting “I can’t wait to get my balls out in some fresh Australian air!” and Stixx adding ”I can’t wait to come to Australia and rock all the genitals off your women then they’ll know what America tastes like!”
Continue reading Tour News: Steel Panther – New Sydney show announced and a venue upgrade in Adelaide!