American Primitive is the thirteenth studio album by veterans Old 97’s. The record is arriving just months before the 30th anniversary of their debut album, Hitchhike to Rhome. The band, consisting of vocalist/guitarist Rhett Miller, bassist Murry Hammond, guitarist Ken Bethea, and drummer Philip Peeples, describes the album as a “de-evolution,” featuring big, loud, brutal,…
“So few women direct thrillers, I think about 3% of thrillers are directed by women, so it’s wonderful that two of us do it in a year,” remarks British filmmaker Susanna White, who is the director of Our Kind of Traitor, a spy thriller adapted from the 2010 novel written by John Le Carre. White…
Is there anything Hugh Jackman can’t do? The Mr Nice Guy, who completed the Wolverine franchise earlier this year, can act, sing and emcee with aplomb. He’s considered, intelligent and reflective. What a CV! So, I suppose it’s only fitting these qualities are neatly packaged up in The Greatest Showman. This fanciful musical tackles another showman, Phineas Taylor…
The Wilds, which is the centrepiece of this year’s Rising cultural and artistic festival, is a sensory sensation that I would highly commend to you. You can readily complete a circuit around the “Bowl” in less than an hour. I chose to spend more time there, dwelling around certain installations and taking in the experience of the…
Some books you save for a rainy day. Season of Salt and Honey by Hannah Tunnicliffe landed on my review shelf a while ago, but I’ve been saving it. I sensed that this was a book for savouring … and I was right. The cover spoke to the foodie in me and finding out there were recipes…
In December 2009, people around the world downloaded a game to their phones and started something of a modern phenomenon. Little green piggies had invaded, intent on stealing the eggs of some flightless birds and these birds were … ANGRY! Well, how would you feel if someone came to your home and took away your…
You only have to watch commercial TV one evening to know that Australians love their dogs. I think it’s also fair to say Australians don’t mind a bit of ribald comedy. So Josh Greenbaum’s new comedy Strays should find a willing audience. Greenbaum recently directed the well-received Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar…
André Leon Talley is larger than life. He’s human dynamo who has embraced the fashion world like few before him. What? You’ve never heard of him? Well neither had I, but now I know a whole lot more thanks to The Gospel According to André. I know his inner sanctum includes some of the biggest…
From South African filmmaker John Trengrove comes the controversial film, The Wound. It’s about a group of teenage boys of Xhosa background. They’re are taken to a remote bushland for their manhood initiation ceremony of ulwaluko – a circumcision. Mentors, who have previously undergone the secret ritual, are on hand to help the boys through…
Our selection of the best new music across a range of genres from the week ending 25 October 2019. Leif Vollebekk’s New Ways is now available via Secret City Records (stream or download HERE). A sonic documentation of everything that Leif felt; tenderness and violence, sex and rebirth. “Anything that I wouldn’t ever want to tell…
