At this late date, Phil Madeira must still feel that he has something to prove. Besides his “day job” as part of Emmylou Harris’ backing band, The Red Dirt Boys, he’s recorded three solo albums in the last two years, after producing an all-star tribute to the songs of the late Mark Heard in 2017,…
Our selection of the best new music across a range of genres from the week ending 21 February 2020. Melbourne band RVG have announced the release of their second album Feral which will be released on Friday 24 April 2020. They’ve also shared “I Used to Love You”, the second single from Feral; and an…
Twins Tegan and Sara Quin quite naturally tend to do a lot of things together. For instance, earlier this year they co-authored a memoir charting their teenage years, describing their early musical careers and how each of them came to terms with being gay, added to all the usual teen angst and woe, appropriately titled,…
As big, loud and flamboyant as its subject, Rocketman presents Elton John as a not-so-stable genius. If you want loads of Elton’s songs, extravagant costumes and a long spiral into depression, this is the movie for you. If you’re looking for a different take on the rockstar biopic though, you might have to look somewhere…
Thirty years on and boy-band (now very much man-band) Human Nature has still got it! On stage for more than two hours, performing a set of 30 plus numbers, these guys – brothers Andrew and Michael Tierney, together with high school friends Toby Allen and Phil Burton – are energetic and reverential. They love their…
French gonzo-synth punks and intergalactic scuzzball house band, The Scaners have quickly returned with album number II after their debut came out just last year. The band does not do much to shake up their planetary assault on these new 12 tracks and that is perfectly fine because they offer a solid slice of punk…
A great sense of fun and a rich array of talent are on show as Muriel’s Wedding The Musical hits town. Toni Collette endeared the socially awkward Muriel Heslop to Australia in PJ Hogan’s 1994 film, Muriel’s Wedding. Collette may have left big shoes to fill, but 23-year-old Natalie Abbott has stepped into them with…
Undoubtedly one of the finest contemporary musicals and one I never tire of seeing because of its brilliant songs, narrative arc and passionate portrayals, Jersey Boys is back to delight anew. I first saw it at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne in 2009 and then again in 2013. Clint Eastwood directed an on-screen version. Now,…
Crane Like The Bird is the brain-child of drummer and songwriter Kyle Crane, who has collaborated with folk like Neko Case, M. Ward, and Kurt Vile, and worked as the drum double for the young jazz drummer in the movie Whiplash. On this project, Crane uses his natural knack for collaboration to create a personal…
The 1975’s lead singer Matt Healy gets right to the point in “Give Yourself a Try,” the opening track of the band’s new album, A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships: “What would you say to your younger self? …You’ll make a lot of money, and it’s funny/’Cause you’ll move somewhere sunny and get addicted to…
