Founding Editor and Publisher of the AU review. Currently based in Toronto, Canada. You can follow him on Twitter @larry_heath or on Instagram @larryheath.
While at SXSW, I sat down with Director Peter Michael Dowd to talk about his new documentary Mr. Jimmy, about Japanese musician Akio Sakurai (aka Mr. Jimmy) who has modeled himself after the legendary Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin. We were joined at the interview by the subject himself, as we found out how the pair…
Read More
The incredible Charlotte OC has been dripping back into our consciousness over the last few months, with her recent signing to Neon Gold Records and tracks like “Satellite” and “Boyfriend” showcasing a powerful new direction for the UK artist. While at SXSW we sat down to talk about the new music, and where she is going…
Read More
Set to return to Australia for dates in July, comedian Ronny Chieng has been making a name for himself in the USA as a correspondent on the Comedy Central series The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. While at SXSW last week I had the opportunity to sit down with him to talk about that role,…
Read More
Last week at SXSW, Director Jordan Peele was joined by actress Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke to talk about Peele’s anticipated follow-up to Get Out – Us – for a special session with Buzzfeed News. Ahead of the film’s Australian release next week, we attended the panel and here’s some of what we learned from the talk….
Read More
Last Thursday, The Aussie BBQ returned to the Australia House at SXSW with a packed line-up of Australian talent. From Jarryd James to Oh Pep!, Bloods to Kirin J Callinan (pictured above), here’s a look at all the acts who performed as the organisation who present the annual event, Sounds Australia, celebrated their 10th Birthday….
Read More
While at SXSW, I had the chance to catch up with Aussie director Abe Forsythe (Down Under) and Oscar winning actress Lupita Nyong’o talk talk about their new film Little Monsters – due out later this year. You filmed this in and around Sydney – what was that experience like and Abe, how important was…
Read More
From the director of The Blind Side, John Lee Hancock, comes a new telling of the Bonnie and Clyde story; this time told from the perspective of the men who took the criminal pair down. Set for release in on Netflix later this month, the film stars Woody Harrelson, Kevin Costner and Kathy Bates – surely three…
Read More
Last Tuesday night, Vevo House at SXSW showcased three emerging performers in front of a packed crowd. Among them was LA based Lauren Sanderson, who made waves last August with her breakthrough EP DONT PANIC! – her second to drop last year, but first to be released through Epic Records, and featuring tracks like “The Only…
Read More
On Thursday night in Austin, Texas at Australia House, the very website you’re currently reading, alongside our sister publication Hello Asia! teamed up for our first ever official showcase at SXSW. Three acts from Australia were joined by two from Japan and one from Korea – the first acts from those regions to ever play…
Read More
We caught up with legendary actor Kevin Costner at SXSW last week to chat about his role in the new Netflix film The Highwaymen, in which he plays Texas Ranger Frank Haymer as he chases down Bonnie & Clyde alongside Woody Harrelson. The Highwaymen streams worldwide on Netflix from 29th March 2019.
Read More
The first year of the new showcase festival The New Colossus kicked off on Thursday night, taking over the lower east side of New York City not unlike CMJ had done for so many years. In fact taking over venues like Pianos, The Delancey (home to The Aussie BBQ during CMJ) and Arlene’s Grocery brought…
Read More
Hailing from the Gold Coast, Indie Pop Rock rising star San Mei (AKA Emily Hamilton) is in Austin this week to play at the iconic SXSW event, with a run of appearances that includes our very own showcase at the event, which is happening this Thursday night. We caught up with Emily to find out more…
Read More
Every year at SXSW, US chef Rachael Ray puts on one of the best events – “Feedback” – which takes over Stubb’s BBQ on the Saturday, open to the public, and an invite only “Feedback House” that runs for a few days in accompaniment. Of course the food is amazing, but the music is even…
Read More
Built in 1886 and sitting on the corner of Brazos and 6th Street, The Driskill Hotel is Austin’s oldest operating hotel. Positioned right around the Austin’s Capitol, it has a illustrious history when it comes to American Presidential History. This week at SXSW, it’s home to the ever-unfolding modern history of current US President Donald…
Read More
Originally from the Sunshine Coast, and now based in the UK, Australian duo Star Kendrick & Toma Banjanin make up the rising outfit Geowulf. They’re in Austin this week to play at the iconic SXSW event, with a run of appearances that includes our very own showcase at the event, which is happening this Thursday…
Read More
At the age of 37, Australian writer and director Abe Forsythe has already had a truly impressive output of films. At the age of 21, he put out the memorable (if maligned) Ned, in the same year as the Heath Ledger film, and has since delivered us great comedies in both short and long form, including…
Read More
Tonight at the Paramount Theatre at SXSW, Long Shot, the new romantic comedy starring Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen, had its first ever public screening. Not due for release until the start of May, the film sees the pair playing something akin to star-crossed lovers, with a political bend; Theron starring as America’s Secretary of…
Read More
The British Music Embassy returns to SXSW this weekend for its 12th year, taking over Latitude 30 with a slew of events and live performances from 10th to 16th March, and special interactive events from the 8th to the 10th. And though a lot of these events were announced last month, there have been a…
Read More
Last year we were lucky enough to attend Luck Reunion festival in Texas; an event held during SXSW about an hour out of Austin on Willie Nelson’s ranch in Luck, Texas. Aussie artist Ruby Boots was among the impressive line-up this year, and now Australia’s own Angie McMahon will be joining the 2019 event –…
Read More
Ahead of their appearance at our first ever SXSW night showcase, we caught up with Luke from Sydney’s I Know Leopard. This will be the band’s first trip to Austin for the iconic music festival and conference, so we thought we’d sit down with the band and get the low down on their expectations, anticipations and…
Read More
Tucked off Wickham Street in the Fortitude Valley is one of Brisbane’s finest and newest hotels, sitting comfortably alongside a slew of great dining and entertainment options in the city’s famously bustling district. The hotel in mention, Ovolo The Valley in many ways sits at the heart of this, surrounded by an area of Brisbane…
Read More
The SXSW Comedy Festival grows every year, and this year is without question its most packed lineup ever, with comedians from Tim and Eric, Broad City, The Daily Show (including Australia’s own Ronny Chieng) and iconic favourites like Kathy Griffin, Todd Barry and Paul F. Tompkins. The roster – including stand-up showcases, improv performances, conversations, podcast recordings,…
Read More
There’s been a lot of changes to some of the world’s best airlines of late that have seen them change in flight offerings and add in charges for choosing seats ahead of check-in to their lower economy tickets. Singapore Airlines has been no stranger to the latter, but how does their service stack up for…
Read More
The Capital One House at Antone’s always has an impressive lineup; but this year’s collection of acts from around the world just might take the cake. The event, which runs alongside the Interactive portion of SXSW, often hosts exclusive performances ahead of the main music conference, with world class artists who need little introduction nor the…
Read More
In our 10th year of covering SXSW on the AU review, we’re thrilled to reveal the lineup for our first ever official showcase at the iconic Austin event. Partnering with our sister publication Hello Asia!, the event will feature three Australian acts and two acts from Japan and one from Korea. It’s all happening at…
Read More
New Neon Gold signing Your Smith is about to hit Australian shores for the first time, following the release of the Japanese Wallpaper remix of this track, “Bad Habit”, our Track of the Day. Minneapolis native Your Smith a.k.a. Caroline Smith relocated to Los Angeles in 2016, where inspired by the cherished songwriters of her youth, she…
Read More
Central Coast duo Winterbourne have just dropped their new music video “Take The Golden”, and are excited to be taking AU review readers on an exclusive look behind the scenes on the making of the clip, which you can watch below: Winterbourne wrote “Take The Golden” in Berlin with producer and songwriter Tobias Kuhn, while the…
Read More
Last night, US late night talk show host Conan O’Brien hit the stage in Sydney, accompanied by a few of his “Australian Friends”, in what was (incredibly) the comedian’s first ever stage shows outside of North America. His TV show band “The Basic Cable Trio” opened the show, while cameras were held notably in the…
Read More
There’s been a surprising amount happening at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast over the Summer; with the season set to come to an end with the launch of a brand new ride, Sky Voyager (which you can see being built to the left of the Dreamworld globe in the image above). Though the official opening…
Read More
It’s not long now until the Farmer and the Owl Festival makes its McCabe Park in Wollongong, with international acts like Beach House, Flint Eastwood and Deafhaven joined by local heroes Hockey Dad, Kirin J Callinan, RVG and many more. The one day event is all happening on Saturday 2nd March, and now you’re able…
Read More