Author: Lachlan Mitchell

Track of the Day: Academie “Battles” (2018)

“Battles” is the first new single from Johannesburg-based band Academie in two years and is a delicate dance between darkness and soft-pop. The track opens with bold and charging synth chords that feel like they are ripped from the gritty and suspenseful opening shots of a fight scene in an ’80s film. These synths continue…

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From location to lineup, why Jindabyne Festival Snowtunes needs to be in your 2018 plans

Starting in 2015, Snowtunes is hosting one of the countries most impressive and exciting lineups in one of the coolest (sorry) locations in the country. If 2018’s decent snowfall isn’t enough to get you to the slopes, we make the case why it’s not too late to book a last-minute road trip to the ski…

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Review: Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach is an oceanside fusion of comfort and calm

During any drive past Mascot or Botany in southern Sydney you will see the iconic white, jagged pyramid-like building that is the Novotel Hotel in Brighton Le-Sands. From private balconies that gaze out to the airport and beyond to the skyline of the CBD to an all you can eat buffet and the white, sandy…

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A day at Australia’s newest world-class race track with the 2018 Mustang GT

Two hours east of Adelaide city lies Australia’s newest world-class motorsport park for competitors, enthusiasts and spectators. Luckily for us, The Bend Motorsport Park’s opening coincided with the launch of the 2018 Mustang it what would be a showcase of Adelaide scenery and adrenaline-charged pleasure. An hour outside of Adelaide we stopped at Wistow Bakery…

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Tech Review: Ultimate Ears Blast and Megablast integrate with Alexa to become the perfect home and outdoor speaker

From Ultimate Ears previous releases of the Boom 2 and Megaboom, the company has just released the satisfying modern upgrades of the Blast and it’s seriously larger friend, the Megablast. The well-known strong and robust build of UE speakers have been improved with the incorporation of Amazon’s Alexa to not only accompany you in the…

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AUxAU Guide to Newcastle: A potent dose of beach, music and history in modern Australia

Continuous golden beaches flow down the coast in either direction into a horizon of shipping barges coming and going. “We are different in that we have this laid-back surf culture that mixes with the working class, pub-rocking theme and somehow at this mix comes unique things. It’s such an amazing city because it’s so dynamic,”…

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AUxAU Guide to Newcastle: Where to Dine & Drink

Continuous golden beaches flow down the coast in either direction into a horizon of shipping barges coming and going. “We are different in that we have this laid-back surf culture that mixes with the working class, pub-rocking theme and somehow at this mix comes unique things. It’s such an amazing city because it’s so dynamic,”…

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The best outdoor activities in Rarotonga, Cook Islands: The inimitable, authentic island paradise

Now more than ever, the Cook Islands are an accessible destination to soothe your cold, stressed-out city-oriented lives thanks to a new direct flight service to Australia. Of the Cook’s 15 islands, Rarotonga is its capital and largest island where we spent a week-long voyage. Enclosed by a continuous sky-blue lagoon full of fish and…

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AUxAU Guide to Newcastle: The Lucky Hotel puts a trendy spin on history

Located on Hunter Street, The Lucky Hotels’ normal front entrance is engulfed by the city’s ongoing light-rail construction. But whilst staff remarked to us that Hunter Street’s closure to car traffic and constant flow of pedestrians has impacted their day-trade, the venue was a hive of energy for our visit which spoke volumes to their…

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In memory of Mitzi Shore: Crossing the line – Political Correctness in Comedy

A few days ago the matriarch of comedy died. Chances are you probably won’t know her name – she wasn’t a standup or an actress or motivated to have her name in lights. Instead, she was the owner of perhaps the greatest breeding ground of influential comedy talent – The Comedy Store in Los Angeles….

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Interview: Doug Stanhope on Roseanne, a hatred of sitcoms, working in a gay sex call centre & his Australian tour

Hours after landing in Australia, we spoke with US comedian, three time author, podcast host and former host of The Man Show, Doug Stanhope. He exclusively spoke to the AU’s Lachlan Mitchell about his upcoming appearance on an episode of the Roseanne revival, Roseanne Barr’s twitter feed, why he hates sitcoms, why he feels his season of…

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Review: Unwind and unplug (literally) in the Renaissance Hotel Pittsburgh

It’s had an extensive history in only 100 years; from office building to WWII VA hospital to a nightclub, but now the Fulton Building in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is home to a hotel that not only allows guests to recharge in contemporary luxury but also detox and unplug from the digital world. Renaissance Hotel is located…

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Review: Checking out Distrikt Hotel, Pittsburgh’s newest hotel

In the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh, and within walking distance or a short car ride to some of our amazing food highlights, is one of the city’s newest hotels. Opened a few weeks prior to our stay, Distrikt Hotel is a flair of New York City, yet with dedication to make Pittsburgh the hero. Scott…

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Interview: Catching up with Jen & Sam to chat Ball Park Music’s Good Mood

Ahead of the release of their fifth studio album, Sam Cromack and Jen Boyce of Ball Park Music joined us at Young Henrys in Sydney to chat about the process behind Good Mood and the lead up to its release (it’s out tomorrow!). “I really feel like this is one where everything we’ve learned has been channelled into one spot.”…

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Forget steel and iron factories, Pittsburgh is a gem of innovative food, art and city-planning

For the average Australian, first thoughts of Pittsburgh elicit passing references in TV and movies that pin the city as a large factory and manufacturing town with one of the most recognisable NFL franchises – the Steelers. After a few days of staying near the airport and Burgettstown, PA (20 minutes from Downtown) for Farm Aid…

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Sydney’s legendary Jackies launches a refreshed breakfast and lunch menu

The iconic Paddington courtyard cafe Jackies have debuted an updated breakfast and lunch menu. Jackies’ new owners Jono and Lucy Bowman purchased the business from the late Jackie Milijash’s mother Gina earlier this year and vow to continue the cool cafe scene of the 1990’s that Jackies notoriously had a part in creating. With new…

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We chat to Michael Denny, Senior Vice President of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios Europe

Michael Denny is the head of the Worldwide Studios game development operations in Europe (of which Australia is included) and manages all internal studios and externally developed first party productions. On the day that PlayStation announced Australians had consumed1 billion hours on gameplay, streaming and entertainment over October 2016 – October 2017, we spoke to…

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Patrick Lagana, Director of Marketing, Sony Interactive Australia talks to us about upcoming exclusive PlayStation titles, Australian growth, VR and PlayLink

Patrick Lagana joined Sony Interactive Entertainment Australia in 1999 and has been involved in the hardware launches of PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 4 as well as having a hand in bringing Gran Turismo, Eye Toy, Singstar, God of War, Tekken and Crash Bandicoot to the market. Before our interview,…

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PlayStation introduces new PlayLink range with three new titles

Sony Interactive Entertainment Australia have announced three titles released as part of their new social-minded PlayLink range: Knowledge is Power, Hidden Agenda and SingStar Celebration. The PlayLink range, for those not yet up on the console’s new tech, allows players to put down their controllers and instead use tablet devices and smartphones that can now…

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Busabout announce new Europe and Asia tours for 2018 and 2019

Busabout have become known for the flexibility they offer travellers around the world, particularly those who value a completely autonomous travel experience, that of which is offered along the company’s series of bus networks in Europe and Asia. In an attempt to further evolve their offering, Busabout has just announced the launch of their widest…

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Album Review: Pearl Jam – Let’s Play Two (2017 LP)

“Good evening, Wrigley Field,” Eddie Vedder welcomes as the opening guitar to 1998’s “Low Light” begins behind him. The live album was recorded over two nights in August 2016 in Vedder’s hometown of Chicago before the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians World Series and accompanies a documentary directed by Danny Clinch who previously worked with the band…

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Interview: Imagine Dragons weigh in on the Melbourne vs. Sydney debate & dish on their 2018 tour plans

In a hotel room high atop the Bangkok skyline at the Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, Imagine Dragons sit with us – all in bright, floral button up shirts – on sofas arounds a small table. We broke the news of their 2018 Australian tour plans a few weeks ago, but that’s not all we were able…

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Farm Aid’s continued success as a premier music festival & charity initiative – here’s what we learned

Since 1985 Farm Aid has recognised the work of family farmers in the hopes of revitalising the local economies that depend on the industry. Now in its 32nd edition, Willie Nelson, president and founder of Farm Aid has gathered together a lineup of acts that travel and appear on their own dime, and in turn…

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Exclusive: Imagine Dragons dish on their upcoming Australian tour plans for 2018

In a hotel room high atop the Bangkok skyline in Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, the AU review’s Lachlan Mitchell got Imagine Dragons to reveal their plans to bring their new album Evolve to Australia. The band begin a North American tour in support of their latest album in late-September and were appearing in a showcase…

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Tiger Trek is now open at Taronga Zoo to get you insanely close to these remarkable animals

An Indonesian-themed experience is now open at Taronga Zoo to get you frighteningly close to Taronga’s Sumatran Tiger conservation and education program. A simulated plane cabin will transport you to the jungles of Sumatra to begin your education journey about how choosing Certified Sustainable Palm Oil will have a role in saving this tiger species….

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How to cook the perfect steak with two-time winner of best steak in the world, Dany Karam of Black Bar & Grill

Across Australia this weekend, thousands of barbecues will be lit up on Father’s Day to show appreciation for the paternal figures in our lives. To help you look like a pro and impress at the dining table this weekend, learn the best secrets and tips from two-time winner of best steak in the world chef…

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Sydney Contemporary announces pop-up restaurant and bar programme

Across the Carriageworks multi-art precinct this September, Sydney Contemporary will have a lineup of food and drink menus for the art-loving public to enjoy each day of the fair. Kylie Kwong of Billy Kwong and Mike McEnearney of Kitchen by Mike have been announced as two of the pop-up restaurants to be featured amidst the…

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Newtown Good Food Fair to bring the party to the streets this October (Sydney)

Around 30 stallholders will soon come together to celebrate Newtown’s unique, cultural and eclectic offering of drinks, food and the pub scene. The event returns for its fourth year to showcase the areas community spirit and party vibe. On Sunday the 8th of October guest can expect to relish in the likes of Bloodwood, Bovine…

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The Collaroy acquired by Merivale (Sydney)

Along with Papi Chulo in Manly and The Newport in Pittwater, The Collaroy is now under the ownership of Merivale as they advance their Northern Beaches portfolio. Justin Hemmes, CEO of Merivale, says, “The Collaroy is in a truly spectacular location, with sweeping views of the ocean and sand literally at its door step. This…

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Night Noodle Markets return as Good Food Month announce their 180-event 2017 program (Sydney)

Good Food Month have announced their return to Sydney with the detailing of over 180 events that incorporate talks, chef collaborations, experiences and events. Kicking off on October 5, the crowd-favorite Night Noodle Markets will again take place in Hyde Park with forty food stalls. Guests can expect the likes of House of Crabs, Mr…

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