Features News The case for Elliott Smith’s XO, an album loved by some by Alastair Cairns The way that we choose to remember Elliott Smith says as much about us as individuals as it does about him. His life was full…
Features News Content and Character: Why Do We Selectively Boycott Artists in 2018? by Alastair Cairns The #MeToo movement has seen artists’ conduct and character come under greater scrutiny than ever. While abhorrent behaviour has landed many an artist in hot…
Features Out of Phase: The Problem with Musical ‘Cycles’ by Alastair Cairns Cyclical narratives play a vital role in the music industry’s continued survival, but who programs these trends? More importantly, why do these musical cycles occur?…
Features Lost meaning: mourning the death of the hidden track by Alastair Cairns In a world where physical music sales are dwindling, the future and purpose of the hidden track is unclear. I can think back to a…
Features Sniffer dogs, cats and other suggestions to hasten our pursuit of modern utopia by Alastair Cairns Recent reports that festival-goers were denied entry to Above & Beyond by NSW Police, despite testing negative for carrying drugs, has sent the media and…
Music A review of Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino for those that have listened to it at least once by Alastair Cairns So here we are in the second decade of the 21st century. The future, or at least that of yesteryear, is now. You’ve been lounging…
Music Raw, deft, and vulnerable, Sarah Mary Chadwick’s Sugar Still Melts In The Rain is an artistic triumph by Alastair Cairns I’m going to be straight up here and admit, with a decent degree of embarrassment, that this is my first foray into the music of Sarah…
Music Ryan Downey plays by his own rules on Running, a completely compelling debut by Alastair Cairns Ryan Downey has one hell of a voice on him. The obvious comparisons, of which I’m sure he will grow increasingly tired of, are Leonard…
Music Frankie Cosmos waste no space on Vessel, an exercise in measured perfection by Alastair Cairns “But as god said crossing his legs, “I see where I have made plenty of poets but not so very much poetry”” -Charles Bukowski This…
Music Flowertruck shine on infectious, hook laden and wonderfully lush debut Mostly Sunny by Alastair Cairns Flowertruck are the easy, breezy, beautiful sweethearts of Sydney’s Inner West. They play a catchy brand of indie pop that leans into the hooks hard…
Music Ball Park Music’s GOOD MOOD is an album you’ll never want to leave by Alastair Cairns GOOD MOOD, the new album by Ball Park Music, starts with the momentum of a rocket. The first five songs are shot at you with…
Features Full Collapse and nostalgia: reflecting on Thursday’s agitated masterpiece by Alastair Cairns Moments of clarity are so important. The last six months, probably longer in fact, have been a difficult time for me. I’ve struggled with feelings…
Music Could the debut EP from Slowcoaching be too perfect? by Alastair Cairns There is something instantly familiar about Slowcoaching that I just can’t quite put my finger on. I am tempted to suggest it’s that they wear…
