Unfortunately for both the band and those who could’ve been fans, most Australians’ knowledge of the Cardigans begins and ends with ‘Lovefool’. What they actually sound like is far more sombre. Take that, and turn it even a little darker, and you have Veronica Blunt, an LA-based singer and songwriter in the early and exciting…
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The mention of an ex-partner is hardly going to warm your heart, even at the best of times. And in my dealings with men, I’ve often also had to deal with their histories. From the crazy ex to the lovely one to the one they go back to, even the most unobtrusive has usually played…
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My love life is what you might call, less than stellar. I even hope that becomes apparent quite quickly when reading my columns, as I’d hate to influence someone in their decision making because they follow my lead. Sometimes I even describe this column as a guide of what not to do; I make mistakes…
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Soon after arriving in Pioneertown, CA, for the Clean Air Clear Stars festival, my travelling companions, Calvin and Hobbes, were (naturally) forced to concede that I was right to drag them there. As Calvin so aptly put it, Clean Air Clear Stars encompasses all the good things about a music festival without: • Wankers (including…
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I first met Rachel Cearns briefly after a performance at her beloved Grace Emily Hotel many moons ago. Describing her sound as ‘lovingly crafted songs to make your ears happy and heart warm’ this was my exact experience with her set, and when I took the role of music sub-editor for lip, the decision to…
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Contrary to popular opinion, psychologists are not supposed to give advice, but rather reflect back to clients what they are already thinking (etc etc, but this is not the time nor the place to detail various psychotherapies). As I am a student of psychology, I like to employ such strategies from time to time. As…
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The mentality of honesty-in-all-circumstances is not the ideal in all domains of life. I can’t count the number of things I never asked to be told that I wish I didn’t know, and all of the character-building justifications in the world fail to change my mind. However. Though full disclosure is to be exercised with…
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Just at the heels of their self-titled album release (reviewed by the brilliant Christine Campbell here), lip magazine had a chat to Arleigh of Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds. How did Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds form? Have there been many line-up changes? It all started as a pipe dream to an 18…
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The Jezabels (L-R): Sam Lockwood, Heather Shannon, Nik Kaloper and Hayley Mary. In addition to a hectic touring schedule that has seen them supporting acts including Tegan & Sara and Josh Pyke, as well as performing in New York City in October as part of the CMJ showcase, the Jezabels have just released Dark Storm,…
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Female-fronted bands are a little hard to find at the best of times, and they’re even more of a rarity in rock music. But in No Joy, a Canadian psychedelic noisegaze band, the guitars are played by Jasamine White-Gluz and Laura Lloyd, who also share vocals, and the talented girls are backed by drummer, Garland…
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If you’re a follower of my column or otherwise know me in real life, you’ll know that I’m not really one for antiquated ideals. So hearing that I am now a supporter of the three-date rule might come as a shock. This has nothing to do with the fact that people might (erroneously) think you’re…
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A common misconception about feminism is that it only concerns itself with prejudice against women. However, the wide exploration of sex and gender over the past few decades has revealed that men are also often constrained by the macho/hunter/whatever stereotypes so prevalent in the Western world. Cheryl Kilodavis, an American mother of two boys, recently…
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With the recent release of an amazing stop animation video for her single, ‘Dutch Girls’, Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Misty Boyce had a chat to lip about her album, getting caught with your pants down, and feminism. How and when did you start playing music? I think I was 5. My parents just put me and my…
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Since I decided I wanted to be a music journalist, I’ve had to listen to music with a more critical ear than I have in the past. As a result, I no longer really have guilty pleasures in my listening tastes, as there needs to be some musical merit in even the poppiest of bubblegum…
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