Snail Mail: Lush
- Transitioning from well received debut EP on a small D.I.Y punk label to a debut full-length on a major independent label has been taken in the confident stride of Snail Mail’s sole creative force, Lindsay Jordan. On her new record Lush, Jordan continues her raw venting ways over moody, jangling indie rock being strained through folk and slowcore influences. As you’d expect from a debut album, the rough edges have been filed back into an easier to digest shape and benefit from a cleaner, grander production.
Neko Case: Hell-On
- There’s a certain contrariness about the latest Neko Case record. She’s one of America’s best regarded alt-country, indie-rock voices and songwriters and one of the most commanding too, in sheer, rounded volume as much as anything else. Still even with all that power streaming out and on Hell-On -never fear- it still does, Neko doesn’t exactly follow the path she’s beaten in the course of her own career. In fact, it can be a little hard to get a handle on where she’s going at all.
Vital Idles: Left Hand
- Left Hand is the first full-length album from Glasgow-based DIY band Vital Idles. They utilise the typical array of rock instrumentation with a raw and sensitive ear, moving in understated and minimal tidal pools across the fourteen tracks of mostly short, and tightly wound garage pop tunes. The songs are underpinned by a simple rhythmic sensibility, allowing singer Jessica Higgins’ vocals to float over the steady and intently primal pulse of the band.
11am Zedlines
This has been Natalie and Kate with your 11am Zedlines.
Image source: Wikipedia
The meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is due to commence today at 11am AEST.
The leaders will talk one on one with translators only, before heading into a larger meeting on pressing nuclear issues.
The White House has said that the US President will also speak to the media after the summit.
United Nations withdraws staff from Yemen, fearing military assault
The United Nations and the Red Cross have withdrawn their staff from Al Hudaydah, fearing an imminent attack from the Arab coalition.
Approximately 80% of foreign humanitarian aid entering Yemen comes through the port city, with over 75% of the Yemeni population is dependent on food aid.
US Representative Ted Lieu says another attack on the city would plunge Yemen into further humanitarian crisis.
Asbestos traces found on Darwin beaches
Traces of asbestos are being found on beaches in Darwin.
Locals believe the asbestos has been on the beaches for years, following the dumping of household debris near the coastline.
There are signs on beaches that warn people of the potential asbestos hazards, but locals consider these to be insufficient warnings.
No extensive effort has been made to remove the asbestos, but a representative of the Darwin Council has encouraged people to report large pieces to the Northern Territory government.
Campaigner calls for changes to coffee cup packaging
An environmental campaigner is calling for warnings to be placed on takeaway coffee cups in the style of tobacco packaging warnings to reduce the number of coffee cups that end up in landfill.
Campaigner Anna Warren aims to get signatures from 25,000 supporters to her online petition to present it to Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg.
Ms Warren suggests that a warning should be placed on disposable cups, especially cups with a waterproof coating as they cannot be recycled.
New Queensland blue card law introduced
A loophole within the Queensland blue card system will be closed, with applicants not able to begin work with children until their applications are finalised.
The system will be given $17 million over the course of the next three years to ensure a new ‘no card, no start’ law is introduced.
Previously applicants could start work with children as long as they had begun the application process.
However, the priority of protecting children has resulted in the states new laws.
Rockhampton tourism video criticised for 'whitewashing'
A marketing video promoting tourism for Rockhampton was pulled from social media this morning following criticism over ‘whitewashing’ the Indigenous history of the city.
The video was criticised for failing to represent Indigenous and South Sea Islander communities who are a huge part of Rockhampton’s population and history.
The Rockhampton Regional Council has released an official apology for not recognising the diversity of its community in the advertisement.
10am Zedlines
This has been Vivienne and Patrick with your 10am Zedlines.
Image source: Pixabay
South West Queensland faces a pollen shortage as a result of extended drought in the Bulloo Shire area.
Industries in the region such as honey production have been suffering from the drought for over seven years.
Local mayor and beekeeper John Ferguson says there has been insufficient rainfall in the region since 2010.