Your Favourite Record Store Revealed

Steve Bell, Journalist

Steve Bell

Many, many moons ago Steve Bell was unassumingly writing a small fanzine for the inner-city Brisbane record store where he worked when on one otherwise normal day he was poached into the cutthroat world of street press, embarking on an eye-opening journey interviewing bands and banging on about music for the street press publication Time Off. It's an association that's now existed for well over 20 years - including a decade full-time as the print editor for Time Off/The Music - and one which still provides him with immense enjoyment and satisfaction, even though in recent times it's nestled alongside other music-related vocations such as co-owning a record store and indie label, radio broadcasting and navigating the podcast world.

Features / Interviews
Custard
Custard: ‘There's Absolutely No Pressure Or Interest In Doing Anything Except For Our Own Enjoyment’
Custard's Dave McCormack and Glenn Thompson discuss the lack of pressure and expectation driving their fertile second career phase ahead of a 21-song album and massive Australian tour.
Reviews / Album
Nick Cave
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - 'Wild God'
Another remarkable album from this remarkable Australian and his remarkable band.
Features / Music
Spiderbait
Spiderbait’s Kram Says A ‘Comedy Of Errors’ Led To Their Defining Hit
Spiderbait are about to embark on an epic national tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their biggest hit, ‘Black Betty’. Before they do, drummer/vocalist Mark ‘Kram’ Maher sits down with The Music to unpack the riveting story behind it.
Features / Interviews
The Whitlams
Tim Freedman On 'Love This City': 'It’s All Over The Shop, But It Has The Whitlams’ Trademark Of Inner-City Romance'
Tim Freedman reflects on the success (and backlash) feeding into The Whitlams’ acclaimed fourth album, 'Love This City', ahead of the 25th anniversary national tour.
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Industry / Feature
The Zoo on its 30th anniversary in 2022
'You Always Felt Safe, And It Was Always About The Music': Farewell, The Zoo
With Brisbane institution The Zoo set to shut its doors for the last time in July, we look back at the venerated room’s 32-year history.
Features / Music
The Black Keys
The Black Keys: ‘It’s All About The Dancefloor’
After more than 20 years exploring different facets of the blues-rock realms, The Black Keys have spread their wings on their 12th album, ‘Ohio Players’.
Features / Interviews
INXS
40 Years Of 'The Swing': How INXS Channelled Equality & Laid The Blueprint For World Domination
'The Swing' was an unmitigated success for INXS. While it topped the Australian charts, it also prompted sold-out tours to a rapidly broadening demographic in terms of both age and musical tastes. 
Features / Interviews
Snarky Puppy
Snarky Puppy: 'We Absolutely Have The Desire To Do Something New & Fresh'
Band leader Michael League explains how his instrumental jazz-fusion outfit, Snarky Puppy, will always be its own dog ahead of their appearances at Bluesfest Byron Bay.
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Features / Music
Missy Higgins
The Legacy Of Missy Higgins' 'The Sound Of White' & The Artists She Inspired
It’s undeniable how much impact that 'The Sound Of White' has made on the Australian music scene in the two decades since it made Missy Higgins a household name.
Industry / Feature
John Butler Trio
How John Butler Trio Changed The Aussie Music Landscape With ‘Sunrise Over Sea’
In 2004, John Butler Trio’s third album ‘Sunrise Over Sea’ achieved the “impossible”, becoming the first fully indie album to debut at #1 on the ARIA charts.
Features / Music
Dinosaur Jr.
Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis: ‘I’ve Definitely Got Some Good Memories Of Coming Down To Australia’
As noise-rock legends Dinosaur Jr. prepare for their Australian tour, celebrating the 30th anniversary of their classic 1993 album Where You Been, frontman J Mascis reflects on his uncompromising band’s moment in the mainstream.
Features / Interviews
Rhubarb
Rhubarb Reflect As Their Catalogue Hits Streaming Services: 'I'm Really Proud Of Our Adventure Together'
Almost two decades after their final live show, much-loved Oz rockers Rhubarb have returned to embrace the digital realms.
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