The Aussie TikTok crooner with a ‘weapons-grade' talent
This story is part of the May 3 edition of Good Weekend. See all 14 stories.
SPOTLIGHT / Smooth operator
If you've recently found yourself despairing of the listening habits of the à la carte TikTok generation, Grentperez may just be music to year ears. The Filipino-Australian crooner (real name: Grant Perez) has been singing his heart out since he was 13, posting covers to YouTube of everyone from Adele to Olivia Rodrigo and organically building up what's now a sizable international fan base. 'They're incredibly talented,' says Perez of his fans. 'I often receive handmade gifts when I meet them, whether something crocheted or a drawing. They're very wholesome.'
This direct approach paid dividends when his career launched in earnest a few years ago, his success made all the more sweet by the winsome, old-fashioned nature of his music. Perez, who writes pillowy love songs with modern production stylings, is perhaps best known for his show-stopping voice, which features what one reviewer called 'weapons-grade melisma'.
As much indebted to classic 1970s R&B as it is to more contemporary exponents – such as Britain's Rex Orange County or Dutch troubadour Benny Sings – Perez's long-awaited debut album, Backflips in a Restaurant, channels Herb Alpert and The Carpenters. Independently released, it comes off a banner year for Perez that includes back-to-back tours of the US, fashion magazine features and an ARIA debut at No.3. Not a bad showing for music that your kids will dig as their grandparents tap their toes to it, too. Jonathan Seidler
What do we do, now that we know? That's the question Kate Grenville, one of our finest writers and author of the iconic The Secret River (2005), poses to non-Indigenous Australians in Unsettled ($37), her new non-fiction book. How do we respond to the knowledge that we live on stolen land which the original owners fought a bloody war of resistance to defend? Grenville (once again) delves deep into her own family's history in her search for an answer as she drives north from Sydney, retracing the steps of her forebears. An unforgettable reimagining and retelling of history that is, in turns, intimate, unsparing – and confronting. Nicole Abadee
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The Advertiser
38 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Small change, big memories: iconic kids' birthday cakes honoured on gold coins
Nostalgic kids' birthday cakes may soon start appearing in coin purses as the Royal Australian Mint releases a dozen designs based on a decades-old cookbook. The Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book, first published in 1980, has inspired the new coin designs released on June 12. "Passed down through generations, this beloved book has sparked joy, kitchen chaos and unforgettable birthday memories," the mint said. The jelly-filled swimming pool, the lolly-laden candy castle, the Dolly Varden dress, the choo-choo train cake and the rubber ducky are among 12 recipes to be replicated on the mint's designs. The coins are legal tender, but have been designed with collectors in mind, as there's limited mintage on the series. Royal Australian Mint acting CEO Emily Martin, a child of the 1980s, said, "This cake book was on every bookshelf and used in just about every kitchen across Australia". "I used to spend a lot of time poring over its pages, choosing my next birthday cake," she said. "I particularly remember having the swimming pool. Of course, it was made with green jelly because in 1980, when this book came out, they didn't actually have blue jelly. It wasn't invented until later." Recipes from the Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book were selected because they are "relatable to many Australians". "At the Mint, part of our remit is telling Australian stories and reliving Australian culture through our coins," Ms Martin said. "Something like this is just iconic, a lot of our coin programs showcase historic events or our natural beauty through our flora and fauna." The mint is releasing special products in addition to the coin series. "We have a special limited edition hardcover children's birthday cake book with a $1 choo choo train coin in it," Ms Martin said. She said the mint was also releasing an old-fashioned recipe card box, complete with coins and cake recipe cards. The mint is running an online ballot system to ensure the collectibles aren't scooped up by a handful of buyers. There will also be in-person purchase limits for customers buying through News Express stores. "There are limited mintages of everything, so I really would encourage people to get their hands on them as quickly as they can," the acting CEO said. Nostalgic kids' birthday cakes may soon start appearing in coin purses as the Royal Australian Mint releases a dozen designs based on a decades-old cookbook. The Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book, first published in 1980, has inspired the new coin designs released on June 12. "Passed down through generations, this beloved book has sparked joy, kitchen chaos and unforgettable birthday memories," the mint said. The jelly-filled swimming pool, the lolly-laden candy castle, the Dolly Varden dress, the choo-choo train cake and the rubber ducky are among 12 recipes to be replicated on the mint's designs. The coins are legal tender, but have been designed with collectors in mind, as there's limited mintage on the series. Royal Australian Mint acting CEO Emily Martin, a child of the 1980s, said, "This cake book was on every bookshelf and used in just about every kitchen across Australia". "I used to spend a lot of time poring over its pages, choosing my next birthday cake," she said. "I particularly remember having the swimming pool. Of course, it was made with green jelly because in 1980, when this book came out, they didn't actually have blue jelly. It wasn't invented until later." Recipes from the Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book were selected because they are "relatable to many Australians". "At the Mint, part of our remit is telling Australian stories and reliving Australian culture through our coins," Ms Martin said. "Something like this is just iconic, a lot of our coin programs showcase historic events or our natural beauty through our flora and fauna." The mint is releasing special products in addition to the coin series. "We have a special limited edition hardcover children's birthday cake book with a $1 choo choo train coin in it," Ms Martin said. She said the mint was also releasing an old-fashioned recipe card box, complete with coins and cake recipe cards. The mint is running an online ballot system to ensure the collectibles aren't scooped up by a handful of buyers. There will also be in-person purchase limits for customers buying through News Express stores. "There are limited mintages of everything, so I really would encourage people to get their hands on them as quickly as they can," the acting CEO said. Nostalgic kids' birthday cakes may soon start appearing in coin purses as the Royal Australian Mint releases a dozen designs based on a decades-old cookbook. The Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book, first published in 1980, has inspired the new coin designs released on June 12. "Passed down through generations, this beloved book has sparked joy, kitchen chaos and unforgettable birthday memories," the mint said. The jelly-filled swimming pool, the lolly-laden candy castle, the Dolly Varden dress, the choo-choo train cake and the rubber ducky are among 12 recipes to be replicated on the mint's designs. The coins are legal tender, but have been designed with collectors in mind, as there's limited mintage on the series. Royal Australian Mint acting CEO Emily Martin, a child of the 1980s, said, "This cake book was on every bookshelf and used in just about every kitchen across Australia". "I used to spend a lot of time poring over its pages, choosing my next birthday cake," she said. "I particularly remember having the swimming pool. Of course, it was made with green jelly because in 1980, when this book came out, they didn't actually have blue jelly. It wasn't invented until later." Recipes from the Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book were selected because they are "relatable to many Australians". "At the Mint, part of our remit is telling Australian stories and reliving Australian culture through our coins," Ms Martin said. "Something like this is just iconic, a lot of our coin programs showcase historic events or our natural beauty through our flora and fauna." The mint is releasing special products in addition to the coin series. "We have a special limited edition hardcover children's birthday cake book with a $1 choo choo train coin in it," Ms Martin said. She said the mint was also releasing an old-fashioned recipe card box, complete with coins and cake recipe cards. The mint is running an online ballot system to ensure the collectibles aren't scooped up by a handful of buyers. There will also be in-person purchase limits for customers buying through News Express stores. "There are limited mintages of everything, so I really would encourage people to get their hands on them as quickly as they can," the acting CEO said. Nostalgic kids' birthday cakes may soon start appearing in coin purses as the Royal Australian Mint releases a dozen designs based on a decades-old cookbook. The Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book, first published in 1980, has inspired the new coin designs released on June 12. "Passed down through generations, this beloved book has sparked joy, kitchen chaos and unforgettable birthday memories," the mint said. The jelly-filled swimming pool, the lolly-laden candy castle, the Dolly Varden dress, the choo-choo train cake and the rubber ducky are among 12 recipes to be replicated on the mint's designs. The coins are legal tender, but have been designed with collectors in mind, as there's limited mintage on the series. Royal Australian Mint acting CEO Emily Martin, a child of the 1980s, said, "This cake book was on every bookshelf and used in just about every kitchen across Australia". "I used to spend a lot of time poring over its pages, choosing my next birthday cake," she said. "I particularly remember having the swimming pool. Of course, it was made with green jelly because in 1980, when this book came out, they didn't actually have blue jelly. It wasn't invented until later." Recipes from the Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book were selected because they are "relatable to many Australians". "At the Mint, part of our remit is telling Australian stories and reliving Australian culture through our coins," Ms Martin said. "Something like this is just iconic, a lot of our coin programs showcase historic events or our natural beauty through our flora and fauna." The mint is releasing special products in addition to the coin series. "We have a special limited edition hardcover children's birthday cake book with a $1 choo choo train coin in it," Ms Martin said. She said the mint was also releasing an old-fashioned recipe card box, complete with coins and cake recipe cards. The mint is running an online ballot system to ensure the collectibles aren't scooped up by a handful of buyers. There will also be in-person purchase limits for customers buying through News Express stores. "There are limited mintages of everything, so I really would encourage people to get their hands on them as quickly as they can," the acting CEO said.
Sydney Morning Herald
39 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘His contribution will not be forgotten': Tributes flow for $720m super stud Snitzel
Four-time champion Australian sire Snitzel has died after a glittering stud career which produced 23 individual group 1 winners, sales of some $450 million and prizemoney of $273 million worldwide. A son of another champion stallion, Redoute's Choice, Snitzel was euthanised on Wednesday morning at age 22 at Arrowfield Stud in Scone after showing 'signs of age-related decline' since last year. 'Despite comprehensive veterinary support and the daily dedication of Arrowfield's experienced stallion team, his condition deteriorated rapidly over the past week,' Arrowfield Stud said in a statement. 'With no treatment options remaining, the decision was made to allow him a peaceful and dignified farewell.' Foaled on August 24, 2002, the son of by Snippets' Lass won seven of his 15 starts on the track for Rosehill trainer Gerald Ryan. The victories included the listed Breeders Plate on debut and the group 3 Skyline and Up And Coming Stakes, before his sole group 1 win in the Oakleigh Plate. Starting his stud career in 2006, Snitzel went on to sire 160 stakes winners and was crowned champion Australian stallion four seasons in a row, from 2016-17 to 2019-20. His service fee last year was $247,500. His champion progeny include Chris Waller-trained star filly Lady Shenandoah, two-time Everest champion Redzel, four-time group 1-winner Trapeze Artist and Golden Slipper winners Marhoona (2025), Estijaab (2018) and Shinzo (2023). On Tuesday at Seymour, two-year-old colt Job Done became Snitzel's 20th individual juvenile winner for the season. He will be part of Snitzel's fifth Australian 2YO sires' premiership. Snitzel's direct progeny have won $273,085,262 in prizemoney worldwide, with most of that success coming in Australia, where they have won $218,014,638 and 146 stakes races. 'Arrowfield acknowledges the profound impact of his passing, not only as the loss of a great horse, but as the end of a significant chapter in the stud's history. Snitzel was more than a commercial success; he was a reliable and stoic presence who shaped the daily rhythm of life at the farm and anchored many careers,' the Arrowfield statement read 'Like his sire Redoute's Choice and grandsire Danehill, Snitzel became a cornerstone not only of Arrowfield's breeding program, but of the broader Australian thoroughbred industry. His contribution to the sport, measured in champions, premierships, and the people he brought together, will not be forgotten.'
Sydney Morning Herald
39 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
It was once agenda-setting, appointment viewing. What went wrong for Q+A?
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