Month: March 2009

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Barry Gibb Confirmed for Sound Relief

We heard the rumours but now it’s official. Barry Gibb will come out of retirement to close the Sound Relief benefit concert at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The former Bee Gee will play with a star-studded band featuring INXS drummer Jon Farriss.

“Every artist who grew up on the Bee Gees will want to be side of stage for this one, no matter how young they are,” an insider said yesterday.

Here’s another rumour for you. Barry’s expected to bring a special guest from America with him to perform a couple of tunes: none other than our beloved Olivia Newtown-John! This show just keeps getting more exciting!

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Record Store Day Australia Bucks Digital Trend

I still take so much joy from scouring the shelves of independent record stores, but in this digitally-savvy age it sometimes seems like these hallowed retail heavens are a dying breed. But rock relics like myself have a reason to celebrate next month. April 18 isn’t just a Saturday: it’s also Record Store Day Australia.

Across the country The Leading Edge, JB Hi-Fi, Sanity, and many independent record stores will join in the fun with live performances, artist signings, competitions, and giveaways.

Kram from Spiderbait and Daryl Braithwaite are two local stars looking forward to the festivities.

“I still like having things on vinyl and I love record stores,” said  Kram. “The whole experience of searching is probably more important than getting the stuff. I really dig record stores – I always will.”

“I had the thrill of being around in The Beatles period, and I remember specifically Sgt Pepper and being able to walk into a store, seeing the big promotion with people queued up – it was great! You connected with the music,” reminisced Daryl. “Then it was a thrill seeing my own stuff in the stores both in my Sherbet days and also with The Edge album. People would look at the cover, then look at me and recognise me – you don’t get this shopping experience online.”

You sure don’t! Make sure you head to your local record store on April 18 to join in the fun!

Image source: Record Store Day Australia website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sound Relief a Record Breaker

This Saturday’s Sound Relief concerts have already smashed records, with the Melbourne show becoming the largest paid concert event in Australian history. With artists like Kings of Leon, Midnight Oil, and Gabriella Cilmi on the bill, and money raised benefiting the Victorian bushfire victims, it’s little wonder why!

“It’s just an amazing result,” said Sound Relief co-organiser Michael Gudinski. “The lineup is without doubt a once in a lifetime one, but it’s truly impressive how much the Australian public has gotten behind this.  It speaks volumes of the passion of our great country – helping a mate in trouble.”

And with the addition of Kylie Minogue to the line-up, the show at the MCG is only going to get bigger. She’ll make an appearance as special guest MC.

“To me, Kylie is Melbourne.  Her attendance is the cherry on the top of an already phenomenal lineup.  She’s our girl.” Michael Gudinski said.

With other 78, 000 tickets sold, the Melbourne concert has been declared a sell out. Lucky fans in Sydney can still secure tickets, with more released today. Profits from the SCG show will be shared between the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal and The Premier’s Disaster Relief Fund to aid victims of the Queensland floods.

Image source: PR Photos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Wombats Hit Ramsey Street

The British just can’t seem to get enough of Aussie soap Neighbours. So when The Wombats were offered the chance to head to Ramsey Street while on their recent Australian tour, they jumped at the chance.

The poptastic Brits will perform “Kill The Director” and the smash single “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” at Charlie’s Bar tomorrow night, March 10.

The Wombats are the latest in a long line of bands to perform on the soap, including The Veronicas, Marcia Hines, and Damien Leith. Fellow countryman Emma Bunton, Julian Clary, and Chris Lowe of The Pet Shop Boys have all made appearances, but The Wombats are the first British outfit to perform on the Aussie show.

Tune in to Channel 10 from 6:30 pm to check out the historic episode!

Image source: PR Photos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tasty Australian Tunes at Austin’s SXSW Festival

A smorgasboard of local talent will take part in the third annual Aussie Tastes & Tunes concerts at Austin’s famous SXSW festival. The three-day event at the Whole Foods Market will combine two great Aussie loves: great music and delicious food!

Josh Pyke, Angus & Julia Stone, and Andy Bull will headline the event designed to promote musical talent from New South Wales. They’ll play alongside other New South Welshmen Loene Carmen, Kara Grainger, Anthony Snape, and Andy Clockwise. Victoria’s Andy White and The Kin from South Australia will also take part.

Aussie Tastes & Tunes will feature some stripped back and acoustic sets, making them a real treat for the Austin crowd. If you’re in the area make sure you check out the shows from the 19th to 21st of March between noon and 2 pm. The Whole Foods Market is at 525 North Lamar Boulevard in Austin, Texas.

For plenty more about the SXSW festival, make sure you check out our own Austin Sound Check!

Image source: Bratha @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Presets Tour Oz

The Presets are preparing to embark on their biggest headliner tour of Oz to date.

In May the hottest thing in dance music will travel around most of the country, including the often neglected states of Western Australia and Tasmania. The tour includes plenty of all ages gigs to keep the band’s young fans happy.

The tour comes off the back of the band’s massive success with their latest album Apocalypso. The long play disc went double platinum and was named J Album of the Year in 2008.

Here are all the dates!

6 May 2009 – The Mangrove, Broome (18+)
8 May 2009 – Breakers Café, Geraldton (18+)
10 May 2009 – Belvoir Ampitheatre, Perth (18+)
16 May 2009 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide (All ages)
21 May 2009 – Festival Hall, Melbourne (All ages)
23 May 2009 – Derwent Centre, Hobart (All ages)
24 May 2009 – Albert Hall, Launceston (All ages)
27 May 2009 – ANU, Canberra (All ages)
28 May 2009 – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong (All ages)
29May 2009 – Panthers, Newcastle (All ages)
30 May 2009 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney (All ages)
7 June 2009 – Riverstage, Brisbane (All ages)

Image source: Manu el o matic! @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Song Obsession: "Feels Like Woah" – Wes Carr

It wasn’t that long ago that my husband I were lamenting the lack of “Woahs” in songs. Yes, we have such conversations. So I’m thrilled to see Australia’s reigning Idol Wes Carr bringing the “Woahs” back with his new single “Feelss like Woah.” This feels like an instant classic, channeling old 1980s rock in the vein of Bruce Springsteen or Bryan Adams. And you can sing along immediately, even if it’s just to the “Woahs”!

The single is in stores today with the album The Way the World Looks set to follow on March 20. If the songs we’ve heard are any indication, the CD should be sensational.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tooheys Extra Dry uncharTED Competition Closes Next Week!

Are you a great band or solo artist looking for your big break? The Tooheys Extra Dry uncharTED competition should be just what you’re looking for.

This year marks an exciting shift in the competition, as it expands to include solo artists for the first time. Winners will score a slot at this year’s Splendour in the Grass festival and a band development package worth $25, 000.

“I’m very excited about this year’s competition, and I’m looking forward to seeing what talent is out there,” said Splendour In the Grass Co-promoter, Jessica Ducrou. UncharTED is for aspiring artists, giving them the exposure and assistance to move forward in the industry. Previous winners have been of a high calibre, and we expect to come across more great music this time around.”

But be quick about it! Online registration closes next Friday, March 13!

Image source: Sony BMG Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Basics Strip Off for a Song

The Basics are revealing a little more of themselves in the music video for their new single “With This Ship.” This clever clip features the boys in the buff! It’s apparently an experience they enjoyed, because they’ve also stripped off for their latest publicity shots! Ooo-er!

I can’t promise nudity when the lads hit the road next month, but there will be good music. The indie popstars will visit the following East Coast venues.

18 April 2009 – St Martins, Randall Theatre, Melbourne
23 April 2009 – Transit Bar, Canberra
24 April 2009 – The Globe, Brisbane
25 & 26 April 2009 – The Vanguard, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Groove Armada Prepare to Board the Bacardi Express

As one half of Groove Armada, Andy Cato is preparing to head around Australia headlining the Bacardi Express 2009 tour. The train trip continues the band’s long running association with the brand. They’ve played Bacardi shows in Miami, Greece, Mexico, and Brazil already, on a whirlwind world tour which has had plenty of highlights.

“Greece was a big one. It was the first time we synced our DJ set to the lights, visuals and lazers. The gig was in a velodrome where the UK had won some of its very rare sporting gold medals. We added another win to the list that night. And Mexico crowds are always top class. That was another first too – the only gig we’ve done in a blow up arena,” he said.

Groove Armada are no strangers to Australia, playing here “a dozen times at least.”
“We’ve been to Australia a dozen times at least. We’ve had amazing gigs there over the last ten years. Centennial Park was special, as was the first time we played the Hordern. New Years Eve on Bondi Beach was everything you’d expect. We’ve played killer festivals outside Melbourne and Perth, and had a top ten night in the (now demolished) venue where the Beatles played on the Gold Coast. We’ve seen more nights to remember in Australian bars, clubs and house parties than you could hope to manage in a lifetime.”

This time around the band hope to visit the Match Bar and Grill in Melbourne.   ”A friend of ours has set it up to combine top food and drink with an enormous sound system out the back. Sounds like a one stop shop,” he enthused.

The Bacardi Express will depart Melbourne on March 26. It’ll make stops at Wagga Wagga and Wollongong before arriving in Sydney on March 28.

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media. Image credit: Derek Santini