Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Black Ryder Release New Video, Aimee Scores New Moon Soundtrack Slot

The Black Ryder has released a stunning video for “Sweet Come Down.” The haunting song comes from the band’s highly anticipated debut, Buy The Ticket, Take the Ride, which hits stores on November 6.

The song is a fan favourite, with Aimee Nash and Scott Ryper sharing vocal duties and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s Peter Hayes on harmonica.

The accompanying clip is more short film than traditional music video, with acclaimed director Michael Spiccia and cinematographer Stefan Duscio at the helm. The wilds of south west New South Wales become a beautiful and foreboding landscape for the scene, which takes place after a mysterious tragedy.

The Black Ryder fans should look out for Aimee moonlighting on the new Black Rebel Motorcycle track, “Done All Wrong.” The song, which features Aimee’s ethereal vocals, is featured on the recently released Twilight – New Moon soundtrack.

The Black Ryder will celebrate the release of Buy The Ticket, Take the Ride with a show at The Tote Bar in Melbourne on November 19. The band will play alongside Killed Two Birds, Slight of Build, and Dreaming of Ghosts. It’s their very last show this year, so make sure you don’t miss it!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bon Jovi Planning Australian Tour

One of my favourite concert memories of last year was Bon Jovi’s show at Sydney’s Acer Arena. So I was thrilled to read the boys from New Jersey are planning a return visit.

There are no dates as yet, but the rockers have confirmed they’ll be here sometime in the next two years during The Circle world tour.

“One of our few regrets is the way we toured in the last decade was much more civilised than when we were young bucks and would go out for 200-250 show tours,” Jon said from Tokyo recently.

“So we neglected a whole region of the world, including Australia, which we always loved immensely, and by neglecting it we lost our footing there. The last record we came back and started to re-establish that, and with our hearts on our sleeves I can tell you we are going to spend a lot more time in Australia, starting with this record.”

I’m sure anyone who saw the band last time will agree, Bon Jovi spending a lot more time in Australia is a very good thing.

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Sarah McLeod

Sarah McLeod rose to fame as the frontwoman for 90s indie rockers The Superjesus. These days there’s a little more rock to her pop, but Sarah’s still going strong. After a year in New York she’s back and ready to unleash her brand new sound on Oz. I caught up with Sarah today to chat about her music’s new direction, life abroad, and why there’s no place like home. SarahMcLeodNEWPRIMAGESEPT09

How does it feel to be back home?
It’s taken me a few days to acclimatise and now I’m really, really comfortable. I think wild horses are going to have to drag me out this time because I’ve dug my heels in really hard. But when I first arrived I was a feeling a little bit “Oh, everything’s too suburban! Where are the homeless people I have to walk over?” It sort of confused me a little bit, but now I’ve worked out where I’m going to live, and I got back with my dog, and saw all my friends, and got back into my old life and now I’m really happy.

So are you back here for good or are you going back to New York?
I’m going to be going to and fro from here to New York probably for the next two years. I think I have to keep doing that. But as far as living, I’m going to live here. I’ve just committed to a 12-month lease on an apartment, so that was quite a big step for me. So I’m going to live here, and just go over there to do what I need to do.

I loved New York when I visited a few years ago. What do I need to see next time I go?
I’ve never really been one for sights. I just like certain areas of New York. I’m very much entrenched in The Village. The Village atmosphere to me is kind of like living on Sesame Street. You get to know everybody and you know where everything is. It’s really easy to get around; you can walk. I sort of hover between the West Village, Soho, and the East Village, and I never really like to travel above 14th Street or below Canal. That’s kind of like a little block of area that I really called my own.

I was extremely happy there. I felt really comfortable there. It was sort of one point of my life where I started working out who I was and what I wanted to do, and I felt really at home. And it changed me a lot, and I’m really happy that I had that opportunity to do that because I’m better for it. I loved it. I’ve got great memories. But now I’m extremely happy to be back here. I’ve picked up a few knick knacks of knowledge that I’ve learned and now I’m working them into my life, and I feel like everything so far is going to plan. And I’m with my dog, and that’s totally cool.
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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Foxx on Fire Celebrate EP Release with East Coast Tour

Melbourne quartet Foxx on Fire have just long released their long-awaited debut EP, White Sands. To celebrate, the lads who proudly describe their music as ‘apocalyptic disco-noir’ are heading out on the road for an East Coast tour.

Since their inception in 2006, Foxx on Fire have played more than 100 live showed including the St. Kilda Festival and supports for Art vs. Science, Bluejuice, and Midnight Juggernauts. There’s a reason why these boys took out the Diesel:U:Music comp and become finalists at the MTV Kickstart Competition, Tooheys Extra Dry uncharted.

Discover why yourself why Foxx on Fire are fast becoming one of Australia’s most exciting live acts at the following shows.

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2 November 2009 – ‘Melbourne Cup Eve’ @ The Birmingham, Melbourne (Tix $10 at the door)
14 November 2009 – Gallery Bar @ Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (Free entry)
20 November 2009 – Neverland Bar, Gold Coast (Tix $10 at the door)
21 November 2009 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane (Free entry)
25 November 2009 – Diesel:U:Music Party @ Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
28 November 2009 – Ed Castle, Adelaide (Tix $10 at the door)

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vanessa Amorosi Tops Again

Well done Vanessa Amorosi! She’s managed to retain the top spot on the Australian singles charts with “This Is Who I Am,” despite some fierce competition from the Black Eyed Peas.

Meanwhile, Guy Sebastian is also creeping up the charts again with “Like It Like That.” The feel-good single is up one position this week, sitting at number four. With the full-length CD of the same name now in record stores, expect to see Guy make a big impression on the albums charts next week. Is it too soon to predict a number one?

He’ll have to work hard to push Michael Buble off though. The smooth Canadian is still sitting pretty at the top of the albums charts with Crazy Love.

Click below to see all the top 10 chart action.

Continue reading “Vanessa Amorosi Tops Again” →
Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Congratulations Linda, Our G-SHOCK Competition Winner!

Congratulations to Linda Carter of Gorokan! She’s the lucky winner of Oz Music Scene’s G-SHOCK World Tour competition. Linda has won two tickets to the G-SHOCK World Tour’s Sydney pit-stop next month, and she’ll be able to keep time while she’s there with her brand new G-SHOCK watch.

Congratulations to Linda, and thanks to everyone else for entering!

Image source: Jef Bettens @ Stock.xchng

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Australian Idols Go Their Own Way

This week the Australian Idol contestants were allowed to sing the songs they felt represented them best. The open-ended theme was designed to showcase the best in them, but it also gave the contestants just enough rope to hang themselves.

But before all that, it was time to send one hopeful home. This week Kate Cook, Stan Walker, and James Johnson found themselves in the bottom three, but it was Kate’s turn to go. It was a close call, but I saw this one coming. It hurts to see her go, but we’re at that point where we have to lose people that we love. I just hope this isn’t the last we see of her.

James Johnson opened the show with Duffy’s “Mercy.” As always, he sang this well, but James didn’t do enough with it to make it really special. My biggest complaint was with the delivery. It seems he didn’t connect with the lyrics at all. Begging for mercy? With all that smiling and bounce, it didn’t seem like James was begging for anything!

Toby Moulton returned to his Brit Pop love with Oasis’ “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” I love Toby, but I hated this. It felt like karaoke, and bad karaoke at that. It didn’t showcase his voice, or deliver any emotional punch at all. I could have picked a million better songs for him.

Nathan Brake took on Maroon 5’s” Makes Me Wonder” and completely nailed it. I wasn’t sure about the song choice at first, but he really pulled it off. He’s got that lovely pop sensibility combined with such an incredible voice. He’s really hitting his stride right now, and I’m thrilled.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Thomas Stevens from StoneMason

Gold Coast quartet StoneMason has just set off on their latest Australian tour to support their brand new EP Noise and Haste. I caught up with the band’s bass guitarist Thomas Stevens, aka SteveO, to chat about the new release, life on the road, and why they love rock in more ways than one!

You’ve just kicked off your latest tour. How does it feel to be back in front of crowds?
We’ve actually been playing wherever and whenever we can the last half of the year, but for this tour we’ll be doing a few larger shows which will be awesome. Being in front of crowds is great because we put on a much better show if we actually have people to perform to, because we really feed off the energy of the audience.

What do you love about being on the stage?
Personally, I just love playing music regardless of the setting. Plus it’s an incredible rush playing on stage and performing to people who enjoy the music we make.

I’ve heard your live show described as being “dynamic” and “unique.” What makes a StoneMason gig so special?
We practice a lot and really work at being tight and cohesive as a band so we can put on a decent show, and our sound incorporates a lot of different influences so we don’t really sound like anyone else. We’ve all been really good friends for ages and started the band because we enjoy playing music together, rather than being put together purely to achieve success, so we also have a live chemistry that a lot of other bands don’t.

You’re touring to promote your new EP Noise and Haste. What can you tell me about it?
We recorded Noise and Haste over the bulk of this year at Loose Stones Studios in Burleigh Heads. All the tracks were engineered and mixed by Luke Palmer except for ‘Out, Damned Spots’ which was mixed by Matthew Bartlem (The Butterfly Effect, Dead Letter Circus), and the whole EP was mastered in the US by Troy Glessner (Underoath, Anberlin, Haste The Day). The songs on Noise and Haste are a mix of fast-paced indie rock, synth driven pop punk and piano balladry, and we’re immensely proud of the result.

Your first single “Stockholm Fashion” is about being inspired. What inspires you?
With regards to music and playing in a band, personally I draw inspiration from the bands and artists I listen to every day. Seeing a band that I love and admire being able to gain enough deserved recognition to continue what they do and take their music to different people and places, inspires and motivates me to do the same more than anything else.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Jordan Wilson of Georgia Fair

You might not know the name Georgia Fair, but chances are you’ve been humming along to their new song “Picture Frames,” which provides the soundtrack for the current Big M flavoured milk ad. I caught up with one half of the talented duo, Jordan Wilson, to chat about the band’s new self-titled EP, their big upcoming tours, and his favourite Sunday afternoon tipple.

You’ve just released your debut EP. What can you tell me about it?
It just came out on Friday. We spent about a month, on and off, recording it and had a really good time. It’s got some new songs and some old songs on there so hopefully that turns out.

People might have heard your song “Picture Frames” on the new Big M advertisement. How did it feel to see your song on the TV for the first time?
It’s pretty exciting. The first time I saw it it was a bit of a shock. I wasn’t actually expecting it. It was after the footy actually, after my team won. So it was a pretty good day.

You’ve managed to score some massive supporting gigs for Kate Miller-Heidke and Whitley in the coming months. Are you fans of their music?
Yeah, definitely. Ben and I both love their music so we’re happy to be supporting them next month. It’ll be a good tour.

Busy times supporting both artists I suppose too.
They’re sort of interlinking I think, so we’re managing to fit it in. We’re really happy we got to do both of them. There was a chance we’d only be able to do one, so this is good.

What do you love about being on stage?
I guess it’s definitely an adrenalin rush. The main thing is that I love playing our songs to people getting in the zone. It feels really natural playing our songs, especially the new ones.

How have the crowds been responding to your music?
Really good. The whole EP started with us playing full instrumentation with a band and stuff, but with the last couple of shows and this upcoming tour we’ve been getting acoustic, just by ourselves. So that’s a really good challenge, with the crowd and stuff. But we’ve found they’ve been pretty responsive and we’ve been playing some good shows. They’ve been listening and haven’t been too hard.

Continue reading “Q & A with Jordan Wilson of Georgia Fair” →
Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cassette Kids Announce Nothing on TV Album Release

They’ve spent the last 18 months earning a reputation as one of the most dynamic live acts in the country, and now Cassette Kids are ready to announce the release of their long-awaited debut album, Nothing on TV.

The first single, “Lying Around,” hits radio this week ahead of the album’s March 2010 release.

“The first single, “Lying Around,” has a great energy and quite a strong message: If you don’t get off your arse and go after what you want, then you can’t expect it to fall in your lap,” explained the band’s lead singer, Katrina.

The track is just one of a dozen tracks, the result of spending six months in the studio with Richard Wilkinson (Hot Chip, Adele, Magic Numbers, Carl Cox) and Michael Di Francesco aka Mikey from Van She (Ladyhawke). Under the guidance of these uber-talented producers, the Kids have experimented with their sound to create something really special. It’s a little more pop, but fans will be relieved to find the band’s trademark grit intact.

March may seem an age to wait, but you can get a taste of the new tracks on the Cassette Kids’ Lying Around tour. Tickets to all shows are on sale now.

8 November 2009 – Northbridge Festival, Perth WA (with Downsyde)
13 November 2009 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote VIC (with Canvas Kites and Red Ink)
14 November 2009 – Revolver, Prahran VIC (with Canvas Kites and Wilfred Jackal)
20 November 2009 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney NSW (with Canvas Kites and We Say Bamboulee)
21 November 2009 – Trackside Festival, Canberra ACT (with Hilltop Hoods, Karnivool, Midnight Juggernauts)
27 November 2009 – The Clubhouse, Brisbane QLD (with Canvas Kites and Yacht Club DJ’s)
28 November 2009 – Open Arms Festival, Coffs Harbour (with Hilltop Hoods, Karnivool, Children Collide)

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia