Author: Lauren Katulka

MM9 have announced a national tour to coincide with the release of their debut album The Air Between.

The electro rock outfit will hit up venues in capital cities and regional centers along the East Coast and Western Australia this April.

“The live show is our strength, it’s where our strengths lie so we try and fit in as much as we can without killing ourselves,” the band said in a statement.

The Air Between will be available in stores and online for digital download in March 12. Tickets to the following shows are available from the venues and the usual online outlets for February 11.

3 April 2010 – The Annandale Hotel, Sydney (with Electric Horse and Breaking Orbit)
9 April 2010 – Revolver Upstairs, Melbourne (with My Secret Circus and special guests)
10 April 2010 – The Pelly Bar, Frankston (with special guests)
14 April 2010 – The Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour (with Electric Horse and Swimming with Sharks)
15 April 2010 – The Brewery, Byron Bay (with Electric Horse)
16 April 2010 – Neverland, Coolangatta (with Electric Horse and guest)
17 April 2010 – Rosies, Brisbane (with Electric Horse, Arctic and Feed)
22 April 2010 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury (with special guests)
23 April 2010 – Breakers Bar, Geraldton (with special guests)
24 April 2010 – Amplifier, Perth (with special guests)
25 April 2010 – Newport Hotel, Fremantle (with special guests)

Image used with permission from Repertoire Publicity

Due to circumstances beyond the control of promoters, The Lost Weekend festival has had to switch gears. The three-day camping festival has been moved from its original Peak Crossing site to the Brisbane Riverstage and Botanical Gardens.

It will no longer be a camping festival, and rather than the planned three days it will be held on March 6 and 7. Thankfully though the event will still showcase the same awesome bands, including Gyroscope, Dinosaur Jr, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, and Tumbleweed.

“We will continue to work with the venue and local authorities towards holding an event of the originally intended nature at Ivory’s Rock Conference Centre – all parties have been keen to make The Lost Weekend work and we still believe we will achieve this in time,” the promoter stated. “But in the end we needed to make sure we could provide the best experience at the inaugural event for both patrons and artists alike.”

The change of plans is bound to disappoint many punters looking for that laidback camping vibe, but there is a silver lining for young music fans. The Lost Weekend is now an all ages event.

Two day tickets will now cost $150, while single day passes are also available. Saturday tickets are $100, while Sunday tickets cost $75 (booking fees apply). All current tickets will be valid for the new venue, although refunds are available for anyone not happy with the change of plans. Event organisers will contact all ticket holders shortly to explain their options.

Image source: Stuart Sevastos @ Flickr

You don’t have to be in Austin to enjoy some of the great local talent heading to the SXSW festival. The Aussie BBQ will have a couple of dress rehearsals in Sydney and Melbourne before heading to the U S of A.

The Melbourne show will take place at The Corner Hotel on February 23. The jam-packed bill includes Oh Mercy, The Wagons, Crayon Fields, Boat People, Pets with Pets, Summer Cats, and more to be announced.

Sydney’s gig is scheduled to take place at The Annandale on March 2. The line-up there includes The Goldhearted, Goons of Doom, Sherlock’s Daughter, City Riots, and more.

It’s not all about the music though. Just like in Austin, punters can enjoy a free BBQ and some great giveaways.

You won’t just enjoy a day of great music and snags. The events will also help to raise funds for the Aussie BBQ at SXSW, so you’re sure to go away with a warm fuzzy feeling!

Tickets for both shows are available from the venues for just $15.

Image used with permission from Repertoire Publicity

Sydney electro-rockers MM9 are preparing to release their highly-anticipated debut studio album.

The Air Between combines elements of rock, electronica, and industrial music for sound that defies genre. It was mixed by Mike Barbiero, who’s worked with music icons like Guns N’ Roses and Metallics, so I’m expecting big things from the sound.

The Air Between will be released by Sydney indie label Red Recordings on March 12.

Image used with permission from Repertoire Publicity

He told us he’d be back, and now John Mayer is making good on his promise. The guitar virtuoso and all-round good sort will tour Australia in April and May.

John Mayer will tour capital cities and key regional centers on the back of his latest album, Battle Studies. It’s strange to see Adelaide and Perth missing out while Wollongong and Newcastle get gigs though, isn’t it?

Tickets go on sale through major ticket outlets from February 19. Here are those all-important dates!

30 April 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
3 May 2010 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
5 May 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
7 May 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Newcastle
8 May 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney

Image source: ZUMA Press

While the Bacardi Express will travel down the East Coast in March, music lovers in South and Western Australia don’t have to miss out altogether. Local headliners Art vs Science will play a series of sideshows under the appropriately titled banner, Bacardi Express: Off the Rails.

The electronic act will play shows in Perth, Adelaide, and Albury before joining the official Bacardi Express tour in Brisbane. The band will be joined by an up-and-coming DJ to be discovered through the In the Mix website.

“We here at Art vs Science are looking forward to playing the Off the Rails shows as part of the Bacardi Express train tour” said Art vs Science. “People of Perth, Adelaide and Albury, you all seem like fine people. Come along and join the party. We will be handpicking the support DJ if you need another reason to come.”

Like the official Bacardi Express tour, you’ll need to win your way into these hot gigs. Just head to one of the venues below this month and enjoy a Bacardi beverage for your chance to score tickets and merchandise. Here are all the important dates!

11 March 2010 – Paddington Ale House, Perth
12 March 2010 – Live, Adelaide
13 March 2010 – Paddy’s, Albury

Image source: Stuart Sevastos @ Flickr

Damien Leith is a busy bee. Not content with preparing for his massive Keys and Strings tour, the former Australian Idol is preparing to release his novel.

You might remember Damien chatting to me about the book, which like his latest album is called Remember June, a couple of months ago. It tells the story of a family who has escaped the troubles of Northern Ireland in the 1980s. You’ll see it in all good bookstores on April 1.

But that’s not the only thing Damien’s been up to. As a committed family man, it seems appropriate that Damien’s been named an ambassador for the Barnados Australia’s Mother of the Year awards. The initiative searches for the number one mum in Oz.

“I believe that family is very important and the pivotal person in most families is the mum,” explained Damien. “Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year Awards recognise the wonderful work that mums all around Australia do and I am delighted to be an ambassador and support the awards.”

Somewhere in there Damien’s going to find time to tour Oz. His Keys and Strings tour kicks off in Toowoomba next week before travelling all around the country. If you haven’t got your tickets yet, what are you waiting for?

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia