Author: Lauren Katulka

The Victorian government hasn’t gained any fans amongst musicians or music lovers of late. When it named The Tote as a “high risk venue” and closed it down last month (despite no history of violence), it was the last straw.

Concerned parties are taking to the streets in a protest organised by SLAM (Save Live Music Australia). They’ll march from the State Library on Swanston Street at 4 pm on February 23, recreating the path travelled by AC/DC in their Long Way to the Top video. Not so coincidentally, the day of the march coincides with the 34th anniversary of that video shoot.

“This is going to happen whether they like it or not,” protest organiser and former Blue Ruin singer Quincey McLean told The Age.

“It’s got too much momentum, it’s too big to stop now. It will be like Moomba with a message. Whenever a natural disaster happens, musicians are the first to put their hand up and offer support. Now it’s time for the public, who get music free online and hear it for free on the radio wherever they go, to give support back to the music they love so much.”

The march will be lead by a band, rumored to be the RockWiz Orchestra, playing the Acca Dacca classic on the back of a flatbed truck.

Melburnians, if you care about the state of your local live music scene I suggest getting down there on Feb 23 and showing your support!

Image source: The Euskadi 11 @ Flickr

Danimals are definitely an Aussie act to watch. As the winners of the Tooheys Extra Dry: The Lab competition, the band spent time in New York working with a who’s who of the music industry including Mark Ronson, Santigold, Sean Lennon, and heaps more. I recently caught up with the band’s founder Jonti Danilewitz to chat about that experience, the band’s new single, and the summer festival circuit.

You are the winners of the Tooheys Extra Dry: The Lab competition, which saw you head to New York and work with some amazing musicians like Mark Ronson, Sean Lennon, and the Dap Kings. What can you tell me about that trip?
That week of song writing was a multi-sensory experience, not unlike making love for the first time in a tub of candyfloss and synthesisers, with fireworks spraying out of the lighting above.

What do you think these collaborations brought to your sound?
Communicating in a collaboration for songs with specific pop sensibility can be tricky, and we’d like to put mention that everyone who we worked with were totally humble and amazing people to play with – true collaborators.

You returned to New York again after a quick trip home around Christmas. What were you up to there that time around?
We recorded one of the collaborations from the songwriting week with Mark Ronson at one of the most famous recording studios on the planet: Electric Lady Studios in Greenwich Village, NYC. It was built for Jimi Hendrix, and is the birthplace of albums from Hendrix, Frank Zappa, Bowie. It was a totally humbling experience.

What is it about New York that keeps you coming back?
The record stores (A-1, Ear Wax etc), Death by Audio in Brooklyn. It’s like a monolith of interest where everybody with any interest can find a clan of like-minded people.
Continue reading “Q & A with Danimals' Jonti Danilewitz” →

Following the success of their debut single “Picture Frames,” Georgia Fair are shaping up to be one of the biggest bands of 2010. I caught them at last year’s John Mayer showcase, and was super impressed by their incredible songwriting, stunning harmonies, and folk-laden acoustic tunes.

The sexy Sydney lads are playing a hometown show at Spectrum on Friday, February 20, and I have one double pass to give away. To be in with a chance, just reply to this entry and tell me why you want to see the show!

Entry is only open to music lovers 18 years and over as this is a strictly adults only show. Sorry kids! Entries close on February 9 at 5 pm AEST. Good luck!

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Brisbane indie rockers Yves Klein Blue might just be one of the hardest working acts around. They’ve barely unpacked their suitcases from a successful UK tour, and they’re already preparing to board the Bacardi Express. I recently caught up with the band’s keyboardist and guitarist Charles Sale to chat about the popular train tour, the band’s debut album Ragged & Ecstatic, and their jetsetting lifestyle.

The Bacardi Express is a pretty unique tour. What made you want to get involved?
We were invited to play this year and after hearing lots of great stories from Bluejuice (who played last year) we were very keen to jump on board.

The folks at Bacardi say the success of the tour all comes down to the right combination of bands, personalities, and genres. What will Yves Klein Blue bring to the mix?
As my mum always said, be true to yourself and be true to others. We are also passionate team players and I think this journey can be truly amazing if all the bands band together.

The Bacardi Express has several cool carriages, including the gaming room, jamming carriage, and chill out lounge. Where can we expect to find Yves Klein Blue?
I will definitely be in the jamming room. I also don’t know how to operate DJ decks.

Are you expecting a special show when the Bacardi tour kicks off in your home town of Brisbane?
Home town gigs are always the best, plus the gig is at the Tivoli which is one of our favourite venues.
Continue reading “Q & A with Yves Klein Blue's Charles Sale” →

It was a big night for the Aussies at this year’s Grammy Awards.

AC/DC won their first ever Grammy, beating out Alice in Chains, Linkin Park, Metallica, and Nickelback in the best hard rock performance. The Aussie expats grabbed the gong for “War Machine” from their massive comeback album Black Ice. However that album was no match for Green Day’s 21st Century Breakdown in the rock album category.

Keith Urban lost out to Taylor Swift in the best country album category, but came up trumps for best male country vocal performance. His hit “Sweet Thing” beat out tunes from Trace Adkins, Billy Currington, Jamey Johnson, and George Strait.

Sadly The Greencards didn’t come away with a win. They were beaten by Steve Wariner in the best country instrumental performance category.

Image source: ZUMA Press

It seems when I announced our Australian Grammys hopefuls, I missed one. I actually hadn’t heard of The Greencards, featuring Aussies Carol Young and Kym Warner, but they’ve been releasing critically acclaimed albums in the states for years.

The locals are up for their second successive Grammy Award in the Best Country Instrumental category. Their track “The Crystal Merchant” is up against tunes from Alison Brown, Sarah Jarosz, and Steve Wariner.

“We just can’t believe we’ve been nominated for a Grammy again this year. We honestly thought our 2008 nomination was a once in a lifetime moment … we’re very humbled by the whole thing,” Kym Warner said in a statement.

Whether they win or lose at tonight’s awards ceremony, we’ll welcome them back to Oz with open arms later this year. They’re scheduled to play the Port Fairy Folk festival in March and the East Coast Blues and Roots Festival in April before heading back to the States for Merlefest.

“We’ve been very keen to play Port Fairy Folk Festival for a long time, and it’s finally going to happen in March. And being invited back to play Byron Bay’s Blues & Roots Festival, truly one of the great festivals in the world, is just the cream on top! I can’t wait to play our music to Australian audiences, and get my hands on a cold Carlton Draught and a meat pie!”

Here are The Greencards local dates. Make sure you see this exciting country act at home while you can!

6-8 March 2010 – Port Fairy Folk Festival, VIC
2 & 3 April 2010 – Byron Bay Blues & Roots Festival, NSW

Image used with Thrillhill Entertainment

Have you heard about JUMP? This exciting new mentor program looks to hook young Aussie artists up with industry leaders.

Thirty-six mentorship places of up to 10 months are available for artists aged 18 to 30 in the first five years of their career. Applicants will be accepted across a wide range of artistic areas, including music, acting, dance, and more.

It sounds like a great opportunity, with successful applicants receiving funding to realise a creative project with their mentor, access to professional skills development, online profiling, showcasing of projects, and opportunities to participate in national artistic networks.

“Our priority is to help artists build sustainable careers and for many young professional artists getting established can be challenging and isolating,” explained Libby Christie, the Executive Director of Arts Funding for the Australia Council for the Arts. “Who better to help grow the skills and networks of an emerging artist than those who are already established and willing to share their hard-won knowledge?”

Applications close on February 26, so if you want to be in with a chance it’s time to get your stuff together. Head to the JUMP website for full application details and more information about this exciting new program.

Image used with permission from Emma Heath Public Relations & Management

They’ve barely left their teenage years behind, but already Short Stack have achieved more than most seasoned bands can dream of. The lads from Budgewoi on the New South Wales Central Coast already have a number one album under their belt and a swag of sell out tours. They’re preparing to play the biggest venues of their career, but before they set off I caught up with the band’s very cheeky lead singer Shaun Diviney to talk about the upcoming tour, their highly anticipated second album, and their loyal fans.

You’re one of the hardest working bands in Australia. It seems you’re always on the road, and you’re just about to head off again. What do you love most about playing live?
My favourite thing about being able to tour is not only going to the capital cities, but rural towns as well. And knowing that your music has made an impact on people of all walks of life. It’s the greatest feeling having people every night screaming lyrics you have wrote that have some how resonated with them.

I imagine a couple of young guys travelling the country would get up to some wild things. Can you share any crazy tour stories?
Once we killed a hooker with a shoelace and VCR player [laughs]. But seriously, we just usually push the party boundaries as much as we can and have some crazy night out on the town. What happens on tour stays on tour.

Your debut album Stack Is The New Black was massive, with a number one debut and gold status. Did that take you by surprise?
It did at first, but now it has sunk in I think it is just testimony to how loyal and amazing our fan base is.

I heard that you personally called every person who pre-ordered the CD to thank them. What inspired you to do that?
Bands don’t get anywhere with out their fans. some people ignore it but we feel it is important to embrace it.
Continue reading “Q & A with Short Stack's Shaun Diviney” →

Homegrown rockers AC/DC will add some edge to the Iron Man 2 soundtrack, with 15 of the bands song set to feature in the movie.

The soundtrack, which spans the band’s career, will be released as a deluxe CD/DVD package and a two-disc vinyl set.

“Music is an integral part of the Tony Stark and Iron Man experience, and we are pleased that Columbia and AC/DC are taking part in the franchise’s phenomenon. Through this relationship, the band is delivering fans supercharged Iron Man branded music through all our combined consumer touch points, from the movie to retail outlets and even virally with the debut of the new video,” said Tim Connors, Chief Operating Officer, Marvel Studios.

That video, for “Shoot to Thrill,” was shot last month in Buenos Aires.

The soundtrack will hit stores on April 22 ahead of the movie’s April 29 release.

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia