Lauren Katulka

Posted on 18/01/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Mornington Peninsula Chills Out with Between the Bays Festival

While the kids are soaking up the excitement of the Big Day Out bill, a more laid back music festival has caught my attention. Once the weather cools a little, the Mornington Peninsula will host some of Australia’s finest for the Between the Bays music festival.

Now in its fifth year, this family-friendly festival boasts a fantastic bill. Tex Perkins, Lior, Angie Hart, The Fauves, Jordie Lane, Blackchords, and Cousin Leonard and the Casio Brothers.

Aside from the top music, ticket holders will enjoy local gourmet food stalls, fantastic wineries and breweries, and free activities for the kids. They can get their faces painted and play on the inflatable obstacle course and giant slide while mum and dad kick back relax.

The Between the Bays festival rolls into Penback, at the end of Rickards Road in Moorooduc on March 20. Tickets are available now from the Between the Bays website, Ticketmaster, and Penback (ph (03) 59 788 425.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on 17/01/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Finabah Want You to Jump!

With their new single “Everyone Jump (When They Tell You How High)” enjoying solid air play, NA2R rock winners Finabah are shaping up as an Aussie act to watch in 2010.

The song showcases the band’s trademark rock-pop sound and catchy melodies. Underneath that radio-friendly sound, the band said there’s a real message.

“The track was heavily inspired by the modern fashion industry, and everyone’s struggle to be different,” explained bassist Brendan Langfield. “It seems a lot of the time people are so concerned with being ‘trendy’ and ‘unique’ that they forget about who they really are”.

Following an east coast tour in February and March, the band will take their tunes to the kids as part of the 2010 Rock the Schools tour. The government initiative sees the band performing more than 25 shows to more than 15, 000 students, and giving them a hands-on lesson about rock and roll. They certainly weren’t teaching that when I was at school!

Before that, make sure you get out and support this exciting unsigned act on their Everybody Jump tour!

12 February 2010 – Syke, The Producer Bar @ Electric Light Hotel, Adelaide, SA (18+)
13 February 2010 – The Underground, Adelaide (All Ages)
19 February 2010 – Mynt Lounge, Werribee (18+)
20 February 2010 – Bang @ Royal Melbourne Hotel (18+)
21 February 2010 – Fist 2 Face, Melbourne (All Ages)
5 March 2010 – X&Y Bar, Brisbane (18+ Unplugged set)
6 March 2010 – The Hive, Brisbane (All Ages)
6 March 2010 – Thriller, Brisbane (All Ages)
7 March 2010 – Gladstone Hotel, Gladstone (18+)

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on 16/01/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Sir Norman Jay Ready for Good Times in Australia

British DJ pioneer Sir Norman Jay will release a new CD Good Times Australia to coincide with his Aussie tour, which kicks off at the end of the month.

The double-disc set, released exclusively through Central Station Records, will feature the first CD he’s mixed in 15 years and some rare gems. These include mixes for David Bowie, Inner Circle, and Tina Turner. Many of these tunes have never appeared before on CD, so it’s promising to be a real collector’s item.

Good Times Australia will hit stores on January 22. You can see the man himself live at the following venues.

23 January 2010 – The Espy, Melbourne
24 January 2010 – Cloudland, Brisbane
25 January 2010 – Beach House, Port Macquarie
26 January 2010 – The Ivy, Sydney
12 February 2010 – The Manor, Perth
18-21 February 2010 – Playground Weekender, Wiseman’s Ferry

Image used with permission from Central Station Records

Posted on 15/01/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Rufus Wainwright Cancels Aussie Tour

Rufus Wainwright has cancelled his upcoming Australian tour due to illness in the family. Unfortunately, this has also seen the cancellation of his Day on the Green concerts with Paul Kelly.

“We are all incredibly disappointed that Rufus has had to cancel his tour,” A Day on the Green promoter Michael Newton said in a statement. “Unfortunately we have no time to secure another artist of the same calibre to replace him as the co-headline act, which makes it economically unviable to continue with the show. We hope we will see Rufus at A Day on the Green next summer.”

Ticket holders can now get a full refund from their place of purchase.

But there is a silver lining for fans. Apparently they’ll get priority ticket allocated when Rufus returns later this year.

Image source: ZUMA Press

Posted on 14/01/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Dannii Minogue Up The Duff

It’s a scary day for music fans. Reality TV star and sometimes pop singer Dannii Minogue is pregnant.

Ms Minogue confirmed the news in a Twitter post, which read “Woo hoo I’m gonna be a mummy!” Her boyfriend, former footballer Kris Smith, soon joined in the chorus tweeting “Woo hoo I’m gonna be a daddy.” I guess it’s good to know the parents-to-be, while not so original in their declarations, are at least in sync.

Big sister Kylie Minogue was quick to offer her congratulations, tweeting “Congratulations to my sister Dannii and her partner Kris on the happy news!!!! I am so excited to be an Aunty again!! WOW WOW WOW!! Xxx.”

Dannii is reportedly 12 weeks along, with the baby expected in June. Let’s just hope it doesn’t want to pick up a microphone!

Image source: ZUMA Press

Posted on 14/01/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Area-7 Celebrates 15th Birthday

Melbourne ska outfit Area-7 are celebrating 15 years in the biz with a special anniversary show.

We first saw Area-7 as the Madness cover band Mad Not Madness. With a few originals under their belt they became the appropriately titled Dawning of a New Era. Once singer Walter Eskdale left, paving the way for Yeah! Yeah! Frontman John “Stevo” Stevens to join the band, they became the Area-7 that we all know and love.

Hometown fans can celebrate the band’s milestone at the anniversary show at The Espy’s Gershwin Room on February 5. Guests include The King Cannons, The Level Spirits, and DJ Mohair Slim. Tickets are now available from the club.

Image used with permission from The Espy

Posted on 13/01/2010 by Lauren Katulka

The Angels and Adelaide Orchestra Join Forces

Aussie rock veterans The Angels will team up with the Adelaide Art Orchestra for one night only. I’m sure there have been more unlikely pairings, but I can’t think of one offhand!

While most of us wonder how the lads’ brand of rock will sound with symphonic backing, the Brewster Brothers say it’s the perfect fit.

“John and I grew up surrounded by classical music. Our father and both his parents were all classical musicians – performing, composing, teaching and conducting,” Rick Brewster said in a statement. “These early influences have remained with us throughout our careers and we are at last about to realise our dream of one day performing our own music with an orchestra. It will add a whole new dimension to it”.

“It’s a very exciting and challenging prospect and I hope the end result is agreeable to the ancestors if they’re listening … they’re a hard bunch to please! This one’s for Dad, Gran & Bopo, I will definitely ‘make the melody sing’!”

The Angels will play Adelaide’s Festival Theatre with the city’s Art Orchestra on April 17. Tickets are available from the venue.

Image source: Premier Artists

Posted on 13/01/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Damien Leith Celebrates Irish Heritage on Keys and Strings Tour

More details have come to light about Damien Leith’s upcoming shows. It seems the intimate concerts will have an Irish bent. The former Australian Idol will embrace his Celtic roots on the Keys and Strings tour.

The name comes from the violin, guitar, and piano that will accompany Damien’s trademark voice. Damien is set to perform traditional and modern Irish hits, as well as some of the best tracks from his new album Remember June. You can expect to hear ancient Irish folk tunes alongside contemporary classics from Van Morrison, Damien Rice, and U2. It sounds like an eclectic mix!

“My Irish background is incredibly important to me and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to take this show to the stage,” Damien said about the upcoming tour.

As a reminder, here are all those tour dates!

16 January 2010 – Sandalford Winery, Perth (Day On The Green)
17 January 2010 – Sandalford Winery, Margaret River (Day On The Green)
23 January 2010 – Bimbadgen Winery, Hunter Valley (Day On The Green)
24 January 2010 – Centennial Winery, Bowral (Day On The Green)
26 January 2010 – Siromet Winery, Brisbane (Day On The Green)
30 January 2010 – Leconfield Wines, Adelaide (Day On The Green)
31 January 2010 – Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley (Day On The Green)
11 February 2010 – Toowoomba City Golf Club
12 February 2010 – Redcliffe Cultural Centre
13 February 2010 – Sunshine Coast Function Centre
14 February 2010 – Victoria Point Sharks Club, Brisbane Bayside
19 & 20 February 2010 – Penrith Gaels
26 February 2010 – Marconi Club, Bossley Park
27 February 2010 – Club Sapphire, Merimbula
3 Mar 2010 – Weller’s Restaurant, Kangaroo Ground
5 Mar 2010 – Milano’s Tavern, Melbourne
6 Mar 2010 – The Village Green, Melbourne
7 Mar 2010 – York on Lilydale Resort, Mt Evelyn
12 March 2010 – Country Club, Launceston
13 March 2010 – Wrestpoint Entertainment Centre, Hobart
17 March 2010 – The Mean Fiddler, Rouse Hill
19 March 2010 – Mingara Recreation Club, Tumbi Umbi
20 March 2010 – Revesby Workers Club
26 & 27 March 2010 – Norwood Live, Adelaide
1 Apr 2010 – Cafe Coast Restaurant, Perth
2 Apr 2010 – Friends Restaurant, East Perth
3 Apr 2010 – Charles Hotel, North Perth
9 April 2010 – Kingsford, Souths Juniors
10 April 2010 – Dee Why RSL
14 April 2010 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
15 & 16 April 2010 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
17 April 2010 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
23 April 2010 – Coffs Ex Services, Coffs Harbour
24 April 2010 – Ballina RSL
30 April 2010 – Brothers Leagues Club, Cairns
1 May 2010 – Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville
2 May 2010 – Magpies Sporting Club, Mackay
4 May 2010 – Proserpine Cultural Centre
5 May 2010 – Rockhampton Leagues Club
6 May 2010 – Gladstone Entertainment Centre
7 May 2010 – Hervey Bay Boat Club
8 May 2010 – Gympie RSL
9 May 2010 – Tewantin Noosa RSL

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on 12/01/2010 by Lauren Katulka

New Song Obsession: "On a Mission" by Gabriella Cilmi

Oh Gabriella Cilmi, we have missed you! Her new single “On a Mission” is a bit of a departure from the easy soul of “Sweet About Me,” but the feisty attitude is unmistakeably Gabriella. Soundswise, it reminds me of early 1980s disco. I could easily imagine The Pointer Sisters releasing this one.

Apparently there’s more where this came from, with Gabriella citing retro influences like Giorgio Moroder, Blondie, and Donna Summer on album number two, Ten. We can expect it in stores on March 19.

Take a squizz at the new film clip and tell me what you think. Personally I figure you can never go wrong with space-age imagery and girls in bikinis, and I’m sure many of my male readers agree!

Posted on 12/01/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Aussies On Board for Bacardi Express

An all-star Aussie line-up will join La Roux on this year’s Bacardi Express tour. Amongst the locals are Art vs Science, Yves Klein Blue, Miami Horror, The Cassette Kids, and DJ Sampology.

The retro train will take all the bands on one hell of a ride from Brisbane to Sydney. Along the way the engine will make pit stops in Coffs Harbour and Newcastle for some rocking shows.

“We’ve heard the catering is really good on the train, bring on the fun!,” gushed Art vs Science.

“Jam room, bars, being locked in close proximity with a bunch of other musicians for 48 hours – it’s just a unique touring experience, we can’t wait to get on the Bacardi Express,” added Yves Klein Blue.

If you want to jump aboard, and you’re over 18, make sure you head to the Bacardi Express website to register for the free tickets.

25 March 2010 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
26 March 2010 – Club Coffs, Coffs Harbour
27 March 2010 – Panthers, Newcastle
27 March 2010 – Big Top @ Luna Park, Sydney

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media