The musical stylings of sweet Sydney songstress Sam Buckingham and Will Smith couldn’t be more different, yet for some reason this clip of Sam covering the theme from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air works. You’ve never heard it quite like this before!
Sam recorded this gorgeous take on the retro classic backstage in Brisbane recently. I think it deserves a place in her sets, don’t you?
I think you can only tell how good a band is when you see them perform live and acoustic. Without studio trickery or even loud instruments to hide behind, you can hear that pure talent. And that’s why Good Oak, and this performance of their track “The Stumble Inn” blows me away. Shot during a secret show, part of the Sofar Sounds initiative, it really is something special.
The Snowdroppers are ready to close the door on their sophomore album Moving Out of Eden with the release of its third and final single, “So Much Better”.
“So Much Better” is a cheeky, danceable ditty about the ease with which we can hurt the ones we love. It’s kind of depressing subject matter really, but when it’s wrapped in such an upbeat package it’s much easier to swallow. You can hear a little of the track live in this video.
The Snowdroppers are getting ready to hibernate and record album number three, but before they do they’ll play a string of shows with their best pals Gay Paris and some other like-minded musical guests.
6 September 2013 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
7 September 2013 – Jive Bar Adelaide
13 September 2013 – John Curtin Band Room, Carlton
20 & 21 September 2013 – Annandale Hotel, Annandale
Local electronic band Pigeon have celebrated the recent release of Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories with a video capturing a medley of the French act’s biggest hits. In just nine minutes Pigeon takes us on a trip down memory lane with some of dance music’s most enduring classics. Clever stuff!
I can’t promise they’ll play any Daft Punk, but you will hear some great electronic music when Pigeon launch their new single “Curtain Call” with the following shows.
21 August 2013 – The Jack, Cairns (FREE)
22 August 2013 – Paddy’s Shenanigans, Arlie Beach (FREE)
23 August 2013 – CBD Hotel, Mackay (FREE)
30 August 2013 – Oh Hello, Brisbane
4 September 2013 – Beach Road Hotel, Sydney (FREE)
5 September 2013 – Transit Bar, Canberra
6 September 2013 – Mum @ World Bar, Sydney
13 September 2013 – Can’t Say, Melbourne
14 September 2013 – Rhino Room, Adelaide
19 September 2013 – Alpha Beta, Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast (FREE)
20 September 2013 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (FREE)
21 September 2013 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
How good is RocKwiz this year? I must admit, the show used to be something I caught now and again. However when Spicks and Specks ended, it became compulsory viewing to satisfy my music trivia cravings. While I love yelling out the answers to the questions at my television set, the highlight for me is always those duets at the end. You just never know quite what you’re going to get, and it’s so often magical. One of my favourites in recent weeks was the coming together of Chet Faker and Saskwatch frontwoman Nkechi Anele for David Essex’s “Rock On”. If this doesn’t get you grooving, nothing will!
I feel like I’ve barely had time to breathe this week. There are worse things that being social, but as I age travelling up the highway and back again more than once in a week really takes its toll. Still, when you’re seeing wonderful things it’s worth all the effort. And Idina Menzel’s concert at the Opera House on Wednesday night was certainly a wonderful thing.
I became enamoured with Idina when I discovered Rent in the late ’90s. Wicked came later, and then Glee, with their roles that showcased Idina’s charisma and incredible vocal prowess. So when I heard she was visiting Australia this month, I jumped at the chance to be in the audience. My expectations were high, but she didn’t disappoint.
In fact, this was one of those shows that was even better than I’d hoped for. What a personality Idina has. She was genuinely humble and so incredible open. She was free with stories of her professional and personal life, even when those memories were painful like the loss of composer and mentor Marvin Hamlisch and Rent creator Jonathan Larson.
The music took the night to another level though. It was eclectic mix touching on jazz standards, musical theatre numbers, and even pop songs. It’s rare to find a set with songs from Lady Gaga, Cole Porter, Joni Mitchell, and Peter Gabriel, but I relished it. It all worked so well. Her tender rendition of “Both Sides Now” was spellbinding, her take on Barbra Streisand’s “Don’t Rain on My Parade” invigorating, her performance of Wicked signature song “Defying Gravity” every bit as impressive without green makeup and levitation.
But personally none of them compared to the joy I felt at witnessing her singing my favourite song from my favourite musical, “Take Me or Leave Me”. As it’s a duet I never expected it to make the set, but I didn’t count on her secret weapon: a ridiculously talented Sydney audience. Normally when singers invite random strangers to the microphone the results are cringeworthy. There’s something special about a musical theatre audience though. All the guest vocalists were stellar. If Idina didn’t look so impressed I’d assume they were plants. Witnessing all these great voices coming together was a true highlight.
I’d be remiss not to mention the Sydney Symphony Orchestra too, who helped elevate Idina’s act as only a full orchestra can. What a combination.
I’m still raving about this show to anyone who’ll listen days later. It was incredible, utter magic. And for nights like that, I’ll happily accept a little post-concert fatigue!
The Sydney Opera House is pretty strict about its no-photos policy, so with that in mind I figured I’d share you one of the clips from the tour video. It’s not Sydney, but it shows how special it is when Idina works with an orchestra. Enjoy!
It’s been more than twenty years since a major stage production of Jesus Christ Superstar graced Australian theatres. That makes me feel old, and also believe that the revamp was long overdue. So I couldn’t want to see where the creators would take the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical this month. I’d heard whispers of course, as word trickled through from London. I knew it was edgier, more modern, but I wasn’t prepared for how dramatically different this version was from the one I enjoyed in my youth. Such a shakeup can be dangerous, but in the case of JC Superstar it was inspired.
Rather than placing an orchestra in the pits, organisers put rock musicians to the side of the tiered stage, so close to the action. Those historical costumes were largely gone, replaced with street clothes that wouldn’t have appeared out of place in RENT. Videos beamed onto the back screen alluding to YouTube, game shows, tabloid news.
But at the centre of it all, we had a stellar cast and incredible songs. Those are the key elements that can’t be messed with. They grounded the production and ensured the largely older audience stayed connected despite the contemporary changes. Tim Minchin was predictably Judas. He showed he’s got much more than comedy chops, attacking the complex role of Judas with relish. Ben Forster is a real find. My mum, a three-time JC veteran, said his version of “Gethsemane” was the best she’s witnessed. That song is such a pivotal moment in the musical, and it was played out exquisitely. How exciting to see a Spice Girl furthering her craft rather than cashing in with roles on mediocre reality TV. Mel C held her own against some theatre veterans. I was also impressed with Andrew O’Keefe, who played to his strengths with his glitzy “Lord or Fraud” game show take on “King Herod’s Song.”
The first half was satisfying but the final act was gutwrenching. The production didn’t back away from the horror of the story, and even added some nasty bits for good measure. It wasn’t pretty, but it was inspired.
What a shame more young people didn’t make it to this production. As I looked out at the predominantly grey-haired audience I couldn’t help thinking of how much Gen Y would have enjoyed this thoroughly modern take on classic musical theatre.
Ben Ottewell will leave his Gomez bandmates behind next month when he embarks on an Australian solo tour. Ben will treat fans to tracks from his 2011 solo album Shapes and Shadows and favourites from the Gomez back catalogue.
As if Ben’s spine-tingling voice wasn’t enough to sucker you in, the venues are stellar. Each one is intimate, all the better for showcasing Ben’s incredible songwriting talent. As an extra drawcard, Melbourne bluesy multi-instrumentalist Matt Walker will serve as the support on all but the Western Australian show.
This video of Ben performing his album’s title track acoustically on Billboard Live Studio Sessions should get you in the mood for the following shows!
26 June 2013 – Mojo’s, Freemantle
27 June 2013 – Grace Emily, Adelaide
28 June 2013 – The Substation, Newport
29 & 30 June 2013 – The Workers Club, Fitzroy
4 July 2013 – The Barwon Club, Geelong
5 July 2013 – Theatre Royal Castlemaine
7 July 2013 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
10 July 2013 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
11 July 2013 – The Basement, Sydney
12 July 2013 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
13 July 2013 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
14 July 2013 – Old Museum, Brisbane
I’m most impressed by music in its purest form. I don’t care how good you sound after you’ve been auto tuned or drowned out by instruments. I won’t be won over until you can produce a great sound without the bells and whistles. And that’s why I’m flipping over this clip of Thelma Plum recorded recently on a Melbourne tram.
Now a tram’s not the ideal space for a concert. There are no acoustics to work with, and the background traffic noises don’t exactly create ambience. So if you can make amazing music on a tram, I reckon you’re pretty special. And if you can do it at just 18, as Thelma does, you’re guaranteed to have a bright future ahead of you.
Just think what Thelma could do in a real venue! We’ll get a chance to find out the Brisbane native tours her debut EP Rosie, which features that song “Around Here”, next month. She’ll perform in stripped back acoustic mode with her pal Andrew Lowden at the following shows.
4 July 2013 – Transit Bar, Canberra
6 July 2013 – The Vanguard, Sydney
13 July 2013 – Old Museum, Brisbane
25 July 2013 – Grace Emily, Adelaide (supporting Dan Parsons)
26 July 2013 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (supporting Dan Parsons)
28 July 2013 – The Aviary Rooftop Sessions, Perth (FREE)
After months of knockout rounds, Samantha Jade was the last person standing on last night’s X Factor final. The Western Australian pop princess took the title from second-place getter Jason Owen and boy band The Collective.
This has been a funny season for me to watch. I switched allegiances time and time again as my favourite acts were eliminated: first Fourtunate, then Nathaniel Willemse, then Bella, and finally The Collective at the final hurdle.
I also watched Sammi grow from the girl most likely to get the boot to the last woman standing. Her confidence seemed to soar, and as she did her performances grew stronger and her voice more self-assured. Her brand of music isn’t the sort of thing I’d rush out and buy, but she’s easily as talented as other similar chart toppers like Rihanna and Beyonce.
Many spoke of Jason’s journey through the competition, but even at the end I thought he was little more than a mediocre RSL act. He seemed like a nice guy with a fairly interesting story, but I failed to see that X Factor we’ve often spoken about. I’ll be surprised if he has a career that outlasts the show’s 15 minutes of fame.
The Collective are another matter though. They’re five very good looking boys with exceptional voices. Their moves are a bit naff, but they’re the same ones Human Nature performed that made me weak at the knees as a teen. Something tells me that kind of thing doesn’t have a use by date. Look out One Direction; these guys could easily steal your fans.
The competition unearthed plenty of other great talents too. I really hope to see Fourtunate and Bella capitalising on the exposure. Angel and Nathaniel also have that special something. Once again, we’ve seen the depth of talent Australia has to offer. Congratulations to all involved!