Tag: Tina Arena

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tame Impala & Courtney Barnett Clean Up at ARIAs

Tame Impala and Courtney Barnett were the big winners at this year’s ARIA Awards, taking home three awards in major categories each. Tame Impala were named best group and received best rock album and album of the year for Currents. Courtney Barnett claimed best female, breakthrough artist, and best independent release (Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit) gongs.

Like so many people, the highlight for me was watching The Veronicas and Jessica Mauboy join Hall of Fame inductee Tina Arena for her 90s hit “Chains.” It was such a powerful reminder of what incredible female vocalists we have in this country. I’ll take these ladies over Beyonce, Mariah, and Christina any day of the week. I also loved Tina’s speech. What a way to claim that Hall of Fame spot.

Anyway, if you couldn’t be bothered sitting through the hours of Channel Ten footage, here are all the winners for your browsing pleasure.

Album of the Year: Tame Impala – Currents
Best Independent Release: Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
Best Female Artist: Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
Best Male Artist: Vance Joy – Dream Your Life Away
Best Group: Tame Impala – Currents
Breakthrough Artist: Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
Best Dance Release: Rüfüs – ‘”You Were Right”
Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album: Northlane – Node
Best Pop Release: Jarryd James – “Do You Remember”
Best Rock Album: Tame Impala – Currents
Best Urban Album: Seth Sentry – Strange New Past
Best Adult Contemporary Album: Oh Mercy – When We Talk About Love
Best Blues And Roots Album: C.W. Stoneking – Gon’ Boogaloo
Best Comedy Release: Matt Okine – Live at the Enmore Theatre
Best Australian Live Act: 5 Seconds Of Summer – Rock Out With Your Socks Out Tour
Best International Artist: One Direction
Best Video: Matt Sharp & Daniel James for The Veronicas – “You Ruin Me”
Song Of The Year: Conrad Sewell – “Start Again”

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dami Im On Top of the Charts

Dami Im continues to ride the wave of post-X Factor success. Not content with a number one single a few weeks ago, Dami’s debuted at number one with her self-titled album. It features that number one hit “Alive” as well as tracks performed during her stint on the reality TV juggernaut. Her album’s the 12th by a local performer to hit number one on the ARIA charts this year. That beats the previous record of 11 Aussie number ones set in 2004. Does 2013 have another Aussie number one in it?

It seems plenty of us are already feeling festive, as Human Nature’s The Christmas Album has jumped into the top ten this week. It sits at number nine, three positions better than it was last week. Tina Arena’s also still hanging around the top ten. She rounds out the top ten with Reset this week.

Dami’s fellow X Factor finalist Taylor Henderson is also holding his own. His single “Borrow My Heart” is sitting at number five this week. Guy Sebastian’s “Like a Drum” is showing it’s got real staying power. A month after its release it sits at number seven. Justice Crew have dropped a couple of positions, but they’ve still claimed a top ten spot with “Everybody.”

Continue reading “Dami Im On Top of the Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

X Factor’s Dami Im Tops ARIA Singles Charts

When I watched Katy Perry perform her smash hit single “Roar” on the X Factor finale, I remember thinking that Dami Im sang the song better a couple of weeks prior. So perhaps it’s fitting that Dami’s roared louder on the ARIA Charts this week and beaten Miss Perry to the top spot. The reigning X Factor queen has scored her first Australian number one with “Alive.”

Guy Sebastian’s appearance on the finale appears to have done him some good too. His latest single “Like a Drum,” the first to come from his forthcoming seventh album, is sitting at number four on debut. The song is Guy’s 12th top ten single.

Last year’s X Factor contestant Nathaniel continues to do great business with “You.” It only slipped slightly this week to claim the seventh spot on the charts. It pipped Justice Crew’s newie “Everybody,” which jumped ten spots to sit at number eight.

Last week’s number one album, Triple J’s Like a Version Volume 9, has fallen to number four this week. It beat out Kerser’s S.C.O.T. and Tina Arena’s Reset, which sit at number five and six respectively.

Click below for a closer look at this week’s top tens.

Continue reading “X Factor’s Dami Im Tops ARIA Singles Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Triple J Like a Version 9 Nabs Number One

Local compilation album Triple J Like a Version 9 has beaten out strong competition from James Blunt and Lorde to claim the spot at the top of the ARIA albums chart this week. This is the best result for a Like a Version compilation, beating out volume 6 which made it to number two in November 2010. The latest edition features local acts San Cisco, Tame Impala, Vance Joy, Chance Waters, and the fabulous Bonjah.

Tina Arena’s recent appearance on X Factor seems to have done her some good. Her new album Reset debuted at number four. Last week we saw Jessica Mauboy sitting there, but this week her latest album Beautiful has dropped down to number eight.

On the singles chart it’s another X Factor success story. Taylor Henderson’s sitting at number two with his awesome cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” What a shame this show doesn’t work like The Voice and offer voting credits in exchange for downloads! Last year’s finalist Nathaniel is also making his presence felt. His new single “You” slipped to number six this week, down two spots from last week.

Click below to see the rest of this week’s top tens.

Continue reading “Triple J Like a Version 9 Nabs Number One” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tina Arena to Receive French Order of Merit

Tina Arena is currently in Australia to on a national tour to support her latest album Songs of Love and Loss 2. While speaking to The Daily Telegraph, the local songstress revealed she’ll receive the French Order of Merit.

The award is one of the highest civil decorations in Tina’s adopted home of France. It will be presented by the country’s president Nicolas Sarkozy. Tina is one of only two non-nationals to receive the honour.

“We were not able to make it happen in February because of his political commitments,” she confirmed.

You know what they say about good things being worth the wait!

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tina Arena Sings More Songs of Love and Loss

One of the world’s greatest voices singing some of the world’s most adored songs proved to be a winning combination for Aussie ex-pat Tina Arena, so she’s doing it all again with Songs of Love & Loss Volume 2.

The track listing this time around looks just as strong as the last, with highlights including Blondie’s “Call Me,” Split Enz’s “I Hope I Never,” Petula Clark’s “Downtown,” and a real surprise, Alice Cooper’s “Only Women Bleed!”

Once again Tina teamed up with the London Studio Orchestra led by famed conductor Simon Hale who had nothing but good things to say about the Aussie diva.

“She’s amazing … she is not intimidated by the live set up or the orchestra and rises to the challenge of having everything going to straight tape. Many artists would crumble in these conditions but Tina seems to shine. Nobody records like this anymore. This is how it should be done!” he gushed in a press statement.

Following her sell-out tour last December, Tina plans to return to Australia next March to showcase her latest release. Songs of Love & Loss Volume 2 will be in stores on November 15.

Image source: Sunrise.seven @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pop Royalty Judges Australian Idol

I loved the celebrity guest judges in American Idol a few years back, so I’m thrilled to read Australia’s doing something similar this year. But while America saved the big guns for the top 12, we’re bringing Darren Hayes and Tina Arena in for the auditions. The pop megastars will join Dicko and James Matheson for the upcoming London audition.

“As an Australian entertainer living in London I definitely have a soft spot for Aussies trying to make it overseas,” Darren Hayes told The Daily Telegraph.

“Rather than judging people, I’m going to be looking for that little bit of magic that someone once saw in me. I think potential is a huge criteria for a musical career and hopefully Tina and I can help discover some.”

There are so many Aussies living in London so I can’t wait to see who they unearth over there. And how refreshing to have an audition without nasty judge Kyle Sandilands!

Image source: Maggz Appleton @ Wikimedia Commons