Month: June 2007

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Global Tour for Midnight Juggernauts

Aussie electronic act the Midnight Juggernauts are poised for global domination.

Their hypnotic dance tracks have created a buzz in Australia, and press in Europe and Asia are taking notice, according to Undercover.

The Melbourne outfit have been capitalising on the hype with shows in London, Paris, Manchester, Barcelona, Beijing and Shanghai. The tour highlight will undoubtedly be an appearance at France’s Les Eurockeennes festival this weekend. The Midnight Juggernauts will take the stage alongside AIR, Arcade Fire and The Klaxons.

The band will release a new 12-inch, Road to Recovery, to coincide with the tour. They’ll be back on homegrown soil in August to celebrate the launch of their debut album, Dystopia.

Image source: Michael Spencer @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kate Miller-Heidke Bursts Onto The Charts

Quirky songbird Kate Miller-Heidke has become the surprise success story of the year. Her first album, Little Eve, has just hit the ARIA charts with an impressive number 11 debut.

The album’s achievements have surprised Kate most of all. The classically-trained singer once described herself as “Alice in Wonderland who has drunk a little too much of the wrong potion.” Interesting, but not a typical recipe for commercial success.

To celebrate her newfound popularity, Kate is hitting the road. She’ll kick off her national tour on June 30 in Brisbane. Once she finishes her solo stint, Kate Miller-Heidke will join fellow indie “it” girl Missy Higgins on her regional Victorian dates. See Kate’s website for a complete list of tour dates.

Image source: Josh V-R @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

A Scary Homecoming

Aussie expats The Scare plan to return home for the release of their latest EP, Bats! Bats! Bats!

The punksters, who hail from Queensland, relocated to the United Kingdom in 2005 where they hoped to find a more receptive audience for their frenetic live shows. This local success story created a buzz through Europe after touring with We Are Scientists and Gallows. They’re also favorites of the festival circuit, where they have played alongside The White Stripes, Queens of the Stone Age, and Daft Punk.

The Scare will play shows at Sydney’s Candy’s Apartment and Melbourne’s Click Click nightclub in July. Bats! Bats! Bats! hit record store shelves on June 23, and will be followed up by the release of The Scare’s debut album Chivalry on September 1.

Image source: Safetypinheart @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Darren Hayes Releases Delicate New Disc

Darren Hayes is set to release his third solo record, This Delicate Thing We’ve Made, in August.

Darren stormed up the international charts as the frontman of power-pop duo Savage Garden. However, his solo career to date has been lacklustre.

Perhaps the new album will fare better, as industry insiders say the new disc features unique electronic pop arrangements, which perfectly showcase his angelic vocals.

Eager fans can make up their own minds and preview film clips for two album tracks, “Who Would Have Thought?” and “Step Into the Light,” at Darren’s official website.

Darren is expected to tour Australia in spring to support the release.

This Delicate Thing We’ve Made will be released in Australia on August 20 through Darren’s Powdered Sugar label.

Image source: Wikimedia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Silverchair and Powderfinger Rock Australia

The hottest bands in Australia, Silverchair and Powderfinger, are joining forces to present the tour of the year.

Powderfinger are riding high on the success of their latest release, Dream Days at the Hotel Existence. It hit the top spot in its first week in the charts, becoming the fastest selling album in Australia this year. Meanwhile, Silverchair’s double platinum newie Young Modern remains firmly in the top 20, 10 weeks after its release.

The Across the Great Divide tour kicks off in Silverchair’s hometown of Newcastle on August 29, followed by The Finger’s hometown of Brisbane. It will take in every Australian capital city and 14 regional centers, making this one of the biggest tours in Oz music history.

Playing small regional towns doesn’t phase the bands. They’ll take a customised tent on tour with them, allowing them to build a large venue in places too small for entertainment centres.

“Aside from our album launches, these will be our first shows for two-and-a-half years, and the first time we will return to a lot of the regional areas,” said Powderfinger frontman, Bernard Fanning. “We have been threatening to hit the rural places for ages and now we’re getting around to it we are grateful to have Silverchair with us to carry our gear!”

Silverchair drummer Ben Gillies couldn’t resist taking a jab at his co-headliners either.

“It’ll be great to get right around Australia after all this time and if the tickets don’t sell, we can always blame Powderfinger!” he joked.

Poor ticket sales are the last thing this tour has to worry about. Visa holders can obtain special presale tickets on July 2 through www.visaentertainment.com.au. The rest of us will have to wait until Monday July 9 to nab some of the hottest tickets around. Get in quick: this tour is sure to sell out. Check the tour website for ticket outlets and complete tour dates.

Image source: Across the Great Divide website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sunk Loto Calls It Quits

Queensland rockers Sunk Loto have called it a day after an illustrious 10-year career.

The heavy metal band hit the big time when, as teenagers, they signed a record deal with Sony. They recorded two albums under the label, Big Picture Lies and Between Birth and Death. The band, which was working on a new album, cites creative differences for the split.

On a statement on their MySpace, Sunk Loto has thanked their “die-hard loyal fans, friends and family for sticking with them and making it all worthwhile.”

However, fans need not despair. Founding members Jason and Dane Brown are currently working on new material with their original bassist Robkaay. Guitarist Luke McDonald also plans to record music with a new project.

Here’s a clip of their song “Everything Everyway” to remember them by!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Keith Who? Country Star Refused Entry to Australia

He might be a Grammy-award winning country artist, but it seems some Aussies still don’t recognise the local hero.

The Daily Telegraph reported the country megastar was refused entry to the set of wife Nicole Kidman’s new film, Australia, after security didn’t know who he was.

The female security guard reportedly told Urban to shove off and “get a life.” After much persuasion, the guard then radioed her boss to report “there’s some bloke here named Keith Urban who wants to get on the set.”

The boss, who clearly was familiar with Australia’s hottest country export, personally escorted Keith to his waiting wife.

To avoid a repeat performance, the security guard’s mother reportedly stocked up on tabloid magazines for her daughter.

After sighting an image of Hollywood hunk Hugh Jackman in one magazine, the clueless security guard apparently told her mother, “Hey, that guy walked past me about 10 times today!”

Image source: Jeaneeem @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Augie March Plans American Release

Melbourne rockers Augie March are set to take the United States by storm when they release their chart-topping album Moo, You Bloody Choir.

Moo, You Bloody Choir is the third album from the Aussie indie band. No overnight success story, Augie March has slowly built a loyal fan base attracted to their poetic lyrics and complex melodies.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Augie March enjoyed warm receptions when they recently entertained music industry bigwigs in Los Angeles and New York. They plan to return to American for a more extensive tour to coincide with their album release in August.

In the group’s native Australia, Moo, You Bloody Choir went platinum and spawned the APRA Song of the Year, “One Crowded Hour.”

Jive/Zomba Records will release the album in America on August 7. The release will feature a bonus track, “There is No Such Place” and videos for “One Crowded Hour” and “The Cold Acre.”

Image source: Jeaneeem @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Silverchair Unleashes “Young Modern”

The wait is over – rock supergroup Silverchair are back.

Their long-awaited fifth album Young Modern builds on the success of Diorama, with its orchestral bursts and fantastical lyrics. Young Modern raced to the top of the Australian charts in the first week of its release, and was certified double-platinum in less than a month. It spawned the monster hit single “Straight Lines” which also debuted at number one.

After impressing fans back home, Silverchair are keen to wow crowds in America.

Fans will get to hear the new songs live when The ‘Chair tour the United States and Canada later this year. The dates will include a main stage appearance at Chicago’s Lollapalooza Festival. While Silverchair played a handful of sold-out shows earlier this year, the band has not toured North America since 1999.

According to Undercover, Silverchair are currently negotiating with international record labels to release Young Modern throughout Europe.

Young Modern will be released in North America on July 24. Their American tour kicks off in San Diego on July 13.

Image source: Silverchair website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Shannon Noll Takes on America

Australian Idol runner-up Shannon Noll is looking to boost his musical cred by collaborating with some of America’s best songwriters.

Shannon Noll’s melodic brand of pop-rock has seen him top the Australian charts and tour with international acts Bryan Adams and Live.

The boy from the bush recently traveled to Los Angeles, where he worked with Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora and pop stalwart Richard Marx. The Sun-Herald recently reported that he is planning to return to the United States to continue working on his new tracks.

But don’t think Condoblin’s favorite son has turned his back on Oz altogether. Noll has also met with a number of Australian songwriters, in efforts to find the perfect tracks for his third album.

The 31-year-old has proved he’s got staying power, after missing out on the reality TV crown four years ago. Fans can expect to hear Shannon Noll’s new album and tour in August.