Damo Morris Dies in Bus Crash

Australia’s heavy metal community is in mourning today after Damo Morris, the lead singer for The Red Shore, died in a bus crash in New South Wales.

The Melbourne band were touring with American metal outfit All Shall Perish when their bus crashed on the Pacific Highway, just north of Coffs Harbour, this morning.

The band’s merchandiser was also killed, and seven others were injured in the crash. The bands were scheduled to play at Hermann’s Bar in Sydney tonight.

What a great loss.

Amy Pearson Scores International Film Slot

After the minor success of her debut single “Not Missing You,” I thought that pleasant but fairly unremarkable pop star Amy Pearson might just fade away. It seems I’d dismissed her far too quickly, because she’s just scored a gig singing the title track to Mischa Barton’s latest big-screen blockbuster Closing the Ring.

According to The Sunday Telegraph, director Richard Attenborough was so chuffed by Amy’s performance of the song “Lost Without Your Love” that he flew her to Belfast for the international premiere. There she performed the song for the all-star cast which includes Shirley MacLaine and Neve Campbell.

The song will appear on Amy’s new album, which hits stores in April. No doubt the publicity this track will generate should open up doors for an international release.

Image source: David w ng @ Wikimedia Commons

Lee in Line for Aussie of the Year

Country singer Lee Kernaghan is the bookies’ favourite to be named Australian of Year in January.

He’s well known for hits like “Boys from the Bush” and “Hat Town,” but when he’s not belting out a tune Lee donates him time to charities.

He raised more than $1 million for needy communities during his Pass the Hat Around tours and worked tirelessly to help those affected the drought.

“To many people, he represents the very essence of the spirit and values of contemporary rural Australia,” reads Lee’s official nomination.

Lee is nominated alongside social justice advocate Lin Hatfield, filmmaker Scott Hicks, pediatrician Professor Jonathon Carapetis, golfer Stuart Appleby, sailor Ken Page, dancer Stephen Page, and performer Mark Bin Bakar.

The winner will be announced on the lawns of Parliament House on January 25. A singer has not been named Australian of the Year since John Farnham got the nod in 1987.

Image source: Lee Kernaghan @ Wikimedia Commons

Music Blog Spotlight: The Music Channel Has a Party!

I’m not the only one fantasising about Christmas office parties today. My knowledgable colleagues here at the music channel have also offered some fantastic guest lists.

Bruce at Our Digital Music offers a nice list, with party starters like Prince and cool cats like Ray LaMontagne and Leonard Cohen.

You’d expect Lara at Crooner Culture would have one of the coolest lists around, and she delivers, with The Rat Pack and Ella Fitzgerald and hotties Michael Bublé and Josh Groban.

I’m also lusting after Roberta’s list. You see, our Ear Sucker guru has invited the utterly sexy Rob Thomas. Do you think it’d be poor form to go after our host’s date?

There’s added value in the Metal Martyr Christmas list. Scott doesn’t just tell us who he wants at his party; he’s also quite clear about who’s not invited.

Derek at Industrial Addiction wants to invite so many bands to his Christmas bash, he needed to include another list of artists that didn’t make the cut!

All good parties need hippies, and that’s where Jennifer at Hippie Sounds comes in. Her party has some stellar guests like Jim Morrison, Bob Dylan, and Bob Marley. Sounds like it’d be some celebration!

The Rock Dose needs more than a night to celebrate. Bruce will feature quotes from some of our favourite party guests all week!

Shankar at New Age Vibe slows things down a little with his list. Apparently his Christmas function wouldn’t be complete without Enya and Yanni!

From one extreme to the other, I bring you Sammi’s list. The 52 Bands party will be out of control with guests like Tenacious D, Mika, and Juliette and the Licks.

Mika’s one popular lad! Arjun from The Good Musician would love him to join Wham, Mark Knopfler, and James Brown at his very eclectic college party.

Mike would love to round up some of Canada’s finest, and not so fine artists, for the Toronto Unplugged bash. There’s Arcade Fire, Alanis Morissette, and Chad Kroeger just to name a few.

Jyle at Hip Hop Roll has a list full of egos and bling, with stars like Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, and LL Cool J all looking to make an appearance.

Gilan at The Beatles Invasion is into more than the fab four. Gilan’s lengthy list includes such worthy party guests as Ray Manzarek, Freddie Mercury, and Melissa Etheridge.

So we’ve got our guest lists – only thing left to do now is party!

Image source: Quan Nguyen @ Unsplash

My Fabulously Festive Office Party Guest List

It’s that time of year again, where working folks start winding down for the year and looking forward to their office Christmas parties. Well, except for poor writers like me. Most of the time being a professional writer is a wonderful thing. Most days you’ll find me wearing my pyjamas. My office is just a short walk from my kitchen for snacks, and my bedroom for those afternoon siestas. These perks are great, but on the downside no one organises Christmas parties for freelance writers.

And so, here at the music channel we’ve decided to play pretend for a little while and compile our ultimate office Christmas party guest lists. If I were having a Christmas party, here are the folks I’d want there.

Operator Please
If there’s a group of people more fun than the kids from Operator Please, I can’t think of it. These youngsters would really liven the place up, and they’re too young to drink any of the booze. Bonus!

The Veronicas
If anyone’s going to out-party Operator Place, it might be Lisa and Jess Origliasso. They’re young, they’re hot, and they’re guaranteed to shake things up.

Peter Garrett
Sure the ex-Midnight Oil frontman has traded his rock and roll lifestyle for the powersuits of politics, but I’d still want him around for Christmas drinks. I think every office Christmas party needs someone that dances like they’ve stuck their finger in a light socket, and Peter fits the bill.

Sneaky Sound System
It just wouldn’t be a party without the number-one dance outfit in Australia. Miss Connie and co would have us moving and grooving until dawn.

The John Butler Trio
Yes these guys play brilliant music. But I’d mostly want them there so my coworkers and I could reenact the sensational office dance sequence in the “Funky Tonight” film clip.

The Wiggles
Before you shoot me down, hear me out! The most happening children’s entertainers have been regulars at the annual Carols by Candlelight events for years. And it’s just not a Christmas party without a few carols. Especially after a few drinks, The Wiggles will go down a treat.

Ricki-Lee Coulter
The curvaceous Ricki-Lee makes my list for no other reason than my husband wants her there, and I figure since it’s the festive season I should oblige. There’s no denying this girl offers serious eye candy.

Josh Pyke
Since I’m the one compiling the guest list, I figured I should have someone to ogle too. Aside from being utterly gorgeous, Josh is also pretty handy with a guitar. I feel an office sing-a-long coming on.

The Young Divas
OK, these girls almost didn’t make the list. Having them at the party with Ricki-Lee could be a little awkward, and I don’t think a lot of them personally. But I’m a sucker for 80s dance music, and who else is going to provide it if it’s not this quartet?

Ben Lee
Australia’s endearing oddbod Ben Lee rounds out my office party Christmas wishlist. Every party needs someone offering good conversation once you’ve drunk too much wine and danced the heels off your stilettos.

Now that we’ve got the celebrity guests sorted, who else wants to come?

Image source: Matthieu Joannon @ Unsplash

Matt Corby to Sign with Sony

Here’s the news plenty of my young readers have been waiting for: Australian Idol runner-up Matt Corby will sign a record deal with Sony BMG this week.

“He’s signing with Sony on Tuesday,” Matt’s manager David Caplice of Caplice Management told The Sydney Morning Herald.

So much for word that Sony would only sign this year’s winner, right? Still, with many believing Matt was this year’s most marketable Idol contestant, and Natalie struggling to reach the top spot on the charts, it’s not surprising the record giant has broken its rules.

Matt had previously said he was worried a record company would make him a pop star, rather than allowing him to play the blues and roots music he prefers. It seems his Sony deal will give Matt the artistic freedom he’s been looking for. I can’t wait to hear what this talented teen releases.

Samantha Jade Brushed Off For Britney

Young Perth popette Samantha Jade made headlines in the US recently when she almost stole Britney Spears thunder.

Apparently Britney kept crews waiting 12 hours to shoot the film clip for her new single “Pieces of Me.” Britney’s frustrated label Jive then offered the shoot to her stablemate Samantha. But apparently when Britney arrived Jive withdrew their offer, but the story gave Samantha some much-needed US publicity.

“It’s hard when you’ve got so many big artists on the same label,” Samantha admitted to The Sunday Telegraph. “You always feel like you’re getting pushed back a little bit, so it was nice to have an opportunity to do another video.

“I’m just very excited that I’m getting some press out there.”

But will anyone remember the story when Samantha releases her debut album early next year? Somehow I don’t think so.

Sony BMG to Stage Shows

Australian record giant Sony BMG will diversify its interests by producing concerts and music festivals.

But it doesn’t look like music promoters like Michael Chugg are too worried about the competition.

“Good luck to them. They’re trying to save their business, but I think it’s … too little, too late,” he told The Sunday Telegraph.

Personally, I think the move just makes good business sense. We all know that people just aren’t purchasing as many albums as they used to, and these companies need to do what they can to stay afloat. And why should the record companies spend millions on developing an artist, only to see their investment lining the purse of an independent concert promoter?

If the move pays off, I’m sure we’ll see Universal, EMI, and Warner jumping on board before too long.

Image source: BMG website

Sir Paul Plans Australian Tour

It’s been 15 years since he last visited our shores, but it looks like Sir Paul McCartney will tour Australia next year.

Sir Paul told The Sunday Telegraph he is waiting to put the nasty business of his divorce behind him before confirming his 2008 touring commitments.

“Next year I am starting to plan some touring, but I don’t know how much,” he admitted. “In truth, the whole situation is a little complicated by the fact that I am separating from my missus.

“That kind of colours an awful lot of what my travelling plans are because I have got a little four-year-old. Anyone who has been through this kind of thing will understand that she is my priority, the little one.”

But it seems Australia is definitely Paul’s destination of choice.

“I have been dying to get to Oz for an awful long time. I am planning it. I am hoping for it. I would love to get down there because I haven’t been forever. If we get down there, man, we’re going to have fun.”

Image source: Antonio Delgado @ Wikimedia Commons

Ricki-Lee Sets Sights on Global Domination

It looks like leaving the Young Divas could be the smartest thing Ricki-Lee Coulter ever did. While her former bandmates have released yet another album of 80s dance covers, Ricki-Lee’s exciting originals are attracting attention all over the world.

Ricki-Lee has just signed a major record deal with dance label Ministry of Sound. They’ll release her sophomore effort Brand New Day in the United Kingdom and Europe.

“I am still in shock that this has actually happened and that I am signed to Ministry of Sound,” she told The Sunday Telegraph. “It is a huge honour and it feels like a bit of a pat on the back as well.

“I wouldn’t have thought my music would even be eligible to be considered by a label like Ministry of Sound. They are so cutting-edge and are really renowned for making stuff happen. The big dream is ending up in Ibiza – that would be very cool, to end up playing in one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

Brand New Day will also be released in Japan by indie label Pony Canyon.

“Japan is like the second-highest territory in the world, so that is a pretty big deal in itself,” she added.

“To finally be sitting at the doorstep of two massive international releases, it’s still not real in my head.”

Image source: Foraggio Fotographic @ Wikimedia Commons