Month: April 2008

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Olivia Completes Walk to Beijing

Olivia Newtown-John’s massive Great Walk to Beijing trek has come to an end. Olivia led a team of local and international celebrities and cancer survivors on the 228 km journey. The trek took 23 days

In case you haven’t heard, the likes of James Reyne, Sir Cliff Richard, Fergie, and Dannii Minogue walked to raise funds to build a new cancer and wellness centre in Melbourne. Ian Thorpe even did it without shoes one day!

The walk may be over, but the job’s not done yet. “We’ve achieved a lot in terms of educating people about the centre and how it will conduct worldwide research, with a wellness centre and patient care all under one roof. In terms of fundraising we are just at the beginning,” she said on the Great Walk to Beijing website.

You can still donate to this great cause through the site, or you might like to wait to buy Olivia’s latest CD, A Celebration in Song. This great album features duets with Delta Goodrem, Barry Gibb, Richard Marx, Jimmy Barnes, the late Belinda Emmett and more. Proceeds from the sale of the CD will also help fun the cancer centre. You can grab yours when it hits stores on 5 May.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Veronicas Slam Anorexia Rumors

Does anyone think The Veronicas have been looking a little thin lately? Well they’ve spoken up about it, insisting they don’t have eating disorders.

“Neither of us has any eating issues. People use the term anorexia too loosely,” Jess Origliasso told The Sunday Telegraph.

The size six sisters say they’ve always been thin, and feel it’s important to be positive role models for their fans.

“Anorexia is a disease of the mind, where people think they’re fat when they’re extremely thin. Neither of us has that disease and I think it’s a bit offensive when people throw that out there.”

I’ve got to say I sympathise with them. My sister was a size six and even special protein drinks wouldn’t make her put on weight. It wasn’t until she had a baby that she put on enough weight for people to stop making negative comments!

I can imagine being as busy as the Origliasso girls are must make it very difficult to pack on a few extra kilos. They’re thin, but I don’t think it’s unhealthily so. And we all know if they jumped up a few dress sizes they’d be slammed for that!

Image source: Michael Spencer @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Iggy Pop and Jet Team Up

Rumour has it that punk legend Iggy Pop will head to Australia to perform with Jet at the ARIA Hall of Fame presentation later this year.

But it’s not as unlikely as it seems. Iggy and Jet got together earlier this month to record a cover of “The Wild One” for an Johnny O’Keefe tribute album.

Of course Iggy covered the song in the 80s and released it as “Real Wild Child.” And the lads from Jet have always loved Iggy. So I suppose it makes sense.

Except that Jet claimed they were breaking up last October. Didn’t take long for them to change their minds! I suppose when Iggy Pop starts asking after you reconsidering retirement is fair enough.

Image source: Robert Scales @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kasey and Shane’s Number One Debut

Country music darling Kasey Chambers and her hubby Shane Nicholson have debuted at number one with their new album, Rattlin’ Bones. It was a clear winner with Aussie audiences, outselling Mariah Carey’s E=MC2 by around 1700 units.

The album is the first collaboration for the husband and wife team, but judging by its success it might not be the last!

The Presets’ Apocalypso slipped a little, but number three is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Cog’s Sharing Space is also continuing to sell well. It’s at number six.

Australia’s still sweet on Gabriella Cilmi. Her massive debut single “Sweet About Me” has held on to the number two possie.

The Getup Mob have exploded onto the charts with their inspirational version of “From Little Things Big Things Grow.” It’s sitting pretty at number four.

And we still can’t get enough of Faker’s “This Heart Attack.” It’s hanging on to tenth position on the ARIA charts.

Here’s all the chart action!

Australian Top 10 Albums

  1. Rattlin’ Bones – Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson
  2. E=MC2 – Mariah Carey
  3. Apocalypso – The Presets
  4. Watershed – k.d. lang
  5. Set in Stone – Brian McFadden
  6. Sharing Space – Cog
  7. Step Up 2: The Streets – Soundtrack
  8. Exile on Mainstream – Matchbox Twenty
  9. The 100 Most Beautiful Melodies – Andre Rieu
  10. Exclusive – Chris Brown

Australian Top 10 Singles

  1. “4 Minutes” – Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake
  2. “Sweet About Me” – Gabriella Cilmi
  3. “Low” – Flo Rida feat. T-Pain
  4. “From Little Things Big Things Grow” – The Getup Mob
  5. “Bubbly” – Colbie Caillat
  6. “Work” – Kelly Rowland
  7. “With You” – Chris Brown
  8. “Dream Catch Me” – Newton Faulkner
  9. “Tattoo” – Jordin Sparks
  10. “This Heart Attack” – Faker

Image source: Mandy Hall @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lisa Origliasso and Dean Geyer Getting Married

I can almost hear the hearts of teenage girls around the country breaking. Dean Geyer has announced his engagement to one half of the Veronicas, Lisa Origliasso. The pair released a joint statement today.

“Dean Geyer and Lisa Origliasso, together with their families, are delighted to announce they are engaged,” the statement said.

“The couple have been together since April 2007 and are thrilled to share their news.”

The pair met at the 2006 ARIA Awards and have been inseparable ever since. They are just so cute together – this is great news! Congratulations to them!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Delta, Veronicas Bag Top MTV Australia Awards

Aussie pop triumphed over international superstars at last night’s MTV Australia Awards. Nominees like 50 Cent and Juliette Lewis and the Licks were crowd pleasers, but left the local ceremony empty-handed.

50 Cent and the Foo Fighters were no match for the might of Aussie pop sweetheart Delta Goodrem. She claimed the music video of the year award for her dazzling “Believe Again” clip.

Meanwhile The Veronicas scored the Australian artist music award, beating out the likes of Silverchair and Sneaky Sound System.

But Aussie musicians weren’t the only ones honored. The world’s hottest producer Timbaland was named international artist of the year, while Pink’s I’m Not Dead Show earned her the live performer of the year gong.

This year’s MTV Australia Awards received a makeover, with new categories, a new venue, new Ned Kelly helmet trophies, and a host of international guests like Mischa Barton, Kim Kardashian, Leona Lewis, Eve, and host Wyclef Jean.

Here’s the complete list of winners.

Recognition award recipients
Sports – Mick Fanning
Movie Star – Matt Damon
International artist of the year – Timbaland

Viewer voted categories
Music video of the year – Delta Goodrem
Australian artist music award – The Veronicas
New Zealand artist award – Scribe
Live performer award – Pink (I’m Not Dead tour)
Television Moment Award – Chaser’s War On Everything (APEC 2007 stunt)
Good karma award – Earth Hour
Bad karma award – Kevin Andrews
Remake award – William Weatheritt for Ja’mie’s end of term shopping spree

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stars Spruik MTV Australia Awards

The stars came out to charm the media yesterday in preparation for tonight’s MTV Australia Awards.

Wyclef Jean showed he’s up on Aussie media, calling out a Sydney Morning Herald journalist who confused him with will.i.am.

“I’m going to tell you something. Look at my face, right. Do you think all black people look alike? … I look much better in person. Now you know the difference right?” he asked the embarrassed journo.

I absolutely hate sloppy journalism, so I love the fact that he set her straight!

Ex-pat Lyndsey Rodrigues told the press all about her new MTV gig in New York, while new girl Ruby Rose and Mischa Barton talked hosiery.

Eve flashed the tattoos on her chest, and Juliette Lewis praised MTV Australia for remaining all about the music.

“MTV is this big, ugly, giant monster of a brand,” said Juliette, who admitted that like it or not, music television is an important promotional tool.

“Nowadays with the CD dying anyway, that you can have your music out there [is a good thing]. For me, it is about getting people to my live shows,” she said. “There are certain things you wouldn’t want to give your name to, probably cigarettes, but MTV is a home to a lot of different styles of music.”

The MTV Australia Awards are on tonight in Sydney. Check back here tomorrow for all the winners!

Image source: Ali Dan-Bouzoua @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Happy Anzac Day

I hope you’re all enjoying your Anzac Day public holiday. While it doesn’t apply to us poor freelancers, my husband is loving his day off work and I hope you are too. We’re babysitting my little sister and planning to make some Anzac biscuits later on.

But it’s all so much more than a day off. It’s a chance to reflect on all the folks who gave their lives so we could live in such a wonderful free country. Considering the casualties we’ve seen in the last year, that’s more important than ever. So before I go back to socialising with my family I thought I’d leave you with the video for “I Was Only 19” by Redgum. This is one of those Aussie songs about war that really gets to me, and it seemed appropriate to share it with you today.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

AC/DC Album, and a Tour?

There hasn’t been a lot of news since AC/DC announced last year a new album was in the works. I’m happy to say though the Aussie rock veterans are well on their way to releasing this highly anticipated new work.

Singer Brian Johnson says the new album, their first in eight years, should be released later this year. And a tour isn’t out of the question either.

“We’re working with Brendan O’Brien, [Bruce] Springsteen’s producer, and he’s a great guy,” Brian told Channel [V]. “He knows exactly what we want, and so far, it sounds really good. I’m well pleased.

“Mal and Ang are still just electric on their guitars, and Phil’s got the old magic on the drums and Cliff Williams is Mr. Reliable on bass – he’s brilliant – and it’s just been fun. It’s like a bunch of old friends getting together again and having a great time.”

When asked about their touring plans, Brian had this to say.

“I would probably think so, yeah. I always hate to say yes in case something happens, but I really do think we will be out there, everybody’s enjoying being back together again and the buzz is still there and the excitement.”

All sounds very promising for you hard rock fans out there!

Image source: Lost Parables @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Peter and Jordan Assault Our Ears Again

A couple of year’s ago plastic lovebirds Peter Andre and Katie “Jordan” Price figured it’d be a good idea to record “A Whole New World.” It was utterly terrible. Peter never had the greatest voice in the world, but singing alongside Jordan makes him sound as smooth as Michael Bublé.

So it’s a bit scary to read the husband and wife team are planning to record an album together. A whole album? Oh god no.

“Some people out there might say ‘don’t’ but we’re going to do an extra long album,” Peter told a UK talk show.

An extra long album? Yes Peter, I’m one of those people saying don’t. Please don’t.

If you don’t remember how torturous it was last time, here’s a live performance of the song without all the studio wizardry. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!