Month: August 2008

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Seven Aussie Videos To Beat the Winter Blues

It’s time for another theme day here at the b5media music channel. And we’re all thinking about the weather! Most of my colleagues are whooping it up by the beach, so while they’re talking about summer songs I’m putting my own spin on things. Join me fellow Aussies and celebrate winter! Who needs 40 degree heat and sunburn anyway? I’d much rather enjoy my tracky dacks and ugg boots!

But what’s the best thing to chase away the winter blues? A killer soundtrack! So without further ado, here are my favourite winter songs.

“Cold Cold Change” – Midnight Oil

“Cold Cold Change” has just what I want from my Midnight Oil tracks. A good beat that you can dance to, and a film clip which features Peter Garrett doing just that in his own distinctive style.

“Ice” – Magic Dirt

This iconic number made everyone sit up and take notice of Adalita and Magic Dirt. Sadly their time in the spotlight was a little short lived, but “Ice” still stacks up as a brilliant slice of girly angst.

“Winterland” – Died Pretty

This Died Pretty classic is a rollicking good time. If you can listen to it without tapping your feet or bobbing your head you may just be dead.

“15 Feet of Pure White Snow” – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Honestly I could probably put the entire Nick Cave back catalogue on this list because his deep rich voice and melancholy tunes are so perfect for the season. But I’ll limit myself to this all too appropriate track.

“Rain” – Dragon

If ARIA can induct Dragon into the Hall of Fame, then I can include this band of New Zealand origin in my list. Honestly I’ll look for any excuse I can to feature this song which instantly takes me back to my childhood. Turn it up and sing along!

“The Cold Acre” – Augie March

My last video is from the simply brilliant Augie March. It starts softly but builds to something sublime. A little like the season perhaps?

Honestly once I started, it was difficult to stop writing this list. And if I could have tracked down some audio or video versions of the following songs to share with you, this post would have been a lot longer! But if you want some more wintery songs, I suggest tracking down the following!

  • “Winter Lovin'” – The Whitlams
  • “15 Feet of Snow” – Diesel
  • “Snow” – Alex Lloyd
  • “I Feel So Cold/Cold Feeling” – Underground Lovers
  • “Winter Coat” – Paul Kelly
  • “Jack Frost” – 78 Saab
  • “Midwinter” – The Clouds
  • “Winter’s Tale” – Falling Joys
Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"The Adventures Of …" – Melanie Horsnell

I loved Melanie Horsnell’s support slot for Jason Mraz, so I was keen to give her debut album The Adventures Of … a spin. Listening to these songs at home, away from the chatter of a restless crowd waiting for the main act, was where they really came alive.

Melanie’s songs stick with you, crawling under your skin and refusing to leave. I recognised many from the Jason Mraz set and found myself humming others after the first listen. All the right ingredients are there.

Melanie is instantly likeable, her lyrics revealing vulnerability, brutal honesty, and wicked sense of humour. Her stories feel at home amongst the notes of her acoustic guitar. We’ve all heard our share of singer-songwriters, but Melanie is a cut above the average.

This album shows an amazing amount of diversity. “I Just Want Some Love” is a pure pop gem. “Pink High Heels” is sassy girl power number which wouldn’t sound out of place at an old-fashioned speakeasy. “Deep Blue Sea” is the sweetest slice of romance.

It’s this variety that gives The Adventures Of … a real enduring charm. I find myself reaching the end only to start it again. That’s the mark of a truly great album. I can’t wait to hear Melanie’s second installment, Complicated Sweetheart, when it’s released in September. If it’s even close to this good, I’m in for a real treat.

Image source: Amazon Japan

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reggae Stars Visit Oz for Raggamuffin

The who’s who of reggae will head Down Under in the new year for the second annual Raggamuffin festival.

The impressive bill features Arrested Development, Ziggy Marley and brother Stephen, Eddy Grant, Shaggy, Inner Circle (are they still around?), and Bonjah.

Ticketek will sell tickets for Sydney, while Ticketmaster is handling the five other shows. Get your tickets for Raggamuffin from August 25 for Byron, Brisbane, the Hunter, and Melbourne, August 26 for Sydney, and October 13 for Perth. 

24 January 2009 – Supreme Court Gardens, Perth
26 January 2009 – Red Devil Park, Byron Bay
30 January 2009 – The Riverstage, Brisbane
31 January 2009 – Lindemans Winery, Hunter Valley
1 February 2009 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
3 February 2009 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney

Image source: Drew Wilson Photography @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Veronicas "Take Me On The Floor" Video Controversy

The Veronicas video for their latest single “Take Me On the Floor” has caused a commotion! What’s all the fuss about? Well, there’s some footage of girls kissing girls. Apparently the sexy shots mean we’ll never see the clip on Video Hits and the like, who will instead screen a much tamer version.

I watched the clip expecting to see some real fireworks and was a little disappointed. Silhouetted girl on girl action is too hot for daytime TV? What bothers me here is the double standard. I saw much raunchier in the film clip for James Blunt’s “Goodbye My Lover,” but because he was a whiny male cavorting with a naked Mischa Barton that was all OK. And how is this more suggestive than Katy Perry singing her song all about kissing a girl?

Thankfully you’re online, so you can see the stuff those music video shows won’t show you. What do you think? Is it a lot of fuss over nothing, or does it deserve the ban?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Teens Give Their Verdict at Dolly Awards

The Dolly Teen Choice Awards may not be the coolest ceremony around, but it is interesting to see who’s floating the collective boat of our nation’s teens.

Not-so-sweet songstress Gabriella Cilmi was named New Cool Kid on the Block which The Veronicas picked up the Most Played On My iPod prize. Sneaky Sound System showed a year off hasn’t hurt their popularity any, scoring the Hottest Homegrown music title.

But honestly, the awards weren’t the most exciting part of the night. Dean Geyer’s “No Comment” T-shirt showed he was giving nothing away about his split with The Veronicas’ Lisa Origliasso. But her twin Jess was a little more forthcoming, donning sunglasses which read “Love Sucks.” It sure can!

Image source: Lee Jordan @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Christie Allen Loses Cancer Fight

Australia has lost another pop pioneer with the passing of Christie Allen on Tuesday. At just 54 years of age theChristie Allen record British-born star succumbed to pancreatic cancer at her Western Australian home.

Christie will be remembered for her top 20 hits “Falling in Love,” “Goosebumps” and “He’s My Number One.” She was named Australia’s most popular female performer at the Countdown Awards in 1979 and 1980.

But she was plagued by illness which caused her to retire in the mid-80s. She made her last public performance at the Mushroom Records 25th Anniversary Concert in 1998, where she sang Goosebumps.

Christie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March. She chose to live out her remaining days at home with her husband Mark and family around her.

Christie was an intensely private person, so it’s only fitting that her funeral will be attended by close friends and family. They have asked that rather than floral tributes, fans make a donation in Christie’s name to the Cancer Council of Australia.

Image source: TV Tonight

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Timbaland Tour Postponed

Well here’s some news that has been brewing for some time. Timbaland’s postponed his Australian tour. Again.

This unbelievable second postponement comes just days before the tour was scheduled to kick off in Sydney. What gets me is that he’s not even trying to come up with a flaky excuse. Yes he booked a show in Poland which clashed with the Melbourne gig, but that was right near the end of the tour! But given that, it made a lot more sense to postpone Poland than the entire Australian run. Surely Australian fans deserve better than being let down again and again (and again).

Ticket holders can hang on their tickets in the vain hope that this overhyped producer will eventually grace us with his presence. Or they can do the smart thing and hand them in to their ticket provider for a full refund.

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

MGMT Announce Australian Tour

MGMT are hot stuff right now thanks to their trippy debut single “Time to Pretend.” You might have heard this track on Skins or Gossip Girl. Now you can hear it live, because MGMT are heading Down Under.

Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden will play some very special intimate shows around the country. This dynamic duo will be able supported by Sleepy Jackson frontman Luke Steele.

Tickets go on sale through Ticketek on August 19. But if you want to get a jump on the competition, make sure you register with Frontier Touring. Their presale starts at noon on August 14.

Here are the dates!

6 December 2008 – Belvoir Amphitheatre, Perth
9 December 2008 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
10 December 2008 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
11 December 2008 – The Palace, Melbourne

Image source: Pupkin @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Badloves Are Back!

One of my favourite 90s acts, The Badloves are back together for a tour and new album! The newly reformed lineup includes Michael Spiby on vocals, Jak Housden on guitar, John Favaro on bass, Tony Featherstone on keys, and Dave Hibbard on drums. Only Chris Tabone refused to rejoin his bandmates this time around.

“We plan to record some new stuff later in the year,” Tony Featherstone told Undercover News. “I guess these shows are logical step to getting everyone into that headspace.”

Expect to hear all the hits, including “Green Limousine,” “Lost,” and “Caroline” at the following shows.

19 and 20 September 2008 – Bridge Hotel, Sydney
14 and 15 November 2008 – Capers, Melbourne
29 November 2008 – The Robe Festival, South Australia

To celebrate the news I couldn’t resist posting the song that started it all, “Lost.”

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tim Loydell & The Deckchairs Announce East Coast Tour

Longtime fans of this blog will remember me raving about Some Strangers Ship, the fantastic debut EP from Tim Loydell & The Deckchairs. Now this brilliant blues and roots outfit is taking these amazing songs on the road with their All Hands on Deck tour.

Tim Loydell & The Deckchairs will be joined on the road by Sydney blues rockers Ooh La La. The shows promise to be something special, but if you still need a little encouragement how’s this? The bands will donate part of the proceeds to Red Cross Australia.

Good music that supports a good cause? That sounds too good to pass up!

You can catch Tim Loydell & The Deckchairs with Ooh La La at the following East Coast cities.

12 September 2008 – The Pacific Hotel, Yamba
13 September 2008 – The Coffs Hotel, Coffs Harbour
17 September 2008 – On The Hill Bar, Newcastle
18 September 2008 – The Vanguard, Sydney
19 September 2008 – Macquarie Hotel, Port Macquarie
25 September 2008 – The Home Hotel, Wagga Wagga
26 September 2008 – The Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
27 September 2008 – ANU Uni Bar, Canberra
4 October 2008 – The Great Northern, Byron Bay
10 October 2008 – The Solbar, Coolum
11 October 2008 – The Zoo, Brisbane

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment