From the first moment I saw it, I fell in love with the guitar boat Josh Pyke sails around Sydney Harbour in his “Make You Happy” video. Now it seems I have a chance of owning it.

This awesome boat, created by Maton Guitars, will be auctioned for charity. Josh will donate all funds raised by the auction to the Indigenous Literacy Project.

“Seeing the guitar boat clip spread around the world has been one of the highlights of releasing this album so far,” said Josh. “I love the idea that its charm will now go towards helping something I’m passionate about. Later this year I’ll be launching an event called ‘Busking for Change’ in conjunction with the Indigenous Literacy Project, and the sale of the guitar boat will help to fund this.”

The auction will start on eBay from February 9 and end on February 12. Somehow I don’t think that’s going to give me enough time to raise the cash for this awesome vessel!

Sydneysiders can see the boat at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour until a lucky owner is found!

Image source: Josh Pyke press gallery

Husband and wife team Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson confirmed they are the golden couple of country music, bagging five awards at last nights Golden Guitars in Tamworth.

The couple told The Sunday Telegraph the success was unexpected as they didn’t even expect their album Rattlin’ Bones to be released!

“When we started, it was more about testing this relationship and seeing if we could be creative together,” Kasey explained. “It was just a challenge that we’ve fulfilled which makes this really nice.”

“We had no plan for this record at all other than writing it and recording it and be happy with it,” Shane added. “Without even talking about it, we thought it would be released and fly under the radar and move on and do something else.”

Adam Brand was named male artist of the year, while international success Catherine Britt was named best female artist.

Click below for a full list of the winners!

Read the rest of this entry…

Multi-talented Aussie Cassie Davis has been impressing all the right people, with will.i.am and Fergie amongst her biggest fans. The local singer-songwriter-producer has worked with hot producers Rodney Jerkins (Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Beyonce) and Wayne Wilkins (Natasha Bedingfield, Kylie Minogue, No Doubt), and now she’s ready to unleash her debut single.

“Like It Loud” is set to become a summer anthem. It’s irresistible girl pop with plenty of attitude. Get it in stores and online this weekend!

Delta Goodrem has made a special guest appearance in the music video for Simple Plan’s latest single “Save You.” The song was penned as a tribute to lead singer Pierre Bouvier’s brother Jay and his battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancer. The film clip features cancer survivors from all walks of life, including Delta, Bif Naked, and Sharon Osbourne.

“We wanted this video to tell Jay’s story and the ones of all cancer survivors,” explained the band. “We want to show how strong people can be when facing adversity and hardship and how resilient the human mind and body can be. We wanted to relay a message of hope, survival and courage.”

Delta, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2003, jumped at the chance to support the music video.

“It was a pleasure to be invited to support Simple Plan in their crusade to make a difference in the fight against cancer,” she said.

You can see the video at this website – scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the version with Delta’s bit. But don’t just watch it. Proceeds from all iTunes downloads of the single will be distributed to local cancer charities in the country of the download, helping the world to get closer to eradicating this deadly disease.

Image source: Bauer-Griffin

A few months ago I mentioned Evermore was offering free downloads of their new single “Between the Lines.” Now the song’s been released officially, and we can see the film clip. It’s a new darker direction for the lads, and I’m not just talking about the CSI-style lighting in the music video! But a change is as good as a holiday, and their risk taking has really paid dividends here. I love it!

Move over Young Divas. Australia’s newest girl group, Sultry Sally, has arrived!

Australian Idol fans might recognise Anne Robertson, who was a finalist in the program’s third series. Marcia Hines called Anne “one of the strongest females vocally in the history of Australian Idol.”

The group also features Sydney-based singer-songwriter Nicky Kurta. She’s a regular on the city’s live music scene, and has written material with Brian Cadd and Rick Price.

Then there’s Sera Monson, an Australian Institute of Music graduate who’s shared the stage with Glenn Shorrock and Rhonda Burchmore. The group’s final member is Natalie Conway, an industry newcomer who’s already made a splash with her covers band and appearances in Sydney musicals.

The girls’ first single is a cover of the 2001 Crystal Waters floor filler, “Gypsy Woman.” You can hear it now on iTunes.

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Pendulum is one of Australia’s great success stories. Their most recent album In Silico zoomed into the number two spot on the UK charts, and they’ve sold out their last two UK tours. We’ve embraced this electronic outfit too, sending In Silico into the ARIA top ten. They’re based in the United Kingdom, but the boys have returned home to play the Big Day Out. I chatted with lead singer/songwriter/producer Rob Swire today about those big tours, what it’s like to be home, and how The Presets give him faith in the Aussie music scene.

You’re here to play the Big Day Out festival. Have you been able to see any of the other acts on the bill?
Yeah, we hung around the other day and saw The Living End which I was pretty impressed with. I’ve never really liked their stuff but seeing them as a band, they were off the hook. Apart from that we saw The Prodigy the other night as well who were better than I expected as well.

You’ve also played plenty of festivals on the European circuit too. What’s it like to be part of those big tours?
It’s good. The best shows we’ve done last year have been Reading and Download, which went surprisingly well considering we’re more electronic and it’s mainly a rock festival. With a lot of these festivals we don’t really know the history behind them. Coming from Australia, we’re kind of oblivious to what Reading means to the English people, what Glastonbury means to them. To come down here and play the Big Day Out is a bit more special.

What’s it like to return to Australia after so much time away?
It’s good but it does feel a bit alien. After a while you start to get used to the UK and its shitty weather, which I actually prefer to the heat.

Well we’ve had a bit of rain here. I don’t know whether you’ve brought it with you!
(laughs) I think we have! In fact, most festivals in Europe or America or wherever that we usually play, it usually rains. It’s kind of weird.

Read the rest of this entry…

If you were planning on heading out to Wiley’s Melbourne show tonight you might want to put down your coat. The Godfather of Grime has cancelled the remaining shows of his Australian tour “due to personal reasons within the touring party.”

The cancellation affects shows over the next four nights in Melbourne, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, and Brisbane. Ticket holders can obtain a refund from their place of purchase.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

It looks like there’s a new love in the life of Ricki-Lee Coulter.

Sources say she’s dating actor Brett Tucker, who plays nice guy Daniel Fitzgerald on Neighbours.

The pair was spotted dining at several Melbourne restaurants and taking in the Australian Open.

Ricki-Lee’s people have declined to comment, but Brett says it’s “early days.”

It sounds like there might a love match there to me!

Image source: Newscom

What are you doing this Australia Day? Sure you could celebrate with a barbeque like last year, but with so many free concerts happening around the country there’s no reason to stay in!

Australia Day Live – Parliament House, Canberra
Technically this show is the day before, but the line-up is so fantastic it deserves a mention. From 6:30 pm acts like Jessica Mauboy, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Dan Kelly, Wendy Matthews, Gurrumul, and Brian Cadd, will play Parliament House. Pre-show entertainment starts at 3:30 so arrive early to get a good spot!

Rocksong Festival – The Rocks, Sydney
More than 70 of this country’s finest singers and songwriters will play across nine stages in The Rocks. From 11 am to 9 pm you can see big name acts like Christine Anu, Holly Throsby, Kid Confucius, The Herd, and Tina Harrod.

James Morrison – Kings Domain Gardens, Melbourne
Australia’s iconic jazz trumpeter James Morrison will play a free show in the gardens from 12:30 pm. If you’ve never seen James live you don’t want to miss this.

Survival 2009 – Fremantle Park, Fremantle
This Aboriginal cultural festival features performances by Fitzroy Xpress Yabu Band, Abmusic Band, and indigenous dancers and performers. Join in the fun from 1 pm.

Australia Day Concert – South Bank Piazza, Brisbane
Finish off Australia Day with performances by Clare Bowditch, The Gin Club, and Gentle Ben and his Sensitive Side. It all kicks off at 7:30 pm, but with acts like this you’ll want to arrive early for a good view.

A Day on the Beach – Kingston Beach, Tasmania
There’s not a lot happening in Tassie, but some local bands will play at A Day on the Beach. The event, which starts at 10 am, also features sand castle competitions, water and beach sports, a kids gym, a treasure hunt, and an old fashioned Aussie BBQ. It sounds like fun!

Australia Day Concert – Elder Park, Adelaide
From 10 am Adelaide will celebrate Australia Day with a massive free concert. Lee Kernaghan will headline the show, which also features All Stars, Acoustic Juice, and Patrick McMahon. There’ll also be face painting and other kids activities, making this event one for the whole family.

Image source: Euthman @ Flickr