Month: June 2009

The Living End took home the prestigious Song of the Year title for “White Noise” at last night’s APRA Awards.

“I’m rapt,” frontman Chris Cheney said. “This award really shows a different side to the band. We get accolades for our live shows but songwriting takes up an enormous amount of my time and it’s nice to get recognised for it. I didn’t know it’d eclipse everything we’ve ever done, it’s become the song we’re most well known for which is amazing for a band on their fifth album.”

Sydney dance outfit The Presets also tasted success, winning the coveted Songwriter of the Year award.

“It’s kind of like being congratulated for sitting around and drinking tea in our pajamas which is how we write songs,” said one half of the duo, Kim Moyes.

After clocking up 140, 000 in sales with his independent record Gurrumul, Aboriginal performer Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu was an obvious choice for the Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year.

Click below to see the other winners.
Continue reading “The Living End Win Song of the Year at APRA Awards” →

Sarah Blasko will perform a string of intimate shows to support her new album As Day Follows Night.

Just eight shows have been scheduled, so get in quick to get your tickets when they go on sale on July 3. While you’re marking dates in your calendar, you might want to stick July 10 on there. That’s when As Day Follows Night is scheduled for release. And here are some more dates for you; the all important tour dates!

1 October 2009 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
2 October 2009 – The Forum, Melbourne
3 October 2009 – Norwood Concert Hall, Adelaide
9 October 2009 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
10 October 2009 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
12-14 November 2009 – The Quarry, Perth

Image source: As Day Follows Night website

Way to go Hilltop Hoods! The local hip hop outfit has debuted at number one on the ARIA charts with their fifth studio album State of the Art. The disc more than doubled sales of last week’s number one, The E.N.D. by The Black Eyed Peas.

The album sold a whopping 27, 455 units, well ahead of the Black Eyed Peas’ 11, 803 units. Hilltop Hoods must be feeling pretty chuffed with that effort, particularly since it’s their first release on their own Golden Era Records.

They’re sharing space in the top ten with Eskimo Joe, whose Inshalla album is still going strong at number five, and Karnivool’s Sound Awake which sits at number seven.

Meanwhile on the singles charts, Jessica Mauboy’s flying the Australian flag. Her latest single “Because” has debuted at a respectable ninth place.

Click below for the complete top 10.
Continue reading “Hilltop Hoods Make Number One Debut” →

So like so many blogs, I’ve been pulled into the 21st century kicking and screaming. I might still favour CDs over MP3s, but I’m Twittering, or Tweeting, or whatever the kids are calling it. If you’d like to follow me on Twitter, then point your browsers to http://twitter.com/ozmusicscene. I’d love to see you there.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

I’ve been blasting The Script’s debut album from my stereo for weeks, plagued by the knowledge that this was yet another band I got into just that little bit too late. I remember being intrigued when they visited for some small gigs recently, but now I’m completely hooked.

The lads must have heard my pleas for a repeat visit, or perhaps they just really enjoyed themselves the first time around, because they’ve announced another trip for September.

Adding value to the bill is Australian Idol winner Wes Carr. With the band playing lovely intimate venues, I’ll snap up my tickets the moment they go on sale on June 29.

22 September 2009 – Metro City, Perth
25 September 2009 – Forum Theatre, Melbourne
26 September 2009 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
29 September 2009 – The Tivoli, Brisbane

Image source: Newscom

Human Nature have landed in Las Vegas! The Aussie lads unveiled their new show, “Smokey Robinson Presents Australia’s Human Nature, The Ultimate Celebration of the Motown Sound,” in star-studded fashion on Wednesday night.

Celebs to walk the red carpet with our boys included Motown legend Smokey Robinson, The Supremes’ Mary Wilson, comedian George Wallace, violin-playing hotties The Alizma Triplets, and hypnotist Anthony Cools.

Human Nature recently signed a one-year contract to entertain crowds with their Motown show six nights a week at the Imperial Theater. We’re sure to miss them here, but wish them every success!

Click below to see some more photos of their show!
Continue reading “Human Nature Take Motown to Las Vegas” →

British punksters Gallows promise to bring a genuine slab of working class anarchy to Australia, when they tour the country later this year.

Rockworld.tv says the band delivers “a live performance that, in terms of sheer energy and passion, outstrips any band you care to mention.”

That’s some high praise! Find out if they’re worth the hype when they touch down in September. Tickets to all shows go on sale on Thursday 2 July.

22 September 2009 – Fowlers, Adelaide (All Ages)
24 September 2009 – The Hi Fi, Melbourne (under 18)
25 September 2009 – The Hi Fi, Melbourne (18+)
26 September 2009 – UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney (All Ages)
27 September 2009 – The Hi Fi, Brisbane (18+)

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Just days ago I was lamenting JB Hi-Fi’s decision to ditch CD singles. Well it seems there’s a savior in the form of Chaos, an online retailer who is proud to admit it loves CD singles too.

The site has all the latest top 40 hits, plus limited stocks of a few old favourites too.

JB’s decision may well sound the death knell for the short-play format, but in the meantime it’s lovely to see local retailers like Chaos fighting back!

Image source: Mateusz Atroszko @ Stock.xchng