Month: February 2010

Damien Leith is a busy bee. Not content with preparing for his massive Keys and Strings tour, the former Australian Idol is preparing to release his novel.

You might remember Damien chatting to me about the book, which like his latest album is called Remember June, a couple of months ago. It tells the story of a family who has escaped the troubles of Northern Ireland in the 1980s. You’ll see it in all good bookstores on April 1.

But that’s not the only thing Damien’s been up to. As a committed family man, it seems appropriate that Damien’s been named an ambassador for the Barnados Australia’s Mother of the Year awards. The initiative searches for the number one mum in Oz.

“I believe that family is very important and the pivotal person in most families is the mum,” explained Damien. “Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year Awards recognise the wonderful work that mums all around Australia do and I am delighted to be an ambassador and support the awards.”

Somewhere in there Damien’s going to find time to tour Oz. His Keys and Strings tour kicks off in Toowoomba next week before travelling all around the country. If you haven’t got your tickets yet, what are you waiting for?

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

The Victorian government hasn’t gained any fans amongst musicians or music lovers of late. When it named The Tote as a “high risk venue” and closed it down last month (despite no history of violence), it was the last straw.

Concerned parties are taking to the streets in a protest organised by SLAM (Save Live Music Australia). They’ll march from the State Library on Swanston Street at 4 pm on February 23, recreating the path travelled by AC/DC in their Long Way to the Top video. Not so coincidentally, the day of the march coincides with the 34th anniversary of that video shoot.

“This is going to happen whether they like it or not,” protest organiser and former Blue Ruin singer Quincey McLean told The Age.

“It’s got too much momentum, it’s too big to stop now. It will be like Moomba with a message. Whenever a natural disaster happens, musicians are the first to put their hand up and offer support. Now it’s time for the public, who get music free online and hear it for free on the radio wherever they go, to give support back to the music they love so much.”

The march will be lead by a band, rumored to be the RockWiz Orchestra, playing the Acca Dacca classic on the back of a flatbed truck.

Melburnians, if you care about the state of your local live music scene I suggest getting down there on Feb 23 and showing your support!

Image source: The Euskadi 11 @ Flickr

Danimals are definitely an Aussie act to watch. As the winners of the Tooheys Extra Dry: The Lab competition, the band spent time in New York working with a who’s who of the music industry including Mark Ronson, Santigold, Sean Lennon, and heaps more. I recently caught up with the band’s founder Jonti Danilewitz to chat about that experience, the band’s new single, and the summer festival circuit.

You are the winners of the Tooheys Extra Dry: The Lab competition, which saw you head to New York and work with some amazing musicians like Mark Ronson, Sean Lennon, and the Dap Kings. What can you tell me about that trip?
That week of song writing was a multi-sensory experience, not unlike making love for the first time in a tub of candyfloss and synthesisers, with fireworks spraying out of the lighting above.

What do you think these collaborations brought to your sound?
Communicating in a collaboration for songs with specific pop sensibility can be tricky, and we’d like to put mention that everyone who we worked with were totally humble and amazing people to play with – true collaborators.

You returned to New York again after a quick trip home around Christmas. What were you up to there that time around?
We recorded one of the collaborations from the songwriting week with Mark Ronson at one of the most famous recording studios on the planet: Electric Lady Studios in Greenwich Village, NYC. It was built for Jimi Hendrix, and is the birthplace of albums from Hendrix, Frank Zappa, Bowie. It was a totally humbling experience.

What is it about New York that keeps you coming back?
The record stores (A-1, Ear Wax etc), Death by Audio in Brooklyn. It’s like a monolith of interest where everybody with any interest can find a clan of like-minded people.
Continue reading “Q & A with Danimals' Jonti Danilewitz” →

Following the success of their debut single “Picture Frames,” Georgia Fair are shaping up to be one of the biggest bands of 2010. I caught them at last year’s John Mayer showcase, and was super impressed by their incredible songwriting, stunning harmonies, and folk-laden acoustic tunes.

The sexy Sydney lads are playing a hometown show at Spectrum on Friday, February 20, and I have one double pass to give away. To be in with a chance, just reply to this entry and tell me why you want to see the show!

Entry is only open to music lovers 18 years and over as this is a strictly adults only show. Sorry kids! Entries close on February 9 at 5 pm AEST. Good luck!

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Brisbane indie rockers Yves Klein Blue might just be one of the hardest working acts around. They’ve barely unpacked their suitcases from a successful UK tour, and they’re already preparing to board the Bacardi Express. I recently caught up with the band’s keyboardist and guitarist Charles Sale to chat about the popular train tour, the band’s debut album Ragged & Ecstatic, and their jetsetting lifestyle.

The Bacardi Express is a pretty unique tour. What made you want to get involved?
We were invited to play this year and after hearing lots of great stories from Bluejuice (who played last year) we were very keen to jump on board.

The folks at Bacardi say the success of the tour all comes down to the right combination of bands, personalities, and genres. What will Yves Klein Blue bring to the mix?
As my mum always said, be true to yourself and be true to others. We are also passionate team players and I think this journey can be truly amazing if all the bands band together.

The Bacardi Express has several cool carriages, including the gaming room, jamming carriage, and chill out lounge. Where can we expect to find Yves Klein Blue?
I will definitely be in the jamming room. I also don’t know how to operate DJ decks.

Are you expecting a special show when the Bacardi tour kicks off in your home town of Brisbane?
Home town gigs are always the best, plus the gig is at the Tivoli which is one of our favourite venues.
Continue reading “Q & A with Yves Klein Blue's Charles Sale” →

It was a big night for the Aussies at this year’s Grammy Awards.

AC/DC won their first ever Grammy, beating out Alice in Chains, Linkin Park, Metallica, and Nickelback in the best hard rock performance. The Aussie expats grabbed the gong for “War Machine” from their massive comeback album Black Ice. However that album was no match for Green Day’s 21st Century Breakdown in the rock album category.

Keith Urban lost out to Taylor Swift in the best country album category, but came up trumps for best male country vocal performance. His hit “Sweet Thing” beat out tunes from Trace Adkins, Billy Currington, Jamey Johnson, and George Strait.

Sadly The Greencards didn’t come away with a win. They were beaten by Steve Wariner in the best country instrumental performance category.

Image source: ZUMA Press