It seems Casey Donovan isn’t the only reality TV graduate carving out a successful career as an independent artist. Sally Polihronas, who shot to fame with the Popstars band Bardot, is back in the country after several years abroad.

Sally’s been living the life of a nomad with time spent in Los Angeles, New York, and London. But now she’s back on home soil and keen to share her new music with local fans.

I think they’ll be pleasantly surprised. The disposable pop music of old has been replaced with a more mature soul sound and honest ruminations on love, life, and spirituality.

Sally will play one show only at Sydney’s Vanguard on August 26. Pre-sale tickets cost just $16.20 plus booking fee, or $45.20 if you want to enjoy dinner as well. They’re on sale now through The Vanguard’s website.

Image used with permission from AKA Entertainment

When most of my female peers were gunning for Anthony Callea to take out the Australian Idol crown in 2004, I had my money on Casey Donovan. She’d moved me all season with her performances that were honest and mature beyond her years, and I was thrilled to see her take out the title.

Needless to say, I wasn’t so happy with the way she struggled to get the industry support of previous winner Guy Sebastian, or need I say it, Mr Callea. I’m proud though that Casey has kept the dream alive and found her feet as an independent artist. She’s wrapped up a critically acclaimed tour with the musical The Sapphires, which saw her perform at the Daegu International Musical Festival in South Korea.

She’s also preparing to embark on her Big, Beautiful & Sexy tour next month to coincide with the saucy single of the same name, which will get a digital release on August 7. Tour dates have been announced for New South Wales and Queensland with more expected to follow soon.

Until then, these are the places you can see the incredible Casey Donovan.

7 August 2010 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill
20 August 2010 – Slide, Darlinghurst
21 August 2010 – Wentworthville Leagues Club, Wentworthville
28 August 2010 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
29 August 2010 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
16 September 2010 – QUT Festival Theatre @ Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane

Remember Avalon Drive? This Brisbane band was doing some great stuff, but then disappeared almost as quickly as they came on the scene. The band’s frontman Damion Page has happily moved on though as part of the new duo Words Versing Verses.

Damion has joined forces with guitarist Kevin Leggett for the acoustic driven double act.

“All of our old things, all of our roots have brought us to doing what we are doing now,” Words Versing Verses explained. “We haven’t just abandoned everything. We’ve just kind of moved on from it and taken what we’ve learnt. I think this is more of a release for us.”

It’s early days, with the band releasing their first EP earlier this month, but already they’re building a steady buzz with one sold-out show under their belt.

Words Versing Verses will play a home town show at The Zoo in Brisbane on August 12. Fans around the rest of the country should just sit tight, as the duo will announce national dates soon.

Image used with permission from Kieron Douglass Photography

It seems Welsh mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins just can’t stay away from Oz. She’ll touch down in August for a quick promotional tour ahead of some theatre dates this October.

Katherine will be in the country to promote her album Believe, which went straight to number one on the Aussie classical charts on its release late last year.

Katherine will play intimate theatre shows around the country this October, with our own operatic superstar Mark Vincent acting as support. Tickets are on sale now for the following dates.

23 October 2010 – State Theatre, Sydney
26 October 2010 – Entertainment Centre (Theatre Mode), Adelaide
28 October 2010 – Regent Theatre, Melbourne

The self-titled EP from Sydney band Mushu crossed my desk earlier this week, and it’s taken up permanent residence in my stereo. In just six tracks this exciting act has made a big impression on me.

It all starts with the attention grabbing “Neap Tide,” a powerful track which juxtaposes gorgeous sweet harmonies with wailing guitars. It’s an interesting juxtaposition, but one that manages to work.

Mushu are no strangers to this kind of unlikely pairing. Lead singer Simone’s vocals are warm and lush, with a gentle emotional rasp. Her voice struck a real personal chord with me; it’s got a quiet feminine strength about it. It gets even stronger when paired with Mushu’s big sounds, those insistent guitars on “Neap Tide,” the pounding piano and driving strings of “Don’t Forget Me.”

The first half of the EP shocks your senses, while the second settles into a gentler groove. The music is more subtle here, although you’d never accuse it of fading into the background. “Paper Aeroplane” was a standout for me, with its gorgeous lyrics and compelling raw emotion. I was also shocked by the stunning crescendo the band builds in “Carousel Heart.”

In this EP Mushu have proven to be a band that’s impossible to ignore. In a sea of beige musical acts, that is a very good thing.

Mushu’s self-titled EP is available through iTunes.

General Pants’ Major Label record label has just signed up its latest batch of acts.

New to the Major Label roster are Sydney post punk surf rockers Step Panther, Melbourne garage rock act The Kremlin Succession, and 17-year-old singer songwriter The Harry Heart Chrysalis of Bundaberg.

“The accessibility to new, young unsigned talent online has given new life to the Australian music industry. Major Label capitalizes on online trends and local word of mouth to discover and give a leg up to unsigned Australian bands and these three new young acts are our most diverse signings to date” said Todd Wagstaff, General Manager of Major Label.

Head to the Major Label website to stream tracks from these hot new artists and learn more about them. And remember, if you want to get your band in on the Major Label action drop your demo into any General Pants store around the country.

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media

Aussie expats Gypsy and The Cat are returning home to play a swag of shows. You can see these Melbourne born Londoners supporting Foals and The Strokes around the country, playing the main stage at Splendour in the Grass, and headlining two just announced sideshows.

If you don’t know Gypsy and The Cat yet you’re in for a real treat. The band combines electro vibes with a splash of folk-pop to create a cruisy, retro soundscape.

These shows will support the release of their debut single “Time to Wander,” and give fans a sneak peek at their album before it hits stores later this year. Around the same time Gypsy and The Cat will be back in Oz to play Parklife, but I’d much rather see them at these more intimate gigs than that massive festival.

This time around, these are the places you can see these up and coming ex-pats!

24 July 2010 – The Gov, Adelaide (with Foals)
26 & 27 July 2010 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne (with Foals)
28 July 2010 – Manning Bar, Sydney (with Foals)
29 July 2010 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney (with The Strokes)
30 July 2010 – Festival Hall, Melbourne (with The Strokes)
31 July 2010 – Splendour In The Grass, Woodford
4 August 2010 – Toff In Town, Melbourne (with Clubfeet)
5 August 2010 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (with Jinja Safari and Step Panther)

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

The legendary John Farnham is heading out on the road for shows all around the country this October and November. The dates include a handful of Day on the Green winery shows, and a special show at Luna Park celebrating the amusement park’s 75th birthday.

“I love doing outdoor shows and the vineyards around Australia are beautiful venues to perform at,” John said on the announcement of these shows, adding that “the opportunity to perform at an iconic venue such as Luna Park was something I just couldn’t say no to. Performing in an intimate venue will be fantastic.”

We can expect to hear plenty of old favourites, and a couple of new songs. These tracks will feature on John’s new album which should be in stores this October. That should give fans just enough time to learn the words!

John will be joined on the tour by some top-notch supports including Katie Noonan, Richard Clapton, and Ross Wilson.

Tickets go on sale from the usual outlets from July 30.

4 October 2010 – Big Top @ Luna Park, Sydney
23 October 2010 – Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley (with Kate Ceberano and Vika & Linda)
30 October 2010 – Robert Oatley Wines, Mudgee (with Ross Wilson and Richard Clapton)
27 November 2010 – Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Perth (with Ross Wilson and Richard Clapton)
2 November 2010 – AIS Arena, Canberra (with Katie Noonan)
6 November 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Wollongong (with Katie Noonan)
8 November 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Newcastle (with Katie Noonan)
11 November 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Tamworth (with Katie Noonan)
13 November 2010 – RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast (with Katie Noonan)
20 November 2010 – Coopers Brewery, Regency Park (with Katie Noonan)

It’s no real surprise to anyone who follows the Gorillaz, but Damon Albarn’s virtual rock outfit will tour Australia for the first time this December.

Animated bass player Murdoc has been busy tweeting about the tour for days, but it’s nice for fans to have that official confirmation and all-important dates. The tour comes on the back of the release of the band’s third album Plastic Beach.

This should be some intriguing shows, and if the rave reviews from their Coachella and Glastonbury performances are anything to go by, some pretty spectacular ones. Tickets go on sale from the regular outlets on August 6.

6 December 2010 – Burswood Dome, Perth
8 December 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
11 December 2010 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
16 December 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney
19 December 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane

It’s been a big year for Amy Meredith, with the release of two smash singles and a top 10 album. Now the band are looking to celebrate with their Restless album tour.

The run of gigs will take in 18 cities across Oz this September and October. They’ll definitely be in the zone, as these shows come off the back of a swag of dates supporting Grinspoon.

There are plenty of opportunities to see Amy Meredith in the coming months, and that’s just how they like it. Tickets for the Grinspoon shows are already on sale, and the Restless tour tickets will join them this Friday!

4 August 2010 – Station Resort, Jindabyne (with Grinspoon)
5 August 2010 – Capital, Wagga Wagga (with Grinspoon)
6 August 2010 – Panthers, Bathurst (with Grinspoon)
7 August 2010 – Ex-Services, Orange (with Grinspoon)
8 August 2010 – Panthers, Penrith (with Grinspoon)
11 August 2010 – Campbelltown RSL, Campbelltown (with Grinspoon)
12 August 2010 – Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill (with Grinspoon)
13 August 2010 – Waves, Wollongong (with Grinspoon)
15 August 2010 – Entrance Leagues, Bateau Bay (with Grinspoon)
9 September 2010 – Inferno, Traralgon (with Grinspoon)
10 September 2010 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully (with Grinspoon)
11 September 2010 – Pier Live, Frankston (with Grinspoon)
12 September 2010 – Settlers, Mildura (with Grinspoon)
15 September 2010 – Eureka Hotel, Geelong (with Grinspoon)
16 September 2010 – Shadows, Mt Gambier (with Grinspoon)
17 September 2010 – The Gov, Adelaide (with Grinspoon)
22 September 2010 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
23 September 2010 – Mojo’s, Fremantle
24 September 2010 – The Players Club, Mandurah
25 September 2010 – Amplifier Bar, Perth
1 October 2010  – The Zoo, Brisbane
2 October 2010  – Coolangatta Hotel
3 October 2010  – The Northern, Byron Bay
13 October 2010  – The Maram, Canberra
14 October 2010  – Wollongong University, Wollongong
15 October 2010  – Factory Theatre, Sydney (Licensed All Ages)
16 October 2010  – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
20 October  2010  – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
21 October 2010  – Barwon Club, Geelong
22 October 2010  – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
23 October 2010  – The Loft, Warnambool
28 October 2010  – Republic Bar, Hobart
29 October 2010  – Hotel New York, Launceston
30 October 2010  – Adelaide University Bar, Adelaide (Licensed All Ages)

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia