Month: September 2010

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Live Shows Are Underway!

I was a bit critical of The X Factor due to some questionable judging choices last week, but I approached tonight’s first live show with an open mind. Here’s how it all went down.

Luke and Joel kicked the night off with Good Charlotte’s “Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous.” I thought Guy had picked a smart song; it’s not a track that really challenges the vocals and it does allow natural charisma to shine through. I still stand by my views though that these guys aren’t top 12 material. All the personality in the world can’t make up for an inability to sing.

I always felt Hayley Teal was one of the biggest contenders in the competition, but I was in two minds after the performance tonight. It all started for me when Nat dyed her hair brown. It continued with the slick, choreographed performance of “Bust Your Windows.” She nailed it vocally, but I just worry that we’re losing Hayley in the process. I loved her edges, and I’m a bit disappointed that she’s been polished up. I guess we’ll see what happens next week.

I was a bit skeptical when I heard Kyle had picked Kelly Clarkson’s “Already Gone” for Chris Doe, but I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn’t flawless by any means, but for the first time tonight I felt the heart. This was the connection I’ve been craving all night. There’s definitely some potential there, and I ‘m looking forward to seeing him grow in this competition.

Amanda Grafanakis was up next with Ne-Yo’s “Closer.” I think this was probably the most well rounded performance to that point. The vocals were on point and she performed it really well. I still didn’t feel my socks blown off, but I really couldn’t fault her on anything. If she’s this good in week one, I can’t wait to see how she develops.

Kharizma really impressed me with “Empire State of Mind.” There was that elusive connection that I’ve felt lacking in so many of the performances tonight. They definitely sold the story of the song. For the first time I felt that they stepped up rather than living in Mahogany’s shadow.

Continue reading “The X Factor Live Shows Are Underway!” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Princess 1.5 Relaunch Album After Electricity Woes

If you were one of the punters disappointed by the power failure at Princess 1.5’s Brisbane album launch last week fear not.

The band will make it up to their disappointed fans with a What Doesn’t Kill You album re-launch next weekend at The Powerhouse. Princess 1.5 will take to the stage on Sunday arvo with support by the gorgeous Seja.

They might even bring their own generator to make sure there are none of those nasty power issues!

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Familiar with Mutu

Aussie urban act Mutu has gained a steady following with support slots with Flo Rida, Jason Derulo, Akon, Pitbull, and Kelly Rowland. Now this promising young talent is stepping into the spotlight with his debut single “Familiar.”

The tracks been developed by some of the best in the business. Home grown producer Styalz Fuego (Snoop Dogg, Kelis, Sneaky Sound System) and American engineer Brent Kolatolo (Kanye West, Lenny Kravitz) have both put their stamps on the tune.

“Familiar” is at radio now ahead of its digital release on October 4. Mutu will announce his headline tour in the coming weeks, so keep your ears out for that!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Song Obsession: “Hold On, I’m Coming On” by Dan Kelly

Gee those Kellys are a talented lot. Dan Kelly, nephew of Paul, has stepped away from his Alpha Males band mates to record his new album Dream. The solo disc features the track “Hold On, I’m Coming On” which is a great slice of cruisy summery pop-rock. This is the kind of tune that lodges itself in your brain, but you don’t really mind because it’s so much fun. The film clip is pretty cool too, with its retro Super 8 camera work. Check it out! And if you like what you hear, make sure you see Dan doing his thing live at the following shows.

18 September 2010 – Republic Bar & Café, Hobart
24 September 2010 – Rosemount Hotel, North Perth
25 September 2010 – Wave Rock Weekender, Hyden
26 September 2010 – Mojo’s Bar, Fremantle
1 October 2010 – Edinburgh Castle Hotel, Adelaide
7 October 2010 – The Maram, Canberra
8 October 2010 – Northern Star, Newcastle
9 October 2010 – Annandale Hotel, Sydney
15 October 2010 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
16 October 2010 – The Loft, Warnambool

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

City Riots Supporting Smashing Pumpkins

Adelaide’s own City Riots have earned the coveted support slot for the Smashing Pumpkins upcoming Aussie tour.

The indie act were handpicked by lead singer Billy Corgan to support the iconic rock band at dates around the country.

No doubt City Riots will be a well oiled machine by the time the October tour rolls around, having just wrapped up their own national tour. So make sure you turn up early to support the local talent at these Smashing Pumpkins shows!

12 October 2010 – PCEC Riverside Theatre, Perth
13 October 2010 – AEC Theatre, Adelaide
15 October 2010 – Festival Hall, Melbourne
16 October 2010 – Big Top @ Luna Park, Sydney
17 October 2010 – The Tivoli, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Ghostboy with Golden Virtues

Queensland’s Ghostboy with Golden Virtues are preparing to unleash their unique brand of punk cabaret on Sydney audiences for the first time this month.I caught up with the band ahead of these historic performances to chat about their new album, their love of theatre, and pushing musical boundaries.

You’ve got a really interesting band name. Where did it come from?
Ghostboy was first diagnosed by performance art rock influenza in 2005, and this is the name the W.H.O. gave to his disorder (no man/all spirit). Golden Virtues were a band unto themselves when the two met and then became casual then full time lovers in 2006. Are main virtue: let the art fall to see if it can fly.

You’ve recently released your new album Enter. What can you tell me about it?
Enter has been described as having a “calculated savagery”, as “wonderfully malevolent ghoul rock” “cabaret-from-hell” and as “spooky rockabilly.” Our songwriting is very visceral; the music both muscular and heartfelt, the lyrics direct and unsettling. The idea of this album was to explore the different aspects of sex, gender and relationships, including interpreting Iggy Pop’s “Sister Midnight” and Serge Gainsbourg’s “Je t’aime … moi non plus”. We are launching the second single “Love Me” while we are in Sydney @ The Supper Club in Darlinghurst (it is released digitally Sat 18th Sept).

As such a theatrical band, how do you approach capturing your energy in the studio?
We were very keen to replicate the aesthetic and moods of our stage set-up and live show in order to inhabit the songs in the studio, inspired by some of the recording approaches of Tony Visconti with Bowie and Eno with just about everyone he worked with. This included me being handcuffed and surrounded by mannequins and art porn shots while doing the vocal takes for the song “If I Were a Rock”n”Roll Girlfriend,” with a stage mic plugged direct into a guitar amp.

Your band combines elements of punk and cabaret, which is so unusual. Where did your interest in cabaret come from?
I have always been drawn to acts of the 70s like Alice Cooper and David Bowie, whose stages were an invitation to enter a “world” for the duration of the show while they became their “other” e.g. The Thin White Duke. I also love the way Iggy Pop has this performance art element to his work, the drama and narrative arcs of Mikelangelo & the Black Sea Gentlemen, and the live work of cabaret performers such as Taylor Mac. The idea grew of setting all of this in a cabaret context including throwing in trad & non-trad cabaret covers, such as Jaques Brel and Katy Perry, in order to stretch the form and see what can made of cabaret when you approach it with a punk/performance art aesthetic.

You’re going to play Sydney for the first time this month. Are you looking forward to getting in front of the crowds there?

Yes, the whole gang is very excited. It is a chance for us to play to new and unknown audiences as our main following is in Brisbane and Melbourne. As it is our first dates with Sydney audiences, we hope they buy us flowers, be sweet yet demanding, dance with intent, drink to impress, bring their mother and her best friend, and remember our name.
Continue reading “Q & A with Ghostboy with Golden Virtues” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Glenn Richards Releases Single Ahead of Solo Album

I’ve always been a fan of Glenn Richards work in Augie March, so I was keen to see what his solo music brought.

Solo projects are usually a bit of a departure, allowing musicians to explore genres and techniques they can’t within the constraints of their band, and it seems Glenn’s is no different. So far I’ve only listened to the single “Torpor & Spleen,” but it’s got a lovely organic quality to it which veers dangerously close to bluegrass. Don’t worry; that’s a good thing.

It’s definitely the kind of tune that makes me want to hear more of Glimjack, the solo album Glenn Richards has worked on with his friends Dan Luscombe, Mike Noga, Ben Bourke, and brother Chris. They’re a talented bunch, and no doubt this album, which will hit stores on November 5, is going to be critically acclaimed. That’s high praise indeed coming from just one single, but it’s just that good.

Image source: Jeanie Mackinder @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“The Murders” – Davey Spicer and the Creatures of Habit

Brisbane band Davey Spicer and the Creatures of Habit deliver groovy organic music with edge with their debut album The Murders.

It’s an ominous sounding title, and one which is perhaps eerier than the album warrants. However, these tunes are a lot darker than your average roots music from Byron Bay. These musicians are no hippies.

The album starts with “Waste of Beautiful,” a groovy tune with biting lyrics. It’s followed up with “Sinner/Saint,” with is so hooky and summery that you almost forget about the sharp words behind it.

Things take a turn for the eerie with “Bad Dream.” It opens to the sound of a sharpening knife, an effective tool for creating that sense of foreboding. Again, the instrumentation is so jaunty that unless you’re listening to the lyrics you might miss the darkness. But it’s there, deliberately underpinning that lightness.

From here the album gets a bit darker and more rock focused until “Love is Insane” brings it back to a less brooding place. The song is playful, despite its harsh truth.

I listened to The Murders a few times on a few different days before it really stuck with me, but when I got it I really got it. This album is full of melodic hooks yet deliciously dark, a wonderful anecdote to so much of the sleepy music around.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Celebrate Halloween in Sydney at The Metro’s Monster Mash

As a woman married to an American, I’ve always felt a wee bit jealous when he’s talked about Halloween. I remember once trying to trick or treat as a child with a couple of school friends, but as no one really expected us we only bagged health food bars and lollies that had sat in cupboards for years.

If you’ve waited all your life to celebrate this ghoulish holiday, you’ll want to get to The Metro in Sydney on October 30 for the Halloween Monster Mash. It’s going to be great fun with a witch cave, vampire bar tenders, and even a graveyard!

And it wouldn’t be The Metro without music. Artists like Dappled Cities, Last Dinosaurs, and SPOD will take the stage dressed as their favourite dead bands. Add some fire breathers, giant spiders, and a human vending machine and you’ve got a night guaranteed to raise the hairs on the back of your neck.

So make sure you dress up in your spookiest costume and embrace this American holiday at The Metro. There are still some early bird tickets available at $25. Otherwise you’ll pay $35 before the event or $40 at the door. Gets yours from the Halloween Monster Mash website.

Image source: Nvadim @ Stock.xchng