“Dr Dream and the Imaginary Pop-Cabaret” – Emma Dean

After hearing the New York Post rave about our own Emma Dean, I knew her sophomore album Dr Dream and the Imaginary Pop-Cabaret must be something special. But I wasn’t prepared for exactly what a magical album it is.

Emma Dean pushes the envelope to create a record that lies somewhere between old school Tori Amos and the Wicked soundtrack. That sounds like a bizarre combination, and I suppose it is, but on listening to the record it all makes perfect sense.

Just like those early Tori Amos recordings, Emma keeps proceedings moving along with her driving piano notes and an innate theatricality. On the surface there doesn’t seem to be the angst of a Little Earthquakes, but don’t dismiss it as frothy stuff. The lyrics plumb some really dark themes, but they’re presented with such color and flamboyance that the casual listener might miss them. Of course, that only makes this complex recording richer on each listen.

Tunes like “Stuck in the Mud” and the single “Sincerely Fearful” seem like they’re made for a modern Broadway musical. Again there’s that great sense of theatre that seems bigger than an album, but it’s not as affected as an old-fashioned show tune might be.

“Something They Can Hold” is another tune worthy of note, a track with such emotional intensity and visceral lyrics that it left me floored.

With Tori Amos mellowing in her middle age, I’m thrilled to see an artist of Emma Dean’s talent picking up the baton. We needed a strong, independent, and individual female voice on the musical landscape, and knowing she’s Australian makes it all the better. Dr Dream and the Imaginary Pop-Cabaret is a very special CD that won’t be leaving my stereo any time soon.

Image source: BigPond Music

New Song Obsession: “All I Ever Wanted” by Mark Wilkinson

I pride myself on loving music of all genres, but there’s no denying that I have a special place in my heart for folky acoustic singer songwriter types. The latest to cross my path and worm his way into my subconscious is Mark Wilkinson.

It was love at first listen when I heard his new single “All I Ever Wanted.” The film clip, which was recorded in Cape Town, is every bit as uplifting. I can’t wait to hear more from this Sydneysider when he releases his debut album Truth Came Running in February.

Kylie Minogue’s Christmas Single Helps Vision Australia

Kylie Minogue is showing her Christmas spirit, donating part of the proceeds from the sales of her A Kylie Christmas digital single to Vision Australia. This charity helps children with little to no eyesight.

The single is just the thing for making you feel a little bit more festive, with Kylie’s versions of “Santa Baby” and “Let it Snow.”

Click here to download the track from iTunes and help make Christmas a little brighter for vision impaired kiddies!

Sydneyvision Winner Dyan Tai Asks “Why Sydney”

Anyone described as the Asian love child of Prince and Lady Gaga has enough going on to get me interested. And so it’s well worth taking a look at Dyan Tai, the recent winner of the Sydneyvision Song Contest. Think Eurovision for Sydney’s burbs.

Dyan won the title with this delightfully campy dance ode to his home city, “Why Sydney.” If you’re still searching for Mr or Miss Right in the big smoke, it’s likely to strike a chord.

“Why Sydney” isn’t a song that tries to be anything other than what it is. Don’t go looking for the deeper meaning because you’ll be disappointed. It’s fun and more than a little silly, but you’ll find yourself singing it long after the video ends!

Wayne Swan’s Daughter is “So Cool”!

While Wayne Swan has been doing his best to manage Australia’s money, his daughter Erinn has been quietly plugging away at a musical career. With her band Streamer Bendy, the tattooed Brisbanite has written and recorded tracks in Sweden and Los Angeles. The new single “You’re So Cool” is the first taste of their efforts.

“Things are very exciting in the world of Streamer Bendy right now” Erinn Swan explained. “We’ve just completed a marathon trip to Sweden where we collaborated with the likes of superstar producers Macho Psycho (P!nk), Trinity, Martin Hansen (The Rasmus), and Arnthor Birgisson (Leona Lewis, Natalie Bassingthwaite, Jennifer Lopez).”

We can expect more melodic and insanely catchy rock-pop songs when the band releases its debut album next year. They plan on conquering Australia, then setting their sights on Europe, so it sounds like 2011 is going to be massive for them!

Until then, check out the video for “You’re So Cool!”

Laneous & The Family Yah Do Festivals Ahead of EP Releases

Laneous & The Family Yah have had a massive 2010, releasing their second album Found Things and a swag of singles, and clocking up plenty of touring kays. You’d think they’d have earned a rest, but the Brisbane band is already preparing to release an ambitious three EPs.

The indie outfit will release the Found Things Collection as a kind of companion to the original Found Things album. The first of the three discs, named Scissors, will hit stores in February, with Paper and Rock to follow.

But before those CDs drop the Laneous crew are packing up their tour bus and enjoying the summer festival season. Here are the places you can catch them around the country.

27 December 2010 – Joyluck Club @ Woodford Folk Festival, Woodfordia
28 December 2010 – Dancehall @ Woodford Folk Festival, Woodfordia
29 December 2010 – The Underworld @ Peats Ridge Festival, Glenworth Valley
30 & 31 December 2010 – The Grande @ Woodford Folk Festival, Woodfordia
6 January 2011 – Hibiscus Stage @ Sunset Sounds Festival, Brisbane
7 January 2011 – Main Stage, ‘Post-Festival Party’ @ Shush, Sydney
23 January 2011 – Big Day Out, Gold Coast

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Old Man River, Passenger, and Daniel Lee Kendall Announce “One For the Road” Tour

Old Man River is teaming up with Passenger and Sounds of Oz favourite Daniel Lee Kendall for one big summer tour.

This is one of those really exciting bills for folks who love the art of songwriting and story-telling through music. It’s also taking in some gorgeous venues in the capitals and regional centers.

If you’re a bit skint from Christmas keep your ear to the ground, as Old Man River and Passenger will also play some free street gigs along the way.

Tickets for these shows are on sale from the venues.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 29:  Members of the band Old Man River arrive on the red carpet at the third annual MTV Australia Video Music Awards 2007 at Acer Arena on April 29, 2007 in Sydney, Australia.  (Photo by Patrick Riviere/Getty Images)


9 February 2011 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
10 February 2011 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
11 February 2011 – Annandale Hotel, Sydney
12 February 2011 – Northern Star Hotel, Newcastle
18 February 2011 – The Soundlounge, Currumbin
19 February 2011 – Old Museum, Brisbane
24 February 2011 – Republic Bar, Hobart
25 February 2011 –  East Brunswick Club, Melbourne
26 & 27 February 2011 – Garden of Unearthly Delights, Adelaide Spiegeltent (Old Man River only)
26 February 2011 – Between the Bays Festival, Mornington Peninsula (Passenger only)
4 March 2011 – Amplifier Bar, Perth
5 March 2011 – Mojo’s, North Fremantle
6 March 2011 – Indi Bar, Scarborough
6 March 2011 – Nannup Festival, Nannup (Passenger only)

Get Push Over Tickets Early, and Save!

Push Over is one of Australia’s longest running all-ages music festival, and with a killer line-up for 2011 it shows no signs of losing steam.

Next year’s festival will see an eclectic bunch of bands from around the country performing over four sound stages in Melbourne. Get on down to see sets from Children Collide, Owl Eyes, Oh Mercy, Illy, The Tongue, Anchors, Break Even, and heaps more.

Push Over takes over the unlikely site of Abbotsford Convent on March 13. Tickets don’t officially go on sale until Monday, but if you click this link you can buy them early and save $2 on the regular price. Score!

Image source: Pushover website

Red Jezebel Give Free Download for Aussie Cricket Team

Red Jezebel BodylineRed Jezebel is giving us all an early Christmas present! The Western Australian act is currently offering its new single “Bodyline” as a free download.

Apparently the staple of the band’s live set was intended as a Christmas release, but the staunch cricket fans figured maybe an early release would help boost team morale. You can nab the track for nix until February 6, which is not so coincidentally the final Australia versus England ODI game of the season.

But why wait until then? Point your browser to the official Red Jezebel website and download away!

And if you haven’t made any New Year’s Eve plans yet, why not join Red Jezebel at the Rosemount Hotel? They’re headlining the pub’s New Year’s Eve Fiesta, sharing the bill with Will Stoker and the Embers, Sons of Rico, Emperors, and heaps more. I hear a couple of surprises are in store, so fans shouldn’t miss this one. Doors open at 6, and make sure you get there early because the first 50 through the door will get a limited edition hard copy version of “Bodyline”!

Tickets are available for $20 plus booking fee from Planet Video, Mills Records, Star Perth and Heatseeker.

Image used with permission from Sweet Mate Promotions

Score Free Big Day Out Tickets and Phones with Motorola Competition

Motorola has its own version of Santa this Christmas, and it’s Barry. Barry has been travelling all around the country handing out free Big Day Out tickets and Defy phones through the company’s Dash to Defy promotion.

To track down Barry, just point your browser to the Dash to Defy website. Registered members get clues about Barry’s locations, and just quietly you can get some extra hints on the Motorola Australia Facebook page. Barry will hand out the goodies every Tuesday and Thursday until the end of the month, so there are plenty of opportunities to score.

With several BDO shows already sold out, Barry’s bound to be a very popular fellow. Good luck hunting him down!

Image source: Kurhan @ Stock.xchng