Take Photos for Grinderman

Grinderman are offering budding photographers access-all-areas passes to their upcoming Big Day Out sideshows thanks to a very cool competition.

If you want to win one, simply show the band you’re worthy by sending a link to on online portfolio of your work to grindermanphotocontest@gmail.com. Make sure you include the show you’d like to capture in the subject line, and your full name and mobile phone number in the e-mail’s body.

You’ll need to be quick though, especially if you’re in Melbourne. Entries close 48 hours before each show. As a reminder, Nick Cave’s crew will play The Palace in Melbourne on January 17 and 18, Brisbane’s Tivoli on January 24, and The Enmore in Sydney on January 28. Good luck!

Image source: Quique Lopez @ Flickr

Warner Music’s Insane Christmas Competition

I don’t ordinarily promote other people’s competitions on this blog, but this one was so cool that I just couldn’t resist. It’s also pretty timely with most of us gazing at empty wallets after all that Christmas shopping.

Warner Music Australia is giving one lucky person a copy of every single album released in 2011. That’s a whole lot of CDs, more than many people probably have in their entire collections!

To be in with a shot just head to Warner’s Facebook page, click on the “win” tab and leave your details. If only winning the thing was that simple! Entry is open to Aussie residents who get their entry in before the end of January 14. Best of luck everybody!

Image source: Grz3gorz @ Stock.xchng

Congratulations “Levolution” CD Winners

Congratulations to Renee Hermansen and Stephen Fairbank. They’re the lucky winners of a copy of Juke Kartel’s new album Levolution. Keep an eye on your mail box guys, because the CDs will be heading your way really soon.

I’ve been listening to my copy this morning, and it’s really good stuff which takes me back to the golden age of rock. You know what I mean; the kind of music that makes you want to put your lighters in the air and pound your fists in time with the beat.

I was initially concerned that the disc may sound a bit pieced together, with tracks from previous album Nowhere Left to Hide sitting alongside newer material. Instead it just allows Juke Kartel to showcase their very best material, making it a great introduction for anyone that wasn’t familiar with their music.

I must admit, I only knew bits and pieces myself. When “Save Me” started though I cranked it up, remembering how much it revved me a few years ago. How wonderful to hear it still sounding fresh after all this time.

A lot of Levolution kicks along at a rocking pace. Juke Kartel are very good at these kinds of songs; they give them just enough attitude and aggression without every sacrificing the melodies. But for me the standouts were the quieter moments, “If Only” and “Soul Shaper.” They remind us of a different side of the band, and give the disc the right amount of light and shade. We all know this band can rock, but these tracks prove that there’s so much more to them.

Supernova definitely missed out when they passed on Toby Rand, but something tells me he’s having the last laugh. At the helm of his own original rock act, he’s proving himself to be a real star.

Your Band Could Play On the Pulse

The line-up for Brisbane’s youth festival On The Pulse is starting to take shape, with just two slots left. And if you’re in a band, you could take one of them.

If you want to play on the same stage as Finabah, Flicks, Burning Brooklyn, and Words Versing Verses just head to the On the Pulse festival website to register your interest. All you need to do is to submit a MySpace page link, and the judges will check you out. Six bands will become finalists, and then the final two will be decided with a public vote.

Submissions close on Wednesday September 22 so don’t procrastinate; head to the website for a chance to take your music to the Brisbane masses on October 23!

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Telstra Road to Tamworth Paves Way for Country Music’s Next Stars

The inaugural Telstra Road to Tamworth is winding its way around Australia, and there’s still time to get involved. This exciting initiative helped to launch the careers of Kirsty Lee Akers, Luke Webb, and even Jessica Mauboy. This year’s competition has just kicked off in the Northern Territory, and will make stops in all other states and territories before the year is out.

The competition is open to undiscovered country singers and songwriters around the country who are Telstra customers, or who have family that are. The lucky winners will get some great opportunities, including the chance to rub shoulders with a veritable who’s who of the country music industry, perform here in Oz and abroad, and get into a studio to lay their tracks down.

These sort of competitions provide such great exposure and experience. If you’ve always thought about entering, why not make this your year? Head to the Telstra website to learn what’s required and get involved!

Optus Searching for Young Music Bloggers for Sound Scribe Competition

Have you ever read my blog and thought “I could do better?” Perhaps that’s a question best left unanswered, but if you do fancy yourself as an online music journalist Optus might just be able to make your dreams come true.

The telecommunications company is looking for aspiring music writers living in regional Australia to be known as Optus Sound Scribes.

Applicants should be aged between 16 and 24 and passionate about the music in their local area. Up to 40 Optus Sound Scribes will be selected to write a blog about music in their town for a period of three months. During this time they’ll be mentored by industry leaders and able to interview top local and international musicians. These finalists will then compete for the title of Australia’s first Optus Sound Scribe of the Year.

If you think you’ve got what it takes, head to the Optus Sound Scribe website and get your entry in before July 23.

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media

Danimals Release “Fox” From The Lab Recording Sessions

I’ve been waiting with bated breath to see what would come of Danimalsdream recording sessions in New York courtesy of The Lab, and now I can hear for myself.

“Fox” is the result of a week spent writing in the Dap Kings’ Dunham Studios in Brooklyn and another week recording at the legendary Electric Lady Studios. Mark Ronson and TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek added the finishing touches on the tune. If you want to learn more about the process, check out the behind-the-scenes videos at TEDthelab.com.

You can have a listen to the track below and if you love it, download it. If you’re one of the first 5000 to download the song, you’ll go in the draw to win one of 20 Numark PT01 Portable Turntables and an autographed 7 inch Danimals single. Free music and the chance to win some great prizes sounds like awesome incentive to me!

Fox by TEDTheLab.com

Image source: TED The Lab

Tooheys Extra Dry uncharTED Competition Closes Next Week!

Are you a great band or solo artist looking for your big break? The Tooheys Extra Dry uncharTED competition should be just what you’re looking for.

This year marks an exciting shift in the competition, as it expands to include solo artists for the first time. Winners will score a slot at this year’s Splendour in the Grass festival and a band development package worth $25, 000.

“I’m very excited about this year’s competition, and I’m looking forward to seeing what talent is out there,” said Splendour In the Grass Co-promoter, Jessica Ducrou. UncharTED is for aspiring artists, giving them the exposure and assistance to move forward in the industry. Previous winners have been of a high calibre, and we expect to come across more great music this time around.”

But be quick about it! Online registration closes next Friday, March 13!

Image source: Sony BMG Music Australia

Own Josh Pyke’s Guitar Boat!

From the first moment I saw it, I fell in love with the guitar boat Josh Pyke sails around Sydney Harbour in his “Make You Happy” video. Now it seems I have a chance of owning it.

This awesome boat, created by Maton Guitars, will be auctioned for charity. Josh will donate all funds raised by the auction to the Indigenous Literacy Project.

“Seeing the guitar boat clip spread around the world has been one of the highlights of releasing this album so far,” said Josh. “I love the idea that its charm will now go towards helping something I’m passionate about. Later this year I’ll be launching an event called ‘Busking for Change’ in conjunction with the Indigenous Literacy Project, and the sale of the guitar boat will help to fund this.”

The auction will start on eBay from February 9 and end on February 12. Somehow I don’t think that’s going to give me enough time to raise the cash for this awesome vessel!

Sydneysiders can see the boat at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour until a lucky owner is found!

Image source: Josh Pyke press gallery

Win "Rising" by The Go Set

I must admit, I haven’t had a lot of time for punk music lately. In the glory days bands like The Clash and The Pogues created tunes that were musically complex and lyrically revolutionary. But somewhere along the way it became all about three-chord wonders who think a few tattoos and piercings make you edgy. If you’re as tired of these homogenised punk outfits as I am, you’re going to love The Go Set.

This Melbourne band serves up classic punk music with a side order of traditional celtic and folk sounds. It’s a unique take, but when you consider that the founding members grew up with Irish/Australian parents it all makes perfect sense. I haven’t heard punk music played with a mandolin or set of bagpipes since The Dropkick Murphys!

Rising is The Go Set’s fourth album in as many years. That it features 10 solid original songs, plus an outstanding cover of Radio Birdman’s “New Race” is a testimony to their prolific talent. The CD sees a return to their punk rock origins and an exploration of some new ground. By dabbling in reggae and ska, The Go Set has created an eclectic collection of tunes.

The original blend of sounds on Rising makes it a lot more accessible than many punk recordings. It also makes The Go Set stand out in a world where I struggle to tell my Simple Plan from my Good Charlotte. If you’ve always dismissed punk music as being too simplistic and discordant, this might just be the album to change your mind.

I have three copies of Rising to give away to my loyal readers.

If you want to win one, just leave a comment to this entry telling me why you want to win! Too easy! Make sure you leave your e-mail address (this won’t be posted publicly) so I can get in touch with you if you win.

Entries close at 5 pm AEST on November 19, and I’ll announce the winners on Thursday November 20.

Image source: The Go Set MySpace