Tag: Icehouse

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cassian Gives “Great Southern Land” The Dance Treatment

I know before I post this one that not everyone is going to like this version of “Great Southern Land.” But it’s so fantastic I had to share it anyway. And since it gets Iva’s seal of approval, shouldn’t you at least give it a listen?

This reimagining is the brainchild of Cassian, a Grammy award-winning DJ and producer who emerged from the dance scene of Eora/Sydney. He was the first artist signed to RÜFÜS DU SOL’s Rose Avenue label way back in 2018, and he’s gone on to play seats at Coachella, Superior Ingredients in New York and Sound Nightclub in Los Angeles. This take on the ICEHOUSE classic might make my parents cringe, but it’s a stone cold banger.

“As an Australian, I was born with this song in my blood,” Cassian enthused. “I dreamed about making my own version for 10 years before reaching out to see if it was possible. Having full approval from Iva Davies/ICEHOUSE and being involved with the legacy of this song is probably the greatest honor of my career thus far, one that I don’t take lightly. After I was given the stems I spent the past year slowly, carefully & respectfully piecing it together. Around 100 versions later I’m proud to present the final, which I even mastered myself. Huge thank you to management, to Simon Moor and of course to Iva and his team for making the impossible possible.”

When you think about it, this makes perfect sense. ICEHOUSE were originally a pub rock band and I’m sure they lost a few fans when they started playing new wave and synth pop. This kind of floor-filling electro-dance music isn’t a million miles away from those genres. Listen with an open mind and this cover might just surprise you.

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Icehouse Plays Flowers Live” – Icehouse

Icehouse released their debut album the year I was born, so it seems like they’ve always been a part of my life. I’m sure the tracks seeped into my subconscious as they blared from my parents’ radio. We didn’t own an Icehouse album though. While I liked them well enough, I didn’t consider myself a fan until I saw them support Hall & Oates in 2012. They blew the roof off the Sydney Entertainment Centre, outshining the headliners and making me appreciate them in a way I never had before. That’s how good this band is live, even now so many years past their heyday. So I was pretty excited to see Iva and the lads release a new live album to brighten up the horror that is 2020. Celebrating 40 years since the band released their debut album, Icehouse Plays Flowers Live delivers what it says on the tin, and then some.

It’s amazing to think this album was recorded at the St Kilda Music Festival on 9th February 2020. It doesn’t seem like so long ago, but listening to the rapturous crowd captured on this recording made me wistful. The band is so tight and Iva’s voice strong as they deliver those songs that made their first album one of the best debuts in history. Not just the big singles including “We Can Get Together,” “Walls,” and the iconic closer, “Great Southern Land,” but those album tracks that really deserve a spot on live sets. I wasn’t exaggerating when I told you there’s a little more to this live album though. Choice covers of David Bowie’s “The Jean Genie,” T. Rex’s “Get It On,” and Sex Pistols’ “Pretty Vacant,” three songs they used to play as an up-and-coming band, are an absolute joy.

If you’ve experienced Icehouse live, you know what a gift this album is. If you’re yet to have the pleasure, you’ll want to wrap your ears around this to understand what you’ve been missing all these years. Either way, let this album tide you over until gigs of this calibre return.

Images used with permission from Ferris Davies PRM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Icehouse Commemorates 40 Years

Listen up Icehouse fans! This one’s for you.

In honour of the band’s 40-year anniversary, a brand new box set called Icehouse – The Complete Collection, drops on February 17. The 10-album set features every Icehouse album ever release, from Flowers to Icehouse – In Concert. You can get a digital copy but any real fan is going to want the digipack CDs in the deluxe slipcase. You can pre-order them now from the Icehouse online store.

In addition, Flowers will be reissued on vinyl for the first time since its 1980 release. This landmark debut features amazing tracks like “Can’t Help Myself,” “We Can Get Together,” and “Walls.” It’s pressed on 180-gram vinyl and replicates the original layout and uncoated sleeve of the original. It’s also available for pre-order.

If you prefer streaming, you’re in lucky. Icehouse have now released their entire back catalogue to leading streaming services.

And if that’s not enough Icehouse news for you, remember the band is currently on tour! If you haven’t already organised tickets, make sure you snap some up.

28 January 2017 – Taupo Amphitheatre, Taupo
29 January 2017 – Whitianga Open Air Venue, Whitianga
1 & 2 February 2017 – Crown Theatre, Perth
9 February 2017 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
11 February 2017 – Red Hot Summer Tour @ Old Mount Gambier Gaol, Mt Gambier
18 February 2017 – Red Hot Summer Tour @ Country Club, Launceston
24 February 2017 – Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane
25 February 2017- Tamworth Regional Entertainment & Conference Centre, Tamworth
11 March 2017 – Red Hot Summer Tour @ Mackay Park, Bateman’s Bay
12 March 2017 – A Weekend in the Gardens, Melbourne (with James Reyne and Clare Bowditch)
17 & 18 March 2017 – Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart
25 March 2017 – Red Hot Summer Tour @ Roche Estate, Hunter Valley
1 April 2017 – Red Hot Summer Tour @ Harrigan’s Drift Inn, Jacob’s Well
22 April 2017 – Red Hot Summer Tour @ Bendigo Jockey Club, Bendigo
23 & 24 June 2017 – Enmore Theatre, Enmore

Image used with permission from Ferris Davies PRM
Image used with permission from Ferris Dav

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gotye Still on Top of Singles Charts

Gotye has done it again, taking the top spot on the ARIA Singles Charts for an amazing sixth consecutive week with “Somebody That I Used To Know.” That makes it the longest reigning local chart topper since Savage Garden racked up eight weeks with “Truly Madly Deeply in 1997. It’s also deservedly earned triple platinum status.

His album Making Mirrors isn’t doing too badly either, holding steady at number two. Pete Murray’s Blue Sky Blue has also stayed the course and remained at number six for a second week. Sadly Icehouse’s greatest hits compilation White Heat: 30 Hits slipped down to number eight, but I predict it’ll jump back up once that Hall & Oates tour kicks off.

Click below for this week’s top 10s.

Continue reading “Gotye Still on Top of Singles Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gotye Makes It Five in a Row

Gotye’s made it five in a row after retaining the top spot on the ARIA Singles Charts again this week. In doing so “Somebody That I Used to Know” has enjoyed the longest stay at the top of any Aussie single since Gabrielle Cilmi clocked up five weeks with “Sweet About Me” in 2001. The last act to better the feat was Savage Garden who spent eight weeks on top in 1997 with “Truly Madly Deeply.” Can Gotye better the Brisbane duo?

The single’s success has also helped Gotye’s album Making Mirrors jump back to number two this week, up one spot from last week. He’s sharing time in the top 10 with fellow Aussies Pete Murray, who sits at number six with Blue Sky Blue, and Icehouse who’ve slipped only a couple of spots to number seven with White Heat: 30 Hits.

Click below for this week’s top 10s.

Continue reading “Gotye Makes It Five in a Row” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gotye Stays at Number One on Singles Charts

Gotye has made it four straight week at number one on the ARIA singles charts with his track “Somebody That I Used to Know.” Sadly Adele reclaimed her number one spot on the albums’ charts, forcing Gotye’s Making Mirrors down to number three.

Jessica Mauboy also slipped this week. Her track “Inescapable” fell from number five to six, which still isn’t bad considering it’s been hanging around for a month and a half now.

Jack Vidgen also ran out of a little steam. His album Yes I Am fell from number three to six. Something tells me the real testimony to this kid’s talent is what he can manage when the Australia’s Got Talent hype dies down, and he gets a bit of time to record an album rather than just bashing one out.

With so many albums slipping, it’s exciting to see Icehouse score a top five debut for their newest greatest hits collection White Heat: 30 Hits.

Click below for all the chart action.

Continue reading “Gotye Stays at Number One on Singles Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Happy Australia Day!

I hope that wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, you’re having a wonderful Australia Day! Personally I’m planning on indulging in a few of the things that make this country so great. We’re visiting my parents to have a barbeque, knock back a few coldies, and listen to some great Aussie music. Does it get any better than that?

Here are a few top tunes to help you all feel just a little more patriotic!

An Australia Day cannot go past without listening to “Down Under” loudly and singing along, preferably after a few beers. Time marches on but this Men at Work classic never stops being fun.

GANGajang didn’t have a lot of hits, but they really didn’t need much more than this song to cement their place in Oz music history. “Sounds of Then” is often referred to as an unofficial anthem, with good reason!

Finally I’ll slow things down a little with Icehouse’s classic “Great Southern Land.” Doesn’t it just make you proud to be an Aussie?