Month: January 2008

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Doc Neeson Hints at Angels Reunion

Could an Angels reunion be in the air? Fans of the classic Aussie rock group may have reason to get excited after Doc Neeson spoke of the possibility on Sydney radio yesterday.

“It’s in the wind. It’s the first time it’s been mentioned out loud,” the Angels frontman told Vega 91.5’s Mark Gable.

“We’ve been talking about doing some gigs together … we’ve had so many requests.”

Many thought The Angels would never play together again after their bitter split in the late 90s. Doc went on to form Doc Neeson’s Angels while John and Rick Brewster, Chris Bailey, and Graham Bidstrup worked on side projects including The Original Angels Band and The Brewster Brothers.

While they were together, The Angels created some of Australia’s best-loved rock anthems including “No Secrets,” “Take a Long Line” and “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again.”

It’d be brilliant to see them back together again, so let’s hope the lads do more than just talk about it!

Image source: Doctor Mike @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Next Big Thing: Ashleigh Mannix

Canberra’s Ashleigh Mannix is set for big things after catching the eye of Billabong. The mega surfing label has sponsored the talented teen, allowing her to record her debut EP.

The sponsorship deal has taken Ashleigh to surfing events in Ireland, Hawaii, France, England and Spain. Recently she also performed at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championship at Narrabeen.

Sure she looks great in Billabong’s clothes, but there’s more to Ashleigh than a pretty face.

“I write all my own stuff,” she told The Sunday Telegraph. “I’ve never really known how to classify it, but it can be folky, then poppy with a tinge of country.”

I’m really impressed by her impassioned acoustic tracks. I highly recommend taking a listen to the songs on Ashleigh’s MySpace page. After giving them a spin, I’m hungry for more.

Image source: Winam @ Flickr 

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Other Imbruglia

Natalie Imbruglia’s a household name throughout the world, but sister Laura’s always been the family’s quiet achiever. No doubt Laura could have ridden on her sister’s coattails and blasted onto the mainstream charts, but this talented Sydney-based singer-songwriter would rather do things her own way.

“I was trying to stay away from that whole scene, that major-label thing,” she told The Sunday Telegraph.

“Any major label that would sign me would sign me for the wrong reasons … just to push the Natalie angle. I don’t think I have a lot of mainstream broad appeal.”

Following her desire for independence seems to have paid off for Laura. Next month, she’ll take her eclectic mix of folk music, rock, and punk to European audiences. Laura will play shows in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Here are all the dates:

14 February 2008 – Backstage, Munich
15 February 2008 – Kulturkeller, Fulda
16 February 2008 – Blue Shell, Cologne
18 February 2008 – Lido, Berlin
19 February 2008 – Objekt 5, Halle
20 February 2008 – Gruener Jaeger, Hamburg
22 February 2008 – Komma, Wörgl
23 February 2008 – Avalon Exil, Krems
24 February 2008 – B72, Wien
25 February 2008 – Weekender, Innsbruck
26 February 2008 – Conrad Sohm, Dombirn
27 February 2008 – Mariaberg, Rorschach
28 February 2008 – ISC, Bern

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"Get Ready" – Human Nature

Human Nature have been doing their Motown thing for so long it’s easy to forget they used to be a boy band. But all that is coming to an end with the release of their final Motown experience, Get Ready.

After pumping out a few of these soulful nostalgia trips, there was always the risk the third album would become stale. To prevent this, The Nature headed to Detroit and enlisted the help of some of Motown’s finest artists: Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Martha Reeves, The Temptations, and Smokey Robinson.

The result is an album that’s full of energy and loads of fun. You might think that by the third album, Human Nature would have already covered all the good tracks. The wonderful thing about Motown music is that no matter how many albums come before it, there are still great songs to record. “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” “Tears of a Clown,” “It’s The Same Old Song,” and the title track “Get Ready” all benefit from the Human Nature treatment. I could have done without the inclusion of a Motown-style “Jingle Bells,” but that’s what I get for buying the album around Christmas time.

There’s nothing earth-shattering or revolutionary about this recording. If you didn’t like the first couple of Motown albums, this one probably won’t rev you either. But there’s a reason why Human Nature have sold millions of Motown records around this country. Quite simply, these lads have four of the finest voices in Australia. And when you get them singing some of the greatest songs ever written, the result is always going to be sublime.

Image sources: Human Nature website and jeaneeem @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Christina Aguilera’s Down Under DVD

If you missed Christina Aguilera when she toured last year, or you just want to relive all the excitement you’re in luck. Footage from Christina’s Sydney show will be released as a DVD in March.

The release of Back to Basics: Live and Down Under should be some comfort to fans in Melbourne and New Zealand whose concerts were cancelled when the diva became ill.

The DVD contains hits from Christina’s recent Back to Basics album, including “Ain’t No Other Man,” “Candyman,” and “Hurt” alongside old favourites “Come On Over,” “Fighter,” and “What a Girl Wants.”

Back to Basics: Live and Down Under hits stores on March 8.

Image source: Raffaele Fiorillo @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matt Corby Rejects Sony Deal

Remember how Matt Corby was poised to sign a big recording contract with Sony BMG? The recording giant assured the young star he’d have the creative freedom he craves, but Matt still refused their generous offer.

“I’m still a young guy and I don’t want to be packaged. I’m just cruising along and playing music, if it all fails I’ll go back to doing my HSC or become a garbage man,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

The newspaper reported that Matt’s dropped out of school to focus on his musical career with band Fatis Valour.

I know stars can succeed without the support of a major label, but I have to wonder whether Matt’s made right the decision here. Sony BMG may be a major commercial label, but they’ve nurtured some fantastic indie artists like Augie March, Something for Kate, and You Am I.

We’ve seen plenty of musicians succeed without the backing of a major label, but at the age of 16 I’m not sure whether Matt has what it takes to go it alone. It’d be a real shame to see this talented teen emptying garbage cans in a few years time.

Image source: Toby Forage @ Flickr 

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Natalie Gauci Heads to Malta

Natalie Gauci is one busy bee. As soon as the Australian Idol completes her Winner’s Journey tour, she’ll be on a plane to Malta.

Natalie, who is of Maltese descent, has been invited to perform on the final night of the Malta Song for Europe Festival. This festival decides which song will represent Malta at the Eurovision Song contest held in May.

Natalie is thrilled at the opportunity to visit her father’s homeland for the first time.

“This is such fantastic news,” she told Times of Malta. “I can’t wait to be there.”

The festival is a massive deal in Malta, so plenty of people will watch our Nat perform. Hopefully this will pave the way for Natalie receiving the international attention she deserves.

Image source: Violetion @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster Announces Aussie Tour

Australia’s been a bit slow to cotton on to the brilliance that is Ruthie Foster. But all that’s set to change when this talented soul artist tours Oz for the first time to support her fifth album, The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster.

Ruthie touches down in March for a string of dates including Sydney’s The Basement, the Port Fairy Folk Festival, the Blue Mountains Music Festival of Folk, Roots & Blues, the Point Nepean Music Festival, and the East Coast Blues and Roots Festival.

To coincide with the tour, Shock Records will release three of Ruthie’s previous albums, which were unavailable in Australia. Shock will also release a tour edition of The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster, which includes a bonus live disc.

Here are Ruthie Foster’s Australian tour dates:

4 March 2008 – The Basement, Sydney
8-9 March 2008 – Port Fairy Folk Festival, Port Fairy
13 March 2008 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
14 March 2008 – Brunswick Town Hall, Melbourne
15 March 2008 – Mossvale Music Festival, Mossvale
16 March 2008 – Blue Mountains Music Festival of Folk, Roots & Blues, Katoomba
20 March 2008 – The Factory Theatre, Enmore
21-22 March 2008 – East Coast Blues and Roots Festival, Byron Bay
23 March 2008 – Point Nepean Music Festival, Mornington Peninsula

Image source: McBeth @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Be in Kisschasy’s New Video!

You’ll have to put your skates on for this one kids, but if you’re a Kisschasy fan living in Melbourne you could appear in their next music video. The shoot is taking place tomorrow, that’s Thursday January 10, at Fairfield Park.

The sessions take place at 3 pm until 8 pm, and 8 pm until 11 pm. You’ll need to see Killian at the kiosk when you get there. You should wear something appropriate for a folk festival, and sunscreen and a hat because it’s going to be a scorcher. You should also bring a blanket to sit on, and plenty of water to drink.

Have fun!

Image source: Eleven A Music Company @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Country Cat Bound for Nashville

Country glamour girl Cat Southern is spreading her wings and heading to Nashville.

Cat’s sweet voice and contemporary edge saw her take out the Toyota Star Maker Awards in 2006. She’s spent the last year promoting her Star Maker Last First Kiss EP and playing plenty of shows, including performances for our troops in the Middle East.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Cat’s now ready for her biggest challenge: the United States. The Central Coast-based singer-songwriter will work with producer Terry Sawchuck, the man behind the success of Alanis Morissette, and Carrie Underwood’s musicians.

You can check out Cat’s latest single “Little Miss Understood” at her MySpace page.