Month: January 2008

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

A Little Urban On The Way

There’s more happy news today with confirmation that Nicole Kidman and her Aussie country singer husband Keith Urban are expecting a child. The tabloids have speculated about Nicole’s “baby bump” for some time, but her publicist finally confirmed it today.

“Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban confirmed today that they are expecting a baby,” said publicist Wendy Day in an official statement. “The couple are thrilled.”

Nic has two adopted children, Connor and Isabelle, from her first marriage to Tom Cruise, but she’s made no secret of wanting her own children.

One things for certain: with parents as good looking as Keith and Nicole, this new baby is going to be absolutely gorgeous.

Image source: jeaneem @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian To Wed

Congratulations are in order for Guy Sebastian, who recently became engaged to his long-term girlfriend Jules Egan.

Guy broke the news (and the hearts of teenage girls everywhere) in this week’s New Idea. He told the gossip rag he proposed to his main squeeze while walking on a Queensland beach over the Christmas holidays. His lucky lady is now sporting a gorgeous white-gold ring set with 140 diamonds.

The mag reports the couple got together eight years ago after singing together at a friend’s wedding. They met through the Assemblies of God Paradise Community Church when Guy was just 13. Awww.

You can leave your well wishes for Guy and Jules on the New Idea website.

Image source: Toby Forage @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

It’s All About the Music: Duck Duck BOOM

In summer most of us suffer from festival overload. After shelling out cash for The Big Day Out, V Festival, the upcoming Blues and Roots shows most of us are too broke to even think about another one. But what if you heard about a festival that actually gives back to the music industry? I’m not talking about lining Richard Branson’s wallet; I mean really supporting the biz at a grassroots level. That festival is Duck Duck BOOM.

“You can think of a major music festival as a tertiary graduation day of sorts with pomp and fanfare, but it’s your local venues who are the underpaid and underappreciated primary and secondary school teachers and childcare workers of the music industry. And really there aren’t a lot of major events groups who are acknowledging this and putting something back,” explained Duck Duck BOOM coordinator, Dave Dreimann.

“I’ve got nothing against major music festivals. I think they are awesome. They bring in some incredible international talent and often take local bands who are doing well that one more step out into the public eye. They definitely serve an important purpose. But on a day-to-day basis it’s your local music venues, not these guys, who are giving the bands that go on to greater things their start and their education.”

In keeping with its altruistic aims, Duck Duck BOOM isn’t travelling to your local showground or stadium. Instead, this one-day festival will hit North Fitzroy’s Empress Hotel. This Victorian institution has worked tirelessly to support local bands for decades, a job that’s just become even tougher under Yarra Council’s noise restriction laws.

Duck Duck BOOM features a fantastic lineup of artists from all around the country, including local indie darlings Plastic Palace Alice and Number Station, Queensland folk rockers Yves Klein Blue, and Western Australia’s Will Stoker and The Embers. Sherlocks Daughter, Tonight is like Space Invaders, Plague Doctor, The Vice Chancellors, and Quiet the Few round out this impressive bill.

Strictly limited tickets are available now from Moshtix. At just $35.60 including booking fee, it’s a small price to pay to see some awesome bands and support the local industry.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Shannon Noll Plays Online Charity Show

Thanks to the power of the internet, Shannon Noll’s Aussie fans can catch their idol performing in Las Vegas later this month. Shannon will make history as the first Aussie to appear on Deep Rock Drive, an exiting new website showcasing live music.

So here’s how it happens. Fans should log on to Deep Rock Drive from 8 pm Australian Eastern Standard Time on January 19 and vote for Shannon to play. Once 1000 votes are logged, fans can purchase tickets to the online show for $7 US.

Now before you whine that you can watch plenty of stuff online for free, consider that 50c from your ticket will help Shannon’s chosen charity. He’s picked the Rainy Day Foundation, an organisation committed to helping people affected by the Aussie drought.

The Deep Rock Drive website has some really cool features which allow fans to choose their camera angles and vote for the songs they want to hear during the show.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vanessa Amorosi Scores AFL Theme Song

Expect to see a lot more of Vanessa Amorosi this year. Not content with just being the face of Calvin Klein, Vanessa will also sing the theme for the 2008 AFL season.

The music video for her song “Start It” was filmed recently at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Vanessa loves Aussie Rules and is a keen Hawthorn Hawks supporter.

All this publicity couldn’t have come at a better time for Vanessa. Her new album Somewhere in the Real World will hit stores on March 17.

Image source: Australian Paralympic Committee @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Natalie Imbruglia and Daniel Johns Split

After four years of marriage, Natalie Imbruglia and Daniel Johns have called it quits.

According to a joint statement, the pressure of maintaining a long distance relationship and busy careers caused the split.

“While we are very sad that our marriage has ended, we want to make it clear that our parting is amicable, and we remain friends,” they said. “This mutual decision has not been taken lightly or quickly.

“However, our career demands and our lives in different parts of the world have brought us to the point where unfortunately this difficult decision was necessary for both of us.

“We have simply grown apart through not being able to spend enough time together.”

Natalie spends most of her time in London while Daniel is still based in Australia. The pair has called for privacy during this difficult time.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kasey Plays Charity Gig

Here’s one for all the country fans. Kasey Chambers is set to perform her seventh annual Live Free in the Park concert in Tamworth later this month.

This year’s events will raise money for Tamworth’s Ronald McDonald House, which will be built in April.

Kasey promises this year’s event will be something special.

“We have put together a special acoustic show where my husband Shane Nicholson, my Dad Bill Chambers and myself will be doing acoustic-based versions of songs from my last 4 albums and also take the opportunity to road test some brand new material,” she said in a press release.

To check out Kasey’s acoustic goodness get yourself to Tamworth’s Bicentennial Park on the evening of January 25.

Image source: jeaneem @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stars’ Efforts to Save Palais

Some big-name entertainers have thrown their support behind one of Melbourne’s most loved venues, the Palais Theatre.

The heritage venue is earmarked as part of the St Kilda Triangle Development, which looks to create a massive shopping complex.

The UnChain St Kilda lobby group has devised a plan to remove the theatre from the St Kilda Triangle Development, thus maintaining its integrity. They encourage the theatre’s supporters to sponsor each of the venue’s 2700 seats, at a cost of $5000 a piece. These funds will be used to restore the site.

According to Undercover, local actress turned Hollywood star Rachel Griffiths was amongst the first to show her support.

“If a Palais Foundation were to be established for the purpose of reviving the heritage Palais Theatre as a vibrant and profitable multi-purpose cultural and entertainment venue, leased by an accredited venue operator, I willingly pledge the first $5000 for my favourite seat,” she said. “I always sat in the front row of the dress circle at the ballet when I was growing up”.

Rachel has a vested interest in the venue, which hosted her wedding reception five years ago. Her mother Anna is also a member of UnChain St Kilda.

“I am not an ex-pat Hollywood ring-in called in to save St Kilda,” she declared at a recent rally.

The Rolling Stones played three shows at The Palais on their first Australian tour, and they apparently haven’t forgotten the heritage-listed venue. Australian promoter Paul Dainty has confirmed they’ll also sponsor a seat.

The Palais also left a lasting impression on Bruce Springsteen, who will also sponsor a seat. He played three acoustic shows at The Palais in 1997.

So it looks like the ball is rolling, but there are still plenty of seats to go. It’d be a shame to lose this historic venue, so hopefully the celebrity support will be enough to encourage others to invest their money too.

Image source: Nicholas Cole @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Casey Donovan Launches Career Comeback

We’ve all read the news stories claiming the latest Australian Idol winner Natalie Gauci hasn’t met public expectations. A number two single and top ten album sounds like a success to me, but in failing to hit the number one spot poor Nat’s already been written off by many. Perhaps she can take heart knowing how another “fallen Idol,” Casey Donovan, has landed on her feet.

Casey’s Idol journey in 2004 was spookily similar to Natalie’s. Through consistent performances she won over the public, taking the crown over her more fancied pretty boy rival Anthony Callea. Despite strong debuts, Casey’s career quickly faded while Anthony’s soared.

The fickle public all but forgot about her. Casey used this time out of the spotlight to her advantage, honing her performance skills at some low-key gigs and crafting a fine collection of songs.

These tracks are featured on Eye to Eye, her first independent release. Copies are available through Casey’s MySpace page, which also includes snippets of the EP’s songs. She may not have the backing of a major label anymore, but with songs this good who needs it?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock On This Australia Day

Warner Music will release one of the best rock compilations I’ve seen just in time for Australia Day. Why’s it so good? Because it’s 100% homegrown, and no one rocks harder than Aussies!

50 Years of Australian Rock & Roll is a three-disc set charting the history of the local rock scene. That should keep the whole family happy: Mum and Dad can bop along to Johnny O’Keefe and The Deltones while the kids rock out to some Wolfmother and Eskimo Joe.

Watching the promo video’s made me pretty excited about this release. We can all get our hands on 50 Years of Australian Rock & Roll when it hits stores on January 26.

Image source: Michael Coghlan @ Flickr