I recently told you about Kaz James and Macy Gray’s dynamic duet “Can’t Hold Back.” Now you can see what it’s all about with the release of the music video! This is what happens when two such talented folks get together: pure magic.
Month: January 2009
The Galvatrons’ Album on its Way
The Galvatrons have already earned a loyal following through their dynamic live shows and retro hit single “When We Were Kids.” Expect their fan base to get even bigger when they release their debut album later this year.
Lead singer Johnny Galvatron told The Sunday Telegraph the much anticipated release is well on its way.
“We’re halfway through tracking the recording. So we’re definitely starting to hear the overall sound come together,” he said.
Johnny says it’s been an interesting experience to work with award-winning producer Scott Horsecroft, the man responsible for albums by The Presets, The Panics, and Wolfmother.
“I liken Scott to an evil Bond villain – eccentric, but keeping in mind his all-encompassing plan of destroying the world,” he joked. That’s some description!
Image source: Newscom
Felicity Urquhart and Troy Cassar-Daley to Host Country Music Awards
Felicity Urquhart and Troy Cassar-Daley will share hosting duties at the 37th CMAA Country Music Awards.
Troy, a 14 times CMAA winner, said it was “a great honour” to host the show.
“I’m really looking forward to being on stage as a co-host with Felicity, especially as it’s an opportunity to say more than a few lines as I usually do as a presenter,” he said in a statement.
“Tamworth and I have a lot of history and I look forward to continuing to be a part of that history moving forward into 2009 at the 37th ‘Golden Guitar’ Awards.”
Felicity is similarly chuffed.
“It will be great to join Troy in hosting the 2009 CMAA Country Music Awards. The Awards represent the highest achievements in the Australian country music industry and to join my peers on our ‘night of nights’ is an honour.”
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, John Williamson, Adam Brand, The McClymonts, The Slim Dusty Family, Catherine Britt, and Melinda Schneider will all perform on the night. The 37th CMAA Country Music Awards will hit Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Convention Centre on January 24.
Image source: Adam.J.W.C. @ Wikimedia Commons
Ben Lee Gets Married … Twice!
Ben Lee has been married twice in two weeks! The Aussie singer-songwriter wed actress Ione Skye in a traditional Indian ceremony on December 29, but as this wasn’t legally recognised in Los Angeles they married again at City Hall.
“You go through a huge experience on an emotional and spiritual level, then you have to go and do the paperwork,” Ben told The Sunday Telegraph.
Around 50 of the couple’s closest family and friends attended the nupitals in Malaikodi, near Chennai on the Bay of Bengal. They included Ione’s brother Donovan Leitch, Missy Higgins, Nash and Joel Edgerton, and Jessica Chapnik. The ceremony was presided over by Ben’s spiritual guru, Sakthi Narayani Amma.
A reception was held at a nearby guesthouse, with Ben’s friend The Kahn Brothers acting as the house band. The newlyweds then took their party to a nearby orphanage, where they proceeded to perform for the children. It sounds like a big day!
Ben might be forced to postpone a honeymoon as he’s due back in Australia next month to promote his new album The Rebirth of Venus.
Image source: Newscom
Lisa Mitchell on the Road
Lisa Mitchell may have found fame through reality TV program Australian Idol, but the talented teen has remained fiercely independent. She turned down several major recording deals, choosing instead to further her own sound and develop her songwriting.
She will show off her latest material at shows all around the country later this month.
“I feel like it’s a bit darker than some of the other stuff I’ve done,” she told The Sunday Telegraph. “It’s hard to put into words because it [her debut album] isn’t finished, but it’s a continuation along the same lines as my EP.”
While you’re waiting for the album, make sure you check out this amazing talent at one of the following shows!
16 January 2009 – Republic Bar, Hobart
17 January 2009 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
20 January 2009 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
23 January 2009 – Jive, Adelaide
24 January 2009 – Fly By Night, Fremantle
Image source: Foraggio Fotographic @ Flickr
Kaz James and Macy Gray Pair Up
Listen out for Kaz James‘ newie, “Can’t Hold Back.” The track, which features Macy Gray, is one of his album’s standouts.
The killer pairing came about when Kaz and Macy met in a nightclub. She told him she was a fan, and the rest is history. All it took was a bottle of Grand Marnier to convince her to record the song.
Kaz may have also sweetened the deal when he volunteered to return the favour. He worked on many of the tracks on Macy’s upcoming album The Gray Life.
“Can’t Hold Back” is currently available on iTunes and will be in stores on January 26, while the music video will be released next week.
Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia
Amy Pearson Impresses Paris Hilton
Amy Pearson’s hopes of an international music career have received a boost from one Paris Hilton.
The pair hit it off at the recent Bongo Virus New Year’s Eve party in King’s Cross. Paris asked to hear some of Amy’s music, which she luckily had an on iPod. Paris loved what she heard and invited Amy to perform at one of her upcoming parties in the US. They’ve swapped numbers and e-mail addresses so more definite plans could be made!
It sounds like an exciting opportunity for Amy, who’s currently working on album number two.
Image source: Newscom
Pendulum Swing Back to Australia
After selling out shows across England, wowing crowds at festivals across Europe, and sending their album Silico to number 2 on the UK charts, Pendulum are heading home.
The local rockers will play on the main state at the Big Day Out festival, but if you missed out on tickets don’t sweat it. The lads will also play some sideshows in Sydney and Melbourne.
You can catch Pendulum at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre on January 25 and Melbourne’s Forum on January 28.
Image source: Natalia Balcerska Photography @ Flickr
Kram Goes Solo
Spiderbait singer and drummer Kram is preparing to release a solo album called Mixtape.
It is an appropriate name from the album, which aims to be as eclectic as an old-fashioned mixtape.
“I wanted it to be like a radio station where all the songs sound like different bands even though it’s all played by one person… The premise of the whole album was to be constantly changing your approach musically,” Kram said in a statement.
Don’t think this spells the end for Spiderbait. The band has not released a studio album since 2004’s Tonight Alright, but they’re still popping up on the live scene. They played a New Years Eve show in Melbourne, and will next be seen at Brisbane’s Here and Now festival in January and the Coconet Classic Surf Festival over Easter.
The first single from the release, “Silk Suits,” is currently streaming at Kram’s MySpace page. You can also get a free download of the song “Outer Space” from the MySpace or Kram’s homepage. Look out for Mixtape in stored in March.
Image source: Kram’s MySpace page
Dig!!! Lazurus Dig!!! Named Album of the Year
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds impressed Aussie music fans last year. Their album Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!! was named Album of the Year by Street Press Australia.
Readers of Inpress in Victoria and The Drum Media in New South Wales and Western Australia helped put Nick and the boys in the top spot.
The top 10 also saw local heroes The Drones at number three with Havilah, and The Gin Club at number nine with Junk.
Here is the complete top 10!
- Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!! – Nick Cave & The Bade Seeds
- Dear Science – TV on the Radio
- Havilah – The Drones
- Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
- Oracular Spectacular – MGMT
- Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
- For Emma, Forever Ago – Bon Iver
- Third – Portishead
- Junk – The Gin Club
- We Don’t Belong Here – Violent Soho
Image source: Bauer-Griffin