Congratulations to Human Nature!
Australia’s finest vocal group will take their Motown show to the entertainment capital of the world! The Sydney lads will play a 40-week residency at The Imperial Palace Casino in Las Vegas starting on May 23. To add extra cred to the evening, loyal supporter and Motown legend Smokey Robinson will present the show.
It can only be the start of bigger and better things for these supremely talented guys!
Image source: The Harbour Agency
As a child of the 80s, I’m far too excited by the news that Billy Ocean is heading to Australia in June.
His website claims that Billy is the most successful British black male artist ever … which I guess means that he beats Seal. Well his tracks “When The Going Gets Tough,” “Sad Songs,””Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car,” and “Carribean Queen” were ridiculously catchy.
Dates are still being finalised, but he has been confirmed to play Sydney Entertainment Centre on June 11 and the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on June 14. Bring it on!
Image source: Newscom
Congratulations to Keith Urban! The Aussie country star has shot straight to the top of the American Billboard charts with his latest album, Defying Gravity. The album, which features the new single “Kiss the Girl,” was inspired by Keith’s wife Nicole Kidman and her support through Keith’s recent battle with alcoholism.
“It’s an incredible feeling to have a No. 1 record,” Keith said in a statement. “But equally moving is knowing that this particular record, that comes from such a joyous, loving and hopeful place, is connecting with so many people.”
It’s a massive effort when you consider he beat out new releases from Prince, Diana Krall, and Flo Rida to take the number one possie. It’s Keith first number one in the US, and one that’s well deserved!
Image source: Pacific Coast News
If you thought Vanilla Ice’s last minute inclusion on the V Festival bill was weird, hold onto your hats. Things are set to get a whole lot more bizarre with news he’s coming back … with MC Hammer.
“It is not set in stone at this point, but it is happening,” Mr Ice told the Herald Sun while in Melbourne. “We are, in about nine months, going to come through Australia with a big world tour – MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice.”
That tour sounds just crazy enough to work. I’ll bring you more news as it comes to hand!
Image source: PR Photos
From Albury to Australian Idol to the world stage, Lisa Mitchell has forged a career with her sweet folk voice and quirky melodies. This month Lisa will release her debut album The Attic Space and embark on her first national tour as a headlining artist. Today I caught up with this bright young star to chat about her passion for travelling and teacups.
You got your start on Australian Idol. How do you feel about that experience looking back?
I got a lot of exposure out of it, so from that point of view it’s been great for me, to do my own kind of music. So it was a positive experience for me.
After Idol you returned to Albury and stayed out of the limelight for a while. Why did you decide to take that time away from the spotlight?
I guess it wasn’t really a conscious decision. I was just working on my own songs. I was living over in London for a while, recording some songs over there, just travelling about a bit. And as it happens I’ve got some songs together now, so I’m just in the last steps of putting them together into an album.
You’re releasing your debut album The Attic Space later this month. How would you describe it?
Someone asked me if it was typical of me, and I said I think it’s typical of me in that I like to experiment. It’s I suppose slightly experimental, and it’s quite dark in some parts. I did some recording in London with a guy called Anthony Whiting and that part of things was quite dark. Just lately I’ve been back in the studio with Dann Hume (Evermore) who I did the EPs with and we’ve been recording some new songs, and they’ve turned out well because every time we start recording it we don’t know what to expect. I suppose it’s a similar sound to my EPs, but also I think I experimented a little more.
You mentioned some of the awesome people you’ve worked with on this album. What’s it been like collaborating with such talented guys?
Well I’ve collaborated with a fair few people over the last few years, which has been a really great experience, but they’re not necessarily collaborations I’m using on the album. It’s a brilliant exercise for songwriting I think. Just meeting them, and seeing what their life’s like, I think you learn a lot more from them as people than maybe you do writing songs together.
The Galvatrons are back with “Cassandra,” the latest single tiding us over until the lads release their debut album Laser Graffiti on June 5. The synthesisers give this a distinctly Van Halen feel, which is a very good thing. I have no clue how much the lads are spending on their clips these days, but the floating cubes in this one are impressive! Play it loud!
Melbourne’s iconic HiFi Bar is opening a sister venue in Brisbane. The live music hotspot will open its doors on April 29 with a show by the Drones. The only way to see this show is to become a member of The HiFi Bar website and cross your fingers! 500 double passes are up for grabs for this exclusive opening show.
The talent keeps coming in May, with The Grates, Kate Miller-Heidke, Little Birdy, Jeff Martin and the Armada, and Cradle of Filth all slated to take the stage.
Brisbane’s new HiFi Bar is located at 125 Boundary Street, West End.
Image source: The Drones press page
Keith Urban may have missed out on some of the big awards at last night’s Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, but he didn’t leave empty handed.
Though it was announced at an earlier ceremony, Keith’s duet with Brad Paisley, “Start a Band,” took out Vocal Event of the Year. Brad snatched the Male Vocalist of the Year title from Keith, while Carrie Underwood beat the Aussie for Entertainer of the Year.
I don’t think Keith cares too much though. He was openly affectionate with his wife Nicole Kidman on the red carpet, and there are rumours they’re heading back to Australia for the Easter break. Who needs awards when you’ve got a good woman and a country like ours to come home to?
Image source: Bauer-Griffin
The bootylicious Beyonce is bringing her I Am tour down Under in September. This isn’t one of those fleeting visits either, with the former Destiny’s Child singer announcing shows in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and Perth.
Beyonce’s current show features an all-female band, high-tech effects, and creative direction and costumes by world-renowned designer Thierry Mugler.
Fans can look forward to hearing tracks from Beyonce’s latest double album I Am … Sasha Fierce alongside some of her greatest hits.
Tickets go on sale to the general public on April 24 through Ticketek. Here are the dates!
12 September 2009 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
15 September 2009 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
18 September 2009 – Acer Arena, Sydney
22 September 2009 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre
24 September 2009 – Burswood Dome, Perth
Image source: Bauer-Griffin
You might not know her yet, but Renee Mansbridge is shaping up as an artist to watch. The Aussie model has been snapped up by music mogul Tommy Mottola, so she must be much more than just a pretty face. Renee will head to Miami next week to record her debut single under Mr Mottola’s watchful eye.
“I’m so excited to be working with an amazing team in the States,” she told The Sunday Telegraph.
And what a team it is. Tommy’s worked with the likes of Taylor Dayne, Carly Simon, Jennifer Lopez, and his ex-wife Mariah Carey, so he knows his stuff. He’s also enlisted the songwriting talents of Rico Love, the man responsible for the chart-toppers of Beyonce, Fergie, Jordin Sparks, and Usher.
We’ll have to wait a little while yet to hear the results, but already Renee is drawing comparisons with Rihanna. At any rate, I have a feeling we’re going to see a lot of Renee in the future!