Month: April 2009

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Missy Higgins in the Vines

If your Easter diary is looking a little empty, consider spending Sunday with Missy Higgins and a host of other talented Aussies!

Missy will play a homecoming show at the Rochford Winery outside Melbourne in a bid to encourage folks to return to the bushfire ravaged area. She’ll be joined by The Cat Empire, The Whitlams’ Tim Freedman, Skipping Girl Vinegar, and The Audreys.

Missy’s been spending her time in Los Angeles these days, so local shows like this are a rare treat. Tickets start from $89 through Ticketmaster.

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rhys Bobridge Takes "Hot Summer" to the World

Rhys Bobridge’s dancefloor anthem “Hot Summer” was all over radio late last year, but it’s not going to fade away just because our weather is getting colder. Rhys is taking the song global, capitalising on the warmer weather ahead in the Northern Hemisphere!

The So You Think You Can Dance runner-up has inked deals to release the party track in Germany, Italy, Poland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and even South Africa.

“It’s so cool that ‘Hot Summer’ is going international,” Rhys told The Sunday Telegraph.

I can just tell the Europeans are going to lap up this catchy track. Congratulations to Rhys!

Image source: The Harbour Agency press pics

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matt Corby Releases Debut EP

Matt Corby sent hearts a-fluttering when he stepped onto the Australian Idol stage in 2007. Now two years on he’s ready to release his debut EP.The disc will be released in May through Scorpio Music, the same label which manages Evermore, Operator Please, and Lisa Mitchell.

“I think people will be kind of surprised by what they hear,” Matt told The Sunday Telegraph.”I’m still developing as an artist, and I want to keep doing this. I guess my music is a reflection of the music I love to listen to: blues and folk.”

It’s thrilling to see this talented teen, who was clearly uncomfortable with the attention he attracted on Idol, coming into his own. He’s done it by stepping away from the spotlight and just being a regular 16-year-old.

“Playing to that many people on a weekly basis is kind of overwhelming. It was really important for me to take the time out to be a regular teenager, hang out with my friends, and keep working on my music,” he explained.

In that downtime he preferred to play intimate gigs at small Sydney venues, and enjoyed travelling to London and New York to write songs.

Matt will return to London in May to work on a full-length album, but for now he’s happy to focus on the EP.

“I just hope a few people buy it and enjoy what they hear,” he said. If his work on Idol was any indication, I’m sure it’s going to be brilliant.

Image source: Timothy Neilen/Wikimedia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pendulum Play Secret Show for Britain’s Homeless

Aussie drum and bass outfit Pendulum will join Zane Lowe, Chase & Status, and The Bays for a special secret charity gig in London. The fundraiser will take place on June 17, but the actual venue will remain secret until 24 hours before the show.

The gig is part of the Crisis Hidden Gigs series, which gives fans the opportunity to see top acts in intimate and unusual spaces. They also raise funds for Crisis, an organization which helps Britain’s homeless. By withholding the gig’s details until the last minute, Crisis looks to raise awareness of the precarious plight of homeless people, who often don’t know where they will be from one night to the next.

Tickets for the show are available now from the Crisis website.

Image source: PR Photos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Simon and Garfunkel Ready to Tour Oz

Promoter Michael Chugg will bring legendary musical duo Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel to Australia for some rare shows in June and July. It is first the time the pair has played in this country for 25 years. Simon and Garfunkel concerts are a rare thing these days, with the shows in New Zealand the only others announced in 2009.

“We’re the first and only territory in the world that Simon and Garfunkel have confirmed concerts for,” said Michael Chugg.

“It’s been 25 years since they’ve been here and I’d put money on the table this will likely be the last time for us with these two legends together. This is probably a twice in a lifetime chance, but the last time you’ll get to take it I’d say.”

Tickets go on sale on April 17. The dates are:

17 June 2009 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
20 & 21 June 2009 – Acer Arena, Sydney
25 & 26 June 2009 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
30 June 2009 – Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
2 July 2009 – Burswood Dome, Perth

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Way the World Looks – Wes Carr

Wes Carr was one of the most exciting contestants in the last season of Australian Idol. He performed each song with the easy charisma of a seasoned professional, but anyone who’s followed the Idol machine knows that’s no guarantee of success. After hearing his debut album The Way The World Looks, I’m convinced Wes will not be just another Idol to fall from view.

The husky vocals and warmth Wes brought to the Idol competition are still there, but what struck me most about this recording was songwriting talent. It’s one thing to sing, but another to craft songs this good. Far from a one-trick pony, Wes dabbles in genres to create an album that’s eclectic yet accessible.

It opens with the rollicking honky tonk tones of “Any Other Way,” before launching into the anthemic second single “Feels Like Woah.” He wears his heart on his sleeve with “Light Years,” a slow burner that builds to a soaring crescendo. But my personal favourite is the laidback reggae tinged “Hurricanes.”

There’s a lot to love here, but it’s not an album without flaws. The lyrics to “Love is an Animal” are a little immature, but I guess that’s what happens when you record a song written in your teens. “Stay Awake” would be a brilliant track if it didn’t feel like Gavin Degraw’s “I Don’t Want to Be” Part Two.

Yet even the missteps are enjoyable to listen to. It’s just that when Wes gets it right, he sets the bar so high. This is a really solid debut, the kind that takes up permanent residence in your stereo and leaves you anticipating what comes next.

Image source: Wes Carr website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Galvatrons Ready for Another Aussie Tour

One of Australia’s most energetic live acts, The Galvatrons, are heading back on the road. The Melbourne lads will tour the East Coast in support of “Cassandra,” the latest single from their upcoming debut album Laser Graffiti.

“Cassandra” picks up right where “When we were Kids” left off, with its chunky guitar chords and sing-along chorus. The track, like the rest of the album, was produced and mixed by the formidable Scott Horscroft (The Presets, The Panics, Silverchair, The Sleepy Jackson).

“Cassandra” will be available online from April 6, with Laser Graffiti to follow on June 5. If you’ve never seen The Galvatrons play live, make sure you catch them this time around. And if you have seen one show, I know you’ll be back for more! Here are all the dates!

6 May 2009 – The Karova Lounge, Ballarat
8 May 2009 – Revolver, Melbourne
9 May 2009 – Ed Castle, Adelaide
13 May 2009 – Queens College Uni Ball, Melbourne University
15 May 2009 – Waves, Wollongong
16 May 2009 – Spectrum, Sydney
21 May 2009 – ANU Bar, Canberra
22 May 2009 – Mynt Lounge, Werribee
23 May 2009 – The Pelly Bar, Frankston
29 May 2009 – The Step Inn, Brisbane
30 May 2009 – Swell Tavern, Gold Coast
5 June 2009 – Snowball, Newcastle Uni
6 June 2009 – The Laurieton Hotel, Laurieton

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kylie Minogue Shops on the Cheap

We’re all tightening our belts in the face of the financial crisis, even our cashed-up pop stars! Kylie Minogue was spotted stocking up on preloved fashions at a Victorian Salvation Army outlet.

The bargain shopping pop diva scored two dresses, a hat, and a skirt for less than $40! Store manager Natasha Scott told The Daily Telegraph the songstress was shopping with a gal pal and doing her best to avoid the limelight.

“She was hiding under a hat and had the trademark big sunglasses on, but she still looked great,” she said.

“She looked happy as she browsed around before buying a couple of summery dresses, a trendy little hat with a peak and a skirt. All up, she spent under $40.”

The pop princess has been holidaying around Australia with her current beau, Spanish model Andres Velencoso, and spending time with her parents since coming home to play last month’s Sound Relief concert.

Image source: Pacific Coast News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Living End Jet Off for Worldwide Tour

The Living End are Europe bound to promote the continent’s release of White Noise. Chris Cheney, Scott Owen, and Andy Strachan will kick off their European tour in Belgium on April 18. They’ll then move on to Manchester and London, before heading across to Paris, Amsterdam, Cologne, and Berlin. The lads haven’t toured Europe since 2005, so the fans are bound to be out in force.

After that The Living End will pop back home for a quick tour with Gyroscope in May. But they’re not sticking around for long. In June it’s off to Japan, before heading back to Europe for 17 more dates.

I’m exhausted just writing about it! Here are all the dates!

18 April 2009 – Groezrock, Gestel, Belgium
19 April 2009 – Norwich Waterfront, UK
21 April 2009 – Club Academy, Manchester, UK
22 April 2009 – Koko, London, UK
23 April 2009 – Nouveau Casino, Paris, France
24 April 2009 – Melweg, Amsterdam, Netherlands
25 April 2009 – Gloria Theater, Cologne, Germany
26 April 2009 – Postbahnof, Berlin, Germany
1 May 2009 – Under the Big Top, Brisbane, Queensland
2 May 2009 – Groovin’ The Moo, Townsville, Queensland
8 May 2009 – Sydney Entertainment Centre, New South Wales
9 May 2009 – Groovin’ The Moo, Maitland, New South Wales
15 May 2009 – Hisense Arena, Melbourne, Victoria
16 May 2009 – Groovin’ The Moo, Bendigo, Victoria
22 May 2009 – Challenge Stadium, Perth, Western Australia
23 May 2009 – Bass in the Grass, Darwin, Northern Territory
2 June 2009 – O-East, Tokyo, Japan
3 June 2009 – Club Quattro, Osaka, Japan
4 June 2009 – Club Quattro, Nagoya, Japan
17 June 2009 – Kempten Big Box Kempten, Germany
19 June 2009 – Nova Rock, Vienna, Austria
20 June 2009 – Southside Festival, Neuhausen Ob Eck, Germany
21 June 2009 – Hurricane Festival, Scheessel, Germany
23 June 2009 – Gleis 22, Munster, Germany
25 June 2009 – West Coast Riot, Gothenburg, Sweden
26 June 2009 – Peace and Love Festival, Borlange, Sweden
2 July 2009 – Nibe Festival, Denmark
4 July 2009 – Ruisrock Festival, Turku, Finland

Image source: Newscom