Month: July 2009

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A With Mark Sheehan of The Script

The Script are all over local radio and the Australian music charts, and soon the lads from Dublin will be here in the flesh. I chatted with Mark Sheehan ahead of the band’s September tour.

You’ve only recently visited Australia for some shows, yet you’re about to tour here again in September. What keeps you coming back?
What can I say? We’re suckers for the Aussies. We love it there. Aside from the band, Dan [O’Donoghue] and I have been there a few times travelling around a little. We LOVED it. Plus your beer is good!

You’re playing some small theatres while you’re here, yet back home you’ve been performing in stadiums. How do those intimate shows compare to the much larger ones?
I prefer them to be honest. The stadiums are very surreal and the shock settles in after you’re off stage … very annoying. But the smaller shows is where we are from and I find the atmosphere is always electric. We’re on top of the audience. God help them!

I’ve got tickets to your Sydney concert. What can I expect when I see you guys live?
Nakedness! No, I lie. We would clear the building out if we did that. Maybe I’ve just started an idea for last call in bars throughout the world: show them naked Script pictures and clear the shop. We like to call our live shows our time off because no one bothers us up there. It’s the reason why we’re in it so we really savour that and play the best we can. Our shows are high energy, so if the audience is any good then we just excel. It’s a reciprocal energy, so audience and band feed off each other so to speak. This is what we live for.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Family Tragedy Brings Shannon Noll Back Home

Shannon Noll has cut short his stint in the European production of War of the Worlds following the deaths of three grandparents.

“When I was over in the UK in March, my grandfather died,” Shannon told The Daily Telegraph.

“When I’d just got back over there to start the tour, my grandmother died and about two weeks before the end of the tour my nanna died, which was unexpected.”

Shannon jumped on the next available plane and arrived home just in time for a memorial service for his grandparents and funeral for his nanna. He originally intended to rejoin the War of the Worlds cast in Amsterdam, but has opted instead to stay home with family ahead of his Australian tour, which kicks off in Sydney later this month.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Elvis Costello Announces Aussie Tour

He’s toured with The Attractions and The Imposters, but this time around Elvis Costello is going solo. This cool cat will visit theatres in capital cities around the country this October.

The visit is on the back of Elvis’ new country record, Secret, Profane and Sugarcane, which is recorded in just three days in Nashville.

Elvis will be ably supported by Australia’s latest sensation, Shelley Harland. Tickets for the following dates go on sale on July 21.

8 October 2009 – Fremantle Arts Centre
10 October 2009 – The Palais, Melbourne
11 October 2009 – Wrest Point Casino, Hobart
14 October 2009 – Royal Theatre, Canberra
15 October 2009 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
18 October 2009 – Brisbane Convention Centre

Image source: Victor Diaz Lamich @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Children Collide Come Home

Melbourne rockers Children Collide are heading home after a three-week tour of North America.

The lads worked their butts off abroad, playing 15 dates in the United States and Canada. The shows included a gig with Ontario’s own Alexisonfire. It seems the Canadians took a shine to the band, because their debut album The Long Now is getting a release on Dine Alone Records.

Now that they’re back home the band is preparing for their slot on the Splendour in the Grass bill, before they support Jane’s Addiction around the country.

But that’s not all. Not one to sit idly for too long, Children Collide will then join Aussie ex-pats The Scare on the Chosen Armies tour. Here are the dates for that amazing double-act!

3 September 2009 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
4 September 2009 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
5 September 2009 – Republic Bar, Hobart
6 September 2009 – Hotel New York, Launceston
9 September 2009 – Roi Bar, Albury
10 September 2009 – The Harp, Wollongong
11 September 2009 – The Gaelic, Sydney
12 September 2009 – Coaster Festival, Gosford
17 September 2009 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide
18 September 2009 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth
19 September 2009 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
20 September 2009 – Newport Hotel, Fremantle
24 September 2009 – Sands Tavern, Maroochydore
25 September 2009 – Miami Tavern, Gold Coast
26 September 2009 – Sounds of Spring Festival, Brisbane
27 September 2009 – Stepp Inn, Brisbane

Image source: Children Collide website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nickelback Come Back To Oz

Radio-friendly rockers Nickelback are heading back to Australia in November for a tour of the major centres.

The Canadian outfit will play tracks from their 2008 smash Dark Horse, as well as chart-toppers “How You Remind Me,” “Photograph,” and “Someday.”

Tickets for the five-date tour will go on sale on July 23 from the usual outlets.

11 November 2009 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
13 November 2009 – Acer Arena, Sydney
16 November 2009 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
19 November 2009 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre
21 November 2009 – Burswood Dome, Perth

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Deer Republic Win Tooheys Extra Dry uncharTED

The Deer Republic has taken out this year’s first Tooheys Extra Dry uncharTED competition. The Sydney band won the title in front of a home crowd at the Oxford Art Factory last night. The prize includes a slot on this year’s Splendour in the Grass bill and an artist development package worth $25, 000. The band beat out other finalists Hot Little Hands and Foxx on Fire.

Nick Andrijic of The Deer Republic described their win as “Phenomenal; ecstasy; fantastic! I’m not just saying this because we’re gracious winners; the other two bands that played tonight are fantastic … It means the world to us to play at Splendour … the fact that we’re going to be sharing the stage with some of them [our favourite bands], it’s indescribable at the moment, I don’t think it’s going to hit me for a couple of days … we’re looking forward to it.”

This year’s second Tooheys Extra Dry uncharTED comp is now open for entries. If you’re a solo artist of band looking for your big break, head to the competition’s website to register. Who knows? It could be you winning the glory next time around!

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lisa Mitchell Brings Wonder Home

Fresh from her appearance at the Glastonbury music festival, Lisa Mitchell is heading home to headline her own shows in August and September.

Lisa will showcase songs from her debut album, Wonder, which hits stores on July 31. These gorgeous tracks include her amazing new single “Coin Laundry.” She’ll be joined by supports acts Oh Mercy and Whitebirds & Lemons.

Lisa is encouraging her fans to promote the shows via the new web platform Posse. Fans get paid a commission on each ticket they promote through MySpace and other social networks. It sounds like a great way to earn some extra cash, and spread the word about this super talented local lass.

Here are all the dates!

26 August 2009 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
27 August 2009 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
28 August 2009 – The Zoo, Brisbane
29 August 2009 – Sands Tavern, Maroochydore
2 September 2009 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
4 September 2009 – Barwon Club, Geelong
5 September 2009 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
6 September 2009 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
10 September 2009 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
11 September 2009 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
12 September 2009 – Capitol Bar, Perth
16 September 2009 – The Loft, Warnambool
17 September 2009 – The Pub, Bendigo
18 September 2009 – Republic Bar, Hobart
19 September 2009 – Hotel New York, Launceston
20 September 2009 – Ruby’s Lounge, Belgrave
23 September 2009 – ANU Union Bar, Canberra
24 September 2009 – Wollongong Uni
25 September 2009 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
26 September 2009 – Mona Vale Hotel
27 September 2009 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

ARIA Awards Head to Nine

After months of negotiations, the Nine Network has won the broadcasting rights for this year’s ARIA Awards.

Longtime broadcaster Ten ditched the telecast due to its million-dollar production costs, and there was some early speculation that it may go to pay TV.

The Nine deal also includes a weekly ARIA singles chart countdown, to be launched later this year. Because goodness knows with Rage, Video Hits, and Eclipse we need another video clips program on free-to-air television.

But it is good news that the ARIAs aren’t leaving our television screens. We’ve lost so many award shows to pay TV in the past, including the Grammys and the AMAs, so I’m thankful for whatever we get. It also seems likely that the Channel Ten contracted Rove won’t be hosting again, which is also a wonderful thing.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

From Ramsey Street to Rock Star

Neighbours star Sam Clark is proving he’s more than just a pretty face with the release of his new single “Broken.”

It’s easy to be skeptical when these soap stars get behind a microphone, but Sam shows real potential here. Big pop-rock ballads like this are a dime a dozen, and Sam doesn’t really bring anything new to the genre, but I kind of like it anyway. He’s got a lovely tone to his voice, and he earns bonus points for playing the guitar and piano (or at least appearing to!)

Do we have another Delta Goodrem on our hands? It’s probably a little early to tell, but Sam shows real promise here.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pink Holidays in Queensland

After a massive 27 shows in Australia, and with plenty more still to come, Pink has definitely earned herself a holiday. With no concerts scheduled this week, the American pop-rock princess and her husband Carey Hart are taking a little R’n’R in Queensland.

But don’t think Pink’s the type of gal to spend a week lazing on a beach idly. Instead the pair will tour the state on two wheels.

“We’re going on a motorcycle trip,” she told The Daily Telegraph.

While exploring the great outdoors, she’s crossing fingers that her paths don’t cross any of the country’s creepy natives.

“How is anyone still living in this country?” she mused when discussing our native wildlife.

Come on Pink, we’ve only got the world’s deadliest spiders and snakes. You’re not chicken, are you?

Image source: Bauer-Griffin