Month: October 2009

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Josh Belz of Starlight Theatre

Starlight Theatre have earned a strong following in their home state of Queensland, and now they’re ready to show the rest of the country what they can do. I recently caught up with the band’s bass guitarist Josh Belz to chat about the band’s debut EP, True Love Stories Never Have Happy Endings, life on the road, and the power of the internet.

You’re currently touring all around the country. What’s the crowd response been like?
It’s been great. It’s always nice to go into the other states and play for our fans that aren’t in Brisbane. It’s always a blast catching up with friends and to have the chance to communicate our music to a different group of people. We play in Queensland and Northern New South Wales a far bit, so to go to places like Melbourne, Sydney and Newcastle it is always a nice change.

What do you love about performing live?
The spontaneity of it. You can plan a set and think you have everything organised, but when you’re playing live anything can happen. I love the vibe you get off the crowd and the realness of a live show. You’re really putting everything out there and saying “This is us, take it or leave it!”

I read that you would love your concerts to be an experience as opposed to just another rock show. How do you try to make that happen?
We try to create a real atmosphere with our songs and our sounds. We have really worked hard over the last few months trying to create something unique. Hopefully so when the crowd walks away, they’re saying ‘Wow, that was different’. We really want the night to be more than ‘we’re the band’, ‘you’re the crowd’.

Have you got any tour stories you can share with me?
Ha ha, so many. However an easy one is our drummer, Paul, has this thing that when we are on tour, he loves to sample Roadhouse Hot Boxes. Some of the crumbed sausages and hash browns look like they have been living in the box for days. Not recommended, but every tour he loves it. Weird right? But what can you do?

Continue reading “Q & A with Josh Belz of Starlight Theatre” →
Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wu Tang Clan and Lil Jon Announce Show After Megarampage Cancellation

Megarampage may be off, but there’s some good news for hip hop fans. Wu Tang Clan and Lil Jon will perform their own show at Festival Hall on October 31.

Old school hip hop fans will be pleased to know that GZA, Raekwon, RZA, Ghostface, U God, and Inspectah Deck have all been given the all clear to appear. More members are still awaiting visas, so hopefully we’ll see the Wu Tang Clan in full force by the time Halloween rolls around.

This is shaping up to be a massive show, with more artists yet to be announced. The crew also plan to take this show on the road, so Sydney music fans should stay tuned!

Megarampage ticket holders can get a full refund from Ticketmaster, just in time to buy tickets to the Wu Tang Clan show. They’ll go on sale from Ticketmaster on Thursday, 15 October.

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Prodigy, Franz Ferdinand On Future Music Festival Bill

The Prodigy, Franz Ferdinand and John Digweed will join the leaked names Empire of the Sun and David Guetta on the Future Music Festival bill.

The first line-up announcement hit the media today, with Booka Shade, Sven Vath, Erick Morillo, and Does It Offend You, Yeah? also on the bill. The Future Music Festival is a massive ten-hour event showcasing some of the hottest hip-hop, indie, and dance music on the planet.

Tickets to the event go on sale on October 21 through Ticketmaster. Here are the dates!

27 February 2010 – Turf Club CP Doomben Racecourse, Brisbane
28 February 2010 – Ascot Racecourse, Perth
6 March 2010 – Royal Randwick Racecourse, Sydney
7 March 2010 – Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
8 March 2010 – Rundle & Rymill Parks, Adelaide

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The John Steel Singers Launch "Masochist" with Aussie Tour

Brisbane’s The John Steel Singers aren’t content with just one launch for their new single “Masochist.” They’re playing a series of launch shows all around the country!

The song, which combines art-rock, classic pop, and indie elements, was recorded with the band’s producer and mentor, Robert Forster of The Go-Betweens. He’s brought out a spontaneous and energetic sound from the band, while allowing them the freedom to experiment. The band loves to tell stories about dysfunctional relationships. In the case of “Masochist,” we hear the story of a man who can’t apply himself to love.

“Masochist” is the first single from The John Steel Singers’ debut album Tangalooma, which will be released early next year. From October 30, the band will be joined by folksters Little Scout. Here are all the dates!

16 October 2009 – Jive, Adelaide
17 October 2009 – One Movement Festival, Perth
23 October 2009 – Annandale Hotel, Sydney
24 October 2009 – Transit Bar, Canberra
30 October 2009 – Pelly Bar, Frankston
31 October 2009 – Karova, Ballarat
1 November 2009 – Republic Bar, Hobart
2 November 2009 – East Brunswick Club, Melbourne
6 November 2009 – Bon Amici, Toowoomba
7 November 2009 – Old Museum, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Australian Idol Brings Back Big Band

I have really missed Big Band night on Australian Idol. I’m so glad that now Kyle has gone, it’s made a reappearance. But before we could hear the old standards, it was time to give someone the boot. It was another all-male bottom three this week, with Nathan Brake, Scott Newnham, and James Johnston all facing the chop. It seems Scott’s fans couldn’t forgive a few weeks of subpar performances. It was definitely his time.

Kate Cook kicked off the show with Ray Charles’ “Hit The Road Jack.” I loved the way she built this, starting it slow and then upping the tempo. I also loved the Australian quip at the end. This was a great way to kick off the show.

Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” was always an unlikely choice, but Stan Walker pulled it off and then some. I was incredibly impressed by this. I was unsure whether he’d suit big band, but he showed he can apply himself to any genre. This was a highlight not just of the night, but the series.

Kim Cooper got slammed for her rendition of “The Man I Love,” but I actually loved it. Kim continues to impress me with her genuine interpretations and poise. Her voice may not be the strongest in the competition, but I her honest performances cut through that. She also looked stunning; not that it matters in terms of performance but as a girl I’ve got to admit that I loved the look.

Continue reading “Australian Idol Brings Back Big Band” →
Posted on by Lauren Katulka

StoneMason Announce Shows to Support "Noise and Haste" EP

Gold Coast quartet StoneMason are hitting the road this month to support their brand new EP Noise and Haste.

The five-track disc combines energetic indie rock, synth-laden pop punk, and piano driven ballads. It features the infectious single “Stockholm Fashion,” a song which the band says is about inspiration.

“To some extent everything we do is motivated by some form of inspiration. To be surrounded featureless, insipid people would only encourage you to become similar,” explained guitarist John Beynon.

“It is about wanting people everywhere to become a muse, to want to be inspired themselves. Moments, lives, the entire world can be changed by a single inspired person. All it takes is a wanting to become change. Hopefully people will see the message in this song and connect with it”.

The band of teenagers has quickly earned a reputation as a dynamic live act.

“Our live show is a fun, energetic performance which people can and should participate in as we really feed off our audience,” says bassist Thomas Stevens. “Because of the diverse range of songs on our setlist, fans should come to our show expecting to mosh, slow dance and sing along”.

You can see if this Gold Coast outfit lives up to the hype at the following shows.

18 October 2009 – Club 299, Brisbane (18+)
24 October 2009 – Bang, Melbourne (18+)
29 October 2009 – Helensvale High School, Helensvale (All Ages)
31 October 2009 – The Hive, Brisbane (All Ages)
8 November 2009 – Stuff The Stocking, Caboolture (All Ages)
27 November 2009 – Hard Rock Cafe, Gold Coast (18+)

Image source: StoneMason MySpace

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Thomas Murphy of The Bloodpoets

The Bloodpoets are one of my favourite new bands on the scene, thanks to their energetic live shows and eclectic gem of a debut, Polarity. I recently caught up with the band’s lead vocalist and founder Thomas Murphy to chat about the album, life on the road, and all things music.

Your debut album Polarity has just been released. For those who haven’t heard of you before, how would you describe it?
I would describe it as a bit of a journey. Kind of like a day. The beginning of the album is vibrant and exciting, the type of thing you can leave on at a party. The final section is more diverse and interesting with songs that are a bit more emotionally intense, and finally the relief of “My Paradise” which is basically the going to bed song! Pretty much put this album on 45 minutes before bed at full blast.

Polarity is such an eclectic album. What bands are you listening to at the moment?
I am listening to Muse quite a bit just because I support their experimentation and diversity. I see it as a positive reinforcement that I can continue to release in that fashion and still aim for success. Also listening to old Radiohead and as always Beatles and The Cure

I saw you supporting The Badloves last month, and I was really impressed by the way you won over the mostly middle-aged crowd. How do you approach a show like that, where everyone is keen to see a headliner whose music is so different to your own?
We find the feel of the headliner and try and match it as best we can so people can have an ideal night. They expect to have a colourful sonic experience, so it’d suck if we rocked and ruined that preconception of the night out. We did throw in Borderline just to entertain the younger people. We did the same for The Whitlams though at the Tivoli and copped a bit of flack for being samey and uneventful. So we’re just learning to be a support, we should’ve rocked Whitlams, but we didn’t rock Badloves and it was fine. Just depends on the crowd on the night.

You’re currently on tour to support the album. What do you love about being on stage?
I love the idea that I know what is coming. I know what songs the crowd is there for and will react to, so I get this awesome anticipation of knowing that the room is going to explode in the next song, and I use the song previous to it to prepare for it. It’s an art in itself, and it’s much more intense and risky.

Continue reading “Q & A with Thomas Murphy of The Bloodpoets” →
Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Philadelphia Grand Jury Want to Break World Record

Sydney indie outfit Philadelphia Grand Jury are hoping to earn a world record tomorrow when they shoot for the video for their new single “The Good News.” But they need you to help them out!

The group wants to pack out Christison Park in the Sydney suburb of Vaucluse with as many bands as they can. Rock bands, jazz bands, marching bands, it doesn’t matter what you do. They want you there to smash this record! for more information just e-mail the band at phillyjays@philadelphiagrandjury.com.

The shoot will take place between 3 and 5 pm tomorrow, Sunday October 11.

Image used with permission from The Delinquents

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Win a G-SHOCK Watch and Tickets to G-SHOCK: Shock The World Tour Event in Sydney

The G-Shock World Tour is making a pit stop in Sydney next month, with a massive night’s entertainment at Redfern’s Carriageworks.

National DMC champion DJ Dexter, local lasses Hoops DJS, and Melbourne’s M.A.F.I.A. will keep energy levels up. There’ll also be a special guest appearance from the man who designed the very first G-SHOCK watch, Japanese engineer Kikuo Ibe.

Music fans need to purchase a G-SHOCK watch from participating stores and enter their details on the G-SHOCK Sydney website to win tickets to the event. But not Oz Music Scene members. I’ve got a double pass to the show and a brand new G-SHOCK watch to give away to one lucky reader. If you want to win, just leave a comment below telling me your favourite time-saving tip. Too easy!

Make sure you leave your e-mail address with your comment so I can be in touch if you’re the lucky winner. You’ll also need to make sure you can get to Sydney on November 19, as travel is the winner’s responsibility. Entry is also only open to music lovers 18 years and older, as alcohol will be served at the event. Entries close at 5 pm AEDT on October 18. Good luck!


Image source: Scooter @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Empire of the Sun and David Guetta do Future Music Festival

The organisers of the Future Music Festival have announced Empire of the Sun as its first headliner, a few days ahead of the line-up announcement.

With the local lads nominated for an impressive 11 ARIA awards yesterday, including several artisan awards, the timing couldn’t be better. French DJ David Guetta, who’s currently enjoying a number one possie on the charts, has also let slip that he’s on the bill.

The full line-up announcement will come on Monday, with tickets to the events going on sale on October 21.

27 February 2010 – Brisbane
28 February 2010 – Perth
6 March 2010 – Sydney
7 March 2010 – Melbourne
8 March 2010 – Adelaide

Image source: Ang3lak @ Flickr