Month: May 2010

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ten Gets ARIA Awards Back Again

2009 ARIA Awards - Awards Room

After much speculation, Ten has announced it will screen the ARIA Awards this year. The network will take the reins back from Channel Nine, who broadcast the ceremony in 2009.

“The ARIA Awards is the flagship event of the Australian music calendar – a celebration of all that is great and popular in local music,” said ARIA head and Warner CEO Ed St. John. “The Ten Network has been our loyal partner for many of our last 24 years and it’s an absolute thrill to be renewing our relationship once again.”

Ten has screened most of the recent ARIA Awards ceremonies, and I’m glad to see them doing it again. Honestly, watching last year’s stiff hosts Kate Richie and Gyton Grantley made me cringe. Hopefully we’ll see some more music-savvy personalities taking on the role this year. I’d love to see Wil Anderson get the job, although after his Logies Twittering he might prove a little too risky. At any rate, I’m sure the organizers are happy to hear their awards won’t compete with Masterchef!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dionne Warwick Brings World Tour to Oz

When you’ve still got it, you’ve still got it. And Dionne Warwick definitely has. Nearly 50 years since she released her debut single “Don’t Make Me Over,” Dionne will bring her world tour to Australia in July.

We can expect Dionne to belt out all the hits backed by a full band, including “Walk On By,” “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” “Do You Know The Way to San Jose,” “Say a Little Prayer,” and many, many, many more.

Tickets go on sale this Friday for the following intimate shows.

Samuel L. Jackson Foundation Ball


13 July 2010 – State Theatre, Sydney
14 July 2010 – Royal Theatre, Canberra
16 July 2010 – Convention Centre, Perth
17 July 2010 – The Plenary, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boys Like Girls and Hot Chelle Rae Unite for Aussie Tour

Boston pop-rockers Boys Like Girls are joining Nashvile quartet Hot Chelle Rae for one big Aussie tour this July.

The spunky lads from Boys Like Girls are here to promote their sophomore album Love Drunk, which features the top 100 single of the same name. The disc is the ideal showcase for the band’s catchy hooks and rich sound. It’s not often bands marry traditional rock instruments with electronic sounds and a string section, but that’s just what makes this one so intriguing.

Hot Chelle Rae are another act on the rise. Riding high on rave reviews for their dance-rock debut album Lovesick Electric, the band are a great addition to the bill.

Next time these musos tour here they’ll be doing so in much bigger venues. Make sure you get in this time around when tickets go on sale on May 7.

9 July 2010 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane (18+)
10 July 2010 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane (Under 18s)
11 July 2010 – Roundhouse, Sydney (Licensed/All Ages)
14 July 2010 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne (Under 18s)
15 July 2010 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne (18+)
16 July 2010 – Fowlers, Adelaide (Licensed/All Ages)

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rogue Traders Get Hearts Beating with Socceroos World Cup Song

The Rogue Traders hope to lead the Socceroos to World Cup victory with their song “Pulse of the Nation.” The track will be the team’s official 2010 FIFA World Cup song, and you can be part of it.

Pulse of the Nation events will be held at Westfield shopping centres around Australia this week. At these sessions the heartbeats of shoppers will be recorded via special digital stethescopes. These heartbeats will then form the beat for the Rogue Traders track. The names of all heartbeat donators will be printed in a commemorative book to be presented to the Socceroos during their World Cup campaign in South Africa.

52nd TV Week Logie Awards - Awards Room


“Being asked to support the Socceroos on their World Cup campaign is perhaps the greatest single honour we have received in our careers. We are also delighted to be able to involve the general public in the creation of this song – to literally bring together the heartbeats of our nation – and to combine them into one, inspirational moment. That way we can all cheer our boys onto victory,” said Rogue Traders’ James Ash and Mindi Jackson in a statement.

You can listen out for your heartbeat when the song becomes available online on May 24. It’ll also feature on the Rogue Traders upcoming album Night of the Living Drums, which will hit stores on June 25.

If you want to get involved, just visit the following Westfield shopping centres.

Westfield Bondi, NSW (6-9 May 2010) – 10 am to 3 pm daily and 6 pm to 9 pm on Thursday
Westfield Liverpool, NSW (6-9 May 2010) – 10 am to 3 pm daily and 6 pm to 9 pm on Thursday
Westfield Carindale, Qld (6-9 May 2010) – 10 am to 3 pm daily and 6 pm to 9 pm on Thursday
Westfield Fountain Gate, Vic (6-9 May 2010) – 10 am to 3 pm daily and 6 pm to 9 pm on Thursday
Westfield Tea Tree Plaza, SA (6-9 May 2010) – 10 am to 3 pm and 6 pm to 9 pm on Thursday, 11 am to 4 pm Friday to Sunday
Westfield Carousel, WA (6-8 May 2010) – 10 am to 3 pm daily and 6 pm to 9 pm on Thursday

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“We’re Not Alone” – Chemical Transport

Chemical Transport have burst onto the music scene with their debut EP We’re Not Alone. This is the kind of recording that grabs you instantly with its big hooks and energy. It’s not too different from the kind of pop-punk we’ve seen from so many American acts in recent years, but that’s not a bad thing.

While the first few songs didn’t strike me as incredibly innovative, they were very slick and immensely likable. It’s not the kind of music I usually warm to, yet I found myself tapping my feet to those infectious beats.

Perhaps I’m being a little too harsh on the lads, but their anti-scenesters tag made me expect something which turned music on its head. This EP isn’t it, but it does hint that the band has the potential to create something which does push the envelope. After the upbeat sounds of opening tracks “Alluropoda” and “We’re Not Alone,” the earnest love song “The Hardest Goodbye” took me by surprise. It was exciting to see another side of the band revealed, and it’s one I hope they explore more in future releases. The atmospheric instrumental closer “Melanoleuca” was another bolt from the blue. It’s not the kind of thing I expected to hear on this EP, and that’s exactly why I like it.

On We’re Not Alone, Chemical Transport hint at the exciting sounds they’re capable of. They’re not wowing me yet, but this disc suggests that given time they could.

Image source: Chemical Transport MySpace

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Song Obsession: “Waiting For You” by Basement Birds

“Waiting For You” is the first single from Aussie supergroup Basement Birds. With Josh Pyke, Kav Temperley, Kevin Mitchell, and Steve Parkin all lending their creative talents to the project I knew I’d love it. And I do, even though it’s not the sort of song that grabs you by the throat. It’s perfect Sunday arvo fare, the kind of thing you’d stick on while entertaining friends or recovering from a big night out.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussies Win Top Honours at International Songwriting Awards

V8 Supercars - Rock All Night Concert Series

Australian artists have picked up a swag of gongs at the International Songwriting Awards.

Chris Cheney of The Living End earned first place in the rock category for his song “White Noise.” Sarah Blasko took out the folk/singer-songwriter category for “Bird on Wire.” Brother-sister duo Emma and Anthony Hewitt of Missing Hours won the adult contemporary award for “Missing You.” Kevin Mitchell, aka Bob Evans was named best pop/top 40 artist for his track “Pasha Bulker.”

The annual contest is open to songwriters all over the world. It’s judged by a veritable who’s who of music, including this year Tom Waits, Ben Folds, Ben Harper, Jeff Beck, and Robert Smith of The Cure.

Well done to all the winners!