Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Book Celebrates Aussie Icon Jimmy Barnes

Aussie rock legend Jimmy Barnes is about to tell all in an insightful new book, Icons of Australian Music: Jimmy Barnes. It’s part of a series of coffee table books that are sure to be hits with local music enthusiasts.

I remember revelling in Jimmy’s colourful life when Toby Creswell released the very cool biography Too Much Ain’t Enough in the 90s. But this is the first chance we’ve had to hear the whole story straight from the horse’s mouth.

This autobiography promises to lift the lid on the wild days of Cold Chisel, Jimmy’s battle with addiction, his recent heart surgery, his charity work, and his love for his family and his music.

Jimmy’s friends Michael Gudinski, Don Walker, Ian Moss, and Mark “Diesel” Lizotte have also contributed their words to this memoir.

With press clippings, exclusive photos, hand written lyrics and stacks more it sounds like this will be a must for Aussie music fans. Icons of Australian Music: Jimmy Barnes is released on 7 May, but you can take a sneak peek now at Jimmy’s website.

Image source: DianeSunshineCoast @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hall of Fame Details Announced

Five more musical icons will enter the ARIA Hall of Fame on July 1, and you could be there. For the first time ever, a limited number of tickets will be available to the general public.

There’s no word yet on the inductees who will join previously honored stars like AC/DC, Cold Chisel, the Bee Gees and Nick Cave.

The ceremony will be held at Melbourne Town Hall. Rockwiz’s brilliant Julia Zemiro will host the awards, so they should be stacks of fun.

If you’d like to be there you can grab a ticket from Ticketek on May 12.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"The Fall and Rise of King Curly 1998-2008" – King Curly

I’ve been doing a lot of travelling this week. I only need one thing for my journeys up and down the highway: good music. Thankfully I recently received King Curly’s newie, The Fall and Rise of King Curly 1998-2008, and it’s taken up permanent residence in my car stereo.

It’s the perfect album for travelling really. It’s the kind of recording that needs your attention. It’s not the sort of music you’d put on at home when you were busy, because you’d miss the nuances that make it so rich.

King Curly’s tunes are eclectic, with lashings of country, soul, jazz, and old school rock and roll. They’re fleshed out with sublime harmonies, and a rich blend of instruments. A casual listener might think the songs sound pretty, and they’d be right.

But the casual listener probably wouldn’t catch the lyrics, which would be a real shame. They’re quirky, darkly funny, and absolutely fantastic. I love the rollicking zombie tune, “I’m Coming Back (In a Revenge Song),” and the strangely sweet love song “I Wish I Was a Girl.”

The Fall and Rise of King Curly 1998-2008 is a best of recording, documenting their best songs from the last 10 years. It provides a great introduction to this brilliant band that somehow has managed to fly underneath the radar. Long may they reign!

Image source: supplied by promoter

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Olivia Completes Walk to Beijing

Olivia Newtown-John’s massive Great Walk to Beijing trek has come to an end. Olivia led a team of local and international celebrities and cancer survivors on the 228 km journey. The trek took 23 days

In case you haven’t heard, the likes of James Reyne, Sir Cliff Richard, Fergie, and Dannii Minogue walked to raise funds to build a new cancer and wellness centre in Melbourne. Ian Thorpe even did it without shoes one day!

The walk may be over, but the job’s not done yet. “We’ve achieved a lot in terms of educating people about the centre and how it will conduct worldwide research, with a wellness centre and patient care all under one roof. In terms of fundraising we are just at the beginning,” she said on the Great Walk to Beijing website.

You can still donate to this great cause through the site, or you might like to wait to buy Olivia’s latest CD, A Celebration in Song. This great album features duets with Delta Goodrem, Barry Gibb, Richard Marx, Jimmy Barnes, the late Belinda Emmett and more. Proceeds from the sale of the CD will also help fun the cancer centre. You can grab yours when it hits stores on 5 May.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Veronicas Slam Anorexia Rumors

Does anyone think The Veronicas have been looking a little thin lately? Well they’ve spoken up about it, insisting they don’t have eating disorders.

“Neither of us has any eating issues. People use the term anorexia too loosely,” Jess Origliasso told The Sunday Telegraph.

The size six sisters say they’ve always been thin, and feel it’s important to be positive role models for their fans.

“Anorexia is a disease of the mind, where people think they’re fat when they’re extremely thin. Neither of us has that disease and I think it’s a bit offensive when people throw that out there.”

I’ve got to say I sympathise with them. My sister was a size six and even special protein drinks wouldn’t make her put on weight. It wasn’t until she had a baby that she put on enough weight for people to stop making negative comments!

I can imagine being as busy as the Origliasso girls are must make it very difficult to pack on a few extra kilos. They’re thin, but I don’t think it’s unhealthily so. And we all know if they jumped up a few dress sizes they’d be slammed for that!

Image source: Michael Spencer @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Iggy Pop and Jet Team Up

Rumour has it that punk legend Iggy Pop will head to Australia to perform with Jet at the ARIA Hall of Fame presentation later this year.

But it’s not as unlikely as it seems. Iggy and Jet got together earlier this month to record a cover of “The Wild One” for an Johnny O’Keefe tribute album.

Of course Iggy covered the song in the 80s and released it as “Real Wild Child.” And the lads from Jet have always loved Iggy. So I suppose it makes sense.

Except that Jet claimed they were breaking up last October. Didn’t take long for them to change their minds! I suppose when Iggy Pop starts asking after you reconsidering retirement is fair enough.

Image source: Robert Scales @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kasey and Shane’s Number One Debut

Country music darling Kasey Chambers and her hubby Shane Nicholson have debuted at number one with their new album, Rattlin’ Bones. It was a clear winner with Aussie audiences, outselling Mariah Carey’s E=MC2 by around 1700 units.

The album is the first collaboration for the husband and wife team, but judging by its success it might not be the last!

The Presets’ Apocalypso slipped a little, but number three is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Cog’s Sharing Space is also continuing to sell well. It’s at number six.

Australia’s still sweet on Gabriella Cilmi. Her massive debut single “Sweet About Me” has held on to the number two possie.

The Getup Mob have exploded onto the charts with their inspirational version of “From Little Things Big Things Grow.” It’s sitting pretty at number four.

And we still can’t get enough of Faker’s “This Heart Attack.” It’s hanging on to tenth position on the ARIA charts.

Here’s all the chart action!

Australian Top 10 Albums

  1. Rattlin’ Bones – Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson
  2. E=MC2 – Mariah Carey
  3. Apocalypso – The Presets
  4. Watershed – k.d. lang
  5. Set in Stone – Brian McFadden
  6. Sharing Space – Cog
  7. Step Up 2: The Streets – Soundtrack
  8. Exile on Mainstream – Matchbox Twenty
  9. The 100 Most Beautiful Melodies – Andre Rieu
  10. Exclusive – Chris Brown

Australian Top 10 Singles

  1. “4 Minutes” – Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake
  2. “Sweet About Me” – Gabriella Cilmi
  3. “Low” – Flo Rida feat. T-Pain
  4. “From Little Things Big Things Grow” – The Getup Mob
  5. “Bubbly” – Colbie Caillat
  6. “Work” – Kelly Rowland
  7. “With You” – Chris Brown
  8. “Dream Catch Me” – Newton Faulkner
  9. “Tattoo” – Jordin Sparks
  10. “This Heart Attack” – Faker

Image source: Mandy Hall @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lisa Origliasso and Dean Geyer Getting Married

I can almost hear the hearts of teenage girls around the country breaking. Dean Geyer has announced his engagement to one half of the Veronicas, Lisa Origliasso. The pair released a joint statement today.

“Dean Geyer and Lisa Origliasso, together with their families, are delighted to announce they are engaged,” the statement said.

“The couple have been together since April 2007 and are thrilled to share their news.”

The pair met at the 2006 ARIA Awards and have been inseparable ever since. They are just so cute together – this is great news! Congratulations to them!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Delta, Veronicas Bag Top MTV Australia Awards

Aussie pop triumphed over international superstars at last night’s MTV Australia Awards. Nominees like 50 Cent and Juliette Lewis and the Licks were crowd pleasers, but left the local ceremony empty-handed.

50 Cent and the Foo Fighters were no match for the might of Aussie pop sweetheart Delta Goodrem. She claimed the music video of the year award for her dazzling “Believe Again” clip.

Meanwhile The Veronicas scored the Australian artist music award, beating out the likes of Silverchair and Sneaky Sound System.

But Aussie musicians weren’t the only ones honored. The world’s hottest producer Timbaland was named international artist of the year, while Pink’s I’m Not Dead Show earned her the live performer of the year gong.

This year’s MTV Australia Awards received a makeover, with new categories, a new venue, new Ned Kelly helmet trophies, and a host of international guests like Mischa Barton, Kim Kardashian, Leona Lewis, Eve, and host Wyclef Jean.

Here’s the complete list of winners.

Recognition award recipients
Sports – Mick Fanning
Movie Star – Matt Damon
International artist of the year – Timbaland

Viewer voted categories
Music video of the year – Delta Goodrem
Australian artist music award – The Veronicas
New Zealand artist award – Scribe
Live performer award – Pink (I’m Not Dead tour)
Television Moment Award – Chaser’s War On Everything (APEC 2007 stunt)
Good karma award – Earth Hour
Bad karma award – Kevin Andrews
Remake award – William Weatheritt for Ja’mie’s end of term shopping spree

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stars Spruik MTV Australia Awards

The stars came out to charm the media yesterday in preparation for tonight’s MTV Australia Awards.

Wyclef Jean showed he’s up on Aussie media, calling out a Sydney Morning Herald journalist who confused him with will.i.am.

“I’m going to tell you something. Look at my face, right. Do you think all black people look alike? … I look much better in person. Now you know the difference right?” he asked the embarrassed journo.

I absolutely hate sloppy journalism, so I love the fact that he set her straight!

Ex-pat Lyndsey Rodrigues told the press all about her new MTV gig in New York, while new girl Ruby Rose and Mischa Barton talked hosiery.

Eve flashed the tattoos on her chest, and Juliette Lewis praised MTV Australia for remaining all about the music.

“MTV is this big, ugly, giant monster of a brand,” said Juliette, who admitted that like it or not, music television is an important promotional tool.

“Nowadays with the CD dying anyway, that you can have your music out there [is a good thing]. For me, it is about getting people to my live shows,” she said. “There are certain things you wouldn’t want to give your name to, probably cigarettes, but MTV is a home to a lot of different styles of music.”

The MTV Australia Awards are on tonight in Sydney. Check back here tomorrow for all the winners!

Image source: Ali Dan-Bouzoua @ Wikimedia Commons