Author: Lauren Katulka

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Happy Anzac Day

I hope you’re all enjoying your Anzac Day public holiday. While it doesn’t apply to us poor freelancers, my husband is loving his day off work and I hope you are too. We’re babysitting my little sister and planning to make some Anzac biscuits later on.

But it’s all so much more than a day off. It’s a chance to reflect on all the folks who gave their lives so we could live in such a wonderful free country. Considering the casualties we’ve seen in the last year, that’s more important than ever. So before I go back to socialising with my family I thought I’d leave you with the video for “I Was Only 19” by Redgum. This is one of those Aussie songs about war that really gets to me, and it seemed appropriate to share it with you today.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

AC/DC Album, and a Tour?

There hasn’t been a lot of news since AC/DC announced last year a new album was in the works. I’m happy to say though the Aussie rock veterans are well on their way to releasing this highly anticipated new work.

Singer Brian Johnson says the new album, their first in eight years, should be released later this year. And a tour isn’t out of the question either.

“We’re working with Brendan O’Brien, [Bruce] Springsteen’s producer, and he’s a great guy,” Brian told Channel [V]. “He knows exactly what we want, and so far, it sounds really good. I’m well pleased.

“Mal and Ang are still just electric on their guitars, and Phil’s got the old magic on the drums and Cliff Williams is Mr. Reliable on bass – he’s brilliant – and it’s just been fun. It’s like a bunch of old friends getting together again and having a great time.”

When asked about their touring plans, Brian had this to say.

“I would probably think so, yeah. I always hate to say yes in case something happens, but I really do think we will be out there, everybody’s enjoying being back together again and the buzz is still there and the excitement.”

All sounds very promising for you hard rock fans out there!

Image source: Lost Parables @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Peter and Jordan Assault Our Ears Again

A couple of year’s ago plastic lovebirds Peter Andre and Katie “Jordan” Price figured it’d be a good idea to record “A Whole New World.” It was utterly terrible. Peter never had the greatest voice in the world, but singing alongside Jordan makes him sound as smooth as Michael Bublé.

So it’s a bit scary to read the husband and wife team are planning to record an album together. A whole album? Oh god no.

“Some people out there might say ‘don’t’ but we’re going to do an extra long album,” Peter told a UK talk show.

An extra long album? Yes Peter, I’m one of those people saying don’t. Please don’t.

If you don’t remember how torturous it was last time, here’s a live performance of the song without all the studio wizardry. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Splendour Lineup Announced

Are you dying to know who’s playing Splendour in the Grass this year? Well I won’t keep you in suspense any longer!

The international acts are always the biggest drawcards, and this season’s no exception. We’ve got 80s flower-pot wearing icons Devo, Iceland’s finest Sigur Ros, and British rockers The Music. Add Vampire Weekend, The Wombats, and Band of Horses to the bill and it’s all very tempting.

But that’s not all, with world-class Aussies Wolfmother, The Vines, and The Living End joining them. Some of our happiest musical outfits, Operator Please, The Grates, and Ben Lee are also on the lineup, as are the chart-topping Gyroscope and electro superstars PNAU.

Splendour in the Grass is happening at Byron Bay’s Belongil Fields on August 2 and 3. Standard weekend tickets are $199, but consider digging a little deeper and buying the $206 green tickets. The extra cash will help buy carbon credits to offset the impact of this mega music festival. The tickets go on sale at 9 am on May 22 from QJump.

Image source: I, ELOdry @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gyroscope Comp Winners Announced

Congratulations to Dean, Ben, Tyce, Arns, and Joshua! They’ve all picked up a copy of the chart-topping CD Breed Obsession in my Gyroscope giveaway.

I asked the question “What’s your obsession?” and I loved reading the answers. Our winners are obsessed with music, breathing, drumming, hockey, and of course, Gyroscope!

Thanks to everyone who entered, and congratulations again to the winners!

Image source: Agnieszka Boeske @ Unsplash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Shihad’s Beautiful Comeback

Aussie rock icons Shihad are back with a brand new album and tour!

Beautiful Machine strikes just the right balance between power and melody. And with master engineer Alan Moulder (Depeche Mode, U2, Smashing Pumpkins) at the helm, you know it’s going to be good.

Beautiful Machine will hit stores on May 17, which gives Shihad fans just enough time to learn all the songs before they hit the road.

They’ll tour Adelaide and the East Coast with Triple J Unearthed winners Young and Restless and indie kids Calling All Cars. Tickets go on sale on Monday for the tour this June. See it at the following venues:

13 June 2008 – Bar 388, Brisbane
14 June 2008 – Hi Fi Bar & Ballroom, Melbourne
20 June 2008 – The Gaelic Theatre, Sydney
21 June 2008 – Live on Light Square, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Happy Earth Day

Today is Earth Day, a day when we stop to appreciate the world in which we live. And so as we pause to reflect I thought I’d leave you with a song by Melbourne singer-songwriter Xavier Rudd. This song “The Mother” is from his third album Food in the Belly. It perfectly encapsulates the wonder that this day is all about.

Happy Earth Day!

Image source: Nikola Jovanic @ Unsplash