Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wiggly Charity Show

The Wiggles are joining some of their nearest and dearest friends for one of the biggest charity shows Australia has seen. The skivvy-loving Unicef goodwill ambassadors will lead a monster line-up at the Entertainment Centre on 25 May.

The popular kids entertainers will play alongside Aussie rock royalty Jimmy Barnes, Australian Idol winner Damien Leith, global pop icon Leo Sayer, country darlings The McClymonts, and heaps more.

All funds raised will help provide clean water and toilets for schools and communities in East Timor.

“We thought that the best way to raise money for this project is to do what we do – entertain children and put on a special Wiggly concert,” Blue Wiggle Anthony Field told The Sunday Telegraph.

So get out and enjoy some good music, and feel good about doing it! Tickets are on sale now from just $30.

Image source: Led2Life @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gabriella Cilmi Tops Singles Charts

It seems Australia’s sweet on Gabriella Cilmi. The teen sensation has topped the ARIA charts this week with her catchy tune “Sweet About Me,” knocking Flo Rida’s “Low” from the number one possie.

The bluesy pop number, which the talented 16-year-old co-wrote, is the debut single from her soon to be released first album Lessons to be Learned. If “Sweet About Me” is any indication, this album’s going to be massive.

Faker’s “This Heart Attack” has had another lease of life, jumping from number 18 back into the top 10. It’s sitting pretty at number 9.

Canadian crooner k.d. lang’s earned her first number one for Watershed. What I’ve heard of this album is breathtaking, so it’s really well deserved.

Cut Copy are the only Australian band to make an appearance in the top ten. Their former chart topper In Ghost Colours is hanging onto the tenth position.

Here’s all this week’s chart action.

Top 10 Australian Singles

  1. “Sweet About Me” – Gabriella Cilmi
  2. “Low” – Flo Rida feat. T-Pain
  3. “4 Minutes” – Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake
  4. “Bubbly” – Colbie Caillat
  5. “With You” – Chris Brown
  6. “Tattoo” – Jordin Sparks
  7. “Don’t Stop the Music” – Rihanna
  8. “Work” – Kelly Rowland
  9. “This Heart Attack” – Faker
  10. “Dream Catch Me” – Newton Faulkner

Top 10 Australian Albums

  1. Watershed – k.d. lang
  2. The 100 Most Beautiful Melodies – Andre Rieu
  3. Step Up 2: The Streets – Soundtrack
  4. Dreaming Out Loud – One Republic
  5. Sleep Through the Static – Jack Johnson
  6. Exclusive – Chris Brown
  7. Pretty. Odd. – Panic at the Disco
  8. Hand Built By Robots – Newton Faulkner
  9. Good Girl Gone Bad – Rihanna
  10. In Ghost Colours – Cut Copy

Image source: Lee Jordan @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Music Blog Spotlight: Sunday Soundtracks Roundup

Today in the music channel we’ve been sharing our Sunday soundtracks with our loyal readers. Here are all the posts in case you missed them.

  • Ana’s been busting out gems from the 1990s at Austin Sound Check.
  • Devorah gives us a taste of what she’s been listening to at Big Apple Music Scene.
  • Dave at Brit Music Scene set his media player on random, and it didn’t let him down.
  • Jyle at Hip Hop Roll tells us about his latest album obsession.
  • Scott at Metal Martyr weighs in with the songs he’s been listening to.
  • Bruce at Our Digital Music tells us the songs he needs to get through the day.
  • Dexie at Pop Music Scene spills the beans on the pop songs that she’ll never skip.
  • Every day this week Bruce at The Rock Dose will feature a great song to start your day.
  • Mike at Toronto Unplugged lets you take a listen to the tracks on his iPod.

What’s on your playlist? I’d love to know!

Image source: Steve Harvey @ Unsplash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

My Sunday Soundtrack

Music is such a big part of the lives of all of the bloggers here in the music channel, we thought we’d give you a little insight into the music we’re listening to. So we’ve all compiled a list of the songs we heard yesterday.

Mine’s a little bit different than it might be on an average Sunday as I was spent most of the day with my parents after the big k.d. lang show. So don’t judge me too harshly, but here it is.

When I woke up Dad was watching Sunday. Not a lot of music there, but James Reyne and Mark Seymour did make an appearance for a great performance of World Party’s “Ship of Fools.”

Dad headed downstairs to work on my car so I flicked over to take in a little Video Hits. The tracks are always a bit hit and miss, but I had my sister’s copy of Rolling Stone to amuse me when it was terrible. Here’s what I heard.

  • “Piece of Me” – Britney Spears
  • “Vogue” – Madonn
  • “Nothing Compares 2 U” – Sinead O’Connor
  • “With Every Heartbeat” – Robyn
  • “Sweet About Me” – Gabriella Cilmi
  • “Real to Me” – Brian McFadden
  • “Moving to New York” – The Wombats

Mum woke up around this point so I decided to go and hang out with her in the bedroom. My parents tend to just listen to the radio, and these were the songs I heard.

  • “Amazing” – Alex Lloyd
  • “Copperhead Road” – Steve Earle
  • “Good Excuse” – John Butler Trio
  • “Standing on the Outside” – Cold Chisel
  • “Untouched” – The Veronicas
  • “Check it Out” – John Mellencamp
  • “The World I Know” – Collective Soul
  • “If I Had Eyes” – Jack Johnson
  • “Dakota” – Stereophonics
  • “Let Me Entertain You” – Robbie Williams
  • “All Your Reasons” – Matchbox Twenty
  • “Fast Car” – Tracy Chapman
  • “The Joker and the Thief” – Wolfmother
  • “Safety Dance” – Men Without Hats
  • “U & UR Hand” – Pink
  • “Ashes to Ashes” – David Bowie
  • “I Was Made for Loving You” – Kiss
  • “Sounds of Then” – GANGgajang
  • “Pictures of You” – The Last Goodnight
  • “My Happiness” – Powderfinger
  • “Call Me” – Blondie

Then my Dad hijacked the radio and switched it to the easy listening station. I was in and out most of this time, but these are the songs I heard.

  • “Wild World” – Cat Stevens
  • “You Don’t Know Me” – Ray Charles
  • “When Will I Be Loved” – Linda Ronstadt
  • “Rainy Night in Georgia” – Randy Crawford

By this time it was around 5 so I decided to head home. I listened to the cool No Man’s Woman compilation, skipping the tracks that just don’t rev me. These are the ones that made the cut.

  • “River” – Angus Stone
  • “Glorybox” – Powderfinger
  • “Landslide” – Lior
  • “Car Wheels on a Gravel Road” – Bob Evans
  • “Nothing Compares 2 U” – Dan Kelly
  • “Wuthering Heights” – Josh Pyke
  • “Boys in Town” – Grinspoon

Looking at these tracks just makes me wish I was back there again! Weekends are just never long enough!

Image source: Josh Sorenson @ Unsplash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

k.d. lang @ Tempus Two Winery, Hunter Valley – 12 April 2008

Last night I joined my parents at the first concert of k.d. lang’s Watershed tour in the Hunter Valley. It was a beautiful night, pleasantly cool and clear, the weather kind to the thousands of devoted fans who made their way to the natural amphitheatre of Tempus Two Winery.

The night opened with King Curly, a strange but compelling band. I don’t recall ever seeing a quartet with a big double bass and trombone, but it somehow worked. Their harmonies were sublime, but the dark lyrics about avenging zombies and homeless bumblebees were unusual to say the least! I lapped up their half hour set which was over far too quickly.

Next up was Slava Grigoryan. He’s such a talented classical guitarist, but this wasn’t the right venue for him. His introverted personality couldn’t fill the large open space, and it was a great shame. It was technically brilliant, but ultimately boring.

Sunrise co-host Melissa Doyle came out to introduce k.d., telling us that her latest album Watershed had just gone to number one. This happy news ultimately set the tone for the evening, one of celebration of one of the world’s greatest vocalists.

I’ve never been a massive k.d. lang fan. I’ve happily listened to her records while visiting my parents, but I’ve never gone out to buy the CDs or see her live before. But I remember catching a concert on the ABC a few years ago and being utterly compelled by her performance. I’m thrilled to say that entrancing presence I saw on the television was just as strong in person.

I was in awe as she delivered heartfelt performances of her originals and famous covers. Her smoky, husky voice just soars, and it’s amazing to behold. “Hallelujah” was such a highlight, but I also loved the vulnerability she brought to “Helpless” and the bittersweet yearning of “Constant Craving.”

k.d. has an amazing ability to inhabit a song. There were plenty of tracks I didn’t know, but her presence is so strong that matters little. She forces you to listen to the lyrics, to hear the stories, and to glory in the music.

What a performer, what a concert. Australian k.d. fans are in for a real treat as she makes her way around the country.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wolf & Cub’s UK Deal

Adelaide indie outfit Wolf & Cub have just landed a prestigious publishing deal with UK’s Domino. This is the same company who work with global megastars Franz Ferdinand and Arctic Monkeys, so it’s massive news for our local lads.

“Joel Byrne (Wolf & Cub) writes great tunes that rock our world and Domino Publishing is proud to have him on board,” Domino’s general manager Paul Lambden said.

The news comes just after Wolf & Cub released their debut album Vessels in the United Kingdom. They’re currently hard at work in the studio writing and recording album number two. We should hear a taste of it soon with the first single scheduled for a mid-year release.

Image source: Vessels404 @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Powderfinger Sells Out

I told you it would happen. But if you still procrastinated about getting those Powderfinger tickets you’re going to kick yourself. Those original shows in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne sold out in around five minutes.

But don’t stress too much. The lovely lads from Brisvegas have announced second shows at all the venues. They’re on sale now, so don’t think about it: just buy them.

The new shows are:

8 June 2008 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
12 June 2008 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
14 June – The Forum, Melbourne

Image source: Jeaneeem @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Michael Johns Gets "American Idol" Boot

Michael Johns‘ dream run on American Idol has come to an end. His performance of “Dream On” was pretty solid, but it failed to connect with the American public.

I’ve got to admit that I’m shocked by the verdict. I was convinced that snoozeworthy Kristy Lee Cook or Whitney wannabe Syesha Mercado would get the chop first. Goes to show what I know!

It’s a doubly harsh blow considering the Australian Idol producers have decided to postpone the LA auditions indefinitely in favour of extending the London auditions. And here I was thinking he could just try out for our comp! Maybe next year Michael!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pop Royalty Judges Australian Idol

I loved the celebrity guest judges in American Idol a few years back, so I’m thrilled to read Australia’s doing something similar this year. But while America saved the big guns for the top 12, we’re bringing Darren Hayes and Tina Arena in for the auditions. The pop megastars will join Dicko and James Matheson for the upcoming London audition.

“As an Australian entertainer living in London I definitely have a soft spot for Aussies trying to make it overseas,” Darren Hayes told The Daily Telegraph.

“Rather than judging people, I’m going to be looking for that little bit of magic that someone once saw in me. I think potential is a huge criteria for a musical career and hopefully Tina and I can help discover some.”

There are so many Aussies living in London so I can’t wait to see who they unearth over there. And how refreshing to have an audition without nasty judge Kyle Sandilands!

Image source: Maggz Appleton @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Michael Johns Does Aerosmith on "American Idol"

Michael Johns was back wearing his rock pants last night on American Idol. He took on the Aerosmith anthem “Dream On” and seemed to have the entire audience in the palm of his hands.

The judges seemed a little underwhelmed though. I understand what they’re saying, and agree last week’s performance was better. I just love him singing soul. But I appreciate him showing some diversity, and I think this was probably his best rock number.

Will it be enough to keep in the comp. I hope so, but at this stage it’s just so hard to predict. There are definitely people who deserve the boot before Michael, so I’m crossing my fingers.