Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Weddings, Parties, Anything Together Again

Weddings, Parties, Anything won our hearts back in the 90s with their epic single “Father’s Day.” They never saw that kind of success again, but Weddoes fans continued to see the lads in droves until they parted ways in 1998.

Now a decade later Mick Thomas and the boys have teamed up for one last tour. You can check them out at the following venues.

1 March 2008 – The Peninsula Lounge, Moorooduc
2 March 2008 – Beulah Footy Club, Beulah
8-9 March 2008 – Port Fairy Folk Festival, Port Fairy
22 March 2008 – East Coast Blues and Roots Festival, Byron Bay
23 March 2008 – Southern Roots Festival, Hobart
28 March 2008 – Arts Centre, Fremantle
5 April 2008 – The Gaelic, Sydney
11 April 2008 – The Zoo, Brisbane
18 April 2008 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
25 April 2008 – Astoria 2, London

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Michael Bublé Show a Valentine’s Day Treat

Few performers make me swoon like Canadian crooner Michael Bublé. All that vintage charm is so incredibly romantic, and I’ve always been a sucker for a man in a suit.

Aussie audiences will have to wait until May to catch the man himself, but Perth men can score some major brownie points by taking their ladies to see Earl Cole’s Michael Bublé tribute show this Valentine’s Day.

Earl is known as Perth’s finest crooner, so he’s sure to do justice to Michael’s big hits including “Home,” “Fever,” “Everything,” “Sway” and more.

But the show’s not just about impressing the women. The Earl Cole Dancers will give the men some eye candy too.

Earl Cole’s Michael Bublé tribute show will play at 7:30 pm at Cicconi’s on Cambridge (353 Cambridge Street, Wembley). Tickets cost $75, and they include a romantic three-course meal and bubbly on arrival. You can book a table by calling Cicconi’s on (08) 9383 7888.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Duran Duran, Smashing Pumpkins, QOTSA Play Adelaide

Adelaide may have missed out on the V Festival, but that doesn’t mean they’ll miss some of the event’s biggest names. 80s pop icons Duran Duran and 90s emo pioneers Smashing Pumpkins are making the trip to South Australia. As an added bonus for Pumpkins fans, Queens of the Stone Age will also appear at this very special show.

Duran Duran will play all their classic tracks and songs from their newie Red Carpet Massacre on April 1 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. The big Smashing Pumpkins/Queens of the Stone Age show will play the Ent Cent on the following night. Yes, that’s right: two massive shows on in the middle of the week. I can imagine there’ll be some very bleary-eyed workers in Adelaide!

Tickets for both shows will go on sale to the public at 9 am on Monday 11 February from Ticketek.

Image source: Brian Aris @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jackie Orszaczky Loses Cancer Fight

Bass guitarist extraordinaire Jackie Orszaczky passed away on Sunday morning following a long battle with cancer.

Jackie was born in Hungary in 1948. He relocated to Australia in 1974. On his arrival, he played bass with the 70s band Bakery and led Marcia Hines’ band.

Jackie was embraced by the local music scene and became one of the most prominent session musicians in Australia. He worked with a diverse collection of artists including The Whitlams, Savage Garden, You Am I, Leonardo’s Bride, Hoodoo Gurus, and Grinspoon.

Fans can remember Jackie at an upcoming private celebration. Details of this public ceremony are still being finalised.

As for the music, that’s not over just yet. A new trio album, featuring Dave Symes and Hamish Stuart, will be released on Vitamin Records later this year.

Here’s a great video of Jackie playing Ray Charles’ “Lonely Avenue.” Enjoy!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pete Murray Tours New Album in Europe

It’s been a little bit quiet on the Pete Murray front, but don’t think this massive singer-songwriter has been idle. He’s putting the finishing touches on a new album which should hit stores in May.

Pete will showcase his new material when he tours Ireland, England, Belgium, and Germany mid-year.

Don’t worry Aussies – Pete hasn’t forgotten about us. He’ll announce an Australian tour later this year.

Pete Murray’s European tour dates are as follows:

28 May 2008 – Olympia Theatre, Dublin
29 May 2008 – Academy 2 Manchester Uni, Manchester
30 May 2008 – Carling Academy Brixton, London
3 June 2008 – AB Club, Brussels
5 June 2008 – Frannz Club, Berlin

Apparently there are more gigs to come so don’t fret if your city isn’t here yet!

Image source: Michael Spencer @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Spice Girls Cancel Aussie Show

Sorry kids. It looks like the Spice Girls won’t visit Australia after all. Emma, Geri, Mel B, Mel C, and Victoria have decided to wrap up their world tour at the end of the month.

Their last performance will be in Toronto on February 26, leaving China, South America, South Africa, and Australia out in the cold.

“We’ve had such an amazing time over the last three months,” the girls said in a statement. “It’s been incredible being back together and seeing our fans again. We want to thank everyone who came to see us. It was all so mad the first time round, so we’ve really been able to appreciate it properly this time.

“There have been so many highlights and good times that we know it will be hard to be apart after Toronto. Really sorry if we didn’t get to see you this time round. We all have other commitments in our lives now but who knows what will happen next.”

There are rumours buzzing around that poor ticket sales and high ticket prices are behind the tour’s early end, but I’m not so sure. I know plenty of people who signed up for the ticket ballot, and I’m sure they’re going to be crushed.

The statement doesn’t discount further reunions sometime down the track so who knows? I’ll keep my fingers crossed for all your Aussie Spice Girls fans!

Image source: Martinrp @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Live & Cookin’ @ Lizotte’s Restaurant – Various

The Live & Cookin’ @ Lizotte’s Restaurant CD has been permanently lodged in my stereo since I picked it up at the Rick Price/Jackie Bristow show a few weeks ago. The disc features an all-Australian cast, with big names like Daryl Braithwaite, Christine Anu, Rick Price, and Richard Clapton appearing alongside Central Coast locals Mike McCarthy and Sarah Humphries.

The songs are stripped back and raw. We all know the words to just about every track, but their acoustic treatments breathe new life into these songs, giving the familiar tunes new meaning. To hear Diesel and Jon Stevens jamming on “Dock of the Bay” is truly something special.

I’ve often gushed about my time at Lizotte’s. I feel so blessed to live on the Central Coast, where we have such an intimate venue serving the simple pleasures of good food, good wine, and good music. We aren’t all so lucky. But this album allows all of us to experience a little bit of Lizotte’s. The CD slick even features some recipes so we can recreate the experience at home.

Just like a night out at my favourite venue, Live & Cookin’ @ Lizotte’s is a satisfying and indulgent experience to be enjoyed again and again.

Image source: Lizotte’s website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Olivia Newton-John Comes Out for Mardi Gras

Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras always ends on a high, and this year’s 30th-anniversary party is no exception. This year’s special guest performer is none other than our very own Olivia Newton-John.

Livvy’s always relished her status as a gay icon, so it’s lovely to see her headlining this year’s event.

According to Same Same, fans can look forward to plenty of sexy back-up dancers and a crowd-pleasing song. My money’s on something old school like “Xanadu” or “Physical.” Whatever she plays, I’m sure it’ll be fabulous!

The Mardi Gras 30th Anniversary Party is at the Hordern Pavilion on March 1. Tickets are available for $150 from Ticketek. Sorry kids – this is an adults-only event!

Image source: Olivia Newton-John press photos

Image source: John Matthew Smith @ www.celebrity-photos.com @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

She’s Back! Tarisai Takes the Stage

Thought you’d seen the last of Australian Idol alum Tarisai Vushe? I know I had, but it seems this pint-sized pop diva is determined to make it in the music industry. She’s handpicked a star-studded backing band, and is currently preparing for her first big gig at Parramatta’s Roxy on March 8, supporting Malaika.

Tarisai will play alongside Brad Carr (The Choirboys), Peter Bilney (The Normie Rowe Band), Pat Frisina (Brave’n’Crazy), Stephen Short (Hump), Jack Demerjian (Arax), and Oles Yurakov (Bandolero).

“I just needed a band for my life shows. They’re really experienced and really committed,” Tarisai told The Daily Telegraph.

“Kids are awesome, but I just really wanted commitment and serious people.”

Tarisai and Band perform blues, roots, and old style rock music including covers and originals. Tickets for Tarisai and Malaika will be available soon from The Roxy.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gabriella Cilmi Wows Brits

She may be just 16 years old, but Gabriella Cilmi is hot stuff. The Aussie teen has just signed a major deal with Island Records, the label that gave U2 and Bob Marley their start.

My British readers may have already heard her debut single “Sweet About Me,” which just hit UK radio. She also recently became the first unknown singer to appear on the BBC’s Later with Jools Holland, a massive show which normally books the likes of Radiohead and Kylie. Gabriella’s currently touring the United Kingdom supporting Nouvelle Vague.

It may seem like all the buzz about Gabriella has happened overnight, but nothing could be farther from the truth. She was discovered in Melbourne by Festival Mushroom Records (now Warner Music) when she was just 12. They developed her talent, and the rest is history.

“I remember we were all called in to listen to her sing when she was 12 or 13,” a Warner Music spokesperson told The Sydney Morning Herald. “She sounded like she had the voice of a 30-year-old. It was just incredible.”

Aussies will get a chance to see Gabriella do her thing when she returns home for a promo tour in late March.