Tomorrow is McHappy Day, the one day of the year when we can feel a lot less guilty about eating plenty of Big Macs.
One dollar from the sale of every Big Mac sold will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities. If you’re more of a McNuggets fan like myself you can still help out by buying a $2 wristband.
Besides the warm fuzzy feeling you get from helping out sick kids, McHappy Day’s biggest drawcards are the kind-hearted celebrities who swap their glamorous day jobs for flipping burgers.
The kids from Australian Idol will be at McDonalds in Granville at 11 am, and at Warriewood at 2 pm.
You can see whether their Australian Idol judge Kyle Sandilands is really as grumpy as he seems at McDonalds Hurlstone Park at 11 am, Five Dock at 12:15 pm, and Stanmore at 1:15.
Idol graduate Ricki-Lee Coulter will be doing her bit in Queensland. You can see her at the McDonalds on Cavill Avenue, Gold Coast at 10:30 am, at Helensvale at 11:30 am, at Milton at 1:30 pm, at Redcliffe at 2.45 pm, and at Caboolture at 4 pm.
I’m sure some non-Idol singers will also be helping out, but they don’t seem as willing to publicise their appearances. Why not visit your local Maccas and see who’s there?
After four decades in the music business, Australian Idol judge Marcia Hines is showing no signs of slowing down.
During her time in the spotlight, Marcia’s learnt a thing or two. She brings together a collection of songs that have taught her a thing or two in her new album, Life. In the album’s CD slick, she shares stories and advice relating to her song choices.
“You know how there are songs in your life that when you’re sad and you’re boo hoo that you put it on, or you have songs that are really uplifting? Well these songs have meant a lot to me in my life so I just thought if they work for me they might work for everybody else,” she told The Sydney Morning Herald.
The songs include cover versions of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” Toni Braxton’s “Breathe Again” and, her latest single, a version of REM’s “Everybody Hurts.”
Fans can expect to hear these covers when Marcia supports Lionel Richie on his Australian tour next month. Life is in stores on Saturday.
Move over MySpace. Kylie Minogue’s just released her own social network, Kylie Konnect, and it’s sure to be a big hit with fans.
Like other social networking sites, Kylie Konnect allows users to create profiles, make friends, and upload pictures. But what sets it apart is all the little extras for Kylie fans.
The site promises its users will be first to know the latest news about Kylie. They can also win great prizes, and access exclusive downloads. At the moment, users can download real tones from Kylie’s soon-to-be released album X, watch a sketch from The Kylie Show, and see Kylie’s welcome video.
Meet Australia’s answer to the Dixie Chicks, The McClymonts.
Just like their American counterparts, sisters Samantha, Brooke, and Mollie McClymont are sexy, sassy, and they’re bringing country into the 21st century.
“If we can have even a quarter of the success of the Dixie Chicks, we’d be stoked,” Samatha told The Sunday Telegraph.
“We are always going to get that comparison because we are three girls playing country music, but our music is different.”
The girls released their debut album Chaos and Bright Lights this week. The record is upbeat and modern, with just a hint of traditional bluegrass. Yee-haw!
The Last Town Chorus has captivated fans across North America and Europe with their sublime vocals and haunting melodies. Now the New York outfit is set to weave their magic in Australia.
The Last Town Chorus will play their first Australian shows in November, including sets at the Queenscliff Music Festival and supporting our own Kate Miller-Heidke.
I caught up with the band’s vocalist and lap steel guitar legend Megan Hickey to talk about 80s pop music, life on the road, and her love for Australia.
You don’t see a lot of women playing the lap steel guitar. What inspired you to take it up?
It was a random encounter, but the moment I heard the sound of it I knew it was my muse.
Your album Wire Waltz has become a permanent fixture in my stereo. What are you listening to at the moment? Musically, I’m all over the place at the moment: the new Jay-Z album (he’s from Brooklyn like me), Kelly Clarkson (recently saw her perform here in NYC – amazing), the new Tegan and Sara (I only caught onto them recently, oddly), the new Wilco, new Annie Lennox. Rachid Taha (arabic punk pop), Kanye West, more Chopin than usual, and as always, gobs of mainstream country.
You’ve had great success with your cover of David Bowie’s “Modern Love.” What inspired you to record the song?
I’m an 80s pop music freak, and have always performed at least one reinvented 80s song in my live shows. I worked that one up for a Bowie tribute here in NYC and it stuck.
Readers may know you because “Modern Love” was used in Grey’s Anatomy. Are you a fan of the show?
I watch way more TV than I care to admit in a public forum. Usually in big pre-recorded doses.
You’ve been touring relentlessly for the last year. How do you make each show exciting after so long on the road?
Good question. Every night remains pretty magical to me, because I get to play the lap steel guitar. When paired with the effects I use, the sound is dizzyingly beautiful and evocative to me. So I’m never less than thrilled to have it in my hands.
What do you miss most when you’re away from home? My dog Sailor (a Welsh Corgi).
Will this be your first time visiting Australia? And what are you looking forward to about your stay?
I freaking adore Australia. I visited my Brooklyn musician friend Greta Gertler when she was home in Sydney for holiday. I love the beaches in your country. We rented a tiny boat with an outboard motor and sped around Sydney harbor. I snorkled at Clovelly Beach. And I love the flat white coffee. I am hoping to meet people in each city we’re touring in who will show me around the water … and perhaps meet a couple people who will have me onto their boats … I can’t wait to be back over there.
You’re playing the Queenscliff Music Festival. Do you enjoy playing big events like this, or do you prefer more intimate shows?
I’m thrilled about Queenscliff Music Festival because of its coastal setting. I love playing when I can feel the space we’re all surrounded by.
What can fans expect from your Australian gigs? I’m bringing over a guitar player from NYC, and picking up a keyboard player (L.A. Mitchell) from New Zealand. The shows should rock. I’ll be documenting the whole tour on my online photo travelogue.
And finally, do you have a message for your Australian fans? Yes I do. 1) I’ve never met an Australian I didn’t like. So I probably like you already. 2) Do you have a boat and a spare hour or two when I’m in your town? Email me: megan@thelasttownchorus.com.
If you want to lend Megan your boat or just check out her fantastic music, make sure you catch The Last Town Chorus at one of the following shows.
November 24 – Queenscliff Music Festival
November 25 – Queenscliff Music Festival
November 27 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
November 28 – Ruby’s Lounge, Belgrave
November 29 – Hopetoun Hotel, Sydney
November 30 – The Great Northern, Newcastle
December 1 – Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
December 2 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
December 5 – The Zoo, Brisbane
December 6 – Sound Lounge, Currumbin (with Kate Miller-Heidke)
December 7 – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi (with Kate Miller-Heidke)
Wire Waltz is in stores now, but you can listen to The Last Town Chorus’ cool cover of “Modern Love” below.
Our own Delta Goodrem may sing with one of her biggest idols when Canadian diva Celine Dion arrives in Sydney next year.
Delta has been a long-time fan of Celine’s work, and it seems the admiration is mutual. Celine recorded Delta’s song “Eyes on Me” for her comeback album, Taking Chances.
Celine will tour Australia through March and April, and rumours are already buzzing that the pair will treat Aussie audiences to a diva duet.
“It’s early days but the opportunity is definitely there – Australia is one of Celine’s best selling territories so it would make sense,” a Sony BMG spokeswoman told The Daily Telegraph.
“If their schedules allow for it we’ll make every effort to connect with Celine – Delta would be beside herself,” added Delta’s management.
Aussie poppettes The Veronicas have earned their first number one single this week. Their catchy electronic track “Hook Me Up” climbed three places to take out the top spot on the ARIA charts.
But they couldn’t topple country rock veterans The Eagles, who remain at the top of the album charts with their latest effort, Long Road Out of Eden. The Veronicas’ new album, also called Hook Me Up, is sitting pretty at number two.
It was another strong week for local lass Delta Goodrem whose single “In This Life” is currently sitting at number five on the singles charts. Her new album Delta is at number three.
David Campbell is back doing what he does best with The Swing Sessions 2. The classic covers album debuted at number eight on the album charts, just ahead of fellow Aussies Sneaky Sound System and The John Butler Trio.
Click below to see the complete Australian top 10.
In one of the closest verdicts this season, Australian Idol viewers sent home likable crooner Carl Riseley.
Just four percent separated Carl from remaining Idol hopefuls Matt Corby and Natalie Gauci. Despite coming so close to the Idol crown, Carl was gracious in defeat.
“Man, I am so thrilled for these two,” he told the studio audience. “These two are the most talented guys I have ever met.”
Next Sunday Matt and Natalie will perform three songs including the winner’s single “Here I Am.” Then they’ll head to the Sydney Opera House on November 25 to learn who will be our next Australian Idol.
Image source: Charlotte in Australia @ Flickr
It’s crunch time on Australian Idol, with only three young hopefuls remaining. Tonight we’ll see one of them leave the comp, paving the way for the final two to sing for the ultimate title at the Opera House. You’d think all of that would have inspired some outstanding performances, but did it?
Natalie Gauci was first up, singing the viewer’s choice of “Ray of Light.” I agree with Kyle – this is the worst thing I’ve seen Natalie do. Personally I’ve never liked the song, and it did Natalie no favours. If nothing else, it proved that Natalie can’t sing anything. Thankfully, this wasn’t her only song of the night. Pink’s “Nobody Knows” was a much better choice, and I really enjoyed it.
I was really excited when I heard the home viewer had picked “You Give Me Something” for Carl Riseley, but I didn’t think this worked at all. Vocally it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either. I thought his version of “For Once in My Life” was better, but it still wasn’t up to the standard I’d expect at this stage of the competition. I like Carl a lot, but I’m wondering whether he peaked too early.
I was beginning to despair that the viewers’ choices would unintentionally sabotage all of the Idols, when Matt Corby appeared. Evermore’s “It’s Too Late” was the perfect song for him, forcing him to step out of the introspective space he’s inhabited for the last few weeks and really perform. In my eyes, this was the performance of the night. He closed the show with a soaring rendition of “Across the Universe.” It didn’t quite have the “Idol Moment” I think he was aiming for, but it came pretty close.
I honestly have no idea who will go tonight. If the punters vote on performance alone, Carl should be shown the door but we all know more comes into play than that. His status in the bottom two last week will only inspire more Carl fans to pick up the phone. I feel Matt and Natalie have been our most consistent performers and deserve places at the Opera House, but will it happen? You’ll have to watch tonight’s elimination show to find out!
Some say the concept album is dead, but don’t tell that to the folks behind No Man’s Woman. The album features some of Australia’s finest male artists covering songs made famous by iconic female figures.
The results are surprising. I would never have expected some of the song choices, like Josh Pyke’s Kate Bush cover, or The Vines’ reinterpretation of The Veronicas. Some of the artists are faithful to the originals, while others opt for dramatic reworkings. Despite these different approaches, all the musicians involved ultimately show a respect for the original artists.
Now I’ve had the disc for a while I find myself repeating Lior’s glorious cover of “Landslide,” Angus Stone’s poignant version of Joni Mitchell’s “River,” and Dan Kelly’s ukelele-driven interpretation of “Nothing Compares 2 U.” But I still can’t warm to Tex Perkins’ menacing “I Am Woman,” or The Vines’ dirge-like “4Ever.” Many of the tracks won’t be to everyone’s tastes, but that’s part of the joy of an album like this. There’s enough diversity here to keep everyone satisfied.
No Man’s Woman is currently available with a limited edition bonus disc, featuring nine of the original songs (or technically eight and Sinead O’Connor’s version of “Nothing Compares 2 U”). It’s a great reference, giving listeners the opportunity to see where these new interpretations came from.
