Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Musos Weigh In On Election Issues

The federal election is just two weekends away, and if you believe the polls change is in the air. Australian elections are largely free from the celebrity endorsements seen in the American campaigns, but some of our most influential musicians are starting to speak out about who has, or hasn’t, got their vote.

Shannon Noll’s made no secret of backing National MP for Parkes John Cobb.

“I think with this election people are concerned about issues that are going to affect them personally and musicians are no different, whether it be petrol or interest rates,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

Mark Seymour, Sarah Blasko, Tim Freedman, and Perry Keyes will show their support for Labor by playing at the party’s arts policy launch today.

“At the end of the day we all have a responsibility at some time in our lives to make our core values known, even if it’s just to our friends over a barbecue,” Mark Seymour said.

Continue reading “Musos Weigh In On Election Issues” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

More Motown from Human Nature

Human Nature figure that when you’re on to a good thing, stick to it. That’s why they’re releasing their third album of Motown covers, Get Ready.

But don’t think this album is more of the same. Motown legends Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Martha Reeves (Martha and the Vandellas), and Mary Wilson (The Supremes) all make guest appearances for an added dose of cred.

In fact, Smokey was so impressed by our local lads that the recorded two songs with them: the album’s title track “Get Ready” and “Tears of a Clown.”

He’ll also join Human Nature for their promo tour later this month. According to Sony BMG, Smokey will sing “Get Ready” with the boys on Dancing with the Stars on November 20. But he won’t leave the country until the 25th, so there could be a couple more appearances in store.

Will Get Ready emulate the success of their earlier Motown efforts? Reach Out and Dancing in the Street both topped the charts and achieved multi-platinum status. But this time around, Human Nature face stiff competition from Guy Sebastian’s The Memphis Album.

Only time will tell who wins this soul covers battle. Get Ready will hit stores on November 17.

Image source: Jeaneeem @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

East Coast Bluesfest Bill Announced

The East Coast Blues & Roots Festival always boasts an impressive lineup, and the 2008 event is shaping up to be no exception.

The rumours about Sinead O’Connor were true. She’ll be there alongside other international big guns The Black Crowes, Wilco, Don McLean, Buddy Guy, Ron Sexsmith, and Loudon Wainwright III.

They’ll join a host of local big names including Keith Urban, Eskimo Joe, John Butler Trio, Clare Bowditch, Gotye, and Angus and Julia Stone.

Expect the announcement of more talent before the festival kicks off at Byron Bay’s Belongil Fields on 20-24 March 2008. Tickets are on sale now.

Image source: Leah Pritchard @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Old Man River’s a Ray of Sunshine

Old Man River will brighten up your summer with their new single “Sunshine.”

Funnily enough, they’ve opted to tour the chilly regions of Europe to celebrate its release. They’ll kick off their Italian dates at Milan’s La Casa 139 tomorrow night, before visiting Scandiano, Brescia, Rome, and Ancona. They’ll arrive in Germany on the 17th, and play Hamburg, Munich, Berlin and Koln.

But never fear Aussies. Old Man River will be back before the jetlag kicks in to play a string of shows, including Homebake, the Peats Ridge Festival, and The Falls.

You’d think they’d be tired of touring after all that, but Old Man River are just getting started. In early 2008 they’ll take their delicious blend of folk and pop to Japan, Canada, and the United States.

Image source: Shmulix15 @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

MySpace Rocks for Darfur

MySpace is behind 37 shows “Rock for Darfur” concerts across Australia, the United States, and the rest of the world this Saturday. John Butler Trio will fly the Aussie flag in New York, Megadeth with rock Perth, and Xavier Rudd will play Sydney.

“As I watch the fire around my Southern California home, I know that the devastation of losing treasured personal property, a house, or even a whole city, cannot compare to the evil atrocities that the children and parents of Darfur have had to endure under the ongoing genocide,” said Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine.

“I hope and pray you too will join in helping the people of Darfur in a small way by attending a ‘Rock for Darfur’ concert on November 10. All donations, large and small, are very necessary to help overpower this tragedy. I am doing my part, will you do yours?”

The concerts will raise funds for Oxfam and the Save Darfur Coalition. Just turn up at any of the shows below to make a difference!

Australia

  • Butterfingers – The Zoo, Brisbane, Qld
  • Clare Bowditch + The Feeding Set – Fowlers Live, Adelaide, SA
  • Dardanelles – James Hotel, Launceston, Tas
  • Megadeth – The Metro, Perth, WA
  • Xavier Rudd – Enmore Theatre, Sydney, Australia

United States

  • Amoeba Music: Brandi Shearer, Coby Brown, Quincy Coleman, and Meiko – Hotel Café, Los Angeles, CA
  • Bob Weir & RatDog – HOB, Myrtle Beach, SC
  • Cartel – Skate Park of Memphis, Memphis, TN
  • Coheed & Cambria – SOMA, San Diego, CA
  • Colbie Caillat – The Orange Peel, Asheville, NC
  • Emmitt Nershi Band – Abbey Pub, Chicago, IL
  • Enter the Haggis – Martyr’s, Chicago, IL
  • Envy on the Coast – SUNY Oneonta, Syracuse, NY
  • Fall Out Boy, Gym Class Heroes and Cute is What We Aim For – Harbor Yard Arena, Bridgeport, CT
  • Family Force 5 – Xtreme Wheels, Buffalo, NY
  • Gabby Glaser – The Annex, New York, NY
  • John Butler Trio – Terminal 5, New York, NY
  • Josh Kelley/Pat McGee Band – Exit/In, Nashville, TN
  • Maroon 5 – The Pearl, Las Vegas, NV
  • Mutemath and Eisley – HOB, Dallas, TX
  • MySpace Music Tour feat. Hellogoodbye and Say Anything – Palladium, Dallas, TX
  • Puddle of Mudd – Pop’s, Sauget, IL
  • Rogue Wave – The Bottletree, Birmingham, AL
  • Sick of it All – Agora, Cleveland, OH
  • State Radio – House of Blues, Chicago, IL
  • Streetlight Manifesto – Grand Ballroom, New York, NY
  • Suzanne Vega – Neumos Crystal Ball reading room, Seattle, WA
  • The Academy Is … with Armor for Sleep, the Rocket Summer & Sherwood -Evolution, Buffalo, NY
  • The Decemberists – 930 Club, Washington, D.C.
  • The Elevation Tour: Now On with Buff1 and Othello – Club 156, Denver, CO
  • The Heavy Pets – Mexicali Blues, Teaneck, NJ
  • The Minus 5 – The Towne Lounge, Portland, OR
  • Three Days Grace w/Seether – Bell County Expo Center, Belton, TX
  • Zion I – Catalyst, Santa Cruz, CA

Rest of the World

  • Charlie Hunter Trio – Blue Note, Milan, Italy
  • Hot Hot Heat – The Venue at Oran Mor, GlasgowUK
  • NOFX – Wavehouse, Durban, South Africa

Image source: Phil Konstantin @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Feist, Gotye and More Play Laneways

An eclectic collection of international and local acts will play the 2008 Laneway Festival.

Feist, Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah, Kevin Drew, Okkervil River, and Dan Deacon and The Brunettes will visit our shores for the travelling festival. They’ll join local stars Gotye, The Panics, The Devastations, Little Red, Via Tania, The Holidays and Bridezilla. More acts will be announced in the coming months.

The festival will kick off in Adelaide on February 23. This is the first time the event has played the South Australian capital. It’ll then travel to Melbourne and Brisbane, before concluding in Sydney on March 2.

Tickets for the Laneway Festival go on sale tomorrow at www.lanewayfestival.com.au.

Image source: Laneway Festival website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Girls Score American Deal

Local lasses Tamara Jaber, Reigan Derry, and Hayley Aitken look set to take America by storm. The trio recently signed a multi-album deal with America’s Def Jam records, and they’re currently working on their debut release.

Tamara was one fifth of the failed pop group Scandal’us, but these days she’s better known as Kyle Sandilands main squeeze. Her solo career failed to ignite here, despite some major backing from Kyle, and she’s been trying her luck in the US ever since.

You may remember Reigan from last year’s season of Australian Idol. She definitely had the looks and the vocal chops, but some questionable song choices saw her make an early exit.

Hayley released a couple of singles in Australia about five years ago, but none of them really made an impact on the charts. She also wrote four songs on Ricki-Lee Coulter’s debut album.

So while none of these girls has made a massive impression on their own, together they may just be a force to be reckoned with. It worked for the Young Divas, right?

Image source: Paul Cush @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Veronicas’ New Album Hooks Australia

Their latest single has us hooked, and the album of the same name is just as catchy. The Veronicas’ second album, Hook Me Up, was released on Saturday and it shows a new side of Australia’s favourite twins.

“It’s been over two years since we wrote the first record so I guess our musical tastes have changed a little bit,” Lisa Origliasso said in a press release.

It seems the fans don’t mind a bit. The first single reached number 4 on the charts and achieved gold status.

The Veronicas wrote the album with the best in the business, including folks who write for Christina Aguilera, Mika, Good Charlotte, and Madonna. But they forged a special partnership with Toby Gad, the man behind Fergie’s “Big Girls Don’t Cry.” He helped to write eight of the album’s 12 tracks, including the emotional “This is How it Feels” and the dance-floor anthem “Popular.”

“With Toby, we’d gossip with him and tell him all the drama in our lives,” explained Lisa.

“That’s why a lot of those songs come across as emotional and intense,” added Jess.

The twins will play songs from their latest release and their smash hit debut when they tour the country later this month. Their national tour starts in Perth on November 30, before visiting Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast.

Image source: Toby Forage @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Marty Simpson’s Dream Run Ends

Last night Australian Idol bid a fond farewell to likeable Central Coast lad, Marty Simpson. A regular in the bottom three throughout the competition, he showed his resilience to make it to the top four.

In his farewell speech Marty thanked everyone involved with the show, particularly Idol HQ House Manager Sam for his breakfast smoothies.

I know many who read this blog are happy to see the back of Marty, but I’m not one of them. Throughout the competition he’s taken every criticism under his belt, and used them to improve his performances. I love the rich easy tone of his voice, and I’m going to miss it on the Idol stage.

Next week the remaining three contestants will sing songs chosen by the voting public. I love this theme as you never know quite what you’re going to get. It should be fun!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Australian Idol Does Big Band

Glitz and glamour was the order of the day, as our Australian Idol top four performed the swing stylings of big band. Some felt right at home with the standards, while other struggled.

Carl Riseley has become the show’s resident swing king, and he did a pretty decent job within his comfort zone. My biggest problem with Carl when he performs in this style is that he shows little originality. While I’m a big Michael Bublé fan, I don’t really like his take on “Me and Mrs Jones.” Just like Michael’s, Carl’s version showed none of the sexiness of the original. The song is about sex more than romance, and both singers seem to miss that point. However, I do think it was vocally stronger than his second performance, “Just Kiss Me.” Those lyrics are just frenetic, and I don’t think he was in the pocket for much of it. However, he’s become a real showman and it was an entertaining effort. I agree with the judges: this was meant to be Carl’s night and he really needed to do more than anyone else to wow us.

Marty Simpson was always going to find tonight more difficult than any of the other Idols, and it showed. He was very clever, choosing modern songs he already connected with and giving them a big band reworking. The arrangements were really very good, but his stage manner showed he wasn’t confident in them. It’s a shame. I thought “American Baby” sounded great, but I would have loved a little more fire from “Light My Fire.”

Matt Corby came next, with some average efforts. He too looked a little uncomfortable, but there was no denying his vocal abilities. First up was Michael Bublé’s take on James Taylor’s “How Sweet It Is,” and then the more traditional big band song “Beyond the Sea.” Overall I was a bit bored by it. The emotional connection I’m used to from Matt was missing, and his performances suffered for it.

Natalie Gauci was last night’s real surprise package. She came out with a stunning rendition of “Orange Coloured Sky” and backed it up with “How High the Moon.” Either performance could have earned her a touchdown, but Mark waited until the end to give it to her, her third touchdown in a row. Natalie’s definitely peaking right now, and I think she deserves to be at the Opera House more than anyone else.

I think either Marty or Carl’s number may be up this week. Marty’s performances were probably the weakest, but he’s got a really strong fan base who must realise he’s more vulnerable this week than he’s ever been. Carl should have shone here, and he didn’t. He did better than Matt, but the teenagers aren’t going to let Mr Corby go just yet.