Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Darren Hayes Arrested After Racist Attack

Last week he was sounding off about John Howard’s stance on homosexual rights. This week Darren Hayes’ mouth has found him behind bars. The former Savage Garden frontman was arrested after hurling racist barbs at a waiter in a London Thai restaurant.

“We can confirm that a 35-year-old man was arrested by Westminster police on suspicion of racially abusing a member of staff,” a Scotland Yard spokesman said.

“He was arrested after voluntarily attending a Central London police station by appointment. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries, until the 21st of September.”

However, according to Darren’s solicitor the claims are untrue.

“He is deeply upset at the allegation which he strenuously denies and anyone who knows Darren will recognise that the particular nature of the allegation is totally abhorrent to him and contrary to everything for which he has stood,” reads a post on Darren’s official website.

I must admit, the softly spoken singer spends so much time fighting for equality that racial attacks seem very out of character. Yet the manager of the Busaba Eathai restaurant in Soho is sticking to his story. I guess we’ll just have to wait until the case goes to trial to get to the bottom of it.

Image source: MandyJC72 @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Perth Powderchair Gig On, Up! Festival Off

Do you want the good news or the bad news first? Good news? Well here goes.

Last week we reported that Perth’s Across the Great Divide concerts were in doubt, after the council banned the events. Last night this decision was reversed, so the shows at Claremont Oval will go ahead as planned. This will undoubtedly please the 20,000 Powderfinger and Silverchair fans who bought tickets to the September shows.

The news isn’t so great for Michael Franti fans, as his Up! Festival has been postponed until next year.

The shows, featuring Spearhead, Ben Lee, Blue King Brown, and Old Man River, were scheduled for next month. But apparently Michael Franti’s band had other plans.

“There was a scheduling conflict and Spearhead was not able to make it out here. It has been put off until next year,” said Frontier Touring Company spokeswoman Suzanne Snape.

While Michael Franti and the boys should be back in Oz in 2008, Ben Lee fans won’t have to wait that long. The indie folkster plans to announce some solo tour dates soon.

Up! Festival ticket holders can obtain full refunds from their point of sale.

Image source: Jeaneeem @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Spooky Michael Hutchence Film In the Works

Ten years after his untimely death, INXS frontman Michael Hutchence will be brought to life on the big screen in a new film, Slide Away.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the film will show the rock star’s ghost revealing his life of excess to his young daughter, Tiger Lily. The film refuses to shy away from any details, with scenes showing Michael’s high-profile relationships with Kylie Minogue, Helena Christensen, and Tiger’s late mum Paula Yates. In the film, he even takes his daughter to the Double Bay Ritz Carlton on the day of his death.

While the concept is original, I can’t help thinking the premise is a little far-fetched. Slide Away is set on the 10th anniversary of Hutchence’s death, which is this year, making Tiger Lily 11 years old. Surely Michael, deceased or not, wouldn’t take his young daughter on such an adult journey.

Morgan Freeman’s company, Revelation Entertainment, is producing Slide Away, while long-time INXS film clip director, Nick Egan, is in the director’s chair.

“I have always made it very clear I wanted to avoid the traditional biopic,” Nick Egan told The Daily Telegraph. “It’s been done ad nauseam and I’m trying to raise the bar.”

The film’s approach is anything but traditional. But will the gamble pay off? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Image source: Nancy J Price @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Request Spot: Matt Corby

It’s taken some time, some tears, and some tantrums, but Australian Idol 2007 has been whittled down to just 24 competitors. If you believe the hype, and the comments on the blog, the one all the girls are watching this year is Matt Corby.

But don’t think this 16-year-old is just a pretty face. While his piercing blue eyes and shaggy hair may have sent hearts fluttering, it’s his soulful voice and guitar skills that saw him cement a place amongst the best of the best.

But the road to Idol fame and fortune won’t be easy for Matt. He’s in one of the toughest semifinal groups this Sunday. So how will he fare against fellow glamour boy Daniel Mifsud, former X Factor contestant Jacob Butler, swing king Carl Riseley, 80’s loving oddball Husny Thalib, and islander underdog Junior To’o? Remember kids: the only way to ensure he makes top 12 is to vote, vote, vote!

And now, as requested by some of Matt’s biggest fans Stacey and Mikaela, here’s a video of the man himself!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

More Nolls Making Music

It seems Shannon’s not the only Noll bitten by the music bug. His brothers Adam and Damian are poised to release their first single “Shining Star.”

You may have noticed The Noll Brothers performing in Shannon’s band. Adam played guitar while Damian played drums, and they helped write “The Way That I Fell.”

Now they’re striking out on their own, with some impressive country tunes. “Shining Star” hits stores on September 15, but you can see the film clip below. The single is from the album A Country Heart, which is slated for a November release.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nude Skateboarders Stall Ben Lee Clip

Ben Lee has just finished the film clip for his brilliant new single, “Love Me Like The World Is Ending.” Ordinarily this wouldn’t be news, but there was an embarrassing glitch with the making of the video.

Ben had a typically dramatic and quirky vision for the new clip. He hoped to assemble a cast of colourful characters, including a businessman, a homeless man, a rabbi, a Muslim, and a unicorn. No problems there.

He also imagined a couple of skateboarders, wearing nude bodysuits, would then zoom around New York City. But it seems something got lost in translation, because the skateboarders took to the streets in the buff. The cops were quickly on the scene and the crew’s shooting license was revoked.

The new, fully-clothed clip features a much tamer giant water-balloon fight!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Idol Twinz Find Their Prince

Do any Australian Idol fans out there remember identical twins Maya and Nandy McClean? Let me refresh your memory. The sisters auditioned for Australian Idol 2, but only Maya was picked as a member of the Top 30. Loyalty to her sister got the better of Maya, and she withdrew from the comp.

But we certainly don’t need to feel sorry for the girls, now known as The Twinz. They’re both performing with, and apparently dating, megastar Prince. I believe they’re doing more dancing that singing these days, but I don’t think that bothers them one bit.

“Prince is a huge fan of ours,” they told The Courier Mail. “He is someone who likes to have beautiful women around him. He is a cool cat, always dressed to impress. And he keeps us laughing all the time.”

It seems like Prince is definitely enjoying his newly divorced status. But is it just me, or is it incredibly creepy to be dating the same guy as your twin sister? I know The Purple One is a sexy guy and all, but really.

Image source: Richardtrle @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Thirsty Merc @ Wyong Leagues – 17 August 2007

To say Thirsty Merc’s current touring schedule is tough is an understatement. 22 shows in 24 days, they told the enthusiastic crowd at Wyong Leagues last night. It’s enough to make anyone tired.

If they were fatigued, the group’s support act, The Hampdens, didn’t show it. After scoring high-profile support slots with Rob Thomas, Ray LaMontagne, and John Mayer, it’s a wonder that this fantastic indie group hasn’t made a bigger splash. In some ways it’s also a blessing.

With their intimate, personal songs, The Hampdens seemed more at ease on this smaller stage. Susannah Legge is a captivating frontwoman with a stunning voice, somehow strong but ethereal. The lads in the band are quiet achievers, but no less important for their role in creating a uniquely lush soundscape. While the crowd may not have recognised The Hampdens just yet, they clearly appreciated their stellar set.

While The Hampdens were on top of their game, I wasn’t as convinced by Thirsty Merc. Technically, these guys are very good at what they do. Each and every note is where it should be, as clear as it appeared on the album. Sadly though, this just wasn’t enough. The band bounced around and gave energetic performances, but for the most part it felt like there was a distinct wall between the group and the crowd.

Towards the end of the night they began to talk to the punters and share personal anecdotes, and from this point the performance improved. Yet I couldn’t help but feel it was too little too late. When a band gives little of themselves on stage, I’m left feeling like I should have saved my money and listened to the CD at home.

It wasn’t all bad though. I was particularly impressed when lead singer Rai Thistlethwayte put down his guitar and stepped behind the keyboard. The songs became more pared back, less about a performance than a message. You could have heard a pin drop during “Homesick.” The penultimate track, “The Vision,” spliced with Stevie Wonder’s “Master Blaster,” was also loads of fun. “20 Good Reasons” was a perfect closer, giving the audience a chance to join in with a sing-a-long.

It’s sad that The Merc couldn’t give as much early on as they did towards the end of their set. Perhaps they were simply too tired from their gruelling schedule. The vocal Central Coast seemed satisfied, but it all could have been so much better.

Image source: own photo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kings of Leon Headline Falls Festival

Organisers of The Falls Festival have announced a killer line-up for their New Year’s Eve festivities, headlined by U.S. rockers Kings of Leon. The band’s drummer, Nathan Followill, said he’s looking forward to playing the Victorian and Tasmanian shows.

“We hear the Falls Festival is amazing,” he told The Age. “We’ve only ever been out for the Big Day Out, and that’s like a rock ‘n’ roll summer camp.”

The Kings will join the Midnight Juggernauts, Groove Armada, Paul Kelly, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Waifs and more at the outdoor event.

Continue reading “Kings of Leon Headline Falls Festival” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Song Obsession: I Don’t Remember

This week’s song obsession is more correctly a video obsession. Powderfinger’s latest effort, “I Don’t Remember” isn’t a bad slice of Oz rock. However, this film clip featuring a bunch of music loving kiddies proves a lot more entertaining.

This clip is a fantastic parody of the Aussie music industry, centered around the Powderfinger-esque Little Finger. Silverchair cleverly becomes Hi Chair, while Wolfmother are more appropriately called Wolfmummy. And who needs cocaine and cigarettes when you’ve got Wizz Fizzes and Fadds? These kids really know how to party.