Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Shannon Noll’s Loud New Single

In the not so recent past, I couldn’t turn on the radio without Shannon Noll trying to fire me up. I quite enjoy Shannon, but the last thing I wanted to hear from my clock radio was inspirational pop rock telling me why I needed to get up and out of bed. I also didn’t need to hear that he knew how hard it could be, but encouraging me to lift anyway.

Expect more of these inescapable positive messages to dominate the airwaves in the coming weeks. Shannon’s latest single, “Loud”, has just been released to radio.

Nollsy is the most successful artist discovered through the Australian Idol talent search, selling more albums and releasing more hit singles than his reality TV peers. He believes his optimistic outlook is the key to his longevity.

“There’s way too much negativity in the music industry, songs that talk about hate and killing and anger,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“The beautiful thing about music is its ability to make people feel something positive.”

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jet Support Stones in UK

The Rolling Stones were clearly impressed with their 2003 Melbourne support act, Jet. They’ve just asked the local boys to open for them in London.

The Melbourne rockers will support The Stones at the O2 Arena in London on August 21 and 23.

The Brits will also get a chance to see the Aussie supergroup when they perform at the V Festival at Chelmsford’s Hylands Park on August 18, and Staffordshire’s Weston Park the following day. They’ll play alongside major international stars like The Killers, Amy Winehouse, Foo Fighters, and Pink.

Image source: Jim Pietryga @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Enter the Spirit of Youth Awards

If you’re a talented Australian muso under the age of 25, why not enter the Spirit of Youth Awards? You could win a mentorship with one of Australia’s top producers, $5000 in cash, and $5000 worth of Qantas flights.

Last year’s winners, Adelaide rockers Wolf and Cub, used the prize pool to tour Japan, so just imagine where it could take you!

To enter, just create a profile at Noise and upload three songs. The competition also has categories for gifted visual artists, fashion designers, photographers, and more. Good luck!

Image source: Spirit of Youth Awards website 

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Anthony Callea’s Homesexual Appearance

Australian Idol 2 runner-up Anthony Callea’s come a long way since he was forcibly outed earlier this year. He’s helped Jo Stanley take second place on It Takes Two, sold out concert halls around the country, and scored a plum role in Dead Man Walking. Now he’s preparing for another major career move: performing at a popular gay and lesbian club.

Anthony will help Homesexual celebrate their second birthday with a very special appearance. Anthony’s performance marks a turning point for the once-closeted star, so it’s sure to be a night to remember.

Anthony will appear alongside some of the country’s hottest DJs, including Jayson Forbes, Alex Taylor, Terry Vietheer, and Shigeki.

Join Anthony at Homesexual’s Second Birthday Bash at Sydney’s Home Nightclub on September 6. Tickets are available online or at HUM Records in Oxford Street and Newtown.

Image source: Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jim Keays’ Cancer Fight

Aussie rock legend Jim Keays has revealed he’s battling myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer.

The former Master’s Apprentices frontman fell ill while holidaying in England last month. He was suffering from back pain, but the greatest problem was a build-up of toxins in his kidneys. When British doctors diagnosed cancer, there was no doubt in Jim’s mind that he needed to return home.

Despite his serious condition, Jim is staying positive.

“It’s treatable and it often goes into remission,” he told the Herald Sun. “I started chemotherapy last week and I am on dialysis, and I am confident both will work.”

He hopes to rejoin his current bandmates Russell Morris and Darryl Cotton on the road soon.

“We have had to drop a few gigs, and Russell and Darryl played Saturday night together, but I hope to be back in business and playing with the boys next month,” he said.

“I’ve been lucky. I’ve had good health all my life. Until this I had never been to hospital — and I plan to get out of this one quick smart.”

Jim’s wife Karin is also optimistic that her husband will make a full recovery.

“The doctors are quietly confident that Jim’s kidney function will improve. Jim has such strength of will that I have no doubt he’ll make it happen.”

Jim Keays burst onto the Australian music scene in 1966. His group, The Master’s Apprentices, stormed up the charts with hits like “Elevator Driver,” “Turn Up Your Radio,” and “Because I Love You.” In the last few years, Jim’s enjoyed success as part of the trio Cotton Keays and Morris. He recently completed a solo album called Resonator.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Cat Empire Come Home

After a whirlwind world tour, Australia’s biggest ska success story, The Cat Empire, are glad to be home. Their performance at last weekend’s Splendour in the Grass festival kicked off what’s shaping up as a busy couple of months for the Melbourne sextet.

The Cat Empire will release album number four, So Many Nights, on September 22. To promote the release, they’ll perform shows in Cairns, Noosa, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Adelaide.

Can they break their own record in Sydney? In 1996 the band sold out seven consecutive shows at The Metro. This time around they’re booked in for eight appearances. Considering how long these funksters have been away, I’m pretty sure they bouncers will be turning away fans at the door.

So make sure you don’t miss out! Check The Cat Empire’s website to see when they’re playing near you.

Image source: MuntyPix @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fergie Tops Aussie Charts

Aussies just can’t get enough of pop diva Fergie. Her single “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and album The Duchess are both sitting pretty at number one on the ARIA charts.

The ladies are doing well on the charts, boosted by recent high profile tours. Gwen Stefani’s The Sweet Escape bounced back into the top 10, while Christina Aguilera’s Back to Basics jumped from number nine to six.

It seems like “Girlfriend” was number one forever (or was it just me?). I wonder whether Avril Lavigne’s newie “When You’re Gone” will do just as well? It’s debuted at a respectable number five.

Grinspoon, Powderfinger, and Lee Kernaghan are flying the flag for the Aussies in the album charts. Alibis & Other Lies is at number four, just ahead of Dream Days at Hotel Existence at number five and Spirit of the Bush at number eight.

Image source: Robin Wong/Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kylie Gives Love Rat Marriage Ultimatum

Kylie Minogue and Olivier Martinez have had more break-ups and make-ups than most celebrity matches, and that’s definitely saying something.

But rumour has it that the glamour couple is back on again after establishing some new ground rules.

Kylie wants Olivier to shed his ‘love rat’ tag and marry her. She’s also insisting that he quit posing for the paparazzi with other women.

But Olivier’s not the only one compromising. He said Kylie must give up on her dreams of having children to be with him.

It’s a tough break, but a source has told The Daily Mail that Kylie willing to do anything to keep the troubled relationship afloat.

“She sees Olivier as the love of her life. He made her feel like a woman again when she lost her hair. They still have a massive connection.”

Image source: Rob Young @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Is Damien Leith The Latest Idol Failure?

Spare a thought for last year’s Australian Idol winner, Damien Leith. “22 Steps,” the debut single from his first original album has already fallen out of the Top 20.

Since its launch two weeks ago, “22 Steps” has dropped from number 11 to number 27. While critics see this as the beginning of the end for Damien, perhaps we shouldn’t be so hasty.

Early reports indicate that his forthcoming album, Where We Land is a solid piece of work. And it should be. After all, this is the first album made under Idol’s new format. Unlike other Idols forced to release a disc in a week, Damien was given time to write and record something he was happy with.

He was always billed as an unlikely Idol, not much to look at but with the voice of an angel. Not exactly the sort of guy that young girls clamber to get close to, but a big hit with the mums. It’s not a coincidence that kids buy the majority of singles, but adults wait for the album release.

Where We Land will hit shelves on August 20. Only then will we learn if Australia’s moved on to the latest reality TV superstar, or whether they still have a soft spot for this likeable Irishman.

Image source: Dave Keeshan @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Slideshows” – Thirsty Merc

Since I bought tickets to see Thirsty Merc in a couple of weeks, I figured it was about time I picked up a copy of Slideshows. As I listened to the opening track’s crunchy guitar chords and clever lyrics I wondered why it took me so long.

The opening ditty, “She’s All I Got” is a corker, with straight-up riffs and a sing-along chorus. It’s backed up by the anthemic radio hit “20 Good Reasons” and new single “The Hard Way.”

There’s a reason why radio loves these guys. They’re genuinely good fun, with cleverly crafted melodies and quirky lyrics. They’ve also become a very safe band, seemingly unwilling to take risks.

That’s not exactly a bad thing, but it does make some of the later album tracks, including “Hey Jacinta” and “She’s My Brother” feel a little tired.

While their self-titled debut showed plenty of cheek in “Emancipate Myself” and “I Wish Somebody Would Build a Bridge,” Slideshows presents none of this naughtiness. It’s a shame.

Slideshows feels like a natural progression for Thirsty Merc. It’s not likely to win them any new fans, but there’s certainly enough here to entertain the ones they have.

For me, it doesn’t have quite the same spark as their first disc, but it’s still a whole lot of fun.

Image source: BigPond Music