Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Silverchair Reschedule U.S. Shows

After Silverchair’s embarrassing performance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, you could be forgiven for thinking the Aussie rock trio has lost their touch.

However, it seems that lead singer Daniel Johns is suffering from a bad case of laryngitis, which has forced the Aussie rock trio to postpone some of their upcoming American shows.

“Daniel caught the common viral infection of the throat earlier this week after flying Sydney/Los Angeles/Toronto/New York/Los Angeles over just four days. It severely impeded his vocal performance on the Tonight Show With Jay Leno on Tuesday,” according to a band press release.

Fans in Anaheim, San Diego, San Francisco, and Los Angeles will have to wait until November to see the band play. No doubt Daniel Johns and his bandmates will be in full voice by then. See Silverchair’s website for the new dates. At this stage, no other concerts on Silverchair’s U.S. tour will be affected.

Image source: Deep Ghosh @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jet To Play AFL Final

The AFL Grand Final will receive a dose of rock cred when homegrown heroes Jet perform.

The band will be super busy, performing before the game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, then providing post-match entertainment at Centre Square.

“Somehow Jet have earned a reputation for enjoying a night out, so we’re happy to add to that reputation and be part of the inaugural Centre Square post-match entertainment the AFL is putting on,” said the group’s frontman, Nic Cester. “We’ll be asking for dim sims and footy franks on our rider for sure.”

Time will tell whether the Melbourne boys will get to see their teams play on September 29. The Cester brothers are ardent Collingwood supporters, while Cameron Muncy and Mark Wilson both support the Geelong Cats.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kate Ceberano Hits the Road

Pop stalwart Kate Ceberano is hitting the road to celebrate the success of her latest release, Nine Lime Avenue.

The top 10 smash album has been Kate’s biggest seller in years. The homage to 80s pop includes cover versions of “Brass In Pocket,” “Raspberry Beret,” and her latest hit single, “Go Your Own Way.”

The concerts will include songs from the latest album and her greatest hits, including “Brave”, “Pash,” and “Bedroom Eyes.”

Kate will be taking a very special guest on the tour: her Dancing With the Stars partner John-Paul Collins. The pair waltzed their way to victory in the sixth series of the popular reality television program.

“This is a dream come true,” Kate announced on her website. “The opportunity to present music and dance together is a fantasy I’ve had since I was a little girl.”

Kate Ceberano’s all-singing, all-dancing tour kicks off in Sydney on September 14.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Veronicas Design Clothing Line

It seems that punk poppettes The Veronicas have done it all. Now the sexy sisters are set to add another feather to their cap with the release of their fashion label.

The Veronicas’ style, utilising dramatic black makeup and colorful rock star clothes, has become their trademark around the world. The fashion label, available exclusively through Target stores, will give the twins’ tween fans a chance to dress like their idols.

“It’s a bit punk princess, mixed with rock ‘n’ roll,” Lisa Origliasso told The Daily Telegraph.

Her sister Jess said she hopes the clothing range will offer more diversity for young girls.

“In particular, the clothes that are out there for seven to 14-year-old girls are more princess and cute,” she explained. “We have that too, but with a cool edge.

“It’s just what we want to see little girls wearing, and there’s nothing in the range that we wouldn’t wear ourselves.”

The Veronicas for Target range will be in stores from August 25.

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pete Murray Hits Europe

Europeans will have the chance to see Australia’s singer-songwriter extraordinaire, Pete Murray when he promotes his See the Sun album this October. Pete will kick off his European tour on October 1 in The Netherlands, before heading to Ireland and Great Britain.

Pete made a name for himself around the world with the mellow grooves of his debut album, Feeler. In his second release, Pete delivered an album of greater optimism while still retaining his blues roots.

When he last toured Europe in November 2006 the shows sold out, so fans should get their tickets now! See Pete Murray’s website for a complete list of dates.

Image source: Jacob Simkin @ Flickr 

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Screaming Jets Split Shatters Rock Fans

I must admit, as a proud former Novacastrian, I read a recent story in the Sydney Morning Herald with great sadness. No, it wasn’t the floods or the Knights latest defeat that had me shattered. It was the news that Grant Walmsley and Dave Gleeson of the Screaming Jets are unsure when, if ever, they will play together again.

Some of my very first concert experiences were Screaming Jets shows. For many, being slammed up against a stage, the only female amongst a throng of drunk, rowdy men probably doesn’t sound like fun. But I was in heaven. Watching the chemistry between this passionate vocalist and brilliant songwriter/guitarist was truly something to behold.

Yet the musos, who met as high school students 17 years ago, haven’t spoken since last October. The Jets continue to play gigs, but Grant’s absence is notable.

“Since we finished the album in Melbourne it’s been a parting of ways and a realisation that after 17 years some relationships don’t work,” explained Dave.

“Maybe it will work out one day, but at the moment we are in different directions and have different commitments.”

While Dave and the boys are keeping the Jets legacy alive, Grant’s new band Agents of Peace will release their debut album in October.

No one’s sure why the boys aren’t talking, but one thing’s for sure – The Screaming Jets will be a lesser band because of it.

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kylie Joins The Doctor

Aussie pop darling Kylie Minogue will return to her acting roots, for a very special appearance on British sci fi series Doctor Who.

Kyles cut her eyeteeth playing Charlene on popular soapie Neighbours, before finding fame and fortune in the music industry. She will appear on Doctor Who’s hour-long Christmas special called Voyage of the Damned. Filming will reportedly take place in Wales later this month.

There’s no word yet on what Ms Minogue will be, but a British broadcaster has confirmed she will play a “major lead role.”

“It’s an incredible thrill to be joining David [Tennant] and the entire Doctor Who production for this year’s Christmas special,” Kylie told Reuters.

“Doctor Who enjoys a unique history and it is going to be very exciting to be a part of that.”

Image source: sosodave @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ian Moss @ Lizotte’s, Kincumber – 12 July 2007

I admit it; I’ve still got a crush on Ian Moss. It’s been 18 years since he released Matchbook and first set my nine-year-old heart a flutter. He’s older now, with shorter hair and a few more wrinkles, but there’s still a spark about this rock stalwart. It was this spark, and the promise of great food, that drew me to Mossy’s show at Lizotte’s last night.

I was happily tucking into my delicious fillet steak when the support act, Mike McCarthy, graced the stage. I didn’t know him, but was instantly taken in by his beautiful melodies and guitar skills. It’s a tough job to support a music legend. It’s even tougher for an unknown artist to sing originals. Yet Mike took the experience in his stride, playing with a quiet confidence that won over many of us.

Then Mossy took the stage, with acoustic guitar in hand. What followed was magical, and the crowd lapped up. You could heard a pin drop during his understated performance of “Georgia On My Mind,” this hush contrasting with raucous sing-a-longs to Cold Chisel classics. We doo doo doo-ed along with “Saturday Night,” and belted out “Choir Girl.”

Just when we thought he wasn’t going to play them, Ian Moss launched into the anthemic 80s hits, “Tucker’s Daughter” and “Telephone Booth.” When we were sure our voices were too hoarse to continue, he closed with a rollicking version of “Bow River.”

Through decades in the business, Ian Moss has developed a calm confidence in his delivery. He’s a selfless entertainer, aware of what the audience wants to hear and keen to deliver it. He may have risen to prominence for his guitar-playing prowess, but last night’s stripped-back show confirmed Ian Moss is a truly well rounded performer.

If you want to experience Ian Moss’ acoustic skills, check out his latest album, Let’s All Get Together.

Image source: own photo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tim Freedman Leaves Whitlams Behind in the U.K.

It’s always seemed like The Whitlams is simply a vehicle for the music of Tim Freedman. So it’s no surprise that this talented singer/songwriter is leaving his band mates behind to promote Little Cloud in the U.K.

It was released under The Whitlams in Australia, but when Little Cloud is sold in the U.K. only Tim’s name will be attached. He’ll celebrate this independence with two shows at London’s Museum of Garden History at the end of the month.

On his return to Australia, Tim plans to rejoin his fellow Whitlams for a series of symphonic concerts in September, October and November. The band will join symphony orchestras in New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland for these very special performances. See The Whitlams website for a complete list of dates.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Time On Earth” – Crowded House

The release of Crowded House’s latest album was always going to create a buzz. Time On Earth is their first since the band split in 1996, and their first without their late drummer Paul Hester. However, the album itself is a rather subdued affair, removed from the hype its release brings with it.

All the classic Crowded House elements are here. The melodies are flawless and the arrangements superb. The upbeat “She Called Up” and cruisy first single “Don’t Stop Now” are highlights.

Yet, as the album progresses it starts to fade further and further into the background. “People are Like Suns,” “Walked Her Way Down” and “English Trees” are pleasant and unobtrusive, but far from groundbreaking.

For that reason, Time on Earth isn’t an altogether triumphant return for one of Australia’s most loved bands. However, there’s certainly enough here for us to be glad that Crowded House is back.

Crowded House is NineMSN Music’s current featured artist, allowing fans to listen to Time On Earth for free. Click the link to hear Crowded House’s latest offering.

Image source: Wikimedia; feature image by Mick Muise – originally posted to Flickr as 100_6063, CC BY 2.0