Jessica Mauboy’s star is on the rise. After the top three success of her debut single “Running Back,” Jess is preparing to release her debut album Been Waiting. She’s also set to star in the new local film Bran Nue Dae!
Jess shows she’s got more than just an amazing voice on Been Waiting. She co-wrote all the tracks and spent 12 months to create a collection of urban pop tracks she could be proud of.
Jessica’s acting career couldn’t be off to a better start either. In Bran Nue Dae she’ll star alongside Geoffrey Rush and Ernie Dingo. The film version of this Indigenous musical has just commenced filming in Broome. A singer and now an actress? It sounds like Jessica could be our next superstar!
Been Waiting hits stores on November 22. Brand Nue Dae will be released in cinemas across the country in 2009.
We’ve got an all male Australian Idol top 4, after Chrislyn Hamilton left the competition. The talented teen faltered with her rendition of “Thriller” and paid the price. But it could have just as easily been her bottom three mates Mark Spano or Teale Jakubenko who got the axe.
The competition is so fierce right now, it seems that any less than stellar performance is unforgivable in the public’s minds. The remaining contestants will have to be on their game for next week’s theme, American Hits. It’s nice and broad, so it shouldn’t trip anyone up. And with Chris Isaak as guest mentor, I’m expecting big things!
In these days of rising petrol prices and scary economic predictions, it’s not often that you get something for nothing. But you can on Oz Music Scene! I have three copies of Switch 3’s rocking debut album Calm Before to give to three loyal readers!
How do you get your hands on a copy? Just leave a comment to this entry telling me what rocks your world! Make sure you leave your e-mail address (this won’t be posted publicly) so I can get in touch with you if you win.
Entries close at 5 pm AEST on November 10, and I’ll announce the winners on Tuesday November 11.
This week the Australian Idol contestants tackled the music of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. He might have gone a little wacko over the years, but it’s impossible to deny the genius of his musical output. Our Idols showed they were up to the challenge with some exceptional performances.Even guest judge Jermaine Jackson thought so!
Teale Jakubenko kicked things off with a sultry version of “Billie Jean.” It took me a little while to warm to this as it was a carbon copy of the rendition American Idol winner David Cook did earlier this year. But by the end he had me. Teale’s voice is getting better and better, and he brought an emotional intensity that really tapped into the lyric.
Next up we had self-confessed Jacko fan Mark Spano with a song he felt reflected his personality rather than his ability: “Bad.” The problem with this song is that the verses tend to operate on one level. The choruses really kicked, but by the time they came in most people had already changed channel or started a conversation.
Chrislyn Hamilton was ambitious, taking on the monster hit “Thriller.” It was always going to be a big ask, and she just didn’t have what it took to carry this off. There wasn’t quite enough energy, and combined with some pitch problems a great song became a little lacklustre.
Luke Dickens followed with a very smart choice: a bluesy cover of “The Way You Make Me Feel.” When I saw he’d picked this pop classic I was really nervous, but his rootsy makeover was right in the pocket. He took a risk here but it definitely paid off. For a man who was a sheep shearer a few months ago, his musical instincts astound me.
Wes Carr closed the night with a showstopping version of “Black or White.” This is what a Michael Jackson song should be: pure unadulterated fun. He held nothing back here and I reveled in it. I actually gave him a standing ovation in my lounge room. There are not enough superlatives to describe how good this was.
We’re really getting to the pointy end of the competition, and I’m a little worried Mark Spano won’t be around to see it. Chrislyn didn’t have her finest performance either, but as the only girl left she might be given another chance. All will be revealed tomorrow night on the verdict show!
Last night I was back at Lizotte’s. I’m beginning to think I should just set up a bed out back and be done with it! This time I was enticed there by the prospect of seeing Aussie music legend Daryl Braithwaite.
But before all that we were treated to the musical stylings of Jess Locke. I was initially entranced by this folk singer with the pure voice and her quiet acoustic guitar strummings. But pretty soon the lack of variety in her songs made me lose interest. Her introspective tunes were well crafted, but ultimately depressing. When she introduced a track called “Happy Song” I perked up looking forward to the change of pace. Yet as the lyrics told us, she tried to write a happy song but it didn’t work out! Jess has a real talent, but some light and shade would make her music a lot more accessible.
Jess might not know how to have fun, but Daryl sure does. I’m not sure how I’ve made it to my age without seeing him live, but I definitely won’t wait long before repeating the experience. From Sherbet to his solo career, Daryl’s been around for an awfully long time. He’s had hit after hit, and he crammed as many of them as he could into his set.
Daryl’s appeal crosses all generations. My mum used to squeal over him when he was the long-haired frontman of Sherbet, while I remember Rise being one of my primary school soundtracks. No matter when you knew him, his songs are classics ingrained in us all. So it took little prompting for Daryl to engage us all in a little sing-along session.
Iconic tunes like “Howzat,” “One Summer,” and “As The Days Go By” sat comfortably alongside covers of James Reyne’s “Slave” and Free’s “Wishing Well.” Daryl performs with energy and a healthy dose of humour, and as a member of his audience you find yourself having just as much fun as he appears to.
By the closing number, “The Horses,” we were all on our feet and singing raucously. Our applause was enthusiastic and the smiles on our faces wide. After a show like that, it’s not hard to see why Daryl Braithwaite continues to be a strong force in the Australian music industry.
They’re an unlikely duo, but it seems Guy Sebastian and John Mayer are making beautiful music together! Guy, who is currently Stateside recording his new album, announced the news to fans in his website forum.
“So I think this may be the best day of my life,” he wrote.
“I’m in LA at the moment recording and the band I have playing sounds crazy. I have John Mayer on guitar/background vocals and the rest of his band playing. The groove is amazing to sing to.”
The album is still in its early stages, but word is that we should hear it in the first half of 2009.
Yesterday I was lucky enough to be back at Lizotte’s: this time for the launch of their brand new cookbook Live & Cookin’ @ Lizotte’s Restaurant.
What’s a cookbook got to do with music I hear you ask? Plenty. Just as Lizotte’s marries good food and good music, so does this book. The traditional entrees and mains are known as support acts and headliners. The recipes offer stories of the bands that restaurant owner Brian Lizotte has cooked for over the years. As a caterer for the likes of Frank Sinatra, Elton John, and Nirvana, he has plenty of stories to tell! What music fan wouldn’t want to try the shepherd’s pie Joe Cocker ate after every show, or the char-grilled baby octopus salad Michael Hutchence requested for his 30th birthday dinner? You’ll find them here, and much more.
The launch was a real treat because it brought us those two great indulgences Lizotte’s is known for: great music and that fantastic food. The friendly staff brought out trays of the dishes found in the book’s pages. I can’t wait to try my hand at the yummy macadamia nut chicken schnitzel or the delicious szechaun pepper squid.
While we tasted these tempting treats we were entertained by some of the finest musicians in the country. Up-and-coming talents Karl Broadie and Amber Lawrence warmed us up before Adam Harvey, Deni Hines, and Brian’s brother Diesel took to the stage. The undeniable highlight for us all was to see Brian and his father join Diesel for a soulful cover of Otis Redding’s “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.” It was truly magical stuff.
I’ve made no secret for my love of Lizotte’s. It’s a venue like no other, and I feel truly spoiled to live on the Central Coast so I can visit regularly. We’re not all that lucky, but now thanks to the cookbook release everyone can bring a little Lizotte’s magic home.
Live & Cookin’ @ Lizotte’s Restaurant is available at good bookstores everywhere and online from Lizotte’s.
Former At the Drive In and Sparta member Jim Ward is visiting our shores. Now with his new band Sleepercar, the singer and guitarist says the trip to Australia will provide just the change of pace he’s looking for.
“I need a change of pace and a stretch after a long year on the road with Sleepercar, so I decided to end my year the way I started; by getting on a plane with my guitar and heading down to Australia to play some songs,” he said in a statement.
Catch Jim Ward at the following dates.
4 December 2008 – Ding Dong, Melbourne
5 December 2008 – Korova Lounge, Ballarat
6 December 2008 – BANG, Melbourne
9 December 2008 – Annandale Hotel, Sydney
11 December 2008 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
12 December 2008 – Hunter Valley Brewery, Maitland
13 December 2008 – Thriller, Brisbane
Last night I headed to Lizotte’s to catch their Live and Local music showcase. These nights are a wonderful initiative designed to encourage music fans to get out midweek and discover some wonderful new talent. We were lured there by former Australian Idol contestant Ben McKenzie’s slot on the bill, and were delighted to find he wasn’t the only artist worth seeing.
Joe Kalou was first up with a set of originals peppered with a few crowd-pleasing covers. This was music at its most basic, and its most pure. An acoustic guitar, some cleverly crafted lyrics, and a sweet voice is all you really need to captivate an audience. His flawless good looks don’t hurt either! Joe had the audience in the palm of his hand, and when he broke into his own renditions of Ben Harper’s “Steal My Kisses” and Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” we were all happy to sing along. Hayden French followed with his unique blend of pop, soul, and blues. As I listen back to his recordings on his MySpace I remember just how good his music is, but for some reason his performance didn’t draw me in. Technically Hayden and his band were beyond reproach, but right now they seemed to be missing that X factor. Still, with songs this good it’s only a matter of time before it all clicks. Maybe I’d have been a little more receptive if I wasn’t so tired!
Mark Cashin and The Lil Hussy’s woke me up with their explosive rock numbers. These guys were a real surprise package. They took the stage looking like they’d just stepped off a pirate ship, but delivered surprisingly rich acoustic rock numbers in the vein of Fuel or Stone Temple Pilots. Mark Cashin is a charismatic frontman, and his supporting musicians are all top notch. All the right elements were there, and I was sorry to see their set end.
Ben McKenzie closed the show with a set that can only be described as sublime. Ben first captivated me on the last season of Australian Idol. He’s clearly left the show behind him though, relishing the opportunity to perform his originals. He still dabbles in cover versions, but they’re more obscure choices than the judges would ever approve of. Songs by George, Angus & Julia Stone, and Brooke Fraser seem right at home next to Ben’s own lush compositions. He becomes one with the piano, and it’s impossible to look away. Again, Ben’s set was over far too soon.
With bellies full of delicious Lizotte’s food and our heads full of such amazing music, my husband and I left determined to visit another Live and Local showcase. What a wonderful way to break up your working week! Click here to see who’s playing at the next one!
I know we aren’t all lucky enough to live close to Lizotte’s, so here’s a video of one of Ben’s original songs for all those fans out there!
Leonard Cohen tours are rare, and international shows are even rarer. So it’s a real surprise to hear the Canadian troubadour is winging his way to Oz next year for some winery and theatre shows.
Promoter Michael Gudinski says fans are in for a real treat.
“The Leonard Cohen concert I saw last month was almost a religious experience. Fans were captivated the moment Leonard walked out onto the stage. His band and backing vocalists are first class, and the man himself can only be described as magical. It’s one of the few concerts that I’ve seen that has kept me in one spot from start to finish – not wanting to miss a moment of what ended up being more than three hours of musical genius,” he enthused in a statement.
Leonard will be ably supported by Australia’s own singing balladeer Paul Kelly. What a double act!
Make sure you check out the Frontier Touring website to see how you can get your hands on some presale tickets for these very special shows!
24 January 2009 – Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley
26 January 2009 – Leconfield Wines, Adelaide
28 January 2009 – Sydney Entertainment Centre
31 January 2009 – Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley
1 February 2009 – Centennial Vineyards, Bowral
3 February 2009 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
5 February 2009 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
7 February 2009 – Sandalford Wines, Perth
In these days of rising petrol prices and scary economic predictions, it’s not often that you get something for nothing. But you can on Oz Music Scene! I have three copies of 
