Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Diesel’s "Days Like These" Tour

Aussie music legend Diesel is heading out on the road for a massive tour to promote his latest album Days Like These.

The disc is a return to the rock sound Diesel’s famous for, and this back-to-basics approach will be reflected in the intimate shows.

“It was just the three of us,” says Diesel. “Myself, Richie Vez on bass and Lee Moloney on drums. I kept it really off-the-cuff. I went with the flow, where the style was going when we were jamming. It’s a new spin on old ground.”

When Diesel says he’s touring Australia, he’s really touring Australia. South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, the ACT, Western Australia, and Tasmania all get a look in. It sort of makes you sorry for the Northern Territory, doesn’t it?

Here are all the dates!

3 and 4 October 2008 – Norwoood Tavern
10 October 2008 – Ballina RSL
11 October 2008 – Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour
12 October 2008 – Harrigan’s, Harrington
18 October 2008 – York Theatre @ The Seymour Centre, Sydney
24 and 25 October 2008 – Palms @ Crown, Melbourne
29 and 30 October 2008 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
31 October 2008 – Epping Club
1 November 2008 – Belmont 16 Footers
7 November 2008 – Charles Hotel, Perth
8 November 2008 – Bridgetown Blues Festival
9 November 2008 – Fly By Night, Fremantle
12 November 2008 – The Globe, Brisbane
13 November 2008 – Redcliffe RSL Club
14 November 2008 – Victoria Point Sharks Club
16 November 2008 – The Coolangatta Hotel
20 November 2008 – Hunter Valley Brewery, Maitland
21 November 2008 – Mittagong RSL
22 November 2008 – The Auditorium, Canberra
23 November 2008 – Waves, Wollongong
27 November 2008 – Davey’s Hotel, Frankston
28 November 2008 – East Brunswick Club
29 November 2008 – Ferntree Gully Hotel
30 November 2008 – Hallam Hotel
4 December 2008 – Annandale Hotel
5 December 2008 – Revesby Workers Club
6 December 2008 – Rooty Hill RSL
11 and 14 December 2008 – Republic Bar, Hobart
12 December 2008 – Sirocco’s, Burnie
13 December 2008 – Batman Faulkner, Launceston
18-21 December 2008 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber

Image source: Diesel media gallery

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kylie Announces Aussie Tour Dates

Kylie Minogue has announced she’s finally coming home. Our pop darling will visit Sydney on December 14 and Melbourne on December 19.

“It’s been such as joy to take this show to so many countries that I’ve never been to before, but it’s a real thrill to finally be bringing it home to Australia and to be able to share it with you all,” Kylie said in a statement.

No doubt the news is sure to upset fans living anywhere else in Australia, but some shows are better than none at all.

Tickets will go on general sale from September 8, but you can jump the queue by signing up for a free Frontier Touring membership. Frontier will start their online presale on September 4.

Image source: Gryffindor @ Wikimedia Commons 

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Snoop Dogg Tour in Doubt

Snoop Dogg hopes to visit Australia for a massive tour with Ice Cube in October. But with the Aussie government launching a full investigation into his criminal past, it may not happen.

Snoop, aka Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr, applied for a visa last month. Provisional approval was granted, but that doesn’t mean he’s in the clear just yet.

“That process is in line with the procedures established by the previous government on the consideration of visa applicants,” a Department of Immigration spokesman said.

“Mr Broadus has not been granted a visa, there are further steps required beyond character assessment before a visa is granted. The department has now decided to do a full assessment of the character of Mr Broadus.”

This is the same department responsible for Snoop cancelling his Australian tour plans last year, so I won’t hold my breath for them granting his visa this time.

Cancelling the latest tour would be a crushing blow to Australian urban fans still reeling from the repeated postponements of tours from Mary J. Blige and Timbaland. Can’t we let in the hip hop stars who actually want to be here?

Image source: Janet Dancer @ Flickr 

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Augie March for Nix!

It’s been a long term since we’ve heard anything new from the sublime Augie March. The lads in the band appreciate that, so they’re offering up free downloads of their brand new track!

“Watch Me Disappear” is the title song from the band’s forthcoming full length album. It was recorded with Joe Chiccarelli, famous for his work with Beck and The White Stripes. Get it now at Augie March’s official website!

Image source: jeaneem @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Missy Higgins On Leno and On Tour!

Keep an eye out for Australia’s own Missy Higgins on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno this week. She’ll perform her amazing ballad “Where I Stood” on the show on Thursday August 28. And with timezones being as they are, that’s the following day for Aussies.

If you’re like me and still living without pay TV you can check out her performance afterwards at the NBC website.

The Leno appearance is great timing for Missy who’s just about to embark on two massive American tours. Next month she sets out with the Indigo Girls, before joining Ben Folds for his tour. What wonderful exposure for this incredible Aussie artist!

Here are all Missy’s upcoming shows!

Indigo Girls with Missy Higgins support
11 September 2008 – Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium, Spartanburg, SC
12 September 2008 – South Carolina Shoreline Ballroom, Hilton Head Island, SC
13 September 2008 – Chastain Park Amphitheatre, Atlanta, GA
14 September 2008 – Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte, NC
16 September 2008 – NorVa, Norfolk, VA
17 September 2008 – Rams Head Live!, Baltimore, MD
19 September 2008 – Stamford Center For The Arts, Stamford, CT
20 September 2008 – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy, NY
21 September 2008 – Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Great Barrington, MA
22 September 2008 – Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, NY

Ben Folds with Missy Higgins support
24 September 2008 – DAR Constitution Hall, Washington, DC
26 September 2008 – Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA
27 September 2008 – University Of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
30 September and 1 October 2008 – Terminal 5, New York, NY
3 October 2008 – Embassy Theatre, Fort Wayne, IN
4 October 2008 – Whitney Hall, Louisville, KY
8 October 2008 – Ohio University, Athens, OH
9 October 2008 – The Fillmore Detroit, Detroit, MI
10 October 2008 – Congress Theater, Chicago, IL
11 October 2008 – Resch Center, Green Bay, WI
16 October 2008 – The Pageant, Saint Louis, MO
17 October 2008 – Myth, Saint Paul, MN
22 October 2008 – Uptown Theater, Kansas City, MO
23 October 2008 – Palladium Ballroom, Dallas, TX
24 October 2008 – Warehouse Live, Houston, TX
25 October 2008 – Stubb’s Bar-B-Q /Waller Creek Ampitheatre, Austin, TX
13 November 2008 – Warfield Theatre, San Francisco, CA
14 November 2008 – The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA

Image source: Missy Higgins downloads page

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sneaky Sound System Tops Charts

Many have tried but it’s taken Sneaky Sound System to push the Mama Mia soundtrack from the top spot. The Aussie dance trio’s second album, appropriately named 2, is sitting pretty at the top of the ARIA charts.

Xavier Rudd’s newie Dark Shades of Blue has made an impressive debut, landing at number five in its maiden week.

The Whitlams best of Truth, Beauty, and a Picture of You has slipped a few places, but it’s still hanging around in the top 10. It’s at number seven this week.

The Veronicas are the lone local act to crack to singles top 10. Their latest effort “Take Me On The Floor” is at number seven.

Here’s the full top ten!

Australian singles chart

  1. “All Summer Long” – Kid Rock
  2. “I Kissed A Girl” – Katy Perry
  3. “Shake It” – Metro Station
  4. “So What” – P!nk
  5. “When I Grow Up” – The Pussycat Dolls
  6. “Just Dance” – Lady GaGa
  7. “Take Me On The Floor” – The Veronicas
  8. “I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz
  9. “Disturbia” – Rihanna
  10. “Forever” – Chris Brown

Australian albums chart

  1. 2 – Sneaky Sound System
  2. Mamma Mia! – Soundtrack
  3. Viva La Vida – Coldplay
  4. We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. – Jason Mraz
  5. Dark Shades Of Blue – Xavier Rudd
  6. Exclusive – Chris Brown
  7. Truth, Beauty And A Picture Of You: Best Of The Whitlams – The Whitlams
  8. Oracular Spectacular – MGMT
  9. Abba Gold – Abba
  10. Good Girl Gone Bad – Rihanna

Image source: Sunrise.seven @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kylie Plans December Tour

After months of speculation it’s official: Kylie is bringing her X2008 tour Down Under.  The Princess of Pop is set to bring her spectacular shows to Sydney and Melbourne in December.

“The reason I hadn’t confirmed dates in Australia is because I really didn’t know what I was getting into,” she told The Sunday Telegraph. “But now I know. I have a show that breathes and changes , and is dependant on people’s moods , and environment. I can’t wait to bring it home.”

She’s booked Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena in the first week of December, and is considering shows at the Sydney Entertainment Centre for the second week of December. Her tour promoter Michael Gudinski is expected to announce exact dates this week. We’ll have to see whether they include other Aussie cities or just the big two.

The scheduling will allow Ms Minogue to spend Christmas at home with her family. It’s also a lovely Christmas present for all the local fans!

Image source: Gryffindor @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Madder Lake Back Together for Queenscliff

Fans of vintage Oz rock will be thrilled to hear Madder Lake have reformed to play this year’s Queenscliff Music Festival.

Madder Lake was one of Mushroom Records early success stories thanks to the hits “12 lb Toothbrush” and “Goodbye Lollipop.” They also wowed crowds at Australia’s Woodstock, the Sunbury Festival. And there’s more good news for fans of the band. According to the press kit the band they’re planning to release another album next year!

Madder Lake will join an eclectic line-up featuring American troubadour Howie Day, Aussie singer-songwriter Josh Pyke, comedy trio Tripod, local legend Ross Wilson, and eclectic songstress Kate Miller-Heidke.

It’s all happening in Victoria on November 28-30. Big Weekend tickets are on sale now from the Queenscliff Music Festival website.

Image source: Jsarcadia @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Immaculate Yves Klein Blue and The Holidays Shows

Two of Australia’s hottest new indie acts are teaming up for one massive tour. Yves Klein Blue and The Holidays are joining forces for the Immaculate Confection tour this October. And what a sweet experience it should be!

Yves Klein Blue wowed the crowds at Splendour, and these gigs are the last time you’ll catch them before they buckle down to record their debut album. The Holidays have also been impressing folks around the traps with their dynamic performances alongside international acts The Wombats, The View, and Ben Kweller.

The democratic bands will take turns headlining the shows, which they’ll play with a local opening act in each city. Tickets go on sale next Thursday.

Here are all the dates!

3 October 2008 – Mona Vale Hotel, Sydney
4 October 2008  – ANU Bar, Canberra
9 October 2008 – Enigma, Adelaide
10 October 2008 – Amplifier Bar, Perth
11 October 2008 – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury
12 October 2008 – Norfolk Basement, Fremantle
16 October 2008 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
17 October 2008 – The Zoo, Brisbane
18 October 2008 – Coolongatta Hotel
19 October 2008 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast
23 October 2008 – Oxford Tavern, Wollongong
24 October 2008 – Annandale Hotel, Sydney
25 October 2008 – Northern Star, Newcastle
26 October 2008 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (under 18s)
29 October 2008 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
30 October 2008 – National Hotel, Geelong
31 October and 1 November 2008 – East Brunswick Club, Melbourne

Image source: Sing me a song @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Katie Noonan Signs with Sony BMG

The gorgeous Katie Noonan has just signed a new record deal with Sony BMG Australia that will see her release a new album by the end of the year.

“I have admired Katie from her first release and I am delighted that she has joined our label. We will be releasing her new studio album in October and I am sure it will gain her even further acclaim from existing and new fans here and abroad,” said Sony BMG Chairman Denis Handlin.

Katie will head to New York shortly to record the release with some massive names. Her band will include original Miles Davis quartet member Lewis Nash, Grammy-award winning saxophonist Joe Lovano, jazz guitar legend John Scofield, and Melbourne’s own Sam Keevers. I thought Katie’s first solo effort Skin was brilliant, so I can’t wait to hear this star-studded new release!

Image source: Ina Banina @ Flickr