Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jackson Browne Brings Friends for Massive Aussie Shows

Five years ago I saw Jackson Browne perform at Bimbadgen Estate as part of the Day on the Green concert series. It was one of the most amazing shows I’ve ever seen, so I’m thrilled to see Jackson’s heading back to our shores to support the release of his latest album, Time The Conqueror.

Jackson on his own is worth seeing. Jackson with the sort of support acts he’s recruited for this tour is unmissable. We’ve got American songstress Toni Childs, Whitlams’ frontman Tim Freedman, and Aussie music legend Richard Clapton. Not all shows have all these artists, but when they all get together, boy, it’ll be amazing. I’m so excited that I live close enough to the Hunter Valley that I can catch this awesome foursome on the same bill.

Tickets go on sale on September 5. This will be the sort of concert people will talk about for years. Make sure you don’t miss out. Here are all the dates!

27 February 2009 – Riverstage, Brisbane (with Tim Freedman, Toni Childs, and Richard Clapton)
28 February 2009 – Tempus Two Winery, Hunter Valley (with Tim Freedman, Toni Childs, and Richard Clapton)
2 March 2009 – Harbour Theatre, Sydney (with Tim Freedman)
5 March 2009 – Palais, Sydney (with Tim Freedman)
7 March 2009 – Sutton Grange Winery, Sutton Grange (with Tim Freedman, Toni Childs, and Richard Clapton)
10 March 2009 – Entertainment Centre, Townsville (with Tim Freedman, Toni Childs, and Richard Clapton)
11 March 2009 – Convention Centre, Cairns (with Tim Freedman, Toni Childs, and Richard Clapton)
14 March 2009 – Kings Park, Perth (with Tim Freedman and Toni Childs)
15 March 2009 – Festival Theatre, Adelaide (with Tim Freedman)

Image source: Minds-eye @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Liam Gallagher Loves Gabriella Cilmi

Aussie teen superstar Gabriella Cilmi has an unexpected fan: Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher! The loud-mouthed Brit says “Sweet About Me” is his favourite song this year!

The admiration is mutual, with Gabriella telling The Daily Star “I love Oasis but it was crazy to hear that!”

Gabriella has adored Oasis all her life as her dad used to sing their songs to her as a child!

“My dad used to sing ‘Live Forever’ to me as a kid, so it’s a real honour.”

It’s probably a more appropriate choice than “Cigarettes and Alcohol”!

Image source: Lee Jordan @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pyramid Festival Rocks New Years

Do you fancy ringing in the New Year with a little music? Well the Pyramid Rock Festival on Phillip Island might be just the ticket.

It’s a truly international affair with British outfit Morcheeba, American duo The Black Keys, and German dance band Digitalism all making an appearance. There’s also a strong local contingent, with Midnight Juggernauts, Gyroscope, The Living End, Karnivool, Cut Copy, and The Galvatrons all on the bill.

Tickets to this massive NYE party go on sale on Thursday 4 September. Get yours from the festival website or selected indie music retailers.

Image source: CharlesFred @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Win Keith Urban’s Shirt!

Ever wanted to take the shirt from Keith Urban’s back? Now you can, and it’s all for a good cause!

Keith is teaming up with some of country music’s biggest stars for the “You Look Good in my Old T-shirt” auction. Keith, Leanne Rimes, Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, and more will donate autographed shirts to the online auction. All monies raised will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“St. Jude is a charity that is very near and dear to my heart,” said Keith. “Our fans have always graciously offered their support in past fund-raisers we have done for St. Jude, so I think this auction will be a great success.”

Fans have two weeks to bid on the shirts at www.KeithUrbanAuction.com. Good luck everyone!

Image source: Frank Roche @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

AC/DC Release "Black Ice" in October

Mark your calendars AC/DC fans. Their long-awaited new album Black Ice will be released on October 18 in Australia and October 20 in the United States.

Black Ice is the band’s first studio album in eight long years. It contains 15 new songs including the first single “Rock ‘n’ Roll Train.” Fans will get a sneak peek of the new material when the track hits radio on August 28.

Black Ice was produced by Brendan O’Brien in Vancouver, Canada. Music fans will know Brendan as the man behind massive albums from Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, and Rage Against the Machine. Will Black Ice rock as much as these releases? You betcha.

AC/DC will kick off a world tour at the end of October in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Stay tuned for those dates as they come to hand! Until then, here’s the complete track Black Ice listing!

  1. Rock ‘n’ Roll Train
  2. Skies On Fire
  3. Big Jack
  4. Anything Goes
  5. War Machine
  6. Smash ‘n’ Grab
  7. Spoilin’ For A Fight
  8. Wheels
  9. Decibel
  10. Stormy May Day
  11. She Likes Rock N Roll
  12. Money Made
  13. Rock N Roll Dream
  14. Rocking All The Way
  15. Black Ice

Image source: AC/DC website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Star in Something with Numbers Music Video

Central Coast rockers Something with Numbers are giving fans the chance to appear in their next music video! They’ll need 100 extras to help them shoot the clip for the second single from their soon-to-be-released album Engineering the Soul.

It’s all happening in Newcastle from 10 am this Saturday, 23 August. The shoot will take until 5 pm. If you’ve got the time to spare make sure you e-mail tanya@selectmusic.com.au with all your details. They’re after people of all ages, from young kiddies to grandmas, so anyone can join in!

I’d love to hear from any of my readers who end up starring in the music video!

Image source: Pop Weasle @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Feature Post Roundup: Soundtracks for the Season

Yesterday I showed you my favourite songs for winter. Meanwhile my colleagues were chatting about the fabulous summers they’re all experiencing. If you’re looking for something to get you in the mood for the warmer weather ahead, look no further than these gems.

All this is making me crave summer! But you just watch me hate it when those 40 degree days rolls around!

Image source: Stephanie Berghaeuser @ Stock.xchng

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Seven Aussie Videos To Beat the Winter Blues

It’s time for another theme day here at the b5media music channel. And we’re all thinking about the weather! Most of my colleagues are whooping it up by the beach, so while they’re talking about summer songs I’m putting my own spin on things. Join me fellow Aussies and celebrate winter! Who needs 40 degree heat and sunburn anyway? I’d much rather enjoy my tracky dacks and ugg boots!

But what’s the best thing to chase away the winter blues? A killer soundtrack! So without further ado, here are my favourite winter songs.

“Cold Cold Change” – Midnight Oil

“Cold Cold Change” has just what I want from my Midnight Oil tracks. A good beat that you can dance to, and a film clip which features Peter Garrett doing just that in his own distinctive style.

“Ice” – Magic Dirt

This iconic number made everyone sit up and take notice of Adalita and Magic Dirt. Sadly their time in the spotlight was a little short lived, but “Ice” still stacks up as a brilliant slice of girly angst.

“Winterland” – Died Pretty

This Died Pretty classic is a rollicking good time. If you can listen to it without tapping your feet or bobbing your head you may just be dead.

“15 Feet of Pure White Snow” – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Honestly I could probably put the entire Nick Cave back catalogue on this list because his deep rich voice and melancholy tunes are so perfect for the season. But I’ll limit myself to this all too appropriate track.

“Rain” – Dragon

If ARIA can induct Dragon into the Hall of Fame, then I can include this band of New Zealand origin in my list. Honestly I’ll look for any excuse I can to feature this song which instantly takes me back to my childhood. Turn it up and sing along!

“The Cold Acre” – Augie March

My last video is from the simply brilliant Augie March. It starts softly but builds to something sublime. A little like the season perhaps?

Honestly once I started, it was difficult to stop writing this list. And if I could have tracked down some audio or video versions of the following songs to share with you, this post would have been a lot longer! But if you want some more wintery songs, I suggest tracking down the following!

  • “Winter Lovin'” – The Whitlams
  • “15 Feet of Snow” – Diesel
  • “Snow” – Alex Lloyd
  • “I Feel So Cold/Cold Feeling” – Underground Lovers
  • “Winter Coat” – Paul Kelly
  • “Jack Frost” – 78 Saab
  • “Midwinter” – The Clouds
  • “Winter’s Tale” – Falling Joys
Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"The Adventures Of …" – Melanie Horsnell

I loved Melanie Horsnell’s support slot for Jason Mraz, so I was keen to give her debut album The Adventures Of … a spin. Listening to these songs at home, away from the chatter of a restless crowd waiting for the main act, was where they really came alive.

Melanie’s songs stick with you, crawling under your skin and refusing to leave. I recognised many from the Jason Mraz set and found myself humming others after the first listen. All the right ingredients are there.

Melanie is instantly likeable, her lyrics revealing vulnerability, brutal honesty, and wicked sense of humour. Her stories feel at home amongst the notes of her acoustic guitar. We’ve all heard our share of singer-songwriters, but Melanie is a cut above the average.

This album shows an amazing amount of diversity. “I Just Want Some Love” is a pure pop gem. “Pink High Heels” is sassy girl power number which wouldn’t sound out of place at an old-fashioned speakeasy. “Deep Blue Sea” is the sweetest slice of romance.

It’s this variety that gives The Adventures Of … a real enduring charm. I find myself reaching the end only to start it again. That’s the mark of a truly great album. I can’t wait to hear Melanie’s second installment, Complicated Sweetheart, when it’s released in September. If it’s even close to this good, I’m in for a real treat.

Image source: Amazon Japan

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reggae Stars Visit Oz for Raggamuffin

The who’s who of reggae will head Down Under in the new year for the second annual Raggamuffin festival.

The impressive bill features Arrested Development, Ziggy Marley and brother Stephen, Eddy Grant, Shaggy, Inner Circle (are they still around?), and Bonjah.

Ticketek will sell tickets for Sydney, while Ticketmaster is handling the five other shows. Get your tickets for Raggamuffin from August 25 for Byron, Brisbane, the Hunter, and Melbourne, August 26 for Sydney, and October 13 for Perth. 

24 January 2009 – Supreme Court Gardens, Perth
26 January 2009 – Red Devil Park, Byron Bay
30 January 2009 – The Riverstage, Brisbane
31 January 2009 – Lindemans Winery, Hunter Valley
1 February 2009 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
3 February 2009 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney

Image source: Drew Wilson Photography @ Flickr