Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian Postpones Queensland Gigs

Sorry Queensland Guy Sebastian fans. The newly married soul star has postponed his upcoming Queensland shows.

Apparently The Memphis Album was a bigger success than SonyBMG every dreamed of, so they’re preparing to release the album globally early next year. Guy’s also going to release his next album around the same time.

All that means Guy has to spend some time locally and abroad finishing up the new release, which means he simply doesn’t have time for the concerts.

The shows will be rescheduled for next year. Fans can hang onto their tickets or get a refund from their place of purchase.
I know the news must be disappointing for plenty of Guy fans out there, but chin up. Guy promises the show will be even bigger and better in 2009, so the wait could be worthwhile!

Image source: Sunrise.seven @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

APRA Nominees Announced

Could a Canadian snag the Australian Song of the Year Award? They just might, after the song “1, 2, 3, 4” penned by Canadian singer Feist and Aussie girl Sally Seltmann was nominated for the APRA song of the year award.

But the dynamic duo will face stiff competition from Silverchair’s “Straight Lines,” Powderfinger’s “Lost and Running,” The John Butler Trio’s “Better Than,” and Thirsty Merc’s “20 Good Reasons.”

“1, 2, 3, 4” has already been nominated for a Grammy and won Canadian song of the year, but Sally said this nomination has the greatest personal significance.

“This one probably involves me quite a bit more than the other awards because it is for the songwriting,” she told AAP.

“It’s nice to think you get some recognition for something that you’ve worked on.”

The nominations were announced in Sydney this morning. The John Butler Trio led the charge with three nominations. They’re also up for the blues and roots award for “Good Excuse” and “Funky Tonight.”

The winners will be announced at the APRA Awards in Sydney on June 16.

Image source: Generica @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"Wish it All Away" – Dave Anderson

One of the things I love most about writing this blog is that it allows me to discover some fantastic new music. The most recent disc to rev me is Dave Anderson’s soon-to-be-released debut album Wish it All Away.

It’s an album with all the right ingredients. The songs are original, yet accessible. Dave’s voice is warm and rich, like an old friend drawing you in from the first listen. And fans of organic music will love the soothing acoustic guitar chords that draw it all together.

It opens with “Sing Me a Song,” a tongue-in-cheek track chiding the punters who only want to hear cover versions. Its melody is radio friendly, but the lyrics reveal a darker criticism of the bar scene. We hear more contradictions in “Love is a Fairytale.” The music is upbeat and on first listen it appears like any traditional love song, but take a listen to the lyrics and you’ll hear something sadder and more unique.

The bubbly opening tunes give way to softer sounds as the album progresses. Dave crafts a clever pop song, and he proves equally adept at creating moving ballads. The final cut, “Promise I Made” utterly floored me.

Wish it All Away is even more impressive when you consider it is entirely self-funded. I’m not sure the major labels could have made it sound any more professional.

Dave Anderson is a real find. This Perth-born, Sydney-based singer-songwriter may have drawn comparisons to Pete Murray and Something for Kate, but I believe his songs have a much wider appeal.

The album is scheduled to hit shelves on 1 June, and will be available through iTunes on 1 July. Dave Anderson will play the following venues in support of its release. If you want to hear some great tunes, I suggest checking out this amazing talent at the following venues.

6 June 2008 – Hyde Park Hotel, Perth
8 June 2008 – Dunsborough Hotel, Western Australia
19 June 2008 – The Vanguard, Sydney
21 June 2008 – Fix Bar, Melbourne

Image supplied by the artist

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gabriella Cilmi Back at Number One

With all the excitement of Jason Mraz’s tour announcement yesterday, I forgot to check the ARIA charts. So I did it today,Gabriella Cilmi and I was thrilled to see Gabriella Cilmi has taken back to the top spot with “Sweet About Me.” She ousted the powerhouse duo of Madonna and Justin Timberlake to do it, so it’s no mean feat!

Aussie girls seem to be the flavour of the month at the moment. Vanessa Amorosi’s climbed on spot with “Perfect.””She’s happily sitting at number nine, just ahead of The Veronicas’ super catchy new sopfest “This Love.”

And the album charts are jam-packed with Australians! Mum’s favourite Andre Rieu is still sitting at number one with his Aussie inspired album Waltzing Matilda.

But Damien Leith’s Catch the Wind: Songs of a Generation isn’t too far behind! It’s at number two, just ahead of golden girl Gabriella Cilmi’s newie Lessons to be Learned.

A little further down the charts we’ve got The Presets still hanging around with Apocalypso at number six. They’ve swapped places this week with Carl Riseley’s crooning covers CD The Rise.

Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson have fallen to number eight with Rattlin’ Bones, just ahead of Kate Ceberano’s newest covers collection So Much Beauty.

Check out all the chart action below!

ARIA Singles Charts

  1. “Sweet About Me” – Gabriella Cilmi
  2. “4 Minutes” – Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake
  3. “Low” – Flo Rida feat. T-Pain
  4. “Bubbly” – Colbie Caillat
  5. “Dream Catch Me” – Newton Faulkner
  6. “Better in Time” – Leona Lewis
  7. “American Boy” – Estelle feat. Kanye West
  8. “Love in this Club” – Usher feat. Young Jeezy
  9. “Perfect” – Vanessa Amorosi
  10. “This Love” – The Veronicas

ARIA Albums Chart

  1. Waltzing Matilda – Andre Rieu and Mirusia
  2. Catch the Wind: Songs of a Generation – Damien Leith
  3. Lessons to be Learned – Gabriella Cilmi
  4. Hard Candy – Madonna
  5. Spirit – Leona Lewis
  6. Apocalypso – The Presets
  7. The Rise – Carl Riseley
  8. Rattlin’ Bones – Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson
  9. So Much Beauty – Kate Ceberano
  10. Call Me Irresponsible – Michael Buble

Image source: Lee Jordan @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jason Mraz Tours Oz Again!

One of my favourite singer-songwriter’s Jason Mraz is heading back to Australia. After his last Sydney show clashed with my sister’s sweet 16 party, I’m thrilled. Jason’s back here to promote his new album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things, which hit shelves yesterday.

He may have been out here just two months ago, but you won’t just hear the same old thing. This tour marks the first time Jason’s bringing his complete band to Oz. That’s right: Jason will play alongside percussionist Toca Rivera, bass player Ian Sheridan, drummer Mike “Leroy” Bram, and a three-piece horn section. I’ve seen him do the acoustic thing so many times, it’s going to be amazing to hear him fronting a band that large!

Mraz shows notoriously sell out so you’re going to want to grab your tickets when they go on sale at 9 am on Friday 30 May. Ticketek is selling for all venues except for Perth which will be handled by Moshtix.

See Jason Mraz at the following venues:
6 August 2008 – Fly by Night, Perth
9 August 2008 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
12 August 2008 – The Forum, Melbourne
14 August 2008 – The Tivoli, Brisbane

Image source: Marisa Gesualdi @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Shannon Noll’s Shock Drugs Confession

Yesterday Shannon Noll came clean about his addiction to drugs and alcohol. Shannon told The Sunday Telegraph that he turned to drink and drugs after the death of his father Neil seven years ago.

“You can live well, do everything right, and still be killed,” he said. “So I thought I’d have a crack at everything. I didn’t let myself think about him [his father] when I was smashed. Consequently, I found myself getting smashed a lot.”

Shannon said his children Cody, Blake, and Sienna, gave him the motivation to beat his demons.

“I got to a stage where I had to own up to it. I’d turned into a zombie on the lounge. I wasn’t doing anything useful.”

Shannon didn’t go into detail about his vices, but did admit to using marijuana heavily and enjoying a beer.

Shannon’s going to be slammed for his mistakes because he’s a role model, and I can see the logic there. Like it or not, celebrities are placed on pedestals and their behaviour does influence other people. But I think going public about his habits is gutsy move. It takes a big man to admit they’ve done the wrong thing. And who knows? Maybe his talk about change will motivate someone else to clean up their act.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Howie Day @ Annandale Hotel, Sydney and Northern Star, Newcastle – 16 and 17 May 2008

I’m here feeling a little sad and sorry for myself, after taking in three gigs in three days. I’m clearly not as young as I used to be. The first was Chris Murphy. The second two were Howie Day.

You might remember me gushing about this Boston native’s first trip to Australia when it was announced some months ago. In fact, I was so excited by it that I couldn’t restrict myself to just one show.

Firstly, if you’re a Whitley fan reading this review hoping to hear what I thought of the headliner, you’re not going to find it. I had the best of intentions of catching his set. But as I drove to Sydney’s Annandale Hotel for the first show on my own, I figured I was better off leaving once Howie was done and seeing it the following night. My husband made the journey to Newcastle’s Northern Star with me, and we were shocked to find Howie wasn’t playing until 10:30 or so. The way I felt after his set was another glaring reminder that I’m just not as young as I used to be, so we ended up leaving to catch some sleep. I’m sure he was brilliant nonetheless.

But he was perhaps not as brilliant as Howie, although I’m completely aware that I’m biased. Howie Day is the kind of guy who can inspire me to drag my butt to a pub and stand for hours in a throng of largely obnoxious people. These aren’t the kind of gigs I like at all. But once that man took the stage I managed to (mostly) block out the people pushing me and the folks talking too loudly and just focus on the music.

As a support act his set was short, but he made sure to cram as much in for the fans who’d eagerly awaited his first Aussie shows. Both nights began with a slowed down version of “Sorry So Sorry.” This paired down acoustic arrangement was markedly different to the version which appeared on his debut album Australia, and it brought a new resonance to the lyrics.

It was that album that made me fall in love with Howie, so I was thrilled to hear two of my favourites, “Ghost” and “She Says” make the sets both nights. “Ghost” was a real highlight, with a frenetic guitar jam created by Howie’s trademark loops. I was also thrilled to hear “Collide” on both occasions, especially in Sydney where the crowd surprised me by launching into an enthusiastic sing-along. I’d clearly underestimated Howie’s popularity here, as most people I meet have never heard of him. We were also treated to some new songs which I hope to see on an album soon.

I was so excited the first time I saw Howie Day on a holiday the United States, I wasn’t sure whether these Aussie shows could possibly live up those memories. They did. I can’t wait to see him back in Australia really soon.

Image source: own photo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Russell Morris and Dragon Honoured by ARIA Hall of Fame

Dragon and Russell Morris will be inducted in the ARIA Hall of Fame this year. The two acts are the first of the five to be inducted by ARIA on July 1.

Russell Morris is best known for his epic “The Real Thing,” and his recent work with Jim Keays and Darryl Cotton.

“When I first began the music path on which I eventually embarked – and walked the full distance – I thought it would be all over at the age of twenty five, and by thirty I would be back doing accounting!” he exclaimed. “So to be here right now and receiving this wonderful award is not only amazing but a beautiful surprise.”

Dragon may be technically a New Zealand band, but that won’t stop us honoring them. Their classics “April Sun in Cuba,” “Get That Jive,” “Are You Old Enough,” and “Still in Love with You,” are favorites of easy-listening radio stations around the country. The band’s lead singer Marc Hunter sadly passed away ten years ago. His brother Todd carries on the band’s name with singer Mark Williams.

“It is an honour to be included in the Hall Of Fame and it has always been a privilege to be part of the Australian music industry even though we may have felt like outsiders for much of the time. It is great to be included with bands and musicians whose work we admire,” Todd said in a statement.

“It is fitting that this should happen exactly 10 years after Marc died. I wish he was here and I know he would be thrilled. There have been 35 members of Dragon since 1973, from the original members to the current band, and this induction is for all of them. As a member of a band that has been playing on and off for 35 years, I’ve got to say it’s been a great pleasure and this is a great compliment for all involved.”

The 2008 ARIA Hall of Fame awards will be held at Melbourne Town Hall on July 1. For the first time, members of the public can purchase tickets through Ticketek.

Image source: Mandy Hall @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Free Presets Download

In the lead-up to their sold-out national tour, The Presets have decided to give something back to their fans.

Every person who signs up for their mailing list will receive a free download of “Are You The One?” Too easy! This monster hit has been remixed by French production whiz Lifelife.

Listen out for the song in the upcoming BMW commercial, which should hit our screens soon!

Image source: Dani Lurie @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chris Murphy @ Lizotte’s, Kincumber – 15 May 2008

Last night I had the pleasure of catching Chris Murphy at Lizotte’s. The last time I saw this affable singer-songwriter he was singing head-to-head with the likes of Damien Leith, Dean Geyer, and Bobby Flynn. The stripped-back setting of this Central Coast icon is a world away from the Australian Idol stage, and it allowed Chris to shine.

The first thing that struck me about Chris is just how funny he really is. We saw glimpses of this during his reality TV journey, but without anyone to rein him in Chris was hilarious. In fact, I’m not sure he actually got through a whole song without throwing in a couple of jokes.

Rather than distract, Chris’ hysterical banter broke down the traditional walls between singer and audience, and made you feel like you were a part of the concert experience.

But it wasn’t just about fun and games. When you strip away the humor, Chris still has the power to entertain. He’s simply that good. While performing his original songs or encouraging a cover version sing-along, he always had the audience in the palm of his hand. Chris didn’t restrict his cover repertoire to the songs he made famous during Idol, but treated us to unexpected gems like Bob Marley’s “Is This Love” and The Eagles’ “Heartache Tonight.” But of course, he closed the show with his Idol touchdown track “Evie.”

It’s so refreshing to see an artist like Chris, a man who has come out the other side of reality TV fame thankful for everything it has given him. In fact, he shared with us a song he’s written as a potential winner’s single. It’s got the right amount of inspiration without ever becoming cheesy, but only time will tell whether it’s the next “Angels Brought Me Here.”

In the meantime, I encourage you to see Chris when he’s in your neck of the woods. If you loved what he did on Idol, you’ll lap it up. And if you’re an Australian Idol skeptic, he just might convince you to think differently.