Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sound Relief Raises More Than $8 Million for Disaster Charities

Fresh from the news that Bushfire Aid has raised $1.6 million for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal comes official reports of the profits of Sound Relief. The benefit concerts staged in Sydney and Melbourne last month raised more than $8 million. If you’re keeping score, that’s $7,159,760 for the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal and $874,416 for the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal.

“We are thrilled with the amount of money raised by Sound Relief. It is no small exercise to stage two stadium concerts of such magnitude and the willingness of so many to provide their talent, time, labour and equipment free or at cost has allowed such a significant sum to be raised for the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal and The Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal,” the organisers said in a statement.

“We are proud to have been part of Sound Relief and hope the funds raised will help to heal the communities that have been impacted on by these devastating disasters.”

The concerts reunited classic acts like Midnight Oil, Hunters & Collectors, and Split Enz, and featured surprise duets by Coldplay and John Farnham and Barry Gibb and Olivia Newton-John.

Image source: Wikipedia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dance til you Drop with Novanation Radio

Neon Records has announced a long-term commitment to power the new DMG digital 24-hour dance station Novanation. Neon will supply exclusive content to the station, including a new weekly dance show Neon Essential 10. The program’s host, Grant Smillie of TV Rock, had this to say about the deal.

“We think is a great step forward for the dance community and all Australian electronic artists. We now have a 24 hour station dedicated to playing and breaking music … with the blurring of boundaries between rock, pop and dance The DMG network has taken the leap forward and we as part of the dance community applaud and are proud to be on board.”

To celebrate the launch of Novanation, Neon Records and Warner Music Australia will release a series of dance compilation CDs this year. The first features top dance artists like Zoe Badwi, Roger Sanchez, and Armand Van Helden remixed by TV Rock and Chardy. The double CD, Neon Essential – Volume 1, will be in stores from May 1.

But that’s just the start of the Novanation phenomenon. We can also expect a national tour supporting the CD to kick off on April 25. Dates are yet to be announced, so watch this space!

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sony Bushfire Aid CD Raises $1.6 Million for Victorian Bushfire Victims

Congratulations Australia! You have helped Sony Music’s Bushfire Aid: Artists for the Bushfire Appeal CD raised more than $1.6 million for the Salvation Army Bushfire Appeal.

The CD, featuring international and local artists, was released just days after the Victorian bushfire tragedy. Artists contributing to the CD, including Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, and The Living End, waived their royalties for the project. The CD’s manufacturers also waived the production costs.

The album is still available in stores, so if you haven’t got yours yet, why not? Let’s get those proceeds up to a cool $2 million!

Image source: Tastygoldfish @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bacardi Express Special on Channel V

The second Bacardi Express has just wrapped up its travelling tour. The train took Groove Armada, British India, Bluejuice, Van She, Lost Valentinos, Beardyman, and HOOPS DJs from Melbourne to Sydney. The bands made pit stops in Wagga Wagga and Wollongong, and it sounds like they had just as much fun as the crowds!

“The Bacardi Express was a totally unique experience. From the train where we got the opportunity to jam with the other bands on the tour, to the full capacity gigs, which included our first ever matinee DJ set,” said Andy Cato from headliners Groove Armada. “We’ve been to Australia many times before but this is up there with one of our best trips.”

The tour opened to a packed house at Melbourne’s The Palace. The bands fed off the high-energy audience, which Groove Armada’s Tom Findlay described as “off the rails.”

But the Bacardi Express experience is about more than the shows; it’s about the journey. The bands, along with some lucky competition winners, enjoyed the trip on the luxurious 15-carriage Bacardi Express. The train came complete with two dining cars, three cocktail bars (with plenty of Bacardi on hand of course!), a gaming room, chill-out lounge, and the very cool jamming room. One of the highlights of the trip was Tom Findlay’s impromptu five-hour DJ set. There were also five sleeper carriages, but with entertainment like that going on I can’t imagine they were used much!

Stav from Bluejuice broke the golden rule and offered some insight into the tour’s shenanigans.

“Bacardi Express was total awesomeness … I lost my voice four times over, I wore a Ugandan model’s clothes and talked like a drag queen for at least fifteen minutes. I won a trivia quiz with the Lost Valentinos’ boys and will bask in that glory forever.”

If you missed the event, you can catch some of the action on pay TV. Channel V will air a Bacardi Express special from May 15. Check it out!

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Human Nature Take Motown to Vegas

Congratulations to Human Nature!

Australia’s finest vocal group will take their Motown show to the entertainment capital of the world! The Sydney lads will play a 40-week residency at The Imperial Palace Casino in Las Vegas starting on May 23. To add extra cred to the evening, loyal supporter and Motown legend Smokey Robinson will present the show.

It can only be the start of bigger and better things for these supremely talented guys!

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Keith Urban’s New Album Goes Straight to the Top

Congratulations to Keith Urban! The Aussie country star has shot straight to the top of the American Billboard charts with his latest album, Defying Gravity. The album, which features the new single “Kiss the Girl,” was inspired by Keith’s wife Nicole Kidman and her support through Keith’s recent battle with alcoholism.

“It’s an incredible feeling to have a No. 1 record,” Keith said in a statement. “But equally moving is knowing that this particular record, that comes from such a joyous, loving and hopeful place, is connecting with so many people.”

It’s a massive effort when you consider he beat out new releases from Prince, Diana Krall, and Flo Rida to take the number one possie. It’s Keith first number one in the US, and one that’s well deserved!

Image source: Pacific Coast News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer to Team up for Aussie Tour

If you thought Vanilla Ice’s last minute inclusion on the V Festival bill was weird, hold onto your hats. Things are set to get a whole lot more bizarre with news he’s coming back … with MC Hammer.

“It is not set in stone at this point, but it is happening,” Mr Ice told the Herald Sun while in Melbourne. “We are, in about nine months, going to come through Australia with a big world tour – MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice.”

That tour sounds just crazy enough to work. I’ll bring you more news as it comes to hand!

Image source: PR Photos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Brisbane Gets a HiFi Bar

Melbourne’s iconic HiFi Bar is opening a sister venue in Brisbane. The live music hotspot will open its doors on April 29 with a show by the Drones. The only way to see this show is to become a member of The HiFi Bar website and cross your fingers! 500 double passes are up for grabs for this exclusive opening show.

The talent keeps coming in May, with The Grates, Kate Miller-Heidke, Little Birdy, Jeff Martin and the Armada, and Cradle of Filth all slated to take the stage.

Brisbane’s new HiFi Bar is located at 125 Boundary Street, West End.

Image source: The Drones press page

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Keith Urban Takes One From Three at Country Music Awards

Keith Urban may have missed out on some of the big awards at last night’s Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, but he didn’t leave empty handed.

Though it was announced at an earlier ceremony, Keith’s duet with Brad Paisley, “Start a Band,” took out Vocal Event of the Year. Brad snatched the Male Vocalist of the Year title from Keith, while Carrie Underwood beat the Aussie for Entertainer of the Year.

I don’t think Keith cares too much though. He was openly affectionate with his wife Nicole Kidman on the red carpet, and there are rumours they’re heading back to Australia for the Easter break. Who needs awards when you’ve got a good woman and a country like ours to come home to?

Image source: Bauer-Griffin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Renee Mansbridge a Bright New Star

You might not know her yet, but Renee Mansbridge is shaping up as an artist to watch. The Aussie model has been snapped up by music mogul Tommy Mottola, so she must be much more than just a pretty face. Renee will head to Miami next week to record her debut single under Mr Mottola’s watchful eye.

“I’m so excited to be working with an amazing team in the States,” she told The Sunday Telegraph.

And what a team it is. Tommy’s worked with the likes of Taylor Dayne, Carly Simon, Jennifer Lopez, and his ex-wife Mariah Carey, so he knows his stuff. He’s also enlisted the songwriting talents of Rico Love, the man responsible for the chart-toppers of Beyonce, Fergie, Jordin Sparks, and Usher.

We’ll have to wait a little while yet to hear the results, but already Renee is drawing comparisons with Rihanna. At any rate, I have a feeling we’re going to see a lot of Renee in the future!