Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussies Snubbed at Grammys

There were four local hopefuls, but Australians have failed to secure a Grammy at the Los Angeles ceremony today.

We had high hopes for the dance categories, with Kylie Minogue’s X nominated for best electronic/dance album and Sam Sparro’s “Black and Gold” up for best dance recording. But French electronic outfit Daft Punk swept the pool and stole both awards.

Rock veterans AC/DC were hopeful of breaking their Grammys drought with “Rock N Roll Train” but it wasn’t their year. Kings of Leon instead took home the best rock performance by a duo or group category for “Sex on Fire.”

We didn’t fare any better in country either. Keith Urban is a double winner, but he failed to repeat the feat with “Let the Wind Chase You,” his duet with Trisha Yearwood. They lost the best country collaboration category to Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

HP Go Live Winner Does BDO In Style

David Murray may just be the luckiest music fan in Oz. Like many other Aussies he submitted a video album review to the HP Go Live Competition. He never dreamed that his take on the new Birds of Tokyo album would be the winning entry.

As the winner of the HP Go Live competition, David travelled with the Big Day Out crew to the festival’s five Aussie locations. Along the way he interviewed the likes of Sneaky Sound System, Birds of Tokyo, Children Collide, Little Red, and Sparkadia. David was new to the interviewing game, so he was mentored by Video Hits diva Fuzzy. As if that wasn’t cool enough he took home a HP HDX Premium Notebook PC and a HP iPAQ912 Series Business Messenger.

“This has been an amazing experience and an awesome opportunity … This is exactly the kind of experience I need so hopefully after this it’ll be up, up and away as far as my career goes” says David.

“Fuzzy has been a great help to me throughout this entire experience, mainly by just being so friendly and approachable … She is also is a really great interviewer and has given me lots of hints and tips.”

He’s certainly got a fan in the Video Hits presenter.

“David’s awesome; he’s a very confident guy. He knows his stuff, is clearly passionate about music and would make a fantastic interviewer …HP has come up with such a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity for people to get out there and on TV with bands” she said.

It might be all done and dusted, but you can check out David’s exclusive interviews, plus those covetable HP products, on David’s blog.

Image source: Peer Group Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

RuinGloria Celebrates US Visa Saga with Sydney Show

RuinGloria’s plans of rocking America are now on hold, after the band failed to secure a visa. The Sydney band recently signed a US touring and PR agreement with Red Dragon Booking & Maelstrom Music PR. But a late change in their line-up means the lads cannot arrive in the States until early March to start their national tour.

“It’s obviously a set back to us and we’ve had to make a lot of changes to our original plan, but its cool. Paul [Petrone – guitar] only joined the band late November, so we had to re-apply for the visas. It’s a pretty lengthy process but at least this gives us a chance to rock about around Sydney for another month’ said front-man Adam Hollywood.

That’s right Sydney, America’s loss is your gain. The boys will play a Surprise! Our Visas Fell through Show’ at Caringbah Bizzo’s on Sat 28th Feb. They’ll be ably supported by Hy Rule Mafia, Dean Michael Smith and Empires & Vampires. Get your tickets for the farewell show online at Oztix.

Image used with permission from SuperHappyRecords

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Acer Arena One of the Best … Apparently

Acer Arena has made the Pollstar top 10 best venues in the world list for the third year running. The Sydney venue is considered on a par with iconic spots like Madison Square Garden in New York, The Staples Center in Los Angeles, and O2 Arena in London.

The accolade caps off a stellar 2008 for the arena, which attracted the likes of Stevie Wonder, Kylie Minogue, Andrea Bocelli, Bon Jovi, and Billy Joel last year.

“Despite many reports of a worldwide recession, 2009 has started extremely strongly with Top Gear Live this coming weekend exceeding all sales expectations (ten shows), as are shows like Coldplay (four shows in March) followed in the same month by Kings of Leon and The Who then Pussycat Dolls (two shows in May), Crusty Demons (June) WWE Live (July) and Andre Rieu (two shows in October),” General Manager David Humphreys said in a statement.

“Acknowledgement in two internationally respected industry magazines is the icing on the cake and a great reward for the team that made these events happen.

“We have been Australia’s leading indoor concert arena for a number of years and look forward to maintaining the same high standards and quality events in 2009.”

I thought the same thing last year, but I’m a little amazed. Things always seem to run smoothly at Acer, but unless you’re sitting really close to the stage it’s certainly not the place I’d want to see a show. Bigger isn’t always better for the musicians or their audience, and this poll seems to forget that! Give me a small theatre or a natural outdoor winery setting any day!

Image source: E. Yoshio @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gabriella Cilmi Snares International Awards Nominations

Go Go Gabriella Cilmi! The darling of the Australian music scene has been nominated for some major international awards!

She’ll face off against Beyonce, Santogold, Pink, and Katy Perry for the Brit Award for International Solo Female Artist.

She’s also nominated for a German Echo Award for Best International Newcomer. Again she faces some stiff competition from Duffy, Leona Lewis, Katy Perry, and Amy McDonald.

It’s all pretty impressive for an Aussie teen who only released her debut single last March! Gabriella was recently in Oz to perform at the Australian Open’s A Day on the Baseline Show. She’s now returned to Europe where she’s planning to launch her assault on the American market. Her monster debut album Lessons to be Learned will be released there on March 17. Maybe we’ll see a Grammy nod next year?

Image source: Pacific Coast News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

AC/DC Up For a Juno

AC/DC could add a Juno to their trophy case. The Aussie band’s comeback record Black Ice has been nominated for International Album of the Year at the Canadian equivalent of the ARIAs.

They’ll go head to head with some rock stalwarts: Metallica’s Death Magnetic and Guns N’ Roses’ Chinese Democracy are up for the gong, alongside Coldplay’s Viva La Vida and Jack Johnson’s Sleep Through the Static.

The Juno Awards are on March 29 in Vancouver.

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Madonna Sticky and Sweet Tour Not Heading to Australia

It seems there’s no truth to the rumors that Madonna’s Sticky and Sweet tour will visit Australia later this year.

Undercover says Madonna’s record label has denied the stories and the promoter who was negotiating with Madonna before the dollar crashed says the talks are off the table. The dates published in newspapers last week don’t check out with venue bookings either.

Sorry Madonna fans but it all makes sense. When the tour was originally planned we were getting 95c to the US dollar. These days it’s sitting at around 65c. For shows so spectacular, the cost after the conversion would be phenomenal.

It looks like Madonna fans would be better off saving for an overseas trip if they want to catch the show, because I can’t see it finding its way here.

Image source: Bauer-Griffin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fall Out Boy Play for Aussie Troops

Forget the entertainment centres. The coolest gig on Fall Out Boy’s Australian tour will be an invite-only show on the deck of the HMAS Tobruk.

“We’re pumped to come back to Australia for our national tour in February, and what a great way to cap it off by taking over Sydney Harbour and playing in front of one of the world’s most iconic bridges,” bass player Pete Wentz said.

Among the lucky front-row ticket holders will be the 140 crew members who’ve recently returned from deployment overseas.

“It is a great opportunity for the Navy, giving our people and competition winners a once in a lifetime experience,” HMAS Tobruk commanding officer Peter Thompson said.

“Our crew has been working hard and this performance is a great way to say thank you.”

Image source: Pacific Coast News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Veronicas Crack US Top 20

The Veronicas have become the first Aussies since Kylie Minogue to have a top 20 single in the United States. “Untouched” is currently at number 17 on the American charts after selling 758, 000 units.

“Feeling the energy of ‘Untouched’ doing so well in America is a great feeling. It’s a different style of music to breakthrough on the American charts, and people are excited. Especially us!” The Veronicas said in a statement.

Kylie peaked at number 7 in 2002 with “Can’t Get You Out of My Head.” Can the Brisbane twins do better? Only time will tell, but they should definitely be congratulated on their chart success so far!

Here’s the song that did it for them live at last year’s ARIA Awards!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Cassette Kids Play Concert for a Cause

After making a splash in Los Angeles and Paris, Billabong’s Design for Humanity is coming to The Forum. The event, which hits Sydney on February 18, brings the worlds of music, fashion, and art together for a great cause.

Local sensations The Cassette Kids, Ashleigh Mannix and DJs The Bag Raiders will provide entertainment on the night. The event will also offer a sneak peek of Billabong’s 2009 summer fashions.

Proceeds from ticket sales will go to Surfaid International, a charity committed to easing human suffering through community health programs. The organization is currently providing health education, disease prevention programs, and emergency preparedness support in the Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra and Nias Island in North Sumatra.

If you’d like to support their efforts and enjoy a great show you can pick up a ticket for just $30 (plus booking fee) by clicking the picture in this post. Too easy!