Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

David Campbell Gets Festive

Christmas is just 19 sleeps away! But before the fat man comes down your chimney, some of Australia’s biggest names will perform at Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight!

David Campbell, the event’s ambassador for the second year, will head this year’s lineup.

“Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight is the perfect way to round off the year and enjoy the celebrations and performances by some of the best talent we have in the country,” he said. “I am humbled to work alongside of these performers and it is inspiring to see all of the volunteers, performers and the Nine Network pull together and raise money for children who are blind or have low vision.”

David will perform alongside Marina Prior, Anthony Callea, Hi-5, The McClymonts, Tim Campbell, and many more stellar acts.

Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight will be held at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Christmas Eve. If you can’t get there, you can watch it on the Nine Network around Australia.

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bon Scott Movie in the Works

The colourful life of original AC/DC frontman Bon Scott may soon be immortalised on film.

Local filmmaker Eddie Martin is behind the projects, which he hopes to start filming in a year. He is preparing meet the band’s surviving members in January to get the final tick of approval, but he says the lads seem to support the biopic.

Eddie has also received funding from Film Victoria. Now all he needs is a cast!

He has his eye on local actor Tom Budge to play Angus Young, but is looking abroad for his Bon Scott.

“I hate to say who an ideal candidate might be, but I think James McAvoy could be interesting,” he told The Herald Sun.

It’s early days yet, but I think this flick has the potential to be something really special!

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Australians Up for Grammy Award

Aussies are in line to take home three gongs at next year’s Grammy Awards.

Kylie Minogue’s chart-topping dance album X is up against new releases from Cyndi Lauper, Daft Punk, and Moby in the best electronic/dance album category.

Industry newcomer Sam Sparro is also showing the world that Aussies can do more than rock. His debut smash “Black and Gold” has a shot of being named best dance song. But it’ll be tough for the local lad, with stiff competition from Madonna, Rihanna, and Lady GaGa.

With so many years under their belt, it’s amazing to think AC/DC have never won a Grammy. They’re in with a shot this year, with “Rock N Roll Train” nominated as best rock performance by a duo or group. They’ll fight Coldplay, Radiohead, The Eagles, and Kings of Leon for the title.

Good luck to all our Aussie Grammy hopefuls! The 51st Annual Grammy Awards will be held in Los Angeles on 8 February 2009.

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mink’s Ghostly Soundtrack Song

Sydney’s Mink are scoring some major international attention.

Their song “New York Summer” will soon be heard in an episode of Jennifer Love Hewitt’s supernatural series Ghost Whisperer. The Aussie rockers have also scored a slot on the soundtrack of the new Dreamworks flick She’s Out of My League.

The local lads are currently touring the United States, fresh from their recent appearance at Japan’s Fuji Rock festival. Could global domination be just around the corner?

Image source: Mink MySpace

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

DDA Albums Arrive in Australia

The latest threat to the CD has arrived in Australia.

DDA albums come in the form of a USB stick identified with a swing tag. As well as the tracks, each DDA album allows fans to access online content like photos, news, music videos, updates from the band, and social networking. Music lovers can then access their content from the MyDDA service using any internet-enabled computer or mobile phone.

Each USB stick also features a DDA music player and track list builder. The software shows the album art and song lyrics for each tune as it plays. The software also allows for transferring the albums to iTunes or burning them to a CD. All tracks will be available in MP3 and WAV formats to get around any nasty compatibility issues.

DDA albums, including new releases by Sneaky Sound System and Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, are now available from HMV, Virgin, and Sanity stores for the cost of a CD. If the market in Australia is enthusiastic about the technology, there are plans to introduce it to the rest of the world.

I’m still in love with my vinyl collection so the technology isn’t very appealing to me. But I know everyone else has embraced MP3s, and even if I don’t want one I think it’s cool that Australia gets to be guinea pigs. So what about you, loyal readers? Would you like to own your favourite albums on DDA?

Image source: Yasin Oztürk @ Stock.xchng

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kylie and Coldplay Release AIDS Charity Song "Lhuna"

Kylie Minogue and Coldplay have teamed up for an ethereal new single called “Lhuna.” The track was released yesterday to support World AIDS Day.

All proceeds from the sale of the landmark single will go to (RED)Wire, a charity which helps deliver AIDS medication to those that can’t afford it.

This song is certainly a departure from the soaring stadium anthems and boppy pop gems we’re used to hearing from these musicians. Who would have imagined their collaboration would sound like this?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gabriella Cilmi is a Diva

Gabriella Cilmi joined a star-studded international line-up for the recent ITV Divas special in Britain recently.

Melbourne’s pop diva played alongside Pink, Rihanna, Anastacia, Leona Lewis, and living legend Dionne Warwick at the breast cancer benefit show. ITV hosted the event to thank fundraisers and campaigners from the United Kingdom’s leading breast cancer awareness charities for their efforts.

Gabriella performed her global smash hit “Sweet About Me.” Check it out!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pete Murray Leaves Australia

Pete Murray is packing his bags and leaving Australia for The Netherlands.

The Aussie singer-songwriter says he is moving to escape the stigma that comes with commercial success.

“I worked very hard to be successful, but in Australia, when you do succeed, everyone that’s too cool suddenly thinks you’re too commercial,” he said.

“Once you make that crossover to commercial radio the underground tends to move away from you. You’re just not cool any more.”

Will Pete be any cooler in The Netherlands? We’ll see! His latest album, Summer at Eureka is poised for release in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Image source: Fuze @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

David Campbell Gets Hitched

David Campbell is a swinging bachelor no more. The spunky singer married producer and actor Lisa Hewitt at Sydney’s St Phillips Anglican Church yesterday.

David’s dad and living legend Jimmy Barnes wore a kilt and accompanied wife Jane and kids Elly-May, Mahalia, Jackie, and Eliza-Jane. Toni Pearen, David Hobson, Dawn Fraser, and bridesmaid Magda Szubanski were some of the other famous faces.

The new Mrs Campbell, a massive Neighbours fan, managed to rope in Angry Anderson to sing “Suddenly” at the ceremony. I think that’s just so cheesy that it’s cool!

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Image source: Newscom