Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

John Brewster Suffers Heart Attack

The Angels’ guitarist John Brewster is recovering in a Queensland hospital after suffering a heart attack.

John reportedly fell ill as the band was preparing to perform at Rumours in Toowoomba. He was rushed to hospital where he had a five-way bypass operation. He is recovering well, although it may take months before he can rejoin his bandmates.

But the show must go on, with John’s eldest son Sam stepping into his father’s shoes. Sam was the obvious replacement for his father as “he learned all the songs in the womb.”

The Angels will play tomorrow night at The Settlers Hotel in Mildura. Here’s a little classic Angels to brighten this story up!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Natalie Imbruglia Stars in PETA Anti-Fur Ad


Natalie Imbruglia is the latest star to pose in a provocative new ad for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

The Australian singer and actor took time out from her busy schedule to highlight the still common use of fur in the fashion industry.

“There is no kind way to rip the skin off animals’ backs,” the passionate Aussie said. “Anyone who wears any fur shares the blame for the torture and gruesome deaths of millions of animals each year.”

How true! And with so many gorgeous animal-friendly fashions on the market, why would you dress yourself in anything else?

Image source: PETA

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu Plans World Domination

It’s been a massive year for indigenous musician Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, and it looks like 2009 could be even bigger.

His ARIA Award winning debut Gurrumul has attracted the attention of distributors worldwide, who plan to release the album in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

In January Geoffrey will capitalise on the American hype with a show at New York’s legendary Carnegie Hall. It looks like the sky’s the limit for this talented singer-songwriter!

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wes Carr Wins Australian Idol

Wes Carr has taken out this year’s season of Australian Idol, beating Luke Dickens in a thrilling season finale. Luke was clearly the underdog, but we all know that in Australia that means nothing as everyone loves to see the Aussie battler get up. But after standout performances every week, it’s exciting to see Wes come through with the goods.

It’s also a good thing that Wes’ first single “You” is fantastic, because we’re going to hear a lot more of it in the coming weeks! It’s at radio and available for digital download now, with the CD single to come on December 3.

The single will include some highlights of Wes’ Idol journey: new recordings of “Get Back,” “Desire,” and “If I Were a Carpenter.”

Sony Music chairman Denis Handlin says he’s “very excited” about working with the boy from Bondi.

“This year’s Idol series has uncovered an exceptional array of talent. The changes to the format this year have proven very successful and most importantly Australian Idol has discovered an outstanding winner in Wes,” he said.

“In keeping with the exciting changes of this year’s show and overwhelming public support for the finalists, we are very happy to announce that the winner’s single will be released now before he heads into the studio to work on his debut album.”

Wes’ album should be in stores in the New Year!

Congratulations Wes!

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Coldplay Announce Australian Tour

Coldplay are bringing their Viva La Vida tour Down Under. Lead singer Chris Martin has told The Sunday Telegraph he needed to ensure the concerts were flawless before bringing the show to our shores.

“For us, touring in your country is kind of exotic, so we feel like it’s kind of a treat. So we wait until we feel like we deserve to go to Australia,” he explained. “We don’t like to play in Australia until we’ve perfected our concert.”

The tour announcement coincides with this weekend’s release of a deluxe edition of Viva La Vida: Prospekt’s March, which features eight new tracks.

Coldplay tickets are available through Ticketek from 4 December. Here are the dates!

27 February 2009 – Burswood Dome, Perth
3 and 4 March 2009 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
8 and 9 March 2009 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
11 and 12 March 2009 – Acer Arena, Sydney

Image source: DaigoOlivia @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Red Ink Makes an Impression

With irresistibly catchy hook-laden tunes, Red Ink has gotten under my skin. You probably haven’t heard of this rocking quartet from Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, but it’s only a matter of time.

Patch from Motor Ace has produced the songs they’ve recorded thus far, and they’re going to mix the single with Tom Larkin (Young & Restless, Reptiles) in the new youth. We should hear the single on radio in February, before we get the chance to see the lads live in March and April.But you don’t have to wait that long to listen to them – just check out their MySpace to hear three songs including my favourite, “An Elaborate Plan to Run Away.”

Red Ink will clearly relish the chance to front their own show, after getting a taste for touring with the likes of The Galvatrons, Children Collide, Young & Restless, and Grinspoon.

These guys are all around 21 years of age, and they bring that youthful energy to the songs I’ve heard. They might be young, but their songs have a professionalism beyond their tender years. If this is what they sound like at this stage of their careers, the sky truly is the limit.

Image used with permission from Red Ink

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rhys Turns Up The Heat with Hot Summer

We all know So You Think You Can Dance runner-up Rhys can bust a move, but did you know he’s also a mean singer? We’ll soon get a chance to hear him flex his vocal chords on his debut single Hot Summer.

Just like Rhys’ moves on the dancefloor, his sound is anything but predictable.

“For me music and movement have always gone hand in hand. I like anything that makes me wanna dance. Be it indy and disco, to soulful house and gospel,” he explained in a press release.

“Growing up at the Johnny Young Talent School has definitely defined my eclectic tastes. Throw in some electro, breaks and I’m there! Major influences on me have been the likes of Prince, ELO, Madonna, Queen, Daft Punk, Madonna and Basement Jaxx. I’m also totally inspired by some amazing Aussie acts at the moment, like the Presets, Midnight Juggernauts, Gotye and Van She.”

The addictive “Hot Summer” will be Network Ten’s advertising soundtrack, so we’re sure to hear a lot more of it!It’s also available for download from iTunes on Monday.

Image source: Rhys Facebook page

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Is Natalie Imbruglia Dating will.i.am?

The music industry is buzzing with the news Natalie Imbruglia is romancing will.i.am. The Black Eyed Peas frontman was seen smooching the gorgeous Aussie singer in London last week.

Reports say the couple was oblivious to onlookers, including Sienna Miller and Jesse Metcalfe, as they canoodled at Monroe’s nightclub at No. 5 Cavendish Square.

“It was a very drunken night in one of the private VIP rooms. A few models and the stars got through a number of magnums of champagne and vodka,” reported an unnamed source.

“Natalie and Will were getting on really well, and there were some surprised looks when they started kissing. Sienna made her excuses and left fairly early, but the others stayed until 7am.”

I never feel comfortable trusting those anonymous sources, but if the reports are true it would be some powerful music match!

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Avalon Drive Call it Quits

Avalon Drive

They might be in the middle of a national tour, but that hasn’t stopped Brisbane rockers Avalon Drive from going their separate ways due to irreconcilable differences!

The band released three EPs during their career and performed high profile shows with INXS, The Veronicas, and Fall Out Boy.

All gigs on their current tour have been cancelled. If you’ve got tickets for any of the scheduled shows, you can get a refund from your point of purchase.

Image source: AAA Entertainment photo gallery