Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Luke Dickens and Wes Carr Head to the Opera House

This is it Australia: our two Australian Idol finalists have been decided and they’re heading to the Opera House next Sunday! Mark Spano was eliminated, leaving Luke Dickens and Wes Carr to battle it out for the title.

The highlight of the show was the unveiling of the potential winner’s singles. That’s right, singles. For the first time ever, the singers have selected different songs to release should they become the next Australian Idol. It makes sense really: the contestants are always different so why have we forced them to sing the same song for so long? Best of all, neither song is the “I can’t believe I’m here and I won” anthem we’re used to. These are actually the kind of songs people might want to buy!

Luke Dickens’ is a song called “When We Hear Hallelujah,” a moving ballad with a tinge of country. I was drawn in but it kind of lost me towards the end. It’s a lot better than anything we’ve heard out of the Australian Idol competition, but it’s just not my kind of song.

Wes Carr’s single, “You,” was a completely different matter. What a fantastic song! This bluesy love song is the sort of thing I could happily listen to when it’s played to death on radio.

I love both Luke and Wes. They’re so talented, and I really have no clue who Australians are going to choose. But if the winner’s singles give us any indication of what sort of artist these guys will be, I hope Wes comes through in the end.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Snow Patrol Announce Sydney Show

Snow Patrol will play a very special show at Sydney’s Metro Theatre this Wednesday, November 19.

Except for the fans lucky enough to win passes to the Max Sessions, this is the only chance Aussie Snow Patrol lovers will have to see the lads play live during their promotional visit.

So how do you get tickets? Simple – get yourself to the Metro Theatre, call them on (02) 9550 3666, or log on to The Metro’s website. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 9 am sharp, and they are sure to sell out. There is a limit of two tickets per credit card holder, and they can only be issued to folks over 18. You’ll need to show photo ID so don’t even think about trying to sneak in kids!

Good luck everybody!

Image source: Yellowlinephoto @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Australian Idol Competition Heats Up

With just three singers left in the Australian Idol competition, I expected big things from tonight’s show. Instead there were some standouts, but a few performances that were more miss that hit. So who smashed it and who sank? Here are my thoughts!

Luke Dickens opened the show with “Stuck in the Middle with You.” This is a good fun song, and Luke enjoyed himself. I loved the rasp of his voice on this song, but I don’t think it was outstanding. At this stage of the competition that’s what I’m looking for. Instead it was the standard I’d expect to see on a good night at the pub. But he was back in form with his take on the Elton John classic “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues.” Luke knows who he is, and he’s got a voice that is just so recognisable. At this point he’s going to have a great career regardless of what happens tomorrow night.

Mark Spano was next up with the Fuel song “Bad Day.” Like Dicko, I didn’t know this one but he was just so convincing that it didn’t matter. It’s risky to perform a song the audience doesn’t know, but when you do it so competently the gamble pays off. I was very impressed. However I was less so with Mark’s rendition of “Smooth.” Maybe I was too harsh on him because Rob Thomas is my favourite singer on earth. But to me this just seemed like a pale version of the original.

It was a similarly lopsided night from Wes Carr. He never does a bad job, but I felt his version of “Easy” was a bit average. I loved the harmonica, but the rest of it lacked energy. You can be taking it easy without making us fall asleep Wes! There were no problems with the energy of his second song though. I was nervous when I heard Wes was doing “Get Back” as this song tends to get a little shouty, but it was a standout. Well deserving of the TV throw and the touchdown Wes!

With just one week until the Sydney Opera House finale I have no idea who’s going. Wes has to be there at the end, but I’m not sure who his rival will be. Mark is so talented, but Luke’s the Aussie battler and my nation always loves an underdog. I adore all three boys so I don’t really care which way it goes!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

AC/DC Bigger Than The Beatles

It might have only lasted one week at the top spot in Australia, but AC/DC’s Black Ice continues to do massive things all over the world. It’s currently the number one album in USA, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Argentina, Canada, and Spain.

Black Ice actually topped sales in 29 countries, and more than 5.3 million copies of the album were shipped all around the world.

The American stats are really interesting though. Black Ice is the band’s first US number one, and they’ve achieved it easily will sales exceeding 1 million copies. With the sales of the newie and the back catalogue combined, AC/DC has outsold The Beatles in the United States this year.

No doubt these sales figures have been helped by the American leg of AC/DC’s world tour, which kicked off in Pennsylvania on October 28. Critics and fans alike have been going nuts for the performances which one reviewer described as “a celebration of all that is great about rock ‘n’ roll.”

Now if they would just hurry up and announce those Aussie dates!

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne Lockout Scrapped

Melbourne partygoers have cause for celebration. The city’s 2 am lock-out has been scrapped after public protests.

Instead the state government will introduce “time-out zones” serving tea and coffee to revellers who’ve indulged in a few too many. Fifty extra police will also be put on the streets during weekends to curb disorderly behaviour.

The state’s premier John Brumby said the government’s decision to abandon the lockout was influenced by the huge numbers of pubs and clubs who sought, and won, exemptions.

So party on Melbourne!

Image source: Ugur Vidinligil @ Stock.xchng

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Dave Anderson Tunes for Free

A few months ago I discovered Dave Anderson, a fantastic local singer-songwriter from Sydney. I was actually one of the first to review his debut album Wish It All Away. Since then he’s earned some big praise from the Australian media.

The Sydney Morning Herald gave it 4/5, commenting that “Some upbeat tunes cleverly cover up many of his personal frustrations while the quieter acoustic moments convey just the right amount of emotion without becoming maudlin.”

Dave also impressed The Sunday Telegraph who said Wish It All Away “would sit comfortably on the shelf next to your Pete Murray CDs.”

If you still haven’t heard Dave’s tunes, here’s your opportunity to check them out for nix. Just visit his website, sign up to the mailing list, and you’ll receive two free downloads. You’ll then get updated when Dave is playing near you, so you can see this talented independent artist for yourself! Sounds like a win-win to me!

Image used with permission from Dave Anderson

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Waifs Announce Aussie Tour

Western Australian folk darlings The Waifs are winging their way around Australia for a massive tour. They’ll play their home state with the fabulous Ani DiFranco before joining fellow folk singer Jez Mead for shows in the rest of the country.

The Waifs love to play the music their fans want to hear, so they’re encouraging you to speak up. Just visit their official website and follow the links to e-mail the band your three top tunes. What a great opportunity for Waifs fans to hear those forgotten favourites!

Check out The Waifs at the following venues next year! Tickets are on sale from November 21 from the venues and your regular ticket outlets.

22 January 2009 – Fremantle Arts Centre
24 January 2009 – Wignalls Winery, Albany
25 January 2009 – Leeuwin Estate Winery, Margaret River
28 January 2009 – Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton
29 January 2009 – Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah
31 January 2009 – Playhouse Theatre, Darwin
4 and 5 February 2009 – Hi Fi Bar, Melbourne
7 February 2009 – Peninsula Lounge, Moorooduc
8 February 2009 – Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
11 February 2009 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
14 February 2009 – Regent Theatre, Wollongong
15 February 2009 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
17 February 2009 – A&I Hall, Bangalow
18 February 2009 – Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane
21 February 2009 – Civic Theatre, Townsville
22 February 2009 – Cairns Civic Theatre
4 March 2009 – Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart
5 March 2009 – The Saloon, Launceston
7 March 2009 – CMC Rocks the Snowys, Thredbo

Image source: Jeaneeem @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Win "Rising" by The Go Set

I must admit, I haven’t had a lot of time for punk music lately. In the glory days bands like The Clash and The Pogues created tunes that were musically complex and lyrically revolutionary. But somewhere along the way it became all about three-chord wonders who think a few tattoos and piercings make you edgy. If you’re as tired of these homogenised punk outfits as I am, you’re going to love The Go Set.

This Melbourne band serves up classic punk music with a side order of traditional celtic and folk sounds. It’s a unique take, but when you consider that the founding members grew up with Irish/Australian parents it all makes perfect sense. I haven’t heard punk music played with a mandolin or set of bagpipes since The Dropkick Murphys!

Rising is The Go Set’s fourth album in as many years. That it features 10 solid original songs, plus an outstanding cover of Radio Birdman’s “New Race” is a testimony to their prolific talent. The CD sees a return to their punk rock origins and an exploration of some new ground. By dabbling in reggae and ska, The Go Set has created an eclectic collection of tunes.

The original blend of sounds on Rising makes it a lot more accessible than many punk recordings. It also makes The Go Set stand out in a world where I struggle to tell my Simple Plan from my Good Charlotte. If you’ve always dismissed punk music as being too simplistic and discordant, this might just be the album to change your mind.

I have three copies of Rising to give away to my loyal readers.

If you want to win one, just leave a comment to this entry telling me why you want to win! Too easy! Make sure you leave your e-mail address (this won’t be posted publicly) so I can get in touch with you if you win.

Entries close at 5 pm AEST on November 19, and I’ll announce the winners on Thursday November 20.

Image source: The Go Set MySpace

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Teale Jakubenko Leaves Aussie Idol

I called it. After so many nights in the bottom three, the axe fell on Australian Idol contestant Teale Jakubenko. The real surprise of the night though was that he shared his spot in the bottom two with Wes Carr!

Teale’s grown so much through this competition and I hope to see a lot more of him. Wes’ appearance in the bottom three really shows that this race is just too close to call. Bring on the final weeks!