Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

September is Good Music Month

Sydney’s State Theatre will celebrate Aussie music in September, with a stellar line up of local talent for Good Music Month.

It all kicks off with shows by one of our favourite honourary Aussies, Leo Sayer, on September 5 and 6. Then on September 12 The Whitlams will take the stage with a 35-piece all-female orchestra. How that for girl power? Then on September 23 Deep Blue Orchestra will show you a symphony doesn’t have to be stuffy.

It’s followed by a very special Morning of the Earth screening and concert. This surf film changed the cultural landscape, and on September 27 you can see why. Original performers Brian Cadd and Mike Rudd of Spectrum will join new kids Lior and Old Man River.

Good Music Month will come to an end on September 30 when Olivia Newton-John takes to the stage with some very special friends for a gala charity concert. The final line-up is yet to be announced, but it’s sure to be spectacular. The show will raise funds for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre.

Tickets to the shows will be available through Ticketmaster from July 11.

Image source: Robert Proksa @ Stock.xchng

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

A Baby Girl For Nicole and Keith

Country superstar Keith Urban and his Aussie actress wife Nicole Kidman are the proud parents of a new baby girl. Sunday Rose Kidman Urban was born on Monday morning in the couple’s adopted home Nashville. She tipped the scales at 6 lb. 7.5 oz, or 3 kilos.

“We want to thank everybody that has kept us in their thoughts and prayers,” Keith said in a statement on his website. “We feel very blessed and grateful that we can share this joy with all of you today.”

I’ve got to say, I’m thrilled about the birth and so happy for our golden couple. But Sunday Rose? Am I the only one who thinks it’s one step away from Sunday Roast?

Image source: Craig O’Neal @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Our Kylie Gets OBE

Kylie Minogue has always been considered pop royalty, but now it’s official. Last night she received an Order of the British Empire at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

She wore a long white satin dress and gold high heels as she received the honour from Prince Charles. Her parents Carol and Ron and sister Dannii were there to see her presented with the OBE.

Kylie told The Herald Sun she was “totally blown away” by the ceremony.

“I just said to my sister before, ‘We’re in Buckingham Palace!’. Imagine saying that to us as kids. I was trying to breathe and take it all in and see everything.”

“It was very emotional seeing all these people from different walks of life joining together for this event. It is an incredible honour for me to receive this award,” she said.

“It makes me feel both humble and proud to be recognised for doing a job that I love so much.”

Congrats to Ms Minogue! She’s done Australia proud!

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

James Morrison, Renee Geyer, and More Play Jazz in the Vines

Great music, gourmet food, and green vibes come together at this year’s Jazz in the Vines. Experience it all at Tyrell’s Vineyard in the Hunter Valley on 25 October.

This year’s lineup brings together some Aussie music legends, and some of the hottest up and comers. Where else would you find James Morrison, Renee Geyer, and Glenn Shorrock sharing the bill with the brilliant Adam Miller, Force 10, and Lisa Hunt? These artists will perform on two stages, entertaining the crowds with non-stop music for seven hours!

After seven hours, you’re going to get hungry. Thankfully the festival also brings together some of the Hunter’s best food and wine. Acclaimed restaurants The Hunter Resort, The Mill, Redsalt, Esca, Elizabeth’s, and Majors Lane will be on hand with tasty treats, which you can wash down with wines from Drayton’s, Tamburlaine, Bimbadgen Estate, The Hunter Valley Wine Society, Peterson’s Champagne House, and of course, Tyrell’s.

This year the festival is going green with glass recycling, eco-friendly food packaging, and stacks more. And you can get into the environmentally friendly spirit by leaving the car at home! Rover Coaches will help visitors get there from Sydney, the Central Coast, and throughout the Hunter Valley. And if you don’t have to worry about driving, you can indulge in a few more glasses of that beautiful wine!

Aussie jazz legend James Morrison has played a few festivals in his time, yet he calls Jazz in the Vines “Australia’s premier outdoor jazz festival.” If it’s impressed him, you’re bound to have a good time! Check out the website for more details including ticket and transport information.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

You Need to Hear Alanna Cherote

If you love the earnest songwriting and warm, passionate vocals of girls like Sheryl Crow, Lucinda Williams, Bic Runga, and Brandi Carlisle, you’re going to love Alanna Cherote.

She’s a world away from the manufactured artists and overnight sensations that dominate the charts, and that’s just how she likes it.

Alanna’s spent her time away from the spotlight, playing acoustic shows and writing music while travelling through Germany, France, Denmark, Scotland, England, Croatia, Malta, Morocco, and many more exotic locales.

Her travels have inspired the songs you’ll find on her debut EP, Universal Need. It’s released on July 24, the very same night she’ll play The Gaelic Club in Sydney. If you needed another reason to get on down and support this promising newcomer, it’s worth noting that the show will raise funds for The Starlight Foundation. Tickets cost just $12 through Moshtix.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jet and Iggy Pop Cover "The Wild One"

When Johnny O’Keefe released “The Wild One” 50 years ago it started an Australian rock and roll revolution. So it’s fitting that the song is being re-released next month with a rock and roll legend and one of Australia’s hottest bands.

Jet recently flew to Miami to record “The Wild One” with the one and only Iggy Pop. Iggy fans will remember his definitive 1980s cover, and the new version is set to introduce a whole new generation to the song.

“My introduction to Johnny O’Keefe came through Iggy Pop covering this song,” says Jet’s Nic Cester. “Although I don’t think we have been directly influenced by Johnny O’Keefe, the ripples that he created are enormous. If the only thing that comes of this is just alerting other Australians that this existed, that’s a good thing.”

The collaboration will be released as a single on 19 July, and as a bonus track on the forthcoming album Johnny O’Keefe – The Wild One. The best of recording features remastered version of JO’K’s biggest hits. Johnny O’Keefe – The Wild One is available in stores from 23 August.

Image credit: Jill Kahn/Supplied by Warner Music Australia 

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Age Names Top 50 Aussie Albums

On July 5, some fifty years ago Johnny O’Keefe released The Wild One and Aussie rock was born. To commemorate the event The Age assembled a panel to come up with the top 50 Australian albums of all time. Votes were cast by critics, music journos, musicians, record shop owners, and band managers. The only criteria was this – they had to choose the finest albums by Australian musicians.

Sadly they didn’t ask me. But maybe that’s a good thing. It makes it easier to point out the flaws and the glaring omissions. These lists are never going to be perfect after all, but they do inspire debate.

Midnight Oil, Skyhooks, INXS, and AC/DC all earned their places in the top 10. I can understand Midnight Oil claiming the top spot, but I would have given it to Cold Chisel’s East. I certainly can’t imagine why it’s limped in at number 23. Lyrically, musically, and vocally, Cold Chisel are first class and this album is their best.

But rather than quibble about the folks who should have scored higher, I’m more interested to see who didn’t make it. The list is about blokey rock. Australians might do this well, but it’s certainly not all we do.

There’s no Savage Garden. There’s no James Reyne, not even in his Australian Crawl days. There’s no Divinyls. There’s no Renee Geyer. There’s no Kylie. There’s not even any Farnsy.

But there is plenty of good music there. Maybe the omissions show us just how rich our musical landscape is. Browse the top 50, and tell me what you think of it!

  1. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 – Midnight Oil
  2. Radios Appear – Radio Birdman
  3. Living in the 70s – Skyhooks
  4. Hi Fi Way – You Am I
  5. Stoneage Romeos – Hoodoo Gurus
  6. Gossip – Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls
  7. (I’m) Stranded – The Saints
  8. Kick – INXS
  9. Diesel and Dust – Midnight Oil
  10. Back in Black – AC/DC
  11. Magic Box – Loved Ones
  12. Easy – The Easybeats
  13. Born Sandy Devotional – The Triffids
  14. Crowded House – Crowded House
  15. Human Frailty – Hunters and Collectors
  16. High Voltage – AC/DC
  17. Sunnyboys – Sunnyboys
  18. Wait Long By The River and the Bodies of Your Enemies will Float By – The Drones
  19. 16 Lovers Lane – Go-Betweens
  20. Prehistoric Sounds – The Saints
  21. Circus Animals – Cold Chisel
  22. Hourly, Daily – You Am I
  23. East – Cold Chisel
  24. Doughboy Hollow – Died Pretty
  25. Goodbye Tiger – Richard Clapton
  26. Daddy Who – Daddy Cool
  27. Prayers on Fire – The Birthday Party
  28. Charcoal Lane – Archie Roach
  29. Rose Tattoo – Rose Tattoo
  30. Less is More – Even
  31. Let There Be Rock – AC/DC
  32. Since I Left You – The Avalanches
  33. Icehouse – Flowers
  34. Toward the Blues – Chain
  35. Anthology – The Easybeats
  36. The Good Son – Nick Cave
  37. Highway to Hell – AC/DC
  38. The Low Road – Beasts of Bourbon
  39. The Swing – INXS
  40. Lovetown – Stephen Cummings
  41. Face to Face – The Angels
  42. Post – Paul Kelly
  43. Woodface – Crowded house
  44. Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express – Go-Betweens
  45. Tu Plang – Regurgitator
  46. Eternal Nightcap – The Whitlams
  47. Diorama – Silverchair
  48. Starfish – The Church
  49. A Toast to Panama Red – Masters’ Apprentices
  50. Get Born – Jet

Image source: Lex @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Natalie Bassingthwaighte Splits from Rogue Traders

Natalie Bassingthwaighte has left her Rogue Traders bandmates to pursue her solo career.

Nat originally planned to take time off to record a solo release, but the band have decided to make the split a permanent one.

“As I’m sure every single one of you already knows, this tour was always expected to be our last tour for some time, as we knew Nat was going to work on solo and other commitments, which could take some years to complete,” James Ash said on the band’s online forum.

“Because of this, sadly, after a great deal of consideration we’ve come to the conclusion that as Nat’s career choices are taking her in new and exciting directions, she won’t be able to be a part of the Rogue Traders.

“Nat and I both want you to know that we part company as best friends, with a deep love and respect for each other and what we have achieved over the last three and a half years.”

It’s amazing to think she’s only been with the band since 2004. Natalie’s distinctive vocals gave the band top ten hits including “Voodoo Child,” “Way To Go,” “Watching You,” “Don’t You Wanna Feel” and “I Never Liked You.” Her presence in the band will be sorely missed.

Image source: Sunrise.seven @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jimmy Barnes Goes High Tech

Who says you can’t teach an old rocker new tricks? Jimmy Barnes will be the first Aussie act to use new Alive Drive technology.

When you see Barnesy on his Out of the Blue tour you can pick up an Alive Drive USB wristband featuring exclusive audio, video, and image content, plus live updates via the web.

This is the same sort of flexible USB wristband Matchbox Twenty fans saw when the lads toured here recently.

Jimmy Barnes plays Canberra Theatre tonight.