Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melissa Tkautz Launches Comeback

Well here’s an unexpected comeback. Does anyone out there remember Melissa Tkautz?

This busty blonde was hot stuff in 1991 thanks to her starring role on E-Street and chart-topping singles “Read My Lips” and “Sexy is the Word.”

Apparently she’s back with a cover of one of my favourite 80s pop songs, Transvision Vamp’s “I Want Your Love.” I’ve got to say she probably should have left this one alone, but with Nick Skitz at the helm it’s bound to be big in the clubs. At least she still looks hot!

If you love the new song, or you just want to get close to this 90s pop icon, you can catch Melissa playing in Sydney and Brisbane clubs. Check her MySpace page for the dates. After that Melissa plans to head to Europe to work with German dance whiz D.O.N.S.

Melissa’s also giving acting another whirl. She’s currently shooting Couriers, a comedy series from the Fat Pizza team.

Image source: Toby Forage @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

No Wedding Bells for Kylie

The tabloids were buzzing today with the news that Kylie Minogue planned to announce her engagement to Olivier Martinez at her Prague concert in May.

I’ve got to admit, when I heard the news I didn’t believe it. After all, isn’t this the guy she was supposed to have shelfed for good? Surely we’d have heard some news they were at least back together before we heard wedding bells. And why wait a couple of months to announce it in Prague anyway? It all seemed a bit far fetched to me.

Turns out I was right. The gossip rags jumped to conclusions after some comments made by Czech promoter Jarda Hainzel. This afternoon he was keen to set the record straight, and issued this statement.

“When contacted by local media regarding the Kylie concert in Prague I commented that the number of requests for tickets for this show was more than normal, which I take as an indication of Kylie’s popularity in Czech Republic,” he said.

“At no stage did I speculate on Kylie’s personal relationships or on any announcement she may or may not make on the night. We do believe this will be a special show, as it is Kylie’s first concert in our country, and I am very much looking forward to meeting her, however we have no reason to believe there is to be any special announcement during the concert.”

Just goes to show, you certainly can’t believe everything you read!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Celine Dion Reschedules Aussie Tour

It’s the news Celine Dion fans didn’t want to hear, but it turns out the Canadian diva’s illness is a little more serious than first thought.

Celine has been suffering from a respiratory tract infection, which has caused bronchial and laryngeal inflammation. Put simply, she’ll need to rest those golden tonsils for a few days.

After postponing dates in Brisbane and Melbourne, Celine has also had to postpone her Sydney shows. With all this restructuring, the Perth gig has also needed to be pushed back.

The new dates are:
31 March – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
2 April – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
5 and 6 April – Acer Arena, Sydney
8 April – Members Equity Stadium, Perth

Full refunds are available from the venues for anyone unable to make the rescheduled dates.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Celine Dion Postpones Aussie Shows

Canadian songstress Celine Dion has postponed her Brisbane and Melbourne shows so she can recover from a minor throat infection and irritated sinuses.

The Brisbane show, which was originally scheduled for tonight, will now be staged on Monday 31 March. Next week’s Melbourne show has been pushed back to Wedensday 2 April.

The two Sydney shows and the Perth show will be unaffected by these changes. Ticket holders unable to attend the rescheduled gigs can see the venue for a full refund.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Vibe Takes Over American Idol

This week the American Idols tackled songs recorded in the years of their births. I love these very open-ended themes because they really allow the contestants to shine. Michael Johns did just that this week, pulling out not one, but two, Queen classics. “We Will Rock You” got the crowd warmed up, while “We Are the Champions” allowed him to soar. Awesome stuff.

As a bonus I thought I’d also post a video from one of the other contestants, David Archuleta. This little Anthony Callea in training put his spin on John Farnham’s “You’re the Voice.” I know this song was released in the US, but I certainly didn’t expect to hear him cover it!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Veronicas Head Back to US

The Veronicas made a big splash on the American market when they released their debut album, The Secret Life Of… in 2005. Now they’ve headed back to the States to wow them again.

Their latest single Untouched is all over US radio, and they’re going to back up this publicity with some hot shows. If you’re on the East Coast you can catch them at New York’s Hiro Ballroom on Thursday, while fans on the West Coast can see the twins at Los Angeles’ The Roxy on April 2.

Jess’ main squeeze Azaria and his band The Follow will support the girls on these very special shows, and the sisters can’t wait.

“It’s cool because we are not usually two bands that you’re match up together,” Jess told The Sunday Telegraph. “It is going to be so much fun.”

Image source: Toby Forage @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Music Blog Spotlight: Our Favourite Shows

Earlier today I shared with you my favourite concert experience, catching John Mayer at The Metro way back in 2002. But what does everyone else in the channel think? Here are my fellow bloggers’ favourite gigs.

  • Ana at Austin Sound Check found it a tough choice, but settled on a show by Texan heroes Blue October.
  • Dave at Brit Music Scene talks about some awesome shows like Stereophonics, Megadeth, and Kate Nash.
  • Ear Sucker’s Roberta raved about catching Def Leppard live. I am truly jealous.
  • Scott at Metal Martyr loved seeing Slayer, but he couldn’t resist giving a few notable mentions to metal’s finest.
  • Gilan at The Beatles Invasion was lucky enough to catch the then unknown Rufus Wainwright supporting Sloan in 1998.
  • Our 90s fan Albert at The Production Side couldn’t decide between his two favourite bands: Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots.

Image source: Yvette de Wit @ Unsplash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pete Murray’s the Perfect "Pick Me Up"

It’s all been a little quiet on the Pete Murray front lately, but don’t think this laidback singer-songwriter has been idle. He’s recorded album number three, Summer at Eureka, in his Byron Bay studio, and he’s ready to let the world hear it.

All that starts with the new single “You Pick Me Up” which hit radio this weekend.

“One of the things I wanted to do as a producer was to capture that creative spark you feel as a song is being written, and that’s exactly what you hear on ‘Pick Me Up’,” Pete told The West. You can hear for yourself by visiting The West website.

Expect more mellow tunes and soulful grooves when Summer at Eureka hits stores in May.

Image source: Toby Forage @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Veronicas Sexy Girly Kiss

One half of The Veronicas, Jess Origliasso, has everyone talking after she locked lips with openly bisexual MTV VJ Ruby Rose at the Cleo Bachelor of the Year Awards celebrations on Thursday night. Partygoers were shocked when the sexy twosome started to kiss passionately against a wall at Sydney’s Ivy Club.

Ruby Rose confirmed the steamy dance when contacted by The Daily Telegraph, but she refused to kiss and tell.

“She’s a top chick and that’s really all there is to it,” Ruby said.

The Veronicas camp is refusing to talk, which of course has the gossip columns jumping to all sorts of conclusions. It probably doesn’t do a lot for Jess’s role model rep, but it sounds like a harmless party pash to me.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dave Larkin Readies Solo Release

I wonder whether The Kinks’ legendary singer Ray Davies has given his Aussie support act Dave Larkin any tips about going solo. We’re used to seeing Dave fronting Dallas Crane, but these days it seems he’s quite happy going it alone.

Dave’s currently working on his first solo release, which promises to be an alt-country affair.

There’s no word yet on when we’ll get to hear it, but Undercover says Dave is road testing new material in his Ray Davies’ support slot. Sounds to me like that full-length disc won’t be too far away.