News – Page 15 – Sounds of Oz

Posted on 26/01/201925/01/2019 by Lauren Katulka

Courtyard Sessions Brings Free Music to Sydney

Sydney is a pretty expensive place to live. Once you’ve spent money on a mortgage or rent, there’s never a lot left for having a good time. Thankfully there’s the Courtyard Sessions, a series of free weekly gigs held in the Seymour Centre’s courtyard each Friday from February 8.

This is such a diverse concert series featuring everything from folky opener Caitlin Harnett to drag superstars Betty Grumble and Aaron Manhattan. No matter what you’re into, there’s something here for you.

With great music, good food, and cold drinks, the Courtyard Sessions are the perfect way to wind down after a busy week. Check out the full program and get yourself to one of these top nights.

8 February 2019 – Caitlin Harnett (6 pm start)
15 February 2019 – St Joan (6 pm start)
17 February 2019 (Fair Day) – TANZER (DJ set) with Betty Grumble and Aaron Manhattan (4:30 pm start)
22 February 2019 – Kim Sheehy (6 pm start)
24 February 2019 – Liam Gale & the Ponytails (5:30 pm start)
1 March 2019 – Z-Star Delta (UK) (6 pm start)
8 March 2019 – Alice Terry (6 pm start)
15 March 2019 – Secret Headliner and Support Set from AIM Student (6 pm start)

Image used with permission from Heath Media

Posted on 18/01/2019 by Lauren Katulka

Ella Hooper, Tania Doko, and Alfie Arcuri Announced as Final Eurovision Hopefuls

I can’t be the only one excited that Australia now competes in Eurovision. There’s an extra buzz this year with the announcement we’ll go the route of some of the most successful countries and find our representative through a song contest. Today Ella Hooper, Tania Doko, and Alfie Arcuri were announced as the final hopefuls, joining Kate Miller-Heidke, Electric Fields, Sheppard, Aydan, Courtney Act, Mark Vincent, and Leea Nanos on the Gold Coast next month. While I would have liked to see more rock and a little less pop in the offerings, it’s a relatively diverse field considering what we usually deliver. Courtney Act is my sentimental favourite, but I can’t wait to see whether any of the other acts deliver a performance that convinces me to change my vote!

After preview shows on February 8, the big Australia Decides event screens live on SBS on February 9. It’s the perfect taster for the Eurovision extravaganza in Tel Aviv in May. Who will we send? Have your say next month!

Posted on 15/01/201912/01/2019 by Lauren Katulka

Revamped Lion Arts Factory Opening in Adelaide Next Month

With so many music venues closing their doors around the country, it’s exciting to see one bucking the trend and welcoming music lovers. Adelaide’s Lions Arts Factory closed late last year, not because of lack of support or lock-out laws, but because the owners wanted to renovate and make it bigger and better than ever. They’ve been hard at work behind the scenes, renovating the space into one worthy of Adelaide’s enthusiastic music fans. On February 7, they’ll reopen with a massive weekend of music.

Organisers are tight-lipped about who’s on the bill for opening weekend, but I expect big things. Fans will also get to see the improved stage and sight lights and hear the difference the upgraded sound system makes. This is going to be the best place in Adelaide to see acts like the killer musicians booked for the coming months.

“We have been really moved by the response from bands and agents wanting to book shows into Lion Arts Factory, and are excited to work on a project that will have a real diversity in the genre of artists playing the venue,” explained Ross Osmon of Five Four Entertainment, one half of the bookings team. “We are focused on delivering a space that all of the gig going community and bands will feel at home in and want to come back to.”

Here’s your handy guide to everything going down at Lion Arts Factory. Get amongst it! Tickets for all shows are available through MoshTix.

7, 8, & 9 February 2019 – Opening Weekend (18+)
15 February 2019 – Eves Karydas (18+)
16 February 2019 – DZ Deathrays (18+)
22 February 2019 – West Thebarton (18+)
8 March 2019 – Dream On Dreamer & The Getaway Plan (Licensed All Ages)
13 March 2019 – Converge (18+)
15 March 2019 – Luca Brasi (18+)
16 March 2019 – Venice Queens (18+)
25 March 2019 – Gang Of Four (18+)
24 April 2019 – Montaigne (Licensed All Ages)
27 April 2019 – Heavy SA Fest (Licensed All Ages)
9 May 2019 – Ne Obliviscaris (Licensed All Ages)
17 May 2019 – Thrice (18+)

Image used with permission from Five Four Entertainment

Posted on 07/01/201903/01/2019 by Lauren Katulka

Get Involved in Roady4Roadies

Roadies are the unsung heroes of the music industry, the people who arguably work hardest before the musicians step on stage and enjoy the limelight. All that hard work takes a toll, with roadies having suicidal thoughts nine times more than the general population, according to research from Victoria University. One in six roadies follow through, putting their suicide rates at more than eight times the national average.

You could get bogged down by the statistics or you could do something about it and have a lot of fun at the same time. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth will host Roady4Roadies events on March 10. Adelaide will join in on March 24. During the events, members of the public and music industry will join forces, walking in solidarity and raising funds for Support Act.

At the end of the leisurely 4-5 km walk, participants will enjoy access to performances from leading musicians and family-friendly activities. There’ll also be the Crewathlon, a fun competition for roadies featuring events like the Cable Comp, Stage Manager Spring, and Sound Crew Shimmy.

Registrations are open now online. Mark this one in your calendars music lovers; it’s going to be great fun for an amazing cause.

Posted on 31/12/201821/12/2018 by Lauren Katulka

2018: A Year in Review

So that’s another year done and dusted! As I look through the pages of Sounds of Oz, I’m reminded of the incredible shows and albums that served as my soundtrack throughout 2018. Before we all head out and party, take a trip down memory lane at some of my favourites for the year. I’d love for you to leave a comment and tell you what music revved you this year!

Top 10 Aussie Albums/EPs

Top 10 Aussie Tours

Alanis Morissette
Cher
Joshua Radin
Nothing Compares 2 Prince
Mr Big & Extreme (almost exclusively for Extreme!)
Jimmy Barnes
New Power Generation
Thirsty Merc
Kav Temperley
Boyz II Men & TLC

Image source: coquetboy @ Flickr.com

Posted on 11/12/2018 by Lauren Katulka

Peking Duk Become Children’s Authors

Looking for a cool Christmas gift for the little bookworm in your life? Peking Duk have you covered with their brand new children’s book, DJ Duks.

DJ Duks follows the adventures of Adam and Roobs, two feathered DJs dreaming of writing a banger and making it big in Bling City. But will fame and fortune fulfil them or will they learn true happiness is waiting for them back home in Ducklands? You’ll just have to read and find out!

“This is a very special project for us, we are proud of DJ Duks and excited to see how kids of all ages react to it. It’s been a pleasure working with the team at BMG and the super talented illustrator Alex Lehours on bringing this vision to life” said co-author and one half of Peking Duk, Adam Hyde.

Pre-order your copy of DJ Duks in a limited edition Banger Bundle or Fuegobundle online now for delivery before Christmas.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on 22/11/201822/11/2018 by Lauren Katulka

New Talent Showcased at The Collective

Some of the hottest emerging acts in the country are converging on Sydney next month. Dubbed The Collective, this event gives new artists a chance to showcase their talents and punters the opportunity to discover some Aussie music legends in the making.

You might not know Clews, Totty, The Buoys, Cry Club, or Spit Chewy just yet, but I’ll wager that one of these New South Wales acts will be your new favourite band.

The Collective hits The Lansdowne Hotel on December 8. Tickets are on sale now.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on 08/11/2018 by Lauren Katulka

Listen Up Music: Songwriters’ Festival Celebrates Local Talent for Mental Health

Australia has produced some sensational songwriters over the years. Names like Vanda and Young, Don Walker, Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, and Sia barely scratch the surface. Discover the next great songwriting talent at the Listen Up Music: Songwriters’ Festival.

Each year entrants create a song which spreads positive messages about mental health and suits the annual theme; in 2018 that theme is “I am here.” Three finalists have been chosen from each event in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, along with three wildcard artists. The final 12 songwriters, are as follows (in alphabetical order):

Abbey Gardner – “War Child” (NSW)
Ben Leece – “Stuck To My Guns” (NSW)
Ben Stafford – “Breaking Point” (WA)
Chelsea Cullen – “Edge of Myself” (WA)
Jess Stillone – “Fall” (NSW)
Leonie Kingdom – “Night Terrors” (QLD)
Old Cities – “Again” (NSW)
Romisounds – “Inclination” (NSW)
Seb Mont – “Who I Am” (VIC)
SPENCER – “Another Girl” (NSW)
Sung Loh – “Someday” (VIC)
Talitha – “I’m Right Here” (QLD)

See all these talented acts perform their songs at the Listen Up Music: Songwriters’ Festival grand final at the Factory Floor in Marrickville on November 15. Listen Up Music Ambassador Mitch Garling will MC the night, which will be judged by an all-star panel featuring Alfie Arcuri, Imogen Clark, LANKS, and Socratis Otto. Tickets are on sale now from the Factory Theatre website. The event helps support R U OK Day, so it’s a great opportunity to support some up-and-coming talent and a great cause.

Image used with permission from Listen Up Music

Posted on 01/11/2018 by Lauren Katulka

Get Ready for Ausmusic T-Shirt Day

Ausmusic T-Shirt Day is upon us, a day where we show off our favourite Aussie band T-shirts to raise awareness and funds for Support Act. This important charity supports musicians and music industry workers experiencing financial hardship and physical or mental health issues. Funds from this year’s event will expand Support Act’s Wellbeing Helpline.

On November 16, Ausmusic T-shirt Day, you’re invited to donate via the official website, snap a selfie wearing your favourite Australian band T-shirt, and share it on your socials using the hashtags #ausmusictshirtday, @supportact.

“The cool thing about the website is that it enables artists and music lovers to create teams so they can get their workplace, school or social media networks involved in the campaign,” said Support Act CEO Clive Miller. “It’s a really simple and fun way to raise funds for a great cause and we really hope that music fans across Australia can be our ambassadors and get their workplaces involved; and that artists can mobilise the support of their fans.”

Don’t have an Australian band T-shirt yet? I’d suggest you need to spend more time at merch counters! But Support Act has you covered, with specially commissioned band tees available through the Levi’s online store. Proceeds from the sale of these shirts go straight to Support Act.

Image used with permission from Ferris Davies PRM

Posted on 08/10/2018 by Lauren Katulka

Levi’s & Support Act Release Web Series For Music Industry Mental Health

Levi’s and Support Act have teamed up to help improve mental health in the local music industry. Together they’ve created Tune Ups, a six-part webseries offering tips on mindfulness and other strategies to combat mental health concerns while highlighting the new Wellbeing Helpline for people working within the music industry. The online videos feature appearances from key music industry figures including Briggs, Alex the Astronaut, Joel Birch from Amity Affliction, and heaps more. Take a look at the video below to learn all about it.

“We are very grateful to Nicky Rowsell and Levi’s for being the driving force behind the campaign,” said Clive Miller, the chief executive officer of Support Act. “Tune Ups highlights how important it is for all of us to be aware of our mental health, and provides some great examples of how people in our industry manage their wellbeing. We hope it inspires anyone who may be doing it tough to know that they are not alone, and that they can reach out to our free, confidential Wellbeing Helpline at any time on on 1800 959 500 if they want to talk to someone about any aspect of their wellbeing.”

You can find the videos on the Support Act website, Vice Music channel Noisey, and other social platforms. While they’re made for music industry professionals, there’s plenty there for anyone who’s struggling with mental health issues. If you or someone you know is struggling, please make sure to take a look.