Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Spooky Michael Hutchence Film In the Works

Ten years after his untimely death, INXS frontman Michael Hutchence will be brought to life on the big screen in a new film, Slide Away.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the film will show the rock star’s ghost revealing his life of excess to his young daughter, Tiger Lily. The film refuses to shy away from any details, with scenes showing Michael’s high-profile relationships with Kylie Minogue, Helena Christensen, and Tiger’s late mum Paula Yates. In the film, he even takes his daughter to the Double Bay Ritz Carlton on the day of his death.

While the concept is original, I can’t help thinking the premise is a little far-fetched. Slide Away is set on the 10th anniversary of Hutchence’s death, which is this year, making Tiger Lily 11 years old. Surely Michael, deceased or not, wouldn’t take his young daughter on such an adult journey.

Morgan Freeman’s company, Revelation Entertainment, is producing Slide Away, while long-time INXS film clip director, Nick Egan, is in the director’s chair.

“I have always made it very clear I wanted to avoid the traditional biopic,” Nick Egan told The Daily Telegraph. “It’s been done ad nauseam and I’m trying to raise the bar.”

The film’s approach is anything but traditional. But will the gamble pay off? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Image source: Nancy J Price @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Request Spot: Matt Corby

It’s taken some time, some tears, and some tantrums, but Australian Idol 2007 has been whittled down to just 24 competitors. If you believe the hype, and the comments on the blog, the one all the girls are watching this year is Matt Corby.

But don’t think this 16-year-old is just a pretty face. While his piercing blue eyes and shaggy hair may have sent hearts fluttering, it’s his soulful voice and guitar skills that saw him cement a place amongst the best of the best.

But the road to Idol fame and fortune won’t be easy for Matt. He’s in one of the toughest semifinal groups this Sunday. So how will he fare against fellow glamour boy Daniel Mifsud, former X Factor contestant Jacob Butler, swing king Carl Riseley, 80’s loving oddball Husny Thalib, and islander underdog Junior To’o? Remember kids: the only way to ensure he makes top 12 is to vote, vote, vote!

And now, as requested by some of Matt’s biggest fans Stacey and Mikaela, here’s a video of the man himself!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

More Nolls Making Music

It seems Shannon’s not the only Noll bitten by the music bug. His brothers Adam and Damian are poised to release their first single “Shining Star.”

You may have noticed The Noll Brothers performing in Shannon’s band. Adam played guitar while Damian played drums, and they helped write “The Way That I Fell.”

Now they’re striking out on their own, with some impressive country tunes. “Shining Star” hits stores on September 15, but you can see the film clip below. The single is from the album A Country Heart, which is slated for a November release.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nude Skateboarders Stall Ben Lee Clip

Ben Lee has just finished the film clip for his brilliant new single, “Love Me Like The World Is Ending.” Ordinarily this wouldn’t be news, but there was an embarrassing glitch with the making of the video.

Ben had a typically dramatic and quirky vision for the new clip. He hoped to assemble a cast of colourful characters, including a businessman, a homeless man, a rabbi, a Muslim, and a unicorn. No problems there.

He also imagined a couple of skateboarders, wearing nude bodysuits, would then zoom around New York City. But it seems something got lost in translation, because the skateboarders took to the streets in the buff. The cops were quickly on the scene and the crew’s shooting license was revoked.

The new, fully-clothed clip features a much tamer giant water-balloon fight!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Idol Twinz Find Their Prince

Do any Australian Idol fans out there remember identical twins Maya and Nandy McClean? Let me refresh your memory. The sisters auditioned for Australian Idol 2, but only Maya was picked as a member of the Top 30. Loyalty to her sister got the better of Maya, and she withdrew from the comp.

But we certainly don’t need to feel sorry for the girls, now known as The Twinz. They’re both performing with, and apparently dating, megastar Prince. I believe they’re doing more dancing that singing these days, but I don’t think that bothers them one bit.

“Prince is a huge fan of ours,” they told The Courier Mail. “He is someone who likes to have beautiful women around him. He is a cool cat, always dressed to impress. And he keeps us laughing all the time.”

It seems like Prince is definitely enjoying his newly divorced status. But is it just me, or is it incredibly creepy to be dating the same guy as your twin sister? I know The Purple One is a sexy guy and all, but really.

Image source: Richardtrle @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kings of Leon Headline Falls Festival

Organisers of The Falls Festival have announced a killer line-up for their New Year’s Eve festivities, headlined by U.S. rockers Kings of Leon. The band’s drummer, Nathan Followill, said he’s looking forward to playing the Victorian and Tasmanian shows.

“We hear the Falls Festival is amazing,” he told The Age. “We’ve only ever been out for the Big Day Out, and that’s like a rock ‘n’ roll summer camp.”

The Kings will join the Midnight Juggernauts, Groove Armada, Paul Kelly, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Waifs and more at the outdoor event.

Continue reading “Kings of Leon Headline Falls Festival” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Song Obsession: I Don’t Remember

This week’s song obsession is more correctly a video obsession. Powderfinger’s latest effort, “I Don’t Remember” isn’t a bad slice of Oz rock. However, this film clip featuring a bunch of music loving kiddies proves a lot more entertaining.

This clip is a fantastic parody of the Aussie music industry, centered around the Powderfinger-esque Little Finger. Silverchair cleverly becomes Hi Chair, while Wolfmother are more appropriately called Wolfmummy. And who needs cocaine and cigarettes when you’ve got Wizz Fizzes and Fadds? These kids really know how to party.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rocky Horror’s No Drag for iOTA

His days of playing Hedwig may be behind him, but singer-songwriter iOTA isn’t hanging up his fishnet stockings just yet. The Hedwig and the Angry Inch star will play Dr Frank N Furter in a new production of the acclaimed rock musical, The Rocky Horror Show.

If his Helpmann Award-winning turning as Hedwig is any indication, iOTA is sure to bring the necessary flamboyance to the outrageous role.

He’ll be ably assisted by caberet star Paul Capsis, who plays Riff Raff, and Dusty’s Tamsin Carroll, as Magenta.

Mama Mia star Kellie Rode will star as the squeaky-clean Janet, while Michael Cormick will play Eddie and Dr Scott.

The freaks, sex, and rock and roll of The Rocky Horror Show come to Sydney’s Star City Casino next February. But don’t worry if you live outside New South Wales. The show should visit other major centers after its Sydney run.

Snap up your tickets when they go on sale on August 27.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Darren Hayes Savages Aussie PM

After marrying his British beau Richard Cullen last year, former Savage Garden frontman Darren Hayes has a few opinions about gay marriage. He took time out from spruiking his latest solo release to slam Aussie prime minister John Howard’s stance on the issue.

Darren’s annoyed because his partner has to travel to Australia on a tourist visa, which allows him to stay a maximum of three months, as he is ineligible to gain a partner visa.

“It makes me angry and frustrated,” he told The Herald Sun. “I’m Australian and the way the law sits I can’t bring my partner home as my partner. That to me is an infringement of my civil rights – a very un-Australian thing.

“I would never have voted for John Howard and I encourage people not to. I don’t think he speaks for this country in the same way I don’t think George Bush speaks for the US.”

Continue reading “Darren Hayes Savages Aussie PM” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Emma-Louise Who? Queensland Teen Bags a Double at QSong Awards

You may not have heard of Emma-Louise Lobb, but with maturity beyond her years this 15-year-old may just be the next big thing. The Queensland schoolgirl took home the People’s Choice Award at last night’s 2007 QSong Awards.

Emma-Louise’s beautiful guitar-driven ballad, “Kim’s Song” was also named best secondary school song at the ceremony, which celebrates Queensland’s songwriting talent.

But the girl from far north Queensland is no overnight success story.

“My dad bought me my first guitar when I was six and I wrote my first song when I was in grade nine, which was about a dog,” Emma-Louise told ABC News. “I started to write serious songs, like the ones that I write now, when I was in grade ten.”

Other winners on the night included The Grates, Screamfeeder’s Tim Steward, Chris Pickering, Briztronix, and Andrew Morris.

The awards also honored indigenous icon Kev Carmody, who received the Grant McLennan Lifetime Achievement Award.

You can listen to Emma-Louise’s award-winning “Kim’s Song” at her MySpace page.

Image source: QSong website