Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bliss N Eso Unseat Ed Sheeran on the ARIA Albums Charts

It seemed like mission impossible, but Bliss N Eso have triumphed where many acts have failed and unseated Ed Sheeran from the top of the ARIA charts. The hip hop act’s latest album Off the Grid has claimed the number one spot on debut.

Adam Harvey and Beccy Cole’s latest collaboration, The Great Country Songbook Vol. II, has also made an impressive showing in its first week. It sits at number six, just ahead of Mark Vincent’s A Tribute to Mario Lanza.

Where are the Aussies in the singles charts though? Despite some great local releases in recent weeks, the best we can manage is Dean Lewis at number 14!

Top 10 Albums
1. Off the Grid – Bliss N Eso
2. ÷ – Ed Sheeran
3. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2 – Soundtrack
4. Humanz – Gorillaz
5. DAMN. – Kendrick Lamar
6. The Great Country Songbook Vol. II – Adam Harvey and Beccy Cole
7. A Tribute to Mario Lanza – Mark Vincent
8. Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 – Soundtrack
9. 25 – Adele
10. 24K Magic – Bruno Mars

Top 10 Singles
1. “I’m The One” – DJ Khaled feat. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Wayne
2. “Shape of You” – Ed Sheeran
3. “HUMBLE.” – Kendrick Lamar
4. “Galway Girl” – Ed Sheeran
5. “Symphony” – Clean Bandit feat. Zara Larsson
6. “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” – Shawn Mendes
7. “Something Just Like This” – The Chainsmokers and Coldplay
8. “Stay” – Zedd feat. Alessia Cara
9. “Sign of the Times” – Harry Styles
10. “Despacito” – Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

TAD App Gets Video Update

Way back in 2015 I wrote about TAD, a cool app which made it easy for musicians to create their own cover art. Technology has evolved at such a rapid pace since then, so TAD’s creators have updating the app with video functionality.

Now artists can use TAD to create awesome video content and add it to their Facebook profiles. Video content is a great way to announce gigs, tease your latest album, take fans into the studio, and heaps more. TAD also lets you brand these videos with you logo, text, and other design elements.

In time the indie musicians behind TAD hope their program will help fellow musos create online video album cover art. Video album covers might not be a thing yet, but folks working in tech always have to be thinking about the next big thing.

If you haven’t discovered TAD, there’s no better time!

Image used with permission from Apps for Musicians

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Warren Fu Speaking at CLIPPED for Vivid

With so much going on in Sydney for Vivid over the next couple of months, it can be difficult to figure out exactly how you’ll spend your time. If you only attend one event though, I suggest you make it CLIPPED, a music video festival returning as part of the Vivid Ideas program.

You’ll get to see some of the best Australian and New Zealand music videos and attend workshops, but the real drawcard for me is a keynote speech from visionary American music video director Warren Fu. This guy has created mindblowing clips for the likes of Daft Punk, Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg, and the Strokes. If his name doesn’t ring a bell, check out this video on the CLIPPED Facebook page for a refresher.

CLIPPED is at SUNSTUDIOS on Saturday June 3. Tickets are available now through the Vivid website.

Image used with permission via Inmocean

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

From Cruise Ships to Aussie Pubs: Meet Hunter deBlanc

I love so many things about cruising: alcoholic beverage packages, afternoon trivia, and having the freedom to do as much or as little as you like. I also love discovering talented musicians on board. The latest to catch my attention is Hunter deBlanc, who I’ve had the pleasure of checking out on my last two cruises on the Pacific Jewel. He hails from New Orleans, but he embraced Aussie tunes and delighted the masses in the Orient Bar with his stellar piano renditions of tracks from John Farnham, The Angels, and Daryl Braithwaite, to name a few. My husband and I were also thrilled with his knowledge of our favourite ’90s tunes. In amongst the covers, if you were lucky, he’d play one of his incredible original songs.

Which brings me to the point of this post. His contract on the Jewel is coming to a close, but he’s had such a blast with Australian audiences he’s already planning a return visit to play pub gigs in Melbourne, Sydney, and Newcastle. I’ll be sure to bring you the dates once they’re announced, but I just wanted to put him on your radar with my favourite of his originals, “California Orleans.”

Enjoy!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Drum and Percussion Show Hits Sydney Next Month

Drum and percussion enthusiasts, this one is for you. The Sydney Drum and Percussion Show rolls into town next month, and you won’t want to miss it.

The live performance program is particularly impressive, with Thomas Lang (George Michael, Tina Turner), Virgil Donati (Steve Vai, Tommy Emmanuel), and Michael Schack (Netsky) all on the bill. Lang and Donati also promise to play together for the first time ever.

It’s also the perfect place to buy, with a range of vendors selling drum kits, cymbals, traditional, orchestral, hand, and electronic percussion instruments, and accessories, as well as plenty of items exclusive to the show. Attendees can also take part in drum circles and percussion workshops during the event. If you love drums, this is the place to be.

“There’s so much about percussion, it’s the world’s most accessible form of music – people take their first steps in music through percussion,” explained Australian Music Association CEO Rob Walker. “We are excited to showcase our industry’s products and the wealth of local talent that Sydney and Australia has to offer, as well as international guests – three of the best in the world! We seek to educate and entertain, and showcase and grow our drum and percussion community.”

The Sydney Drum and Percussion Show hits Rosehill Gardens Grand Pavilion on May 27 and 28. Tickets are on sale now from the event’s website.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Megan Washington, Neil Finn, and Jack Carty Line Up for Music Therapy Fundraiser

Art of Music Live is a unique celebration of Aussie music for a good cause. Jenny Morris will curate the biannual event which brings acclaimed musicians including Megan Washington, Neil Finn, and Jack Carty together to pay tribute to some of our most beloved songs. No two shows will ever be the same, so if you’re not there you’ll miss out.

Proceeds from the event go to Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy, an organisation that transforms lives through music therapy. The group has helped mute children speak and given others that couldn’t move their arms fine motor skills. It’s also helped elderly Australians struggling with dementia. This is truly an organisation doing good.

Art of Music Live hits the Sydney Opera House on 4 May. Tickets cost $195 and are on sale from the Art of Music website.

Image used with permission from Ferris Davies PRM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rare Finds Club Nights Turn Two

The hardworking folks at Sydney boutique PR agency and management firm Rare Finds are celebrating their Sydney club night’s second birthday next month.

Hey Geronimo and Major Leagues will head up the bill which also features Bad Pony, Mookhi, Nocturnal Tapes and heaps more.

Rare Finds is passionate about giving outstanding local talent a strong local platform, so it’s a business worth getting behind. You can show your support at the 2nd birthday show on April 29 at the Oxford Art Factory in Darlinghurst. Get your tickets for just $20 from Moshtix.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sweat Tours Make Seeing International Festivals Easy

I have well and truly got the travel bug. I had barely set foot on dry land after my last cruising holiday before I was suffering withdrawals. We were booked on another one within a week. If you love travelling too, then why not combine your wanderlust with your love of music and take up one of the tour packages provided by new Aussie company Sweat Tours?

Sweat Tours make it easy to see some of the hottest festivals on the planet with their all-inclusive tour packages. Think the the New York’s Governors Ball in May or the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas in June. When I say all-inclusive I mean all-inclusive too. Your accommodation, private transfers, meals, drinks, sightseeing, and even VIP experiences are all taken care of, so all you have to do is soak it up.

“Sweat Tours was created because I have an intense passion for live music and travel – however, the majority of tour companies in the market today place a heavy emphasis on sightseeing, which means most of the time spent on the tour is in transit.  They have never particularly interested me!” explained Sweat Tours founder Eli Akerlund, who is really doing something different with his company.

If you have the urge to see the world and some amazing bands at the same time, check out Sweat Tours.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Busby Marou Scores Number One Album

I’ve had such a busy day, but I couldn’t leave it before congratulating Busby Marou on claiming the number one spot with Postcards from the Shell House. I love this album, as I do everything Busby Marou has released, so I’m thrilled to see the Queensland duo claiming their first number one. It’s a good thing they were representing the Aussies too, because they’re the only local act in the top 10 albums charts.

Ed Sheeran’s dominance doesn’t leave a lot of space for too many other acts, but we do have a few Aussies on the singles charts. Pnau leads the charge with “Chameleon” at number eight, just a couple of spots ahead of “Adore” by Amy Shark.

Top 10 Albums
1. Postcards from the Shell House – Busby Marou
2. Fifty Shades Darker – Soundtrack
3. Prisoner – Ryan Adams
4. 25 – Adele
5. Trolls – Soundtrack
6. X – Ed Sheeran
7. Human – Rag’n’Bone Man
8. Greatest Hits – Guns N’Roses
9. Moana – Soundtrack
10. 24K Magic – Bruno Mars

Top 10 Singles
1. “Shape of You” – Ed Sheeran
2. “How Would You Feel (Paean) – Ed Sheeran
3. “Castle on the Hill” – Ed Sheeran
4. “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” – Zayn and Taylor Swift
5. “Issues” – Julia Michaels
6. “Chained to the Rhythm” – Katy Perry feat. Skip Marley
7. “Paris” – The Chainsmokers
8. “Chameleon” – Pnau
9. “It’s Ain’t Me” – Kygo & Selena Gomez
10. “Adore” – Amy Shark

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Over 40s Get The Coolest Dance Party

I can’t say I’ve ever wished to be 40 before, but I find myself longing for the big 4-0 after hearing about a new dance party for Baby Boomers. The Voice alum Steve Clisby and globally recognised DJ Stephen Ferris are behind the event, dubbed 40up, which is exclusively for those over 40.

There’ll be live music, DJ sets, and vintage music videos from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Think Barry White, Earth Wind & Fire, Kool and the Gang, and the incomparable Prince.

“This is how you exercise your right to be over 40 and still party, without worrying about the millennials getting in the way,” laughed Clisby, the all-time favorite artist from reality show, The Voice Australia. “We’ve taken the dinner, dance show concept and turned it on its head. People are always telling me that the thing they love most about my gigs is the chance to get up and dance like they used to – to the music they love. Now there’s a show especially for them.”

It all happens at the Basement in Sydney on March 3. 40up tickets are on sale now.

Image used with permission from SGC Media