Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Justice Crew Score Second Number One Single

Justice Crew have stormed to the top of the charts with the debut of their latest single “Que Sera.” This is their second number one, following “Boom Boom” in August 2012.

One of the other local acts to top the charts this year, Sheppard, are still going gangbusters with “Geronimo,” which sits at number four seven weeks after its release.

Also in its seventh week, global smash Iggy Azalea has moved up two places to sit at number seven with “Fancy.”

Sia’s also showing her staying power with “Chandelier,” which is at number nine two months after its first chart appearance.

We’re also seeing some impressive debuts on the albums charts. Thundamentals have debuted at number three with So We Can Remember, the third album from the hip hop group from the Blue Mountains and their first to grace the top 50.

Byron Bay hardcore act In Hearts Wake will also be happy with the number five debut of their sophomore album Earthwalker. This is their first top ten appearance after Divination peaked at number 27.

The Mothers’ Day rush has helped Harrison Craig hold steady at number seven with L.O.V.E. INXS’ The Very Best and Chet Faker’s Built on Glass round out the top 10.

Click below to see all this week’s top 10s.

Continue reading “Justice Crew Score Second Number One Single” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sheppard and Chet Faker Do it Again

For the second week running we’ve got a pair of Aussies sitting on the top of the charts. Both Sheppard and Chet Faker have continued to dominate the singles and albums charts respectively. With their third week at number one, Sheppard’s “Geronimo” becomes the first song since Guy Sebastian’s “Battle Scars” to enjoy a multi-week run at the top of the singles charts. Chet Faker’s also breaking records. Built on Glass is the first Aussie album to enjoy consecutive weeks at number once since the Sapphires soundtrack reigned in August 2012.

But that’s not the only good news. We’re enjoying a real purple patch, with four singles and six albums sitting in the top 10. All but one album in the top five is a local release too!

Sia is breathing down Sheppard’s neck with her song “Chandelier,” which holds steady at number two this week. Jessica Mauboy and Peking Duk have both fallen a little this week, but they’re still selling well to appear in the top ten. “Never Be the Same” has slipped one spot to land at number seven this week, while “High” has dropped three spots to land at number eight.

Somehow I don’t think Jess will be too disappointed though, as her latest album Beautiful has zoomed from number 17 to number four this week. This is the first time the album’s been in the top 10 since October 2013. She’s just behind INXS, whose The Very Best has dropped to number three this week.

Harrison Craig’s proved he’s got real staying power with L.O.V.E., which sits at number five again. I expect it to linger around a little longer too as we head towards Mother’s Day.

The final two Aussie entries in the albums charts come from Russell Morris and Dan Sultan. Van Diemen’s Land and Blackbird are at number seven and eight respectively.

Click below for the complete top tens.

Continue reading “Sheppard and Chet Faker Do it Again” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sheppard & Chet Faker Complete an Aussie Chart Double

It’s so great to see a pair of Aussies sitting at the top of our charts this week. Sheppard are still sitting at number one on the singles charts with “Geronimo.” Meanwhile, Chet Faker has dethroned INXS on the albums charts. His long awaited debut album Built on Glass has debuted at number one.

INXS’ The Very Best is still going gangbusters though. It’s at number two this week.

Russell Morris also has reason to celebrate this week. His new album Van Diemen’s Land has debuted at number four, which is the highest position he’s ever achieved on the album charts.

Russell edged out Harrison Craig, although something tells me he won’t be too upset with his number five debut. The hype around Harrison’s died down a bit as the new season of The Voice is upon us, but with L.O.V.E. it seems he’s still on the minds of music fans.

All those debuts have pushed Dan Sultan down the charts, but his latest album Blackbird is still selling well to land at number six. And it looks like The John Butler Trio’s album Flesh & Blood has plenty of life left in it. It’s actually jumped a spot to sit at number nine this week.

Meanwhile on the singles charts, Sia continues to breathe down Sheppard’s neck. Her song “Chandelier” has bounded up to number two this week. Peking Duk hold steady with “High” celebrating another week at number five. Ahead of her big Eurovision performance, Jessica Mauboy’s shot from number 17 up to number six with “Never Be the Same.” “She Looks So Perfect” by 5 Seconds of Summer seems to be on the way out, slipping to number nine.

Click below for this week’s top tens.

Continue reading “Sheppard & Chet Faker Complete an Aussie Chart Double” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Local Songstresses Unite for I Touch Myself Project

Chrissy Amphlett’s dying wish was that her sexy song “I Touch Myself” would become an anthem for breast cancer awareness. Now it’s happened thanks to some of Australia’s best female vocalists. Sarah McLeod, Deborah Conway, Megan Washington, Olivia Newton-John, Katie Noonan, Kate Ceberano, Sarah Blasko, Suze DeMarchi, Little Pattie, and Connie Mitchell have all stripped down, physically and musically, for a touching rendition of the song.

It’s all part of the I Touch Myself Project, an initiative which encourages people to share how they’ve been touched by breast cancer using the hashtags #itouchmyselfproject or #itouchmyselfie on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Google Plus. You can get involved on the inaugural I Touch Myself Day on April 21, the first anniversary of Chrissy’s tragic passing. Of course the video also reminds us to get in touch with our breasts to detect cancer early.

The video is available for purchase from iTunes and Google Play, with all proceeds benefiting the Cancer Council.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sheppard & INXS Both at Number One

You could have bowled me over with a feather when I saw that Sheppard were sitting at the top of the ARIA singles chart this week. It’s not that the song isn’t stellar, but Australia doesn’t have the best record of supporting local singles. We’re an albums nation, while the singles chart is generally dominated by international fare of the urban variety. It’s even rarer to see an independent local act on the top of the charts. And then consider how unstoppable Pharrell Williams seemed to be and you’ll start to appreciate the enormity of “Geronimo’s” meteoric rise.

“It’s like a dream,” said singer George Sheppard. “You secretly think about having a number one record when you’re in your bedroom writing songs, but you never really believe that it could come true. To have the public embrace us like they have is just such a special feeling and being able to share the success with my siblings and mates just makes it all the sweeter.”

Sheppard’s feat ensures that Aussies are dominating the charts this week. Over on the albums charts we’ve got INXS continuing their reign with “The Very Best,” which notches up its seventh week at number one.

They’re the big guns, but we’ve got plenty of other Aussies threatening to steal their thunder. Last week, Sia had her first every top ten appearance as a solo act with “Chandelier.” Now she’s achieved her first ever top five finish. The song sits at number four this week after jumping six positions.

“High,” by Peking Duk featuring Nicole Millar has also jumped into the top five this week. This betters last week’s position by a couple of spots.
5 Seconds of Summer look to be on the way out with “She Looks So Perfect.” It’s at number seven this week after tumbling three spots. Still, a top ten finish seven weeks after its release is nothing to sneeze at.

Meanwhile on the albums charts, INXS very nearly lost their top spot to Ball Park Music. The Brisbane band’s third album Puddinghead debuted at number two, which is their highest peak on the local charts.

Dan Sultan’s also debuted well at number four with his album Blackbird. It’s amazing to note that with his third release he’s actually achieved his first ever appearance in the ARIA top 50.

The John Butler Trio round out the top 10 with their latest album Flesh & Blood holding steady at number 10.

Click below for more information about this week’s top 10s.

Continue reading “Sheppard & INXS Both at Number One” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alex Cameron Releases Album on Vinyl

When Sydney singer-songwriter Alex Cameron released his debut solo album Jumping the Shark as a few download late last year, it crashed his website. So there’s sure to be plenty of interest in news that he’ll release the album on vinyl on April 11.

If you weren’t swept up in Alex Cameron hysteria the first time, it’ll take just one listen of his latest single “Mongrel.” It doesn’t have the prettiest name, but this is a gorgeous song, minimalist and simple and real. Take a listen and if you love it, make sure you preorder a vinyl copy of the album here.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bella Union Becomes the Melbourne Folk Club

From April 23, Carlton’s Bella Union will be transformed into The Melbourne Folk Club. This transformation will see some of the world’s finest folk singers playing for locals in a weekly concert series.

Jordie Lane, Davey Lane, Mick Thomas, Liz Stringer and more will encourage folks to venture out on Wednesday nights to enjoy some great music.

If that sounds right up your alley, make sure you head to the website and become a member of the Melbourne Folk Club. Your free membership entitles you to discounted tickets, a free Mountain Goat beer on entry, pre-sales, and more.

If you need further convincing, here’s the upcoming lineup!

23 April 2014 – Jordie Lane and Special International Guest
30 April 2014 – Melody Pool, The Little Stevies, and Davidson Brothers
7 May 2014 – Liz Stringer, The Mae Trio, and James Kenyon
14 May 2014 – Marlon Williams, Mick Thomas, and Suzannah Espie
21 May 2014 – Grand Slavo, Sal Kimber, and Brendan Welch
28 May 2014 – Sweet Jean, Davey Lane, and Sara Retallick

Image used with permission from Heartstop Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

INXS Back on Top

So I might have missed the recent chart success of Kylie and 5 Seconds of Summer, but I’m glad my blog’s back in working order to report about INXS’ return to the top of the albums charts with their greatest hits album The Very Best. This gives INXS’ album their sixth week at the top, which is a new record for the classic rock band.

The John Butler Trio have also jumped up the charts. Their newie Flesh & Blood is back at number 10 this week after jumping five positions. It looks like their current tour is helping sales along nicely!

5 Seconds of Summer might have fallen this week, but “She Looks So Perfect” is still selling well. It’s at number four this week. While it’s dropped, Peking Duk are climbing steadily with “High.” The track, which features guest vocals from Nicole Millar, has jumped one position to sit at number seven this week.

Finally rounding out the top 10 singles we’ve got Sia. After charting with her guest vocals on David Guetta’s song “Titanium,” “Chandelier” marks her first ever top ten appearance as a lead artist.

Click below to see this week’s top tens.

Continue reading “INXS Back on Top” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gossling Collaborates with Emily Green on Jewellery Line

I love learning about the many talents of our music industry’s best and brightest. So I was impressed when I heard that Gossling has collaborated with Melbourne jewellery designer Emily Green on a fabulous range of handmade accessories.

The collection was inspired by Gossling’s own signature nine bead and big bead necklaces. They’re sure to be a hit with Gossling fans and fashionistas across the country. You can find them on Emily Green’s website from April 1. No joke!

Image used with permission from Secret Service Public Relations

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fight Poverty and Win with Global Citizen Tickets

If you think that scoring free concert tickets for doing good sounds like a win-win, you’ll want to check out Global Citizen Tickets Australia.

To be a part of it, just go and register at the website. Then you can start earning points for your online poverty-beating actions, like sharing videos on Facebook, signing petitions to world leaders, and e-mailing Foreign Minister Julie Bishop with your concerns. You then use these points to enter a draw for a pair of tickets to the concert of your choice. There are plenty of great shows available, including gigs from local acts like The Jezabels, Christine Anu, and Dragon, as well as international artists like Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes.

“Music not only has the ability to stir every last emotion inside you; but also has the power to inspire, educate, and stop and make you think about certain issues,” explained the program’s chairman Danny Rogers. “We’re really glad that so many amazing Aussie bands are donating tickets to their shows and raising awareness with their fans about social change.”

The initiative is part of the Global Poverty Project, the brainchild of Pearl Jam’s manager Kelly Curtis. It’s so timely, as there are currently 1.2 billion people living in extreme poverty around the world. How great to see it here in Oz!

Image source: Deepay @ Flickr