Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bliss N Eso Top Aussie Charts

Bliss N Eso have scored their second consecutive number one album this week with their newie, Circus in the Sky. They also hit the top spot with Running on Air in 2010.

With that, Harrison Craig’s debut More Than a Dream was always going to slip, but I’m impressed that his album hasn’t fallen by much. He’s at number two this week, a feat that’s made even more impressive when you consider he’s fended off competition from Hillsong Live. Their albums always sell truckloads, but their latest Glorious Ruins could only manage a number three debut. When was the last time we saw three Aussie albums holding down the top three chart positions? Awesome stuff.

Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey continue to do great business with The Great Country Songbook. It’s slipped a little, but it’s still finished a respectable number six.

Timomatic and Matt Corby are also still hanging around the singles charts. Timomatic’s “Parachute” has dropped one spot to number four, while Matt’s holding steady with “Resolution” at ten. Samantha Jade’s enjoyed a respectable debut considering how long ago she won The X Factor. Her latest single “Fire Starter” sits at number nine.

Click below for the rest of this week’s top tens.
Continue reading “Bliss N Eso Top Aussie Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harrison Craig Topples Kanye on ARIA Albums Charts

We came within a whisker of seeing another Aussie act on top of the album charts, but at the final hurdle Kanye West pipped Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey. This week is a different matter though, with Harrison Craig pushing the American hip hop star from the number one position.

It’d almost be a story of David and Goliath proportions if the sales figures weren’t compared to last year’s Voice victor. Harrison’s More Than a Dream might be on the top of the charts with 13, 167 copies sold. But that’s a far cry from the 35, 621 units Karise Eden’s album sold in its first week. And before you rush and say Harrison’s album was only released midweek, Karise was in the same position. Harrison’s got a lot to prove if he expects to make a lasting impression on the Aussie musical landscape.

Harrison did outsell the likes of Kanye, Daft Punk, and P!nk though, and that’s nothing to sneeze at. It also kept last week’s “almost number one” duo Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey at number three with their Great Country Songbook. Bernard Fanning’s Departures has slipped a bit, but it’s still selling well at number eight. It’s a similar story for Empire of the Sun, whose sophomore effort Ice on the Dune is sitting at number nine.

Meanwhile we’ve got two Aussies sitting pretty in the singles charts. Timomatic’s “Parachute” has held steady at number three. Matt Corby’s also clinging on to a top ten berth with “Resolution”.

Click below for this week’s complete top tens.

Continue reading “Harrison Craig Topples Kanye on ARIA Albums Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bernard Fanning Tops ARIA Albums Charts

After many long months, Australia finally has another local talent on top of the ARIA Charts. Bernard Fanning’s second solo album Departures is sitting proudly at number one. It gives him his second solo number one in as many albums. Not a bad effort!

It’s the only Aussie album in the top ten, although if we want to get creative we can at least celebrate the local connection to The Great Gatsby soundtrack at number two. Sure it’s chockful of international artists, but it’s from an Aussie-directed film!

If the singles chart tells us anything, it’s that Harrison Craig is all but a show-in to win The Voice. His cover of “Unchained Melody” is at number two and his original song “More Than a Dream” is nipping at its heels at number three. This gives Harrison eight top 40 singles and three top 10s, more than any other Voice contestant. My favorite, Mitchell Anderson, never had a chance it seems.

The influence of The Voice continues with Timomatic’s “Parachute”, the song he performed on last week’s live show, debuting at number seven. Matt Corby rounds out the top ten with his single “Resolution”.

Click below to see this week’s complete top ten!

Continue reading “Bernard Fanning Tops ARIA Albums Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

LabelState.com Opens Pop-Up Store in Sydney

Sydneysiders can get a headstart on their Christmas shopping with online band T-shirt website LabelState.com opening a pop-up store on Oxford Street today.

The shop will feature hundreds of T-shirts from more than 400 local bands, artists, labels, and venues. It will also host a series of live events, including a performance by Velociraptor’s Jeremy Neale at 2 pm this Saturday, June 6.

LabelState.com is a special Australian music start-up company, because it provides a no-cost solution for bands wanting to sell their merchandise. It handles all production and shipping costs, and pays a $5 royalty to the artists for every one sold.

You can shop for LabelState.com’s tees in the flesh at 118 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst until August 4.

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Refugee Talent Showcased at Emerge Fitzroy

Victoria will kick off Refugee Week with the 10th annual Emerge Fitzroy event. The day will showcase the cultural contributions of Australia’s refugees with musical acts and entertainment across three stages.

Ten-piece Ethio-jazz act JAzmaris will headline the event, which also includes sets from Sudanese urban pop and reggae outfit Sudan Azza, Hazara pop act Taqi Khan, Persian hip-hoppers Ahmed 3 Pas, and Tongan electronic act Elephant Mouse. You can’t say the line-up isn’t diverse! The performances will be complemented by cultural workshops, storytelling, and delicious foods from all corners of the globe.

It all happens at Fitzroy Town Hall from noon to 5 pm on June 16. And best of all, entry to the festival and all performances and workshops is free!

Image source: Multicultural Arts Victoria

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hey Geronimo Tour Dan Kelly Tribute

Hey Geronimo really, really love Dan Kelly. They even skirted dangerously close to stalking with the release of their latest single “The Dan Kelly Song”! The quirky song’s currently available as a free download from Bandcamp and iTunes.

“The track was inspired by a dream I had in which Dave McCormack and Dan Kelly were co-writing songs for Hey Geronimo,” explains the band’s vocalist Pete Kilroy. “I woke up, and realising how cool that would be, figured we should just try and write a song in that style anyway. We’re all huge fans and it was either this or get tatts.”

Dan might not become Hey Geronimo’s songwriter any time soon, but he did meet the band and give the song his seal of approval. Buoyed by the experience, Hey Geronimo will take the song on the road this June with musical pals Strange Talk.

See the Strange Geronimo tour at the following venues next month.


14 June 2013 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
15 June 2013 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
19 June 2013 – Beach Road Hotel, Sydney
20 June 2013 – Transit Bar, Canberra
21 June 2013 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
22 June 2013 – Baroque Room, Katoomba
27 June 2013 – Hi Fi, Melbourne
29 June 2013 – Eureka Hotel, Geelong
11 July 2013 – Newport Hotel, Fremantle
12 July 2013 – Prince of Wales Hotel, Bunbury
13 July 2013 – Amplifier Bar, Perth

Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Saskwatch Raise Funds for Glastonbury Jaunt

The very funky Melbourne nine-piece Saskwatch are heading to Glastonbury! The slot at arguably Europe’s most prestigious rock festival is a fitting follow-up to appearances at key local events including Bluesfest, Falls Festival, Meredith, and Golden Plains.

Getting such a massive band to the other side of the world isn’t going to be easy, so Saskwatch are raising funds to make it happen. You can donate to the band via the Pozible website in exchange for Sakwatch goodies including signed merchandise, personalised mix-tapes, and even one of Nkechi’s awesome stage dresses.

Alternatively you could see the band live at one of their farewell shows. And when they make music as good as their most recent single “I Get Lonely”, why wouldn’t you? Saskwatch will play Carlton’s Curtin Bandroom on June 1 and an all-ages show at Daylesford Town Hall on June 8.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sweet Jean Impress with “Tomorrow Morning”


Sime Nugent and Alice Keath are Sweet Jean, the duo behind the dreamy alt-country single “Tomorrow Morning”.

The follow-up to “Shiver and Shake” is a deceptively simple ditty with jangly guitars and warm vocal harmonies. What a great Sunday soundtrack!

Both tracks come from Dear Departure, Sweet Jean’s soon-to-be-released debut album. The disc is a collection of songs reflecting on life, longing, and mortality co-produced by the esteemed John Castle (Washington, The Bamboos). Look out for it in stores on July 4.

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bad//Dreems Calling for “Caroline”

Sometimes you just need a bit of fun to usher in the weekend. And I’ve found it in Adelaide’s Bad//Dreems and the chunky guitars of their new single “Caroline”.

There’s nothing deep and meaningful going on here. We’ve heard the tale of falling in love with the wrong woman before, but its wrapped up in such an infectiously catchy package that I don’t really mind. The clip’s also got such a great Aussie nostalgia to it, that I’m a bit powerless to resist.

If you’re digging Bad//Dreems’ good vibes, make sure you support the boys when they launch the single at the following shows next month.

7 May 2013 – Mum @ World Bar, Sydney
14 May 2013 – CATS @ Rocket Bar, Adelaide
31 May 2013 – The Gasometer, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

R.I.P. Chrissy Amphlett

Australia has lost one of its most unique female voices with the passing of Chrissy Amphlett. The Divinyls frontwoman passed away in New York City following battles with breast cancer and multiple sclerosis. She was just 53 years old.

They broke the mould when they made Chrissy. As a young girl I remember being fascinated by her sexy schoolgirl outfits, fishnet stockings, and husky rasping voice. I couldn’t believe she could get away with singing “I Touch Myself”, and I still think “Boys in Town” is one of the greatest rock songs ever penned.

With her band The Divinyls she earned four top 10 albums locally and one in America. Funnily enough, that shocking “I Touch Myself” song was their biggest-selling single. It reached number one here and cracked the top 10 in the United States and Great Britain. Fittingly the band took their place in the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006.

Those facts are impressive, but it’s Chrissy’s sass that I’ll remember most. She was fierce, so different, so charismatic. She will be missed.