Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Catherine Britt Takes Mic on Saturday Night Country

Saturday Night Country fans will no doubt miss Felicity Urquhart while she takes a break from radio and soaks up life as a new mum. But ABC Local Radio listeners don’t have to be sad for too long. Felicity’s pal and fellow Australian country sensation Catherine Britt will take over the airwaves from this Saturday night.

Rest assured, Catherine knows her stuff. She cut her eye-teeth hosting Alt Country on the Country Music Channel, and she’s a big fan of the program.

“I grew up listening to the show and the great voice of John Nutting so to be asked to host the show while Fliss has a break is a huge honour and I really can’t wait to start,” Catherine said.

Tune in to hear Catherine on ABC Local Radio this Saturday, April 6.

Image source: Bruce Howlett @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordie Lane Signs with Canadian Booking Agent

Congratulations to Jordie Lane, who’s just signed a deal with Canadian booking agent Paquin Entertainment. Paquin is home to many credible Canucks including Tegan and Sara, Josh Ritter, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Buffy Sainte-Marie.

Jordie’s currently in the thick of his local Movement tour, which will serve as a warm-up for his some forthcoming Canadian shows. Dates haven’t been announced yet, but Canadian music lovers can expect to see him playing headlining shows and several major festivals during July and August.

Image used with permission from Jordie Lane Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Maitland Gaol Rocks for Youth Charity

Enjoy some great music and a healthy dose of karma at Maitland Gaol today. The Hunter Valley prison will host Gaolbreak for the Future, a live music event raising funds for The Centre for Hope.

The Centre for Hope works with “at risk” students, those young Australians who are skipping classes, having difficulties interacting with the other students, and seeing their marks slip. The charity looks to empower these kids, teach them to respect themselves, and help them find a place they belong in their community through its mentorship program.

You can help raise funds for this vital work by heading down to Maitland Goal today. Tickets to the show cost just $15, or $30 for a family of four. Local musicians will warm up the crowds before headliners The Last Kinection take to the stage.

It all kicks off at 1 pm, so get your skates on Novacastrians. You don’t want to miss this!

Image source: The Last Kinection website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Birds of Tokyo Become Third Aussie Act to Top ARIA Albums Chart in Three Weeks!

For the third week in a row we have a new Australian album sitting on the top of the ARIA Charts. This week the honour goes to Birds of Tokyo, who’ve earned their first number one with March Fires.

Last week’s number one, Hillsong United’s Zion has taken a big tumble. It’s now sitting at number nine. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ Push the Sky Away, the album that was number one before that, is proving much steadier. It’s only slipped one position to land at number six.

Nick and co stand a step ahead of fellow Aussies The Bee Gees’ Mythology, which is at number seven, and Flume’s self-titled work, which is at number eight.

For the first time in a long time we don’t have any Aussie singles in the top ten. Hopefully we see that change next week!

Click below to see all the top tens!

Continue reading “Birds of Tokyo Become Third Aussie Act to Top ARIA Albums Chart in Three Weeks!” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hillsong United Top Albums Charts

Australia has a new local album on the top of the ARIA Charts. While Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ Push the Sky Away has dropped to number five, Hillsong United’s Zion has succeeded it at number one. Zion is the Sydney religious group’s 59th album, and their second number one.

Meanwhile Mythology, the Bee Gees’ greatest hits has jumped up a couple of spots to claim number three. Flume is holding onto a top ten berth by his fingernails. His self-titled debut has fallen from seven to ten.

Birds of Tokyo have secured their hold on the singles chart this week with “Lanterns.” The epic rock number has risen from number ten to six.

Click below for this week’s top ten.

Continue reading “Hillsong United Top Albums Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Earn First Number One Album

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are sitting at the top of the ARIA albums chart this week with their brand new album Push the Sky Away. Remarkably their 15th studio album, their first in five years, is their first Aussie number one.

ARIA doesn’t recognise it as an Australian release, but I figure it’s worth claiming the Bee Gees’ Mythology album as one of our own. It sits at number five this week, no doubt buoyed by Barry Gibb’s current local tour.

There’s no debate about the achievements of Flume though. Australian born and bred, the Sydneysider’s self-titled album jumps one to number seven this week.

It’s a very quiet week for Aussies on the singles charts, with Birds of Tokyo our only representatives in the top ten. They’re only just hanging in there though; “Lanterns” sits at number ten, down from seven last week.

Click below for this week’s complete top ten charts.

Continue reading “Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Earn First Number One Album” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Warner Music Australia Makes Virtual Lego House for The Big Issue

Warner Music Australia has created a virtual Lego House to celebrate Ed Sheeran’s Australian tour, which kicks off this Saturday.

This is more than a mere marketing stunt though. The Lego House looks to raise funds and awareness of The Big Issue. This independent charity organisation creates job opportunities for homeless, marginalised, and disadvantaged people around the country.

When you “like” The Big Issue on Facebook you can add a virtual brick to the Lego House. Warner Music Australia will donate $1 to The Big Issue for every brick added to the house. Of course contributing will make you feel all warm and fuzzy, but you might also win a big Ed Sheeran prize. Warner will give one lucky virtual builder return flights to Sydney, tickets to Ed’s sold out Sydney show, accommodation, and a meet and greet when Ed performs on Sunrise next Tuesday.

Many of the Ed Sheeran shows around the country are sold out, but there are still limited tickets available for some of the following dates.

23 February 2013 – Challenge Stadium, Perth (SOLD OUT)
26 February 2013 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
28 February 2013 – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
1 March 2013 – Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney (SOLD OUT)
2 March 2013 – Riverstage, Brisbane (SOLD OUT)
4 March 2013 – Festival Hall, Melbourne
5 March 2013 – Festival Hall, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
6 March 2013 – Festival Hall, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)

Image source: Atlantic Records UK @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gotye Wins Three Grammys

Gotye has made Grammys history, becoming the first Australian to take home multiple awards for the same album and its songs. Our own Wally de Backer took home three awards in all. Making Mirrors won Best Alternative Album while that smash single “Somebody That I Used To Know” took home Best Pop Duo or Group Release and the granddaddy of them all, Record of the Year.

The unassuming Aussie was understandably star struck to receive the latter award from Prince, who he said was “a big reason I was inspired to make music.” He went on to “thank everybody who puts great energy into the world by making music.”

Aussie Aussie Aussie!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Flume Takes Number One

We’ve got some local talent back on top of the ARIA charts once again! Sydney electronic artist Flume has managed to land the top spot with his debut album.

Flume’s far from an overnight success story. This album’s been out since November. It reached number 2 on debut but then languished near the bottom of the charts. Last week it was at number 16 on the charts. To jump right up to the top spot is incredible, and a testimony to his impressive sets at recent summer festivals.

Flume is actually the only local act in the albums top 10, although we have some right to claim the Les Mis soundtrack as one of our own. No doubt it’s Hugh Jackman’s dulcet tones (they were superior to Russell Crowe’s!) that see the album at number 8.

The singles charts are also a bit of a wasteland of imported music. Thankfully we’ve got Birds of Tokyo flying the flag at number four with “Lanterns.”

Click to see the complete top 10s!

Continue reading “Flume Takes Number One” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

PBS Announces Second Drive Live

Victorian radio station PBS will open up their airwaves and doors for the second annual Drive Live event next month. From February 4 to 8, exciting Aussie acts will play live in the studio from 5 to 7 pm.

Bands including Lower Plenty, Pony Face, The Townhouses, Brothers Grim, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, NoZu, and Absolute Boys have already signed up to be involved.

If you’re a local you can get down to the studio to see it all unfold. You can RSVP to reserve your spot from tomorrow; keep an eye on the PBS website to find out how. If you can’t be a part of the action, you can tune in to 106.7FM or the PBS website, which features a live stream and a Drive Live program.

Image used with permission from Show Off Services