Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gotye Dominates 2012 ARIA Awards

Gotye showed he’s the current king of Australian music after taking home four of the silver pointy things at last night’s ARIA Awards.

The Melbourne singer-songwriter was recognised as the best male artist and best Australian live act. His album Making Mirrors was also named the year’s best album and the best pop release. He took the opportunity to pay tribute to the album format, which so many naysayers insist is dying, as well as the work of local musicians.

The other awards were spread out amongst the talented crowd. Gotye’s mate Kimbra won her second consecutive female artist of the year while The Temper Trap were named the best band and their self-titled album dubbed the best rock album. Matt Corby’s “Brother” was deservedly given the song of the year title.

The ceremony had its fair share of international talent, but the musical highlight arguably came from new hall of fame inductees Yothu Yindi. They were joined by Jessica Mauboy, Dan Sultan, Paul Kelly, and Andrew Farris for a rousing rendition of their smash hit “Treaty.”

And in case you missed the telecast, here are all the winners!

Album of the Year: Gotye – Making Mirrors
Best Male Artist: Gotye – Making Mirrors
Best Female Artist: Kimbra – Vows
Best Group: The Temper Trap – The Temper Trap
Breakthrough Artist: 360 – Falling & Flying
Best Independent Release: The Jezabels – Prisoner
Best Adult Contemporary Album: Missy Higgins – The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle
Best Blues & Roots Album: Jeff Lang – Carried In Mind
Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album: DZ Deathrays – Bloodstreams
Best Pop Release: Gotye – Making Mirrors
Best Rock Album: The Temper Trap – The Temper Trap
Best Urban Album: Hilltop Hoods – Drinking From The Sun
Best Children’s Album: The Wiggles – Surfer Jeff
Best Comedy Release: Buddy Goode – Unappropriate
Best Country Album: The McClymonts – Two Worlds Collide
Best Dance Release: Ivan Gough & Feenixpawl feat. Georgi Kay – In My Mind
ARIA Song of the Year: Matt Corby – “Brother”
Best International Artist: One Direction
Best Australian Live Act: Gotye
Best Video: Natasha Pincus- Missy Higgins – “Everyone’s Waiting”
Best Classical Album: William Barton – Kalkadungu
Best Jazz Album: Sarah McKenzie – Close Your Eyes
Best Original Soundtrack/Cast/Show Album: triple j – Straight To You: triple j’s Tribute To Nick Cave
Best World Music Album: Joseph Tawadros – Concerts of the Greater Sea
Best Cover Art: Frank De Backer (Artwork & Handwriting) & Wally De Backer– Making Mirrors
Producer of the Year: Styalz Fuego – 360, Falling & Flying

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Samantha Jade Tops ARIA Singles Charts

X Factor winner Samantha Jade has soared into the ARIA countdown to claim the top spot on the singles charts. Samantha Jade’s debut song “What You’ve Done to Me” achieved gold status in just two days, and wasn’t challenged for the number one.

She’s keeping company in the singles chart with her X Factor mentor Guy Sebastian. His latest release “Get Along” zoomed from number 34 all the way up to number five this week. Talk about a big mover!

Guy’s also the best performing Aussie on the albums charts. Armageddon’s jumped up one place this week to sit at number four.

Click below to read this week’s top tens.
Continue reading “Samantha Jade Tops ARIA Singles Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Samantha Jade Wins X Factor

After months of knockout rounds, Samantha Jade was the last person standing on last night’s X Factor final. The Western Australian pop princess took the title from second-place getter Jason Owen and boy band The Collective.

This has been a funny season for me to watch. I switched allegiances time and time again as my favourite acts were eliminated: first Fourtunate, then Nathaniel Willemse, then Bella, and finally The Collective at the final hurdle.

I also watched Sammi grow from the girl most likely to get the boot to the last woman standing. Her confidence seemed to soar, and as she did her performances grew stronger and her voice more self-assured. Her brand of music isn’t the sort of thing I’d rush out and buy, but she’s easily as talented as other similar chart toppers like Rihanna and Beyonce.

Many spoke of Jason’s journey through the competition, but even at the end I thought he was little more than a mediocre RSL act. He seemed like a nice guy with a fairly interesting story, but I failed to see that X Factor we’ve often spoken about. I’ll be surprised if he has a career that outlasts the show’s 15 minutes of fame.

The Collective are another matter though. They’re five very good looking boys with exceptional voices. Their moves are a bit naff, but they’re the same ones Human Nature performed that made me weak at the knees as a teen. Something tells me that kind of thing doesn’t have a use by date. Look out One Direction; these guys could easily steal your fans.

The competition unearthed plenty of other great talents too. I really hope to see Fourtunate and Bella capitalising on the exposure. Angel and Nathaniel also have that special something. Once again, we’ve seen the depth of talent Australia has to offer. Congratulations to all involved!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tim Rogers, Bill Chambers, & Co. are The Hillbilly Killers

The Hillbilly Killers are a country supergroup the likes of which Australia has never seen, and they’re making their live debut at the 2013 Tamworth Country Music Festival.

The Hillbilly Killers’ impressive lineup features Bill Chambers, Tim Rogers, Catherine Britt, Shane O’Mara, James Gillard, and Michael Muchow. The motley crew came about over late night conversations about Hank Williams and other musical passions. Apparently the result is “musical perversity at its best.”

If you’re as intrigued as I am, make sure you get to Tamworth Services Club on January 23 for The Hillbilly Killers’ first show. Tickets are on sale now from Oztix.

Image used with permission from Premier Artists

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

INXS Call It a Day

After 35 years together, INXS have called it quits.

Jon Farriss announced the news at the band’s final concert with Matchbox Twenty in Perth on Sunday night, seemingly taking the rest of the band by surprise. Kirk Pengilly even reportedly texted Central Coast radio station 2GO with the words “It’s not true.” However with an official statement hitting press today, it seems the journey of this legendary Aussie act has indeed come to an end.

“We have been performing as a band for 35 years, it’s time to step away from the touring arena,” the band said. “Our music will of course live on and we will always be a part of that. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the friends and family that have supported us throughout our extensive career. Our lives have been enriched by having you all as a part of the journey.”

I admit that I wasn’t all that kind to INXS after seeing them supporting Matchbox Twenty in Sydney, but I’m still saddened by the news. While I felt Ciarin Gribbin wasn’t the right fit for this iconic outfit, I hadn’t lost hope that they’d find someone to fill the gaping hole Michael Hutchence left. I also wonder why now. I remember reading an interview last year where the band seemed excited about recording new music. Their statement says they wanted to go out on a high, but surely taking one last victory lap as headliners, with fans knowing these shows would be the last, would have been much more satisfying than being someone’s opening act.

Perhaps INXS weren’t as confident as I was that they could ever recapture their glory days. Perhaps they’re just happy to bask in their legacy and let the royalties roll in. Either way I’m glad that I could see them one last time, even if it wasn’t with a perfect set.

Image source: own photo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Singhala Music Parties with Free Melbourne Shows

Singhala Music is celebrating its second birthday with four big shows. And best of all for music lovers, entry to each one is completely free!

Four of Melbourne’s premium music venues will host the performances on Singhala’s anniversary, November 22. Each event will feature ten bands from Singhala’s bulging booking roster. At £1000 Pound Bend you can see King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and guests. Cherry will host The Frowning Clouds, The Bluebottles, and Sam Cooper & Band. John Curtin Bandroom has one of Singhala’s biggest success stories, Eagle and the Worm, as well as some special guest artists. Head to Pony to catch Barbariön, Baptism Of Uzi, The Murlocs, Fraser A Gorman & Laura Imbruglia, and a solo set from Stu Mackenzie.

Will you join the party?

Image used with permission from Shows in Space Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

78 Saab Announce Farewell Show

After 15 years together and 350 live shows, 78 Saab have called it quits.

During their time together 78 Saab earned a reputation as an energetic live act and solid studio band. Their single “Whatever Makes You Happy” was one of the first released on pivotal local label Ivy League, and Triple J listeners embraced their debut album Picture A Hum, Can’t Hear a Sound. I’m sure they never imagined that name they picked simply to fill out the Australian National Uni campus band comp would be with them for so long.

The band will perform one final gig for their loyal fans on December 1 at Sydney’s Annandale Hotel. Tickets for 78 Saab’s swan song are available now through the venue.

Image used with permission from International Music Concepts

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

360 Dominates ARIA Award Nominations

If the nominations are any indication, 360 could scoop this year’s ARIA Awards. The hip hop artist has scored six nominations: Best Male Artist, Breakthrough Artist, Album of the Year and Best Urban Album (Falling and Flying), Song of the Year (“Boys Like You”), and Best Australian Live Act.

Gotye and The Jezabels also did well with five nods. Just behind them we see Lanie Lane and Hilltop Hoods with four nominations each.

I’m most impressed by the diversity of this year’s awards. We see so many genres represented and a great mix of new artists and old favourites. In recent years it’s felt the awards have gone a bit too alternative, so I’m thrilled to see mainstream pop acts, dance divas, and rock acts getting their due. I’m not so secretly hoping to see Cold Chisel take out the best group category.

In something new this year, fans will also be able to vote via the ARIA website for four categories: Song of the Year, Best Australian Live Act, Best International Artist and Best Video.

The pointy statues will be handed out at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on November 29. They’ll air on GO! You can see all the nominees at the ARIA website.

Image source: ARIA Awards website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Yarraville Club Opening with Rolling Stones Tribute

With Australia losing so many live music venues, it’s exciting to see another one popping up. The historic Yarraville Club in Melbourne’s West is set to become a 600-capacity live music venue in the coming months.

The venue will open its doors in style on November 3 with a show celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Rolling Stones’ epic Exile on Main Street album. The special tribute show will see some of Australia’s most beloved performers lending their vocals to The Stones’ classics. The lineup includes Nick Barker, The Wolfgramm Sisters, Jack Howard from Hunters & Collectors, Ash Naylor from Even, Dave Larkin from Dallas Crane, and heaps more.

What a way to open this exciting new nightspot! General admission tickets are $25 while dinner and show costs $45. Get yours through the Cherryrock website.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian Continues Singles Reign

Another week gives us another Aussie number one album, but Guy Sebastian continues his reign on the singles charts. “Battle Scars” continues to perform, making it the equal best performing number one for the year with Flo Rida’s “Wild Ones.” Meanwhile Pink’s The Truth About Love is her fourth consecutive album to debut at number one. It bumped off The Amity Affliction’s Chasing Ghosts, which has fallen all the way down to number 15 this week.

We have seen some impressive album debuts by up and coming local acts though. The Rubens’ self-titled album has rocketed in to the charts at number three, while Aussie hip hopper Seth Sentry is sitting at number six on debut with This Was Tomorrow.

The Sapphires and The Presets round out the local talent in the top 10. The soundtrack from the Aussie flick is steady at number seven this week, while The Presets’ latest release Pacifica has fallen from number three to 10.
Again we see Justice Crew keeping Guy Sebastian company in the singles top 10. Their unstoppable song “Boom Boom” sits at number seven after a massive three months on the charts.

Click below for this week’s top 10s.

Continue reading “Guy Sebastian Continues Singles Reign” →