Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Karise Eden Racks Up Six Weeks on Top

It’d be boring if it wasn’t so fabulous. Karise Eden has beat out the competition to take the top spot on the ARIA chart for the sixth consecutive week.

Her fellow Voice finalist Darren Percival has slipped to eighth position with his album Happy Home. It was happier news for Missy Higgins though, who jumped up to number five with her current album The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle.

It seems all my wishing and hoping paid off, as Justice Crew have jumped to the top spot on the ARIA singles charts with “Boom Boom.” It’s a good thing too, because again they’re the only Aussie act in the top 10!

Click below for all this week’s chart action.

Continue reading “Karise Eden Racks Up Six Weeks on Top” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Karise Eden Still Number One

Karise Eden’s album My Journey doesn’t seem ready to vacate the top spot on the ARIA charts any time soon. It’s again at number one, and with a tour looming I predict it’ll stay put for a while.

Her fellow Voice finalist Darren Percival showed he’s got staying power, with his album Happy Home retaining its number three possie. The other Voice finalists have slipped quietly out of the top ten, so it’s exciting to see the final two holding their ground.

While we don’t see the same glut of local talent in the albums charts this week, Angus Stone’s still doing great things with Broken Brights which sits at number four. Missy Higgins’ The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle has risen to number six, while Keith Urban’s still hanging around with The Story So Far at number ten.

Justice Crew have jumped several places this week to land at number two on the singles charts with “Boom Boom.” Can they topple fun. next week?

Click below for this week’s charts.

Continue reading “Karise Eden Still Number One” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Voice Artists Dominate ARIA Charts

Karise Eden remains on top of the ARIA Albums Chart this week, but her fellow Voice finalists have challenged her for the number one possie.

The remaining top four contestants have all enjoyed top ten debuts for their album releases. Runner-up Darren Percival landed at number three with his disc Happy Home, Rachel Leahcar’s Shooting Star sits at number five, while Sarah De Bono shouldn’t feel embarrassed by her number seven debut with No Shame.

In a bumper week for Aussie albums, it’s not just the reality TV stars shining. Angus Stone’s solo endeavour Broken Brights took out the number two spot, while all The Voice action saw Keith Urban’s The Story So Far pushed down to number eight. Missy Higgins continues to hang on to the top ten by her fingernails. The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle is again at number ten.

In contrast the singles chart looks pretty bare. Why don’t we support homegrown songs? Thank goodness for Justice Crew, who are representing with “Boom Boom.” It sits at number seven.

Click below for this week’s top tens.

Continue reading “The Voice Artists Dominate ARIA Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Karise Eden Still on Top

Karise Eden continues to be a musical force to be reckoned with. Her debut album My Journey retained its top spot on the ARIA chart for the third consecutive week.

Australia seems willing to forgive Chris Brown; his new album Fortune’s jumped in to the number two position. That’s forced the Hillsong Church’s new album Cornerstone and Keith Urban’s The Story So Far down to the number three and four spots respectively.

Missy Higgins has returned to the top ten this week, but only just. Her album The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle is sitting at the number ten spot.

After his impressive number one debut last week, Reece Mastin’s disappointingly slipped out of the top ten completely. Thankfully we’ve got Justice Crew, with their new single “Boom Boom,” flying the Aussie flag.

Click below to see this week’s top ten.

Continue reading “Karise Eden Still on Top” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stonefield & Owl Eyes Team Up for The Line

It’ll be a serious case of girl power when sisters Stonefield join forces with fellow Victorian Owl Eyes for one big national tour next month. Casually dubbed Winter Road Trip 2012, the tour hopes to raise awareness of the national government’s The Line initiative.

The Line is all about promoting respective relationships amongst young Australians. It touches on a range of issues including physical violence, cyber bullying, abusive texting, and sexting. Both Owl Eyes and Stonefield’s Findlay sisters are program ambassadors, and they’re keen to take its message to regional locations.

“I feel like out in the regional places they don’t  always get a lot of live  music or get an opportunity to get out to a lot of venues or anything like that so it will be nice to take our music and The Line’s  message there and spread it around a bit.  It will be quite special.” Owl Eyes said in a statement.

“Playing in a country town makes a big impact,” Amy Findlay added. “It seems like everyone knows what  it is going on and they are so appreciative  of it. So I feel like the message will make a big impact.”

Catch Stonefield and Owl Eyes on their Winter Road Trip at the following pit stops:

1 August 2012 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
2 August 2012 – Kay St, Traralgon
3 August 2012 – Macgillivray Hall, Bendigo (Strictly Under 18s)
4 August 2012 – Westernport Hotel, San Remo
8 August 2012 – Station Resort, Jindabyne
9 August 2012 – Zierholz @ University of Canberra, Canberra
10 August 2012 – Orange Ex Services Club, Orange
11 August 2012 – Southern Cross University, Lismore
12 August 2012 – Hotel Great Northern, Byron Bay
16 August 2012 – Art Gallery of WA, Perth (Owl Eyes only)
16 August 2012 – Newport Hotel, Fremantle (Stonefield only)
17 August 2012 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
18 August 2012 – Studio 146, Albany
23 August 2012 – Monash University, Clayton
25 August 2012 – Townsville Uni Bar, Townsville
31 August – Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool
1 September – South Eastern Hotel, Mt Gambier

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reece Mastin & Karise Eden Top ARIA Charts

It’s not likely to silence critics, but local reality TV show graduates have taken the top spots on Australia’s major ARIA charts. Karise Eden’s My Journey album has maintained its number one possie, while reigning X Factor winner Reece Mastin’s nabbed the top single spot with his newie “Shout It Out.”

Again proving their musical might, the singers from the Hillsong Church have zoomed into the albums charts with their latest release Cornerstone. It sits at number two. Keith Urban’s greatest hits also continues to sell truckloads. The Story So Far holds steady at number three.

Click below for the rest of this week’s ARIA charts.

Continue reading “Reece Mastin & Karise Eden Top ARIA Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jacob Butler Signs European Recording Deals

Jacob Butler continues to make inroads abroad. Just months after signing a recording deal in South Africa, the Australian Idol alumn has scored a swag of record deals across Europe.

Hamburg indie label Very Us Records has signed Jacob for a three-album deal which will see his next three albums, including his debut Reason, released in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Reason will hit those markets on August 24, and Jacob will tour around Europe in September to support its release.

“We’re very proud to welcome Jacob Butler,” affirmed Very Us Records’ head of A&R and Marketing, Dennis Grim. “He is an outstanding songwriter and bandleader, and his guitar-driven, seasonable repertoire fits perfectly with our roster.”

Jacob’s also signed a licensing deal with Universal Music Poland, which will see Reason released in Poland and Bulgaria. Jacob’s last single “Come My Way” is also making waves in Europe, where it hit number 47 on the country’s radio charts.

“I’m very excited to be gaining some traction in Europe” Jacob said in a press release. “The combined potential audience of these territories reaches over 150 million people, with Germany alone ranked as the world’s third largest music market.”

Congrats Jacob!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Karise Eden Tops Album Charts

Without a final flurry of The Voice competition to contend with, the ARIA Chart has returned to an even keel. But that doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten about the show that gripped the nation. Karise Eden’s debut album My Journey has dethroned Justin Bieber to take out the top spot. Her official first single “You Won’t Let Me” is also the only local single to crack the top 10. It’s currently sitting at number five.

Karise Eden LiveKeith Urban’s greatest hits album also continues to perform well. The Story So Far sits at number three. Missy Higgins’ The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle has started its downward descent, but it hasn’t done badly to land at number seven.

Click below for this week’s top ten!
Continue reading “Karise Eden Tops Album Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Voice Dominates ARIA Chart

Ordinarily when I write about the ARIA Charts the local successes are all about the albums. We tend to produce quality product, but the downloading public flocks to the international smash songs that saturate the airwaves. But the tide has turned this week, and it’s all thanks to The Voice.

After her big win, I expected we might find Karise Eden’s name cropping up, but I didn’t expect she’d claim four of the top five spots. Her cover of “Stay With Me Baby” came out on top, but her version of “Hallelujah” showed it had real staying power, maintaining its number two possie.

Even more startling about this week’s chart is that the remaining top five position was nabbed by her Voice comrade Sarah De Bono. Darren Percival also made his mark, with his outstanding original “Damage Down” sitting at number eight.

These results really show the power of this program. We’ve seen reality shows encouraging us to download the live performances before, but by making this action part of the voting process it actually compelled us to do it.

Justin Bieber predictably rocketed to the top of the album charts with his newie Believe, but Keith Urban did a great job to clinch the number two spot. His greatest hits album The Story So Far jumped from number four, and should hold steady with his national tour approaching. That’s seen Missy Higgins slip to number three with The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle.

Click below to see this week’s top tens.

Continue reading “The Voice Dominates ARIA Chart” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Karise Eden Wins “The Voice”

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock you know that 19-year-old Central Coast soul singer Karise Eden has taken out the first season of The Voice.

Like most of the country I was on the edge of my seat watching the show, and while I was firmly on Team Darren I didn’t mind one bit when Karise won. She’s got such a distinct voice, such amazing musical instincts, and such incredible power. And she’s from my neck of the woods! She was definitely a worthy winner.

I’m really impressed with the way Channel Nine’s played with the format. I enjoyed the first American season when it aired last year, but Australia’s version is definitely superior. I was thrilled that they scrapped the confusing elimination round where judges weighted an allocated percentage of their votes towards a chosen competitor. And the decision to showcase original songs at the grand final was inspired. I also appreciated the way the voting was all done by the time the Monday night show aired. There were none of the desperate pleas for last minute votes we usually see on these types of programs, and that allowed us to really celebrate the achievements of all the artists. And of course there was that judging panel, a team of real pros who had such a natural chemistry together and commitment to the show and their stars.

As clichéd as it sounds, there were really no losers on The Voice. I’ll be shocked if the top four, as well as some of the other finalists, don’t take their musical careers to the next level. I’ll miss watching them on TV on Monday nights, but look forward to seeing where they pop up next.

Image source: Eva Rinaldi @ Wikimedia Commons