Canadian Hawksley Workman is fleeing the harsh Ontario winter and heading for our much sunnier shores this January.
The Juno award winning singer songwriter has long enthralled fans with his unique blend of sing-along pop, jangling alt-country, and rock. And he’s doing it all again with his brand new album Full Moon Eleven, which hit stores this week. It’s a polished version of the Christmas album he wrote for his grandmother while living in Paris a decade ago. And don’t we love a man who loves his grandma!
If you’re feeling the love you can catch this intriguing Canuck at the following shows.
4 January 2012 – The Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
5 January 2012 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
6 January 2012 – Notes, Newtown
7 January 2012 – X & Y Bar, Brisbane
8 January 2012 – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi
12 January 2012 – Caravan Club, Oakleigh
13 January 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
14 January 2012 – Jive, Adelaide
They keep talking up shock eliminations on X Factor, but I don’t think there are any shocks at this end of the competition. And so while the judges seemed surprised to see Declan Sykes and Three Wishez battling it out for a place in the top four, I figured it was about right after last night’s performances.
I really like the way that Tuesday night’s show gives acts a chance to redeem themselves. Declan didn’t really with a fairly lackluster performance of Panic at the Disco’s “Ballad of Mona Lisa,” but Three Wishez stepped up with Jessie J’s “Nobody’s Perfect.” That’s what it means to sing for your life.
It seems the judges agreed because three to one they sent Declan packing. I’m sad to see him go, but hopefully he can capitalise on this exposure and we’ll see him cropping up somewhere soon.
After enduring more dance songs than I cared to last week, I was happy to watch The X Factor contestants singing songs from music legends tonight.
Johnny Ruffo kicked things off with Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke.” I’ve been pretty hard on Johnny in recent weeks, but I’ve never heard him sounding better. Finally the vocals matched his pretty boy looks and dance moves. I’ve had him doomed to the bottom two for weeks now, but this time I’m not so sure.
I wasn’t too enthusiastic about the idea of Andrew Wishart singing “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” But this guy can really do no wrong. It doesn’t matter what he’s given; he nails it vocally and I believe every word he sings. That’s all he needs to do, and he does it consistently.
Declan Sykes shook up The Beatles “Help,” and when it came out the other end I just didn’t like it. I still like him and what he stands for, but when you take risks some of them just won’t pay off. I don’t think the treatment worked, and in some places his vocals suffered from all that jumping around. The judges might have liked it, but it just wasn’t my cup of chai.
Three Wishez has blown me away in recent weeks, so I was a bit disappointed by their take on Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight.” I certainly didn’t hate it, but it didn’t reach the dizzy heights of their past couple of performances. Perhaps they set the bar too high too early?
I was nervous when I heard Reece Mastin was taking on Celine Dion. I was much happier to hear that really he was covering Eric Carmen. Either way, his version of “All By Myself” allowed us to see a vulnerability he doesn’t often show. He didn’t always nail the vocals, but I think he hit the notes that counted. He didn’t get glowing reviews, but I still liked this.
There was a lot of like tonight and not a lot of love. I wasn’t blown away, and actually think Johnny Ruffo’s performance was the strongest. What a topsy-turvy night! Given all that, I’m not even going to guess who’ll be in the bottom two tomorrow night. What do you think?
In this digital age, bands who care about their cover art are becoming increasingly rare. The Jezabels are one of those special acts who create albums that look as good as they sound. This is in large part due to the work of Australian artist Christopher Doyle. Some of his works, including his Jezabels covers, will grace the walls of Sydney’s Mart Gallery next month.
Christopher’s photography and design has helped defined The Jezabels’ aesthetic from their inception. This exhibition is a significant one for fans, as it’s the first time they can see the images in their original large formats, along with unreleased artwork and rare test shots. Limited edition prints will also be on sale, allowing devotees to take home a little piece of the band’s history.
“Chris is so important to us,” explained The Jezabels’ guitarist Sam Lockwood. “With our releases, he has repeatedly been able to understand the underlying message of our music, as well as our somewhat strange musical aesthetic. He has time and time again come up with beautiful, surreal, sublime and uncanny visual translations of the music we make. We talk about this between ourselves in the band – the way that Chris has helped us define what we do.”
I’m a bit late with my X Factor elimination recap this week. I always figure it’s best to steer clear of technology after a few drinks. I’d hate to think how a post-Melbourne Cup luncheon entry might turn out. Better late than never and typo-free though, right?
I’m not sure whether you can ever call results towards the pointy end of the competition shocks, but I was surprised to see both Christina Parie and Reece Mastin standing in the bottom two. I guess Johnny’s fans know he’s vulnerable and have been voting in droves. Christina’s performance was probably one of the weaker ones on Monday, but I didn’t expect we’d see Reece in the firing line yet.
Both acts did OK when singing for their life, but didn’t sing anywhere close to their best. I suspect nerves might have been to blame here. I thought Christina outsang Reece with her Avril Lavigne cover, but it was a close race. However Mel B was the only judge in her corner, with the rest of the panel opting to send her home. I think the right decision was made as Reece really has been Mr Consistency. Hopefully his fans will rally behind him to ensure he’s not in the bottom two next week.
I must admit, I approached this week’s X Factor with some serious trepidation. Dance music really isn’t my thing. I don’t mind some old school disco, but I can take or leave the Rihannas, Beyonces, and Lady Gagas of this world. And considering the trend in recent weeks, I wasn’t feeling optimistic that the judges would head back to dance music’s heyday. But this is X Factor so I found myself tuning in in spite of myself.
Reece Mastin gave me the old school dance I was craving with a rock edge with a really cool version of “Staying Alive.” I’m not sure the mash-up of the Bee Gees track and “Kashmir” was completely successful, but it was really interesting. I think it’s smart to play with the songs and make them fit the artist. You wouldn’t ask an established musician to step outside their genre, so why should he?
Guy got song choice right again in giving Declan Sykes some Empire of the Sun. Sure the falsetto was thin and not always on the money, but on the whole this was still gorgeous. Declan doing dance could have gone all wrong, but with Guy guiding him Declan got it so right this week.
I expected a predictable modern dance song from Christina Parie, and I got it with David Guetta’s “When Love Takes Over.” Mel B really needs a few song choice pointers. I was nervous as so often this song gets screechy when performed. She managed to avoid that, but in doing so it seemed a bit under. Perhaps there’s just no pleasing me when it comes to this track.
I was hoping to hear Andrew Wishart busting out some old school funk. Sadly it didn’t happen but Nat Bass still got it right with David Guetta’s “Titanium.” It had the emotional heart that is missing in so many dance songs. He came through this week surprisingly well.
Johnny Ruffo again turned to one of his idols with Usher and David Guetta’s “Without You.” Again the vocals were under and again I was bored. He’s a lovely chap but I feel like his time is up.
Three Wishez made this child of the 80s very happy with their mash-up of Chaka Khan’s “I Feel for You” and Salt N Pepa’s “Push It.” They slayed it. I am so glad they did this instead of the Black Eyed Peas Mel B suggested. What a way to end the show?
We’re getting down to the nitty gritty now. I feel Johnny’s been biding his time for a while so he’s the obvious choice for the bottom three. He might be sharing the spotlight with Christina or Declan, but surely the judges have to send him packing this week, right?
Following on from The Vines’ appearance earlier this year, Eskimo Joe and PNAU will play the next Russian Standard Vodka Live at the Chapel show. The Aussie acts will rock St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in the Sydney suburb of Newtown on November 23.
This is the first time the Live at the Chapel series has delivered a double act, and it’s sure to be a great night with both acts enjoying great success with recent releases.
Eskimo Joe are at the top of their game, having just scored six ARIA Award nominations, they are the finest rock act in the country, and PNAU are smashing it overseas, they look destined for global success,” said MCM media’s chief exec Simon Joyce. “To be able to present them on the same stage is a defining moment for Live At The Chapel, we’re in for a very special evening.”
As always this Russian Standard Vodka Live at the Chapel show is only for competition winners. For your chance to be amongst them head to the Live at the Chapel website.
The X Factor has been a bit heartbreaking in recent weeks, with several of my favourite acts sent packing. However this week I think Australia got it right as Johnny Ruffo and Mitchell Callaway sat in the bottom two.
Johnny’s vocals haven’t been up to scratch in recent weeks. In fact, the only thing harder to hear has been Mitchell’s bad attitude. Clearly Australia’s had enough of his bitching too.
Mitchell was finally given the chance to sing in his genre with Rascal Flatts’ “I Won’t Let Go.” It’s funny how when you’re waiting so long for something it can often disappoint. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t a patch on the original. The vocals didn’t always stick, and again performance let him down. He might have been singing country, but he still seemed uncomfortable.
Again Johnny Ruffo came off as imitative with Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” It was fun and with the exception of the falsetto the vocals were actually impressive considering his fancy footwork. However I’m still not getting a sense of who he really is. I know the music he enjoys, but where’s Johnny in it all?
Frankly I didn’t care which way it went this week. The judges were split and so the decision was made by the public. It seems Mitchell’s bad attitude has grated on them too, because despite better vocals last night they sent him packing. At least he went out doing what he loves. Now if he could just find a little humility perhaps he can continue to do so in the industry.
This week The X Factor contestants were celebrating homegrown tunes with their Aussie Anthems special.
Mitchell Callaway kicked things off with “Throw Your Arms Around Me.” Again it was strange to see Nat picking a non-country song for her act, but I thought this suited him down to the ground. It’s the best I’ve heard him sing since the auditions, although I felt a real wall between him and the audience. Even when he was touching the hands of the audience it felt very uneasy. He needs to become more comfortable as a performer if he’s going to go much further in this competition.
Johnny Ruffo shot for the moon in taking on Delta Goodrem’s “Lost Without You.” Sadly the song exposed all his vocal shortcomings. He certainly tried, but he never got there. In parts it was bearable, but it was also flat and tuneless far too often. I admired his intensity, but it had more than a bit of Eurovision cheese to it.
Three Wishez gave what I think was the performance of the season so far with John Farnham’s “You’re the Voice.” This was just incredible. It had so much joy and patriotism; it brought a tear to my eye. Last week when Ronan lost YMS I wondered whether the competition was all over for him. With this though, Three Wishez showed they’ve got what it takes to win this thing. More of this please! Continue reading “The X Factor Celebrates Aussie Anthems”→
Tonight’s X Factor elimination reminded us how much of a popularity contest the competition is. Despite some very shaky performances by Christina, Mitchell, and Johnny, Young Men Society and Declan Sykes found themselves in the bottom two. Both acts put up strong showings last night, but it’s just not about that.
And again they performed admirably. Young Men Society brought us the new jack swing I’ve been craving, and Declan trotted out a little Oasis. YMS proved they’ve got serious vocal chops and charisma by the bucketload, while Declan showed us he’s such a unique special jewel. I’m glad I wasn’t sitting in the judges’ seats.
With the judges unable to make a decision, it went to the public vote. And sadly, Young Men Society went home. What an absolute tragedy to lose them just as they had returned to form. They will be seriously missed.
In this digital age, bands who care about their cover art are becoming increasingly rare. 
This is the first time the Live at the Chapel series has delivered a double act, and it’s sure to be a great night with both acts enjoying great success with recent releases.