Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gotye On Top Again

Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” is proving unstoppabable, taking out the number one possie on the ARIA charts for an incredible seventh consecutive week. It’d be getting boring if he wasn’t an Aussie with the support of the country behind him. His album Making Mirrors is also performing impressively, slipping down one to land at number three this week.

I’d bitch and moan about the slide if an Aussie band wasn’t behind it. The Jezabels have zoomed into the charts with a number two debut for their first album, Prisoner. Pete Murray is also hanging on to the top ten. His newie Blue Sky Blue has dropped from six to nine this week.

Click below to see what else has been happening in the ARIA top ten.
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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cleo Howman Out First on X Factor

Tonight’s first X Factor elimination saw Cleo Howman and Jacqui Newland battling it out, just as I predicted. To their credit the girls showed us just how different they are, with Cleo taking on Adele’s breakthrough hit “Chasing Pavements” and Jacqui returning to her rock roots with The Gossip’s “Heavy Cross.”

Both girls performed well, but for me Jacqui had the edge. There’s no one else quite like her in the competition right now, whereas while she’s got a beautiful voice I feel like I’ve seen musicians like Cleo before.

It seemed the judges agreed with me, because three to one they sent Ms Howman packing. Nat was always going to back her girl, but the remaining judges were all on Jacqui’s side. It’s sad in a way, because I don’t think she was the weakest performer last night or in the competition, but there’s always an element of popularity in these things.

Next week we get Party Songs, which I’m hoping sees a celebration of retro music rather than more of the naughties-centered music we saw this week!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Live Shows Kick Off

With this year’s X Factor live shows kicking off tonight I figured it time I started to blog about the reality singing quest. I’ve caught bits and pieces up until this point, but with the competition heating up I’m starting to get switched on to the action. Once the judges treated us to a medley of their own hits it was down to business.

Tonight’s theme was Judges Choice, which was a smart move in my books. Let’s face it, few of the acts really know anything about anything at this point, so it makes sense to have the more experienced judges pulling the strings for now.

Reece Mastin kicked things off with 30 Seconds to Mars’ “Closer to the Edge.” He was one of my early favourites, but I must admit I was a little disappointed by his performance. The opening verse was really shaky, and while the chorus started to soar I didn’t get the big stadium confidence from him that I think this song needs. I’m hopeful he can grow from here, as it must be tough to be the first performer out of the gates. The judges seemed to love it, so maybe it lost something in the translation to TV.

Ronan kicked off his groups with Three Wishez. Their take on Lady Gaga’s “Telephone” was a real performance, spectacular and well put together. The vocals were a bit shaky from Sophia in places, but I really appreciated the entertainment value. There’s definitely room for this band to grow into a very slick unit.

Andrew Wishart headed up Nat’s team with The Script’s “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved.” This performance gave me the connection I’ve been longing for all night. There’s something so authentic about this guy, so believable, and I love the little sweet spots in his voice. It wasn’t perfect, but I really liked what he did with this song.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gotye Still on Top of Singles Charts

Gotye has done it again, taking the top spot on the ARIA Singles Charts for an amazing sixth consecutive week with “Somebody That I Used To Know.” That makes it the longest reigning local chart topper since Savage Garden racked up eight weeks with “Truly Madly Deeply in 1997. It’s also deservedly earned triple platinum status.

His album Making Mirrors isn’t doing too badly either, holding steady at number two. Pete Murray’s Blue Sky Blue has also stayed the course and remained at number six for a second week. Sadly Icehouse’s greatest hits compilation White Heat: 30 Hits slipped down to number eight, but I predict it’ll jump back up once that Hall & Oates tour kicks off.

Click below for this week’s top 10s.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gotye Makes It Five in a Row

Gotye’s made it five in a row after retaining the top spot on the ARIA Singles Charts again this week. In doing so “Somebody That I Used to Know” has enjoyed the longest stay at the top of any Aussie single since Gabrielle Cilmi clocked up five weeks with “Sweet About Me” in 2001. The last act to better the feat was Savage Garden who spent eight weeks on top in 1997 with “Truly Madly Deeply.” Can Gotye better the Brisbane duo?

The single’s success has also helped Gotye’s album Making Mirrors jump back to number two this week, up one spot from last week. He’s sharing time in the top 10 with fellow Aussies Pete Murray, who sits at number six with Blue Sky Blue, and Icehouse who’ve slipped only a couple of spots to number seven with White Heat: 30 Hits.

Click below for this week’s top 10s.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gotye Stays at Number One on Singles Charts

Gotye has made it four straight week at number one on the ARIA singles charts with his track “Somebody That I Used to Know.” Sadly Adele reclaimed her number one spot on the albums’ charts, forcing Gotye’s Making Mirrors down to number three.

Jessica Mauboy also slipped this week. Her track “Inescapable” fell from number five to six, which still isn’t bad considering it’s been hanging around for a month and a half now.

Jack Vidgen also ran out of a little steam. His album Yes I Am fell from number three to six. Something tells me the real testimony to this kid’s talent is what he can manage when the Australia’s Got Talent hype dies down, and he gets a bit of time to record an album rather than just bashing one out.

With so many albums slipping, it’s exciting to see Icehouse score a top five debut for their newest greatest hits collection White Heat: 30 Hits.

Click below for all the chart action.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Guitar Legends Pay Tribute to Jimi Hendrix

Some of Australia’s leading musicians are coming together to pay tribute to the late, great Jimi Hendrix at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre on October 29.

The Experience Jimi Hendrix concert will see the guitar legend’s tunes reinterpreted by Darren Middleton of Powderfinger, Stuart Fraser of Noiseworks, Peter Koppes of The Church, John and Rick Brewster of The Angels, Jack Housden of The Whitlams and The Badloves, Kevin Borich, and heaps more.

Along with all the hits the show will feature two jam sessions at the end of each set which should really be something special. You get that much talent on one stage and how could it be anything but?

If you’re keen I’d jump on the tickets when they go on sale tomorrow from Ticketek. Last year’s show almost sold out, so unless you want dud seats make sure you get in quick!

Image used with permission from Thrill Hill Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rolling Stone Photographer Baron Wolman Brings Rock Photos to Oz

Baron Wolman, Rolling Stone’s first ever photographer, is heading to Australia to celebrate exhibitions of his rock photography in Sydney and Melbourne. The shows will draw from Baron’s book Every Picture Tells a Story … The Rolling Stone Years, which hits stores today.

The exhibitions will feature portraits of some of rock music’s most influential figures including Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, and Miles Davis captured during Baron’s three-year tenure with the music bible.

You can see Baron Wolman’s artworks at Sydney’s Blender Gallery from September 17 to October 22, and at Melbourne’s Raw Gallery from September 23 to October 23.

Image used with permission from Anouk Van Meeuwen Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gotye Dominates ARIA Charts

Gotye has scored a chart doubler, taking out the top spots on both the ARIA singles and albums charts.

His single “Somebody That You Used To Know” doesn’t show any sign of budging, taking out the number one possie for the third consecutive week. The album Making Mirrors zoomed into the top spot on the album charts on its debut after selling a massive 35, 000 copies. It’s the first album to achieve these kind of weekly sales all year, and has deservedly received gold status. Something tells me it won’t be too long til it breaks platinum.

An Australian act hasn’t achieved the double since Silverchair did it back in April 2007 with “Straight Lines” and Young Modern. Congratulations Gotye on breaking the drought!

This week isn’t all about Gotye though. After the album charts were looking a little bare, it’s now crowded with Aussie talent. Australia’s Got Talent winner Jack Vidgen achieved an impressive number three debut with his album Yes I Am, beating out Josh Pyke’s newie Only Sparrows which sits at number four. And Boy & Bear are still hanging in there; Moonfire sits at number 9.

Now if only some of those albums can spawn some charting singles! Gotye is currently keeping company with Jessica Mauboy in the top 10. Her latest track “Inescapable” has slipped one and sits at number 5 this week.

Click below for all the chart action.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gotye Still on Top of Singles Charts

Gotye has continued his reign at the top of the ARIA singles charts this week. “Somebody That I Used to Know” is still sitting pretty at the number one spot, despite strong competition from Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera’s “Moves Like Jagger.”

Jessica Mauboy is also holding steady at number four with her newie “Inescapable.” And it’s worth noting that we’ve even got a chart presence rounding out the top 10. David Guetta might take top billing on “Titanium,” but we all know it’s our Sia that makes it really special.

The albums charts still belong to Adele, but the Aussies are making their presence felt. Eskimo Joe have blasted into the number three spot with their fifth studio album Ghosts of the Past.

Boy & Bear have slipped to number four, but Moonfire is still performing well after last week’s number two debut.

And it’s great to see Jessica Mauboy’s Get ‘Em Girls back in the top 10. The album wasn’t even in the top 50 last week, but it’s zoomed back to number 9, no doubt buoyed by the success of “Inescapable.”

Click below for all the chart action.

Continue reading “Gotye Still on Top of Singles Charts” →