Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kids at Risk do “Griff The Invisible” Soundtrack

I don’t normally write about movies here, but I’m pretty excited about Griff the Invisible. It’s a sweet little Aussie film, with a solid romance to keep me happy and super hero themes for the lads. It’s already being described as “Kick Ass meets Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” which sounds pretty brilliant in my opinion. What a great contrast to all those glossy, action packed, and ultimately unsatisfying Hollywood comic remakes! Here’s the trailer for the movie, starring local boy made good Ryan Kwanten, for your viewing pleasure!

Griff the Invisible is hitting theatres on March 17, but before that we’ll get the first song from the soundtrack penned by our own Kids at Risk. The track called “Doing the Best That We Can” hits the web on March 4. With the band described as being a mix of pop, punk, and indie sounds I’m looking forward to hearing the song!

You can follow Kids at Risk on their own adventures to film premieres and the like at the brand new blog. Check it out at the Kids at Risk website!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Venue, New Tickets for Gimme That Guitar

Sorry about the late notice about this one, but sometimes I don’t hear about things until the last minute either. But if you’re quick, you can take advantage of the new tickets available for Gimme That Guitar, the tribute show for the late Harvey James.

The extra tickets are a result of the venue moving from The Factory Theatre to The Enmore. The tickets of all existing ticket holders are still valid, but the new larger spot allows more of the guitarist’s fans to pay their respects.

The line-up is incredible, with Sherbet reforming and Aussie legends like Richard Clapton, Renee Geyer, Ian Moss, Jon English, and Dragon also on the bill.

Tickets are a bargain at $65, and the funds raised will benefit Harvey’s family and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center. They go on sale at 10 am from Gimme That Guitar and the Enmore Theatre.

Image source: Gimme That Guitar website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Perth Comes Together for Flood Relief

Floods in ToowoombaI’ve written a lot about the many flood fundraisers in Sydney and Melbourne, but musicians in other parts of the country are also doing their bit. One of the more exciting events on the agenda is Come Together, which takes over Perth’s Flying Scotsman on February 11.

Local indie legends Yummy Fur will reunite to headline the bill, but the acoustic set from The Ghost Hotel, and sweet tunes from up and coming singer-songwriter Karin Page should also be something special. Dom Mariani and Nick Sheppard, The Astor All Stars, and Andrew Ewing are amongst the other artists on the diverse bill.

Tickets are just $10 on the door, which is a pretty good deal for six hours of music. All money raised from the tickets will go to the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Fund, and the Flying Scotsman will also kick in 20% of the night’s bar profits.

Image source: Timothy @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Capital City Split, Announce Final Show

There must be something in the water this week. Hot on the heels of the announcement of Yves Klein Blue’s split comes word that Capital City are also calling it quits. After ten years, two albums, two EPs, and five drummers the Perth outfit has decided to call it a day. This video, for the band’s song “Let’s Throw Our Love Away,” is something to remember them by.

Capital City won’t leave us hanging though. They’ll say goodbye to all their fans with one final show at the Rosemount Hotel on March 5. Tickets go on sale today from Heatseeker, Planet Video, and Mills Record.

Fans will want to take a few extra dollars to the show. Capital City will offload all their remaining merchandise on the night, so you’re bound to get a bargain!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sting Does His Bit for Flood Relief

Sting is doing his bit to give back to those working so hard to help Queensland recover from the recent floods. He’s issued an invitation for emergency workers to attend his Symphonicity concert in Brisbane next Monday as his special guest.

Recipients will be selected via ballot from the Red Cross, the State Emergency Service, and Volunteering Queensland. You couldn’t have more deserving folks in your audience, could you?

No doubt there will be a few tears as Sting dedicates “Fragile” to the flood victims, as he has throughout this Aussie tour. Sting has also donated the use of his song “Fields of Gold” to Sony’s recently released Flood Relief: Artists for the Flood Appeal album. He’s also made a personal donation to relief efforts, and encourages others to do the same.

“The spirit of community that has grown out of this devastation has been inspirational,” Sting said in a statement.  “I’ve contributed to a benefit compilation CD and like many others, made a personal donation to the ongoing flood relief efforts. It’s a small gesture, but in the wake of this tragedy, it’s important to help out however possible.”

Of course, Sting has more to spare than the rest of us, but isn’t it wonderful to see artists digging deep and helping us out? Hats off to him.

Image source: Olaf Heine/Sting website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Soundcheck Raises Funds for Flood Relief

Melbournites looking to give a bit more for flood relief efforts and discover some cool new artists at the same time should head down to Soundcheck.

This concert, at St Kilda’s National Theatre on February 17, will see girl group Trinity play alongside 10 unsigned acts. Singer-songwriter Sam Clark has also been named as the night’s special guest judge.

Best of all, tickets are just $15 and every cent of that admission fee goes to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Program. Click here to get your tickets for this great night of music.

Image used with permission from Repertoire Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Yves Klein Blue Call it Quits

Brisbane band Yves Klein Blue have parted ways after five years together.

The indie act issued the following statement on their MySpace page to explain the split.

“Yves Klein Blue broke up because of creative differences some time in the second half of 2010, after 5 years together. We grew up and apart. We now live in different cities and pursue our respective vocations to our utmost capacity.
We leave behind one full length album and two EPs in the hope that you will remember us through that body of work. We are sad there won’t be anymore with all you guys. Thank you for singing along.
We remain hopeful for the future.
Thank you for your love and support.
We will not forget you.”

There’s no word yet on what any of the band members will do in future, but if they’re working in the industry I’ll be sure to let you know about it!

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alana Skyring Leaves The Grates

Queensland trio The Grates has just become a duo. Drummer Alana Skyring has left the band to pursue a career in culinary arts, leaving Patience Hodgson and John Patterson to continue as a two-piece.

The duo says they’ll recruit additional members for touring and recording. Recently they’ve worked with Brooklyn drummer Ben Marshall and bassist Gus van Go from their new American base.

With recording well underway, a new Grates album should be released around June. It’ll be interesting to see whether the loss of Alana changes the sound dramatically. Either way, I’m definitely looking forward to the new material.

Image source: Nika Vee @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Town Hall Steps Play Queensland Flood Benefit Show in London

It’s been some time since we’ve heard from Town Hall Steps but rest assured, the Sydney rockers have been far from idle.

In 2010 the band, fronted by new lead singer Tyrone Bain, packed their bags and like so many Aussie acts before them moved to the Old Dart. After only two months on British soil they’d booked their first UK tour, inked a deal with Bizarre Management, and generated some major buzz.

This year is shaping up to be another big one for the band, as their new single “Hummingbird” will get a global release towards the middle of the year.

Town Hall Steps haven’t forgotten where they came from though. Tomorrow night they’ll play a Queensland flood relief show at The Walkabout in Shepherd’s Bush. In addition to the ticket sales, they’ll also donate one pound from every CD sold to the relief efforts.

“It’s the least we could do,” the band said in a statement. “We really felt for the families affected by the floods when we heard the news break here and wanted to help any way we could. We hope when we come back to Australia to tour in these areas everyone will be back on their feet again”

We’ll keep our fingers crossed, right? In the meantime, if you’re in London make sure you get out and support this ex-pat band at this charity show!

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angus & Julia Stone Tops Triple J Hottest 100

Australia celebrated local music yesterday, putting Angus & Julia Stone at the top of the annual Triple J Hottest 100 chart with “Big Jet Plane.” The folky duo edged out fellow countrymen Little Red with “Rock It.”

It was a very patriotic looking chart this year, with Birds of Tokyo, Boy & Bear, and Art Vs. Science also finding a place in the top ten. In all there were 51 Aussie songs in the top 100, a phenomenal effort that’s only testimony to the bumper year in local music that was 2010. And how wonderful to hear all those homegrown tunes on Australia Day!

Click below for all the locals that made the countdown, and click here if you want to see the complete top 100!

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