Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sony’s Flood Relief Album In Stores Today

Sony Music Australia is the latest group to put its hand up to help out flood victims in Queensland and Victoria. Today it releases Flood Relief, a bumper three-CD set featuring just about every inspirational tune you could hope to find from the Sony back catalogue.

Songs like Bruce Springsteen’s “Human Touch,” David Campbell’s version of “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” and Adam Brand’s “It’s Going to Be OK” have been carefully chosen to lift the spirits of a nation affected by this national disaster.

“The effect of this tragedy and its terrible toll on life, families, communities and property has touched many people both here and around the globe,” said Sony Music chairman and CEO Denis Handlin. “On behalf of Sony Music and the Sony Foundation, our thoughts and prayers are with those affected, and our immense gratitude goes to all the emergency service people and volunteers who have so generously given in this time of need.”

Sony has a proven track record with this kind of thing. In 2009 its Bushfire AID – Artists for the Bushfire Appeal raised $1.7 million. Let’s hope this new album can top that. All monies raised with benefit the Salvation Army Flood Appeal.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Re:enactment Raise Funds for Flooded Queensland RSPCA

One thing that’s really troubled me as I’ve watched coverage of the Queensland floods over the past few weeks is the plight of our animal friends. I’ve seen images of horses and cows wading through the water, and kangaroos struggling to hop through the deluge. It’s heartbreaking.

If you care about animals as much as I do, you’ll be interested in Brisbane electro-dance punksters re:enactment, and their efforts to rebuild their home state’s flooded RSPCA headquarters.

Thankfully all the animals were evacuated from the premises, but the RSPCA desperately needs funds to rebuild their shelter so they can continue their vital good work. The RSPCA is ineligible for a share of the flood relief funds, so they rely on direct donations from you.

So point your browser to http://re-e.bandcamp.com/track/scraps and choose how much you want to donate. You’ll get a healthy dose of good karma, and a copy of re:enactment’s track “Scraps” to boot!

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gimme That Guitar Becomes Harvey James Tribute

The forthcoming Gimme that Guitar concert, which was to be a fundraiser for the late Sherbet guitarist Harvey James, will now be a tribute show celebrating the music he played and loved.

“This is such a sad time, especially for Harvey’s family,” the remaining members of Sherbet said in a statement. “We were all hoping that he’d be with us for Gimme That Guitar; sadly it was not to be.  Harvey stepped into Sherbet at a critical time, and his stunning talent and infectious personality immediately shone through. After all these years, his wonderful solos still shine. It will never be the same again without Harv. RIP old mate.”

The remaining members of Sherbet will pay their respects, along with musical friends Richard Clapton, Renee Geyer, Ian Moss, Swanee, and more. Harvey’s sons Gabriel and Joshua will play guitar in the Band of Friends, and Gabriel will also take his father’s place in the Sherbet line-up. Longtime Sherbet fan and pal Libbi Gorr will act as MC.

If you want to go and don’t have a ticket you’re fresh out of luck. Tickets to the February 17 gig at Sydney’s Factory Theatre sold out in just two days. If you’d still like to make a donation to Harvey’s family and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, you can do it through the Gimme That Guitar website.

Image source: Gimme that Guitar website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harry Hookey and David Garnham Win Telstra Road to Tamworth Competition

Harry Hookey of Cowwarr in Victoria and David Garnham of Darwin have taken out the major prizes in this year’s Telstra Road to Tamworth finals.

Harry was named best performer, after performing a cover of Bob Dylan’s “You Ain’t Going Nowhere” and an original tune, “Don’t You Ever Treat Me Like a Fool.”

“I feel like a very lucky man tonight in Tamworth,” he said after his win. “This is really overwhelming, I don’t have enough words to say how awesome my fellow performers were, and each one of them has a career in the industry if they want it.”

David was named best songwriter after he wowed the judges with two original songs, “Father Drinks Too Much” and “Sobering Up, Settling Down.” The win caps off a big 12 months for David, who was also named a Triple J Unearthed artist in June.

“I’m trying not to swear right now and am full of clichés with no good words to give you,” David said last night. “This is the second time I’ve come through the Road to Tamworth and I was determined to show how much I wanted it – it’s such a well run program and I’m stoked.”

Both artists take home a bunch of prizes including a trip to Nashville with studio time, domestic and international gigs, publicity, and 12 months of mentoring designed to increase their profiles and take them to the next level. Here’s hoping this opportunity leads to bigger and better things for them both!

Image source: Ted Sealey

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

DanceAID Goes National, Plans Flood Relief CD

Floods in ToowoombaDue to overwhelming support, the DanceAID concert to benefit the Queensland flood relief efforts has become a national event. The dance music community will now play in Byron Bay, the Gold Coast, Adelaide, and Darwin, in addition to the already announced Melbourne event.

The line-up is also getting stronger, with international acts Malente, James Curd, and Mark Brown joining the already announced local artists including Kaz James, the Nervo sisters, Ruby Rose, Zoe Badwi, TV Rock, The Potbelleez, and heaps more.

If you can’t get to any of the shows don’t worry; you can still show your support. A DanceAID CD will also be released featuring tracks from the involved artists, including previously unreleased acoustic versions of singles from Dirty Sound and Zoe Badwi. Look for it on iTunes from Friday January 21.

If you want to see the DanceAID artists doing their thing in the flesh though, and raise some money for the Queensland flood relief efforts, here are the places you need to be.

19 January 2011 – Prince of Wales, Melbourne
20 January 2011 – La La Land, Byron Bay
20 January 2011 – Platinum, Gold Coast
21 January 2011 – Red Square, Adelaide
23 January 2011 – Discovery, Darwin

Image source: Timothy @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ragamuffin Raises Money for Flood Relief

Andrew McManus is doing his bit for the flood relief efforts through his Raggamuffin concert tour. The Brisbane show has been newly christened Reggae for Recovery, and all profits will go to the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal.

In addition, 10% of the profits from the Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide gigs will benefit the appeal, while 10% of the profits of the Perth event will go to the Carnarvon Flood Relief Fund.

“All of our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families affected by the tragic events in Queensland,” Andrew McManus, a born and bred Queenslander, said in a statement. “Let’s hope we can raise a substantial amount of money to ease some of the pain and to aid in the rebuilding of Queensland.”

Ragamuffin fans should note a few late venue changes. The Brisbane show will now be staged at Riverside in the City Botanic Gardens. Melbourne’s event will now be staged at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, while the Adelaide show will happen at the Thebarton Theatre.

Ragamuffin really has one of the best reggae line-ups we’ve seen in this country, with Mary J. Blige, Jimmy Cliff, Maxi Priest, Sean Paul, and The Original Wailers all on the bill. If that’s not enough to convince you, all tickets have just been reduced to $99. Here are all those dates!

26 January 2011 – Fremantle Oval, Perth
28 January 2011 – Parramatta Park, Sydney
29 January 2011 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
30 January 2011 – Riverstage, Brisbane
2 February 2011 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide

Image source: Musicisentropy @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

R.I.P. Steve Prestwich

While we were still reeling from the untimely death of Sherbet’s Harvey James, we learned that we’d also lost Steve Prestwich. The Cold Chisel drummer died from a brain tumour on Sunday at the age of 56.

Steve began to play with Jimmy Barnes, Ian Moss, and Don Walker in the early 70s outfit Orange. They changed their name to Cold Chisel in 1974, and the rest is history. He helped Don Walker write one of the band’s greatest songs, “Flame Trees,” and also put pen to paper for “When the War is Over” and “Forever Now.”

Following Chisel’s demise in 1983, Steve joined Little River Band and helped “When the War is Over” become a hit all over again. But he was back for Chisel’s reunion shows.

I remember attending the Last Wave of Summer gig at Newcastle Entertainment Centre back in 1998. This was a band I never expected to see live, and I lapped it up. I am so thrilled that I got to see Steve Prestwich doing his thing, and so sad to see him taken from us all too soon. Here’s the music video of Cold Chisel doing “When the War is Over” to remember him by.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

R.I.P. Harvey James

The Australian music industry has lost another of its own, with the passing of Harvey James. The Sherbet guitarist died last night in Melbourne aged 58 following a battle with lung cancer.

“Dad passed away peacefully at 8.15 pm tonight,” his daughter Alexandra wrote on the Send Your Love To Harvey James’ Facebook page. “We would like to thank everybody for all the wonderful support over the past 6 months. The love has been overwhelming. Rest in peace my gorgeous, funny, amazing father. We will miss you every day forever.”

Harvey joined Sherbet after stints with Mississippi alongside Little River Band’s Beeb Birtles and Graham Goble and Ariel, with Spectrum’s Mike Rudd. He replaced Sherbet’s founding member Clive Shakespeare, and was with the band for their biggest hit, “Howzat.” He left Sherbet in 1982, two years before they eventually disbanded.

Sherbet planned to reform for the Gimme That Guitar benefit concert to raise funds for Harvey next month. At this stage it’s unclear whether that sold-out show will go ahead, but we’ll keep your posted. Until then, here’s the video for that mammoth hit.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Take Photos for Grinderman

Grinderman are offering budding photographers access-all-areas passes to their upcoming Big Day Out sideshows thanks to a very cool competition.

If you want to win one, simply show the band you’re worthy by sending a link to on online portfolio of your work to grindermanphotocontest@gmail.com. Make sure you include the show you’d like to capture in the subject line, and your full name and mobile phone number in the e-mail’s body.

You’ll need to be quick though, especially if you’re in Melbourne. Entries close 48 hours before each show. As a reminder, Nick Cave’s crew will play The Palace in Melbourne on January 17 and 18, Brisbane’s Tivoli on January 24, and The Enmore in Sydney on January 28. Good luck!

Image source: Quique Lopez @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne Concerts for Queensland Flood Relief

Australia’s hip-hop and dance communities have beaten Michael Gudinski to the punch, organising some massive flood relief shows in Melbourne before the official announcement of Sound Relief 2.

If you’re free tonight make sure you get down to the Corner Hotel for its Hip Hop Flood Relief show. America’s Pharoahe Monch will headline the night, alongside M-Phazes, Boogie Blind of X-Ecutioners, Promoe, Briggs, and heaps more.

If that’s not enough notice for you, make sure you clear your calendar for DanceAid at the Prince Bandroom on January 19. It features a who’s who of the local dance music scene, including The Potbelleez, TV Rock, Zoe Badwi, the Nervo sisters, Kaz James, Ruby Rose, and that’s just for starters.

Money from both shows will benefit the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal. I think it’s amazing to see all the artists signing up for these kinds of shows with such little notice. I’ll bring you details of any other events I hear about them raising money for this all important cause.

Image source: Rae Allen @ Flickr