News – Page 61 – Sounds of Oz

Posted on 27/12/201023/12/2010 by Lauren Katulka

The Best of 2010

With Christmas done and dusted we’re all looking ahead to the next big celebration, New Years Eve. But before we usher in 2011 I figured it was time to pause and reflect on the year that was. Here’s what rocked my world in 2011. Of course it’s purely subjective and based on the music I consumed and my gut reaction to it, but what’s an end of year list if it’s not a bit biased? What excited you musically this year?

Top 10 Aussie Albums

Seasons – The Verses
Dr Dream and the Imaginary Pop-Cabaret – Emma Dean
Into the Gallery – Amanda Merdzan
Down the Way – Angus and Julia Stone
Mousetrap Heart – Thirsty Merc
Calling All Magicians – Danielle Spencer
Bird of Bees – Jez Mead
Walk – Israel Cannan
Thirteen O’Clock – The Lucky Wonders
On Broadway – David Campbell

Top 10 Aussie Tours

Top 10 Aussie Stars

Washington
Angus and Julia Stone
Powderfinger
Guy Sebastian
Jessica Mauboy
Sia
Birds of Tokyo
Amy Meredith
The Cassette Kids
Altiyan Childs

Image source: Billy Alexander @ Stock.xchng

Posted on 22/12/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Warner Music’s Insane Christmas Competition

I don’t ordinarily promote other people’s competitions on this blog, but this one was so cool that I just couldn’t resist. It’s also pretty timely with most of us gazing at empty wallets after all that Christmas shopping.

Warner Music Australia is giving one lucky person a copy of every single album released in 2011. That’s a whole lot of CDs, more than many people probably have in their entire collections!

To be in with a shot just head to Warner’s Facebook page, click on the “win” tab and leave your details. If only winning the thing was that simple! Entry is open to Aussie residents who get their entry in before the end of January 14. Best of luck everybody!

Image source: Grz3gorz @ Stock.xchng

Posted on 22/12/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Free Scott Spark Christmas Tune

Scott Spark’s spreading a little festive cheer with his new track “Last Christmas (What Do You Say?)”

Don’t confuse this song with the campy Wham number. It’s a beautiful piano driven tune, the kind of thing perfect for spinning late at night when you’re sipping on eggnog or brandy.

And it wouldn’t be Christmas if you couldn’t get it for free, would it? Click on the link and this lush seasonal song is yours!

Image used with permission from Other Tongues

Posted on 20/12/201021/12/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Kylie Minogue’s Christmas Single Helps Vision Australia

Kylie Minogue is showing her Christmas spirit, donating part of the proceeds from the sales of her A Kylie Christmas digital single to Vision Australia. This charity helps children with little to no eyesight.

The single is just the thing for making you feel a little bit more festive, with Kylie’s versions of “Santa Baby” and “Let it Snow.”

Click here to download the track from iTunes and help make Christmas a little brighter for vision impaired kiddies!

Posted on 16/12/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Score Free Big Day Out Tickets and Phones with Motorola Competition

Motorola has its own version of Santa this Christmas, and it’s Barry. Barry has been travelling all around the country handing out free Big Day Out tickets and Defy phones through the company’s Dash to Defy promotion.

To track down Barry, just point your browser to the Dash to Defy website. Registered members get clues about Barry’s locations, and just quietly you can get some extra hints on the Motorola Australia Facebook page. Barry will hand out the goodies every Tuesday and Thursday until the end of the month, so there are plenty of opportunities to score.

With several BDO shows already sold out, Barry’s bound to be a very popular fellow. Good luck hunting him down!

Image source: Kurhan @ Stock.xchng

Posted on 13/12/201013/12/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Musicians Go LIVE at Sydney Festival Art Installation

There are so many exciting musical acts winging their way to New South Wales’ capital for the annual Sydney Festival. Emmylou Harris, Sufjan Stevens, and Paul Kelly’s A to Z shows are grabbing all the headlines, but I think one of the most interesting events is LIVE: An Intimate Video Study of the Art of Performing.

It’s an installation which features some of Australia and the world’s most exciting musicians captured on film. Each artist has performed a song of their choosing against a simple white background. Visitors wear wireless headphones to choose the artists they want to hear, while they watch the visuals projected on one of four large screens.

The idea is that by stripping away the lighting, the screaming crowds, and the theatrics, we get closer to the heart of the song and the performer presenting it. So many fantastic and fascinated artists are represented here, including Rufus and Martha Wainwright, Jarvis Cocker, Peaches, Juliette Lewis and our own Jimmy Little, Clare Bowditch, and as seen in this video snippet, Gareth Liddiard from The Drones.

Gareth will also perform on the LIVE opening night, along with Sarah Blasko, Kram, and Laura Jean. Tickets for the January 13 opening cost $45. If you can’t make it for that night you can see the LIVE installation from January 14 to 23 for $15, or $12 for concession holders. All tickets are available from the Sydney Festival website.

Posted on 12/12/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Other Tongues Does Christmas at the Gaelic

Sydney based-independent music company Other Tongues will help you survive Humpday with their big Christmas Party this Wednesday, December 15.

The event at Sydney’s Gaelic Club will feature sets from Jinja Safari DJs, locally based Ethiopian soulster Dereb the Ambassador, ex-Special Patrol front man Myles Mayo, and Amaya Laucirica.

It doesn’t sound like there’s going to be a lot of carols, but it does sound like a great way to ring in the silly season and expose yourself to some great new Aussie music. Tickets are just $10 from Moshtix (and at the door if any are left on the night), so they won’t leave too much of a dent in your Christmas budget.

Image source: Vivek Chugh @ Stock.xchng

Posted on 07/12/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Emma Dean Named in New York Post It List

The New York Post always has its finger on the pulse, so when it names one of our musicians as someone to watch in 2011 you know they’re something pretty special. Quirky cabaret pop songstress Emma Dean is the only Aussie on the list of “Top 10 Artists to Know in 2011.”

That’s not bad for a girl from Queensland who only launched her second album, Dr Dream & the Imaginary Pop Cabaret, a couple of weeks ago!

“Singer, songwriter and self proclaimed ringmaster Emma Dean is a hobobag full of crazy pills. Like the really awesome hallucinogenic kind,” the New York Post gushed, before saying we should “Just sample her monster Broadway single ‘Sincerely Fearful,’ which is 50% Wicked and 50% Tori Amos and 100% addictive, and you will find an unavoidable sound worthy of the repeat button.”

So if you didn’t sample Emma’s song the last time I posted it, what are you waiting for? It’s only a matter of time before this unique Aussie talent makes it big.

Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting

Posted on 07/12/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Earl Cole Does Disco for New Years Eve

Western Australian crooner Earl Cole will show us a very different side when he slips on his disco shoes this New Years Eve. He’s part of the Disco Inferno show taking over the South of Perth Yacht Club on December 31.

Earl will appear with Chelsea J Gibson, DJ Grandmaster Mac, and the Inferno Dangers for a boogielicious evening of 70s disco and funk. Make sure you dress in your best glad rags, as there’ll be prizes and giveaways for the hippest male and female.

Tickets cost $165, which isn’t bad at all when you consider that includes cocktail food, a cocktail on arrival, and all the beer, wine, bubbly, and soft drink you need. They’re available now through Heatseeker.

Image source: Alessandro Paiva @ Stock.xchng

Posted on 05/12/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Telstra Road to Tamworth’s Top 10 Announced

The 17 finalists from the Telstra Road to Tamworth competition have been whittled down to just 10 after the recent boot camp in Sydney and a performance at the Telstra V8 Supercars.

There are seven left in the performer’s category: Queenslanders Alan Boyle, Nikki Jenson, and Shandell Tosoni Benobble, Victoria’s Gena Rose Bruce and Harry Hookey, Codee-Lee Down of Western Australia, and Kirsty Elwell from New South Wales. The last three songwriters left standing are Queensland’s Amela Duheric, Western Australia’s Craig Sinclair, and Dave Garnham from the Northern Territory.

The final ten will compete at the Telstra Road to Tamworth finals, to be held on January 18 as part of the annual Tamworth Country Music Festival. A winner from each category will be announced, and that’s when the real fun starts. The victors will win a trip to Nashville and 12-months mentorship with some of the music industry’s biggest names. It sounds like massive things are ahead for the talented twosome!

If you want to get out and support them you can buy tickets for the final through the Telstra Country Music Festival website.

Image used with permission from Javelin Australia