Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Free Montpelier Song Download

Brisbane four-piece Montpelier is giving us our first taste of their forthcoming EP by offering a free download of one song, “Last Boat.”

Click here to own the track, which features haunting vocals from Greg Chiapello and some incredible drum beats reminiscent of The Temper Trap. It’s no wonder Greg delivers such an amazing vocal performance, as he penned it about his difficult teenage years coming to terms with OCD.

“When I was in my late teens I got diagnosed with OCD. I had lived with it since I was quite young but never knew exactly what it was. Around the time of writing Last Boat I was really getting on top of the OCD and really learning how to manage and live with it,” he explained.

“This song for me does encapsulate the pretty extreme struggles experienced over those years, the isolation and helplessness an illness like that can make you feel, but it also reminds me of the wonderful liberation and strength I felt at the time knowing I could live with it, and knowing that it wasn’t going to be debilitating for the rest of my life.”

If you love the song make sure you look out for Montpelier’s EP next April.And make sure to check out its incredible animated video!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Thirsty Merc Video Wins Cinematography Award

The clip for Thirsty Merc’s song “All My Life” has taken out the gold award in the music video category at last weekend’s Australian Cinematographer’s Association Awards.

The clip was directed by Adrian Van de Velde in conjunction with director of photography David Knight. The duo has collaborated with Thirsty Merc’s lead singer Rai Thistlethwayte for the last five years, and with this award under their belt I guess those efforts have paid off.

If you haven’t seen this moving video, you can watch it below.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Download Sarah McLeod for Charity

You might remember me talking recently about Sarah McLeod’s awesome cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark.” If you haven’t downloaded it yet, or you’re just feeling particularly altruistic, there’s no better time to do so.

Until Christmas Day Sarah will donate the proceeds of each download to Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off the Streets charity. This group does such important work, giving meals, beds, and education to young people that need it most. Ministry of Sound and VDG will also match Sarah’s donations, so your $1.69 will make a much bigger difference.

I know it’s Christmas and money’s tight, but most of us wouldn’t miss $1.69. And you’ll get an amazing tune in the bargain. Click here to download the song from iTunes and make sure disadvantaged kids get a better Christmas.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan Webb Takes Up Evelyn Residency

Dan Webb is celebrating the silly season with a month long residency at Fitzroy’s Evelyn Hotel. The residency comes on the back of the recent release of his EP Hyperspace Clearance.

Dan’s shows are always something special as he embraces the spontaneity that comes with the live music experience.

“I’ve got a great band and I like to keep them on their toes so if I want to extend an instrumental jam or something … we’ll just go for it,” he explained. “Each show’s bursting with frenetic energy – it’s no dismal affair.”

As an added Christmas bonus, Dan will be supported by some amazing local acts including The Cuckoos, featuring some of the guys from Little Red, James Wallace’s solo project Wintercoats, The Smoke, and The Raffaellas. He’ll also be joined on stage for the last two shows by the mighty horns section from The Cat Empire.

Tickets are a meager $5, so make sure you check out at least one of these shows.

7 December 2010 – The Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy (Supported by The Raffaellas + DJs)
14 December 2010 – The Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy (Supported by Wintercoats + DJs
21 December 2010 – The Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy (Feat. The Empire Horns and supported by The Cuckoos)
28 December 2010 – The Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy (Feat. The Empire Horns and supported by The Smoke)

Image used with permission from Dan Webb

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Moons of Jupiter Play Step Inn

Gold Coast grunge rockers Moons of Jupiter take us back to a time when slogging it out in pubs and delivering solid live sets was the only way to make it in the business. In today’s climate of polished pop acts and studio auto-tuning, their back to basics approach is pretty refreshing.

“We were inspired by the likes of “Live At Abbey Road” and “The Basement Sessions”, two UK shows that showcase bands in an honest intimate setting – live in the studio,” the band explained.

If that commitment to live excellence and real music excites you, make sure you head to the Step Inn on December 3. The band will do their stuff at the iconic Queensland hot spot with The Gonzo Show, Something Whiskey, and The Swaying Buildings. With tickets costing just $10, it’s a really cheap way to have a good night out.

Image used with permission from IFA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Altiyan Childs Has The X Factor

Altiyan Childs has won the hearts of the nation, and the title of X Factor winner. After Andrew Lawson was ousted early on, it was down to Altiyan and Sally Chatfield.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: (L-R) The cast of 'The X Factor' Natalie Imbruglia, Ronan Keating, Kyle Sandilands and Guy Sebastian pose during a media call on July 30, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mike Flokis/Getty Images)


Honestly at that point I didn’t much care who won, although Altiyan was my sentimental favourite. Everyone loves an underdog, don’t they? Something tells me Sally’s going to enjoy a career without taking home the gong.

Log on to bandit.fm from 10 pm tonight if you’re itching to own Altiyan’s single “Somewhere in the World.” Personally I’m happy to wait until we’re saturated by it on radio.

Well done to Altiyan though, and to Ronan for seeing what most of us couldn’t in those early days of forgotten lyrics. I’m feeling pretty thrilled for both of them right now!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Altiyan, Andrew, and Sally Battle It Out on “The X Factor”

We’re finally at the pointy end of The X Factor with Sally Chatfield, Andrew Lawson, and Altiyan Childs all vying for the title.

Sally Chatfield kicked us off by reprising her version of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now.” I’m not generally a fan of redoing what you’ve already done, but I think this topped her last performance of it. It’s almost as if the lack of judging tonight freed her. She seemed so confident and at ease, and that gave a beautiful quality to her performance.

Andrew Lawson was up next with his duet with James Blunt on “You’re Beautiful.” I was really enthusiastic at the start, thinking the song was a great fit for Andrew, but then the chorus kicked in and I cringed. His falsetto just isn’t there, and it really showed his vocal flaws. Thank goodness for James Blunt’s appearance to cover those bum notes!

Altiyan Childs gave us our first taste of the winner’s single “Somewhere in the World,” and I must say that I liked it. Ordinarily these songs are cookie cutter inspirational tracks, but I wouldn’t mind hearing this on the radio. It’ll be interesting to see what the other contestants bring to the song, but Altiyan’s take gets my seal of approval.

Continue reading “Altiyan, Andrew, and Sally Battle It Out on “The X Factor”” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mahogany Out of X Factor Race

After sitting through another excruciating X Factor elimination show I’m starting to rejoice that the season is winding down. This time around I didn’t even have the contestants singing for their lives to keep me entertained, just a couple of performances from guest artists that I didn’t really care about. Clearly the nation disagrees with me as Ke$ha charts like crazy, but I felt bored.

I was surprised to see Andrew Lawson named as the first person through to the grand final, but he’s been the Teflon kid all year so I probably shouldn’t have been. Altiyan’s reprieve was expected and well deserved, but sadly it left Sally and Mahogany awaiting the axe.

I had a feeling that Mahogany would get the boot after so many bottom two finishes, and sadly I was right. It’s hard to see anyone go at this point, but I really felt they were the stand-out last night, and on so many nights before. Hopefully we see these girls doing something outside this reality TV machine; they’re far too talented for us to never hear from them again!

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: (L-R) The cast of 'The X Factor' Guy Sebastian, Natalie Imbruglia, Ronan Keating and Kyle Sandilands pose during a media call on July 30, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mike Flokis/Getty Images)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Contestants Take on Chart Topppers

Tonight The X Factor finalists looked set to show some star quality with the theme of “chart toppers.” I must admit, I was a little nervous about this theme as so often my favourite tunes never win any popularity polls. However with Robin Gibb acting as guest mentor I hoped our final four could pull something worth watching out of the bag.

Andrew Lawson made all of my fears come true with his rendition of “Uptown Girl.” I love the Billy Joel version, but this felt more like that lacklustre Westlife take, with an added dose of awkward. It was totally cheesy and there was a real lack of dynamics or connection. You just can’t count on the dancers to win it for you.

I was pretty thrilled to see Mahogany was taking on one of my favourite guilty pleasures, Bryan Adam’s “Heaven.” Throw in a key change, those magnificent harmonies, and a stripped back performance free of those distracting dancers and pyrotechnics and you’ve got something magical. This is a classic example of the old adage “less is more.”

Sally Chatfield gave another strong performance this week with Pink’s “Just Like a Pill.” Vocally I can’t fault her but I’m starting to feel a gloss that undermines the connection to the songs. I couldn’t help casting my mind back to Nathan from Australian Idol a few years ago, the way he delivered it with such rawness and intensity. While she was high fiving the audience and fist pumping that message, that truth about the song was just a bit lost.

After lamenting the lack of connection shown by other acts, Altiyan Childs delivered what I was after. “The Living Years” is one of those songs I have a deep personal connection to. I was released just after my grandfather’s death, and it really painted the picture of the relationship he had with my own dad. I wasn’t sure he could do it justice considering all of the meaning I have invested in it, but he did. Altiyan is starting to become the heart of the show, and honestly I think that’s more important than a pretty voice.
Continue reading “The X Factor Contestants Take on Chart Topppers” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ruby Noir Funk and Soul Nights at Ruby’s Lounge

You don’t need to head to New Orleans to experience big brass sounds and the best soulful funk around. Ruby’s Lounge is bringing these feel-good sounds to Melbourne with their monthly big band nights.

Known as Ruby Noir, the evenings look to transport patrons back to the prohibition era with its underground speak-easies, all with a fun modern twist. It kicks off on November 20 with the 10-piece Lowdown Street Orchestra. DJ Paper will also spin vintage tunes in between the sets.

It sounds like a lot of fun, so don your best glad rags and check out the action!

Image source: Thilini Mahaliyana @ Flickr