Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Rocks

This week The X Factor contestants came ready to rock. But did they succeed?

Sally Chatfield started the show with a bang with Paramore’s “Decode.” I agree with Ronan that it was a bit safe, but when she delivers it’s hard to be too critical. I thought she definitely brought her own flavour to it and sounded brilliant.

I was so inspired and hopeful while watching Mitchell Smith’s package, listening to him speak about how he’d gone walkabout and was coming back to the music he loved. But his performance of “Jessie’s Girl” let me down all over again. I am the biggest 80s loving Rick Springfield fan, but this just wasn’t the song for him. I can enjoy anyone doing this song, but it also felt cheesy and a bit artificial. It was just okay for me, and any points I gave it are mostly because I love the song.

Hayley Teal brought things back with Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” She’s such a sexy girl, but I felt like this is the first time we’ve had a performance to match that sex appeal. It was smouldering and natural and just sublime. She might have always envisioned herself as the soul girl, but I think there’s a rock chick begging to be explored.
Continue reading “The X Factor Rocks” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Free Ryan Meeking

We all love something for nothing, right? And that’s especially true when it’s good music!

Ryan Meeking’s delivering with a free download of his new song “This Time” for everyone who signs up to his mailing list. Now I suppose you could argue that if you’ve gone to the effort of joining his list, it’s the least he could do. But with Ryan promising to keep us updated with his tour schedule, new releases, and other goings on I think it’s a pretty good deal.

And besides, the tune is just the kind of organic acoustic goodness that we all need on a Saturday!

Image source: Premier Artists

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Flicks Not Broken Up, But On a Break

Brisbane punk-popsters Flicks have decided to take a breather, although fans will get a chance to say goodbye before their extended hiatus.

“Earlier this week for the first time in a month Flicks sat down as a full band and discussed our future together,” the band said in a statement. “The final decision we have come to is a hard one but we feel it is also the right one. We have come to the decision that we will be going on an extended break from playing shows. We are all going to go our separate ways for a little while to try and write some truly exciting new music for you all. It is important to understand that we are all good friends still and that Flicks is not dead. We have been playing the same songs and basically the same set for so long we need to breathe new life into the band and reinvent ourselves to some extent with new music.”

Flicks will still appear at Brisbane’s On the Pulse festival on October 23 as scheduled before playing a charity show in Sydney later this month. It was important for the band to get one last chance to connect with their very loyal fan base.

“You guys have always been so supportive of us,” they said. “We have some of the most enthusiastic, supportive and amazing fans ever and we truly appreciate everything you do for us to help spread word about the band. We will be back we just don’t know when … but it will be with new music and better than ever. This is not goodbye … we’ll see you again.”

Let’s hope so!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amanda Grafanakis Gets X Factor Axe

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: Cast member of 'The X Factor' Ronan Keating poses during a media call on July 30, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mike Flokis/Getty Images)

Tonight’s X Factor saw India-Rose Madderom and Amanda Grafanakis face off in the bottom two. And Mitchell Smith again miraculously escape the public vote, but the less said about that the better.

I felt that India’s performance on the Sunday show was much stronger, but her lackluster rendition of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” left much to be desired. Amanda may never compare to the great Bette Midler, but she did a really credible job of her iconic ballad “Wind Beneath My Wings.”

It seems her efforts weren’t enough though, and Amanda got the boot. Poor Ronan’s hanging on to this competition by a thread. Surely pinning all of your hopes on Altiyan is a scary proposition!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Top 9 Do Party Anthems

I’m back home and back to The X Factor blogging with the Top 9 taking on party anthems.

India Rose Madderom kicked off the night with “Jai Ho.” It was a left of centre song choice, but I think the risk paid off. This is a tough song to sing, but she nailed it. The choreography was also great; it created a real sense of occasion without compromising her vocals. And she looked stunning. What a great start to the night!

My love of The Eagles might be swaying my opinion of Andrew Lawson’s performance of “Heartache Tonight,” but I didn’t like this. It felt a bit cheesy and contrived, like a Broadway number from a musical flop. He did look a lot more comfortable on stage than he has in the past, but I also felt that he didn’t really connect with the lyrics or song. It’s about more than performance after all. Maybe he can put it all together next week?

Amanda Grafanakis took on The Black Eyed Peas “I’ve Got a Feeling,” and delivered a fairly lackluster performance. I just didn’t feel it. She sang it well, except for a few shaky high notes, but there wasn’t enough conviction behind it. I also found all of the background movement a bit distracting, especially those flipping shirtless men!

Luke and Joel got the party started with Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” For me this was the best performance to that point, simply because it was so much fun. Yes it had vocal flaws, but it was so enjoyable that it just didn’t matter. There was not a person in their seats while they were on stage, and that’s a party.
Continue reading “The X Factor Top 9 Do Party Anthems” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

James McNally Leaves “The X Factor”

It was a sad X Factor night for me as my favourite in the competition, James McNally, left us.

Honestly, neither Amanda nor James deserved to be in the bottom two. Andrew, Mitchell, and Altiyan certainly turned in bottom two worthy performances, but this is the problem with relying on a public vote.

Both singers gave incredible performances when singing for their life. The judges couldn’t decide, so the public did sending James home. And put simply, the competition will be poorer for it.

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)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Contestants Take On Their Idols

Tonight The X Factor contestants showed a bit more of their personalities, with a show dedicated to their own musical idols.

Sally Chatfield gave us a little Evanescence with “Bring Me To Life.” I thought it was the perfect song choice for her, showing us that she could do more than the big tearjerker ballads. I loved seeing her rock out, and watching her vocal technique getting stronger under Natalie’s guidance. What a great way to start the show.

I’ve got to respect Altiyan Childs taking a risk and singing Prince’s “Kiss.” But that man does not have the falsetto to pull it off. He might have performed the hell out of it, but it was laughable. I guess at least it was entertaining though! Entertaining, but terrible.

I’ve got to say, I thought it was pretty pathetic to see Justin Bieber on Mitchell Smith’s list of heroes. I know he’s a young kid, but really? I didn’t think I’d feel that Justin Bieber could outsing anyone, but he outsings Mitchell. And out-energises him. This was flat and absolutely terrible. He made Altiyan look good.

Listening to everyone talk before Mahogany took the stage, you’d think that “Lady Marmalade” didn’t exist before Moulin Rouge. I was actually a bit disappointed to see them go that super sexy route, but I think they definitely brought everything they needed to the table. I found all the choreography a bit distracting and over the top, but I certainly couldn’t fault the girls here.
Continue reading “The X Factor Contestants Take On Their Idols” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Make Some Extra Money with Posse

As readers of my blog, you’re probably passionate about Australian music and always keen to turn your friends on to the artists that you love right? We all happily do this sort of promotion for free, but there’s a nifty site called Posse that wants to pay you for it.

The model is simple. Every time one of your friends buys a ticket to a concert or downloads a song you’ve promoted you’ll get a commission, which could be between 50c and $10. The site has applications for MySpace and Facebook, so you can promote the artists you love without feeling like a pushy salesperson. I actually use Posse here on Sounds of Oz to make it easier for my readers to buy tickets to the shows I mention. I’ve got to keep this blog afloat somehow, right?

If you think Posse sounds like a great way to earn some extra pocket money, just head to the website and sign up for a free account. Too easy!

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angry Anderson Headlines Queensland’s Equinox Rocks Festival

Many music festivals say they’re extreme, but few can back up their claims like the Equinox Rocks Extreme Music and Skydiving Festival in the Queensland town of Toogoolawah, an hour and a half from Brisbane. This quirky event will hit the Ramblers Drop Zone on Saturday October 16.

The event brings together extreme sounds and extreme sports for one crazy afternoon. Angry Anderson heads up the line-up, alongside the bluesy Dallas Frasca, femme punk rockers Legless, German acoustic artist Robert Carl Blank, and local lads Greenthief to name a few.

Skydivers and parachutists will attempt to break a few records, so make sure you keep your eyes on the skies. Tandem jumps may also be available if you’re feeling especially daring.

On site camping is free, so why not make a holiday of it and enjoy the cool tunes and amazing jumps. Early bird tickets cost $49.95 online, so get organized or you’ll pay $65 at the gate.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Earl Cole Plays Final Dinner Show for 2010

If you love the musical stylings of Perth’s resident king of swing Earl Cole, make sure you get to Bouchon Bistro on October 20. Earl will team up with Perth’s own Chelsea J Gibson for his final dinner show of the year, a night celebrating the music of Michael Buble and Norah Jones.

The night costs $110 a head, which isn’t bad for an evening’s entertainment and a three-course meal. Groups of six or more will get their tickets for $100 a piece, and receive a free Earl Cole CD so it’s worth getting together a few friends for the night out.

If you want to enjoy a night of classic tunes and fine food, I wouldn’t wait around to reserve your place. Earl and Chelsea have performed two shows at the Bouchon Bistro this year and both sold out, so no doubt this one will also see them play to a packed house. Call the Bouchon Bistro on (08) 9387 3898 to reserve your place.

Image used with permission from Earl Cole