Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Baby Animals Playing Live Again

It’s so great to see the Baby Animals kicking around Oz again. It’s been almost nine months since the iconic 90s rock act took to the stage, but they’re preparing to play two very special shows in October.

Sydneysiders can catch Suze Demarchi and the rest of the band at the Oxford Art Factory on October 20. Following this intimate show, the Baby Animals will rev things up for a performance at Armor All Gold Coast 600’s 600 Sounds festival.

If you can’t make it to one of these shows, it seems you might have a few more chances before the year is through. Suze is moving back home this month after spending the last 16 years in Los Angeles. She plans to stay in Oz until the New Year to play some more gigs and write some songs, all while enjoying our sunny weather.

“It’s about time I spent some decent time back home again”, she said from LA. “I’m looking forward to an Aussie summer. I’m feeling really creative and have a bunch of song ideas I feel ready to share with the band. I can’t wait to get together with Dave again. Who knows, we might just squeeze out another Baby Animals album!”

Let’s hope so. It’s been 17 years since the band released Shaved and Dangerous, their last album of new material, so it seems like a new record is well overdue!

Image source: Premier Artists

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Goodbye Ringo Brown, Hello Sam Clark!

I admit, I’m a bit of a Neighbours tragic. I’ve been sniffling all over the arguments between Libby and Steph in recent weeks, and I’m starting to hate the thought of losing Donna and Ringo once they jet to the States.

While I’m not looking forward to saying goodbye to Ringo Brown, I am excited that his alter ego Sam Clark can focus on that burgeoning musical career. And focus he is. He’s currently zooming around the country reminding school kids of the importance of giving blood, and treating them to a few tunes along the way. He’s also just released his new single “Devastated,” ahead of the release of his long player Take Me Home on August 20.

One of the album tracks I’m most looking forward to is a cover of “Suddenly,” the very same song that Angry Anderson belted out at the wedding of Neighbours favourites Scott and Charlene all those years ago. And yes Neighbours fans, he’ll play that same tune when he marries Donna later this month. That’s definitely something for fellow soap addicts to look forward to!

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Live at the Chapel Gears Up for Big Eighth Season with Russian Standard Vodka

Live at the Chapel has teamed up with Russian Standard Vodka to present this year’s live concert series.

This year’s program will kick off with an exclusive performance at the Uniting Church in the Sydney suburb of Paddington. There’s no word yet on who’ll play, except that it’s a “superstar act.” Yes, I’m intrigued.

After all, in the past seven series we’ve seen international acts like the Foo Fighters, John Mayer, and Coldplay take the stage, as well as big name local talents like Delta Goodrem, Missy Higgins, and The John Butler Trio.

There’s also no word yet on when it’ll all start, so we’ll all have to keep an eye on the newly revamped Russian Standard Vodka Live at the Chapel website and Facebook page. Both sites are worth bookmarking if you want to win your way into the shows and suggest the artists you want to see.

Image source: Live at the Chapel Facebook page

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aston Passes Magic Million Views, Announces Tour Dates

Way to go Aston! The Sydney-based classical pop act has just notched up more than a million views on their YouTube channel. This number was no doubt boosted by the recent release of the new single “Bulletproof.”

To celebrate the milestone the band has announced a handful of New South Wales dates this September. Hopefully we’ll see them venturing out of their home state really soon! Until then, you can catch the band at the following shows, and on The Matty Johns Show every Thursday night.

14 September 2010 – Raval, Sydney
17 September 2010 – Orange Conservatorium, Orange
18 September 2010 – Mitchell Conservatorium, Bathurst
19 September 2010 –  Mitchell Conservatorium, Lithgow

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Lion and Ryan Announce Wesley-Anne Residency

Victorian based musician Ryan Murphy and his band The Lion and Ryan will share their soulful blues-pop tunes with Melbourne this September when they take up residency at The Wesley-Anne this September.

Ryan’s clearly enjoying sharing his songs with his newly adopted home of Melbourne. Since moving to the big smoke late last year, he says his band’s music has only become stronger.

“Its opened me up to a lot of different ways of life. I grew up in a small town and always lived in tiny communities so as you can imagine experiencing living in the city is really exciting,” he explained.

“I still get a shock when I see forty or fifty people in a bar at 11pm on a weekday enjoying live music. Melbourne has a great appreciation for artists so it’s a good feeling to be a part of that community”.

See The Lion and Ryan play The Wesley-Anne at the following shows. Tickets cost just $6, so there are really no excuses!

2 Sept 2010 – with Matt Collyer and Johnny Hawkin
16 Sept 2010 – with Husky and The Bon Scotts
23 Sept 2010 – with Matt Collyer and Paul O’Rouke
30 Sept 2010 – with Matt Collyer and Tim Woods

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Telstra Road to Tamworth Paves Way for Country Music’s Next Stars

The inaugural Telstra Road to Tamworth is winding its way around Australia, and there’s still time to get involved. This exciting initiative helped to launch the careers of Kirsty Lee Akers, Luke Webb, and even Jessica Mauboy. This year’s competition has just kicked off in the Northern Territory, and will make stops in all other states and territories before the year is out.

The competition is open to undiscovered country singers and songwriters around the country who are Telstra customers, or who have family that are. The lucky winners will get some great opportunities, including the chance to rub shoulders with a veritable who’s who of the country music industry, perform here in Oz and abroad, and get into a studio to lay their tracks down.

These sort of competitions provide such great exposure and experience. If you’ve always thought about entering, why not make this your year? Head to the Telstra website to learn what’s required and get involved!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“We No Speak Americano” Tops UK Charts

Let’s have a hand for Sydney-based dance pairing of Yolanda Be Cool vs Dcup! Their track “We No Speak Americano” is sitting pretty at the top of the UK singles charts! Take that Eminem and Rihanna!

The song enjoyed great success here at home, so it’s great to see the rest of the world appreciating it. It’s also held the number one spot in Sweden, Ireland, Luxembourg, Denmark, and The Netherlands.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bardot’s Sally Polihronas Back in Australia with New Sound

It seems Casey Donovan isn’t the only reality TV graduate carving out a successful career as an independent artist. Sally Polihronas, who shot to fame with the Popstars band Bardot, is back in the country after several years abroad.

Sally’s been living the life of a nomad with time spent in Los Angeles, New York, and London. But now she’s back on home soil and keen to share her new music with local fans.

I think they’ll be pleasantly surprised. The disposable pop music of old has been replaced with a more mature soul sound and honest ruminations on love, life, and spirituality.

Sally will play one show only at Sydney’s Vanguard on August 26. Pre-sale tickets cost just $16.20 plus booking fee, or $45.20 if you want to enjoy dinner as well. They’re on sale now through The Vanguard’s website.

Image used with permission from AKA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Move Over Avalon Drive, Damion Page Gets Acoustic with Words Versing Verses

Remember Avalon Drive? This Brisbane band was doing some great stuff, but then disappeared almost as quickly as they came on the scene. The band’s frontman Damion Page has happily moved on though as part of the new duo Words Versing Verses.

Damion has joined forces with guitarist Kevin Leggett for the acoustic driven double act.

“All of our old things, all of our roots have brought us to doing what we are doing now,” Words Versing Verses explained. “We haven’t just abandoned everything. We’ve just kind of moved on from it and taken what we’ve learnt. I think this is more of a release for us.”

It’s early days, with the band releasing their first EP earlier this month, but already they’re building a steady buzz with one sold-out show under their belt.

Words Versing Verses will play a home town show at The Zoo in Brisbane on August 12. Fans around the rest of the country should just sit tight, as the duo will announce national dates soon.

Image used with permission from Kieron Douglass Photography

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

General Pants’ Major Label Signs Up Three New Bands

General Pants’ Major Label record label has just signed up its latest batch of acts.

New to the Major Label roster are Sydney post punk surf rockers Step Panther, Melbourne garage rock act The Kremlin Succession, and 17-year-old singer songwriter The Harry Heart Chrysalis of Bundaberg.

“The accessibility to new, young unsigned talent online has given new life to the Australian music industry. Major Label capitalizes on online trends and local word of mouth to discover and give a leg up to unsigned Australian bands and these three new young acts are our most diverse signings to date” said Todd Wagstaff, General Manager of Major Label.

Head to the Major Label website to stream tracks from these hot new artists and learn more about them. And remember, if you want to get your band in on the Major Label action drop your demo into any General Pants store around the country.

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media