Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

City Riots Singer Held at Knifepoint

You’d assume that the post offices of Adelaide would be pretty safe places, but Ricky Kradolfer of City Riots has another tale to tell. The singer was recently held at knife point as he waited to mail posters for their upcoming September shows!

But Ricky survived and mailed the posters, so he’d probably be pretty grateful if you got out to the gigs. City Riots will headline shows around the country with The Chemist and play a few festivals as well.

The shows will give you a sneak peek at tracks from City Riots’ debut album, which they recorded recently in the States with legendary producer Bjorn Thorsrud (Smashing Pumpkins, Dandy Warhol, Billy Corgan).

Here are all the dates!

9 September 2010 – Big Sound, Brisbane
17 September 2010 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
18 September 2010 – Jive, Adelaide
24 September 2010 – Spectrum, Sydney
25 September 2010 – Coaster Festival, Gosford
20 November 2010 – Open Arms Festival, Coffs Harbour

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment/Jason Penney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Peter Gabriel Pulls Out of Aussie Melbourne Cup Concert

Peter Gabriel has cancelled his upcoming performance at the 150th anniversary of the Melbourne Cup citing “scheduling issues.” At least that’s the official line. However the folks at Undercover Music are claiming that poor ticket sales are really behind the decision.

NEW YORK - APRIL 30: Musician Peter Gabriel visits SIRIUS XM Studio on April 30, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)


We’ve seen this kind of thing time and time again, and frankly I’m tired of it. It shows no respect for the fans that were keen enough to buy the tickets. If you’re not going to earn a big enough slice of pie for the trip, suck it up. I know Australia is a long way for these performers to come, but it should never be contingent on how full the venues are going to get.

To promoter Andrew McManus’ credit, he’s going ahead with the gig anyway. Brian Wilson will step in as the headliner to play alongside Daryl Braithwaite, Blue King Brown, Danielle Spencer, and Kate Ceberano. At least you can count on the Aussies, although I’m sure that’s cold comfort for those Peter Gabriel fans out there.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Earl Cole Does Rat Pack in Perth

Western Australia’s king of swing Earl Cole is gearing up for another show at Mosmans Restaurant. This time around fans will be treated to the songs of Rat Pack favourites Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jnr.

Earl has just returned from performances in Malaysia, so doubt the locals are keen to welcome him home. Earl frequently sells out shows, but he assures me that there will be just one Rat Pack performance. If you want to go, make sure you book your tickets quickly.

They cost $110, and include a three-course meal and a glass of bubbles on arrival. Call (08) 9383 3388 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (08) 9383 3388      end_of_the_skype_highlighting to book your seats.

Image used with permission from Earl Cole

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Natalie Bassingthwaighte Has a Baby Girl

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 02: Singer and TV host Natalie Bassingthwaighte arrives at the 52nd TV Week Logie Awards at Crown Casino on May 2, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Congratulations to Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Rogue Traders drummer Cameron McGlinchey, who became first time parents yesterday. The engaged couple is celebrating the birth of their daughter Harper Rain Sinclair McGlinchey.

The little one was born at a private Melbourne hospital and tipped the scales at 3.22 kg.

“Natalie Bassingthwaighte is a mum,” her manager Mark Byrne confirmed last night. “Mum and daughter are both perfect.”

I’m not normally one to get clucky about such things, but I can’t wait to see whether the pair have passed on those musical genes!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bliss N Eso Top ARIA Albums Chart

Many acts have tried, but local hip hop act Bliss N Eso have ended Eminem’s six-week reign at the top of the ARIA Albums Charts. The band’s fourth studio album Running on Air is their first to achieve the top spot. Congrats to them!

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 23: Jonathan Notley, Max MacKinnon, and Tarik Ejjamai of Australian hip hop group Bliss n Eso arrive for the APRA Music Awards (Australasian Performing Right Association) at the Peninsula Shed on June 23, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Lucas Dawson/Getty Images)


It’s been a great week for Aussie albums. Washington is enjoying her first top 10 record, with I Believe You Liar taking out the third possie. She’s just ahead of Birds of Tokyo, who have fallen two positions to sit at number 4 with their self-titled album. Kylie Minogue has also dropped this week. Her album Aphrodite now sits at number 7, down three places. Rounding out the top 10 is Angus & Julia Stone with their unstoppable sophomore effort Down the Way.

Eminem has retained the top spot on the singles chart though. “Love the Way You Lie,” featuring Barbados beauty Rihanna has now held the top spot for four weeks. A few Aussie acts including Michael Paynter, Birds of Tokyo, and Yolanda Be Cool & Dcup are hovering in the top 30 though, so hopefully it won’t be too long before we see some local talent in the top 10.

Click below for this week’s top 10 charts!

Continue reading “Bliss N Eso Top ARIA Albums Chart” →

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