News – Page 70 – Sounds of Oz

Posted on 03/06/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Awesome Indie Music Sounds Like Brisbane

A host of Brisbane independent record labels have banded together to promote the Queensland capital’s flourishing DIY music scene through the Sounds like Brisbane campaign.

Brisbane is a musical melting pot which gave birth to legendary acts like Regurgitator, The Saints, The Go-Betweens, Powderfinger, Savage Garden, and Tex Perkins. It’s also home to new artists I Heart Hiroshima, Yves Klein Blue, Dead Letter Circus, and heaps more.

“There’s no doubting that right now Brisbane’s indie labels are the engine room of the local music scene and the contribution they make should be celebrated and supported,” explained project coordinator Craig Spann. “Despite the fact these labels are often a one or two-person operation, they are ensuring the Brisbane builds on its reputation as one of the world’s most exciting music cities.”

Sounds Like Brisbane will celebrate its official launch on June 18 with a free all-ages show in the Brisbane CBD. Local indie acts including Blowhard, Texas Tea, Carry Nation, Fushia, Halfway, My Fiction, Nova Scotia, The Rational Academy, and The Optimen will play on two stages housed in Burnett Lane and Island Court.

To learn more about Sounds Like Brisbane check out the website. It profiles the city’s indie labels and musicians, and will feature stacks of exclusive content over the coming months.

Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting

Posted on 02/06/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Flicks Sign Record Deal Ahead of Queensland Tour

The lads from Flicks have signed a deal with Difrnt Music/Spitfire Music ahead of this week’s Queensland tour. The label is home to such massive Aussie artists as COG and The Angels.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be looking forward to presenting Flicks’ music to you,” says Spitfire Music.

The record deal should see Flicks delivering even more energetic sets as their travel around their home state on their Hayley single tour. Here are details of all the shows, including the new date and venue for the Brisbane gig.

2 June 2010 – Charters Towers PCYC, Charters Towers (All Ages)
3 June 2010 – CWA Hall, Cairns (All Ages)
4 June 2010 – Townsville PCYC, Townsville (All Ages)
5 June 2010 – Andergrove Community Hall, Mackay (All Ages)
6 June 2010 – Emerald PCYC, Emerald (All Ages)
11 June 2010 – Walter Reid Centre, Rockhampton (All Ages)
12 June 2010 – Gladstone PCYC, Gladstone (All Ages)
13 June 2010 – Bundaberg PCYC, Bundaberg (All Ages)
17 June 2010 – The Powerhouse, Maryborough (All Ages)
18 June 2010 – Club Envy, Sunshine Coast (18+)
19 June 2010 – Civic Centre, Gympie (All Ages)
20 June 2010 – Blackbox Theatre, Nambour (All Ages)
27 June 2010 – Fort, Brisbane (All Ages)

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on 01/06/201003/06/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Chelsea J Gibson and Earl Cole Join Forces for Natalie and Nat King Cole Tribute Show

Following their sell out Moulin Rouge show in April, Chelsea J Gibson and Earl Cole are reuniting for a tribute to the music of Nat King Cole and his daughter Natalie.

Nat King Cole is one of the world’s most enduring jazz and swing figures. Despite leaving us in 1965, his musical legacy lives on. Earl has performed his Nat King Cole tribute overseas, and now Perth is lucky enough to see it. His set will draw on Nat’s early music from his trio days right through to the end of his career.

Meanwhile Chelsea will touch on Natalie Cole’s early soul career and her more recent jazz and pop tunes. We can also expect to enjoy a number of duets, including the number one hit “Unforgettable.”

Chelsea J Gibson and Earl Cole will play Perth’s Bouchon Bistro on June 30. Tickets cost $110 and include a gourmet three-course dinner. Group discounts are available for tables of six or more. Seating is strictly limited, so call (08) 9387 3898 to reserve your place.

EDIT: This show sold out in just 24 hours! To meet the demand Earl and Chelsea have announced one more “Unforgettable” tribute show for July 1. There’s not likely to be a third, so make sure you get your tickets quickly!

Posted on 25/05/201022/06/2010 by Lauren Katulka

APRA Award Nominations Announced

The nominations are in for this year’s Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) Awards, and it looks like newcomers could take home many of this year’s gongs.

The Temper Trap, Lisa Mitchell, and the lads from Empire of the Sun will be hoping to snare their first awards at the ceremony on June 21.

Here are all the nominations, and my fearless and probably completely incorrect predictions!

Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year

Temper Trap
Empire of the Sun
Jessica Mauboy
Daniel Merriweather
Lisa Mitchell

Prediction: I’m picking Lisa Mitchell purely out of sentimentality. She’s shown such promise at such an early age, and I’d love to see it rewarded.

Most Played Australian Work

“Been Waiting” – Jessica Mauboy (Jessica Mauboy/Israel Cruz/Craig Hardy)
“Foreign Land” – Eskimo Joe (Stuart MacLeod/Joel Quartermain/Steve Parkin/Kav Temperley)
“Hey Boys and Girls (Truth of the World part 2)” – Evermore (Jon Hume/Daniel Hume)
“Raise The Alarm” – The Living End (Chris Cheney)
“She’s a Genius” – Jet (Chris Cester)

Prediction: “Foreign Land” seemed to be everywhere last year, yet I still didn’t seem to get sick of it. It’s my pick.

International Work of the Year

“Gives You Hell” – All American Rejects (Tyson Ritter/Nick Wheeler
“Love Story” – Taylor Swift
“Second Chance” – Shinedown (Dave Bassett/Brent Smith)
“Sober” – Pink (Floyd Hills/Alecia Moore/Kara Dioguardi/Marcella Araica)
“You Found Me” – The Fray (Joseph King/Isaac Slade)

Prediction: It’s hard to pick against Taylor Swift, but purely based on the song I’m going to tip The Fray for an upset.

Continue reading “APRA Award Nominations Announced” →

Posted on 23/05/201026/05/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Musicians Dueting It For The Kids in Sydney

Sydney’s State Theatre will host the charity concert Dueting It For The Kids on August 9.

As the title suggests, the show will feature a veritable who’s who of the Australian music and theatre industry coming together for some unlikely duets. We’re talking about Paulini joining Leo Sayer for his smash hit “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing,” Jon Stevens and Shannon Noll busting out “Dancing in the Streets,” and Tom Burlinson and Georgie Parker taking on Nat King Cole’s “Unforgettable.”

Tickets to the show will be available through Ticketmaster for $99 from May 31. All monies raised will benefit The Australian Children’s Music Foundation, an organization which looks to inspire local disadvantaged and indigenous young people through music.

Posted on 18/05/201018/05/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Adelaide Rockers Galleon One to Watch

Adelaide quartet Galleon is the latest local outfit to find themselves on my radar. I’ve only heard this track “Kamikaze,” but already I’m hooked on their crunchy guitars and the lush vocals of lead singer Nick Deegan.

Galleon – ‘Kamikaze’ by HeapsaWill

“Kamikaze to me is about transition of youth to adulthood and everything in between,” explained Nick. “Kamikaze was the word that best described the amount of new, cool and fucked up shit you go through in such a small period of your life, in that sometimes life is seamless and sometimes you crash and burn. Overall we live and learn…”

That we do! An album an Aussie tour to support its release aren’t too far off, so keep your ears out for these lads.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on 06/05/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Kate Ceberano, James Morrison and More for Motown Inspired Jazz in the Vines

The line-up for Jazz in the Vines, one of my favorite music festivals, has been announced.

This year’s chilled out event will feature a veritable who’s who of Aussie talent, including Kate Ceberano, Doug Parkinson, festival regular James Morrison, and Bruce Mathiske.

The 2010 show will have a soul flavour to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Motown. But don’t think the festival has abandoned its jazz roots; we can expect both styles of music to feature prominently in this year’s set.

If you’ve always thought about going, why not make 2010 the year? Grab your picnic blanket and head to Tyrells Vineyard for one of the most chilled out, positive festivals on the music calendar. It all happens on October 30, and tickets are on sale now from the Jazz in the Vines website.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on 05/05/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Tumbleweed Make Reunion Official With New Album

Fans have been crossing their fingers for some time, but it seems Tumbleweed are making their reunion permanent.

The Wollongong grunge rockers reformed to play Homebake last year before performing shows around the country. But they were always noncommittal about what the future might hold.

It seems things are a lot more certain now, as they’re currently writing material for a brand new studio album. A double CD of all their early Waterfront recordings is also in the works.

Melbourne fans can catch Tumbleweed at The Hi-Fi Bar on June 25. No doubt we’ll see the band stopping by other cities in the not too distant future.

Image used with permission from Roderick Kempton

Posted on 05/05/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Ten Gets ARIA Awards Back Again

After much speculation, Ten has announced it will screen the ARIA Awards this year. The network will take the reins back from Channel Nine, who broadcast the ceremony in 2009.

“The ARIA Awards is the flagship event of the Australian music calendar – a celebration of all that is great and popular in local music,” said ARIA head and Warner CEO Ed St. John. “The Ten Network has been our loyal partner for many of our last 24 years and it’s an absolute thrill to be renewing our relationship once again.”

Ten has screened most of the recent ARIA Awards ceremonies, and I’m glad to see them doing it again. Honestly, watching last year’s stiff hosts Kate Richie and Gyton Grantley made me cringe. Hopefully we’ll see some more music-savvy personalities taking on the role this year. I’d love to see Wil Anderson get the job, although after his Logies Twittering he might prove a little too risky. At any rate, I’m sure the organizers are happy to hear their awards won’t compete with Masterchef!