Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Justin Bieber Plays Sydney Show for Sunrise

If you’re one of the thousands of tweens and teens going gaga for Justin Bieber, listen up. Canada’s latest heart throb will perform a quick show during his Australian promotional tour.

President And Mrs. Obama Host Easter Egg Roll On White House Lawn


Justin will perform at The Forecourt at Circular Quay’s Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney on April 26 from 6 am. He will play three songs from his My Worlds album, including the big single “Baby.”

If you can’t get there early, you probably needn’t bother showing up. With throngs of lovestruck girls expected to camp out for a glimpse of their idol, it’s going to be hard to get near the Beebs. Latecomers will be best off tuning in to Sunrise who will broadcast the performance.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angry Anderson to Join Slash for MTV Classic Launch

Aussie rock veteran Angry Anderson will join Slash on stage at the launch of new pay TV music channel MTV Classic. The duo will perform the Rose Tattoo song “Nice Boys,” a song the Gunners covered way back in 1988.

Australia Artists Unite For 'One Of The Boys' Fundraiser

“Angry and I go way back to when GNR toured with Rose Tattoo in Australia back in 1992 – and had some great times – so when MTV asked me who I wanted to perform with at the launch of MTV Classic, I immediately thought of Angry,” Slash said in a statement. “I’m really looking forward to playing ‘Nice Boys’ with him at this historic event.”

“It’s a beautiful thing when you get an opportunity to jam with an artist who has made such a global impact on rock music in your home town,” added Angry. “I have a lot of time for Slash and MTV Classic: The Launch will see us re-creating some of those great music moments from the 90s.”

The one-of pairing is likely to be a highlight of the event which will take place at Melbourne’s Palace Theatre on April 28. If you want to be there, make sure you listen to the Triple M network and Mix 94.5 in Perth. Tickets will also be given away through the MTV Classic website.

If you’re not lucky enough to win your way in you can still tune in to the show on MTV Classic at 5 pm on May 1. This is sure to be one hell of a performance!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Are you Ready for Record Store Day?

The bill for this Saturday’s annual Record Store Day is looking quite tasty indeed.

Cassie Davis will be singing and signing at Hurstville Westfield, the Rogue Traders will appear at the Virgin store on Melbourne’s Chapel Street, and Bluejuice will show up at Wills Music, Launceston.

Reality TV fans can meet Damien Leith at Kotara Westfield’s JB Hi-Fi, Hayley Warner at Westfield Mt Druitt, or Mark Vincent at JB Hi-Fi at Eastland.

A few Aussie music veterans will go it alone for the event. Get up close and personal with INXS’s Tim Farriss and Hoodoo Gurus’ Dave Faulkner at Mall Music at Warringah Mall.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Head to the Record Store Day website to see what’s happening near you on April 17.

Image source: Record Store Day website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Tote Hotel to Reopen Its Doors

It looks like there’s life in Collingwood’s Tote Hotel yet. The beloved music venue looks set to reopen its doors under new proprietors.

Yesterday the property owners announced they’d signed a contract with new licensees Andrew Portokallis and Jon Perring. These are the same guys who run Bar Open, Pony, and Yah Yah’s, so chances are they’ll make sure The Tote remains a premier live music destination rather than a soulless pokie-filled joint.

Mr Portokallis told The Age that the hotel had been all but gutted since it closed its doors three months ago, but that they’ll have it “back running as soon as we can patch it up a bit.” The licensees will also apply to waive the venue’s current “high-risk” licencing conditions.

We can expect one hell of a party when The Tote reopens its doors. Watch this space for details!

Image source: The Euskadi 11 @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Introducing Basement Birds, Australia’s Latest Supergroup

Basement Birds may be a new name on the music scene, but chances are you know these guys already. This new outfit features four of the most talented songwriters in the country: Kav Temperley (Eskimo Joe), Kevin Mitchell (Bob Evans, Jebediah), Steve Parkin (Autopilot), and Josh Pyke.

We’ll get our first chance to hear what magic this quartet can create in late June. Four three-track bundles will be released via iTunes on a fortnightly basis. Acoustic versions of each track will also be released every alternate fortnight. Fans can also enjoy more exclusive content via the new Basement Birds website.

With four such talented members, something tells me Basement Birds are going to be big!

Image used with permission from Riothouse

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

John Butler Trio Take ARIA Album Top Spot

The brand new week sees another Aussie act sitting on top of the ARIA album charts. John Butler Trio have ended the reign of Angus & Julie Stone with the release of their new album April Uprising.

Angus & Julie Stone haven’t slipped too far though. Their latest album Down the Way is in third position, just below Lady Gaga’s The Fame Monster.

It’s disappointing to see that there’s still no local talent in the top 10 singles charts though. With Gabriella Cilmi’s single “On a Mission” slipping three places to 19th spot this week, that’s not likely to change any time soon!

Click below to see this week’s chart action!

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2010 - Day 2


Continue reading “John Butler Trio Take ARIA Album Top Spot” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Horsell Common’s Mark Stewart Goes Solo with Jonesez

Out of the ashes of Horsell Common comes Jonesez, the new solo endeavour for singer and guitarist Mark Stewart.

Jonesez spent this summer recording a debut album with the help of Kisschasy’s Darren Cordeux. It was a bit of a milestone for both acts; Mark had never written an entire album on his own, and Darren had never produced one.

The first song to come from the release is “The Money Will Roll Right In,” a cover of Fang’s underground hit. Just like the album, this video was filmed in Mark’s basement. He takes on the roles of four different characters, which sees costume and hairstyle changes aplenty!

The Jonesez album will hit stores in the middle of the year, but we’re promised a sneak peek at shows along the East Coast to be announced shortly.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angus & Julia Stone Go Gold with Number One album

Did you notice that Angus & Julia Stone are still sitting pretty at the top of the ARIA charts? Their latest album Down the Way has retained the number one position for the second week, and achieved gold status to boot. The album has already sold more than 40, 000 units, and counting!

The siblings will wrap up their current Australian tour at this weekend’s Bluesfest. From there it’s off to the United Kingdom, Europe, and North America for tours to support the album’s international release. Many shows have already sold out, so if you’re abroad I’d pick up your tickets soon!

West Coast Bluesfest


10 April 2010 – Schouwburg Motel Mozaique, Rotterdam
12 April 2010 – Duke of York’s Picture House, Brighton (SOLD OUT)
14 April 2010 – Pavilion, Falmouth (SOLD OUT)
15 April 2010 – Cooler, Bristol (SOLD OUT)
16 April 2010 – Brudenell, Leeds
17 April 2010 – King Tuts, Glasgow
18 April 2010 – Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh
20 April 2010 – Glee Club, Birmingham
21 April 2010 – Ruby Lounge, Manchester
22 April 2010 – Shepherds Bush Empire, London
26 April 2010 – Gebäude 9, Cologne
27 April 2010 – Atomic Cafe, Munich (SOLD OUT)
28 April 2010 – Lido, Berlin
29 April 2010 – Molotow, Hamburg (SOLD OUT)
30 April 2010 – Vega, Copenhagen
2 May 2010 – Debaser, Stockholm
3 May 2010 – John Dee, Oslo
5 May 2010 – Paradiso, Amsterdam
6 May 2010 – Oosterpoort, Groningen
7 May 2010 – Café de la Danse, Paris
26 May 2010 – Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Hollywood
30 May 2010 – L’Astral, Montreal
2 June 2010 – Revival, Toronto
8 June 2010 – Union Hall, Brooklyn

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Slash Headlines MTV Classic Launch in Melbourne

Legendary guitarist Slash will headline a very special show next month to celebrate the launch of pay TV channel MTV Classic.

MTV Classic will replace music channel VH1.It will focus on music from the 1980s through to the naughties. Gee it makes me feel old to see music from my generation is now classed as classic!

“Music is at the heart of MTV Classic … and who better to launch a channel devoted to iconic tracks and artists than one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time, Slash,” said Rebecca Batties of MTV Networks. “We’re excited to be staging MTV Classic: The Launch in Melbourne – a city with major music heritage – and Slash’s performance will be an explosive start – and, no doubt, a defining moment – for MTV Classic and our audience.”

The Slash show will hit Melbourne’s Palace Theatre on April 28. If you’re lucky, you could win tickets through Nova and MTV Australia. Otherwise you’ll just have to catch it when MTV Classic launches at 5 pm on May 1!

Image source: Daigooliva @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Watch Out for Wren

Combine heavy synth and moody indie beats and you’ve got Wren, one of the most exciting new acts to come out of Melbourne.

Songstress Tess Henderson evokes Angie Hart with her ethereal voice and vulnerability, something sorely lacking in the electro music landscape. Her angelic voice is a delicious contrast to the darker instrumentation of bandmates Tarko Sibbel on synths, James Tudball on drums, and Jules Pascoe on bass.

“Wren is about finding a musical balance between light and shade and exploring more challenging themes,” Tess explained in a statement. “I am so fortunate to have such phenomenal musicians/writers involved in this new project. I’m absolutely loving working with them.”

Melbournians can check out what Wren are all about when they support Jackson Jackson at The Evelyn on 23 April.

Image used with permission from Eileen Francisco