News – Page 78 – Sounds of Oz

Posted on 19/01/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Empire of the Sun, Daniel Merriweather Snag BRIT Award Nominations

Congrats to Empire of the Sun for snagging two BRIT Awards nominations. The Aussie electro-pop outfit is up for International Album and International Newcomer titles.

The band’s massive debut album Walking on a Dream is up again Merriweather Post Pavillion from Animal Collective, The E.N.D. from Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga’s The Fame, and Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3.

For best newcomer they’re up against countryman Daniel Merriweather, Animal Collective, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift.

“The dream was the king for this record and it is becoming wilder and wilder as the sandman keeps cooking. This is a great honour, we are walking on a dream,” Luke Steele said in a statement.

I’d kind of like to see Empire of the Sun take home the album award, leaving the newcomer title to Daniel Merriweather. It’d be great to see two Aussies take home gongs. Although with such stiff competition, it isn’t going to be easy.

The 2010 BRIT Awards will be held at Earl’s Court, London on February 16.

Image source: Stuart Sevastos @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on 18/01/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Sam Clark Scores ARIA Physical Chart Number One

It’s always great to see an Australian artist doing well through hard work and determination. After putting himself out in front of crowds at in-stores, gigs, and high school appearances late last year, Sam Clark is now reaping the rewards.

His debut single “Broken” has reached the number one spot on the ARIA physical charts and climbed to number 12 on the ARIA Australian artists charts. That sees him scrape into the overall top 50 charts for the first time this week.

It’s not a bad effort considering local radio hasn’t given him a lot of support. Perhaps this latest achievement will inspire stations to add “Broken” to their playlists!

Posted on 18/01/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Mornington Peninsula Chills Out with Between the Bays Festival

While the kids are soaking up the excitement of the Big Day Out bill, a more laid back music festival has caught my attention. Once the weather cools a little, the Mornington Peninsula will host some of Australia’s finest for the Between the Bays music festival.

Now in its fifth year, this family-friendly festival boasts a fantastic bill. Tex Perkins, Lior, Angie Hart, The Fauves, Jordie Lane, Blackchords, and Cousin Leonard and the Casio Brothers.

Aside from the top music, ticket holders will enjoy local gourmet food stalls, fantastic wineries and breweries, and free activities for the kids. They can get their faces painted and play on the inflatable obstacle course and giant slide while mum and dad kick back relax.

The Between the Bays festival rolls into Penback, at the end of Rickards Road in Moorooduc on March 20. Tickets are available now from the Between the Bays website, Ticketmaster, and Penback (ph (03) 59 788 425.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on 16/01/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Sir Norman Jay Ready for Good Times in Australia

British DJ pioneer Sir Norman Jay will release a new CD Good Times Australia to coincide with his Aussie tour, which kicks off at the end of the month.

The double-disc set, released exclusively through Central Station Records, will feature the first CD he’s mixed in 15 years and some rare gems. These include mixes for David Bowie, Inner Circle, and Tina Turner. Many of these tunes have never appeared before on CD, so it’s promising to be a real collector’s item.

Good Times Australia will hit stores on January 22. You can see the man himself live at the following venues.

23 January 2010 – The Espy, Melbourne
24 January 2010 – Cloudland, Brisbane
25 January 2010 – Beach House, Port Macquarie
26 January 2010 – The Ivy, Sydney
12 February 2010 – The Manor, Perth
18-21 February 2010 – Playground Weekender, Wiseman’s Ferry

Image used with permission from Central Station Records

Posted on 14/01/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Dannii Minogue Up The Duff

It’s a scary day for music fans. Reality TV star and sometimes pop singer Dannii Minogue is pregnant.

Ms Minogue confirmed the news in a Twitter post, which read “Woo hoo I’m gonna be a mummy!” Her boyfriend, former footballer Kris Smith, soon joined in the chorus tweeting “Woo hoo I’m gonna be a daddy.” I guess it’s good to know the parents-to-be, while not so original in their declarations, are at least in sync.

Big sister Kylie Minogue was quick to offer her congratulations, tweeting “Congratulations to my sister Dannii and her partner Kris on the happy news!!!! I am so excited to be an Aunty again!! WOW WOW WOW!! Xxx.”

Dannii is reportedly 12 weeks along, with the baby expected in June. Let’s just hope it doesn’t want to pick up a microphone!

Image source: ZUMA Press

Posted on 14/01/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Area-7 Celebrates 15th Birthday

Melbourne ska outfit Area-7 are celebrating 15 years in the biz with a special anniversary show.

We first saw Area-7 as the Madness cover band Mad Not Madness. With a few originals under their belt they became the appropriately titled Dawning of a New Era. Once singer Walter Eskdale left, paving the way for Yeah! Yeah! Frontman John “Stevo” Stevens to join the band, they became the Area-7 that we all know and love.

Hometown fans can celebrate the band’s milestone at the anniversary show at The Espy’s Gershwin Room on February 5. Guests include The King Cannons, The Level Spirits, and DJ Mohair Slim. Tickets are now available from the club.

Image used with permission from The Espy

Posted on 13/01/2010 by Lauren Katulka

The Angels and Adelaide Orchestra Join Forces

Aussie rock veterans The Angels will team up with the Adelaide Art Orchestra for one night only. I’m sure there have been more unlikely pairings, but I can’t think of one offhand!

While most of us wonder how the lads’ brand of rock will sound with symphonic backing, the Brewster Brothers say it’s the perfect fit.

“John and I grew up surrounded by classical music. Our father and both his parents were all classical musicians – performing, composing, teaching and conducting,” Rick Brewster said in a statement. “These early influences have remained with us throughout our careers and we are at last about to realise our dream of one day performing our own music with an orchestra. It will add a whole new dimension to it”.

“It’s a very exciting and challenging prospect and I hope the end result is agreeable to the ancestors if they’re listening … they’re a hard bunch to please! This one’s for Dad, Gran & Bopo, I will definitely ‘make the melody sing’!”

The Angels will play Adelaide’s Festival Theatre with the city’s Art Orchestra on April 17. Tickets are available from the venue.

Image source: Premier Artists

Posted on 11/01/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Australian Idol Out for 2010

Channel Ten has back flipped on its commitment to Australian Idol, announcing that it plans to “rest” the talent show for 2010. This news is contrary to earlier reports that another series would definitely go ahead this year.

“TEN is going to rest Australian Idol for 2010. They will make a decision towards the end of 2010 as to whether it will return in 2011,” an unnamed source told The Daily Telegraph. “They have asked Fremantle for ideas on how to relaunch in 2011.”

I’d like to be optimistic about the show’s future, but I won’t hold my breath. CTV made the decision to “rest” its Canadian Idol in 2009, and we’re yet to hear of its resurrection. As a long time supporter of the show, I’d love to see it revived but I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

It does make me wonder why the series has failed to make the impact here that it did in the United States. There it rates through the roof, and its stars go on to win Grammy Awards and starring spots on Broadway. Here only a handful of the graduates achieve chart success, and they’re rarely celebrated at our ARIAs. And the ratings have dipped ever since season two, despite showcasing some incredible talent.

Whatever the future holds for Australian Idol, I’m definitely going to miss it in 2010.

Image source: Sarah Baker @ Flickr

Posted on 10/01/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Empire of the Sun Release T-Shirts at Jay Jays

Empire of the Sun has joined forces with Jay Jays to launch an exclusive range of T-shirts.

There are four shirts available – two for the guys and two for the girls – which will be sold in Jay Jays stores around the country. They’re also retailing for just $20, which is a whole lot less than you’ll find concert merch for!

Once you’ve bought your Empire of the Sun T-shirt make sure you head to the Jay Jays website. You could win three double VIP passes to your local Future Music Festival, where you’ll meet Luke Steele backstage. There are also plenty of runner-up prizes available.

If you want to get your hands on the shirts you’ll need to be quick. They’re only available until February 3.

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media

Posted on 09/01/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Taking Back Sunday and Meshuggah Announce Soundwave Sideshows

If you missed out on Soundwave tickets, or you’re just keen for another go round, you can catch some of the big name bands at some newly announced sideshows.

Taking Back Sunday will play Melbourne’s Billboard on February 23, before heading to The Metro in Sydney on February 25. Enter Shikari will warm up the crowds on both nights.

Meshuggah will also play the two major capitals in addition to their Soundwave shows. Along with Dies Today and Whittechapel, they’ll play Sydney’s Manning Bar on February 22 before getting to Billboard on February 25.

Tickets are available for both shows from the venues.

Image source: ZUMA Press