Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

AC/DC Family Jewels in Melbourne

Melbourne rockers are in for a real treat, with the AC/DC Family Jewels exhibition making a pit stop at the city’s Art Centre next week.

The display includes costumes, instruments, props from the band’s live shows, candid photographs, and rare handwritten notes and lyrics. It also features rarely-seen concert footage and interviews, early concert posters, and other cool collectibles.

Curator Tim Fisher says, “There is little doubt that after 35 years on the world stage AC/DC are by far Australia’s most successful and influential performing artists. AC/DC Australia’s Family Jewels seeks to link the material history of the band to the experience of their music. The exhibition will also try to convey – both through exhibited material and an interactive online initiative – the place that AC/DC holds for their devoted fans.”

You can catch AC/DC Australia’s Family Jewels at Melbourne Art Centre from November 7, 2009 to February 29, 2010.

Image source: Melbourne Art Centre website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vanessa Amorosi Tops Again

Well done Vanessa Amorosi! She’s managed to retain the top spot on the Australian singles charts with “This Is Who I Am,” despite some fierce competition from the Black Eyed Peas.

Meanwhile, Guy Sebastian is also creeping up the charts again with “Like It Like That.” The feel-good single is up one position this week, sitting at number four. With the full-length CD of the same name now in record stores, expect to see Guy make a big impression on the albums charts next week. Is it too soon to predict a number one?

He’ll have to work hard to push Michael Buble off though. The smooth Canadian is still sitting pretty at the top of the albums charts with Crazy Love.

Click below to see all the top 10 chart action.

Continue reading “Vanessa Amorosi Tops Again” →
Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Congratulations Linda, Our G-SHOCK Competition Winner!

Congratulations to Linda Carter of Gorokan! She’s the lucky winner of Oz Music Scene’s G-SHOCK World Tour competition. Linda has won two tickets to the G-SHOCK World Tour’s Sydney pit-stop next month, and she’ll be able to keep time while she’s there with her brand new G-SHOCK watch.

Congratulations to Linda, and thanks to everyone else for entering!

Image source: Jef Bettens @ Stock.xchng

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Australian Idols Go Their Own Way

This week the Australian Idol contestants were allowed to sing the songs they felt represented them best. The open-ended theme was designed to showcase the best in them, but it also gave the contestants just enough rope to hang themselves.

But before all that, it was time to send one hopeful home. This week Kate Cook, Stan Walker, and James Johnston found themselves in the bottom three, but it was Kate’s turn to go. It was a close call, but I saw this one coming. It hurts to see her go, but we’re at that point where we have to lose people that we love. I just hope this isn’t the last we see of her.

James Johnston opened the show with Duffy’s “Mercy.” As always, he sang this well, but James didn’t do enough with it to make it really special. My biggest complaint was with the delivery. It seems he didn’t connect with the lyrics at all. Begging for mercy? With all that smiling and bounce, it didn’t seem like James was begging for anything!

Toby Moulton returned to his Brit Pop love with Oasis’ “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” I love Toby, but I hated this. It felt like karaoke, and bad karaoke at that. It didn’t showcase his voice, or deliver any emotional punch at all. I could have picked a million better songs for him.

Nathan Brake took on Maroon 5’s” Makes Me Wonder” and completely nailed it. I wasn’t sure about the song choice at first, but he really pulled it off. He’s got that lovely pop sensibility combined with such an incredible voice. He’s really hitting his stride right now, and I’m thrilled.

Continue reading “Australian Idols Go Their Own Way” →
Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vanessa Amorosi on Top of Singles Charts

Vanessa Amorosi has made a big splash on the ARIA charts this week, with her new single “This Is Who I Am” taking the top spot on debut. Amazingly, this is Vanessa’s first number one single!

She’s keeping company with Guy Sebastian, who is still sticking around the top ten with “Like It Like That.” It sits at number five this weeks after a massive 10 weeks hovering around the upper end of the charts.

With Michael Buble’s newie Crazy Love sitting at the top of the album charts, Kate Miller-Heidke’s been left to fly the Australian flag at number eight. Curiouser is up two positions from last week. Could Miss Miller-Heidke be clawing her way back up to the top spot? I hope so!

Click below to see the complete top 10!

Continue reading “Vanessa Amorosi on Top of Singles Charts” →
Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Australian Idols Take on Stage and Screen

I don’t mind admitting that I’ve anticipated tonight’s episode of Australian Idol like none other this season. I’ve been bemoaning the lack of showtunes for seasons, and now we got to do it with Liza Minnelli. She opened the show with “Cabaret” and was brilliant. It just simply doesn’t get any better.

The men escaped the bottom three, leaving Kate Cook, Kim Cooper, and Hayley Warner in the bottom three. Kim’s been a perpetual member of the bottom three, so it wasn’t a great surprise that she left us. I’ll miss her though!

Toby Moulton opened the show with “Somebody To Love.” Taking on a Queen song is always a tall order, because quite frankly you’re never going to be Freddie Mercury. But despite that, I think he did really well. He didn’t let the song scare him, and that confidence really made it.

Stan Walker was right in the pocket for “Circle of Life.” It was the perfect song for him, and he didn’t put a foot wrong. I was wowed. This is why he hasn’t been in the bottom three; he’s just that good.

Kate Cook did a little Dusty with “Son of a Preacher Man,” but honestly she looked a little lost. She got lost in the lyrics and fell off them all over the place. There was no sex here, and with a song like this there should be. It was a big disappointment for me, because I really like Kate.

Hayley Warner took on Powderfinger’s “These Days.” I couldn’t fault the way she sang it, but it didn’t jump off the page. It’s a little scary considering she was in the bottom three last week. She needed to do better.

Continue reading “Australian Idols Take on Stage and Screen” →
Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jessica Mauboy Gets a Trio of Deadlys

Jessica Mauboy is the proud owner of three new Deadly Awards following last night’s ceremony in Sydney. Jess took home Female Artist of the Year, Single of the Year for “Burn,” and Album of the Year for “Been Waiting.”

The Deadly Awards celebrate excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievements, encompassing music, sports, entertainment, the arts, and community achievement.

Jess may have to get a bigger pool room, and she’s also leading the pack with seven ARIA nods. Something tells me there’s going to be a few trophies in her home by the end of the year!

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wu Tang Clan and Lil Jon Announce Sydney Show, But Will It Happen?

Remember we told you that Wu Tang Clan and Lil Jon would announce a Sydney show? Well it’s happened, with promoters confirming the bands will be at The Enmore Theatre on October 29.

The bad news is that we haven’t had a lot of notice, so tickets are on sale now. That’s right, now! So if you want to be at the show, I’d get to the Ticketek site ASAP.

The promoters seem confident that this show won’t fall through like Megarampage, but my reader Susie has raised an interesting point. Ghostface is named on the posters as a confirmed starter, yet his MySpace page says he’s playing in Colorado when he’s due here. Let’s hope this isn’t another one of those scheduling conflicts that hints at yet another hip hop act bailing on Oz.

Photo credit: Festival Eurockeennes @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Maddy Hay Signs with Sony Europe, Home for Local Tour

She may not be a household name in her homeland just yet, but give it time. Melbourne singer-songwriter Maddy Hay has just returned from a European promotional tour with a contract from Sony Columbia Records Europe.

Maddy was abroad for the European launch of her debut album Smoke in the City, and now she’s ready to bring her unique blend of pop to Aussie audiences.

While Maddy always believed in her imaginative compositions, she never imagined they’d attract such attention abroad.

“My producer Jonathan Zion was overseas touring with Pete Murray, and gave two tracks to a friend of his who works at Sony Netherlands. I didn’t get my hopes up that anything would come of it at first, but then I got a call and was told that his friend at Sony loved it and was setting up a deal with Columbia and also a publishing deal with EMI for Europe and the UK,” she explained.

Maddy’s single “Smoke in the City” became the most added song to The Netherlands’ Radio 1, while her record was named album of the week by Radio 1, Radio 2, and 10 other Dutch regional stations.

“My time in Holland promoting my debut album has been such an adventure. From the launch, to interviews and live performances on radio, I have had such fun. It is beyond a dream to have been signed to such a legendary label, and I feel very lucky that my album is creating such a buzz over there.”

Whilst her debut album Smoke In The City hasn’t been picked up for local release Australia yet, you can download it via iTunes Netherlands. Limited edition handmade copies of Maddy’s beautiful EP ‘Dance’ will also be available exclusively at her live shows.

Maddy will play the East Brunswick Club in Melbourne on October 28, and The Evelyn on November 18. Stay tuned for more dates from Australia’s best kept secret!

Image used with permission from Mr Frasa Communications

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Children Collide Strike Deal with Electronic Arts

Children Collide has teamed up with Electronic Arts in a unique partnership. It sees the Aussie group’s new single “Skeleton Dance,” mixed by UK dance wunderkinds Ladytron, launched exclusively via the new FIFA 10 PlayStation game.

You’ll receive a free download of the track when you buy the game for PSP, PlayStation 2, or PlayStation 3. The original mix of “Skeleton Dance” is also featured on FIFA 10’s in-game soundtrack alongside artists like The Enemy, Röyksopp, Major Lazer and Wyclef Jean. Gamers can enjoy the tracks via EA’s Trax in-game music player, which allows fans to customize their playlist and select music to soundtrack their progress through the game.

Children Collide say they’re psyched about their partnership with EA Sports, and the unique marketing opportunity it presents.

“Playing video games was one of the ways that Heath, Ryan and I found out about music growing up, and it’s something we’ve always been interested in getting involved with,” said Johnny Mackay, Children Collide’s vocalist and guitarist.

“My Irish cousins punishing me at FIFA while they called me ‘Skippy’ didn’t deter me from loving this game, and the chance to get remixed by Ladytron – who we’re all fans of – has been the icing on the cake of the whole experience.”

Image source: Children Collide website