Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hoodoo Gurus' Brad Shepherd Recovers from Cancer Surgery, Ready for Apple iTunes Gig

Hoodoo Gurus guitarist Brad Shepherd has revealed he’s recovering from surgery for cancer.

“It has been said that chicks dig scars – so I’m hoping that’s true,” he joked.

The Aussie rock legend says the operation to remove cancerous cells was a success, and he will be “knee-dropping and windmilling better than ever” at the band’s next show.

That performance will be the first iTunes Aussie Legends concert at Sydney’s Apple store on September 4. The band promises to play some of their old favourites, and a few new tunes. Hoodoo Gurus will release their ninth studio album early next year. The concert is free to attend, but as access is limited fans are encouraged to get their early for the 9 pm start. Or you could win a special double pass by e-mailing comps.au@sonymusic.com and telling them why you love the band in 25 words or less!

The Hoodoo Gurus show is the first in a series of shows featuring some of Australia’s most enduring talents. Mental as Anything, Jimmy Barnes, Diesel, and Ian Moss will also take the stage during September. The shows are on every Friday. Each live performance will be recorded and made available as an exclusive EP available through iTunes.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Short Stack Debut at Number One

Many have challenged the late great Michael Jackson, but it’s taken a bunch of Central Coast teens to bring his reign on the charts to an end. Short Stack have knocked Jacko off the ARIA charts top spot this week with their debut album Stack is the New Black.

It was another impressive debut for Paul Dempsey, who’s sitting at number five with his sophomore solo effort Everything is True. Meanwhile Lisa Mitchell has slipped down a couple of notches with her debut effort Wonder. It’s sitting at number eight.

Kate Miller-Heidke is leading the Aussie charge in the singles charts. Her latest track, “The Last Day on Earth”, is holding steady at number three. She’s just edged out Guy Sebastian, who jumps two places to sit at number four with “Like it Like That.”

Click below to see the complete top 10!

Continue reading “Short Stack Debut at Number One” →
Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Magic Dirt's Dean Turner Loses Cancer Battle

Magic Dirt bass guitarist Dean Turner has lost his battle with tissue cancer. He was just 37 years old when he passed away on Friday night.

Dean formed the indie rock outfit in 1992 with his then-girlfriend Adalita Srsen. Their albums What Are Rockstars Doing Today and Tough Love both gained top 20 status on the ARIA charts thanks to singles “Dirty Jeans” and “Plastic Loveless Letter.”

Dean Turner is survived by his wife Linda Bosidas and their two daughters, Charlie and Evie.

The band was on tour at the time of Dean’s death. A spokeswoman for the band says they are unsure whether two Sydney concerts, scheduled for next weekend, will go ahead.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Temper Trap Crack UK Charts

Melbourne’s own The Temper Trap has cracked the UK Top 40 with Conditions. The band’s debut long-player sits at number 32 in its first week.

The Temper Trap relocated from Melbourne to London this May to generate some buzz. It looks like that worked. The BBC has also voted the band as one of the Top 15 Sounds of 2009.

The album’s success has been buoyed by the singles “Sweet Disposition, “Fader” and “Science of Fear.”

With such a solid debut, the only way is up for this homegrown success story!

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Xavier Rudd Receives Ocean Conservation Award

Australian blues and roots artist Xavier Rudd is the recipient of this year’s Rock the Boat Award. The title is awarded to a musician who supports the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in their efforts to defend and protect marine wildlife.

Xavier has been an ardent supporter of the cause for years. He has flown the sea Shepherd Jolly Roger flag on stage to raise awareness, and encouraged fans to support the cause. In his most recent North American tour, he partnered with Sea Shepherd to place outreach tables at each location around the country. The song “Better People” from his album White Moth acknowledges the group’s work. Its music video also utilises Sea Shepherd footage.

The award was first presented to the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2007. Xavier is the second recipient of the award.

Image source: Miho @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Luke Steele Records with Jay-Z

Empire of the Sun are destined for big things in the US thanks to rapper Jay-Z. The band’s singer Luke Steele has recorded vocals for “What We Talkin’ About,” a track from Jay-Z’s forthcoming album Blueprint 3.

The rapper apparently sought out the Australian vocalist after hearing the band’s latest single, “Standing On the Shore,” on the hit program Entourage. He loved the song, and got his people to talk to talk to Empire of the Sun’s people.

Luke is one of many guest vocalists on the recording, which also includes appearances from Rihanna, Kanye West, and MGMT. It sounds like an album that people are going to pay attention to, which can only be good news for this Aussie success story.

Image source: Stusev @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Short Stack Impress MySpace Fans

Central Coast teens Short Stack have been voted the most popular band by New South Wales MySpace users. The Aussie trio beat out international sensations Taylor Swift (2), Lily Allen (5), Beyonce (6) and Lady Gaga (7) for the title.

Other local acts making waves in the poll include Perth hard rockers Karnivool, folk chanteuse Lisa Mitchell, and hip-hop outfit Bliss n Eso.

While Taylor Swift took the top spot in Queensland and Victoria, all states showed a strong preference for homegrown talent, with Australian artists making up more than a quarter of the favourites.

Image source: Haylie Jaed @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tooheys Extra Dry Launches uncharTED LIVE Free Shows

Fresh from the success of the recent Tooheys Extra Dry uncharTED competition comes uncharTED LIVE, a series of free gigs showcasing some of Australia’s most promising up-and-comers.

“TED has a proud history of supporting Australia’s best emerging artists and live music events,” said Tooheys Extra Dry Marketing Director, Josh Gaudry. “uncharTED LIVE gives us an opportunity to take a breaking artists platform that has really gone from strength to strength over the past three years, and merge it with a year round calendar of live music events.

“This new platform will not only give uncharTED entrants more exposure and a chance to build on their fan base during the key competition public voting periods, but also give fans more chances to get out there and experience what uncharTED is all about – celebrating Australia’s best emerging talent.”

Free tickets are available to anyone over the age of 18 who registers on the uncharTED website. Shows are on at the following locations around the country.

Enigma Bar, Adelaide
20 Aug – Amour Fou, The Foundry, Tidal Jive
3 Sep – Erosion, Blood Red Renaissance, Kremator
10 Sep – Sonny Loveless, Before Clear Skies, Day on Fire,

Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
15 Aug – Burning Brooklyn, The Bloodpoets, Teleprompter
29 Aug – FelineDown, Nine Sons of Dan, Grand Atlantic
12 Sep – Super Nudists, Letter To Spain, Ellington
19 Sep – No Filter, Falling Short, The Gallant

Annandale Hotel, Sydney
13 Aug – Cap A Capo, Hytest, One Flew East, Chemical Transport
20 Aug – The Deer Republic, Sierra Fin, Free Agent Crew, The Waitups
27 Aug – Chambers, Marble Archers, Hancock Basement, Under Lights, Hercules

Amplifier Bar, Perth
13 Aug – Tracksuit, Sleep TV, Stellas Kitchen
27 Aug – Columbia, Ravior, Die_Zeitgeist
10 Sep – The Transients, with more to be announced
24 Sep – Homebrewe, Hostile Little Face, Rise Apollo

Prince Of Wales, Melbourne
2 Sep – Foxx On Fire, National Airlines, Polygon Palace, The Tiger & Me
9 Sep – Hot Little Hands, Saint James, Goodnight Owl, The Hamish Macleod Band

Image source: Ilker @ Stock.xchng

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Channel Ten Sacks Kyle Sandilands from "Australian Idol" Judging Panel

There’ll be one less regular judge on the Australian Idol panel this year, following the sacking of controversial shock jock Kyle Sandilands today.

Channel Ten dumped the radio star today, following the fallout from last week’s awkward lie-detector stunt with a rape victim.

Ten declared that Kyle did not fit with the program’s family-friendly image, and would no longer be a part of the reality TV program. Given that the new series starts on Sunday it’s obviously too late to find a replacement. Instead, they plan to employ celebrity guest judges.

Honestly, I think it’s a good move all round. This ridiculous stunt is just the latest in a long-line of tastelessness from the crew at 2DayFM. They may not have known their teen guest was a rape victim, but surely quizzing a minor about her sex life would raise red flags amongst most of us. Channel Ten has got some real momentum with families following Masterchef, and they’d be crazy to stuff that up.

So far as Idol goes, I’ve never been a massive fan of Kyle’s judging style which seems more about praising the pretty girls and mainstream popettes than finding any real industry movers and shakers. Something tells me we’re not going to feel his loss too greatly.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Yet Another Rapper Postpones Aussie Appearance

It seems Australia and urban artists just don’t mix. The latest to fall to the curse is Ja Rule, who’s had to postpone his Sydney show due to “visa processing” problems.

The rapper was originally scheduled to play a one-off show at Luna Park on July 31, but that’s been pushed back to August 25.

This follows Timbaland’s tour postponement and eventual cancellation last year, and Mary J Blige’s tour postponement and eventual cancellation last year.

If hope I’m wrong, but I’m feeling a little déjà vu here.