Category: News

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

Health Scare for Jet Singer

Jet frontman Nic Cester is recovering in a London hospital after collapsing at the Hard Rock Cafe yesterday.

Nic had been feeling unwell prior to the show, but decided to persevere. He passed out after just two songs, but returned to the stage, joking that he was suffering from swine flu. He collapsed again minutes later and was taken to University College Hospital.

He was treated for symptoms of gastroenteritis, acute vomiting, and dehydration, and kept overnight for observation. He was also tested for swine flu, but was given the all-clear.

The band played on for several songs after Nic’s departure. Bass player Mark Wilson told The Daily Telegraph that the show must go on.

“You’ve got to do it, you can’t just cancel stuff,” he explained said. “It’s disappointing for people who come to see you and, unless you can’t sing, there’s no real reason to cancel something, I think, you know.”

Jet is currently in the UK to promote their third album, Shaka Rock.

Image source: Newscom

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.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sound Relief Gets a DVD Release

The massive Sound Relief concerts staged last year to benefit the Victorian bushfire and Queensland flood victims will be released on a big four-DVD set.

The concerts staged in Melbourne and Sydney featured one of the most incredible line-ups of local and international talent ever assembled, including Coldplay, John Farnham, Olivia Newton-John, Barry Gibb, Kylie Minogue, Wolfmother, The Living End, Gabriella Cilmi, Jack Johnson, Midnight Oil, Split Enz, and many more.

“Sound Relief was literally born from the ashes of a terrible time in Australia’s history. The concerts became so much more than just a charity fundraising event; they were a way for the community to unite and heal,” Michael Gudinski said in a statement.

“I’m overjoyed that the DVD release can go ahead and we can’t express our appreciation enough to the artists and everyone involved who helped make it possible. Since the day of the concert we’ve received so many enquiries about whether the concerts would be released on DVD that I wouldn’t be surprised if this became the highest selling DVD in Australian history.

“It is fitting that a lasting record will be available of this once in a lifetime event for future generations.”

The DVDs will be released through Liberation Music in October.

Image source: Rachel Hofton @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rob Thomas Hooks Up with INXS

Rob Thomas has taken time out from his current promotional tour of Australia to record with INXS. The Matchbox Twenty lead singer laid down lead vocals on the INXS’ classic “Never Tear Us Apart.”

“I’m recording a version of NEVER TEAR US APART with INXS!!!,” Rob tweeted yesterday from Sydney. “I’m geeked.”

This isn’t their first crack at the song. Jon Farris joined Matchbox Twenty during their last Australian tour for performances of “Never Tear Us Apart” and “Don’t Change.”

The cover is expected to appear on INXS’ new album, which features the band’s classic songs recorded with special guest vocalists. There’s no release date as yet, but I can’t wait to hear it!

Image source: ZUMA Press