Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kids Rock Out with Kiddyrock

Some of Melbourne’s hottest musicians are exposing kids to the magic of rock and roll through Kiddyrock. The program, which visits kindergartens, early learning centers, and community halls in Victoria, is the brainchild of Ally Spazzy of girl punk outfit The Spazzys.

“Kiddyrock is a brand new project where a load of artists and musicians have come together to create accessibility to alternative music for kids as well as create opportunities for local musicians to continue working in music, in what they love,” Kiddyrock’s Georgie Carpenter explained to Undercover.

“We’re not going to teach anyone how to play the guitar or how to play a drum, but we are going to expose them to some of the artists that we loved, and help them develop an ear to enjoy music in the way that we do.”

The workshops help kids aged between three and six develop a love and understanding of music. They’re also a lot of fun, with the tots getting the opportunity to jam with Ally Spazzy, Shaun Gionis from Trial Kennedy, and Richard Walsh from The Electric Guitars.

The sessions cost $17 per child, or $15 for groups of four or more. If you want to take your youngsters along, check out the KiddyRock website for a list of upcoming workshop sessions.

Image source: James Jordan @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guitar God Khan Manuel Plays Sydney

Following his recent endorsement by global guitar giants Ibanez, Khan Manuel will play a very special show on July 8 at The Basement in Sydney.

Music fans can look forward to hearing tunes from Khan’s critically acclaimed debut album The Knight. The songs effortlessly combine a variety of genres including rock, blues, jazz, Spanish flamenco, and even some metal!

Khan will be joined onstage by Sydney’s fastest drummer Guy Hughes [Anthony Snape, House of Kings], one of the country’s finest bass players, Chris Soulos, and European guitar virtuoso Oles Yurakov. With musicians of this calibre, this is sure to be one unforgettable night of music.

Tickets are available now at Moshtix from $20. To see what this guy can do, just check out the album’s title track, “The Knight.”

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lior Brings Back Shadows and Light for Charity

If you missed Lior’s amazing Shadows and Light tour, you’ve got one more chance. The Australian troubadour has teamed up with the Sydney Theatre Company for two very special charity shows.

The concerts, scheduled for September 9 and 10, will raise money for Youngcare. The organization finds age-appropriate care for young people involved in serious, debilitating accidents. Currently young people requiring around-the-clock care are housed in aged care facilities, a situation which the charity says simply isn’t good enough.

“The Shadows And Light tour was one of the most fulfilling and inspiring experiences in my career thus far, both artistically and also in the way it seemed to resonate with the audience. At the time of wrapping up the shows, I was invited to the Sydney Theatre Company and I remember looking at the performance space thinking … Wow, it’s like this room was built for the Shadows and Light concept,” Lior explained.

“Around about the same time, I was contacted by a charity group called Youngcare and became very interested in the work they are doing for young people who are suffering and require round the clock care in suitable and dignified conditions. I am always inspired by young people who are committed to helping other young people in need. They approached me about doing a show to raise funds and awareness. It seemed that all the stars had somehow aligned and that the natural thing to do was to pull out the Shadows and Light show one more time later this year in a beautiful setting and for a worthy cause.”

Tickets for the shows are available throw the Sydney Theatre Company.

Image used with permission from Lior Management

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hilltop Hoods Still Tops

Way to go Hilltop Hoods! The Aussie hip hop outfit has enjoyed their second week at the top of the ARIA Charts with State of the Art.

The big single “Chase That Feeling” is also doing well, jumping a massive eight places to sit at number eight in the singles charts.

The Hilltop Hoods aren’t the only locals tasting chart success. Eskimo Joe’s fourth album Inshalla is still going strong, sitting at number six in the charts. They’re ahead of The Temper Trap, who’ve jumped into number nine with their debut album Conditions.

Click below to see who else makes up the Aussie top 10!

Continue reading “Hilltop Hoods Still Tops” →
Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Design Cover for Delta Goodrem's New DVD

Fans can soon relive Delta Goodrem’s Believe Again concert tour with the release of a live DVD. To celebrate the release, she’s giving the fans a chance to get in on the action and design the cover.

“I would love for you to help me design the cover for my new live tour DVD,” she said in a statement. “So get involved if you are up for the challenge! Remember what the journey of the show was and be imaginative, have fun!”

Delta will pick her favourite entry, and give the designer a selection of Delta’s back catalogue of albums and singles, and an autographed copy of the new live DVD!

Entries must be submitted by 5 pm on July 17, so head to the Sony Music website to find everything you need to get started!

Image source: zeigh_x @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Veronicas Score SYTYCD Slot

Australian So You Think You Can Dance queen Talia Fowler isn’t the only local set to appear on the American version of the reality TV show. Our own pop princesses The Veronicas will perform live on the program tonight.

Of course the girls will sing “Take Me On The Floor.” Their performance will be to their biggest audience ever, with the program a real ratings winner.

The hard-working siblings will tape the show, then get straight on a tour bus for their next performance in Portland, Oregon. There’s no rest for the wicked!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hilltop Hoods Make Number One Debut

Way to go Hilltop Hoods! The local hip hop outfit has debuted at number one on the ARIA charts with their fifth studio album State of the Art. The disc more than doubled sales of last week’s number one, The E.N.D. by The Black Eyed Peas.

The album sold a whopping 27, 455 units, well ahead of the Black Eyed Peas’ 11, 803 units. Hilltop Hoods must be feeling pretty chuffed with that effort, particularly since it’s their first release on their own Golden Era Records.

They’re sharing space in the top ten with Eskimo Joe, whose Inshalla album is still going strong at number five, and Karnivool’s Sound Awake which sits at number seven.

Meanwhile on the singles charts, Jessica Mauboy’s flying the Australian flag. Her latest single “Because” has debuted at a respectable ninth place.

Click below for the complete top 10.

Continue reading “Hilltop Hoods Make Number One Debut” →
Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Human Nature Take Motown to Las Vegas

Human Nature have landed in Las Vegas! The Aussie lads unveiled their new show, “Smokey Robinson Presents Australia’s Human Nature, The Ultimate Celebration of the Motown Sound,” in star-studded fashion on Wednesday night.

Celebs to walk the red carpet with our boys included Motown legend Smokey Robinson, The Supremes’ Mary Wilson, comedian George Wallace, violin-playing siblings The Alizma Triplets, and hypnotist Anthony Cools.

Human Nature recently signed a one-year contract to entertain crowds with their Motown show six nights a week at the Imperial Theater. We’re sure to miss them here, but wish them every success!

Image source: image.net

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chaos Loves CD Singles

Just days ago I was lamenting JB Hi-Fi’s decision to ditch CD singles. Well it seems there’s a savior in the form of Chaos, an online retailer who is proud to admit it loves CD singles too.

The site has all the latest top 40 hits, plus limited stocks of a few old favourites too.

JB’s decision may well sound the death knell for the short-play format, but in the meantime it’s lovely to see local retailers like Chaos fighting back!

Image source: Mateusz Atroszko @ Stock.xchng