Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Tickled Pink for Breast Cancer Research

I’m always happy to promote a good cause, and breast cancer research is one of the best. If you’ve got some spare time on Wednesday, make sure you get on down to Concert for the Cure‘s Tickled Pink show at Sydney University’s St Andrew’s College.

The bands kindly donating their time include Art Vs Science, Bagraiders, Bird Automatic, Underlights, and Cameras.

All profits from tickets will benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Breast Cancer Network Australia. Get out there and support it if you can!

Image source: Redcherryhill @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Australian Idol Scraps Monday Elimination Shows

Australian Idol is scrapping its drawn-out Monday night shows, opting instead for a two-hour Super Sunday show. The shows will include the performances and the eliminations in one nifty package.

Andrew G confirmed the news and said he’s excited about the change.

“I’m thrilled because it’s harking back to a time of big event, shiny Sunday night television,” he told The Sunday Telegraph. “It’ll be as exciting as anything.”

I’m not sure it’s quite as exciting as Andrew thinks it is. But let’s face it: we never needed half an hour to announce that one person was going home. The sing for your life concept initially sounded intriguing, but once I realised we’d hear the same songs we hated the night before I stopped tuning in. I think the one-night Idol bonanza is a good move. Now if we can just adopt America’s new system allowing the judges to save one eliminated contestant everything will be perfect!

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

AC/DC Announce Aussie "Black Ice" Tour Dates

The wait is finally over for AC/DC fans, with the band announcing those long-awaited Australian Black Ice tour dates. The lads will visit Australia next February and March for the first time since 2001’s Stiff Upper Lip tour.

There’s plenty of gaps between the dates, suggesting that more shows will be announced or that the boys are planning an extended holiday! There are rumours that the band will play a very special show at Ayers Rock, but that’s yet to be confirmed.

The shows promise to be a bit of a guitar battle, with Wolfmother providing the support. There’s no word yet on when tickets will go on sale, but here are the dates for your calendar.

11 February 2010 – Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
18 February 2010 – ANZ Stadium, Sydney
25 February 2010 – Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre, Brisbane
2 March 2010 – Adelaide Oval
6 March 2010 – Subiaco, Perth

Image source: PR Photos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Kelly Plays for Indigenous Students

Paul Kelly boosted the spirits of students in far north Queensland this week.

The acclaimed singer-songwriter performed at Djarragun College at Gordonvale, south of Cairns. The school teaches students from between Cape York and Yarrabah. It is particularly invested in programs to help students avoid run-ins with the law.

It must have been a real thrill for the school’s music department, who accompanied Paul during his performance.

The school’s music department director John Grace said the visit was “a morale booster” for his students.

What a wonderful experience for the students, and what a generous person Paul Kelly must be to donate his time!

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Universal Music and eBay Create New Digital Download Store

Universal Music Australia has joined forces with eBay to create a new music sales portal.

“We are incredibly excited to be partnering with eBay.com.au to offer their members access to music,” George Ash, MD of Universal Australia said in a statement. “Music is one of the highest searched topics on the web and the opportunity to help eBay.com.au connect their members with their favourite acts, is without precedent. Universal’s leading market position when partnered with eBay.com.au’s 5 million monthly Australian visitors is a match made in heaven.”

“You can buy practically anything on eBay.com.au,” Deborah Sharkey, MD of eBay added. “The launch of the music portal means that members are able to access digital versions of a vast array of their favourite songs at a low price. eBay is excited about the opportunity and is looking forward to being able to provide access to great music to millions of eBay.com.au users.”

The eBay music store promises to include exclusive releases, special offers, and discounts. It’s those perks that seem to be the real key to the store’s success. Otherwise it seems like just another place to buy digital music, one of a million out there online. eBay might be popular, but the name alone isn’t going to inspire anyone to buy the same old thing they can find elsewhere.

Image source: Mckenna71 @ Stock.xchng

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Michael Gudinski to Receive Top Live Entertainment Award

Music promoter, producer, publisher, and label head Michael Gudinski is set to receive the JC Williamson Award for excellence and achievement in live performance at this year’s 2009 Helpmann Awards.

The honour is the country’s highest for the live entertainment industry. It’s named after James Cassius Williamson, Australia’s most successful theatrical entrepreneur.

The award will be presented at the Helpmann Awards ceremony at Sydney Opera House on July 27. Congratulations to Michael Gudinski for the well-deserved nod!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Death Mattel Score uncharTED Semifinals Slot

Sydney rockers Death Mattel have secured a place in the Tooheys Extra Dry uncharTED semifinals after impressing the folks at MTV. They will compete for a spot on the bill at Splendour in the Grass and an artist development package worth $25, 000.

“I think Death Mattel have an instant appeal,” explained MTV’s senior manager of talent artist relations, Simon Stopford. “With a smattering of samples and electronic sounds mixed into their intense punk riffs, the results grab you by the collar and demand that you pay attention. This band has been a well kept secret for far too long and it’s high time they were thrust into the spotlight.”

Death Mattel will join Brisbane band Ellington, The Music Network’s choice, in the semis. The final two media picks, from MySpace and the Street Press Collective, will be revealed in the coming weeks.

They’ll join the bands receiving the most public votes at the uncharTED website. Head to the site and cast your vote for your chance to win tickets to Splendour in the Grass!

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Hampdens Score US Deal

Congratulations to The Hampdens. One of this country’s most underrated indie outfits have just inked a deal with US label Nettwerk.

The name might not be familiar to you, but its artistic stable, which has included Avril Lavigne, Coldplay, Dido, Jamiroquai, Sarah McLachlan, and Stereophonics will be.

The Hampdens will test the waters with the release of an EP, including the single “Croupier,” in five weeks time. The band will then release their album The Last Party across the United States later this year.

I only hope that America latches onto this band’s brilliance a little quicker than Australia did. They deserve every success!

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kate Miller-Heidke Wins International Songwriting Competition

Kate Miller-Heidke has taken home the grand prize at the International Songwriting Competition for her latest single “Caught in the Crowd.” Kate penned the anti-bullying track with her composing partner Keir Nuttall.

The song was unanimously selected from over 17,000 by an esteemed judging panel, featuring the likes of Tom Waits, Neil Finn, ray Davies, Jerry Lee Lewis, KT Tunstall, and Loretta Lynn.

Kate was awarded $25, 000 US, which she’ll use to tour the United States and Europe. Congratulations to her!

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Peter Garrett Supports Rock The Schools Program

Federal Minister for the Arts and former Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett has been named the patron for the Boost Mobile Rock the School program. The initiative will bring live music and career advice to 70 high schools across Australia.

The Take, Claire Clark, and Stone Parade will give students a first-hand look at all facets of the music industry.

“Rock the Schools is exciting, loud and a great training ground not only for up and coming artists but also all those integral support roles that are so important to be successful in the rock industry- sound, lighting, management and the like,” Peter Garrett explained.

“It is my great pleasure to be supporting a program that nurtures, inspires and educates young people about the diversity of opportunities within the music industry.”

Peter will attend the first event of the program, to be held at Brunswick Secondary College in Melbourne on May 6.

Image source: Peter Garrett website