Merry Christmas Oz Music Scene readers! I hope you’re having a wonderful day full of family, friends, good food, even better booze, presents under the tree, and of course some fabulous music. If you don’t have the latter, I sympathise. My mum swears it’s not Christmas without carols sung by The Peppermint Candy Kids. In an effort to ensure you don’t have to suffer the same fate, here’s Paul Kelly with the Australian Christmas classic “How To Make Gravy.” Happy holidays everybody!
Category: Video
Natalie Bassingthwaighte’s "Someday Soon" Music Video Revealed
Here’s your first look at the new film clip from Natalie Bassingthwaighte! Nat cowrote her new single “Someday Soon” with Alex Smith and Paul Barry, the man behind Cher’s dancefloor smash “Believe.” Can this song be just as big? We’ll have to see when the song hits stores on January 10! That’s one month before Natalie’s solo album 1000 Stars is on shelves.
Keep your eye out in the music video for Natalie’s nephew, Logan Sheldrick. The nine-year-old plays a child actor in the clip. It must be pretty cool to have an aunty like Natalie Bassingthwaighte!
Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia
New Song Obsession: "All My Bells are Ringing" by Lenka
British band The Music will join Scotland’s The Fratellis and a host of local musos for the very cheekily named Big O festival next year.
Christmas is my favourite time of year. What’s not to love about a holiday that brings together family, fine food, gifts, and too much alcohol? Lenka’s new song “All My Bells are Ringing” should help you get into the Christmas spirit. It’s another perfect slice of pop from this Aussie expat with an adorable stop-motion animated clip to match! Enjoy!
Australian Idol Winner Wes Carr Tops ARIA Charts
Congratulations to Wes Carr, who’s finally landed the number one spot on the ARIA Charts with his debut single “You”! Wes has been hovering around the pointy end of the charts for the last couple of weeks, so it’s great to see him on top.
I can’t help wondering whether Wes’ slow burn appeal means he’s likely to have a longer career than the Australian Idols who soared straight to number one, only to plummet just as quickly. Only time will tell! Wes is the only local artist in the Aussie top 10.
International acts are also dominating the albums charts, with only AC/DC and Hamish and Andy earning a place in the top ten. Black Ice is sitting comfortably at number three, while Hamish and Andy’s Unessential Listening is just behind at number four.
Here’s the complete top 10!
Australian Top 10 Singles
- “You” – Wes Carr
- “Poker Face” – Lady GaGa
- “Live Your Life” – T.I. Feat. Rihanna
- “Use Somebody” – Kings Of Leon
- “Sex on Fire” – Kings Of Leon
- “Sober” – P!nk
- “Circus” – Britney Spears
- “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) – Beyonce
- “Womanizer” – Britney Spears
- “If I Were a Boy” – Beyonce
Australian Top 10 Albums
- Funhouse – P!nk
- Only by the Night – Kings Of Leon
- Black Ice – AC/DC
- Unessential Listening – Hamish & Andy
- Circus – Britney Spears
- High School Musical 3: Senior Year – Soundtrack
- Dark Horse – Nickelback
- The Promise – Il Divo
- The Fame – Lady GaGa
- And Winter Came … – Enya
Kylie and Coldplay Release AIDS Charity Song "Lhuna"
Kylie Minogue and Coldplay have teamed up for an ethereal new single called “Lhuna.” The track was released yesterday to support World AIDS Day.
All proceeds from the sale of the landmark single will go to (RED)Wire, a charity which helps deliver AIDS medication to those that can’t afford it.
This song is certainly a departure from the soaring stadium anthems and boppy pop gems we’re used to hearing from these musicians. Who would have imagined their collaboration would sound like this?
Gabriella Cilmi is a Diva
Gabriella Cilmi joined a star-studded international line-up for the recent ITV Divas special in Britain recently.
Melbourne’s pop diva played alongside Pink, Rihanna, Anastacia, Leona Lewis, and living legend Dionne Warwick at the breast cancer benefit show. ITV hosted the event to thank fundraisers and campaigners from the United Kingdom’s leading breast cancer awareness charities for their efforts.
Gabriella performed her global smash hit “Sweet About Me.” Check it out!
New Song Obsession: "Burn" by Jessica Mauboy
Jessica Mauboy is fast becoming Australia’s answer to Rihanna. Her new single “Burn” is another sizzling slice of soulful pop. I think this is even catchier than “Running Back,” so I won’t be surprised if it scorches up the charts. With it’s R’n’ B grooves and catchy chorus, this is likely to be the song you’ll be humming all summer.
John Brewster Suffers Heart Attack
The Angels’ guitarist John Brewster is recovering in a Queensland hospital after suffering a heart attack.
John reportedly fell ill as the band was preparing to perform at Rumours in Toowoomba. He was rushed to hospital where he had a five-way bypass operation. He is recovering well, although it may take months before he can rejoin his bandmates.
But the show must go on, with John’s eldest son Sam stepping into his father’s shoes. Sam was the obvious replacement for his father as “he learned all the songs in the womb.”
The Angels will play tomorrow night at The Settlers Hotel in Mildura. Here’s a little classic Angels to brighten this story up!
New Song Obsession: "The Lighthouse Song" by Josh Pyke
Josh Pyke never fails to impress me. I first heard “The Lighthouse Song” during his set at Bimbadgen Blues, and it was love at first listen. This is Josh doing what he does best: crafting a deceptively simple melody and overlaying some beautiful poetic lyrics. The gorgeous animation adds just the right amount of whimsy.
"Curiouser" – Kate Miller-Heidke
Kate Miller-Heidke is one of the most intriguing Australian musicians, so it makes sense that her second album is titled Curiouser.
It’s an eclectic collection of songs, from the sunny pop opener “The One Thing I Know” to the moving ballad “The Last Day on Earth.” The tunes might sound markedly different, but they’re unified by Kate’s clever lyrics and sense of fun.
This is a more commercial affair than Kate’s debut Little Eve, and initially that may disappoint some fans. Her operatic trills are scaled back, and songs like the single “Can’t Shake It” will sound right at home on sandwiched between Britney and Beyonce on the radio. But Kate cleverly stays just left of the mainstream, no matter how close to it she veers. These songs are more accessible to the masses, but they’re still highly original.
The tunes all clock in at around three minutes, helping the disc move at a frantic pace. I needed to play it through three times just to absorb it all, particularly those cheeky lyrics. I think every girl will relate to the sentiments in “God’s Gift to Women” and “I Like You Better When You’re Not Around”!
Kate Miller-Heidke has gone from strength to strength with Curiouser, a complex album that gets richer with every listen. I always knew she was brilliant, but this might just be the CD that convinces the rest of Australia. Take a look at this video for a taste of the album!