The Veronicas video for their latest single “Take Me On the Floor” has caused a commotion! What’s all the fuss about? Well, there’s some footage of girls kissing girls. Apparently the sexy shots mean we’ll never see the clip on Video Hits and the like, who will instead screen a much tamer version.
I watched the clip expecting to see some real fireworks and was a little disappointed. Silhouetted girl on girl action is too hot for daytime TV? What bothers me here is the double standard. I saw much raunchier in the film clip for James Blunt’s “Goodbye My Lover,” but because he was a whiny male cavorting with a naked Mischa Barton that was all OK. And how is this more suggestive than Katy Perry singing her song all about kissing a girl?
Thankfully you’re online, so you can see the stuff those music video shows won’t show you. What do you think? Is it a lot of fuss over nothing, or does it deserve the ban?
Last night I headed to Newtown to catch Jason Mraz at The Enmore. The theatre was cleverly organized so all the fans could experience the concert their way. The seats in the floor section were cleared out to make way for those enthusiastic young girls who wanted to dance and sing along with their idol. Up in the dress circle the vibe was a lot more mellow, with seats allowing us older folks to properly relax to Mraz’s laidback grooves.
But before all that we were treated to a set from Melanie Horsnell. I’d heard her name before but never any of her music, so I was keen to see what she could do. I was impressed with her instantly accessible lyrics and rich country-tinged voice. Although, as seems to be a common complaint with me, I really could have done without the chatter in the room. Am I the only person who listens to support acts any more? The audience did seem to take a little more notice when she performed a breathtaking acoustic version of Bernard Fanning’s “Songbird,” but this focus was short lived. It’s a shame because she was really very good.
All the chatter was replaced with rapturous applause once Jason Mraz stepped out. He drew everyone in with his easy personality and warmth and didn’t let go. This was my third time seeing him live, but with the first with the full band set up. It’s something I wasn’t sure about as I tend to prefer acoustic sets, but in the end I needn’t have worried. The set was lush and varied. Some songs utilised all the instruments and they were richer for it, while for other songs he knew all they needed was an acoustic guitar.
I am so excited about the Olympics. For the next two weeks I’m going to wear an indent in my couch, getting up early and staying up late enough to soak it all up. While my anticipation is at fever pitch, there’s one thing that has managed to sour my mood. It’s that damned “Ready to Fly” song by Amy Pearson.
I’m sure she’s a really sweet girl. Her voice is pretty enough. But really, does that inspire anyone to get out there and win gold? I’ve been thinking about all the songs I’d much rather hear on the Olympics ads, and so I figured I’d put together this post to get you all into the Olympic spirit.
Channel Seven, if you feel like adopting any of these tracks I’d be thrilled.
“We Can’t Be Beaten” – Rose Tattoo
See this is what an Olympics song should song like. Empassioned vocals, crunchy guitars, and a message to spur our athletes on.
“Better” – The Screaming Jets
I’m a Novacastrian, so this song has a place close to my heart. When the Newcastle Knights faced off with the Manly Sea Eagles in the 1997 rugby league grand final, this song was all over the radio willing our boys to bring home the trophy. Then when they did, we continued to play it. I absolutely love it.
“Holy Grail” – Hunters & Collectors
I don’t know whether Mark Seymour was thinking about gold medals when he wrote “Holy Grail,” but this song works so well as an Olympic anthem that I just don’t care!
“(Simply) The Best” – Tina Turner and Jimmy Barnes
Yes Tina did it first, but it was Jimmy Barnes’ trademark rasp that really made this song. True story: when I worked at K-Mart as a high school student the bosses used to play this track every morning to inspire us. I think it works a lot better in a sports context!
“Playing to Win” – Little River Band
If you can listen to this song without getting fired up you’re just not Australian. Farnsy originally recorded this track with Little River Band, but it’s just as strong as a solo song. It also gives us a good excuse to see that infamous mullet again!
Well here’s some unexpected news: CDB have reformed! If you weren’t a teenage girl in the 90s this will probably mean nothing to you, so let me refresh your memory.
CDB were Australia’s very own boy band. Along with Human Nature, they showed local girls that we didn’t need the Backstreet Boys or Take That. Their pop-soul anthems like “Hook Me Up” and “Let’s Groove” sold plenty, but then after two albums they disbanded.
But let’s face it. Gary Pinto is wasted as a back-up singer on Australian Idol. And I’d much rather see his brother Brad shaking his booty than working behind-the-scenes writing and producing.
So why reform now? Andrew De Silva sheds some light on this surprising turn of events.
“We have rediscovered the reasons why we first formed the band. The chemistry between us and the combined skills just amaze me,” he explained in a press statement. “It’s been great pursuing our individual goals, but there’s something really special about this group and what we create together. During our time apart we’ve acquired new skills and ideas that we bring back to the band. We have rediscovered CDB but this time with greater experience and promise.”
It looks like the lads have taken some inspiration from Human Nature’s recent Motown success. After all, their 90s contemporaries have managed to stay relevant on the modern musical landscape, so they’re a pretty good model!
So CDB are paying tribute to their favourite artists with The Funk Sessions. It’s due out in October.
Until then I’ll just have to be content watching old footage like this music video for “Hey Girl” on Hey Hey It’s Saturday. Those white outfits make them look like they’re part of a cult, but those harmonies take me right back!
When I read some time ago that Ben Lee had composed the soundtrack for the new Aussie movie The Square I became quite excited. New Ben Lee is always cause for joy, but I was particularly intrigued because he was handing singing duties over to Jessica Chapnick. I heard the song for the first time on Sunrise this morning, and I’m impressed.
She may star in Home & Away, but Jessica is far from those disposable soap popettes we’re so familiar with. Instead she’s cut from that serious balladeer mould that is sure to interest fans of Sarah Blasko and Holly Throsby. Ben has excelled with these romantic yet original lyrics. All in all, I’m in love with this song.
I have a confession to make: I love a good torch song. Give me some sappy lyrics and a strong melody and I’m a happy girl. So Delta Goodrem’s latest single “I Can’t Break it to My Heart” is right up my alley.
Just quietly, I found “Believe Again” boring and “You Will Only Break My Heart” a little lacking in substance, so I’m thrilled to see her back to her best with this single. Yes it’s super daggy, but I just love it. The song really seems to come alive when she steps on stage, so please enjoy this version from Delta’s Max Sessions concert filmed earlier this year!
I’ve been a Ry Cuming fan for a while now, so I was thrilled to read he’s just signed a worldwide record deal with Jive!
The Aussie expat has wasted no time in getting to work on his debut release. And with Mark Batson (James Blunt, Dave Matthews Band, India.Arie) at the helm, it should be a ripper.
Ry is currently based in Los Angeles, which is a long way from his Aouth Australian hometown of Angourie. He cites Jack Johnson, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder as his biggest influences, which give you some indication of the sort of laid back soul music he makes.
His album should be out later this year, but you don’t have to wait that long to hear his awesome tunes. Check out his MySpace page to hear music from Australia’s next big thing, and watch the video below to learn more about him!
I love the internet. I can be here, but not really here. Right now I’m enjoying my long weekend as any self-respecting Aussie should be doing. So since I’m away on a little mini road trip I thought I’d leave you with one of my favourite driving songs, “Driving Wheels” by Jimmy Barnes. Rock out and enjoy your long weekend folks!
Here’s one for all the nostalgia buffs out there. Little River Band founder Graeham Goble has just relaunched his website with an absolute treasure trove of video content.
The site features 50 clips in all, including plenty of rare footage. See Birtles and Goble perform their hit “I’m Coming Home” on the Don Lane Show and the Paul Hogan Show. There’s also a rare duet with John Farnham at the Carols by Candlelight, and some very cool Eagles songs with none other than Glenn Frey!
The spiffy new website coincides with this week’s release of Graeham’s new album Let it Rain. To get you in the mood,here’s the film clip from the LRB classic, “Reminiscing.”
Olivia Newtown-John’s massive Great Walk to Beijing trek has come to an end. Olivia led a team of local and international celebrities and cancer survivors on the 228 km journey. The trek took 23 days
In case you haven’t heard, the likes of James Reyne, Sir Cliff Richard, Fergie, and Dannii Minogue walked to raise funds to build a new cancer and wellness centre in Melbourne. Ian Thorpe even did it without shoes one day!
The walk may be over, but the job’s not done yet. “We’ve achieved a lot in terms of educating people about the centre and how it will conduct worldwide research, with a wellness centre and patient care all under one roof. In terms of fundraising we are just at the beginning,” she said on the Great Walk to Beijing website.
You can still donate to this great cause through the site, or you might like to wait to buy Olivia’s latest CD, A Celebration in Song. This great album features duets with Delta Goodrem, Barry Gibb, Richard Marx, Jimmy Barnes, the late Belinda Emmett and more. Proceeds from the sale of the CD will also help fun the cancer centre. You can grab yours when it hits stores on 5 May.
