Way to go Keith Urban! While I was reminiscing about using one of his older songs during my wedding, he was preparing to accept his fourth Grammy Award!
Keith was named best male country vocal performer over Toby Keith, David Nailand, Chris Young, and Jamey Johnson.
It hasn’t been a great year for Aussies getting noticed at the big music awards, so it’s awesome to see Keith flying the flag for us!
Image source: Jeaneeem @ Wikimedia Commons
It’s Valentine’s Day folks, that time of year where the world gets a little bit sappier. I must admit, I’m not immune to this Hallmark holiday. We reject the way restaurants jack up their prices, so I’m preparing to spend the afternoon whipping up a three-course meal. Yep, entrée, main, and even dessert. I have no sweet tooth, yet I’m getting set to create something sugary just for him. If that doesn’t say “I love you,” I don’t know what does.
Given that love is in the air I figured I’d post an Aussie song with a bit of personal meaning for me, “You’re My Better Half” by Keith Urban. We actually cut the cake at our wedding to this song nearly five years ago. We’ve all heard that phrase “better half,” but unless you’ve really been in a good relationship you can’t fully understand what it means. I don’t buy into that idea of a person completing you, but I do think the right one can bring out your very best qualities. People who know me say I’ve blossomed since meeting my husband; I’m more confident and outgoing and generally happier. I like to think I’ve been just as much of an asset to him!
So to my husband Steve, you are my better half. You know how much I love you, but on days like this I get a license to make the public declarations. Here’s to many more Valentine’s Day together!
Like many Aussies I wasn’t familiar with the music of Drawn from Bees, but this Brisbane band is making some real waves in North America with dates approaching at Canadian Music Week and South by Southwest.
Their EP Cautionary Tales for the Lionhearted will get an American release on March 1, which is sure to elevate their profile here and abroad. I gave the recording a few spins this afternoon and found it to be really mature, sophisticated stuff. The band harmonizes beautifully, and creates an amazing atmosphere which reminds me of Radiohead without the slit-your-wrists factor. While there’s certainly some darkness here, it never feels as gloomy and labored as the music the British band typically produced. The jangly guitars and rich melodies give these songs a warmth that elevates them out of the doldrums. I particularly loved “Stand Against the Storm,” which has shades of Talking Heads to it, and “Picture Show,” which builds so beautifully to a stirring crescendo.
Tunes from the EP and a few extras are available through Drawn From Bees’ MySpace page. If you like what you hear, make sure you check out what the band can do in the flesh at the following shows here and abroad!
18 February 2011 – 34B (above Spectrum), Sydney
5 March 2011 – The Manhattan Room, Philadelphia
6 March 2011 – Howlers, Pittsburgh
7 March 2011 – Euclid Tavern, Cleveland
8 March 2011 – Pearl St Grill, Buffalo
10 March 2011 – Canadian Music Week @ Bread & Circus, Toronto
12 March 2011 – Canadian Music Week @ Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto
13 March 2011 – Aussie BBQ @ Bowery Ballroom, New York
15 March 2011 – Cactus Instore, Houston
16 March 2011 – SXSW Party @ International Psych-Out, Austin
16 March 2011 – SXSW Party @ Aussie’s Bar & Grill, Austin
17 March 2011 – SXSW Party @ Dart International Music House, Austin
20 March 2011 – Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar, Houston
21 March 2011 – Reggie’s Music Joint, Chicago
22 March 2011 – Elbo Room, Chicago
24 March 2011 – Hennessey’s Hooley House, Boston
25 March 2011 – Hank’s Saloon, Brooklyn
The Living End’s last album White Noise was massive, so it’s exciting to hear that the lads are back in the studio some three years after its release.
Not that they’ve been resting on their laurels during that time. Chris Cheney recently wrote on The Living End website that the band spent most of last year writing, and they’ve now got a short list of 40 songs! Double CD, anyone? It seems the final votes will come down to public opinion though.
“As usual for TLE we did a week’s worth of gigs playing only new songs to see which ones would sink or swim,” he explained. “We also just wanted people to hear what we are up to. There are some really different ideas kicking around this time but the emphasis has been on creating a cohesive album that is heavy, melodic and overall very anthemic.”
The band are currently working with Nick Didia at a studio in Byron Bay ahead of an anticipated spring 2011 release. Do the band have another White Noise on their hand? With that many songs to choose from, surely this album is going to be quality stuff!
Image source: Yana Amur @ Wikimedia Commons
Is your social calendar looking a bit bare this weekend? Well get yourself down to Deck 23 in Dee Why tomorrow night for the Kind Acts of Randomness flood fundraiser.
And random it is, with a mixed bag of music, comedy, trivia, and even live art. Well you’re certainly not going to get bored! The bill is understandably eclectic, with singer-songwriter Andrew Morris, Lindsay “The Doctor” McDougall, The Cloud Girls, Versions, and even ABC reporter Lucy Carter all scheduled to make an appearance.
Tickets are just $25, which includes the entertainment, a complementary drink and canapés. All of that money’s going to the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal too, so why not come along?
With their nautical name and groovy pop single “Board the Apartment Up” at radio, the Seabellies might just be the perfect summer band.
They’re celebrating the season, and the release of their final single from By Limbo Lake, by playing shows down the East Coast by way of Adelaide. The gigs will showcase the songs from that debut record and some new material written during a month long residency in Melbourne. They’ll lay those tunes down soon, but these shows give you the opportunity to hear them before anyone else.
Seabellies are quickly earning a reputation as one of Australia’s must see live acts. Come see why at the following shows.
12 February 2011 – Good Vibrations Festival, Sydney
24 February 2011 – ASP Surfing Awards, Gold Coast
26 February 2011 – Globe Theatre, Brisbane
3 March 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
5 March 2011 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
11 March 2011 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
12 March 2011 – Beachcomber, Toukley
17 March 2011 – Gaelic Theatre, Sydney
18 March 2011 – Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale
20 March 2011 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
Image used with permission from Albert Music
A who’s who of the Aussie music scene will descend on Shepparton next month for the 3630 Festival. The line-up is impressive, with Angus & Julia Stone, Clare Bowditch, Ryan Meeking, and The Verses all on the bill.
As if the music wasn’t enough to entice you to part with your cash, it’s worth noting that half of the profits will reach Reconciliation Australia. This charity does vital work to bridge the gap in life expectancy between white and indigenous Australians. By donating their funds to the cause, 3630 Festival organisers hope to raise both money and awareness for this organization’s important work.
Considering Shepparton rarely sees any live music of note, let alone a bill like this, it’s impressive that the price of admission has been kept down. For just $65, I can’t think of a better way to spend a lazy Labour Day Sunday! Get your tickets at Shepparton’s Lemon Tree Café or online now!
Image used with permission from the 3630 Festival
I don’t normally write about movies here, but I’m pretty excited about Griff the Invisible. It’s a sweet little Aussie film, with a solid romance to keep me happy and super hero themes for the lads. It’s already being described as “Kick Ass meets Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” which sounds pretty brilliant in my opinion. What a great contrast to all those glossy, action packed, and ultimately unsatisfying Hollywood comic remakes! Here’s the trailer for the movie, starring local boy made good Ryan Kwanten, for your viewing pleasure!
Griff the Invisible is hitting theatres on March 17, but before that we’ll get the first song from the soundtrack penned by our own Kids at Risk. The track called “Doing the Best That We Can” hits the web on March 4. With the band described as being a mix of pop, punk, and indie sounds I’m looking forward to hearing the song!
You can follow Kids at Risk on their own adventures to film premieres and the like at the brand new blog. Check it out at the Kids at Risk website!
Sorry about the late notice about this one, but sometimes I don’t hear about things until the last minute either. But if you’re quick, you can take advantage of the new tickets available for Gimme That Guitar, the tribute show for the late Harvey James.
The extra tickets are a result of the venue moving from The Factory Theatre to The Enmore. The tickets of all existing ticket holders are still valid, but the new larger spot allows more of the guitarist’s fans to pay their respects.
The line-up is incredible, with Sherbet reforming and Aussie legends like Richard Clapton, Renee Geyer, Ian Moss, Jon English, and Dragon also on the bill.
Tickets are a bargain at $65, and the funds raised will benefit Harvey’s family and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center. They go on sale at 10 am from Gimme That Guitar and the Enmore Theatre.
Image source: Gimme That Guitar website
When I posted Barry Southgate’s new song “Don’t You Think?” you all made it very clear that you liked what you heard. So I figured it was only fair that I gave you a little more of the man himself as we head towards the release of his debut EP Epitome.
This video takes you behind the scenes of the EP’s artwork shoot. The man behind the camera is Steven Taylor, who’s also worked with Bruno Mars, Ne-Yo, and John Mayer. Clearly he knows his stuff.
Make sure you watch it right through to the end to hear a little snippet of the EP!