Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sydneyvision Winner Dyan Tai Asks “Why Sydney”

Anyone described as the Asian love child of Prince and Lady Gaga has enough going on to get me interested. And so it’s well worth taking a look at Dyan Tai, the recent winner of the Sydneyvision Song Contest. Think Eurovision for Sydney’s burbs.

Dyan won the title with this delightfully campy dance ode to his home city, “Why Sydney.” If you’re still searching for Mr or Miss Right in the big smoke, it’s likely to strike a chord.

“Why Sydney” isn’t a song that tries to be anything other than what it is. Don’t go looking for the deeper meaning because you’ll be disappointed. It’s fun and more than a little silly, but you’ll find yourself singing it long after the video ends!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wayne Swan’s Daughter is “So Cool”!

While Wayne Swan has been doing his best to manage Australia’s money, his daughter Erinn has been quietly plugging away at a musical career. With her band Streamer Bendy, the tattooed Brisbanite has written and recorded tracks in Sweden and Los Angeles. The new single “You’re So Cool” is the first taste of their efforts.

“Things are very exciting in the world of Streamer Bendy right now” Erinn Swan explained. “We’ve just completed a marathon trip to Sweden where we collaborated with the likes of superstar producers Macho Psycho (P!nk), Trinity, Martin Hansen (The Rasmus), and Arnthor Birgisson (Leona Lewis, Natalie Bassingthwaite, Jennifer Lopez).”

We can expect more melodic and insanely catchy rock-pop songs when the band releases its debut album next year. They plan on conquering Australia, then setting their sights on Europe, so it sounds like 2011 is going to be massive for them!

Until then, check out the video for “You’re So Cool!”

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Laneous & The Family Yah Do Festivals Ahead of EP Releases

Laneous & The Family Yah have had a massive 2010, releasing their second album Found Things and a swag of singles, and clocking up plenty of touring kays. You’d think they’d have earned a rest, but the Brisbane band is already preparing to release an ambitious three EPs.

The indie outfit will release the Found Things Collection as a kind of companion to the original Found Things album. The first of the three discs, named Scissors, will hit stores in February, with Paper and Rock to follow.

But before those CDs drop the Laneous crew are packing up their tour bus and enjoying the summer festival season. Here are the places you can catch them around the country.

27 December 2010 – Joyluck Club @ Woodford Folk Festival, Woodfordia
28 December 2010 – Dancehall @ Woodford Folk Festival, Woodfordia
29 December 2010 – The Underworld @ Peats Ridge Festival, Glenworth Valley
30 & 31 December 2010 – The Grande @ Woodford Folk Festival, Woodfordia
6 January 2011 – Hibiscus Stage @ Sunset Sounds Festival, Brisbane
7 January 2011 – Main Stage, ‘Post-Festival Party’ @ Shush, Sydney
23 January 2011 – Big Day Out, Gold Coast

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Old Man River, Passenger, and Daniel Lee Kendall Announce “One For the Road” Tour

Old Man River is teaming up with Passenger and Sounds of Oz favourite Daniel Lee Kendall for one big summer tour.

This is one of those really exciting bills for folks who love the art of songwriting and story-telling through music. It’s also taking in some gorgeous venues in the capitals and regional centers.

If you’re a bit skint from Christmas keep your ear to the ground, as Old Man River and Passenger will also play some free street gigs along the way.

Tickets for these shows are on sale from the venues.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 29: Members of the band Old Man River arrive on the red carpet at the third annual MTV Australia Video Music Awards 2007 at Acer Arena on April 29, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Patrick Riviere/Getty Images)


9 February 2011 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
10 February 2011 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
11 February 2011 – Annandale Hotel, Sydney
12 February 2011 – Northern Star Hotel, Newcastle
18 February 2011 – The Soundlounge, Currumbin
19 February 2011 – Old Museum, Brisbane
24 February 2011 – Republic Bar, Hobart
25 February 2011 –  East Brunswick Club, Melbourne
26 & 27 February 2011 – Garden of Unearthly Delights, Adelaide Spiegeltent (Old Man River only)
26 February 2011 – Between the Bays Festival, Mornington Peninsula (Passenger only)
4 March 2011 – Amplifier Bar, Perth
5 March 2011 – Mojo’s, North Fremantle
6 March 2011 – Indi Bar, Scarborough
6 March 2011 – Nannup Festival, Nannup (Passenger only)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Push Over Tickets Early, and Save!

Push Over is one of Australia’s longest running all-ages music festival, and with a killer line-up for 2011 it shows no signs of losing steam.

Next year’s festival will see an eclectic bunch of bands from around the country performing over four sound stages in Melbourne. Get on down to see sets from Children Collide, Owl Eyes, Oh Mercy, Illy, The Tongue, Anchors, Break Even, and heaps more.

Push Over takes over the unlikely site of Abbotsford Convent on March 13. Tickets don’t officially go on sale until Monday, but if you click this link you can buy them early and save $2 on the regular price. Score!

Image source: Pushover website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Red Jezebel Give Free Download for Aussie Cricket Team

Red Jezebel BodylineRed Jezebel is giving us all an early Christmas present! The Western Australian act is currently offering its new single “Bodyline” as a free download.

Apparently the staple of the band’s live set was intended as a Christmas release, but the staunch cricket fans figured maybe an early release would help boost team morale. You can nab the track for nix until February 6, which is not so coincidentally the final Australia versus England ODI game of the season.

But why wait until then? Point your browser to the official Red Jezebel website and download away!

And if you haven’t made any New Year’s Eve plans yet, why not join Red Jezebel at the Rosemount Hotel? They’re headlining the pub’s New Year’s Eve Fiesta, sharing the bill with Will Stoker and the Embers, Sons of Rico, Emperors, and heaps more. I hear a couple of surprises are in store, so fans shouldn’t miss this one. Doors open at 6, and make sure you get there early because the first 50 through the door will get a limited edition hard copy version of “Bodyline”!

Tickets are available for $20 plus booking fee from Planet Video, Mills Records, Star Perth and Heatseeker.

Image used with permission from Sweet Mate Promotions

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Score Free Big Day Out Tickets and Phones with Motorola Competition

Motorola has its own version of Santa this Christmas, and it’s Barry. Barry has been travelling all around the country handing out free Big Day Out tickets and Defy phones through the company’s Dash to Defy promotion.

To track down Barry, just point your browser to the Dash to Defy website. Registered members get clues about Barry’s locations, and just quietly you can get some extra hints on the Motorola Australia Facebook page. Barry will hand out the goodies every Tuesday and Thursday until the end of the month, so there are plenty of opportunities to score.

With several BDO shows already sold out, Barry’s bound to be a very popular fellow. Good luck hunting him down!

Image source: Kurhan @ Stock.xchng

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jebediah Albums Finally Released Online

After a hiatus that stretched far too long, Jebediah are finally back together and in the studio preparing a brand new album for our listening pleasure. To celebrate, Sony Music has gone back in the vault to release a digital box set of the band’s first three studio albums.

Slightly Odway, Of Someday Shambles, and Jebediah will be available as a set called The Murmur Years 1997-2002, or individually. While you’re updating your MP3 collection you can also add the now out-of-print Gleesides and Sparities, and the indie release Braxton Hicks.

All that Jebediah goodness should get you in the mood for the newie, which will drop some time next year.

Image used with permission from Chrissie Vincent Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Resist The Thought and Buried in Verona Headline “I Wanna Give It” Tour

Resist the Thought and Buried in Verona are teaming up for one big Aussie metal tour this summer.

The Sydney bands will play just about everywhere over January and February. Resist the Thought have been called one of the “best young metal acts to ever grace an Australian stage,” while Buried in Verona are riding a wave following the release of their second album Saturday Night Sever.

It’s great to see plenty of all ages shows on the schedule. Rock on young things! Tickets for all gigs are on sale now.

13 January 2011 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide, SA (All Ages)
14 January 2011 – Old Gaol, Mt Gambier (All Ages)
15 January 2011 – The National Hotel, Geelong (All Ages)
16 January 2011 – Musicman Megastore, Bendigo (All Ages)
20 January 2011 – The Harp Hotel, Wollongong (18+)
27 January 2011 – Hot Damn, Spectrum, Sydney (18+)
28 January 2011 – Minto PCYC, Campbelltown (All Ages)
29 January 2011 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle (18+)
30 January 2011 – The Wall, Sydney (All Ages)
2 February 2011 – Shed 5, Gold Coast (All Ages)
3 February 2011 – Boys Like Girls, X&Y Bar, Brisbane (18+)
4 February 2011 – The Fort, Brisbane (All Ages)
5 February 2011 – Black Box Theatre, Nambour (All Ages)
6 February 2011 – Youth Centre, Menai (All Ages)
12 February 2011 – Wesley Hall, Dubbo (All Ages)
18 February 2011 – Youth Centre, Tuggeranong (All Ages)
19 February 2011 – Masonic Hall, Blacktown (All Ages)
25 February 2011 – Amplifier Bar, Perth (18+)
26 February 2011 – YMCA HQ, Leederville (All Ages)

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Profecy

Brisbane MC Profecy is making a name for himself with his exciting new hip hop sound, best showcased on his debut EP Let the Music Play. I caught up with Profecy to chat about the EP, his recent launch show, and what he brings to the hip hop genre.

You’ve recently released your debut EP, Let the Music Play. What can you tell me about it?
The EP is made up of five songs. I’ve got a couple upbeat tracks on there and a few emotional tracks. A lot of people complain about Aussie hip hop sounding all the same. My main focus was to create something that stands out from the rest and I think I’ve accomplished that.

A Belgian producer, Benno, produced the EP. What did he bring to your sound?
Benno is an extremely versatile and talented producer, the production behind the EP is a combination of old samples and live instrumentation.

You’ve also got American singer/producer DJ Corbett on one of the tracks. How did that collaboration come about, and what was he like to work with?
He was great to work with. I sent him the track and within a day he got back to me with the chorus and even added some DJ cuts. I think that song is one of the stand-out tracks of the EP. A lot of people say the beat has a Dr Dre feel to it.

I believe you set about creating an EP that differs from all the other Aussie hip hop around. How did you want to do that, and do you think you’ve succeeded?
Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot quality Aussie hip hop around but I think there is also a lot of poor quality as well. Aussie hip hop is strongly influenced by the 80s and 90s American hip hop, and a lot of Aussie emcees try to emulate this sound. I think it’s time for Aussie hip hop to evolve and that is what I’ve tried to accomplish in creating this EP.

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