Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Celebrates Oz

With ARIAs fever in the air, our X Factor finalists took on Aussie hits.

Luke and Joel kicked things off with The Living End’s “White Noise.” It was a smart choice as The Living End have always been more about the energy than the technical skills. This is where these boys excel. They didn’t blow me away as they did last week, but that landed them in the bottom two; maybe it’s better to be solid at this point.

When I heard Sally Chatfield was taking on The Veronicas, I’d hoped she’d do “Everything I’m Not.” But I don’t know; there were some really nice moments but it just didn’t quite jump off the page for me. I loved the way she asserted herself, and that lovely spontaneous moment with the guitarist, but I’m just not sure she gave us all of herself. They seemed to lap it up in the studio, but I just wasn’t feeling it at home.

Andrew Lawson dished up a bit of Sam Sparro’s “Black and Gold.” This was so theatrical and over the top. The song choice was lovely and his vocals were brilliant, but for me it was just too glossy to take seriously. I think if it was stripped back this would have been much more convincing. I’ve often felt that The X Factor goes overboard on the production, and this is a prime example.

I never would have thought of picking a bit of Daryl Braithwaite for Mahogany, but I thought their version of “The Horses” was brilliant. Well done to Guy for remembering that Australian music didn’t start with the naughties. This was the most believable performance of the night. I can’t imagine Mahogany being in the bottom two after this.

Altiyan Childs closed the night with a really lovely version of “Never Tear Us Apart.” It was all those things I’ve been banging on about, being believable and authentic and stripping it all back to the root of the song. He’s definitely coming into his own, and it’s a beautiful thing to see.

After a fairly uneven night it’s hard to say who will go. I know who my favourites were, but we’ve all got to factor in that sympathy element. We’ll find out tomorrow night where the axe will fall.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Butterfingers’ Singer Evil Eddie’s Ode to Queensland

Former Butterfingers’ front man Evil Eddie is paying tribute to his home state with his new single “Queensland.” Butterfingers enthusiasts should love this solo effort, as has that same hip hop/punk core and “brilliantly uncouth” lyrics that made the iconic band so successful.

The “Queensland” single offers real value for music fans, with the inclusion of a radio edit and Bewilderbeats remix. It comes from the forthcoming debut album, tentatively titled Welcome to Flavour Country. We may not know exactly what it’ll be called yet, but we do know that Eddie plays almost all the instruments himself, bar drums, which is pretty impressive.

No doubt we’ll get to hear “Queensland” and some more new tracks when Evil Eddie takes to the stage at the upcoming Peats Ridge Festival on the Central Coast on December 29, and the Woodford Folk Festival on December 30 and 31. He’ll be backed by an all star band boasting members of Butterfingers, Laneous and the Family Yah, Bang Boss Kelly, The Disables, and Spitfireliar. I hear they might also pop up and play a few secret shows, so keep your eyes peeled and your ears to the ground music fans!


Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Addicted to Bliss N Eso’s Awesome New Music Video

Have you seen the film clip for Bliss N Eso’s new song “Addicted”? The amazing stop-motion video has set YouTube alight with nearly 50, 000 views since it was posted on Tuesday.

I’ll bet the lads are glad their hard work is being seen by so many. After working for three months on the clip, which was shot using more than 2200 photos and more than 300 cans of paint you’d want it to go viral!

If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Profecy Shares New EP for Free

The Australian hip hop scene is growing quickly, and taking new talents like Brisbane MC Profecy along for the ride. On November 9 he’ll release his debut EP, a five-tracker called Let The Music Play.

The CD’s seen Profecy collaborate with Belgian producer Benno and American singer/producer DJ Corbett. The experience of these industry pros combines with Profecy’s vibrant delivery and poignant lyrics to create something special.

“My goal when creating this EP was to create something that differs from all other Australian hip hop, something exciting and musical, not just lackluster vocals over boom bap beats, which seems to be the trend,” Profecy explained in a statement.

If that interests you make sure you head to Profecy’s website on November 9 to download the album for free. And if you like what you hear, make sure you experience Profecy in the flesh when he plays his launch show at Fortitude Valley’s Step Inn on December 11. He’ll play all the EP tracks and then some with the help of Cheyenne, Cam Bluff of Vegas Aces, Jae Druitt, and Jealous Citty. It sounds like a fun night!

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Have the ARIA Awards Sold Out? You Bet Barnesy

Jimmy Barnes made some telling comments in the media today, slamming the ARIAs and the way they’ve become more about television ratings than the music. I’ve got to admit, I tend to agree.

Years ago I remember attending several ARIA Awards. I cheered on the world music artists I’d chatted to earlier in the night as well as bands who were already my favourites, and celebrated the beautiful landscape of Australian music.

But that sense of community seems to have been taken away this year as awards were presented at ARIA Genre Awards concerts rather than the main event. These genre awards saw gongs go to some big names: jazz man James Morrison, children’s entertainers The Wiggles, country sister act The McClymonts, and the soulful Dan Sultan amongst them.

These artists might not be flogged to death on commercial radio as the acts that will take home Sunday night’s awards are, but isn’t that kind of the point? Why do international guests with no connection to music like Carmen Electra and Eric Stonestreet find a place at Sunday’s awards when the performers that make the Australian music landscape so rich don’t? I love Modern Family as much as the next person, but it makes no sense to me. I’d much rather celebrate the melting pot that is the Aussie music industry than only the performers that already bask in the limelight.

I was happy to see the ARIAs move back to Ten after the awkwardness of last year’s ceremony, but now I’m just not sure.

Image used with permission from Javelin Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Owl Eyes

Australian audiences were first introduced to Brooke Addamo as a fresh-faced teen on Australian Idol. She’s done some growing up since then, and adopted the stage name Owl Eyes. With the release of her debut EP Faces, it’s time to reacquaint yourself with this talented young singer-songwriter. I caught up with her recently to chat about her stage persona, Faces, and her upcoming launch shows.

It’s not so common for a solo performer to take a stage name. What was behind that decision for you?
I decided to go with a stage name to separate myself from my normal self. Having a different name helps you create a stage persona and let’s you be more creative.

And why Owl Eyes?
I feel owls are such a good representation of my music; it’s that combination of light and darkness, pop music with some substance behind it. Among many other reasons I choose it after going through some of my favourite songs and came across Devendra Banhart’s “Owl Eyes,” and it just sounded right to me.

If local audiences think you look familiar it may be because they spotted you on Australian Idol. How was that experience for you?
Australian Idol was fine. I mean I was 17 at the time, so it was a good experience for me to go through. It really did make me realise what I didn’t want to be and made me a stronger person in the decisions I make. I feel it actually makes me work harder because people have these preconceived ideas of what I am so I have to constantly prove myself as a serious artist but when good things happen I’m more grateful because I know how hard I worked, so it all balances out in the end.

There can be a bit of a stigma around appearing on a talent show like that, particularly when you’re a songwriter with independent leanings. Did you feel that, and if so how did you overcome it?
I have felt that at times but I have been pretty fortunate that once people hear my music they kind of discard the stigma and judge me purely on what they hear. The fact that I didn’t go very far on the show has actually benefited me in the long run and similar artists have set good precedents and I think people are more forgiving towards artists like myself and see it more as an awkward teenage stage or a learning curve, rather then something that defines the artist.

Continue reading “Q & A with Owl Eyes” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

R.I.P. James Freud

Like so many of you out there, I was shocked and saddened to hear of the death of The Models front man James Freud.

It appears that he committed suicide after a long battle with alcohol. His struggles were well documented in his memoirs, but it’s still shocking to hear that he’s gone.

“It is with much sorrow that we share the news of the passing of James Freud,” a statement from Mushroom Music read. “James Freud passed away this morning. James’ battle with alcoholism has been well chronicled. His two books on his recovery and five years sobriety were bestsellers and gave a lot of people who were suffering the same affliction comfort and hope. Unfortunately, James has succumbed to his disease and taken his own life this morning.”

I remember feeling his absence while watching The Models being inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame last weekend. What a shame he wasn’t there to take that final bow.

The Models back catalogue was exhaustive, but “Out of Mind, Out of Sight” was always my favourite track. It’s a predictable choice I suppose, but there’s a reason why radio flogs these songs. Sometimes they’re just that good.

So I wanted to post it and remember James in better times. If you’ve got any fond memories of The Models or James, please share them.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Brooke Fraser Announces Aussie Tour

Brooke Fraser is all over radio with her new single “Something in the Water,” but the Kiwi-born songstress is keen to show us she’s got many more amazing tunes under her belt. She’ll play shows around the country in January to promote her latest album Flags.

Brooke is currently based in Sydney, but with her spending time in the United States and New Zealand lately I think it’s been far too long since we’ve seen her live. With Flags sitting pretty in the ARIA top 20 there seems no better time to welcome her back to Oz!

Tickets for the following shows will be available from November 5.

22 January 2011 – The Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne
25 January 2011 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide
27 January 2011 – The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley
29 January 2011 – Venue: City Recital Hall, Sydney

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Walk” – Israel Cannan

Israel CannanThat dreaded lurgy of mind is still hanging around, but I heard once that music is the best medicine. I’m not sure whether the gentle strains of Israel Cannan’s new album Walk are helping me get rid of the germs any quicker, but they’re certainly not hurting matters.

This album is my kind of music, with its lush, organic sounds, honest lyrics, and heartfelt delivery. As each track unfolded I found myself thinking just how good it was. I have some early favourites; I love the jangling rhythm and harmonica strains of “To The Left,” the driving beats of “Let It Rain,” and the slow build and emotional words of “Where the Story Unfolds.”

While these tunes are revving me right now, I have a feeling that my list of favourites is going to change after a few listens. While some of them speak to me more than others in this moment, they’re all brilliant. This is the kind of album packed with songs that work together as a unit, rather than seeming like a collection of singles. And again, that’s back to the honesty of this recording; it seems more like an attempt to document a period of time than an effort to make money.

Mellow and gentle, and above all real, Walk by Israel Cannan is the perfect thing for soothing my current malady.

Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hayley Teal Gets X Factor Boot

I was shocked to see tonight’s X Factor elimination show come down to Hayley Teal and Luke and Joel. Hayley wasn’t a great surprise after turning in a lacklustre performance of a middle-of-the-road song, but I thought Luke and Joel were last night’s stand out.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 22: Sally Ann Chatfield,India Rose Madderson and Hayley Teal from the X factor arrive at the 'Snaparazzi Soiree' at Riva St Kilda on October 22, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Lucas Dawson/Getty Images)


I really didn’t want to see either of them go; Luke and Joel have been growing on me, and Hayley has always been one of my favourites. But ultimately someone had to leave us, and that someone was Hayley.

I truly feel Hayley was a victim of Natalie’s mentorship, which is sad. Her most disappointing performances came when she was forced into unnatural choreography with mainstream pop songs containing artificial lyrics. When she had something great, she shone. I hope we see her finding some of those great songs now that she’s out of the reality TV show machine.