Q & A with Kelsie Rimmer

Kelsie Rimmer is on the path to country super stardom after taking out the Brisbane heat of this year’s Telstra Road to Tamworth competition. I caught up with the 18-year-old from Palmwoods today to chat about the competition, her love for country music, and why she’s heading to “Boot Camp.”

Congratulations on winning the Brisbane heat of the Telstra Road to Tamworth on the weekend.
Thank you very much.

What was it like to be a part of the competition?
It was really, really great. I got to meet so many talented performers and lots of industry professionals as well. It was just really great to be up on stage singing and performing, which is what I love doing.

What made you decide to enter?
I have been a singer-songwriter for a long time, and I realised that it’s really what I want to pursue as a career so I’ve just been entering lots of competitions actually. But I know that country music is my calling, and I know that Tamworth is the country music capital, so I feel really privileged to be a part of it.

At 18 you would be one of the younger competitors. Was it daunting taking on some of the more seasoned performers?
Well actually, it was pretty daunting because we’d all practiced together and I’d heard them all singing and playing their guitars and stuff, and they all sounded amazing. But I kind of just went into the competition with the attitude that I was just going to get up there and be myself, and if that worked out well then it did, and if it didn’t it didn’t. So I actually wasn’t very nervous at all, just because I wasn’t expecting anything.

Was the crowd one of the biggest you’ve performed to?

No actually, even though it was the Ekka, I expected it’d be much bigger. I’ve performed in a few musicals and stuff which have had huge crowds, so the crowd wasn’t the most daunting part. It was mostly the competition part.

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Linkin Park Offer Aussies Extras with Album Pre-Order

Linkin Park are offering their Australian fans some pretty nifty extras with the release of their new album A Thousand Suns.

A Thousand Suns features the first single “The Catalyst,” which is all over radio right now. Star producer Rick Rubin worked with the band’s vocalist Mike Shinoda to co-produce the album.

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 31: Musical group Linkin Park arrives at the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on January 31, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)


Fans who pre-order the deluxe fan edition CD, CD+DVD, or digital album ahead of its September 10 release from the official Linkin Park website or the album’s Australian website will receive a host of extras. The bonuses start instantly, with a digital version of “The Catalyst.” Leading up to the release date fans will also get access to preview clips of the album’s songs. Fans who’ve ordered the deluxe fan edition and CD+DVD versions won’t have to wait by their mailbox either, as they’ll receive a digital copy of the album when the clock strikes midnight on September 9. Fans who’ve preordered will also have early access to tickets for the band’s next Australian shows.

If you’re a Linkin Park fan, it sounds like pre-ordering the album is well worth it!

Ed Kowalczyk Makes Aussie Return

When Ed Kowalczyk toured Australia last August he promised he’d be back soon. He’s now making good on that vow with the announcement of a tour this October and November.

While he was in acoustic mode last time, the former Live frontman will be in full band mode this time around. He’ll play all the old Live favourites as well as songs from his first solo release Alive. We got a taste of some of these tracks during the last tour, and I can’t wait to hear them amped up with a full backing band.

Tickets for the following shows go on sale on August 19. Get them; you won’t be disappointed.


31 Sunday October 2010 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
2 Tuesday November 2010 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane
5 Friday November 2010 – The Forum, Melbourne
6 Saturday November 2010 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
8 Monday November 2010 – Metropolis, Fremantle

Image source: own photo

Young Revelry Release Video Ahead of EP Launch

Perth rockers Young Revelry will release their debut EP You and I on Friday, but they’re already giving us a sneak peek with the release of the video for the title track. It’s suitably moody and broody, with a mash-up of eclectic visuals and some rather unsettling animation.

Singer and guitarist Sebastian Astone says “this release best represents what we are about at this stage. It’s the culmination of our first year together.” The Perth act recorded the album in the wilds of the Western Australian bush with the help of producer Woody Annison (Children Collide, Red Riders, Black Cab).

With an ambitious seven tracks, the EP features heaving guitars, driving bass lines, and Astone’s distinctive soaring vocals.

Perthites get the chance to see Young Revelry launching the album this Friday and Saturday with shows at The Bird. Following this the band will embark on a September tour supporting Calling All Cars.

Bliss N Eso Top ARIA Albums Chart

Many acts have tried, but local hip hop act Bliss N Eso have ended Eminem’s six-week reign at the top of the ARIA Albums Charts. The band’s fourth studio album Running on Air is their first to achieve the top spot. Congrats to them!

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 23:  Jonathan Notley, Max MacKinnon, and Tarik Ejjamai of Australian hip hop group Bliss n Eso arrive for the APRA Music Awards (Australasian Performing Right Association) at the Peninsula Shed on June 23, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia.  (Photo by Lucas Dawson/Getty Images)


It’s been a great week for Aussie albums. Washington is enjoying her first top 10 record, with I Believe You Liar taking out the third possie. She’s just ahead of Birds of Tokyo, who have fallen two positions to sit at number 4 with their self-titled album. Kylie Minogue has also dropped this week. Her album Aphrodite now sits at number 7, down three places. Rounding out the top 10 is Angus & Julia Stone with their unstoppable sophomore effort Down the Way.

Eminem has retained the top spot on the singles chart though. “Love the Way You Lie,” featuring Barbados beauty Rihanna has now held the top spot for four weeks. A few Aussie acts including Michael Paynter, Birds of Tokyo, and Yolanda Be Cool & Dcup are hovering in the top 30 though, so hopefully it won’t be too long before we see some local talent in the top 10.

Click below for this week’s top 10 charts!

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We All Want To Sign Record Deal, Ready to Release Self-Titled Album

We All Want To, the latest project from Screamfeeder’s Tim Stewart, has just inked a deal with Brisbane’s Plus One Records.

The five-piece act are preparing to release their self-titled debut album on October 15. It features the first single “A La Mode,” a track penned and sung by the band’s talented Skye Staniford.

To celebrate the album’s launch, We All Want To will play in front of their hometown crowd at The Troubadour. Silent Feature Era and The Gin Club’s Ben Salter will offer support on the night.

Head to We All Want To’s website, MySpace, and Facebook pages from October 1 as tracks from the album are revealed one day at a time until the big launch.

Image used with permission from Frogstomp Music

From Las Vegas to Oz: Human Nature Come Home

The lads from Human Nature are coming home for Christmas. The Sydney boys will take a three-week break from their Las Vegas residency to play shows all around the country inspired by their overseas stint.

The Direct from Las Vegas tour is Human Nature’s first Aussie tour in three years. They’re promising to play the Motown tunes they’ve made famous in Vegas, favourites from their original back catalogue, and a few tracks from their new album.

This disc will feature covers of songs inspired by Sin City. Think Elvis, Barry Manilow, and Tom Jones. If I don’t hear their spin on “Danke Schoen” I’ll be disappointed. Having said that, isn’t it about time Human Nature reminded us of their own pop talents and recorded an album of originals? They’re so much better than simply becoming a covers act.

The boys will jet back to Vegas after these shows, so if you want to see them make sure you snap up your tickets for the following shows on August 16 from the usual outlets.

3 December 2010 – Wrest Point Casino, Hobart
7 & 8 December 2010 – Festival Theatre, Adelaide
10 December 2010 – Convention Centre, Melbourne
12 December 2010 – Kings Park, Perth
15 December 2010 – Convention Centre, Brisbane
17 & 18 December 2010 – State Theatre, Sydney

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Baby Animals Playing Live Again

It’s so great to see the Baby Animals kicking around Oz again. It’s been almost nine months since the iconic 90s rock act took to the stage, but they’re preparing to play two very special shows in October.

Sydneysiders can catch Suze Demarchi and the rest of the band at the Oxford Art Factory on October 20. Following this intimate show, the Baby Animals will rev things up for a performance at Armor All Gold Coast 600’s 600 Sounds festival.

If you can’t make it to one of these shows, it seems you might have a few more chances before the year is through. Suze is moving back home this month after spending the last 16 years in Los Angeles. She plans to stay in Oz until the New Year to play some more gigs and write some songs, all while enjoying our sunny weather.

“It’s about time I spent some decent time back home again”, she said from LA. “I’m looking forward to an Aussie summer. I’m feeling really creative and have a bunch of song ideas I feel ready to share with the band. I can’t wait to get together with Dave again. Who knows, we might just squeeze out another Baby Animals album!”

Let’s hope so. It’s been 17 years since the band released Shaved and Dangerous, their last album of new material, so it seems like a new record is well overdue!

Image source: Premier Artists

Must Listen: Timothy Nelson and The Infidels

Two-time WAMi award winner Timothy Nelson is one of Western Australia’s best kept secrets. With his band The Infidels, this indie singer-songwriter has played alongside Birds of Tokyo, Lior, Clare Bowditch, and Katie Noonan & The Captains.

But why should Western Australia have him all to itself? The Infidels have just released “Nothing’s in Tune,” the first single from the band’s forthcoming debut album. I’m really digging on this. It’s got elements of alt country and relaxed West Coast rock; it’s chilled but full of delightful hooks.

“I suppose my love of both The Shins and The Beatles really show on this song more so than my other influences,” Timothy explained. “Lyrically it keeps with the theme of unrequited love (as much as I hate having to say the term, there’s no way to say it without sounding like a wanker!) which the whole album is based around. This is more on the small-time paranoia side of things, which I think is what makes it somewhat unique on the album.”

Give it a listen here. If this is a sign of things to come from The Infidels, I can’t wait for that album to drop!

The Script Make a Return Visit to Oz

When I saw The Script last September they put on one of the most enjoyable shows I saw all year. At the time they were all over radio with their singles “Breakeven” and “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved,” but the buzz has died down just a little. Rest assured, it’s about to kick off again.

The band are returning to our shores to spruik their sophomore album Science and Faith. They’ll also be ably supported by the lovely Michael Paynter. What a shame it’s all on while I’m enjoying a well-earned holiday in Adelaide! There are only two dates announced, so hopefully it won’t be too long before we see them back for a full scale tour. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

I can’t make one of these gigs, but you really should. Snag your tickets on August 13 for the following shows.

43176, GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - Saturday July 31 2010. The Script perform at the In:Demand Live concert at the SECC in Glasgow.  Photograph:  Fred Lee, PacificCoastNews.com


5 October 2010 – Palace Theatre, Melbourne
6 October 2010 – Luna Park Big Top, Sydney