Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jonesez Needs Your Help To Make Best Basement Video for “Best Friends”

The singles are coming thick and fast from Jonesez. Just a month after releasing “Be That Guy,” he’s unleashing “Best Friends,” the second single from the album Betty’s Soup, which will hit stores on August 6.

The single is an ode to one of Jonesez’ pals who sold pot to pay his university fees. It’s a surprisingly charming tribute to the unlikeliest of drug dealers.

The film clip will be the third in Jonesez’s Basement Videos series. He’s asking for our help to make it the best ever. Head to Kickstarter or click the widget below to donate; a $5 pledge will see your name in the film clip’s credits, while one of $1750 will earn you Jonesez’s own beloved Fender Telecaster! There are plenty of other rewards up for grabs too, so give what you can to help Jonesez pay for props, lighting, and all the other stuff that signed artists get for free!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pat Benatar and The Bangles Team Up for Aussie Tour

This has definitely been the year of the 80s comeback tour. We’ve already seen Spandau Ballet, Tears for Fears, George Michael and Whitney Houston play, and Bon Jovi and Simply Red are yet to come. Now we can add Pat Benatar and The Bangles to the list.

Both acts really paved the way for girl pop-rock, so it’s pretty exciting to see them joining forces for Aussie shows this October. My concert calendar is already looking pretty crowded, but I might just have to find a way to squeeze them in! The prospect of hearing hits like “Love is a Battlefield,” “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “Manic Monday,” and “Walk Like an Egyptian” all on one night is pretty tempting!

Tickets to the following shows go on sale on July 19.

Pat Benatar performs a live concert at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez,CA. on October 9, 2008..John Pyle/CSM Photo via Newscom


20 October 2010 – Convention Centre, Brisbane
22 October 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney
24 October 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
26 & 27 October 2010 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
31 October 2010 – Sandalford Estate, Swan Valley

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Songs from the 86 Tram” – The Bedroom Philosopher

The concept album appears to be a dying art these days, but no one told The Bedroom Philosopher. With his third studio album Songs from the 86 Tram, the man otherwise known as Justin Heazelwood has created a vivid cast of commuters.

Each song is told from the point of view of a particular character, and The Bedroom Philosopher creates these personalities beautifully. Each is incredibly realised, with a unique voice and outlook. I was particularly fond of the nan of “In My Day,” and the self-important suit of “New Media.” “Sudanese” is another stand-out, a clever satire of multicultural Australia.

While these characters are Songs from the 86 Tram greatest strength, they’re also its biggest weakness. I found it quite difficult to understand the voices of many of the figures; they speak too softly, or too quickly, or with accents that I can’t quite grab onto. The music too tends to overwhelm the lyrics at times, making it difficult to pick up each and every word. There were other instances where I felt I was simply out of the loop. Perhaps it comes from living my life in suburban New South Wales, as a friend from Melbourne insists this album is one of the greatest he’s encountered. However I found that Victorian-centric approach difficult to embrace. Comedy is all about the message, and when you can’t communicate it – whether the message isn’t heard or simply not understood – that humour is lost.

Having said that, there’s a lot to like about The Bedroom Philosopher and his Songs from the 86 Tram. Musically it’s incredibly strong, and there are some genuinely funny moments. This is a very clever disc, but it might not be as clever as it thinks it is.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Laura Imbruglia Shows Her Lighter Side

Natalie might grab all the headlines, but her sister Laura Imbruglia has been quietly plugging away at her musical career for years. Something tells me that’s exactly how she likes it.

She’ll release her new single “I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend” on July 5, the first cut from her second album Lighter Side Of … The single’s playful video sees the Catholic-raised Laura break every commandment in the book, and a few besides including Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbour’s boyfriend and Thou Shalt Not Play Handball with Poor Co-Ordination! We’ll get a sneak peek of the clip when it makes its debut on Laura’s MySpace page on July 2.

If you want to see more rule breaking from Laura Imbruglia check her out each Wednesday in August at the Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills. She’ll be donning a different hat each night; see Country Laura, Karaoke Laura, and other alter egos at the following shows!

4 August 2010 – Acoustic Laura: Acoustic & Lonesome
11 August 2010 – Country Laura: Classic Country Covers
18 August 2010 – Band Laura: Rocken Like Dokken
25 August 2010 – Karaoke Laura: Hosting a night of Karaoke

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Triky Releases Two Albums and Scores Slot in New York Comp

Sydney DJ Triky must be one of the hardest working folks in the dance industry. He’s just released not one, but two, new albums and scored a slot in a major US competition.

The first album, Electric, features 12 high-energy tunes with thumping bass lines. It picks up where Triky’s first studio releases Tweaked and Permanent Damage left off, but pushes the dance envelope that much further. Then there’s Filtered, which is described as “an exploration in BPM with tracks ranging from 140 to 150 BPM.” The experimental project takes Triky in an exciting new direction. Both albums are released through Triky Entertainment and distributed via MGM/Green Media Distribution.

On the back of these album releases Triky has earned a spot at New York’s M.E.A.N.Y. Fest. This competition, which is staged in iconic venues like Gramercy Theater and the Bowery Poetry Club, could net Triky time in a recording studio, a digital distribution deal, and much more.

We wish him all the best of luck in the comp!

Image used with permission from Azure PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ting Tings Postpone Aussie Tour, Pull Out Of Splendour

There’s bad news for local Ting Tings fans, with news the band will delay their Australian tour. The decision was made when the release of their sophomore album, Massage Kunst, was pushed back until later this year.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 02: The Ting Tings perform live on the Main Stage during the Wireless Festival in Hyde Park on July 2, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)


I can understand the call from a business point of view but feel for the fans, particularly those who bought tickets to Splendour in the Grass expecting them to perform. The band along with another no show The Middle East, will be replaced with Art vs Science and Sally Seltmann.

While festival goers won’t get refunds anyone with tickets to The Ting Tings Melbourne and Sydney sideshows will. If you bought your tickets on a credit card, the money will be automatically refunded. If you did things the old fashioned way, return to your point of purchase with your photo ID for a cash refund.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

U2 Tour Announcement Imminent, Industry Experts Say

Is your wallet feeling a bit lighter these days? With so many massive international acts announcing local tours, it’s little wonder. It seems we might be able to add another to our already crowded concert calendar. If you’re a U2 fan you may want to set a little cash aside, as the band has reportedly pencilled in Aussie shows.

File picture shows lead singer Bono of the rock band U2 during the first of two concerts at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, September 23, 2009. Bono has undergone emergency back surgery on May 21, 2010 for an injury sustained during tour preparation training. He was admitted to a specialist neuro surgery unit in a Munich hospital. Picture taken September 23, 2009. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn/File (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT PROFILE HEADSHOT)


The tour will reportedly be confirmed once Bono gets back on the road following his back surgery. Some insiders also say the shows will be held in stadiums in early December. However others suggest U2 may arrive in early 2011 as The Eagles and Bon Jovi tours will “suck a lot of money out of the market.”

At any rate, it seems U2 are coming, so you might want to get saving!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sarah McLeod Prepares to Release “Double R”

Sarah McLeod surprised us all last year with the release of her dance-pop single “Tell Your Story Walking.” Now she’s showing us more of her dance chops with the release of a brand new single “Double R.”

I was shown some of the remixes today and again, this isn’t at all what I expect from Sarah McLeod. She’s proving herself to be the mistress of reinvention. While I didn’t really warm to the song, I’ll try to reserve my judgement until I hear the single version. It’s just a little too electronic and processed for my tastes. In the mean time, I’m sure the kids in the club will lap up this Grand Theft remix. What do you think?

The Double R EP is scheduled for release on July 21.

Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Philadelphia Grand Jury Tour the World

Philadelphia Grand Jury are set for world domination as they plan a massive four-continent tour.

The Sydney band have been based in London since April. They’ve set up a studio there, and are currently recording songs for a single to be released back home in October.

It seems their investment in the country is beginning to pay dividends though. Their 7” vinyl single “The Good News” was released to critical acclaim earlier this year, and they’re hoping to capitalize on the buzz with the release of “Going to the Casino (Tomorrow Night)” on 7″ limited black vinyl and digital download on August 23.

The single release will see Philadelphia Grand Jury slogging it out at gigs across the United States, Australia, and South Africa, before they return to the UK for even more shows.

You can see this hardworking Sydney band at the following gigs!

8 July 2010 – Pianos, New York
9 July 2010 – The Rock Shop, New York
13 July 2010 – Silverlake Lounge, Los Angeles
17 July 2010 – FBi Show @ The Metro, Sydney
24 July 2010 – Beach Road Hotel, Sydney
29 July 2010 – The Espy, Melbourne (with Wolfmother)
1 August 2010 – Splendour In The Grass Festival, Woodfordia
5 August 2010 – The Cellar Door, Johannesburg
6 August 2010 – Oppikoppi Festival, Northam
7 August 2010 – 3Arts, Cape Town (with Billy Talent)
8 August 2010 – Oppikoppi Festival, Northam
16 August 2010 – Kasbah, Coventry
18 August 2010 – The Forum, Sheffield
19 August 2010 – King Tuts, Glasgow
20 August 2010 – Duke’s Corner, Dundee
21 August 2010 – Jager Room, Stornoway
22 August 2010 – Hootananny, Inverness
23 August 2010 – Stereo, York
25 August 2010 – Red Room, Nottingham
26 August 2010 – Moles, Bath
27 August 2010 – Wig & Pen, Truro
28 August 2010 – The Flapper, Birmingham
2 September 2010 – The Forum, Tunbridge Wells
3 September 2010 – Timepiece, Exeter
4 September 2010 – Unit, Southampton
8 September 2010 – Prince Albert, Brighton
9 September 2010 – Boiler Room, Guilford
10 September 2010 – Lexington, London
11 September 2010 – Derby, Vault
12 September 2010 – Academy 2, Newcastle
13 September 2010 – Sugarmill, Stoke
20 September 2010 – Start The Bus, Bristol
21 September 2010 – Academy 3, Leicester
23 September 2010 – Plugged In, Sunderland
24 September 2010 – Academy 2, Liverpool
25 September 2010 – Jericho Tavern, Oxford
29 September 2010 – Moles, Bath
30 September 2010 – The Cellars, Portsmouth
1 October 2010 – Night & Day, Manchester
2 October 2010 – Empire, Middlesborough
3 October 2010 – Plug, Sheffield
7 October 2010 – Cockpit, Leeds

Image used with permission from Riothouse