Sydney classical outfit Aston have been adding a touch of class to The Matty Johns Show each week. If you haven’t caught their reinterpretations of modern pop and rock songs, check out this reimagining of Rihanna’s “Rude Boy.” I’m not a fan of the original, or of classical music generally, yet I love this. If you do too, make sure you visit Aston’s YouTube page, where you can see more clips and vote for the song you want them to take on next!
Brittle Give The Owls EP Away
Melbourne’s Brittle are generous sorts. They’re so keen for Australia to hear their brand of alternative rock, they’re giving their new EP The Owls away for free!
The five track release captures the band’s dynamic live sound, thanks in no small part to the skills of legendary producer Mark Opitz (The Angels, Cold Chisel, INXS).
“It was a massive learning curve for us as a band,” said Brittle lead vocalist Ben “Tokyo” Whiting. “That guy knows a lot and he taught us so much during our time working with him. He really made sure we got our ‘live’ sound on the EP and most importantly helped us work towards creating our own unique sound for the five tracks”.
The Owls will be available for free digital download from June 14. Its release sees the band who’ve supported the likes of Faker, Kisschasy, Snow Patrol, and Katy Perry, step out as headliners. They’ll do just that at a slew of shows around the country in June, July, and August. Here are all the dates!
25 June 2010 – Trash @ Caseys Hotel, Hawthorn (18+)
26 June 2010 – Revellers Bar, Melbourne (18+)
8 July 2010 – Snitch @ Club 299, Brisbane (18+)
9 July 2010 – Hard Rock Café, Gold Coast (18+)
10 July 2010 – Bon Amici, Toowoomba (18+)
11 July 2010 – The Hive, Brisbane (All Ages)
15 July 2010 – Kyogle Memorial Hall, Kyogle (All Ages)
16 July 2010 – Southern Cross School, Ballina (All Ages)
17 July 2010 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay (18+)
22 July 2010 – Grand Hotel, Wollongong (18+)
23 July 2010 – Ivanhoe Hotel, Manly (18+)
29 July 2010 – Bended Elbow, Geelong (18+)
30 July 2010 – POW @ Mynt Lounge, Werribee (18+)
31 July 2010 – Cherry Bar, Melbourne (18+)
1 August 2010 – Spanish Club, FitzroyAll Ages)
4 August 2010 – Irish Murphy’s, Launceston (18+)
5 August 2010 – The Central, Devonport (18+)
6 August 2010 – Republic Bar, Hobart (18+)
7 August 2010 – Maginty’s, Burnie (18+)
12 August 2010 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat (18+)
13 August 2010 – Louisiana Tavern, Elizabeth (18+)
14 August 2010 – Edinburgh Castle, Adelaide (18+)
Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment
Nick Cave Delivers Second Serve of Grinderman
Nick Cave is preparing to unveil his second album with Grinderman this September.
Not so originally titled Grinderman 2, it sees Nick reunite with Warren Wllis, Martyn Casey, and Jim Sclavunos for another serve of dirty garage rock. Acclaimed producer Nick Launay twiddled the knobs for the album which was recorded at London’s RAK, State of the Ark, and Assault and Battery studios.
To celebrate the release Grinderman will tour around the United Kingdom and Europe throughout September and October. Hopefully we’ll see some Aussie dates to follow.
25 September 2010 – Rock City, Nottingham
27 September 2010 – University, Leeds
28 September 2010 – Barrowlands, Glasgow
29 September 2010 – Academy, Manchester
1 October 2010 – Hammersmith Apollo, London
4 October 2010 – Les Docks, Lausanne
5 October 2010 – Volkshaus, Zurich
6 October 2010 – Live, Milan
7 October 2010 – Atlantico, Rome
10 October 2010 – Gasometer, Vienna
11 October 2010 – Muffathalle, Munich
13 October 2010 – Haus Auensee, Leipzig
14 October 2010 – Columbiahalle, Berlin
15 October 2010 – E-Werk, Cologne
17 October 2010 – Ancienne Belgique, Brussels
20 October 2010 – MCV, Utrecht
21 October 2010 – Docks, Hamburg
23 October 2010 – Falkoner Theatre, Copenhagen
24 October 2010 – Power Station, Randers
26 October 2010 – Cite de La Music, Paris
Leonard Cohen Announces Encore Tour
Clearly Leonard Cohen had a cracker time in Australia last year. The often reclusive singer will return to our shores in November.
Following three dates in New Zealand, Leonard will tour most of Australia’s capitals. Only Darwin and Canberra miss out, which these days is pretty impressive. Leonard will perform backed by a nine-piece band.
Folks raved about these shows last time. Fans who missed out then will want to snap tickets up when they go on sale on June 3.
6 November 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
8 November 2010 – Acer Arena, Sydney
12 November 2010 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
15 November 2010 – Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart
18 November 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
24 November 2010 – ME Bank Stadium, Perth
APRA Award Nominations Announced
The nominations are in for this year’s Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) Awards, and it looks like newcomers could take home many of this year’s gongs.
The Temper Trap, Lisa Mitchell, and the lads from Empire of the Sun will be hoping to snare their first awards at the ceremony on June 21.
Here are all the nominations, and my fearless and probably completely incorrect predictions!
Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year
- Temper Trap
- Empire of the Sun
- Jessica Mauboy
- Daniel Merriweather
- Lisa Mitchell
Prediction: I’m picking Lisa Mitchell purely out of sentimentality. She’s shown such promise at such an early age, and I’d love to see it rewarded.
Most Played Australian Work
- “Been Waiting” – Jessica Mauboy (Jessica Mauboy/Israel Cruz/Craig Hardy)
- “Foreign Land” – Eskimo Joe (Stuart MacLeod/Joel Quartermain/Steve Parkin/Kav Temperley)
- “Hey Boys and Girls (Truth of the World part 2)” – Evermore (Jon Hume/Daniel Hume)
- “Raise The Alarm” – The Living End (Chris Cheney)
- “She’s a Genius” – Jet (Chris Cester)
Prediction: “Foreign Land” seemed to be everywhere last year, yet I still didn’t seem to get sick of it. It’s my pick.
International Work of the Year
- “Gives You Hell” – All American Rejects (Tyson Ritter/Nick Wheeler
- “Love Story” – Taylor Swift
- “Second Chance” – Shinedown (Dave Bassett/Brent Smith)
- “Sober” – Pink (Floyd Hills/Alecia Moore/Kara Dioguardi/Marcella Araica)
- “You Found Me” – The Fray (Joseph King/Isaac Slade)
Prediction: It’s hard to pick against Taylor Swift, but purely based on the song I’m going to tip The Fray for an upset.
John Butler Trio Announces April Uprising Tour
John Butler Trio are bringing their number one album April Uprising home with a national tour this August and September.
We’re sure to see a slick show, with the band spending the past few months playing concerts and promotional dates around the world. JBT just completed a sell-out tour of Europe and the United Kingdom, and have now commenced a run of dates in the United States. They’re also playing summer festivals in Canada, Europe, and Japan.
Local urban roots outfit Blue King Brown will support The John Butler Trio for all local shows except Broome. The tour will be completely carbon neutral, with the band reinvesting their carbon emissions into renewable energy projects. You can help assist the efforts by purchasing a green ticket for an extra 50c. This money will be donated to renewable energy projects, thereby neutralizing your travel emissions to the gig. The April Uprising tour will also support The Wilderness Society, The Australian Conservation Foundation, and Oxfam’s Close the Gap campaign.
Get your tickets from May 31 from the venues and regular ticket outlets.
27 August 2010 – Fremantle Arts Centre, WA
31 August 2010 – Entertainment Centre Theatre, Adelaide
2 September 2010 – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
3 September 2010 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
5 September 2010 – Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart
7 September 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Newcastle
8 September 2010 – C.ex, Coffs Harbour
11 September 2010 – Reggaetown Festival @ Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, Cairns
12 September 2010 – Union of Soul @ Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
15 September 2010 – Royal Theatre, Canberra
17 September 2010 – Festival Hall, Melbourne
18 September 2010 – Schweppes Centre, Bendigo
21 September 2010 – Entertainment Convention Centre, Mackay
22 September 2010 – The Great Western, Rockhampton
23 September 2010 – The Riverstage, Brisbane
24 September 2010 – The Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
27 September 2010 – The Mangrove Resort Hotel, Broome
Lilith Fair Rumored To Head Down Under
Word is that the recently revived all-girl music festival Lilith Fair will wing its way to Australia later this year. The event’s co-founder Terry McBride told The Music Network “We’re hoping to bring Lilith to Australia in late September or October – we’re still working it out.”
I’d love to see some Lilith Fair shows in Oz. Australia has more than its fair share of incredible female artists, from the new breed of Lisa Mitchell, Kate Miller-Heidke, and Sarah Blasko to veterans like Renee Geyer, Deborah Conway, Kate Ceberano, and Olivia Newton-John. Big name international talents Carly Simon, Heart, Suzanne Vega, and festival founder Sarah McLachlan will play the North American tour, and I’d love to see some of these artists joining our home-grown acts later this year. Fingers crossed!
Aussie Musicians Dueting It For The Kids in Sydney
Sydney’s State Theatre will host the charity concert Dueting It For The Kids on August 9.
As the title suggests, the show will feature a veritable who’s who of the Australian music and theatre industry coming together for some unlikely duets. We’re talking about Paulini joining Leo Sayer for his smash hit “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing,” Jon Stevens and Shannon Noll busting out “Dancing in the Streets,” and Tom Burlinson and Georgie Parker taking on Nat King Cole’s “Unforgettable.”
Tickets to the show will be available through Ticketmaster for $99 from May 31. All monies raised will benefit The Australian Children’s Music Foundation, an organization which looks to inspire local disadvantaged and indigenous young people through music.
As Silence Breaks Speak Up with New Album
Sydney metal act As Silence Breaks are set to release their self-titled debut album on June 11. This is a metal act to watch, with the band producing music that is aggressive yet accessible.
“Our album is a combination of elements from the metalcore, thrash and hardcore genres,” explained vocalist Sam Rilatt. “We just love writing music that’s heavy, hard hitting and aggressive but is juxtaposed by layers of big melody.
“We’ve never been afraid to just follow our own direction. We don’t want to just write the same songs over and over. Were constantly working at improving our sound and technical proficiency to the point where the genres and sub genres that people categorize us in, may not even apply on the next album we do.”
To celebrate the album’s release As Silence Breaks will tour the country next month, starting in their local area of Western Sydney. Tickets are on sale from the venues now.
5 June 2010 – Bridge 54, Picton (All Ages)
6 June 2010 – Balydon Community Hall, Coffs Harbour (All Ages)
10 June 2010 – HOT DAMN @ Spectrum, Darlinghurst (18+)
20 June 2010 – The Lucky Australian Tavern, St Marys (All Ages)
26 June 2010 – The Fort, Fortitude Valley (All Ages)
Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment
Thirsty Merc Announce Mousetrap Heart Tour
I recently brought you a live and acoustic take of Thirsty Merc’s new single “Mousetrap Heart.” Now the band has unleashed an official film clip for the song which gets its official release today.
To celebrate the band has announced a bunch of dates all around the country. It’s been far too long since I’ve seen the Thirsty Merc boys doing their thing live, so I might just have to get myself to one of these shows! Tickets for the following gigs are on sale now.
30 June 2010 – Southern Cross Club, Canberra
1 July 2010 – Waves, Wollongong
2 July 2010 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
3 July 2010 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
7 July 2010 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
8 July 2010 – Bended Elbow, Geelong
9 July 2010 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
10 July 2010 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
14 July 2010 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
15 July 2010 – Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
16 July 2010 – Hi Fi Bar, Brisbane
17 July 2010 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
18 July 2010 – Villa Noosa Hotel, Noosa
21 July 2010 – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury
22 July 2010 – Fly By Night Musicians Club, Bunbury
30 July 2010 – Hotel New York, Launceston
31 July 2010 – Republic Bar, Hobart