Posted on by Lauren Katulka

AC/DC and Empire of the Sun Win Big at APRA Awards

AC/DC and Empire of the Sun were the big winners at last night’s Australian Performing Rights Association (APRA) Awards.

Rock stalwarts Angus and Malcolm Young were named songwriters of the year, while their hit Rock ‘N Roll Train was named most played Aussie work overseas. Empire of the Sun bagged a double when “Walking on a Dream” was named dance work of the year and Nick Littlemore, Jonathan Sloan, and Luke Steele were named breakthrough songwriters of the year.

The APRA Awards celebrate Australia’s best songwriting talent. Click below for a full list of this year’s award winners and here to see how surprisingly accurate my predictions were! I faltered early, but definitely came home strong.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 21: Eskimo Joe pose with their award for Rock Work of the Year at the Australasian Performing Rights Association Music Awards at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre on June 21, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)


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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Peter Hook Remembers Joy Division with Aussie Album Shows

Joy Division fans are in for a real treat this September. Founding member Peter Hook will perform the band’s debut album Unknown Pleasures in its entirety in three special shows.

The 1979 album kickstarted Joy Division’s prolific career. Tragically less than one year later the band’s lead singer Ian Curtis committed suicide. While Hook, Bernard Sumner, and Stephen Morris labored on, many feel the band was never the same.

Tickets go on sale on July 2 for the following shows.

LONDON - JUNE 18: Actor John Simm (L) stands next to Stephen Morris (C) and Peter Hook (R) of music group Joy Division as they poses with The Mojo Outstanding Contribution to Music at The MOJO Honours List Awards at The Brewery on June 18, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)


24 September 2010 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
25 September 2010 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
27 September 2010 – Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Crowded House Score Number One Aussie Album

Crowded House have zoomed into the ARIA charts with their new album Intriguer debuting at number one. The band are the lone local act in the top 10, so I’m glad to see them out in front.

The Aussie musos are just as sparse in the singles charts, but local act Yolanda Be Cool & DCup are doing great things with their hit “We No Speak Americano” sitting at number four.

Click below to see what other acts are making waves on the ARIA charts.

BYRON BAY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 04: Neil Finn of Crowded House performs on stage during Day 4 of Bluesfest 2010 at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm on April 4, 2010 in Byron Bay, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)


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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bon Jovi Play Aussie Stadiums This December

It’s been a big day for concert announcements! When Bon Jovi visited Australia in 2008, it was their first real tour here in more than a decade. They swore then that they wouldn’t keep us waiting so long next time, and now they’re making good on their promise.

While their last shows took place in indoor arenas, this time around they’re playing massive outdoor stadiums. Personally I’m not a fan of these big, impersonal venues, so I think I’ll give The Circle tour a miss. They gave it everything last time around, and I’m happy with those memories.

If you missed out last time though, I wouldn’t do the same again. Bon Jovi put on one hell of a show, with more energy than musicians half their age. Tickets go on sale for the following shows on July 8.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 07: (L-R) Richie Sambora, David Bryan, Jon Bon Jovi and Tico Torres of Bon Jovi attend a photocall to open exhibition celebrating 25 years of Bon Jovi on June 7, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)


8 December 2010 – Subiaco, Perth
11 December 2010 – Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
14 December 2010 – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
17 December 2010 – Football Stadium, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Eagles Announce Aussie Tour

One of my biggest concert regrets is missing The Eagles when they played their Farewell Tour in 2004. I was heading to the United States not long after, and decided that saving for my trip was more important than catching one of the world’s most enduring country-rock talents. My parents called me during the encore and let me listen to “Hotel California,” “Rocky Mountain Way” and “Desperado” and I realised just how wrong I was.

As it turns out though, that Farewell Tour wasn’t their last goodbye to Oz. Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Glenn Frey, and Timothy B. Schmit are in their 60s now, but they’re promising us three solid hours of hits when they return to our shores in December.

Rest assured, I won’t make the same mistake I did in 2004. There’s no way I’m missing one of these shows. I’ll be hunched over my computer along with thousands of fans when tickets go on sale on June 28.

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 12: (L-R) Musician Timothy B. Schmit, Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Joe Walsh of The Eagles perform on stage during the 42nd Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 12, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)


2 December 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney
6 December 2010 – ACER Arena, Sydney
10 December 2010 – NIB Stadium, Perth
13 December 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
17 & 18 December 2010 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cut Copy Complete Third Album in Melbourne

Cut Copy are teasing us with news that they’ve just completed album number three, but we’ll need to wait until next year to hear it.

Cut Copy announced the news on their MySpace page commenting “as we imagine what hell freezing over feels like and winter descends on our makeshift warehouse studio on the outskirts of Melbourne, we’re pleased to announce that the recording for Cut//Copy album three is now complete! We’ll be mixing it with Ben Allen as soon as we finish the shows below.”

The Melbourne act will release the yet-to-be-named disc in January 2011. Those aforementioned shows will see Cut Copy play in Asia, Europe, and the United States before heading home for Parklife. Here are all the dates!

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 01: Dan Whitford of the band Cut Copy performs on stage during the Big Day Out 2009 at the Claremont Showgrounds on February 1, 2009 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images)


10 July 2010 – Bengkel Club, Jakarta
16 July 2010 – Super Bock Super Rock, Lisbon
17 July 2010 – Benicassium Festival,  Valencia
18 July 2010 – Lovebox festival, London
20 July 2010 – Button Factory, Dublin
22 July 2010 – Paradiso, Amsterdam (with French Horn Rebellion)
24 July 2010 – Orange PrePay Party @ H20 Beach, Mamaia (with Mika)
25 July 2010 – Palladium, Warsaw (with French Horn Rebellion)
27 July 2010 – Tavastia, Helsinki (with French Horn Rebellion)
29 July 2010 – Emmabodafestivalen, Emmaboda
30 July 2010 – Train, Arrhus
21 July 2010 – Rockafeller, Oslo
7 August 2010 – Lollapalooza, Chicago
25 September 2010 – Parklife @ Gold Coast Parklands, Gold Coast
26 September 2010 – Parklife @ Wellington Square, Perth
2 October 2010 – Parklife @ Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
3 October 2010 – Parklife @ Kippax Lake/Moore Park, Sydney
4 October 2010 – Parklife @ Botanic Park, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Mousetrap Heart” – Thirsty Merc

When Thirsty Merc burst onto the scene in 2003, I thought they were one of the most original local acts I’d heard in some time. But when they followed up their debut EP and self titled LP with a lackluster sophomore effort, Slideshows, I began to wonder whether we’d already seen their best.

It’s been three years since the release of Slideshows, and as I listened to their newie Mousetrap Heart today it seems the time away from the spotlight was a smart decision.

From the opening title track, this disc feels like the fresh Thirsty Merc of old. It’s got deep grooves and the quirky lyrics that endeared them to me all those years ago. This first single is a standout, but thankfully it’s not the only one. “Tommy and Krista” is a classic story song, with beautifully painted characters and a smile-inducing melody. “Bettie Page,” a nod to the vintage pinup model sees the boys rock out. It’s a welcome change of pace in this album of radio-friendly pop rock.

As any Thirsty Merc fan knows, the accessible nature of their music isn’t a criticism. Here Thirsty Merc have built on the promise they showed all those years ago; that originality is still there but it’s been given a bit of spit and polish by Los Angeles-based producer Matt Wallace. It’s not surprising to know he worked on Maroon 5’s Songs About Jane, as many of these songs would have sat nicely on that recording. There are a few missteps; “All My Life” is musically brilliant but contains lyrics so generic it’s hard to believe Thirsty Merc penned them, and the final two tracks seem sleepy and aimless. But no album is perfect. Thankfully though, with Mousetrap Heart, Thirsty Merc has come awfully close.

Mousetrap Heart hits all Aussie music stores today.

Image source: Thirsty Merc website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Michael Paynter Teams Up With The Veronicas for “Love The Fall”

Here’s one for all the Michael Paynter fans out there. The Aussie singer-songwriter has just released his new single “Love The Fall’ and he’s roped his old pals The Veronicas in.

The music video is suitably brooding and mysterious, but as always with Michael Paynter I’m most impressed by the song and his awesome vocals. It starts out as pretty standard pop-rock fare before building into something truly epic. The Veronicas star power might just be what Michael needs to break into the mainstream consciousness. I’m crossing my fingers.

“Love The Fall” is the title track from Michael Paynter’s new EP, which can be pre-ordered now ahead of its July 9 release.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kylie Announces Aussie Promo Tour for “Aphrodite”

With Danni Minogue about ready to pop with baby number one, it’s no great surprise that her sister Kylie will be back on home soil soon to play aunty. With her album Aphrodite hitting stores on July 2, it’s also no surprise to hear Miss Minogue will hit the promotional trail while she’s in Oz.

Kylie will launch her five-day media blitz on July 21. There’s no word yet on what that will entail, or whether fans will have the chance to get up close and personal, but I promise to bring you all the details when they come to hand.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Justice Records Showcases Artists in Sydney

While most record companies try to keep the public riff raff out of their industry functions, New Justice Records are inviting fans to attend their Sydney Showcase weekend next month.

New Justice Records will bring their roster of artists to the music industry, media, and fans over two big nights at the Agincourt Hotel. On July 2 Resists the Thought, As Silence Breaks, and Recoil will take the stage at the hotel’s Blink Nightclub. The following night it’s time for Sienna Skies, The Bride, Town Hall Steps, and Envy Parade to do their thing at Trash. As the shows are held in licensed venues, remember that they’re only for music fans aged 18 and older.

Tickets cost $12 on the door, but I’ll let you in on a little secret. If you drop the name of New Justice Records or one of the bands playing you’ll get in for only eight bucks. The first 100 paying punters through the door each night will also take home a New Justice Records label sampler CD.

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment