I can barely believe that 2010 is nearly upon us. As we look forward to the next year, and the next decade for that matter, I wanted to look back at the top 10 Australian musos that impressed and intrigued me this year.

1. Empire of the Sun – Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore seem to have impressed everyone this year with their electropop sounds. What I love most about the band is that they’ve brought theatre back into music. Finally!

2. Jessica Mauboy – With her monster album Right Here Jessica proved herself to be one of the break-out artists from the Australian Idol franchise. The songs are every bit as slick as the tunes Rihanna and Beyonce are producing, and it’s only a matter of time before the world takes notice.

3. Lisa Mitchell – Another Idol graduate, but one that’s taken a far different path. She’s been this year’s quiet achiever. Who needs the awards or airplay when you can produce an album as amazing as Wonder?

4. Jimmy Barnes – He never really went away, but this Aussie rock stalwart found himself back at the top of the charts this year with The Rhythm and the Blues. While he went old school on us here, he also deserves props for bringing back Cold Chisel.
Continue reading “2009’s Movers and Shakers of Australian Music” →

Ever since I heard Richard Wilkins mention Huey Lewis and the News were heading our way next year, I’ve been hanging out for the official tour announcement. We don’t quite have that yet, but the dates I’ve found are probably as close to it as we’ll get until the silly season is over.

The News’ guitarist Stef Burns posted the following dates on his website, and Huey confirmed the timeframe they’ll be Down Under in a Q&A section on the band’s website. So far, everything’s matching up. And the venues are incredible!

When Richard Wilkins made his Today report he said Richard Clapton and 1927 will act as the tour’s supports. What a recipe for a party! So we’re still waiting to hear when we can get our tickets, but at least we know what dates to save!

17 March 2010 – QPAC Theatre, Brisbane
19 March 2010 – State Theatre, Sydney
20 March 2010 – Hope Estate Winery, Hunter Valley
21 March 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
23 March 2010 – Town Hall, Sydney
26 March 2010 – Exhibition Centre, Melbourne
27 March 2010 – Sutton Grange Winery, Bendigo
28 March 2010 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
29 March 2010 – Adelaide Theatre
1 April 2010 – TBA, Perth

Image source: ZUMA Press

After a chance meeting in the United States, Jessica Mauboy hopes to collaborate with rap star Dr Dre.

While they only met briefly at a Hollywood party, our homegrown soul diva hopes the encounter may lead to something more.

“It was crazy. I just saw him in the corner of my eye and was just like, ‘Oh my god, I’m in love with this guy and I love his music, grew up with his music and I really want to meet him’,” she told The Daily Telegraph. “My friend introduced us and I think they’ve kind of kept in touch and we really want to work towards that.”

While she’d love to work with her idol, Jess acknowledges that “in the real world it’s all about the money side of it. So hopefully we can kind of get that together and the record label can really help me towards that. You never know. He might just fall in love with what I do and want to make a track.”

Perhaps Jess will get her chance when she returns to Los Angeles for four months in the New Year. During her visit, Jess will write and record album number three.

Image source: Premier Artists

It’s not very rock and roll, but some rare birds may see AC/DC cancel a concert in Austria.

The band is slated to play a sold-out show at Austria’s Wels airport in May. However, bird conservations are concerned that the rock and roll anthems may threaten rare birds nesting in the area.

“The second biggest colony of curlews in Upper Austria and various other ground-nesting birds must not become endangered,” affirmed Hans Uhl of BirdLife.

Hopefully an agreement that’s in the interest of music fans and the feathered locals can be reached before May!

Image source: ZUMA Press

Catherine Britt isn’t the only one Tamworth-bound. Sydney swamp rockers The Snowdroppers are leaving the big smoke behind for Australia’s biggest country music festival.

The band will headline a free show at Tamworth’s Imperial Hotel on January 19. Apparently the band plans “on damming The Peel River so as to ensure the entire community of Tamworth has access to clean water post Imperial gig thus ensuring the town can take a cold shower to wash off the ‘filth and grime’ left behind.” We have been warned! The Snowdroppers will play in support of their latest album, Too Late To Pray.

Abbie Cardwell, Brothers Grim, and The Graveyard Train are also on the bill of The Impi’s free show.

Image source: Premier Artists

Catherine Britt has spent much of 2009 holed up in a studio recording her fourth album with Shane Nicholson and Bill Chambers, so she’s itching to get back in front of her fans. She’ll do just that with two very special shows at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

She’ll play Blazes Auditorium on January 17 before hosting the Catherine Britt Hillbilly Sessions at The Pub on January 21.

“I can’t wait for Tamworth! I’m so excited to play some of my new songs for
my fans,” she gushed. “My new album is the one thing I have been completely focused on throughout 2009 and to finally get to play the songs live is something I have been looking forward to all year”

Tickets for both shows are on sale now.

Image used with permission from Thrillhill Entertainment

The Wellingtons are spreading some festive cheer by offering free downloads of their Christmas track, “I Guess It’s Christmas.”

This is another slice of energetic power-pop from the Melbourne band who gave us the current radio hit “Come Undone.”

Just head to the Dust Devil Music site and click on the link at the top of the page to grab the free tune!

Image source: Premier Artists

Rose Tattoo guitarist and founding member Mick Cocks has lost his battle with liver cancer. He passed away in a Sydney hospital, just eight months after being diagnosed with the disease.

“We’re very sad to announce that Rose Tattoo founding member and guitarist Mick Cocks lost his battle against liver cancer and passed away today, on December 22th,” a statement posted on the band’s website yesterday read.

The band’s manager Stephen White called Mick a “true Australian rocker.”

“It is devastating. You know, what can you say though?” he told Fairfax Radio Network. “Mick got ill about a year ago and it was looking pretty good for a while but he got very ill.”

The band’s having a rough trot of late. Mick is the fourth member of the band to die in just three years, following the deaths of Ian Rilen and Pete Wells in 2006 and Lobby Loyde in 2007. My thoughts are with the remaining members of the band, and Mick’s family.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

The Avett Brothers are the latest act to announce a couple of Bluesfest sideshows.

Their name might not be familiar, but after several tours with Dave Matthews Band they’re destined to become one of 2010’s big things. Their unique rootsy sound has been described by the San Francisco Chronicle as having the “heavy sadness of Townes Van Zandt, the light pop concision of Buddy Holly, the tuneful jangle of the Beatles, the raw energy of the Ramones.” That’s some blend!

The North Carolina-based band are out here to promote their latest album I And Love And You, which hits stores on February 19.

Make sure you catch The Avett Brothers at the following shows. Sideshow tickets are available through Ticketek.

2 & 3 April 2010 – Byron Bay Bluesfest
5 April 2010 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
6 April 2010 – Prince Bandroom, Melbourne

Image source: ZUMA Press