Kylie Minogue is preparing to release a new digital live disc, just in time for Christmas. Kylie Live in New York features audio recorded during the last days of Kylie’s sold-out American tour.

The set from New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom includes 25 hits, from “The Locomotion” to “The One.” We may not get to see all the amazing costumes and back up dancers, but we can feel the energy of these electric performances.

“I’ve always wanted to tour in America and couldn’t believe it was actually happening,” said Kylie. “I know it took a while to get there but I think it was worth the twenty years; the shows were all absolutely amazing. The fans in North America had such an amazing energy.”

Kylie Live in New York will be available online from December 18. It’s worth doing your shopping through iTunes as you’ll receive three bonus tracks. Click below to see the track list!
Continue reading “Kylie Releases Live Show from New York” →

Bliss n Eso fans have the chance to get up close and personal with the urban outfit this Sunday. They’ll be appearing at The RecordStore in Darlinghurst from midday to celebrate the upcoming vinyl release of Flying Colours Live.

This is the first chance for fans to get their hands on one of only 500 copies of the limited edition record, and see a sneak peek of the new Flying Colours summer clothing range. Bliss, Eso, and DJ Izm will be on hand to sign copies of the album. Watch DJ Izm spin a couple of tracks while you enjoy a barbeque lunch.

Bliss n Eso fans outside Sydney won’t miss out though, with the band holding back a limited number of the records for online sale. Look for them at www.flyingcoloursclothing.com from December 21.

Image source: Bliss n Eso press kit

Guvera, a free legal download service will launch locally on Tuesday with the support of EMI Music and IODA.
The site’s is funded by advertisers, thereby offering music fans a home a free alternative to illegal downloading.

With two labels already on board, here’s hoping the other labels take the opportunity to sign up and give their artists this wider listening audience.

“Brands increasingly recognize how powerful our artists’ music can be in creating strong, emotional connections with consumers. We believe Guvera’s approach can offer a compelling experience for fans and new revenue opportunities for our artists,” said Mark Piibe, Global Head of Digital Business Development for EMI Music.

“We are impressed by Guvera’s unique approach to the concept of brand channels. By tailoring music to brands instead of just placing ads around music, Guvera creates a new way to meet the goals of all parties involved,” commented Kevin Arnold, founder and CEO of IODA. “Guvera’s experience provides an alternative for consumers looking to legally download music. We look forward to bringing this opportunity to our clients as Guvera’s first digital distributors.”

Browsers complete profiles, which help the site offer channels tailored to their listening preferences. Advertisers can create targeted channels and music labels can directly target their artists’ core fanbases.

Guvera has big plans, with an America launch slated for February. Before its official launch you can preregister online for access on the big day.

Image source: Camila Schnaibel @ Stock.xchng

Sony is spreading a little Christmas cheer with its brand new release Stars of Christmas.

The stars in questions are a slew of Australian Idol contestants (Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll, Anthony Callea, Damien Leith, Wes Carr and Jess Mauboy), young popettes (Amy Pearson, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Cassie Davis), and the artists your mum likes (David Campbell, Human Nature, John Farmham). Even Sam Moran of The Wiggles gets a go. The Sony stars take on a mix of traditional carols and modern Christmas tunes in this soundtrack for decorating the tree and wrapping pressies.

Stars of Christmas is in stores now.

Image source: Auspop

After a successful maiden visit earlier this year, Nashville’s Old Crow Medicine Show are heading back Down Under next year.

Old Crow Medicine Show goes beyond their “Americana” tag, delivering bluegrass-styled tunes with attitude. They’ll make stops at the blues and roots festivals on each side of the country, and also play some very special theatre shows. If you didn’t catch them on their first visit, make sure you don’t make the same mistake this time around!

Tickets for the following shows are available online from Love Police.

27 March 2010 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
28 March 2010 – West Coast Blues And Roots Festival, Fremantle
31 March 2010 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne
1 April 2010 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne
2 April 2010 – Mossvale Park, South Gippsland
3 April 2010 – East Coast Blues And Roots Festival, Byron Bay

Image source: Ron Baker & Craig Williams @ Wikimedia Commons

After the buzz surrounding his inclusion on next year’s Laneway festival bill, enigmatic American singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston has announced two very special side shows.

The tour will support the album Is and Always Was, Daniel’s first release in eight years.

Daniel is known for selecting existing outfits to serve as his backing bands, and his Australian jaunt is no exception. Old Man River will join Daniel on stage for both the Laneways gigs and the headliner side shows.

It’s taken Daniel more than 30 years to visit Australia, so we shouldn’t expect a return visit any time soon. Make sure you see him at the following shows while you have the chance. Tickets to the shows went on sale today.

3 February 2010 – The Prince of Wales, Melbourne
4 February 2010 – Metro Theatre, Sydney

Image source: Timsnell @ Flickr

After enjoying plenty of airplay on Triple J, Angus and Julia Stone have officially released their brand new single “And the Boys.”

“And The Boys” is the first taste of Angus and Julia Stone’s sophomore album Down The Way. The track comes bundled with two bonus songs, “Take You Away” and “Change” when purchased through the iTunes online store.

To celebrate the release of And the Boys, Angus and Julia Stone have announced they’ll tour around the country in March and April. The tour will coincide with the release of Down The Way. Tickets for all shows are available now.

16 March 2010 – ANU Bar, Canberra
17 March 2010 – Wollongong University
18 March 2010 – Newcastle University
19 March 2010 – Tanks Art Centre, Cairns
20 March 2010 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
21 March 2010 – Lake Kawana Arts and Community Centre, Sunshine Coast
24 March 2010 – Hellenic Hall, Hobart
25 March 2010 – Palace Theatre, Melbourne
26 March 2010 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
28 March 2010 – West Coast Blues and Roots Festival, Fremantle
31 March 2010 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
1 April 2010 – Astor Theatre, Perth
2 April 2010 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
5 April 2010 – Byron Bay Bluesfest

Image used with permission from Original Matters

James Reyne is the latest Aussie music veteran to record a covers album. The former Australian Crawl frontman will release a collection of Elvis Presley songs next year.

“I wondered whether we could have the AUDACITY, PRESUMPTION and DAMN GALL to try and record an album of my versions of some Elvis songs,” James said in a statement. “We made a LONG list. I researched and rediscovered a lot of the songs that I already knew and a lot that I didn’t. From our LONG list we chose fourteen songs. It was not easy. My main criterion was that the originals had that certain, innate insouciance that grabbed you immediately and, therefore, might translate more easily”.

“The main aim was to try and make the songs my own, always aware of the stupidity of trying to imitate Elvis himself and the folly of even pretending to contend the brilliance of the originals, but keeping a sense of humour intact and still remaining true to any crucial rhythms or cadence or musical elements that existed on those first, seminal, exhilarating recordings. It is probably testament to the artful simplicity of these originals that our recording process was painless and, dare I say, easy,” he said.

James Reyne TCB will hit music stores on April 9. To coincide with the release, James will play two intimate theatre shows. Look out for him at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre on May 21, and Sydney’s State Theatre on May 22.

Image source: The Harbour Agency