Brooklyn bands Chairlift and The Phenomenal Handclap Band will touch down in Australia later month for one massive tour.

This will be the first visit to Australia for both bands, but if the hype is any indication it won’t be there last. Along with slots at the Falls Festivals in Lorne and Marion Bay and Perth’s Southbound Festival, the bands will play double-header shows in Melbourne and Sydney ably supported by Sydney outfit THE E.L.F.

Tickets to the festival sideshows are available now from the venues.

30 December 2009 – Falls Festival, Lorne
31 December 2009 – Falls Festival, Marion Bay
2 January 2010 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
7 January 2010 – The Manning Bar, Sydney
9 January 2010 – Southbound Festival, Perth

Image: Ross Fraser. Used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Kate Ceberano’s encouraging us all to get into the Christmas spirit. Her album Merry Christmas is sitting pretty in the ARIA top 30 and has achieved gold status in just two weeks. We can expect it to rise even higher with Kate hitting the promotion circuit this weekend.

On Saturday she’ll stop by Warringah Mall to sign copies of the CD and belt out a few festive favourites. You can catch her in Manly from midday. Later that night she’ll stop by Sydney’s Carols in the Domain to spread more seasonal cheer.

Western Australians will get their chance to see Kate at the Perth IGA Carols by Candlelight on Sunday night. It sounds like Ms Ceberano is in for one busy weekend!

Image source: Kate Ceberano website

It’s still more than three months away, but it seems British electro-pop star La Roux just can’t wait to board the Bacardi Express.

She visited Australia only six months ago, but says the local crowds inspired her to make a return visit.

“Everyone at our Parklife shows were amazing,” she said. “We were completely overwhelmed by the response we got at both Parklife and our sideshows in Sydney and Melbourne.”

The Bacardi Express is equipped with a gaming room and jamming carriage, but La Roux says she’ll probably spend most of her time in the dining carriage and the chill out lounge.

“I wouldn’t say I’m that much of a jamming person. I like to play piano when nobody’s watching … but who knows?”

She’s a little confused about Coffs Harbour’s Big Banana, but can’t wait to see Australia’s Newcastle. As the English version is “very cold and rainy,” La Roux hopes the one Down Under is “a bit sunnier.”

If you missed La Roux’s live show last time around, she says you can look forward to “flying monkeys and unicycling.”

To see whether she’s pulling your leg, make sure you head to the Bacardi Express website for a chance to win tickets. The Bacardi Express travels from Brisbane to Sydney via Coffs Harbour and Newcastle from March 25 to 27.

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media

Many musicians play a token gig in Perth or Fremantle, but few take the time to launch a full-scale tour of Western Australia. So I take my hat off to bluesman Jez Mead, who’ll spend his summer travelling through the Aussie state.

Jez found fame with the catchy track “Sucker” from the independently released EP of the same name. He’ll follow up that release with his debut album Beard of Bees early next year. Music fans can expect to hear tracks from both discs at the following shows.

18 December 2009 – Caves House, Yallingup
19 December 2009 – The Prince of Wales, Bunbury
20 December 2009 – Indi Bar, Scarborough
23 December 2009 – Mojos, North Fremantle
24 & 27 December 2009 – The Premier Hotel, Albany
1 January 2010 – Dunsborough Tavern
3 January 2010 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
10 January 2010 – J.B O’Reileys, Perth
15 January 2010 – Norfolk Basement, Fremantle
23 January 2010 – Indifest, Indi Bar, Scarborough
24 January 2010 – Redcliffe on the Murray, Pinjarra

Image used with permission from Original Matters

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