Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Australian Idol Finals Kick Off

The pointy end of Australian Idol kicked off tonight with the first final. But before the performances, we learned that Toby Moulton and Hayley Warner (audience choice) and Casey Barnes and Tim Johnston (judges’ choice) would join our top 12.

Ashleigh Toole kicked off the night with Kelly Clarkson’s “Miss Independent.” It wasn’t a break-out performance, but it was a solid one. While she didn’t wow me, there’s something incredibly likable about her.

Scott Newnham is a bit of a crowd favourite, and he showed why with his version of “Come Together.” He performed the pants off it, and kept the vocals right where they should be. That’s an achievement. He’s such a raw talent, and he’s only going to grow through this competition.

Casey Barnes was up next with Powderfinger’s “On My Mind.” It was great to see him rocking a little bit harder. I also really liked seeing him with his guitar. He seems much more comfortable with it, and he’s got some serious skills. I was surprised he got a wildcard spot over Lauren Street, but performances like this show he deserves a place in our top 12.

Watching Hayley Warner perform “Light Surrounding You” was the first time I was wowed tonight. There’s an incredible honesty about her. She’s an open performer, and while she doesn’t sound the prettiest she makes me feel. That’s much more powerful.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

TownHallStepsTake Album to United States

Sydney band TownHallSteps are beginning to see the fruits of their labour. The local lads will play shows in Australia and the United States to celebrate their brand new single “Ask For More.” The song comes from the band’s self-titled debut, which will hit stores on September 14.

The quintet began writing and touring in 2004, inspired by contemporary punk outfits Jimmy Eat World and The Get Up Kids. The momentum began to build, with the band earning support slots on tours with Simple Plan, Avril Lavigne, The All American Rejects, and local acts like Kisschasy, Faker, and Gyroscope. In 2005 the band won the national final of the World Battle of the Bands, and headed to Hong Kong to compete against the best young acts on the international scene. In 2006 they released their debut EP, Breakdowns, which peaked at number 10 on the charts.

In 2008 TownHallSteps began to experiment with electronic sounds and strong beats in the vein of The Killers and Coldplay. Another EP, Disco, encapsulated the sound.

It’s been a long time coming, but the band’s debut album is almost here. The first single, “Ask For More” was written about a night out with the boys that’s interrupted by the appearance of a pretty girl.

“All of a sudden every guy will instinctively act different, trying to make the funniest joke to make her laugh, buying her drinks as if money is no issue and all these things to try and impress her,” drummer Ryan Lambert explained. “What most guys don’t usually realise is that girls see straight through this and after all their efforts, usually leaves the conversation with the same impression of these boys as she had when she entered”.

The band will play a couple of local shows this month before jetting to the United States. They’ll play iconic venues in Hollywood, Las Vegas, Santa Monica, and New York before jetting home for more Aussie gigs.

See TownHallSteps at the following venues.

19 September 2009 – Bondi Pavilion (All Ages)
25 September 2009 – The Basement, Blacktown (Licensed All Ages)
9 October 2009 – Hollowbody @ Trip, Santa Monica
12 October 2009 – Viper Room, Hollywood
13 October 2009 – The Roxy, Hollywood
17 October 2009 – Beauty Bar, Las Vegas
19 October 2009 – Fontana’s, New York
7 November 2009 -: Metrodome, Central Coast (All Ages)
27 November 2009 -: Penrith Panthers

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"Gifts of Grace" – Grace Bawden

It’s rare that a classical crossover album hits my stereo, but with Gifts of Grace, Australian teen Grace Bawden may have converted me.

This is an uplifting disc, one that’s accessible to modern audiences despite its classical undercurrent. It achieves this thanks to its excellent choice of songs. The traditional songs are represented of course. Her version of “Flower Duet” is particularly lovely, and “Amazing Grace” is stunning too. But by keeping those tracks to a minimum, the album breaks through to an audience who may have rejected something with a classical tag.

The same could be said of “Dear God.” Religious tunes are sometimes a bit difficult for secular listeners, but by giving this an album dance-pop treatment it becomes contemporary and youthful.

Grace has an angelic voice, but it’s the maturity she brings that really excites me. I was a little nervous about her tackling a song as profound as “Streets of Philadelphia,” but her treatment is surprisingly effective. Her cover of The Beatles “Long and Winding Road” is also stunning. She may not have lived the struggles of the songs she sings, but she makes us believe she has. Another highlight is “Cold Outside,” an incredible collaboration with South Africa’s Soweto Gospel Choir. To hear their soulful voices combine with Grace’s pure one is amazing.

That’s not to say that every song works. Her version of “People” pales in comparison to Barbra Streisand’s. Few people can ever measure up to this legend, but Grace lacks the conviction and gumption to come close. I was also a little disappointed by the album’s first single, her take on Icehouse’s “Man of Colours.” Perhaps it’s the falsetto, which while amazing seems to undermine the emotional grit of the tune.

But you can’t win them all, and there’s enough here to really impress me. If this is what Grace can produce at 16, I can’t wait to see what she creates in the coming years.

Gifts of Grace is in stores on September 18.

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paolo Nutini Announces Aussie Tour

He’s handsome, he’s Scottish, and he’s super talented. Yet for some reason, commercial radio in Oz tends to snub Paolo Nutini. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if many of you missed his latest brilliant album Sunny Side Up altogether.

That’s both a blessing and a curse. It’d be nice for more folks to be in the know, but for those that are it means that on his rare visits Down Under he plays lovely intimate venues. Paolo will visit us in October for a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it tour. Support for both shows will be provided by our very own handsome troubadour, Whitley.

Paolo Nutini will play the Forum in Melbourne on October 27, before heading to Sydney to play the Enmore on the 30th. Get your tickets at midday on September 14!

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matheson and The Bloodpoets Win JD Set Spots

The Panics will take Matheson and The Bloodpoets along for the ride when they set out on the next JD Set tour. The new bands won a slot on the tour thanks to the votes of their loyal fans.

Victorian band, Matheson say they’ll use the tour to test out airports and discover the beauty of Western Australia.

“We’d like to learn how to get through airport screening without at least one of us being pulled aside for a rub with the magic wand,” explained Aaron Matthews. “We’d like to learn more about WA. From what we know, it’s a wonderful state. It’s always great to see how different bands approach playing to different crowds. We wanna know what love is. We want The Panics to show us.”

Meanwhile The Bloodpoets just want to get out there and play.

“Being part of The JD Set is something we are extremely excited about,” they said in a statement. “To support The Panics, a band we’ve looked up to for so long, is going to be a big learning curve for us. We feel our music is something that appeals to the same audience and being part of the tour with The Panics will give us the chance to learn about larger scale tours and give us the opportunity to play to a new audience.”

The Panics, Matheson and the Bloodpoets will play the following JD Set dates.

23 September 2009 – The Espy, Melbourne
24 September 2009 – The Capitol Theatre, Perth
25 September 2009 – The Esplanade Hotel, Busselton

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Folds Plays By Request

I had a lot of fun at my Ben Folds show, but I’m now wishing I had tickets for the performance on Sunday September 6. Apparently the indie god has decided to open up the set list to audience requests!

The Opera House will make pens and paper available for fans, so they can write their name and favourite song down. Fans will then drop their requests into the collection boxes in the Concert Hall foyer. Ben promises to go through the requests personally and play as many of them as he can!

There are still some tickets available, but I wouldn’t muck about. They’re not going to last long!

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lady Gaga Announces Aussie Headline Tour

Stefani Germanotta, or Lady Gaga to her legion of fans, is heading down Under for her first headline tour next March.

The pop sensation clearly loves our country. She’s visited her three times in the last three years!

“Coming to Australia is a real treat because everybody is so in love with pop music here,” she explained.

This time around she’ll bring a full band for arena dates in capital cities around the country.

Tickets for the shows go on sale on September 16 at 9am.

17 March 2010 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
22 March 2010 – AIS Arena, Canberra
23 March 2010 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
26 March 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
30 March 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
2 April 2010 – Challenge Stadium, Perth

Image source: Victoria Potter @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Packed to the Rafters' Hugh Sheridan Makes Move to Music

Packed to the Rafters’ favourite Hugh Sheridan is moving from the small screen to the live music stage. The Aussie actor has just signed a deal with Sony Music Australia, which will see him release his debut album later this year.

“Music has always been a massive part of my life,” explained Hugh. “I am so excited to be able to partner with Sony Music to record this album and can’t wait to get my music out there!”

You can see Hugh perform his debut single “Just Can’t Throw Us Away” on the Dancing with the Stars grand finale on Sunday September 6. The song will be available in stores and online on Friday, before its radio release next Monday.

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Greene Tours Work Love Dance Trust

Paul Greene is of the hardest working men in the Australian music industry. To celebrate his new positive new acoustic pop single, “Work Love Dance Trust,” the talented singer-songwriter is preparing to embark on a massive regional tour.

The song confronts the harsh realities of life while reminding us not to dwell on the negatives. Just because we’re in the midst of a financial crisis, the world is still a wonderful place with endless possibilities. The uplifting tune comes from Paul’s current album, Distance Over Time. Check out the happy vid below!

Acclaimed singer-songwriter and Paul’s good friend will also join him on all the following dates.

27 September 2009 – Lennox Point Tavern
30 September 2009 – Dingos Backpackers, Rainbow Beach
2 October 2009 – Agnes Water Tavern
4 October 2009 – Oxford Hotel, Rockhampton
7 October 2009 – Central Hotel, Port Douglass
9 October 2009 – Green Ant Cantina, Cairns
10 October 2009 – Silkwood Hotel
11 October 2009 – Cactus Jack’s, Townsville
13 & 14 October 2009 – KC’s Bar & Grill, Airlie Beach
15 October 2009 – Denison Hotel, Bowen
16 October 2009 – Capella Cultural Centre, Capella
17 October 2009 – Maraboon Tavern, Emerald
22 October 2009 – Gold Coast Arts Centre
24 & 25 October 2009 – Caloundra Music Festival
30 October 2009 – Martians Cafe, Deans Marsh
4 November 2009 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide
5 November 2009 – Prairie Hotel, Parachilna
7 November 2009 – Pier Hotel, Port Lincoln
8 November 2009 – Port Neill Hotel, Port Neill
12 November 2009 – Mocean Cafe, Streaky Bay
13 November 2009 – Ceduna Sailing Club, Ceduna
18 November 2009 – Esperance Civic Centre, Esperance
20 November 2009 – Denmark Tavern, Denmark
21 November 2009 – Cape Wine Bar, Dunsborough
22 November 2009 – Quindanning Tavern, Quindanning
25 November 2009 – Mojo’s, Perth
26 November 2009 – Settler’s Tavern, Margaret River

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Folds @ Opera House, Sydney – 31 August 2009

Last night I caught Ben Folds at the first of his three shows at the Sydney Opera House. It’s a strange thing to see this indie rock god perform at this opulent venue, but those contradictions are what make it so appealing.

The night kicked off with Oh Mercy, which was what I pleading for before too long. It’s not that they were bad per se, but they did bore me. My husband described them as diet polystyrene, and he wasn’t far off. The girls sitting near us said they couldn’t disagree more, but for me there was no passion and no hook. I couldn’t find anything to latch onto; both performance and tunes were bland from where we sat.

Oh Mercy could learn a lot from Ben Folds. He’s one man who will never be described as boring. He might spend most of the night sitting behind a piano, but he’s more compelling doing that than so many other artists are dancing around.

It’s funny: I’ve seen Ben Folds twice now and still only own one CD. But he’s one of those artists that you don’t need to know the songs intimately to enjoy. He’s a storyteller, and so you get sucked into that. Judging by the folks singing along around me, he seemed to play plenty of the crowd pleasers, but he also treated us to the equally well-received new material.

For me, those new songs were a highlight. I’d heard of his collaboration with novelist Nick Hornby, and was thrilled to experience some of it before the release. “Levi Johnston Blues,” based on the tale of the unfortunate chap who knocked up Bristol Palin, is destined to become an audience favourite in years to come.

Ben seemed to have a lot of fun, encouraging the audience to sing along in songs like “Zak and Sara” and “Not the Same.” With the audience seated all around the stage, Ben clearly got a kick out of the stereo effect. There was a lot of love in the room, with both Ben and the fans seeming thrilled to share this space. That’s why, even though I keep forgetting to buy the CDs, I never hesitate to snap up concert tickets.

Image source: ZUMA Press