Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jez Mead is No Sucker

In a world of disposable pop and middle-of-the-road rock, the authentic tunes of Jez Mead are somewhat of a revelation. He’s been an independent force for years, but now this poetic sage is taking his music to the masses.

Jez is set to release his debut EP Sucker on September 4, and he’s winging his way around the country to celebrate. The disc is the first release on Jez’s own label Belly Up Records, which works in conjunction with EMI Music Australia. But there’s more to come, with Jez set to release his debut album Beard of Bees early next year.

See Jez and hear his message at the following launch shows around the country.

3 September 2009 – Emily Grace, Adelaide
10 September 2009 – Northcote Social, Melbourne
17 September 2009 – Hopetoun Hotel, Sydney
23 September 2009 – The View Factory, Newcastle
25 September 2009 – Diggers Tavern, Bellingen
30 September 2009 – Troubadour, Brisbane
2 October 2009 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Original Matters

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kasey Chambers Does Children's Album, and Book!

Being a mum of two seems to have rubbed off on Kasey Chambers. Her next project is an album of children’s songs with her dad Bill Chambers.

The pair will record under the cute moniker of Kasey Chambers, Poppa Bill and the Little Hillbillies. Kasey’s hubby Shane Nicholson and brother Nash Chambers will also appear on the disc.

The CD marks the songwriting debut of Kasey’s son Talon, who has penned the track “Two Houses” at the tender age of seven.

Kasey will also release her first children’s book, called Little Kasey and the Lost Music to coincide with the CD. It will feature a bonus CD of the track “The Lost Music Blues,” and an audio reading of the book so little ones can follow along.

“Writing this book has been a dream of mine since my first son was born 7 years ago. The idea of the story and characters started back then and have grown a little each passing year,” Kasey said in a statement.

“The main character (Little Kasey) is based on myself when I was 8 years old growing up in the outback of Australia. My two best friends in the story are ‘Froggles’, based on and named by my seven-year old son Talon, and ‘Worm’ who is based on my real life best friend, roadie and lighting technician, “Worm”. His wife, (in real life of course!) Bernadette, is also one of my closest friends and a great teacher. She helped me write and bring this idea to life. Having this book finally illustrated and published is a dream come true and one of the proudest moments of my life.”

Both the book and CD will be released on October 30 through Liberation.

Image source: Mandy Hall @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Channel Ten Sacks Kyle Sandilands from "Australian Idol" Judging Panel

There’ll be one less regular judge on the Australian Idol panel this year, following the sacking of controversial shock jock Kyle Sandilands today.

Channel Ten dumped the radio star today, following the fallout from last week’s awkward lie-detector stunt with a rape victim.

Ten declared that Kyle did not fit with the program’s family-friendly image, and would no longer be a part of the reality TV program. Given that the new series starts on Sunday it’s obviously too late to find a replacement. Instead, they plan to employ celebrity guest judges.

Honestly, I think it’s a good move all round. This ridiculous stunt is just the latest in a long-line of tastelessness from the crew at 2DayFM. They may not have known their teen guest was a rape victim, but surely quizzing a minor about her sex life would raise red flags amongst most of us. Channel Ten has got some real momentum with families following Masterchef, and they’d be crazy to stuff that up.

So far as Idol goes, I’ve never been a massive fan of Kyle’s judging style which seems more about praising the pretty girls and mainstream popettes than finding any real industry movers and shakers. Something tells me we’re not going to feel his loss too greatly.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pearl Jam and Ben Harper Team Up for Australian Tour

Pearl Jam and Ben Harper are both regular visitors to our shows, so it’s probably not so surprising that these supremely talented West Coasters will join forces in November for a massive Australian tour.

Pearl Jam will visit on the back of their ninth studio album Backspacer, which will hit stores in September. Meanwhile Ben Harper is visiting with his new outfit, Relentless7. They’ll be ably supported on all dates by none other than Liam Finn.

Tickets go on sale Monday August 17.

14 November 2009 – Members Equity Stadium, Perth
17 November 2009 – Adelaide Oval
20 November 2009 – Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
22 November 2009 – Sydney Football Stadium
25 November 2009 – QSAC Stadium, Brisbane

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Free Kisschasy Track, Album and Tour on the Way

Kisschasy have matured like a fine wine with the release of their third album, Seizures. The disc saw the Western Australian outfit jet to Los Angeles to work with legendary producer Rob Schnaf (Elliott Smith, Beck, Powderfinger, The Vines). The result has been touted the band’s best recording to date.

Frontman Darren Cordeux wrote the title track as a letter to a friend he says was “not living life to the fullest because they were too afraid of the consequences.” You can download the song online for free by clicking here.

If you like what you hear, make sure you check out the album when it drops on August 21 and see Kisschasy when they make their way around the country in September. They’ll be joined by Regular John for all but the first three shows.

25 September 2009 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
26 September 2009 – Coolangatta Hotel
27 September 2009 – The Lake @ Kawana Waters, Sunshine Coast (All ages)
29 September 2009 – Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour
30 September 2009 – Strobe Uni, Armidale
1 October 2009 – Bar On The Hill, Newcastle
2 October 2009 – Wollongong Uni, Wollongong
3 October 2009 – UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney (All ages)
4 October 2009 – ANU, Canberra
7 October 2009 – The Palace Theatre, Melbourne
8 October 2009 – Inferno, Traralgon
9 October 2009 – Ferntree Gully Hotel
10 October 2009 – Pier Hotel, Frankston
11 October 2009 – HiFi BAR, Melbourne (Under 18’s)
13 October 2009 – HQ, Adelaide
15 October 2009 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
16 October 2009 – Prince Of Wales Hotel, Bunbury
17 October 2009 – The Capitol, Perth

Image used with permission from Delinquents

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Starting Sunday and Faker For Free JD Set Shows

Melbourne’s Starting Sunday will join Faker for a blink-and-you’ll miss it tour for the JD Set next week.

The double-bill coincides with the launch of Starting Sunday’s brand new single, “Feeling it Now,” which is already enjoying airplay on Triple J. This tiny tour is just the start of extensive touring for the band, who will announce national headlining shows in the coming weeks.

The JD Set shows are all free, so there’s no excuse not to get on down and check out this brilliant new band and an old favourite!

6 August 2009 – The Prince Bandroom, Melbourne (18+)
7 August 2009 – The Metro, Sydney (18+)
8 August 2009 – James Cook Uni, Townsville (18+)

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cassie Davis Does New Album Differently

Cassie Davis is continuing to show us she does things differently with her debut album titled, funnily enough, Differently.

“In my music, my life, fashion – I do everything a little differently,” she explained. “I don’t do things just because other people think that’s the way it should be done. That wouldn’t be staying true to who I am. I’ve always been like this. I like being a bit odd and the odd one out.”

The disc showcases those differences, drawing from Cassie’s eclectic influences. The natural marriage of pop and rock becomes something new with a dash of ska, a smattering of urban sounds, and a little gospel.

It includes her three big hits, “Differently,” “Like it Loud,” and the latest smash, “Do It Again.” But there’s plenty more besides, including the big ballad “Amazing,” the African beats of “Hero,” and the dark and deeply personal “Mess of Mine.”

With the input of a world-class team, including Rodney Jerkins (Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Beyonce), Printz Board (Black Eyed Peas musical director) and Wayne Wilkins (Beyonce, Kylie, Natasha Bedingfield, Pink), Differently promises to be one of this year’s big hits.

Differently hits stores on August 14.

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"Red Leaf" by Shelley Harland

Shelley Harland’s debut album Red Leaf has found its home in my stereo for the past couple of weeks. I must admit that the first time I heard it the disc washed over me in a wave of pleasant. It was a lovely experience, but not one that compelled me to rush back.

Days passed before I gave it another spin, and then I had to give it another spin just to be sure, but I think I’ve got it. It’s not that this album isn’t accessible first time around, but it is one that gets a little richer with every listen. You need time to appreciate its understated charms.

There’s nothing flashy about Shelley’s music. In “Friday,” she’s singing about the way the drone of nine to five leaves us waiting for the weekend. In “Clouds Disappear” she recounts another ordinary day, with flat walkman batteries, trips to the laundromat, and TV dinners.

The music too is low-key. That organic sound is so appealing when everything on the radio seems to be produced and processed within an inch of its life. An acoustic guitar and a couple of strings leave plenty of room for the songs and Shelley’s ethereal voice to fill, and fill them they do.

On this album, Shelley Harland has proven herself to be a master craftsman of songs that are accessible, yet surprisingly complex. Red Leaf is a slow burner, but once it grabs you it doesn’t let go.

Image source: Shelley Harland MySpace

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Yet Another Rapper Postpones Aussie Appearance

It seems Australia and urban artists just don’t mix. The latest to fall to the curse is Ja Rule, who’s had to postpone his Sydney show due to “visa processing” problems.

The rapper was originally scheduled to play a one-off show at Luna Park on July 31, but that’s been pushed back to August 25.

This follows Timbaland’s tour postponement and eventual cancellation last year, and Mary J Blige’s tour postponement and eventual cancellation last year.

If hope I’m wrong, but I’m feeling a little déjà vu here.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sound Relief Gets a DVD Release

The massive Sound Relief concerts staged last year to benefit the Victorian bushfire and Queensland flood victims will be released on a big four-DVD set.

The concerts staged in Melbourne and Sydney featured one of the most incredible line-ups of local and international talent ever assembled, including Coldplay, John Farnham, Olivia Newton-John, Barry Gibb, Kylie Minogue, Wolfmother, The Living End, Gabriella Cilmi, Jack Johnson, Midnight Oil, Split Enz, and many more.

“Sound Relief was literally born from the ashes of a terrible time in Australia’s history. The concerts became so much more than just a charity fundraising event; they were a way for the community to unite and heal,” Michael Gudinski said in a statement.

“I’m overjoyed that the DVD release can go ahead and we can’t express our appreciation enough to the artists and everyone involved who helped make it possible. Since the day of the concert we’ve received so many enquiries about whether the concerts would be released on DVD that I wouldn’t be surprised if this became the highest selling DVD in Australian history.

“It is fitting that a lasting record will be available of this once in a lifetime event for future generations.”

The DVDs will be released through Liberation Music in October.

Image source: Rachel Hofton @ Flickr