Posted on by Lauren Katulka

uncharTED Semis Kick Off

The Toohey’s Extra Dry uncharTED semi finals are on!

Sydney’s Bridgeprimary Kiss, The Falls, OnlyTheSeaSlugs, and The Deer Republic, join Melbourne’s Foxx on Fire, and Perth outfit French rockets as the public’s favorites. They’ll battle it out with the media picks: Ellington from Brisbane, Death Mattel and Sui Zhen from Sydney, and Hot Little Hands from Melbourne. The victor will receive a slot at this year’s Splendour in the Grass and an artist development package worth $25, 000.

You can help them on their way by voting for your favourites at the uncharTED website. The voting slates are wiped clean, so if you’ve voted before make sure you vote again. You can vote once every hour, and the more you vote the more chance you have of taking home some great prizes.

While you’re at the site make sure you check out details of SMS voting, the new mobile website, and downloadable artist widgets. There’s plenty to see!

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

My Year Without Sex – Soundtrack

My Year Without Sex sounds like it could be the latest gross-out comedy geared at frustrated American college kids. Instead it’s a heartwarming Australian film starring acclaimed actors Sacha Horler and Matt Day.

The film tells the story of Natalie, a mother of two who unexpectedly suffers a brain embolism. Physical exertion is out, and that includes sex. It’s a depressing premise, but one that the film never dwells on. The outstanding soundtrack reflects that, with Banarama’s girl anthem “Venus” standing alongside jaunty indie ditties like Little Birdy’s “You’re Beautiful” and Bob Evans’ “Don’t Walk Alone.”

The soundtrack isn’t without its dark moments. Emily Hayes’ acapella take on the gospel classic “Soon I Will Be Done” is gutwrenching, and El Perro Del Mar’s “Glory To The World” isn’t much cheerier. But these sad moments are fleeting, reminding us that the clouds always part to show sunshine.

The soundtrack to My Year Without Sex is a texturally rich album, with equal measures of light and shade. It takes a gifted director like Sarah Watt to make a film with illness at its core easy to watch. And it takes a gifted person to create a soundtrack inspired by such a dramatic muse so listenable.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wes Carr's Fearless New Vid

Sony Music has just released a teaser clip for Wes Carr’s new music video, “Fearless.” It’s a star-studded affair, with Wes playing 1920s gangster with some of Australia’s biggest stars. How can a clip go wrong with starring turns from Pia Miranda, Underbelly’s Matthew Newton and Vince Colosimo, and So You Think You Can Dance favourite Tim-O-Matic. Not to mention Wes’ rollicking blues soundtrack! I can’t wait to see the full length version!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Song Obsession: "Out of the Airlock" by Paul Dempsey

I remember Paul Dempsey as the brooding singer-songwriter of 90s indie darlings Something for Kate. These days he seems to have lightened up a little, and it’s a really good thing. But lightness definitely doesn’t mean lightweight. His new single “Out of the Airlock” is a beautiful ditty, and the clip’s every bit as cool. I love seeing him as some kind of giant guitar god, quietly strumming above the miniature town of Lloydhurst.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

AC/DC Sells Out Aussie Shows

We all knew AC/DC tickets would be popular, but I’m not sure anyone expected the aging rockers to break records. But the Aussie lads have defied expectation, selling out shows in record time.

A third show has gone on sale in both Sydney and Melbourne, after the originally scheduled shows sold out within15 minutes this morning.

In the band’s home state, tickets for the first Perth show sold out in seven minutes, while the second sold out soon after.

Fans queuing up at the venues had the best luck, with the Ticketek website experiencing a major meltdown.

It’s great to see Australian artists being supported so fervently, but the darker side to all this is the scalpers.
eBay’s been flooded with tickets with inflated price tags.

“It’s very frustrating,” promoter Gary Van Egmond said of the eBay tickets.

“It’s impossible to combat. People were selling on eBay last week before the actual tickets had gone on sale and we had them taken off. But there’s nothing we can do. I feel sorry for the public. Fortunately there’s still tickets available for the third show in Melbourne (and Sydney) so they don’t need to buy them on eBay. It’s not fair.”

But Mr Van Egmond said he’s thrilled by the response to the Black Ice tour.

“We didn’t expect this kind of response, it’s been incredible. People were sleeping out overnight for tickets, which hasn’t happened for a long time.”

Here are the shows with tickets still on sale. Get in quick folks!

15 February 2010 – Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
22 February 2010 – ANZ Stadium, Sydney
25 & 27 February 2010 – QSAC Stadium, Brisbane
2 March 2010 – Adelaide Oval

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Grand Atlantic do Beyonce

I haven’t come across Brisbane four-piece Grand Atlantic before, but they’ve really impressed me with this acoustic cover of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies.” The lads have stripped the bouncy girl power anthem back to acoustic guitars, a little percussion, and vocals, and the result is quite remarkable. And there’s not a single leotard to be seen! Well done!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

See Shannon Noll In The Raw

Shannon Noll fans have been waiting patiently as the singer-songwriter struts his stuff in Europe. But their loyalty won’t go unrewarded, with Shannon announcing a massive homecoming tour.

Shannon will strip back his radio-friendly tunes for the In The Raw: In Conversation and Acoustic shows. Unfortunately the territories will miss out, but you can’t fault a bloke who pays a visit to every Aussie state.

With plenty of regional dates there’s probably a show near you. Tickets are on sale from the venues now!

30 July 2009 – The Basement, Sydney
31 July 2009 – The Epping Club
1 August 2009 – Blacktown Workers
7 August 2009 – Harbord Diggers Club
8 August 2009 – Penrith Panthers
14 & 15 August 2009 – Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
20 August 2009 – Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton
21 August 2009 – Burswood Theatre, Perth
22 August 2009 – Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre
23 August 2009 – Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
27 August 2009 – Kedron Wavell Services Club, Brisbane
28 August 2009 – Gympie Muster
29 August 2009 – Twin Towns Services Club, Gold Coast
30 August 2009 – Victoria Point Sharks Club, Brisbane
4 & 5 September 2009 – The Palms At Crown, Melbourne
11 September 2009 – Wrestpoint Entertainment Centre, Hobart
12 September 2009 – Country Club Showroom, Launceston
16 September 2009 – Stawell Town Hall
17 September 2009 – GPAC Ford Theatre, Geelong
18 September 2009 – Regent Multiplex, Ballarat
19 September 2009 – Regent Theatre, Yarram
20 September 2009 – Warrnambool Entertainment Centre
25 September 2009 – Revesby Workers Club
26 September 2009 – North Sydney Leagues Club
2 October 2009 – Cessnock Supporters Club
3 October 2009 – Belmont 16 Foot Sailing Club

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hype Escalates Over Eskimo Joe Inshalla Release

There are just eight days to go until Eskimo Joe release their brand new album Inshalla. To celebrate the release, the band has given their website a hot new makeover.

But that’s just the start of the Inshalla excitement. If you’re in Sydney on Tuesday May 26 make sure you get down to the Apple Store on George Street, where the band will perform as part of the iTunes Live from Sydney series. The free show kicks off at 9 pm, but as access is limited fans are encouraged to arrive early. If you can’t make it to the show, or if you just want to relive it, you can buy an EP of the performance through iTunes.

The band isn’t forgetting their fans home in Western Australia, with a very special preview concert coinciding with the album launch on May 29. Tickets to the show can be won through Nova937 or the Eskimo Joe e-mail list.

But that’s not the only perk for Western Australians. The band will also release a special WA-only edition of Inshalla, featuring a live disc with tracks recorded on the band’s last album tour. Copies are strictly limited, so make sure you reserve your copy at your local WA record store!

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Doves Fly Into Australia

Blink and you might just miss them, but the Doves are returning to Australia for a couple of dates!

The British rockers are visiting for the first time in four years to support their new album Kingdom of Rust. Their last local tour sold out, and the tiny venues this time around mean they’re likely to repeat the feet.

Rumour has it that the band will also appear at Byron Bay’s Splendour in the Grass festival, so if you’ve got tickets to that you may be in for a treat. Otherwise, grab your tickets for these confirmed shows from the usual outlets on June 4.

28 July 2009 – Billboards, Melbourne
30 July 2009 – The Metro, Sydney
1 August – Capitol, Perth

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Monster Magnet Announce Aussie Tour

New Jersey natives Monster Magnet are preparing to rock Oz for the first time since 1999.

It’s an interesting time for the band to tour considering their last album 4-Way Diablo was released way back in 2007, but I’m sure fans aren’t about to complain. Frontman Dave Wyndorf says the show will make you “swim in the sweat of a million orgies.”

If that description isn’t enough to fire up the enthusiasts, and scare the pants off the mothers of kids attending the Sydney show, then I don’t know what is! Catch the band at the following venues this September.

5 September 2009 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane (18+)
6 September 2009 – The Metro, Sydney (All ages)
8 September 2009 – Billboard, Melbourne (18+)
10 September 2009 – Metropolis, Fremantle (18+)

Image source: PR Photos