Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Michael Gudinski to Receive Top Live Entertainment Award

Music promoter, producer, publisher, and label head Michael Gudinski is set to receive the JC Williamson Award for excellence and achievement in live performance at this year’s 2009 Helpmann Awards.

The honour is the country’s highest for the live entertainment industry. It’s named after James Cassius Williamson, Australia’s most successful theatrical entrepreneur.

The award will be presented at the Helpmann Awards ceremony at Sydney Opera House on July 27. Congratulations to Michael Gudinski for the well-deserved nod!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Free Andy Bull MP3 Download

Andy Bull first caught my eye when he made this year’s list of Cleo Eligible Bachelors. But this Sydney muso is much more than just a pretty face.

I love his latest single “Young Man.” This piano-driven slice of pop is accessible yet quirky, separating itself from the current crop of commercial music without alienating listeners. His publicity team is offering free downloads of the track from this website.

If you’re hooked like me, you’ll be happy to hear there’s more where that came from. Andy’s debut album is currently in production so we should see it later this year. In the meantime you can catch him supporting Lisa Mitchell on the last of her shows, or headlining his own gigs at Spectrum. Here are the dates.

6 May 2009 – Mojo’s Bar, Fremantle
7 May 2009 – Amplifier Bar, Perth
8 May 2009 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
20 & 27 May, 3 June 2009 – Spectrum, Sydney

Image used with permission from Delinquents

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Annie Lennox Redeems The Logies

This year’s Logies were a predictably cringeworthy affair, punctuated by terrible jokes, terrible dresses, and Gretel Killeen’s terrible hair. The one saving grace was Annie Lennox, who brought class and cred to the evening with her poignant solo rendition of the Eurythmics hit, “There Must Be an Angel (Playing With My Heart).” If you missed it because you were avoiding the dross, or simply want to relive the magic, here it is!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Death Mattel Score uncharTED Semifinals Slot

Sydney rockers Death Mattel have secured a place in the Tooheys Extra Dry uncharTED semifinals after impressing the folks at MTV. They will compete for a spot on the bill at Splendour in the Grass and an artist development package worth $25, 000.

“I think Death Mattel have an instant appeal,” explained MTV’s senior manager of talent artist relations, Simon Stopford. “With a smattering of samples and electronic sounds mixed into their intense punk riffs, the results grab you by the collar and demand that you pay attention. This band has been a well kept secret for far too long and it’s high time they were thrust into the spotlight.”

Death Mattel will join Brisbane band Ellington, The Music Network’s choice, in the semis. The final two media picks, from MySpace and the Street Press Collective, will be revealed in the coming weeks.

They’ll join the bands receiving the most public votes at the uncharTED website. Head to the site and cast your vote for your chance to win tickets to Splendour in the Grass!

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Hampdens Score US Deal

Congratulations to The Hampdens. One of this country’s most underrated indie outfits have just inked a deal with US label Nettwerk.

The name might not be familiar to you, but its artistic stable, which has included Avril Lavigne, Coldplay, Dido, Jamiroquai, Sarah McLachlan, and Stereophonics will be.

The Hampdens will test the waters with the release of an EP, including the single “Croupier,” in five weeks time. The band will then release their album The Last Party across the United States later this year.

I only hope that America latches onto this band’s brilliance a little quicker than Australia did. They deserve every success!

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bimbadgen Blues, Now with Added Roots, Funk and Grooves!

Jazz in the Vines isn’t the only hot music festival hitting the Hunter this year. If you prefer your sounds a little bluesier, I suggest checking out the revamped Bimbadgen Blues show on September 12.

To celebrate the event’s 10th anniversary it’s back with a brand new attitude. Now known as Bimbadgen Blues Roots Funk n Grooves the festival toasts some of the country’s best talent. To coincide with the fresh new image comes a fantastic line-up, featuring The Panics, Blue King Brown, Kram, Ash Grunwald, Bluejuice, Philadelphia Grand Jury, Dialectrix, and Here Come the Birds.

“I felt it was time to reinvigorate the festival and the 10th anniversary seems like the right time to do it” said event producer Grant Smith. “We are trying to create something memorable and a little bit different to the other concerts and festivals in the Hunter Valley – there are going to be a few surprises on the day and we have a lot of ideas to implement as the event grows.”

What was once a day-time show will now kick on after the sun goes down, with some of the best music, food, and wine around. What could be better than that?

Tickets cost $65 and are available from all the regular outlets from May 11.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Khan Manuel

Khan Manuel is a musician on the up. The Sydney-based guitarist was recently endorsed by global giant Ibanez, an achievement which follows the international success of his debut solo album The Knight. I caught up with this rising star to chat about the Ibanez deal, teaching the next big stars, and Guitar Hero.

You’ve just been endorsed by Ibanez guitars. What does that deal mean for you?
It has always been a dream of mine to be endorsed by Ibanez. And after thousands of hours studying, when things like this happen it really does give you a sense of accomplishment. It will help open doors that would normally be shut and I am so grateful for this endorsement. Many thanks to Kurt and Adam at Australis for helping make it possible. Australis look after Ibanez, Tama (drums) and also Ashton here in Australia.

What do you love about Ibanez guitars?
I have played the Ibanez Jem 7v white for around 11 yrs. Personally I have not found another guitar that caters for all my needs. The neck is very important and needs to have speed on it without losing its tone. Dimarzio have been with Ibanez as long as I can remember and always make top-notch pickups, which has to blend well with the body. My Ibanez has an alder body and resonates beautifully with the combination of the dimarzio pick ups and the fast neck. Overall its perfect for me, and also covers a wide range of genres. The Knight was recorded in its entirety with the Ibanez 7v white, which is interesting as there are blues, rock, metal, fusion and funk styles on the album. I have tried almost every other model of guitar you can think of and have stayed with Ibanez because I haven’t found anything better.

Who are your guitar heroes?
Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan were the first guitarists that I studied and listened to. Still to this day I marvel at their genius. Its almost as if they knew something that all other players failed to put into their own voice, and I am not talking about technique or playing ability. I think all great players are like this: Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Santana, George Benson, Larry Carlton, Tommy Emmanuel. I could name 100 more but ultimately for me there is only really a top 1% that has really made an impact for the guitar to evolve, and these players I could only count on two hands. I have studied well over 100 guitarists since I was a youngster and will continue to study anyone I think has a good energy that can be added to my own voice.

What inspired you to start to play?
All I can remember is sitting next to the stereo when I was around six and listening to my dad and sister’s albums over and over again. I listened to everything from Michael Jackson, Chubby Checker, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Phil Collins, Bob Marley, The Beach Boys and heaps of others. There were no guitarists that interested me, it was just the way that the music made me feel. I remember getting shivers down my back when I heard a song that I liked and that made me feel good, so I kept going back for more of that same feeling.

My dad was playing the guitar one day (he was playing “Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix) and I walked in and saw this guitar that he was playing. Then on the odd occasion I would walk in and pretend that I was playing it. Then he started teaching me to hold chords and to start playing tunes at around 9 or 10. So I guess it was a combination of already loving the feeling that music gave me, and my dad introducing the guitar to me.

Continue reading “Q & A with Khan Manuel” →
Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kate Miller-Heidke Wins International Songwriting Competition

Kate Miller-Heidke has taken home the grand prize at the International Songwriting Competition for her latest single “Caught in the Crowd.” Kate penned the anti-bullying track with her composing partner Keir Nuttall.

The song was unanimously selected from over 17,000 by an esteemed judging panel, featuring the likes of Tom Waits, Neil Finn, ray Davies, Jerry Lee Lewis, KT Tunstall, and Loretta Lynn.

Kate was awarded $25, 000 US, which she’ll use to tour the United States and Europe. Congratulations to her!

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Chardy

With regular shows at Melbourne’s Onelove and OneSixOne club, Chardy is a local dance legend. Now that he’s remixed a disc for the new Neon Essential compilation, the rest of Australia is falling for this electro disco dub tech house wizard. I caught up with him today to chat about the Neon Essential project, performing live, and Paris Hilton.

You’ve mixed one of the discs on the new Neon Essential compilation. What was it like to work on the project?
It was quite amazing actually, a lot of fun to work with the guys from TV Rock. I had an absolute ball.

What was your favorite track to mix?
Probably my favourite track at the moment is “Doov,” a Bass Klephs mix by Ben Colin. It’s probably one of my most played records in my cage at the moment, so I’d probably have to say that.

This Neon Essential album has been released in conjunction with Novanation, the new 24-hour digital dance station. What does a station like this bring to Australia’s dance scene?
It’s going to be huge. They’re signing all different artists, a lot of bedroom DJs, young DJs who aren’t even out playing. I know a couple of guys that they’ve signed up after little remixes they’ve done as well. So I think they’ve got some big stuff in store. They’re not really trying to look for big artists that are already writing big tunes. They’re more looking for independent style artists who haven’t got their stuff out yet. They’re doing a really good cause, the Neon label. Good on the guys.

Continue reading “Q & A with Chardy” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jazz in the Vines Just Keeps Getting Better

Jazz in the Vines is gearing up for another big year with more food, more wine, more music and more fun!

The annual Hunter Valley jazzfest is scheduled for October 31. A stellar line-up has already been announced, including The Australian Army Band and Dixieland Jazz Band, Watussi, Galapagos Duck, the fabulous foursome Christine Anu, Grace Knight, Paulini, and Monica Trapaga, and perennial favourite James Morrison.

Add six of the area’s premier wineries and a host of local restaurants and you’ve got a recipe for a fantastic day out.

Tickets are available from May 11 for the bargain price of $65. Get yours from the  Jazz in the Vines website, and all Ticketmaster and Moshtix outlets.

Image source: Stephen Michael Barnett @ Wikimedia Commons