Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Candice Alley Falling Again

I thought Candice Alley had given up the music to stand beside husband Grant Hackett. But it seems she hasn’t turned her back on the tunes altogether, or at least not the one that made her famous.

Her debut single “Falling” has been remixed for a limited edition four-track CD single. Personally I’m not sure the romantic ballad really needed a dance makeover, but the American club market seems keen for it. The disc features four remixes of the song by Swedish producers The Attic.

“Falling” will be available in the United States through boutique label ProMotion and on iTunes. There’s no word yet on a local release, but I’ll keep you posted!

Image source: Candice Alley website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mark Tulk’s EP Offers Something a Little Different

By day he’s the president of Small House Records. But by night he is one of Australia’s most promising musical talents. Meet Mark Tulk.

Mark has composed, recorded, and arranged music for nearly two decades. Now he’s preparing to unleash his EP, At The End of the Day.

With influences including Brian Eno, David Byrne, John Cale, and Nick Drake, you can imagine that Mark’s own music is richly textured and fascinating to explore.

“This EP is reasonably ‘dark’ thematically, sonically it’s centered around the piano or Rhodes with layered acoustic guitars, distorted piano, various odd percussion elements, cellos and quite a lot of minimoog-generated ‘swampy/swirly’ kinda stuff in the background,” he says.

The songs are autobiographical, but their complex lyrics leaves room for the listener to interpret each tune in their own way.

“My own life-experience has obviously informed the material – the main characters, in some way, all share a sense of loss, isolation, disappointment or disillusionment. So in some ways the record has been partly a cathartic experience for me. Stylistically I’m interested in exploring ‘inner landscapes’ … the subconscious … what are the things ‘beneath the surface’ that inform our actions and decisions?

“It’s a work of shadows and dreams I suppose. The lyrics are scattered with images of half-light, moonlit cellars, corridors and narrow stairways … gothic mansions and swaying lanterns … on the journey, the listener meets characters who range from American poet Robert Lowell during his time in a mental hospital, to a gothic Jane Eyre-type heroine wandering thru the night silently watching for her imagined saviour who never comes.”

Are you intrigued yet? You can pick up At The End of the Day online from Small House Records.

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jess Origliasso Contemplates PETA Ad

After that unfortunate porn scandal last year, you’d think Jess Origliasso would have resolved to keep her clothes on in 2009. But it seems she might be stripping again this year. It’s all for a good cause though, with the Veronicas twin in negotiations with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Apparently the animal rights group spotted the popette sporting a faux fur jacket, emblazoned with the hand drawn message “F— Fur.” I’m sure Miss Origliasso’s wasn’t so censored though! The popstar and her sister Lisa also spoke up against the practices of a Chinese fur farm.

“Lisa and I support any foundation that is willing to educate and make a stand for animal liberation,” Jess told The Daily Telegraph.

“Death for these animals is a horror story – the most common method used for killing foxes is electrocution. I can’t speak for Lisa, but I admire the approach to the eye-catching photo shoots PETA do to get the important message out there. I would definitely love to be involved in something like that.”

If Jess does pose for PETA she’ll join other notable Aussie musicians including Natalie Imbruglia, Missy Higgins, and Something for Kate.

Image source: Pacific Coast News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Happy Australia Day!

I hope that wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, you’re having a wonderful Australia Day! Personally I’m planning on indulging in a few of the things that make this country so great. We’re visiting my parents to have a barbeque, knock back a few coldies, and listen to some great Aussie music. Does it get any better than that?

Here are a few top tunes to help you all feel just a little more patriotic!

An Australia Day cannot go past without listening to “Down Under” loudly and singing along, preferably after a few beers. Time marches on but this Men at Work classic never stops being fun.

GANGajang didn’t have a lot of hits, but they really didn’t need much more than this song to cement their place in Oz music history. “Sounds of Then” is often referred to as an unofficial anthem, with good reason!

Finally I’ll slow things down a little with Icehouse’s classic “Great Southern Land.” Doesn’t it just make you proud to be an Aussie?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Own Josh Pyke’s Guitar Boat!

From the first moment I saw it, I fell in love with the guitar boat Josh Pyke sails around Sydney Harbour in his “Make You Happy” video. Now it seems I have a chance of owning it.

This awesome boat, created by Maton Guitars, will be auctioned for charity. Josh will donate all funds raised by the auction to the Indigenous Literacy Project.

“Seeing the guitar boat clip spread around the world has been one of the highlights of releasing this album so far,” said Josh. “I love the idea that its charm will now go towards helping something I’m passionate about. Later this year I’ll be launching an event called ‘Busking for Change’ in conjunction with the Indigenous Literacy Project, and the sale of the guitar boat will help to fund this.”

The auction will start on eBay from February 9 and end on February 12. Somehow I don’t think that’s going to give me enough time to raise the cash for this awesome vessel!

Sydneysiders can see the boat at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour until a lucky owner is found!

Image source: Josh Pyke press gallery

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson Big Winners in Tamworth

Husband and wife team Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson confirmed they are the golden couple of country music, bagging five awards at last nights Golden Guitars in Tamworth.

The couple told The Sunday Telegraph the success was unexpected as they didn’t even expect their album Rattlin’ Bones to be released!

“When we started, it was more about testing this relationship and seeing if we could be creative together,” Kasey explained. “It was just a challenge that we’ve fulfilled which makes this really nice.”

“We had no plan for this record at all other than writing it and recording it and be happy with it,” Shane added. “Without even talking about it, we thought it would be released and fly under the radar and move on and do something else.”

Adam Brand was named male artist of the year, while international success Catherine Britt was named best female artist.

Here’s the full list of the winners!

APRA Song of the Year
“Rattlin’ Bones” – written and recorded by Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson

Vocal Collaboration of the Year
“Still Here” – Melinda Schneider & Paul Kelly

Bush Ballad of the Year
“Australia Is Another Word For Free” – written by John Williamson, recorded by John Williamson, Warren H Williams and Amos Morris

Video Clip of the Year
“Rattlin’ Bones” – Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, directed by Helen Clemens

Single of the Year
“Rattlin’ Bones” – Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson

Fender Instrumental of the Year
“Left Hand Drive” – Davidson Brothers

Group or Duo of the Year
“Finally Over Blue” – The McClymonts

Heritage Song of the Year
“Too Dark For The Light Horse” – written by Darren Coggan & Ken McBeath, recorded by Darren Coggan

Top Selling Album of the Year
Rattlin’ Bones – Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson

Gibson New Talent of the Year
“The Reckless Side Of Me” – Talia Wittmann

Female Artist of the Year
“What I Did Last Night” – Catherine Britt

Male Artist of the Year
“Get On Down The Road” – Adam Brand

Album of the Year
Rattlin’ Bones – Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, produced by Nash Chambers & Shane Nicholson

CMC Oz Artist of the Year
Adam Brand

Image source: Mandy Hall @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cassie Davis Likes it Loud

Multi-talented Aussie Cassie Davis has been impressing all the right people, with will.i.am and Fergie amongst her biggest fans. The local singer-songwriter-producer has worked with hot producers Rodney Jerkins (Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Beyonce) and Wayne Wilkins (Natasha Bedingfield, Kylie Minogue, No Doubt), and now she’s ready to unleash her debut single.

“Like It Loud” is set to become a summer anthem. It’s irresistible girl pop with plenty of attitude. Get it in stores and online this weekend!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Delta Goodrem Supports Simple Plan’s New Charity Single

Delta Goodrem has made a special guest appearance in the music video for Simple Plan’s latest single “Save You.” The song was penned as a tribute to lead singer Pierre Bouvier’s brother Jay and his battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancer. The film clip features cancer survivors from all walks of life, including Delta, Bif Naked, and Sharon Osbourne.

“We wanted this video to tell Jay’s story and the ones of all cancer survivors,” explained the band. “We want to show how strong people can be when facing adversity and hardship and how resilient the human mind and body can be. We wanted to relay a message of hope, survival and courage.”

Delta, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2003, jumped at the chance to support the music video.

“It was a pleasure to be invited to support Simple Plan in their crusade to make a difference in the fight against cancer,” she said.

You can see the video at this website – scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the version with Delta’s bit. But don’t just watch it. Proceeds from all iTunes downloads of the single will be distributed to local cancer charities in the country of the download, helping the world to get closer to eradicating this deadly disease.

Image source: Bauer-Griffin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Song Obsession: "Between the Lines" by Evermore

A few months ago I mentioned Evermore was offering free downloads of their new single “Between the Lines.” Now the song’s been released officially, and we can see the film clip. It’s a new darker direction for the lads, and I’m not just talking about the CSI-style lighting in the music video! But a change is as good as a holiday, and their risk taking has really paid dividends here. I love it!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sultry Sally Turns Up the Heat

Move over Young Divas. Australia’s newest girl group, Sultry Sally, has arrived!

Australian Idol fans might recognise Anne Robertson, who was a finalist in the program’s third series. Marcia Hines called Anne “one of the strongest females vocally in the history of Australian Idol.”

The group also features Sydney-based singer-songwriter Nicky Kurta. She’s a regular on the city’s live music scene, and has written material with Brian Cadd and Rick Price.

Then there’s Sera Monson, an Australian Institute of Music graduate who’s shared the stage with Glenn Shorrock and Rhonda Burchmore. The group’s final member is Natalie Conway, an industry newcomer who’s already made a splash with her covers band and appearances in Sydney musicals.

The girls’ first single is a cover of the 2001 Crystal Waters floor filler, “Gypsy Woman.” You can hear it now on iTunes.

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment