Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Baby Animals Still Rocking

It looks like the Baby Animals might be back together for good. After a 15 year break, the band got back together last year to record the acoustic best of, Il Grande Silenzio. Now it seems a third studio album, the first since 1993’s Shaved and Dangerous, might not be too far off.

“I think that a relevant quote for the story of my life would be ‘Time Flies’,” lead singer Suze DeMarchi said in a statement. “It’s been a year since we did our last shows and a year that proved to be really creative but also a reminder of how geography affects everything!! Dave and I have been plowing ahead with work on new songs.”

We can expect to hear the new songs when the Baby Animals hit the road in April. Here are all the dates.

5 April 2009 – The Gov, Adelaide
7 & 8 April 2009 – Prince of Wales, Melbourne
9 April 2009 – Shoppingtown Hotel, Doncaster
11 April 2009 – Chelsea Heights Hotel, Melbourne
12 April 2009 – Hallam Hotel, Melbourne
15 April 2009 – Waves, Wollongong
17 April 2009 – Revesby Workers
18 April 2009 – Doyalson RSL, Wyong
19 April 2009 – Rooty Hill RSL
21 April 2009 – The Metro, Sydney
23 April 2009 – Caloundra RSL, Sunshine Coast
24 April 2009 – Mansfield Tavern, Brisbane
25 April 2009 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast

To get you in the mood here’s a little “Early Warning”!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Natalie Bassingthwaighte’s "1000 Stars" Shine Brightly

After two hit singles, I’m hanging out to hear the rest of Natalie Bassingthwaighte’s debut solo album 1000 Stars. The good news is that I don’t have to wait too much longer, with the album scheduled to hit stores next month.

“Alive” and “Someday Soon” have given us just a taste of the new CD, which promises to be a diverse disc.

“Sometimes I want to rock out, sometimes I want to be acoustic and emotive and sometimes I want to be as camp as I can be. This album is as eclectic as I am,” Nat explained.

Natalie worked alongside some of the world’s best songwriters, including Paul Barry (Cher, Tina Turner), Steve Anderson (Kylie Minogue), Jimmy Harry (Pink, Britney Spears) to create her solo release.

“This is the first time I’ve been able to fully express myself creatively. I’ve had so many amazing experiences in my career. I’ve been punky with the Rogue Traders and more sophisticated as a TV host and I’ve played characters on stage and TV and had so many costumes and outfits. This album allowed me to strip back all that and just be the real me. It is the sum of all those things in my life so far “said Nat.

She embraces her passion for musical theatre with “Catch Me If You Can,” camps and vamps it up with “Supersensual,” and speaks from the heart with “In His Eyes,” a song she wrote for her grandmother.

“My grandad passed away and ever since then my Nan doesn’t know how to exist without him,” Natalie admitted.

It sounds like 1000 Stars will take us on one hell of a journey when it’s released on February 21.

Image source: Foraggio Fotographic @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Frente Back in Action for Fringe Festival

Frente exploded onto the music scene in the early 90s with impossibly infectious tunes like “Ordinary Angels” and “Acidentally Kelly Street.” Then after just two albums, it was over.

Or so we thought. Angie Hart and Simon Austin will reunite as Frente for the Adelaide Fringe Festival next month.

If you want to enjoy a trip down memory lane make sure you head to The Garden of Earthly Delights in Rundle Park on February 20 and 21. Who knows whether this will be your last chance to bop along to these songs?

For the rest of us who can’t get to the shows, here’s the colourful clip for “Accidentally Kelly Street.”

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Brian Mannix Brings Back Countdown

We’ve had the tribute concerts, now comes the parody of one of Australia’s most beloved music programs, Countdown.

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Countdown is the brainchild of Uncanny X-Men singer and Countdown regular Brian Mannix. He’s enlisted Michael Veitch to play host Molly Meldrum, and original voice-over guy Gavin Wood to reprise his role.

“I was watching another show and it seemed to me that a lot of shows were playing popular songs and doing dress-ups,” Brian told Undercover News. “I thought if you are going to do a show like that you might as well do Countdown. I thought well Molly is pretty funny, so I will get someone who is funny to rip-off Molly. That would be funny. It just evolved from there.”

The show will hit Melbourne’s Crown Casino later this month. Preview shows will be on January 20 and 21, before the official opening on January 22. It runs until February 1.

Image source: Crown Casino

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wendy Matthews Plays Free Australia Day Show

Ring in Australia Day with a free concert by one of our favorite entertainers. Wendy Matthews will perform on the steps of Canberra’s Parliament House for nix. Around 30, 000 proud Aussies are expected to attend the January 26 show.

Expect to hear songs from Wendy’s new album She, a celebration of songs by strong female performers like Chrissie Hynde, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, and Aretha Franklin.

“These artists and songs meant a lot to me growing up,” explained Wendy. “They were strong women who used their personal suffering to create songs of such depth and beauty.”

If you can’t get to Canberra to see Wendy’s Australia Day show you can catch her at the following venues this month.

14 January 2009 – Friends Restaurant, Perth
15 January 2009 – Café Bouvard, Mandurah
16 January 2009 – Charles Hotel, Perth
17 January 2009 – Mundaring Weir Beer Garden, Perth
18 January 2009 – Bridgetown Hotel

Image source: Wendy Matthews image gallery

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Galvatrons’ Album on its Way

The Galvatrons have already earned a loyal following through their dynamic live shows and retro hit single “When We Were Kids.” Expect their fan base to get even bigger when they release their debut album later this year.

Lead singer Johnny Galvatron told The Sunday Telegraph the much anticipated release is well on its way.
“We’re halfway through tracking the recording. So we’re definitely starting to hear the overall sound come together,” he said.

Johnny says it’s been an interesting experience to work with award-winning producer Scott Horsecroft, the man responsible for albums by The Presets, The Panics, and Wolfmother.

“I liken Scott to an evil Bond villain – eccentric, but keeping in mind his all-encompassing plan of destroying the world,” he joked. That’s some description!

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Felicity Urquhart and Troy Cassar-Daley to Host Country Music Awards

Felicity Urquhart and Troy Cassar-Daley will share hosting duties at the 37th CMAA Country Music Awards.

Troy, a 14 times CMAA winner, said it was “a great honour” to host the show.

“I’m really looking forward to being on stage as a co-host with Felicity, especially as it’s an opportunity to say more than a few lines as I usually do as a presenter,” he said in a statement.

“Tamworth and I have a lot of history and I look forward to continuing to be a part of that history moving forward into 2009 at the 37th ‘Golden Guitar’ Awards.”

Felicity is similarly chuffed.

“It will be great to join Troy in hosting the 2009 CMAA Country Music Awards. The Awards represent the highest achievements in the Australian country music industry and to join my peers on our ‘night of nights’ is an honour.”

Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, John Williamson, Adam Brand, The McClymonts, The Slim Dusty Family, Catherine Britt, and Melinda Schneider will all perform on the night. The 37th CMAA Country Music Awards will hit Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Convention Centre on January 24.

Image source: Adam.J.W.C. @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Lee Gets Married … Twice!

Ben Lee has been married twice in two weeks! The Aussie singer-songwriter wed actress Ione Skye in a traditional Indian ceremony on December 29, but as this wasn’t legally recognised in Los Angeles they married again at City Hall.

“You go through a huge experience on an emotional and spiritual level, then you have to go and do the paperwork,” Ben told The Sunday Telegraph.

Around 50 of the couple’s closest family and friends attended the nupitals in Malaikodi, near Chennai on the Bay of Bengal. They included Ione’s brother Donovan Leitch, Missy Higgins, Nash and Joel Edgerton, and Jessica Chapnik. The ceremony was presided over by Ben’s spiritual guru, Sakthi Narayani Amma.

A reception was held at a nearby guesthouse, with Ben’s friend The Kahn Brothers acting as the house band. The newlyweds then took their party to a nearby orphanage, where they proceeded to perform for the children. It sounds like a big day!

Ben might be forced to postpone a honeymoon as he’s due back in Australia next month to promote his new album The Rebirth of Venus.

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lisa Mitchell on the Road

Lisa Mitchell may have found fame through reality TV program Australian Idol, but the talented teen has remained fiercely independent. She turned down several major recording deals, choosing instead to further her own sound and develop her songwriting.

She will show off her latest material at shows all around the country later this month.

“I feel like it’s a bit darker than some of the other stuff I’ve done,” she told The Sunday Telegraph. “It’s hard to put into words because it [her debut album] isn’t finished, but it’s a continuation along the same lines as my EP.”

While you’re waiting for the album, make sure you check out this amazing talent at one of the following shows!

16 January 2009 – Republic Bar, Hobart
17 January 2009 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
20 January 2009 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
23 January 2009 – Jive, Adelaide
24 January 2009 – Fly By Night, Fremantle

Image source: Foraggio Fotographic @ Flickr