Posted on by Lauren Katulka

We Love Sounds, Yes We Do!

The line-up for Sydney’s only winter festival, We Love Sounds, has just been announced. And it’s a doozy, with plenty of global stars and local acts on the bill.

The international acts are headed up by The Bravery, The Beastie Boys’ Mix Master Mike, Utah Saints, Scribe, and Grand National.

They’ll join Aussie artists The Potbelleez, Van She, Kid Kenobi and MC Shureshock, and The Outlaws.

We Love Sounds will hit the Hordern Pavilion on Sunday 8 June. Last year’s event sold out a month in advance, so make sure you gets your from Ticketek when they go on sale tomorrow.

Image source: Foshydog @ Flickr 

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Whitley and Howie Pair Up For Oz Tour

WhitleyI can’t tell you how excited I am about the upcoming Whitley tour in May.

Yes Whitley’s wonderful, and he’s impressing all the right people in the United States so we won’t get to see this local singer-songwriter as much as we’d like. But that’s not the only reason I’m thrilled.

Whitley’s bringing American musician Howie Day out here as his support act. It’s kind of funny that it’s taken this Boston boy until now to get to Oz considering his debut album is called Australia. But he’s finally heading out here and I’m thrilled. I was lucky enough to see him play in New York City back in 2004, and I can assure Aussie audiences they’re in for a real treat. Howie will join the tour in Katoomba and play the remaining shows.

Seagull will also be along for the ride.

If you love good looking guitar boys in the vein of John Mayer, Josh Pyke, and Ryan Adams you’re going to love this show. Considering the bargain price of these tickets, you’d be crazy not to snap them up. Don’t say I didn’t tell you.

Click below for all the dates.

Continue reading “Whitley and Howie Pair Up For Oz Tour” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Michael Johns Impresses on American Idol

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! I’ve just watched Michael Johns’ performance from tonight’s episode of American Idol and I’m thrilled to say the boy is back to his best.

Who thought he’d come out with his best performance on Dolly Parton week? His rendition of “It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right” is so sexy and soulful and bluesy, he’s definitely guaranteed his place in the top 8. I’ve been saying for weeks he needed to step things up a notch and I am so glad I did. Go Michael!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Elton Heads Back Down Under

Elton John’s Australian tour last December was massive, but unfortunately fans on the West Coast and the in the territory missed out. Not this time.

Elton has announced he’ll return to Oz in May for three very special shows. He’ll kick off the tour at Perth’s Members Equity Stadium on May 10, then play the Sydney Entertainment Centre on May 12, before wrapping things up with a show at Darwin’s Tio Stadium on May 17.

“I was blown away by the public support last year when we took a chance on North Queensland and Tassie. The fans came out in force and produced two of the biggest shows of the 2007 tour. Now we’ve put faith in the Northern Territory and they’ve answered the call. I’m so excited that Elton will be visiting this part of Australia and playing for fans who just don’t get big name entertainment there,” Michael Chugg said on his website.

“We’ve also been able to make good that we couldn’t incorporate a Perth show into the last run so this is great news for the fans on the West Coast. Elton loves Australia and we love that he keeps coming back and performing for the fans far and wide.”

I was lucky enough to see Elton play out here last year, and he was superb. If you get the chance to see him this year I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. Tickets go on sale at 10 am on 8 April.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gabriella Cilmi Album Cover Revealed

Gabriella Cilmi is hot stuff at the moment. Her debut single “Sweet About Me” is all over radio, and it’s sitting pretty at number 12 on the charts. Add to that her upcoming support slot on James Blunt’s tour and we’re going to see a whole lot of this Melbourne teen in the coming months.

This morning Warner Music Australia the artwork for her upcoming album Lessons to be Learned. I think Gabriella looks absolutely adorable. Look out Miley Cyrus – this Aussie girl may just steal your teen queen crown. Lessons to be Learned will hit stores all around the country on 10 May.

Image source: supplied by Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cut Copy's Number One Debut

Aussie band Cut Copy has taken out the number one spot on this week’s ARIA albums chart. Their latest release In Ghost Colours has debuted at the top spot, bumping Jack Johnson from thenumber one possie.

Our last Aussie number one, Breed Obsession by Gyroscope is still hanging around in the top ten. Three weeks after its release, the album is at number seven on the charts.

The Veronicas round out the top ten with their double platinum album Hook Me Up.

Unfortunately Aussie singles aren’t charting so well. The only one cracking the top ten is Chris Lilley’s naughty creation Mr G with “Naughty Girl.”

Click the link to see all this week’s complete top ten!

Continue reading “Cut Copy's Number One Debut” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"6th Perception" – Nelson Clemente

Last week a new CD passed across my desk 6th Perception, the debut EP from Perth artist Nelson Clemente. His handsome face, with piercing dark eyes and full sensuous lips is sure to set hearts fluttering. But when I scanned the track list and noticed a song called “You Want Me Don’t You?” I wondered whether he might be too arrogant to win over an Aussie audience.

Slipping the disc in my stereo I realized this early concern was unfounded. The track in question was more playful than sleazy, and irresistibly catchy. “It’s All My Fault” shows a more aggressive side, while the award-winning song “You Me Us We” is sweet and delicate.

It’s rare to hear such eclectic tracks on an EP, but this diversity is never isolating. The use of old-style electronics and synthesizers and Nelson’s pure vocals unifies the songs, making the transition between these different moods easy.

All the songs on 6th Perception have a pop-dance flavour, but this is amplified in the remixed versions. While I enjoyed the original takes, I think these remixes give added depth to these songs. I can definitely imagine these tracks pumping out loud in the clubs.

Browsing through Nelson’s bio, I realised just amazing this EP is. He’s an independent artist breaking into the pop-dance genre, something that’s virtually unheard of in this country. Yet he’s plugging away at it, writing, singing, and even helping to produce 6th Perception. He’s making his mark under his own steam, and it seems to be working. Nelson’s heading to London later this year to appear in the Popshow charity event. This Western Australian musician is definitely one to watch.

Image source: artist supplied

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melissa Tkautz Launches Comeback

Well here’s an unexpected comeback. Does anyone out there remember Melissa Tkautz?

This busty blonde was hot stuff in 1991 thanks to her starring role on E-Street and chart-topping singles “Read My Lips” and “Sexy is the Word.”

Apparently she’s back with a cover of one of my favourite 80s pop songs, Transvision Vamp’s “I Want Your Love.” I’ve got to say she probably should have left this one alone, but with Nick Skitz at the helm it’s bound to be big in the clubs. At least she still looks hot!

If you love the new song, or you just want to get close to this 90s pop icon, you can catch Melissa playing in Sydney and Brisbane clubs. Check her MySpace page for the dates. After that Melissa plans to head to Europe to work with German dance whiz D.O.N.S.

Melissa’s also giving acting another whirl. She’s currently shooting Couriers, a comedy series from the Fat Pizza team.

Image source: Toby Forage @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Powderfinger Plan Ultimate Tour

Powderfinger fans are in with a real treat, with the band announcing their first theatre shows in eight years. While the entertainment centre tours are always a spectacular, they don’t really offer the personal experience of smaller gigs. These shows will offer that and then some.

Powderfinger will perform two sets separated by an intermission. They’ll rock out for half the show, and strip things back acoustically in the other. Too cool.

“For this tour we’re doing something a little different, something a little more intimate,” Darren Middleton explained to AAP.

But it gets better. Fans can get online and vote for their favourite Powderfinger songs to help the band choose their set list.
Punters are in for a double treat with brilliant Victorian singer-songwriter Whitley providing the tour’s support.

With the band playing smaller venues, these tickets won’t last. Make sure you get yours when they go on sale on Friday 11 April.

The Upstairs at the Downstairs Tour will take in the following venues:
6 June 2008 – Lake Kawana Centre, Sunshine Coast
9 June 2008 – Tivoli, Brisbane
11 June 2008 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
13 June 2008 – The Forum, Melbourne
17 June 2008 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
19 June 2008 – Metro City, Perth

Image source: Jeaneeem @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

No Wedding Bells for Kylie

The tabloids were buzzing today with the news that Kylie Minogue planned to announce her engagement to Olivier Martinez at her Prague concert in May.

I’ve got to admit, when I heard the news I didn’t believe it. After all, isn’t this the guy she was supposed to have shelfed for good? Surely we’d have heard some news they were at least back together before we heard wedding bells. And why wait a couple of months to announce it in Prague anyway? It all seemed a bit far fetched to me.

Turns out I was right. The gossip rags jumped to conclusions after some comments made by Czech promoter Jarda Hainzel. This afternoon he was keen to set the record straight, and issued this statement.

“When contacted by local media regarding the Kylie concert in Prague I commented that the number of requests for tickets for this show was more than normal, which I take as an indication of Kylie’s popularity in Czech Republic,” he said.

“At no stage did I speculate on Kylie’s personal relationships or on any announcement she may or may not make on the night. We do believe this will be a special show, as it is Kylie’s first concert in our country, and I am very much looking forward to meeting her, however we have no reason to believe there is to be any special announcement during the concert.”

Just goes to show, you certainly can’t believe everything you read!