Posted on by Lauren Katulka

My Fabulously Festive Office Party Guest List

It’s that time of year again, where working folks start winding down for the year and looking forward to their office Christmas parties. Well, except for poor writers like me. Most of the time being a professional writer is a wonderful thing. Most days you’ll find me wearing my pyjamas. My office is just a short walk from my kitchen for snacks, and my bedroom for those afternoon siestas. These perks are great, but on the downside no one organises Christmas parties for freelance writers.

And so, here at the music channel we’ve decided to play pretend for a little while and compile our ultimate office Christmas party guest lists. If I were having a Christmas party, here are the folks I’d want there.

Operator Please
If there’s a group of people more fun than the kids from Operator Please, I can’t think of it. These youngsters would really liven the place up, and they’re too young to drink any of the booze. Bonus!

The Veronicas
If anyone’s going to out-party Operator Place, it might be Lisa and Jess Origliasso. They’re young, they’re hot, and they’re guaranteed to shake things up.

Peter Garrett
Sure the ex-Midnight Oil frontman has traded his rock and roll lifestyle for the powersuits of politics, but I’d still want him around for Christmas drinks. I think every office Christmas party needs someone that dances like they’ve stuck their finger in a light socket, and Peter fits the bill.

Sneaky Sound System
It just wouldn’t be a party without the number-one dance outfit in Australia. Miss Connie and co would have us moving and grooving until dawn.

The John Butler Trio
Yes these guys play brilliant music. But I’d mostly want them there so my coworkers and I could reenact the sensational office dance sequence in the “Funky Tonight” film clip.

The Wiggles
Before you shoot me down, hear me out! The most happening children’s entertainers have been regulars at the annual Carols by Candlelight events for years. And it’s just not a Christmas party without a few carols. Especially after a few drinks, The Wiggles will go down a treat.

Ricki-Lee Coulter
The curvaceous Ricki-Lee makes my list for no other reason than my husband wants her there, and I figure since it’s the festive season I should oblige. There’s no denying this girl offers serious eye candy.

Josh Pyke
Since I’m the one compiling the guest list, I figured I should have someone to ogle too. Aside from being utterly gorgeous, Josh is also pretty handy with a guitar. I feel an office sing-a-long coming on.

The Young Divas
OK, these girls almost didn’t make the list. Having them at the party with Ricki-Lee could be a little awkward, and I don’t think a lot of them personally. But I’m a sucker for 80s dance music, and who else is going to provide it if it’s not this quartet?

Ben Lee
Australia’s endearing oddbod Ben Lee rounds out my office party Christmas wishlist. Every party needs someone offering good conversation once you’ve drunk too much wine and danced the heels off your stilettos.

Now that we’ve got the celebrity guests sorted, who else wants to come?

Image source: Matthieu Joannon @ Unsplash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matt Corby to Sign with Sony

Here’s the news plenty of my young readers have been waiting for: Australian Idol runner-up Matt Corby will sign a record deal with Sony BMG this week.

“He’s signing with Sony on Tuesday,” Matt’s manager David Caplice of Caplice Management told The Sydney Morning Herald.

So much for word that Sony would only sign this year’s winner, right? Still, with many believing Matt was this year’s most marketable Idol contestant, and Natalie struggling to reach the top spot on the charts, it’s not surprising the record giant has broken its rules.

Matt had previously said he was worried a record company would make him a pop star, rather than allowing him to play the blues and roots music he prefers. It seems his Sony deal will give Matt the artistic freedom he’s been looking for. I can’t wait to hear what this talented teen releases.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Samantha Jade Brushed Off For Britney

Young Perth popette Samantha Jade made headlines in the US recently when she almost stole Britney Spears thunder.

Apparently Britney kept crews waiting 12 hours to shoot the film clip for her new single “Pieces of Me.” Britney’s frustrated label Jive then offered the shoot to her stablemate Samantha. But apparently when Britney arrived Jive withdrew their offer, but the story gave Samantha some much-needed US publicity.

“It’s hard when you’ve got so many big artists on the same label,” Samantha admitted to The Sunday Telegraph. “You always feel like you’re getting pushed back a little bit, so it was nice to have an opportunity to do another video.

“I’m just very excited that I’m getting some press out there.”

But will anyone remember the story when Samantha releases her debut album early next year? Somehow I don’t think so.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sony BMG to Stage Shows

Australian record giant Sony BMG will diversify its interests by producing concerts and music festivals.

But it doesn’t look like music promoters like Michael Chugg are too worried about the competition.

“Good luck to them. They’re trying to save their business, but I think it’s … too little, too late,” he told The Sunday Telegraph.

Personally, I think the move just makes good business sense. We all know that people just aren’t purchasing as many albums as they used to, and these companies need to do what they can to stay afloat. And why should the record companies spend millions on developing an artist, only to see their investment lining the purse of an independent concert promoter?

If the move pays off, I’m sure we’ll see Universal, EMI, and Warner jumping on board before too long.

Image source: BMG website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sir Paul Plans Australian Tour

It’s been 15 years since he last visited our shores, but it looks like Sir Paul McCartney will tour Australia next year.

Sir Paul told The Sunday Telegraph he is waiting to put the nasty business of his divorce behind him before confirming his 2008 touring commitments.

“Next year I am starting to plan some touring, but I don’t know how much,” he admitted. “In truth, the whole situation is a little complicated by the fact that I am separating from my missus.

“That kind of colours an awful lot of what my travelling plans are because I have got a little four-year-old. Anyone who has been through this kind of thing will understand that she is my priority, the little one.”

But it seems Australia is definitely Paul’s destination of choice.

“I have been dying to get to Oz for an awful long time. I am planning it. I am hoping for it. I would love to get down there because I haven’t been forever. If we get down there, man, we’re going to have fun.”

Image source: Antonio Delgado @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ricki-Lee Sets Sights on Global Domination

It looks like leaving the Young Divas could be the smartest thing Ricki-Lee Coulter ever did. While her former bandmates have released yet another album of 80s dance covers, Ricki-Lee’s exciting originals are attracting attention all over the world.

Ricki-Lee has just signed a major record deal with dance label Ministry of Sound. They’ll release her sophomore effort Brand New Day in the United Kingdom and Europe.

“I am still in shock that this has actually happened and that I am signed to Ministry of Sound,” she told The Sunday Telegraph. “It is a huge honour and it feels like a bit of a pat on the back as well.

“I wouldn’t have thought my music would even be eligible to be considered by a label like Ministry of Sound. They are so cutting-edge and are really renowned for making stuff happen. The big dream is ending up in Ibiza – that would be very cool, to end up playing in one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

Brand New Day will also be released in Japan by indie label Pony Canyon.

“Japan is like the second-highest territory in the world, so that is a pretty big deal in itself,” she added.

“To finally be sitting at the doorstep of two massive international releases, it’s still not real in my head.”

Image source: Foraggio Fotographic @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sir Elton Loves Sydney

Sir Elton John has given the city of Sydney a big thumbs up.

“Sydney has always been a special place for me,” Sir Elton said in this week’s Time Out Sydney mag. “It is one of the most vibrant and magical cities in the world.”

In fact, Elton loves Sydney so much that it was his base for his entire Australian tour. While other artists tend to stay in the cities they play, Elton took a private jet to each show.

In his down time, Elton has reacquainted himself with his favourite Sydney cafes, galleries, beaches, and the meat pies at Harry’s Café de Wheels.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nat Says Idol Rules

Australian Idol competition. We expect this sort of behavior from so-called “credible” artists, but recently even past winner Guy Sebastian and judge Ian “Dicko” Dickson had something to say. Guy called the current crop “boring” and Dicko said the contestants “lacked personality.” It seems the only person standing up for the franchise is this year’s winner, Natalie Gauci.

“I am sick of people bagging Idol, especially contestants from the show who have been on it and are successful because of it,” she told The Sunday Telegraph.

“People need to see the positive side. They need to appreciate what the contestants go through.”

Good on her. While many might suggest Natalie’s had a free ticket to fame, it’s worth remembering that she got her start on Triple J’s Unearthed competition. This is the same comp that Missy Higgins won, and no one dares to suggest she hasn’t done the hard yards!

“I have been doing this for a long time and Idol has just prepared me for what is to come now,” she added.

Image source: Violetion @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lionel Richie, Marcia Hines, and Mahalia Barnes @ Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley – 8 December 2007

Attending a concert the day before moving house may be insane to some, but that’s exactly what I did last Saturday. I left the chaotic mess of boxes in my apartment for a little music therapy at one of the Hunter Valley’s famous Day on the Green events. This time around I was treated to the musical stylings of Mahalia Barnes, Marcia Hines, and Lionel Richie.

Jimmy Barnes’ little girl Mahalia proved she’s all grown up with a killer set of original soul tunes and some classic covers. She’s got an amazing set of pipes, and injects such passion into her performance that it matters little whether you know the songs or not. Her closer of “Proud Mary” was every inch as good as Tina Turner’s.

Next up was Australian Idol judge and soul diva Marcia Hines. Miss Marcia’s been doing this for around thirty years, and it shows. She had us dancing in the aisles with disco standards like “Shake Your Groove Thing,” “Disco Inferno,” and her own smash hit “You.” We were also treated to some more reflective moments from her new album Life, including brilliant takes on “Everybody Hurts,” “No Ordinary Love” and “Get Here.”

While Marcia and Mahalia wowed us, it was clear that there was just one person the crowd was there to see. That man was Lionel Richie. He’s not the most handsome man in the world, but there’s something about him that had the females from 15 to 50 on their feet.

Continue reading “Lionel Richie, Marcia Hines, and Mahalia Barnes @ Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley – 8 December 2007” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Confessions of an Internet Deprived Blogger

My regular readers might have noticed it’s been a little quiet around here. I apologise for that. I moved house last weekend and I hoped queuing up posts for that weekend was enough. I was optimistic enough to think the internet would be here waiting for me, and I could get back to blogging straight away rather than spend the early part of the week unpacking boxes. You know what they say about the best-laid plans.

I’m back now though, and I’m letting my husband take over unpacking duties to spend some time catching up with things. It’s been busy while I’ve been gone. ChrissyAmphlett declared she has Multiple Sclerosis, then rocked Homebake with the Divinyls the following day. Kylie performed for this year’s Nobel prize winners in Oslo, including climate change campaigner Al Gore. Melbourne outfit The Panics took home this year’s J Award, beating off stiff competition from the likes of Silverchair and John Butler Trio.

So there’s the recap. Now let’s get back to your regularly scheduled program!