Tag: Paul Kelly

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Kelly Releases Voice-Inspired Single, “If Not Now”

Normally the press release that accompanies the launch of a single contains information about the song and the artist. There’ll usually be quotes from the musician about the track’s inspiration, the recording process, and its video. There might even be some tour dates or information about the album to come. There are probably images attached so press outlets like mine can include them in our articles and catch your eye.

The press release of Paul Kelly’s new single “If Not Now” doesn’t have any of that. Instead, it just contains the lyrics of this song. As you listen to this one, it makes perfect sense. Honestly, the words to this song are all that matter. They speak for themselves, a call to all Australians to make change today. Or at least when we head to the ballot boxes on October 14.

These Voice-inspired songs are coming thick and fast at the moment, and I love it. The best art has something to say. When it can inspire us, immobilise us, perhaps even change our hearts and minds, it’s done its job.

In case you were wondering, Paul does have some upcoming shows. Check him out when he plays near you:

6 October 2023 – Now & Forever @ Shepparton Showgrounds, Kanny-goopna/Shepparton
14 October 2023 – The Warm Up, Mparntwe/Alice Springs
29 October 2023 – Harvest Rock II Festival @ Murlawirrapurka and Ityamai-Itpina/Rymill and King Rodney Parks, Tartanya/Adelaide

Image: Stuart Sevastos @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gang of Youths, Amy Shark, Paul Kelly Big Winners at ARIAs

Often I spend the ARIA Awards feeling a little out of step with the industry voters, because the acts I feel passionate about aren’t often the ones who come home with the trophies. Not last night though, where Gang of Youths, Amy Shark, and Paul Kelly took home some of the top prizes. I was also thrilled to see Jimmy Barnes taking out the Best Children’s Album category (who would have thought he could beat out The Wiggles?) and Kasey Chambers recognised for her wonderful album Dragonfly. 2017 has been such a great year for local music and last night’s event was a fitting celebration of that.

Sure, it wasn’t a perfect awards night. Without a host, the night seemed to lack a little direction. Some of the banter felt forced, like the section with the stars of Pitch Perfect 3 and Joel Creasey’s awkward conversation with Jillian Michaels. The sound also left a lot to be desired, at least on the television broadcast. I hope it sounded better in the room. But the performances were all outstanding. It seems wrong to single anyone out, but Jimmy Barnes’ rendition of “High Voltage” was such a fitting tribute to Malcolm and George Young. If you weren’t excited by new Hall of Fame inductee Darryl Braithwaite teaming up with Vera Blue and Guy Sebastian for “The Horses” you’re probably not Australian. I thought Paul Kelly’s new take on “Dumb Things” with A.B. Original and Dan Sultan was inspired. Gang of Youth’s performance showed just why they were so dominant this year.

If you didn’t catch the ceremony, at least make sure you look up some of the performances on YouTube. Here’s one to get you started.

And here are all the winners!

Album Of The Year: Gang Of Youths – Go Farther In Lightness
Best Male Artist: Paul Kelly – Life Is Fine
Best Female Artist: Sia – “The Greatest feat. Kendrick Lamar”
Best Dance Release: Pnau – “Chameleon”
Best Group: Gang Of Youths – Go Farther In Lightness
Breakthrough Artist: Amy Shark – Night Thinker
Best Pop Release: Amy Shark – Night Thinker
Best Urban Album: A.B. Original – Reclaim Australia
Best Independent Release: A.B. Original – Reclaim Australia
Best Rock Album: Gang Of Youths – Go Farther In Lightness
Best Adult Contemporary Album: Paul Kelly – Life Is Fine
Best Country Album: Kasey Chambers – Dragonfly
Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album: Northlane – Mesmer
Best Blues & Roots Album: All Our Exes Live In Texas – When We Fall
Best Children’s Album: Jimmy Barnes – Och Aye the G’Nu!
Best Video: Bliss N Eso – “Moments” (feat. Gavin James)
Best Australian Live Act: Illy
Song Of The Year: Peking Duk – “Stranger” (feat. Elliphant)
Best International Artist: Harry Styles

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Anthony Callea’s Symphony Album Tops the Charts

When I reviewed Anthony Callea’s newie ARIA Number 1 Hits In Symphony during the week, I said I wouldn’t be surprised if it does as Backbone did and found itself at the top of the ARIA charts. So I’m not shocked to see it’s pushed Ed Sheeran’s ÷ off its perch, but I am thrilled. It’s a really special album that deserves all the accolades.

Paul Kelly’s Life is Fine has also slipped a little this week, from number two to number five. But it’s far from a bad result five weeks after its release.

Another outstanding former number one Go Farther Into Lightness by Gang of Youths rounds out the top ten.

Sadly our Aussies aren’t doing so well on the singles charts. Hopefully “Lay It On Me” by Vance Joy can continue its ascent and end up in the top 10 soon.

Top 10 Albums
1. ARIA Number 1 Hits In Symphony – Anthony Callea
2. Sleep Well Beast – The National
3. All the Light Above it Too – Jack Johnson
4. ÷ – Ed Sheeran
5. Life is Fine – Paul Kelly
6. Slowheart – Kip Moore
7. Moana – Soundtrack
8. Villains – Queens of the Stone Age
9. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2 – Soundtrack
10. Go Farther in Lightness – Gang of Youths

Top 10 Singles
1. “Too Good at Goodbyes” – Sam Smith
2. “Look What You Made Me Do” – Taylor Swift
3. “… Ready for It?” – Taylor Swift
4. “New Rules” – Dua Lipa
5. “What About Us” – P!nk
6. “Glorious” – Macklemore feat. Skylar Grey
7. “Thunder” – Imagine Dragons
8. “Dusk Til Dawn” – Zayne feat. Sia
9. “Friends” – Justin Bieber & BloodPop
10. “1-800-273-8255” – Logic feat. Alessia Cara & Khalid

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gang of Youths on Top of ARIA Charts

Sydney band Gang of Youths has scored its first number one album after debuting in the top spot with sophomore LP Go Farther in Lightness. It’s an impressive debut for the Sydneysiders and the seventh Australian album to go to number one this year.

There are plenty of other contenders for that title though, with Aussies claiming four of the top five spots on the ARIA charts. There’s Paul Kelly of course. Last week’s number one, Life is Fine, has slipped one spot to number two this week. The prolific King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard are at number four with Sketches of Brunswick East, their third release of 2017. You might think they deserve a holiday after all that, but we’ll see another two albums from them before the end of the year. Local deathcore outfit Thy Art is Murder round out the top five with Dear Desolation.

Here’s how the top 10 charts look this week.

Top 10 Albums
1. Go Farther in Lightness – Gang of Youths
2. Life is Fine – Paul Kelly
3. ÷ – Ed Sheeran
4. Sketches of Brunswick East – King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
5. Dear Desolation – Thy Art is Murder
6. Science Fiction – Brand New
7. Rainbow – Ke$ha
8. The Peace and the Panic – Neck Deep
9. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2 – Soundtrack
10. Moana – Soundtrack

Top 10 Singles
1. “What About Us” – P!nk
2. “Friends” – Justin Bieber & BloodPop
3. “Glorious” – Macklemore feat. Skylar Grey
4. “Thunder” – Imagine Dragons
5. “Despacito” – Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber
6. “Feels” – Calvin Harris feat. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, & Big Sean
7. “Unforgettable” – French Montana feat. Swae Lee
8. “Strip That Down” – Liam Payne feat. Quavo
9. “Praying” – Ke$ha
10. “New Rules” – Dua Lipa

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne Gets Another Weekend in the Gardens

After the massive success of A Weekend in The Gardens in March, organisers have decided to do it all again this November! And what a line-up they’ve assembled for the three-night event!

The Friday night show brings us Paul Kelly, still flying high on the recent release of his number one album Life is Fine, who’s ably supported by Steve Earle and Middle Kids. The Saturday show is all about hip hop, with Illy, Thundamentals, Spit Syndicate, and Birdz all on the bill. The final night will be a folky affair with Missy Higgins, Dustin Tebbutt, All Our Exes Live in Texas, and Harry Jakamarra doing their thing.

In addition to superb music, you’ll be treated to some of Melbourne’s finest foods in The Eatery, including Royale Brothers, Willy’s Fried Chicken, and Proper Fish & Chips.

“The artists and audiences have responded enthusiastically to having a beautiful, intimate outdoor concert space in the Royal Botanic Gardens in the middle of this amazing city,” said promoter Michael Newton of Roundhouse Entertainment. “The lineup of acts is first-class, and the food and beverage options are fantastic. Along with the Royal Botanic Gardens, we are very proud to be presenting another weekend of great entertainment in the gardens.”

Developed by the good folks behind a day on the green, the first A Weekend in the Gardens attracted nearly 12,000 people. Will the next event be even bigger?

A Weekend in the Gardens hits Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens on November 17, 18, and 19. Tickets go on sale from Ticketmaster at midday on August 28.

Image used with permission from Roundhouse Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Kelly Earns His First Number One Album

Paul Kelly is a true national treasure, so it’s amazing to realise this week he’s scored his very first number one album. Life is Fine, his 23rd studio album, has zoomed to the top of the charts on debut, unseating the Ed Sheeran’s heavyweight ÷.

Jen Cloher is another Aussie making her presence known with her new self-titled album. The follow-up to 2013’s In Blood Memory has debuted at number 5.

Sadly we don’t have any Aussie songs in the top 10 singles … or the top 20 … or the top 30. Come on Australia! Our artists are releasing some wonderful songs!

Anyway, here are this week’s top 10s.

Top 10 Albums
1. Life is Fine – Paul Kelly
2. ÷ – Ed Sheeran
3. Rainbow – Ke$ha
4. Moana – Soundtrack
5. Jen Cloher – Jen Cloher
6. DAMN. – Kendrick Lamar
7. Melodrama – Lorde
8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2 – Soundtrack
9. Evolve – Imagine Dragons
10. X – Ed Sheeran

Top 10 Singles
1. “What About Us” – P!nk
2. “Glorious” – Macklemore feat. Skylar Grey
3. “Despacito” – Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber
4. “Thunder” – Imagine Dragons
5. “Feels” – Calvin Harris feat. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, & Big Sean
6. “Praying” – Ke$ha
7. “Strip That Down” – Liam Payne feat. Quavo
8. “Unforgettable” – French Montana feat. Swae Lee
9. “Wild Thoughts” – DJ Khaled feat. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller
10. “Body Like a Back Road” – Sam Hunt

Image used with permission from ARIA

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Kelly, Gurrumul, and More to Play 30th Barunga Festival

The Barunga Festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a bang this year. Paul Kelly, Gurrumul, Neil Murray (ex-Warumpi Band), and Sammy Butcher will all make appearances at the event, which will take over the Barunga area, two hours south of Katherine, over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

The festival will also deliver a great line-up of cultural performances, sporting events, workshops, and kids’ activities.

“Barunga Festival is a celebration of culture,” said festival director and Skinnyfish Music CEO Mark Grose. “The event is stronger than ever and attracts Indigenous clans from across the Northern Territory and beyond where they can meet, compete, discuss and celebrate their links and their diversity. It’s also a place for non-Indigenous people to come and get a taste of the real Australia with their families”.

If you’ve never been, the 30th anniversary is the time to change all that. The Barunga Festival runs from June 5 to 7. Tickets, which include camping, are available through Moshtix or at the gate.

Image used with permission from SGC Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Kelly Gets Soulful

If you’re stuck for Christmas gift ideas, either for your nearest and dearest or for yourself as a reward for all that time spent shopping, then consider some Paul Kelly swag. He’s about to release The Merri Soul Sessions, a soul and gospel album which sees Paul performing with some of his best friends in the business including Dan Sultan, Vika and Linda Bull, Kira Puru, and Clairy Browne. It’s something new for Paul, who’s better known for his folkier leanings, but with such talent on board you can’t go wrong.

The Merri Soul Sessions, Paul’s 20th studio release, is currently available for pre-order through his website, ahead of its December 12 release. However, if you really want to get something special I suggest heading to the PledgeMusic site where you can secure a 7” vinyl box set or 12” vinyl deluxe box set.

If you feel like buying a good night out, then why not grab some tickets for Paul’s national tour, happening this January? They’re on sale now.

9 January 2015 – Opening Party of Sydney Festival, Parramatta
10 January 2015 – Summer of Soul Festival, Mossvale
16 January 2015 – MONA FOMA @ Princes Wharf, Hobart
17 January 2015 – Sundown Sessions @ Scarborough Park, Scarborough
21 January 2015 – Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre, Tamworth
22 January 2015 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (seated)
23 January 2015 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (standing)
31 January 2015 – Norwood Concert Hall, Adelaide
6 February 2015 – Taronga Zoo, Sydney NSW
7 February 2015 – Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne VIC
10 & 11 February 2015 – Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Kelly Announces Long-Awaited “Spring and Fall” Tour

He’s been wowing crowds in the United States, and now Paul Kelly is coming home. He’ll return in July to promote his 19th studio album Spring and Fall, which hit stores last October.

Paul believes that when “you listen to the songs (from Spring and Fall) in order they tell a story. Each song links to the next and the whole piece is a love story told from multiple points of view.” So it makes sense that Paul will play the album in its entirety so fans can experience that complete tale. He also promises he’ll have time to play some classic tunes and a few surprises.

Paul will be joined by an all-star band featuring Dan Kelly, J. Walker, Zoe Hauptmann, and Bree Van Reyk. Hip-hop MC Urthboy will also warm up the crowds for all but the Geelong gig.

Tickets officially go on sale on June 14, but fans can get a jump on the competition by registering for the Live Nation presale. This begins on June 11.

23 July 2013 – Civic Theatre, Cairns
24 July 2013 – Civic Theatre, Townsville
26 July 2013 – Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton
27 July 2013 – Moncrief Entertainment Centre, Bundaberg
28 July 2013 – Brolga Theatre, Maryborough
30 July 2013 – Arts Theatre, Gold Coast
31 July 2013 – Community Centre, Lake Kawana
1 August 2013 – QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane
3 August 2013 – The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie
5 August 2013 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
7 August 2013 – The Playhouse, Geelong
8 & 9 August 2013 – Recital Centre, Melbourne
11 August 2013 – Regent Cinemas, Ballarat
13 & 14 August 2013 – Recital Hall, Sydney
17 August 2013 – Anita’s Theatre, Wollongong
18 August 2013 – Llewellyn Hall, Canberra
20 August 2013 – Town Hall, Adelaide
22 August 2013 – Regal Theatre, Perth
29 August 2013 – Princess Theatre, Launceston
30 August 2013 – City Hall, Hobart

Image used with permission from Jones PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Kelly Gets Poetic with Conversations with Ghosts

Paul Kelly will deliver a very different kind of show with the upcoming Conversations with Ghosts concerts.

Paul will join recorder wiz Genevieve Lacey and musicians from the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) for performances based on poetry. Pieces from Les Murray, W.B. Yeats, Lord Alfred Tennyson, Emily Dickinson, Kenneth Slessor, Norman MacCaig, and even Paul Kelly will receive brave new treatments. Paul worked on the project with  ANAM’s 2011 composer James Ledger.

Conversations with Ghosts will play Sydney’s Capitol Theatre on October 10 before moving to the Melbourne Recital Centre on October 12 and 13. These don’t sound like shows for every Paul Kelly fan, but they should offer something different to people with an appreciation for poetry and music.

Image used with permission from Jones PR