11 August 2014
Would you spend an intimate evening with a Bengal tiger? Would you play basketball with an axolotl? Then why would you spend Christmas with family when you can spend Christmas with Unwritten Law’s Steve Russo and Grinspoon’s Phil Jamieson? The lads are teaming up for an acoustic Christmas double-header where the only thing that will be more plentiful than the songs will be the eggnog. The Corner – December 19.
11 August 2014
The Slash Signature Vermillion Les Paul blends timeless specs with Slash-approved features and details, all dressed in a luscious new finish from Gibson USA: Vermillion. This rich, deep-red transparent finish in hand-sprayed nitrocellulose lacquer perfectly exhibits the guitar’s Grade-AAA flamed maple top, while letting the tonewood breathe to enhance an equally rich, deep, resonant tone.
11 August 2014
It looks as though Ed Helm may be making his way back to the small screen. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Helm is in negotiations to star in One Percent, a drama series about a farmer struggling to keep his business afloat. Ed Harris and Hillary Swank are also in negotiations. One Percent is set to be directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, known for his work behind the lens of Babel and 21 Grams.
10 August 2014
Armed with brightly coloured lips, a blonde pixie crop, dresses Twiggy would kill for and the perfect synth-laden pop tunes, Nussy is attacking the music industry head on. Though her life may seem perfect it hasn’t been without challenges. In 2012 her partner and footballer John McCarthy passed away. But it’s these challenges and pressures that have helped make her the musician and person that she is.
10 August 2014
Well, the Winter Blues Festival at Echuca has just passed by. It’s a very popular festival, not least because a), it’s north from Geelong, so there is some likelihood that it might be warmer than here and b), it’s free!
9 August 2014
There is nothing like a good ‘Best Of’ compilation to add to your collection. A little later this year Ozzy Osbourne will release Memoirs of a Madman, a 17-track compilation of his biggest tracks as a solo artist. A cool bonus is an accompanying DVD featuring music videos, unreleased live performances and interviews. If you want to shell out a few extra bucks, a special bundle will also feature a 2-LP set and an autographed poster.
9 August 2014
The It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia gang have a lot of wisdom. Well, wisdom may be a stretch but let’s go with it. In January 2015 the fantastic five will release The 7 Secrets of Awakening the Highly Effective Four-Hour Giant, Today, a book detailing their tips on how to make the most successful you – today! How better to go about your New Year’s resolution than with life tips from the pros.
9 August 2014
I’ve always been a fan of Jonathan Boulet, and in fact his debut album was the first album I ever reviewed for Forte magazine. Right from the beginning of his career he has always pushed the boundaries in terms of production and trying to get the strangest or quirkest sounding elements to the recording.
9 August 2014
Lucky us! Scottish rock legends Biffy Clyro are about to make their way back Down Under for the second time this year, following their impressive Soundwave performances. Bassist James Johnston expressed his excitement towards the September dates after having a ball on the Soundwave bill: “We’re the lucky ones,” he beamed. “It was incredible, it was just amazing fun. It was really nice to come back and play there with so many amazing bands! It was great to be a part of!”
9 August 2014
Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong has recorded a new song, ‘No Pleasing a Woman’, with superstar DJ Avicii for the next Avicii album. Jon Bon Jovi (Bon Jovi), Serj Tankian (System of a Down) and Chris Martin (Coldplay) are amongst the other “rockers” contributing to the album. I use the term loosely, of course.
9 August 2014
Due to overwhelming success, good guy Damien Leith has teed up a bunch of encore Without a Fight tour dates. The tour keeps the spotlight on 2013’s Chapter Seven, an acoustic folk-pop release that gave a farewell handshake to his previous label Sony while saying hello to his new home at Social Family Records. Leith was crowned Australian Idol in 2006. Bennett’s Lane Jazz Club – September 5 & September 6.
9 August 2014
Creator of the Tekken series, Katsuhiro Harada, says that fans can expect the latest in the series about the Mishima family to be released before the end of the year. Harada took to Twitter following the release of the latest trailer, engaging fans one-on-one in what can be expected. Meanwhile, the head of Epic Studios Japan, Taka Kawasaki, confirmed that a PC version of the game is happening.
8 August 2014
It’s not everyday that someone drops out of art school to pursue music, and then actually succeeds. Allday seems to have done this with ease, and his debut release Startup Cult is possibly one of the most anticipated releases of 2014.
8 August 2014
“I’m so glad you came tonight Adem!” How on earth do you react when your favourite Aussie pop star thanks you for coming to their show? In an eight year obsession that is fast approaching ten, Sneaky Sound System’s Miss Connie has not only proven to be the most genuine, honest, loving and caring pop star I’ve ever had the pleasure of getting to know, she also fronts the greatest Australian club/pop group this current generation are likely to ever see.
8 August 2014
As the frontwoman of classic Australian blues band Chubby Rae and the Elevators, Marisa Quigley has over the past fifteen years developed into one of the most recognisable voices in the music scene. Described as “Possibly the blackest white woman since Janis Joplin”, it is her energetic stage presence and distinctive vocal style that leaves you wanting more.
8 August 2014
Sometimes you get to be a success just by sticking around long enough. Josh Thomas’s first series of Please Like Me took a long time to make it on air – it was initially announced for 2012 but didn’t arrive until 2013 – and moved around a bit on the way (it’s the only show to date to be announced for the main ABC free-to-air channel which eventually debuted on ABC2 instead), and even then it wasn’t exactly what anyone would have called a smash hit, pulling in only average ratings on the digital-only network.
8 August 2014
Your favourite band has just announced that they are heading to Australia – and the vibe is building to what will definitely be the hottest gig of the year. The gig is a sell out in record time and there is an excitement that you have a ticket. That said, how much damage is that doing to your wallet? Over the years, the cost of concert tickets has obviously increased, but how far is too far?
8 August 2014
For Michelle Grace Hunder, a career in photography was something she’d never considered – until a gift from her husband inspired her passion of capturing moments. When she unwrapped the DSLR camera, what soon followed was a competitive photography competition between the couple and the realisation that Michelle was a natural. By chance Michelle found her niche photographing Australian hip hop singers, and has put together Rise, a 112-page photography book filled with 118 portraits of 182 artists to showcase the musicians and work she’s done in the industry.
8 August 2014
It looks as though the much-talked about Kurt Cobain biopic is due to begin within the next year or so. Speaking with Ruben Nepales of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Courtney Love said: “I do have a say in it. So do Frances, and Krist and Dave (Grohl), for that matter, if it touches on Nirvana – and it will. I am leading the charge because it’s time to do this.” Will we finally find out who shot Kurt Cobain?
8 August 2014
Trick or treat? Well, a little of both if you’re a fan of Kele Okereke. The Bloc Party frontman has announced details of his second solo release, the follow-up to 2010’s The Boxer. The new release is titled Trick and is set for release in October. A statement on the album describes it as “standing at the crossroads of club history, old-school soul and modern electronic R&B, with a distinctively British twist”.
7 August 2014
Playing their first Victorian shows ever in October, The Weapon is Sound (TWIS) are very excited to be back out on the road again in support of their latest EP Direct Dub. With a gig at the Kennedys Creek Music Festival, I recently sat down with Dom Pearce, bass player from the band, to have a chat ahead of their east coast appearances.
7 August 2014
There have been many great frontmen throughout the years of Australian rock and roll. Few, however, came with more grit and rock menace than Doc Neeson. It only seems appropriate that Cherry Bar will play royal host to a tribute show for the late, great frontman. Rock… thy will be done.
7 August 2014
As the call connects whoops and hollers echo through the phone and Mike Finch greets me with a friendly hello. These are the sounds of a typical day in the “office” at Circus Oz, and something that Mike has enjoyed for the past 17 years. “I’m just looking across the rehearsal room with giant inflatable tube dudes with acrobats jumping all around them and hanging off the ceiling,” he says.
7 August 2014
Long nights and early mornings, cheap beer (and even cheaper food), beat-up cars carting banged-up gear, couch surfing, half-rehearsed songs, rooms filled with little more than roped-in family and friends, unreliable drummers and barely enough money at the end of the night to cover costs – the music world wouldn’t be the same without young, aspiring musicians scrapping for gigs.
