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11 Apr 2006 :
Not only will they be making an appearance together at the 2006 Australian MTV Video Awards (AVMAs), Kate Alexa and Lowie will be proclaiming their undying love and admiration for each other all week on LOWIE'S HOT 30 COUNTDOWN.
Kate Alexa - having just been given the all clear from doctors after learning on her 18th birthday she was suffering from glandular fever - is now raring to go! And thank goodness she is rested because she needs all the energy in the world to keep up with the hyperactive on air personality that is Craig Lowe aka Lowie.
Kate's first week back on the promotion trail begins with a hectic start with her single 'All I Hear' sitting pretty in at No. 9 in the Aria Charts this week. Kate will base herself from Sydney for the week and take part in Lowie's nightly on air banter from Monday April 10 until (and including) Monday 17 April.
The chemistry will be dynamic and the interaction will be electric - this is assured. Kate and Lowie are perfectly paired for the AVMAs and by all accounts will be just as fantastic on air on the Hot 30.
Lowie's Hot 30 Countdown is the highest rating national night radio programme, with over 2.5 million listeners and airs on the Today Network - 2DAY FM Sydney, Fox FM Melbourne, B105 Brisbane, FM 104.7 Canberra, SA FM Adelaide, NX FM Newcastle and 92.9 in Perth. Lowie is also set to host Fox 8's new programme 'CD: LIVE' and already hosts the ground-breaking on-line TV show: Crank TV.
Kate's debut album 'Broken and Beautiful' is due for release in July.
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11 Apr 2006 :
Jack White and Brendan Benson's new band changes its name for Australia
The Raconteurs, the new band fronted by Jack White from The White Stripes and singer/ songwriter Brendan Benson, will now be known as The Saboteurs in Australia, to avoid any confusion with an Australian band already operating under the name.
Jack and Brendan comment on the name change: "The Raconteurs name was already taken by a jazz band, to make things easier, and in the spirit of espionage and subversion, we have decided to become The Saboteurs in Australia only."
Jack and Brendan's band will continue to be called The Raconteurs in all other countries around the world.
The name change comes only weeks before their debut album Broken Boy Soldiers is released on May 13 and ensures that the Australian release of the album coincides with the rest of the world. The decision to mutate into The Saboteurs was made within days of the band becoming aware of the existence of the Australian group.
The Raconteurs', no make that The Saboteurs', single Steady, As She Goes is already added across the board at JJJ, Nova 919, K-ROCK, and regional radio networks across Australia.
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03 Apr 2006 :
Velvet Revolver have been writing material for their second album and plan to hit the studio on April 10, despite reports that Slash has left the band.
Metal Sludge reported over the weekend that Velvet Revolver has been in a state of disarray ever since Slash's wife Perla took over management of the band. The site reported that Slash moved out of the Velvet Revolver rehearsal studio and announced he was leaving the band. The reports have not been confirmed.
The former Guns 'n' Roses members Slash, Izzy Stradlin and Duff McKagen have also been in a public legal battle with Axl Rose over rights to the early songs.
Axl Rose will reactive G'n'R on May 27th with shows across Europe. Guns 'n' Roses are confirmed to play Lisbon, Portugal on May 27th with other dates in Spain, Hungary, Germany and Italy scheduled up until June 4th.
News item from www.undercover.com
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28 Mar 2006 :
Monday, 27 March, 2006 - The winners of the 2006 APRA Professional Development Awards (PDA) were announced at a reception hosted by Angela Catterns at The Mint in Sydney.
Six Professional Development Awards were presented on the night in the categories of Country, Jazz, Film & TV, Popular Contemporary (x2) and Classical Music as well as The Jessica Michalik Contemporary Music Endowment in conjunction with the producers of the Big Day Out.
Almost 500 applications were received for this year's awards, via 22 partner organisations. The short-listed entries were judged by 25 music industry professionals grouped into panels for each category of music.
The winner's in each category received a cash grant, travel as well as recognition in the early stages of their careers. The cash component is $10,000 plus a further $1,500 to assist with travel costs. Winners also received a Gibson Les Paul Faded DC Guitar valued at $2,000.00 as part of their prize package; plus 3 hours of recording time courtesy of Trackdown Scoring Stage and Recording Studio.
Jessica Michalik Music Endowment - Sarah Kelly
Sarah Kelly always knew she wanted to play music. As a child she sang in choirs and played the piano. At 14 Sarah discovered the guitar and instead of learning to play other people's songs she immediately began writing her own.
Influenced by prominent female musicians such as PJ Harvey, Chan Marshall (Cat Power), Kim Deal (the Pixies), Adalita (Magic Dirt) and Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star). Sarah spent most of her late teens writing and demo-ing songs that would eventually make up the debut album for her three piece, theredsunband.
Recorded with the help of Magic Dirt's Dean Turner, theredsunband's Peapod, was released in 2004 to rave reviews. This critical success was backed up by two years of touring nationally with bands like Gersey, End of Fashion, Little Birdy, and Love Outside Andromeda, as well as a spot at the 2005 Sydney Big Day Out.
With the Jessica Michalik endowment, Sarah plans to write more material for theredsunband and to also develop and expand her skills through co-writing with other Australian songwriters such as Adalita, and the Brisbane folk collective The Gin Club - all of which will no doubt confirm her place as a creative force in the Australian music industry.
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23 Mar 2006 :
On 15th March, Sara Storer had the great honour of performing at a luncheon hosted by Prime Minister John Howard for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth 2nd at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne.
The lunch was held to mark the opening of the Commonwealth Games and was attended by various heads of state from all of the Commonwealth countries.
Sara was the only artist invited to perform as it was revealed that she was chosen by the Prime Minister and his Department because she is considered quintessentially Australian and a songwriter who sings in her own voice.
Sara chose to perform 3 of her songs - 'Sweet Dreams', 'Katherine' and 'Molly Green' - all of which were well received by the 1,200 in attendance.
Sara was introduced the Queen at the end of the function and in typical fashion, made a remark that put a smile on the monarch's face as the photo (above) shows.
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15 Mar 2006 :
Punk rock/pop/disco veterans Blondie may have just been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, but that doesn't mean they are postponing the inevitable. The band have just announced their imminent break up, scheduled for May '06.
The split has to wait a while as Blondie have other commitments they need to take care of before they call it a day, including their upcoming tour with newly reformed The Cars. Initially, Deborah Harry announced in a statement that Blondie would be disbanding in December last year, but recently explained the set-backs. 'We were planning to end in December but then the induction into the Hall of Fame came up and the opportunity to tour with The New Cars,' she said. 'We haven't toured in the States for a while and there's no place like home.' The Blondie Farewell tour begins in May, after which the band will go their separate ways. Amongst the many projects the Blondie members intend to get started on include a book by Deborah Harry and a movie by Chris Stein. 'It's time to do some experimenting for me,' said Harry, according to a Contactmusic report.
Blondie formed in 1974 and experienced worldwide success thanks to songs such as 'Atomic,' 'Heart Of Glass' and 'Call Me'. They eventually split in 1982 but reformed again in 1999.
News item from http://www.undercover.com.au
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09 Mar 2006 :
Hype surrounding The Raconteurs has been growing at a rapid rate ever since the announcement that White Stripes' Jack White, Brendan Benson and Patrick Keeler and Jack Lawrence of The Greenhornes were forming a band together.
The hour is drawing closer for the outfit's debut album 'Broken Boy Soldiers' to hit shelves, with anticipation hitting an all time high thanks to lead single 'Steady As She Goes' streaming from the official Raconteurs site. But the wait may be longer than many were expecting - 'Broken Boy Soldiers' won't be released until May 16. The band will however be embarking on a UK tour from late March, playing their first show in London.
White has voiced his enthusiasm for The Raconteurs, and in particular his delight at working with another songwriter. Last year, whilst the project was still in its conceptual stages, he told Billboard.com that: 'Dual vocals, dual lead guitars, dual songwriting duties. It's not just me and Brendan; Patrick and Jack are very talented musicians. The songs are giant. They're really large'. Sounds promising!
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09 Mar 2006 :
The Australian Music Prize Ltd 2005 was awarded to The Drones last night for their album 'Wait Long By The River And The Bodies Of Your Enemies Will Float By'.
At the BigPond Music Winners event held at The Museum Of Contemporary Art in Sydney last night, Melbourne four piece The Drones were presented with the $25,000,00 cash prize (kindly provided by PPCA) in recognition of their music excellence. Their album 'Wait Long By The River And The Bodies Of Your Enemies Will Float By' took out the accolade after being judged by industry professionals and peers and is consequently considered to be the most outstanding album released in 2005.
On winning this lucrative and prestigious prize Gareth Liddiard (guitarist and vocalist) from The Drones said,
"We played in Sydney last week and both of our guitars totally died. The guts fell out of mine and Rui's neck snapped off. We've done over 100 shows in the last four months and we have some nasty debts. We have another world tour starting in May. That's after we do two tours of Australia. We can't get jobs because we tour so much. Food is a luxury item right now. We burn through money so it's safe to say that the 25G's will not go to waste."
The Drones are currently touring Australia as special guests to Dinosaur Jr, for more information and touring news on The Drones please visit their web site at www.thedrones.com.au
An Q and A style interview with The Drones can be obtained from The Amp website: please log on to: www.theamp2005.com.au
BigPond Music, as the principal sponsor of the winner's event, have also made a special winners page available at www.bigpondmusic.com/AMP_winner
The Australian Music Prize has been established to enable the winning artist or group of artists to gain increased and widespread exposure. As an independent band having coined their own way across the world, The Drones are already busy making waves in international markets. Now as the winners of The Amp 2005 the band are sure to continue on a successful road with the help of this prestigious prize.
The Australian Music Prize will return again this year - launching The Amp 2006.
Stephen Peach (Chief Executive Officer - ARIA), Tim Hegarty (The Drones' Management) and John O'Donnell (Managing Director, EMI; ARIA Board Member; Chairman of the Board of PPCA
IAN JENNINGS PHOTOGRAPHY
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03 Mar 2006 :
Songwriters Taasha Coates and Tristan Goodall, form the song writing backbone of the band that everyone's talking about - The Audreys - and, while passing through Sydney en route to Texas, they were welcomed on to the roster of ABC Music Publishing.
Along with Danika Coates and Cameron Goodall, players and occasional co-writers, they have created a sound that is theirs and theirs alone - "Prairie laments, unsettlingly upbeat murder ballads and speakeasy torch tunes (with) I-could-cry-or-hurt-you-any-minute vocals ... it's smart work all around"Bernard Zeul - Sydney Morning Herald
L-R: Eloise Nolan-Head of ABC Music Publishing, Taasha Coates and Tristan Goodall -The Audreys.
it really does seem much longer than a mere eighteen months since they formed; or maybe it's the sheer volume of impressive achievements they've racked up in that short period. And The Audreys' star is set to rise even higher with the release of their exceptionally gorgeous debut album, 'Between Last Night And Us'. Db magazine
an amalgam of subtle, alt-country-tinged instrumentation and the smoky, melodic pop vocals of Taasha Coates. Brothers Tristan and Cam Goodall inject the band's spirit with judicious use of National guitar, banjo and acoustics, Mikey G (violin, mandolin) marks out his territory with plenty of colour, while support players on double bass and drums remain suitably subdued. Time Off
The Audreys began life in Melbourne's pubs and cafes playing their favourite folk, country & blues songs but it wasn't long beforethey began to create their own music, capturing all that theloved and re-interpreting it in a very special way. Taasha and Tristan discovered they also had talent for screen music when, in 2003, they wrote and performed the music for "The House of Names", a short film starring Kim Gyngell and Samuel Johnson that debuted at the Melbourne International Film Festival. This has led to several commissions for theatre, film and radio.
'Between Last Night and Us' is now available on Roots Music, distributed by Warner.The Audreys join a contemporary roster that includes Andy Clockwise, Josh Arnold, Casa del Discos artists' rephrase, Merenia, Jeremy Joshua and Marc Scully (Omegaman/TAG).
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01 Mar 2006 :
Since emerging with their accomplished sophomore album, Are You Involved?, Gyroscope have been the name on everybody's lips. Their single, Fast Girl, was instantly picked up by their loyal fanbase at alternative radio ( and continues to build at commercial radio) and a slew of tour dates around the country have seen the four-piece perform to thousands of fans, both young and old. And it seems it's paid off, with 'WAMI cake' awards for Most Popular Album, Most Popular Live Act, Best Rock Act and Best Punk Act all landing pride of place in their hot little hands.
Mushroom Music Publishing's Eskimo Joe also won Most Popular Act and Best Commercial Pop Act and Snowman's Andy Citawarman won Best Male Vocalist.
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24 Feb 2006 :
Latest signing to the Mushroom Music publishing catalogue, Ash Grunwald is reinventing the blues and roots genre for a modern audience.
Following the acclaim of "Introducing Ash Grunwald", Ash released "I Don't Believe"- a landmark modern blues and roots album. The percussion on the album was created by using a foot controlled sampler, pots, pans, tambourine, beat boxing, claps and his guitar, bringing to the studio the essence of this one man band's exciting live show.
Winner of the 2003 Melbourne Blues Performer Of The Year, Ash Grunwald is an inimitable blues talent and is a fantastic edition to Mushroom's ever growing roster.
Pictured L-R (Ash, Grant Gillies-International Manager and Ian James-Managing Director)
Catch him live at the following tour dates:
14 April 2006
The Great Escape Newington Armory SYDNEY For full line up go to www.thegreatescape.net.au Ticketing details www.moshtix.com.au15 April 2006
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East Coast Blues & Roots Festival Red Devil Park BYRON BAY For full line up and ticketing info go to www.bluesfest.com.au -
22 Feb 2006 :
Sydney's favourite 2 piece The Mess Hall - after an extended courtship - have signed to Sydney independent publishing company Ivy League Music (administered by Mushroom Music).
Ivy League Music is the publisher to The Anyones, The City Lights, Josh Pyke, The Meek, Neon, Peabody, Red Riders, 78 Saab, Silvernightdrive, Sounds Like Sunset, Treetops, The Vines and Youth Group and prides itself on signing great bands with great songs. No trends. It is a publishing company (not a record label) and so works with the artists to bring out the best in their songs and get them heard around the world. (The Mess Hall's record label is Camen Island Mafia Records through Shock).
The Mess Hall have been a favourite with all at Ivy League Music for years and years for their passion and power and Ivy League Music can't wait to hear the demos for their follow up to their AMP award nominated album 'notes from a ceiling.'
Pictured Left-right - James Roden (Ivy League Music Publishing), Jed Kurzel (The Mess Hall), Cec Condon (The Mess Hall), Andy Kelly (Ivy League Music Publishing), Haydn Johnston (standing, Mess Hall management)
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17 Feb 2006 :
Adelaide rockers The Hot Lies burst onto the Australian music scene in March 2004 and are destined for great things.
Their second EP, Heart Attacks and Callous Acts, was released by the Mushroom Group's Liberation Music last year and has just clocked in at 20 consecutive weeks on the ARIA Top 100 singles chart. Lead single 'Promise Me' continues to gain plenty of support across the nation's airwaves.
The band have also quickly developed a reputation as one of the most explosive live outfits in the country following high profile supports with Alexisonfire, My Chemical Romance and Millencolin. They have also just announced tour dates supporting Alkaline Trio:
March 7 HI FI, MELBOURNE w/ Alkaline Trio (US)
March 8 HI FI, MELBOURNE w/ Alkaline Trio (US) U/18
March 10 ARENA, BRISBANE w/ Alkaline Trio (US)
March 11 ROUNDHOUSE, SYDNEY w/ Alkaline Trio (US)
March 13 PUSH OVER, MELBOURNE w/ Grinspoon etc.
March 19 ROCK IT, PERTH w/ silverchair, Shihad, Faker etc.
March 24 CLIPSAL 500, ADEL w/ silverchair, Shihad etc.The Hot Lies are a great addition to Mushroom Music Publishing's varied catalogue of songwriters.
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31 Jan 2006 :
History Doesn't Repeat. It just gets better.
Split Enz, the group that helped define the course of music in Australia and New Zealand, are reuniting and hitting the road this June for an Australian tour that Frenz fans have only dreamed of.
This June the True Colours lineup (that produced smash hit I Got You) of Tim Finn, Neil Finn, Eddie Rayner, Noel Crombie, Nigel Griggs, and Malcolm Green will bring the inimitable style of Split Enz to arena stages in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth.
Audiences can expect to be treated to a typically extravagant - full of hits - Split Enz concert but The Frontier Touring Company's Michael Gudinski says fans should also be prepared for some surprises.
'I'm thrilled that Frontier are promoting Split Enz's upcoming tour. They were one of the greatest acts of all time on the Mushroom label.
'Split Enz have had so many hits throughout their career that they are icons here. I have every expectation that fans will be on their feet all night singing along - as I will be. Split Enz define the 70s and 80s for so many Australians so this is going to be the ultimate gig for these people.'
It has also been confirmed that Noel Crombie will once again take up the double mantle of band member and stylist/set designer. So be prepared for some classic Split Enz costumes with a bit of '06 flair and a return of the famous spoons!
Split Enz have defied critics repeatedly, surviving thirteen lineup changes throughout their twelve year career, while securing numerous number one albums and singles in Australia and New Zealand. Canadians embraced them with three number one album spots, while the UK, Holland, Belgium, Israel and Spain all saw the band chart into the Top Ten.
In Australia albums Dizrythmia, Frenzy, Conflicting Emotions and Spellbound all went Gold, while Time & Tide went 2 x Platinum, Corroboree 3 x Platinum and True Colours 5 x Platinum.
Their fans are amongst the most dedicated in the world, with the band's official fanclub, Frenz of the Enz, boasting 15,000 paying members from across the globe. In recent years, the membership has increased notably as younger and younger fans have discovered the timeless appeal of Split Enz's music.
The members of Split Enz frequently referred to Australia as their second home, and there is no doubt that Aussies embraced them in return, according the band a cult status that few other bands can rival. In 1975 the band performed at Ormond Hall as part of Reefer Cabaret. The gig was to be a turning point in the band's career and from there they went on to sell an impressive 1.2 million albums in Australia alone.
The last time Split Enz reunited was to perform at their induction into the ARIA Hall Of Fame in 2005. Prior to that the band performed a one-off concert on New Year's Eve in New Zealand for the Millennium. The June tour of Australia will be their first concert tour of this magnitude since the farewell Enz With A Bang! Tour in 1984.
Confirmed as very special guests for the entire tour are the next generation of New Zealand brother singer-songwriters Evermore. Evermore shot to fame in Australia on the back of their hit platinum album Dreams (Warner). Their sophomore is due out early June.
With one date only per city, tickets to see Split Enz this June aren't expected to last long. Tickets are on-sale Wednesday 22nd February at 9:00am.
TOUR DATES - JUNE 2006
TICKETS ON SALE WEDNESDAY 22nd FEBRUARY 9:00AM
Wednesday 7 June Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Ticketek Outlets & Phonecharge 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.auFriday 9 June Sydney Entertainment Centre
Ticketmaster 136 100 or www.ticketmaster.com.auSunday 11 June Melbourne Rod Laver Arena
Ticketek Outlets & Phonecharge 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.auTuesday 13 June Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Ticketek Outlets & Phonecharge 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.auFriday 16 June Perth Burswood Dome
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Ticketek Outlets & Phonecharge 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au -
26 Jan 2006 :
Hottest 100 is Triple J's hottest songs of 2005, as voted by the Australian public. Mushroom Music Publishing had the following songs :
07 My Doorbell - White Stripes
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17 Blue Orchid - White Stripes
19 Middle Of The Hill - Josh Pyke
21 Hurricane - Faker
29 Fast Girl - Gyroscope
30 Concrete Boots - After The Fall
47 Stuff & Nonsense - Missy Higgins (written by Tim Finn)
62 Beware Wolf - Gyroscope
64 Sitting, Waiting, Wishing - Jack Johnson
67 The Denial Twist - White Stripes
73 Better Together - Jack Johnson
78 The Fighter - After The Fall
85 Tightrope Walker - Epicure
96 Six Months In A Leaky Boat - Little Birdy (written by Split Enz)




























