NEW DANCE RELEASES
Central Station Records are unleashing some massive dance
releases this month. First up, Spain's most popular DJ/Producer DJ
Sammy (best known for worldwide smash hit singles 'Heaven' and 'Boys
Of Summer') is back with 'The Rise'. The album features the massive
ARIA top 30 single 'Why' and 'Rise Again' - the theme song from the
movie 'It's All Gone Pete Tong'. Armin Van Buuren, the worlds
#3 DJ (according to DJ Mag UK), is also back with his second artist
album 'Shivers'. The follow up to 2003's '76' features a variety of
guest vocalists and producers including Dutch celebrity pianist and
composer Jan Wayne, former Genesis (post-Phil Collins) singer Ray Wilson
and Justine Suissa, who collaborated with Armin on his smash hit single
from 2004, 'Burned With Desire.' After taking the dance world by storm
in 2002 with their hit single 'Take Me Away (Into the Night)', 4
Strings follow it up with the release of new album 'Turn It Around'.
Packed with uplifting trance riffs, soaring keys and uplifting vocals,
'Turn It Around' is sure to please 4 Strings' loyal fan base. Finally,
after eleven years and five albums, superstar DJ ATB has just
released a Greatest Hits set - '7 Years'. Featuring chart toppers such
as '9pm (Till I Come), 'Killer', and 'Don't Stop', the album combines
ambience and trance with a wide variety of musical influences. All albums
are out now.
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BODYJAR RETURN
Local punk lads Bodyjar are back on the scene with
some new material. Their new single 'Lights Out' is currently tearing
radio apart and the new self-titled album is hitting the stores this
September 12th. Largely recorded at Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne with
producer Richard Stoltz (28 Days, After The Fall), this album is definitely
the band's most diverse work. The guitars and rhythm section may be
set to "heavier than ever", but a band of this calibre aren't
afraid of taking the foot off the pedal from time to time and introducing
strings and piano into the mix either. The result is very impressive
and you can experience it first hand when the band hit the road in October
and November for their 'Call To Arms' national tour. In related news,
their how 'How It Works' album from 2000 has just been accredited with
gold status (selling in excess of 35,000 copies). Congratulations to
the boys!
BEN LEE VISIT
Ben Lee is mighty chuffed this month to be able
to share the following news with readers. In a recent email, he said,
"I'm excited to be able to announce that I'll be back in Australia
in October with my band. I'm going to be on tour with my mate Missy
Higgins as well as doing some of my own headline shows. Missy and
I recorded our albums down the road from each other in LA last year.
We went to barbeques together after work sometimes. We like each other's
music - that's reason enough to tour together in my book. Anyway, I
have one hour of reality TV to indulge in before I get back in the van.
See you in October." Tickets for his solo shows at the Palace (Melbourne)
on October 20th and at UNSW (Sydney) on October 25th are on sale now.
You can also catch him with Missy Higgins on various dates around the
country during October.
SHIRLEY MANSON TOPLESS
Garbage frontwoman Shirley Manson has
gone topless - all for the sake of the new Garbage video
'Sex Is Not The Enemy'. At a recent performance, Manson
flashed concertgoers with her flesh coloured bra before
being escorted offstage by police officers and astounding
spectators in the process. But the audience, according to
Butch Vig, weren't let in on the secret. He says, "We
didn't tell the audience that this was a set-up, that we
were shooting a video. It was weird - there was this huge,
like, 'Ahhh.' I heard this groan and moan, and then everybody
started going 'Booooo' and yelling 'Bull-shit!' and throwing
stuff up on the stage. Most people thought that she had
been arrested. The song is about trying to find your own
freedom as an individual and to avoid the repression that's
coming down on individual rights from the right wing, so-called
Moral Majority. We shot a lot of footage of Shirley running
around New York - like; she was getting up on a soapbox
with a bullhorn and just yelling at people. And it was funny,
'cause people thought, 'Oh, another crazy woman.' They just
ignored her." You can check out Shirley's wares in
the new video, which is screening now.
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MMM…BEAUTIFUL GIRLS
Now that we've got your attention, indie Aussie act The
Beautiful Girls have received a 'J Award' nomination for 'We're
Already Gone'. The J Award is distinguished by the fact that it will
be judged by a select panel of industry leaders, led by Triple J's peerless
music director, Richard Kingsmill. The band's Mat McHugh is chuffed
about the nomination. He says, "The support the Beautiful Girls
get from JJJ has been pivotal in the success of our releases and tours.
We are so stoked that the J's dig our music and completely honoured
to receive a nomination for a J Award. It means the world to us and
we realise how lucky we are here in Australia to have a national broadcaster
who goes out of their way to encourage and support original, independent,
Australian music." The J-Award for the Australian Album Of The
Year will be presented for an album of outstanding achievement as an
Australian musical work of art - for its creativity, innovation, musicianship
and contribution to Australian music.
MORE GIRLS
We're going girl crazy this month! The Morning After
Girls are happy to report that they have just signed a US record
deal and are heading overseas to tour the US, Canada, UK, and Japan.
With 20+ dates already confirmed and further requests arriving on a
daily basis, they will be showcasing at CMJ (New York), In The City
(Manchester) & Bandstand (Tokyo), as well as supporting the Black
Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Brian Jonestown Massacre and performing live
on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic.
PHRASE SIGNS WITH UNIVERSAL
Melbourne hip-hop artist Phrase has just signed
a worldwide multi album deal with Universal Music Australia. The Ice
T / NWA / 2Pac influenced Phrase couldn't contain his excitement regarding
the news. He says, "I'm excited. I've envisioned this moment every
night for years. I've always wondered what would happen in this country
when the streets meet the industry and join forces. Guess we're about
to find out… I'm Here Now!" That he certainly is with his
debut single, appropriately titled 'Here Now', in stores (you guessed
it) now! His debut album for Universal Music, 'Talk With Force', is
set for release on September 25th. Catch him supporting the Method Man
& Redman tour this month.
FREEDOM FESTIVAL 2005
Amnesty International Australia's annual music festival,
the Freedom Festival, returns in 2005 to raise funds and awareness of
their work and to promote and defend human rights worldwide. To be held
over 20 days from 23 September to 9 October, the event will be headlined
by Philadelphia's Ursula Rucker and Munich broken beat DJ Ben
Mono with local supports taking the stage in each city. The Freedom
crew have also just compiled the Freedom Festival 05 CD featuring a
cast of top Australian producers joined by a handful of internationals.
Featuring 15 tracks (plus two exclusive downloads), the artists involved
(including Lanu, Resin Dogs, Katalyst with Vassy, Wicked Beat
Sound System, Inga Liljeström, & Deepchild amongst
others) have all added their voices, beats and artistry to this year's
campaign to Stop Violence against Women. For more info on the CD or
the festival itself, go to: www.amnesty.org.au/freedom
CALLING EMERGING ARTISTS
After more than five months of unearthing new talent,
Jagermeister's weekly emerging band showcase Jager Uprising are now
offering recording grants to bands that fit their criteria. They are
currently looking for bands that can play great music at a Jager Uprising
event, bands that can promote themselves and draw an audience, and bands
that can support Jager Uprising by attending nights and keeping them
in the loop with what they're doing. Each month in Melbourne and Sydney,
the band that best fills the Jager Uprising criteria will be awarded
$500 in recording time. To take part or for more info, check out www.jageruprising.com
MACHINE HEAD DELAY
Machine Head's upcoming DVD release
'Elegies' has been delayed. Frontman Robb Flynn has kindly
offered us an insight into the situation'. He says, "Yes,
there have been some 'hiccups,' yes there have been delays,
yes we have missed release dates. Not to worry, however,
as this shit is turning out amazing. It's turned out ten
times better than we ever could have hoped for because of
these delays and each time it's opened a new door for us.
We are really excited about you guys seeing this."
According to Flynn, it will be a no holds barred look at
the band. He adds, "We have a 'Making The Album' section
that, through all of the delays has continually expanded
and morphed into one of the coolest aspects of the DVD.
It's no longer just a 'recording session documentary', it
now picks up our story right after 'Supercharger', exploring
the band getting dropped, guitarist woes, etc. It ain't
pretty, it ain't nice, and it doesn't hold anything back.
I doubt most bands would willingly say and show some of
this stuff, but we've always maintained an honesty with
our fans about the things we've had to deal with, good and
bad, and we feel that even if it may be hard for us to look
at, it's the truth. It's what you've come to expect from
us and consequently what we've come to expect from ourselves.
So fear not! It will be ready soon, and it'll be well worth
the wait!"
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WHO'S YOUR GRANDADDY?
California's Grandaddy have announced their plans
to release a new full-length album in early 2006. But in the meantime,
fans should watch out for their new 7-track mini-album 'Excerpts From
The Diary Of Todd Zilla'. It marks a return to the more synth-drenched
days of 'Sophtware Slump' and 'Under The Western Freeway' and is named
after a licence plate Jason Lytle noticed a few years back on a grossly
oversized, giant pick up truck while vacationing in Lake Tahoe. The
mini-album hits the stores on October 9th.
ALL IS FORGIVEN
Coming out later this month is the brand spanking newie
from Tex, Don & Charlie - that is Tex Perkins (vocals), Don
Walker (piano, vocals) and Charlie Owen (guitar). Their 2nd studio album,
'All Is Forgiven', drifts between uplifting, nostalgic ballads &
intricate songs with unsettled dark beauty that will leave any listener
floating. According to Perkins, there was no rush to follow up the debut.
He says, "It's probably the most developed material I've ever had.
You're often forced to make do because of schedules and deadlines and
the songs that are recorded are often not definitive, even lyrically.
This time we had plenty of time to whittle away at words, get it right."
The album hits the stores on September 26th.
NEW DIRTY THREE
Another Aussie trio, the Dirty Three are also set
to release a new album. Their 7th studio album 'Cinder is expected to
be an album with a "difference" according to violinist Warren
Ellis. He says, "The songs are much shorter, trimmed down, classic
in composition. Our approach this time was to load the car up with as
many instruments as possible and then give each song what it needed."
Also expect to hear singing for the first time on this album. Chan Marshall
[aka Cat Power] sings on the song 'Great Waves', recorded while she
was touring Australia earlier this year. Also singing on the album is
Sally Timms from the legendary Mekons. The album will be released on
October 10th.
OTHER UPCOMING RELEASES
In related news, Warren Ellis has composed the
soundtrack to upcoming film 'The Proposition' in collaboration with
Nick Cave. Incorporating soft chamber pieces, ghostly moodscapes
and whispered laments, the soundtrack (out on September 26th) is said
to be as starkly beautiful as the landscape of the film (out on October
6th). Dancehall reggae superstar Sean Paul makes a comeback next
month with new single 'We Be Burnin' (instores on October 3rd) and new
album 'The Trinity' (out on October 10th). Recorded entirely in Jamaica,
the album finds Paul working with the hottest producers on the island's
dancehall circuit, including Steven "Lenky" Marsden, Don Corleone,
Renaissance Crew and Snowcone. Robbie Williams also has a new
album in the pipeline at the business end of the year. Pencil in October
24th as Williams will be unleashing 'Intensive Care' on this date. The
first single, 'Tripping' (which according to Williams is "something
like a mini-gangster Opera") will be available on October 2nd.
Finally, Northern California quintet The Deftones will be releasing
a rarities and video collection on October 17th. 'B-Sides & Rarities'
will be filled with import-only B-sides, intriguing covers, unreleased
mixes, and other choice rarities.
INXSIVE
Cable TV viewers - get prepared for a big
month over at Foxtel. First up is music guru Molly Meldrum's
series of interview specials to air at 9pm on FOX8 each
Thursday this September. 'Molly Mixes It With' will feature
Molly getting up close and personal with some of the biggest
names in the music business including Mariah Carey (September
1), Delta Goodrem (September 8), Craig David (September
15) and Rob Thomas (September 22). The other big
event happening this month is the unveiling of the new lead
singer of INXS. The explosive series finale of 'Rock
Star: INXS' will screen on FOX8 on Wednesday September 21st
at 8:30pm. The winner on the night will record the new INXS
album and will embark on a world tour with the iconic rock
group. Will it be the Philippines-born Mig Ayesa - the local
hometown favourite? All will be revealed on this night!
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2005 ARIA AWARDS
They're back! Australia's biggest music election, the
ARIA Awards, will be back bigger than ever in 2005 with the announcement
that this year's event will be held on October 23rd at Sydney SuperDome.
To be telecast again on Network Ten, this year's awards will feature
a new event format after the Rove McManus announcement that he will
not be hosting this year. With some feature performances from Australia's
finest music artists and some very special international guests planned,
this year's awards are not to be missed! General public tickets go one
sale on September 19th from Ticketek.
UPCOMING TOURS
Lots of tours to check out this month. Fantomas will
be unleashing some sonic mayhem at the Enmore on September 11th while
Sarah McLeod will be promoting her debut solo album 'Beauty Was
A Tiger' (which hits stores on September 18th) at the Enmore on the
7th, as part of the Pete Wells (Rose Tattoo) benefit concert,
and at the Metro on the 22nd.
Pete Murray is also back on the scene with a new
album 'See The Sun' which is scheduled for release on September 25th.
He'll be starting a whopping 37 date national tour on September 24th
and will be booked up right up until December. Tickets for all shows
are on sale now.
Festival wise, Homebake will this year honour some
of the country's biggest local artists - particularly those from the
past, present and future who have seemingly made a respected presence
on international stages. The December 3 event at the Domain will feature
all star performances from the Finn Brothers, The Living End, Something
For Kate, Ben Lee, Wolfmother, The Cat Empire, The Saints, and a whole
lot more. Parklife, Sydney's longest running outdoor dance event,
is also back this year. Taking place on October 2nd at Moore Park, the
event will feature Roots Manuva, Crazy Penis, Kaskade, Sandy Rivera,
Tom Neville, Rennie Pilgrem, and a whole range of acts in the house,
breaks, hip hop, trip hop, dub, funk and electro vein. Tickets for both
events are on sale now.
Finally, if you consider yourself a bit of a funny bugger,
you may be interested in taking part in Australia's Funniest Man
competition being run by FHM and Cougar Rum. Heats will be held around
Sydney during September before the massive finale at the Sydney Comedy
Store (The Entertainment Quarter) on Thursday September 29th at 8:30pm.
To take part, email your details to australiasfunniestman@emap.com.au
Danny Canak
