Friday 31 August 2012

Rose Tattoo will rock Summernats 26 in 2013



Australia's finest rock'n'roll outlaws, the mighty Rose Tattoo, have been announced as the headlining act for the Saturday night entertainment at the Street Machine Summernats from 3-6 January, 2013 at Exhibition Park in Canberra.
   
Known for their legendary 35+ years of shaping the sound of Aussie rock'n'roll, the iconic Rose Tattoo, led by lead singer Angry Anderson, will hit the main stage on Saturday night at Australia’s biggest horsepower party.

"I have very fond memories, or part memories, of performing at the Summernats in the past,” said Angry Anderson.

“I do remember having the greatest of times. Great cars, great music, great chicks and great party times, what more could you ask for? The Tatts will be kicking off thirty seven years as Australia’s authentic rock'n'roll outlaw band, and what better place to do that than at the Summernats. See ya there or be square!"

Rose Tattoo rounds out the music entertainment offering at Summernats 26, alongside the recently announced Hilltop Hoods, who will be performing on the Friday night.

“Rose Tattoo are one of Australia’s most legendary rock’n’roll bands, and we’re thrilled to have them on board for Saturday night at Summernats 26,” said Summernats co-owner Andy Lopez.

To help fuel one of the biggest music line-ups in the history of the Summernats, No Fear Extreme Energy, the ultimate X-rated energy drink, has been announced as the naming rights sponsor of the main stage at Summernats 26.

An established lifestyle brand in America, the youth focused No Fear Extreme Energy have only recently launched into the Australian marketplace, representing the values of empowerment, rebellion, and self-expression.

The Australian Brand Owner of No Fear Extreme Energy, Heath Hebenton, said that the Summernats was the perfect platform to launch the brand in Australia.

"No Fear's pedal is flat to the metal on its course to infiltrate the Australian marketplace, and coming on-board as a major sponsor of the Summernats is an exciting step in line with delivering on our vision,” he said.

“No Fear has been in our DNA since the brand was first founded in 1989, and No Fear Extreme Energy will deliver the horsepower expected to make Summernats 2013 an unforgettable experience."

According to event co-owner Andy Lopez, with a huge live attendance and a massive television audience, the Summernats is firmly positioned as a brand that exists both inside and outside of the motorsport world.

“Sponsorship is very important to the viability of the Summernats, and it’s great to have an exciting new brand like No Fear Energy on-board,” said Lopez.

“No Fear is a successful brand internationally, and there’s a great brand and business relationship between us, so we’re excited to help them launch in Australia at Summernats 26.”

The main stage at Summernats 26 will feature the return of the Thursday night drive-in movie on the big screen with the 1988 Aussie classic Running on Empty, the Hilltop Hoods headlining the Friday night music line-up, the Federal Tyres Miss Summernats on Saturday during the day, and the Saturday night entertainment package featuring Rose Tattoo and the annual Summernats fireworks show.

Summernats 26 will be held at Exhibition Park in Canberra from the 3rd – 6th January 2013. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the website at www.summernats.com.au

The Beach Boys perform at AllPhones Arena: Sydney, Australia


The Beach Boys are conducting an Australian tour and tonight it was AllPhones Arena in Sydney.

They are touring the world to mark their 50th anniversary. 

Long time fans are wrapt, if not amazed, to see that Brian Wilson and Mike Love have put aside past differences and are once again collaborating together.

Bruce Johnston remains in the group alongside early guitarist David Marks, and Al Jardine has returned to for the first time since the late 1990s.

Joining the original players are nine other musicians including well-known voices in Beach Boys circles, Jeff Foskett, Darian Sahanaja, Scott Totten and the superb drummer John Cowsill.

The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group initially comprised brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. They were managed early on by the Wilsons' father, Murry. The band's leader, composer, arranger and producer, Brian Wilson was responsible for writing most of the band's early singles and albums.

The Sydney concert went for about 2 hours and no support group was needed.  Make no mistake, these boys still have tons of energy and its little wonder they have a broad fan based - from 10 to 80 year olds the world over - the music being timeless.

Australia is very fortunate to have the Beach Boys touring do yourself a favour and check them out if you have a chance. Surfs up down under.


Promo...

Paul Dainty, Chairman of Dainty Group has announced that one of the worlds' most legendary and influential bands of all time The Beach Boys, will tour Australia this year as part of their 50th Anniversary Tour with dates confirmed in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

The 50th Anniversary Tour marks the first time in more than two decades that original members Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and David Marks will tour together.

The 50th Anniversary Tour, which commenced in North America in April, is receiving critical acclaim and proving to be a historical concert event not to be missed.

For five decades, America's first pop band to reach the 50 year milestone has recorded and performed the music that has become the world's favorite soundtrack to summer. Founded in Hawthorne, California in 1961, The Beach Boys were originally comprised of the three teenaged Wilson brothers: Brian, Carl and Dennis, their cousin Mike Love, and school friend Al Jardine. In 1962, neighbour David Marks joined the group for their first wave of hits with Capitol Records, leaving in late 1963, and in 1965, Bruce Johnston joined the band when Brian Wilson retired from touring to focus on writing and producing for the group.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and recipients of The Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement GRAMMY Award, The Beach Boys are an American institution that is iconic around the world.

TOUR DATES*:
Tuesday 28 August - Brisbane Entertainment Centre 
Thursday 30 August - Allphones Arena, Sydney
Friday 31 August - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Sunday 2 September - Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Thursday 6 September - Burswood Dome, Perth

Websites

The Beach Boys

Dainty Group

Thursday 30 August 2012

David Jones and Qantas partner to reward cardholders; Miranda Kerr on board





This morning well known Australian fashion model, Miranda Kerr, joined Qantas and David Jones execs to help promote their new branded credit card. They are hoping the public snap up their credit card at a time when many Australians are not in such a great position to endure even more credit pressure. Obviously Ms Kerr's financial position is different from many Australians so good luck to her and the top brass.

Media...

SYDNEY: Thursday 30 August 2012. Two of Australia’s most iconic brands, David Jones and Qantas, have partnered to enable Australian shoppers to earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points as an additional rewards option on the David Jones American Express Card.

From tomorrow (Friday 31 August 2012), all David Jones American Express Cardmembers will have the choice of converting their Reward Points to points in either the American Express Membership Rewards Program or the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.

With a points redemption of 1 Reward Point = 1 Membership Rewards point or 1 Reward Point = 0.75 

Qantas Frequent Flyer points, the David Jones American Express Card offers one of the most attractive retail rewards programs available to shoppers and travellers in Australia.

David Jones CEO, Mr Paul Zahra says, “David  Jones and Qantas are both recognised as premium Australian brands with a strong heritage of service, which creates a natural affinity across our different business platforms. 

“With American Express, this is a fantastic opportunity for David Jones to enhance our customer experience and provide new and rewarding opportunities for our David Jones American Express Cardmembers. 

“We welcome Qantas as the newest addition to the  portfolio of  premium Australian brands that customers will find at David Jones and look forward to a successful – and rewarding – partnership.”

CEO Qantas Loyalty, Ms  Lesley Grant says, “We are delighted to be launching our new  alliance with David Jones and to further strengthen our long term partnership with American Express. 

Qantas and David Jones share similar philosophies, including a strong commitment to customer service and both organisations take great pride in offering high quality products at great value.”

“We look forward to offering David Jones customers a world of options in terms of redeeming their points, including Reward flights across the Qantas domestic and global networks.”

From tomorrow (Friday 31 August, 2012), existing David Jones American Express Cardmembers can elect to choose the new Qantas Frequent Flyer Reward option by simply calling 1300 36 89 89.

The Qantas Frequent Flyer program launched in 1987 and has over 8.7 million members across Australian and globally. The program has more than 500 partners including airlines, hotels, financial institutions and retailers. More than 3.4 million Award flights were redeemed by members last year.

All new David Jones American Express Cardmembers will be offered the choice of American Express Membership Rewards or Qantas Frequent Flyer when they join, with both rewards programs including David Jones Gift Cards as redemption options.

Even More Rewards

David Jones will offer complimentary Qantas Frequent Flyer membership to David Jones American Express Cardmembers, who are not already a Qantas Frequent Flyer member, if they apply online at qantas.com/joinffdavidjones from tomorrow (Friday 31 August, 2012).

Existing Qantas Frequent Flyers will also benefit from the partnership, with David Jones Gift Cards now available through the online Qantas Frequent Flyer store.

The launch of the Qantas Frequent Flyer reward option with the David Jones American Express Card is phase one of David Jones’ partnership program with Qantas Frequent Flyer.  David Jones  Storecard members can look forward to the addition of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program as a rewards option to their card in 2013. 

Mr Zahra says, “The real winners will be our customers. This is a meaningful reward that we know will resonate with our customer community and we look forward to being able to extend the benefit of our Qantas Frequent Flyer partnership to all of our Cardmembers.”

To select the Qantas Frequent Flyer reward option on your David Jones American Express Card, call 1300 36 89 89 from tomorrow (Friday August 31, 2012).  If you are not already a Qantas Frequent Flyer member, Cardmembers can receive Qantas Frequent Flyer membership with the joining fee of $82.50 waived if they apply at qantas.com/joinffdavidjones


News Media...

Miranda Kerr (one of the Qantas Global Ambassadors)

We're proud to welcome Miranda Kerr onboard as our latest Qantas Global Ambassador. We look forward to this exciting partnership.

Miranda Kerr grew up in Gunnedah, before winning a modelling competition in 1997. Since then, Miranda has gone on to become one of the most recognisable faces worldwide, gracing countless runways and featuring in high profile campaigns.

In 2008, Miranda was named as Fashion Ambassador for Australian department store, David Jones. With the support of this partnership, Miranda developed KORA, an organic skin care range. 

Miranda's passion for sustainable living was further evident in 2011, when she acted as Global Ambassador for Earth Hour.

Earlier this year, Miranda joined John Travolta as a Qantas Global Ambassador, at a G'day USA cocktail event in Los Angeles. This Qantas Spirit of Australia event celebrated Australian talent on the world stage and was attended by actors, artists, designers and chefs representing the best of contemporary Australia. (Credit: Qantas)
















Websites

Qantas

David Jones

Miranda Kerr official website

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Tuesday 28 August 2012

Kath & Kimderella movie premiere at Entertainment Quarter; Sydney, Australia



Tonight the Australian "foxy moron" (Kath & Kim lingo) film enjoyed its Australian premiere at Entertainment Quarter in the shadow of Fox Studios Australia, Moore Park.

The Kath & Kim franchise is well established and its usually a case of you either love them or hate them. Tonight there were hundreds of lovers of course.

Some passionate fans dressed up as their idols - including some grown men in K&K drag.

The girls at the premiere switched in and out of character, as they often do in news media interviews.

The Flick...

Kath, Kim and the latter's daggy offsider, Sharon (Magda Szubanski) are soon shipped off to Papilloma, a bankrupt principality in Italy, where the monarch, King Javier (Rob Sitch) mistakes Kath for a wealthy noble and plans to seduce her, while his son fixates on Kim as a princess.

Plot...

Fountain Lakes’ foxiest ladies turn more than just heads when they go on an OS trip and end up being the centre of their very own fairytale.

Starring: Jane Turner, Gina Riley, Magda Szubanski, Glenn Robbins & Peter Rowsthorn.

Director: Ted Emery

Kath & Kimderella opens nationally Thursday, September 6.













Websites

Kath & Kimderella official website

Kath & Kim official website

Roadshow Films

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Music News Australia

Thursday 23 August 2012

A NEW BEGINNING FOR VANESSA AMOROSI




One of Australia’s most successful artists, Vanessa Amorosi, has decided it is time to start a new phase of her extensive and creative career by moving on from her six-year association with Universal Music Australia.
Vanessa thanks everyone at Universal Music for an incredibly successful six years and is looking forward to future challenges.
“Working with Universal Music has been an amazing experience for me and I would like to thank everyone at UMG for their talent, ability and energy in working with me over the past six years,” Vanessa says. “I am incredibly excited and confronted about the future but challenging myself is what propels me to the next level.”  
Vanessa’s manager, Ralph Carr, says: “Vanessa Amorosi is an exceptional artist moving into the next phase of her career. Having iconic songs like ‘Absolutely Everybody’, ‘Shine’, ‘This is Who I Am’ and ‘Perfect’ – which still remains in the radio charts 122 weeks later – is a remarkable feat. She is incredibly driven to achieve further success and we will support her in doing so.”

With 11 ARIA Award nominations, an APRA Award, and multi-platinum albums and singles, Vanessa is one of Australia’s most talented singer-songwriters. She has sold more than 2 million singles and albums worldwide, topped both the singles and albums charts, recorded with some of the world’s biggest stars and toured the globe extensively, playing to more than a million people.  
For career highlights please see here: https://vimeo.com/42672515

Monday 20 August 2012

Hilltop Hoods to headline Summernats 26



On the back of the highly successful 25th year, which affirmed the iconic Canberra car festival’s title as Australia’s biggest horsepower party, the Street Machine Summernats have stepped it up a gear, announcing multi-ARIA award winning Aussie hip-hop royalty the Hilltop Hoods as headliners for the 2013 event.

After attracting over 90,000 avid car enthusiasts to the 2012 festival, Summernats 26, to be held in the first weekend of 2013 from 3-6 January, has the Hilltop Hoods headlining the Friday night of entertainment.

“We’re really pleased to have the Hoods, Australia’s kings of hip-hop, at the Nats. These guys are genuine Aussie music royalty,” said Summernats co-owner Andy Lopez.

The Hilltop Hoods, who’ve just performed a sold out show at the ANU as part of a sold out Aussie tour, are just as happy to be at Australia’s biggest car festival.

“We can’t wait to get down to Canberra and kick off the New Year at the Summernats,” said MC Suffa of the Hilltop Hoods.

And there’s more to come at the Nats, with the Saturday night headliner and much more still to be announced.

Lopez says, “The Summernats is and always will be about the cars. Our punters loved last event’s concerts with Drapht and The Screaming Jets. This year, the Hoods and other artists are again a great added value for our loyal fans. People who love cars love music; that’s why they put stereos in them.”

Vehicle entrants for Summernats 26 from the Australian street machine community are currently at a record high, with more than twice the number of entrants as this time last year.

“These outstanding entrant numbers five months out from the event just goes to show that the street machine community is strong and vibrant. They’re out there in their workshops and garages all around Australia building cars to bring to Summernats,” said Lopez.

Tickets are currently on sale for Summernats 26, with this year’s festival offering more than ever for fans across Australia.

The best-priced tickets are available from the Summernats website www.summernats.com.au and all the Summernats’ entertainment and concert events are, as always, included in the ticket price.

Summernats 26 will be held at Exhibition Park in Canberra from the 3rd – 6th January 2013. For more information and ticket prices, visit the website at www.summernats.com.au


HANSON Announce Australian Release For Shout It Out



Ahead of their upcoming almost sold out Australian tour HANSON have announced their 5th studio album Shout It Out will be released digitally in Australia on the 7th of September 2012, preceded by the first single “Give A Little”, which will be released to Radio and TV on the 20th of August 2012.

Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson are household names in Australia and it's no surprise - in 1997 one in ten Australian households owned a copy of the band's smash album Middle Of Nowhere and the nation's airwaves, hearts and minds resonated to the infectious sound of the band's smash hit MMMBop. Now, after a 7-year absence, HANSON are back with a brand new album and tour that is sure to capture the attention and imagination of a nation that has always embraced the band as their own.

Native sons of Tulsa, Oklahoma, HANSON have been making music together for nearly two decades. Thirteen years ago, their out-of-the-blue, soul-inspired brand of American pop-rock ‘n’ roll was introduced to the world. Unaffected by charts or fads, they’ve spent more than a decade building a community of fans connected to one another and fuelled by the energy and craftsmanship of three brothers and their music. On their fifth studio album, Shout It Out, released digitally in Australia on the 7th of August on the band’s 3CG Records label, they deliver a powerful group of soulful, melodic tunes that will leave you with a contagious sense of optimism for the future and welcomed reminiscence for American rock ‘n’ roll.

Shout It Out is a collection of finely crafted, R&B-flavored pop-rock, a homage to the music that inspired HANSON when they started out. The album produced and written exclusively by the band is augmented with special guests: Funk Brothers bassist Bob Babbitt, who played on some of Motown’s greatest hits, and horn arranger Jerry Hey, who worked with Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Earth, Wind and Fire and many more.

“The anatomy of our band is similar to a ‘70s rock band – white guys from the Midwest who grew up listening to ‘50s and ‘60s soul, who are mixing guitars, with vintage keys and melodic songs,” Taylor Hanson says. Adds Isaac, “We’ll always be a bit rootsy ‘cause it’s in the Oklahoma soil (the state is also home to artists like Bob Wills, Woody Guthrie and the versatile Leon Russell), but what we’ve never stopped aspiring to is the great songwriters and performers who struck a chord with us first, that early rock ‘n’ rock roll and soul music from Chuck Berry to Otis Redding. We’ve rediscovered that aspiration on this record. There’s a little more swing and a little more air.”

While Shout It Out looks back in time musically, it also represents forward movement for HANSON. “We love playing classic songs,” says Zac Hanson. “But we never sat down and wrote our version of what that sounds like until now.”

They’ve sold millions of records and reached a level of adoration that few bands experience, and have also faced career obstacles that would have broken many artist’s resolve. They waded through four years of struggle with a new corporate label made up of inherited executives in discord with the band, which eventually lead the band to leave the label (chronicled in the documentary film Strong Enough To Break) and launch their own independent record company, 3CG Records, in 2003. Amidst a crumbling industry, they built their own infrastructure around a DIY attitude and their commitment to their music and their fans.

Shout It Out showcases not only the music of HANSON, but the many aspects that have allowed the band to survive and stay relevant. “The album is about being alive, and the contrasts we are faced with,” Taylor says. “We’ve come from a generation leaving the analog world and moving into an interconnected culture at risk of forgetting where it came from. This album tries to put together those pieces, but with a bit of melody to back it up.”

HANSON’s Shout It Out is available digitally on September 7th, 2012 on 3GC Records

Sunday 19 August 2012

Ricki-Lee performs at Westfield, Parramatta



Popular singer Ricki-Lee Coulter performed at Westfield Parramatta this afternoon to an appreciative audience.

Coulter sung a number of her songs off her new album 'Fear and Freedom'.

The 26-year-old says she feels stronger and more confident than ever with the upcoming release of her third album Fear & Freedom.

"This is my best work because it has just come purely and completely from me," she says over breakfast at a cafe near her Sydney home.

"This is the most genuine and the most honest and the most free that I've ever felt writing and recording in the studio. I wasn't forced to work with anyone I didn't want to work with."

Fans enjoyed the opportunity to purchase copies of the CD at the event and have them signed by Rick-Lee.

Following this appearance in Parramatta, the singer will tour for her Fear and Freedom live tour in Melbourme, Sydney and Brisbane.


















Websites

Ricki-Lee Coulter official website

Westfield

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Music News Australia

Saturday 18 August 2012

Celtic Woman performs at Macquarie Shopping Centre, Sydney: 'Believe'



Celtic Woman are down under in Australia to promote their current album 'Believe' and today they made a free public performance at Macquarie Shopping Centre.

'Believe' debuted at number 1 on the ARIA Classical Chart and includes some classic favourites like Bridge Over Troubled Water, Sailing, You'll Never Walk Alone and Ave Maria.

The group consists of Mairead Nesbitt, Chloe Agnew, Lisa Lambe and Susan McFadden.

Fans of Celtic Woman's genre of music continue to rejoice around Australia as the all girl group continue to garner strong reviews for that latest CD 'Believe'.

Believe Track List...

1. Awakening
2. Nocturne 
3. Sailing          
4. The Foxhunter 
5. The Water Is Wide   
6. Bridge Over Troubled Water
7. Black Is The Colour             
8. Follow On    
9. Ave Maria    
10. Teir Abhaile Riu     
11. You'll Never Walk Alone  
12. A Spaceman Came Traveling         
13. Songs From The Heart: Walking The Night/The World Falls Away                    
14. A Woman's Heart              
15. The Parting Glass

Biography...

In just a few short years, the unique musical ensemble known as Celtic Woman has emerged as both a spectacular commercial success and a genuine cultural phenomenon. The beloved ensemble’s evocative, uplifting music has transcended national and cultural borders to touch the hearts of a devoted fan base that spans the globe.

DVD News...

Internationally acclaimed vocal phenomenon Celtic Woman announce their sixth new project, BELIEVE, an enchanting studio album and companion live concert DVD available in stores on January 24. Celtic Woman is the all-female singing sensation featuring vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lisa Kelly, Lisa Lambe and Celtic violinist Máiréad Nesbitt performing classic Irish songs ("The Water Is Wide," "Green Grow the Rushes," "A Woman's Heart," "The Parting Glass"), timeless pop anthems ("Bridge Over Troubled Water," "Sailing"), and inspirational songs ("You'll Never Walk Alone," "Ave Maria") with their signature Celtic Woman twist, under the distinct musical direction of Emmy-nominated music producer, David Downes. The live concert DVD was filmed for the first time in America in front of some of their most loyal fans during two sold-out nights at The Fox Theatre (Atlanta, GA) in Sept 2011.




















Websites

Celtic Woman official website

Mairead Nesbitt official website

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Music News Australia