AMALI WARD TO ‘KNOCK YOU OUT’ WITH NEW SINGLE & TOUR

Tasmanian raised, now Sydney based pop and soul songstress Amali Ward today releases her brand new single Knock You Out. Amali will hit the road this March playing in Melbourne, Sydney, Launceston and Hobart on her Knock You Out tour to launch the single and preview her debut album Back In Time.

                                                                         

With Amali’s soulful sound and tracks from her yet to be released debut album to be performed, fans are in for a great show. “I'm really looking forward to getting on the road and showcasing these songs I’ve worked so hard on to everyone out there. It’s going to be a lot of fun!” said Amali.

                                                              

2012 was a busy and successful year for Amali, supporting UK superstar Seal at his Sydney shows, and her single Knock You Out won the International John Lennon Song Writing Contest, an annual competition open to songwriters from around the world and presented by Yoko Ono herself.

                                                   

“Knock You Out is about people who make offhand, divisive comments about sexuality, religion or race without thinking of the consequences. Thankfully we are progressing to a place where these attitudes aren’t accepted anymore, but we still aren’t treating all members of society equally”, said Amali of the timely subject matter of her single. “Winning the John Lennon Song Writing Contest award was definitely one of my proudest moments”, said Amali.

                                                                  

Before winning the International John Lennon Song Writing Contest, Amali honed her song writing skills in America working with the teams behind Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Rihanna and Beyonce. Amali then came home to write her debut album in Australia before returning to LA to collaborate with producer David Ryan Harris (John Mayer, Lupe Fiasco, India.Arie) and John Mayer’s touring band for Back In Time, set for release later this year.

                           

“I was lucky enough to have most of John Mayer’s touring band play on the entire album, these guys are incredible musicians who have played for pretty much every big name artist you can think of! So it was just insane to have them all jamming in a room in LA to songs I had written back home”, said Amali.

                     

Amali first grabbed the nation’s attention back in 2007 as one of the youngest contestants and sole Tasmanian to reach the Top 10 on the hit show Australian Idol. Following her time on the show, Amali released a self-written/produced independent EP which was well received by fans and critics alike and saw her play at Bluesfest (the first idol alumni to do so), the Southern Roots Festival, and open for the likes of The Bamboos, Paris Wells and US group Naturally 7 at just 18 years of age.

                                                                                                                                                    

Knock You Out available now on iTunes.

For tour details and ticketing information please see www.amaliward.com.au 

                                                                                                                                                                                               

                          

TOUR DATES: AMALI WARD

Thursday 14^th March 2013 – The Workers Club, MELBOURNE, VIC

Tickets at the door

Saturday 16^th March 2013 – Fbi Social, SYDNEY, NSW

www.oztix.com.au

Thursday 21^st March 2013 – Irish Murphys, LAUNCESTON, TAS

Tickets at the door

Friday 22^nd March 2013 – The Republic Bar, HOBART, TAS

Phone: 03 6234 6954 

BRITS Nominee DJ Fresh Gives His Hot Tip For The Next Big Thing Hip hop artist Iggy Azalea touted as star of the future

Link   http://www.digitalnewsagency.com/stories/7308-brits-nominee-dj-fresh-gives-his-hot-tip-for-the-next-big-thing
Fresh off the back of the BRITS, DJ Fresh has thrown his support behind up-and-coming hip-hop artist Iggy Azalea as the industry’s ‘next big thing’. The BRITS nominee gave his seal of approval to Iggy ahead of her performance at the Universal Music BRITS party, hosted by BACARDÍ at the Soho House pop-up in London.  The event provided a stage for Iggy to showcase her talent and was attended by some of the music industry’s biggest names, including: Taylor Swift, Mumford and Sons, Emeli Sandé, Paloma Faith, Jessie J, Frank Ocean and many more. Double BRIT Award nomineeJessie Ware, who took part in a BACARDÍ initiative which supports emerging artists in the music industry, expressed her support for such platforms that provide exposure for new artists.   This exclusive web video features interviews with DJ Fresh, Jessie Ware and Iggy Azalea, as well as exclusive behind the scenes footage from the Universal Music BRITS after-party.  http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/the-brit-awards-2013-full-winners-list/story-e6frfn09-1226582457383
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GOO GOO DOLLS ANNOUNCE RELEASE OF MAGNETIC NEW ALBUM LANDS ON MAY 3

Goo Goo Dolls are set to release their new album, Magnetic, on May 3. The first single from the record, Rebel Beat, is already making waves ahead of the upcoming release from the multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated band.

Singer-guitarist John Rzeznik, bassist Robby Takac and drummer Mike Malinin recorded in New York, London and LA with Gregg Wattenberg (Train), Rob Cavallo (Green Day),  John Shanks (Bon Jovi),  and Greg Wells (Katy Perry).  Magnetic is the tenth studio release from the Buffalo, NY trio.

“I'm so proud of our new album…I've had such a great time and learned so much from the amazingly talented people who worked on it with me,” says Rzeznik . "I think that positive energy comes across on the songs. Writing and recording Magnetic changed my thinking about making music and doing it in a fun way,” he explains.

Goo Goo Dolls have sold over 10 million albums worldwide. They are the only artist to have three songs on Billboard’s Top 100 Songs from 1992-2012, including #1 for Iris. Rzeznik has been honored with the Songwriters Hall of Fame Hal David Starlight Award and they have shared the stage with everyone from The Rolling Stones to Taylor Swift, who recently covered Iris with Rzeznik onstage. Most recently, Goo Goo Dolls honoured President Barack Obama in Washington, DC.

www.googoodolls.com

www.facebook.com/googoodolls

www.twitter.com/googoodolls

www.youtube.com/user/thegoogoodolls

www.warnermusic.com.au

MICHAEL BUBLÉ TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM TO BE LOVED

MICHAEL BUBLÉ TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM TO BE LOVED ON APRIL 12
Sixth Studio Album for Multi Grammy & Juno Award Winning Canadian And Follow Up to Multi-Platinum Christmas CD

New single It’s A Beautiful Day at Australian radio on Monday 25 February

Michael Bublé’s highly anticipated new studio album To Be Loved is scheduled for release on Friday 12 April  it was announced today by Reprise Records. The first single, It’s A Beautiful Day, co-written by Bublé, will be at Australian radio on Monday 25 February and will be available digitally from Tuesday 26 February.  

To Be Loved, Bublé’s sixth studio album follows his Christmas CD which sold seven million copies internationally.  In Australia, Christmas has sold over 8 x platinum and held the #1 position for five weeks in 2011 and for four weeks in 2012. 

To Be Loved produced by Bob Rock, was recorded in Vancouver and Los Angeles and includes a mix of standards as well as four original songs all co-written by Bublé. After All one of the four originals was co-written and performed by fellow Canadian Bryan Adams.  The new album also includes hits previously recorded by some of Buble’s musical heroes including the Bee Gees hit To Love Somebody,  Dean Martin’s Nevertheless (I’m In Love With You), the Jackson 5 early ‘70’s smash Who’s Loving You, Jackie Wilson’s To Be Loved and the Elvis Presley classic Have I Told You Lately.  Bublé is joined by actress Reese Witherspoon on the classic Frank and Nancy Sinatra duet Something Stupid.

“My new record is about love, happiness, fun and yummy things. Getting to work with my friend and long-time collaborator Bob Rock (Call Me Irresponsible, Crazy Love and Christmas) who produced the entire album was very exciting.  We’re a good team. I love the songs we selected this time out. It was also terrific working once again with my song-writing partners” commented Bublé.

Later this year, Bublé is scheduled to perform ten sellout shows at London’s 02 Arena beginning June 30th.

www.michaelbuble.com

www.facebook.com/MichaelBuble

www.twitter.com/MichaelBuble

www.warnermusic.com.au

SENSATIONAL NEW ARENA PRODUCTION OF JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR TO TOUR AUSTRALIA AFTER ACCLAIMED UK RUN

The Really Useful Group and Frontier Touring are thrilled to announce that the new arena production of Jesus Christ Superstar will tour Australia in 2013.   The production will commence its Australian dates in Perth on May 31. 

The show stars Australia’s own Tim Minchin as ‘Judas Iscariot’, former Spice Girl Melanie C as ‘Mary Magdalene’ and the critically acclaimed new-comer Ben Forster in the role of ‘Jesus’.  Also starring in the Australian production will be Jon Stevens returning to Jesus Christ Superstar in the role of ‘Pontius Pilate’ (Stevens played Judas in the 1992 Australian arena tour and the 1994 theatre production) and Andrew O’Keefe in the role of ‘King Herod’.

Andrew Lloyd Webber says: "I'm thrilled that Australia is to be the first leg for our international tour of the new Jesus Christ Superstar.  We had an overwhelming reception when the show toured the country for an astounding 84 dates in 1992. I hope this new production, which has been totally re-conceived for the 21st century, will entertain a new generation of Australians as well as those who already love the show."

The new production’s run in the UK in late 2012 broke previous audience records with 74,000 fans seeing the show in its opening weekend.  The arena production received wide acclaim, with critics praising the show as:

“Lloyd Webber’s new generation of superstars hits all the right notes.”

The Times

“A work of conceptual genius”

Daily Telegraph

“Restored to its heavy metal rock origins.”

The Independent

“An almighty success!” Daily Star Sunday

“Blows away tradition.” Daily Mail

An award-winning creative team have been assembled to transform this legendary rock musical into a unique state of the art spectacular. Led by director Laurence Connor – known for his work on the 25^th anniversary performances of Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera – the creative team behind Jesus Christ Superstar have collectively worked on concerts from the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and U2 as well as the Diamond Jubilee concert in front of Buckingham Palace and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Arguably Australia’s most popular musical, Jesus Christ Superstar first came to life as a chart-topping double-album in 1970, its success spawning the live show phenomenon.  In 1992 Jesus Christ Superstar, starring Jon Stevens as Judas and John Farnham as Jesus, toured Australian arenas to phenomenal success, running for 82 nights and attended by a still record 987,000 people, grossing over $40m at the box office.  The soundtrack went on to sell 4 x Platinum.

Tickets to Jesus Christ Superstar – Arena Spectacular are on sale on Friday 8 March.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
MAY/JUNE 2013

Frontier Members pre-sale via www.frontiertouring.com/jesuschristsuperstar

1pm AEDT Wed 27 Feb to 1pm AEDT Thu 28 Feb or until allocation exhausted

General public on sale from 9am local time, Friday 8 March

Fri 31 May                  Perth | Perth Arena (Evening)                                  (All Ages)

Ticketek.com.au | Ph: 132 849

Tue 4 June                 Adelaide | Entertainment Centre (Evening)            (All Ages)

Ticketek.com.au | Ph: 132 849

Fri 7 June                   Sydney | Entertainment Centre (Evening)              (All Ages)

Ticketmaster.com.au | Ph: 136 100

Sat 8 June                  Sydney | Entertainment Centre (Matinee)              (All Ages)

Ticketmaster.com.au | Ph: 136 100

Sat 8 June                  Sydney | Entertainment Centre (Evening)              (All Ages)

Ticketmaster.com.au | Ph: 136 100

Tue 11 June               Brisbane | Entertainment Centre (Evening)           (All Ages)

Ticketek.com.au | Ph: 132 849

Fri 14 June                 Melbourne | Rod Laver Arena (Evening)               (All Ages)

Ticketek.com.au | Ph: 132 849

Sat 15 June                Melbourne | Rod Laver Arena (Matinee)                (All Ages)

Ticketek.com.au | Ph: 132 849

Sat 15 June                Melbourne | Rod Laver Arena (Evening)               (All Ages)

Ticketek.com.au | Ph: 132 849

www.jesuschristsuperstar.com | www.facebook.com/JesusChristSuperstar | Twitter @JCSTheMusical

www.frontiertouring.com/jesuschristsuperstar | www.facebook.com/frontiertouring | Twitter @frontiertouring

Foxtel 2013 Launch Event, Fox Studios Australia, Moore Park, Sydney, Australia

Foxtel 2013 Launch Event, Fox Studios Australia, Moore Park, Sydney, Australia - February 20, 2013

Tonight at Fox Studios Australia, Foxtel enjoyed its launch event with dozens of Australian celebrities.

WHO:

Star of Thor, The Avengers and Snow White and the Huntsman and Foxtel Ambassador Chris Hemsworth, alongside the stars of Foxtel’s massive slate of programming for 2013: new Australia’s Next Top Model host Jennifer Hawkins with Charlotte Dawson, Alex Perry, Didier Cohen and 25 of the Top Model finalists; The Lifestyle Channel’s Andrew Winter, Shaynna Blaze, Peter Maddison, Charlie Albone and Matt Moran, Lifestyle Food’s Anthony Puharich, Foxtel Movie Show host Deborah Hutton, FOX SPORTS’ Matt Shirvington and Paul Roos, MAX’s Jane Gazzo and Chit Chat, Channel [V]’s Danny Clayton, Marty Smiley and Carissa Wolford, and some of the cast from Foxtel’s new drama series Wentworth: Aaron Jeffery, Nicole Da Silva, Leeanna Walsman, Celia Ireland and Robbie Magasiva.

Media Release...

FOXTEL ANNOUNCES 2013 LINE-UP...

Foxtel tonight announced a raft of new programs and innovation for what promises to be a huge 2013 for the subscription television broadcaster.

The gala event at Fox Studios in Sydney saw star of Thor, The Avengers and Snow White and the Huntsman, Foxtel ambassador Chris Hemsworth joined by Australia’s Next Top Model host Jennifer Hawkins, chef Matt Moran, FOX SPORTS presenters Paul Roos and Matt Shirvington, television presenter Deborah Hutton and cast members of the new drama series Wentworth.

The announcements included:

Foxtel Go, the app that allows customers to watch Foxtel on the go is now available on compatible iPhone and iPod Touch, as well as iPad and iPad mini. FOX SPORTS 1, 2 and 3 are all now available on the revolutionary app for Foxtel customers. In March Foxtel Go will be ready to offer more than 50 live channels via the app.

Foxtel will continue to make the world a smaller place with its express from the US strategy in 2013. An unprecedented number of programs will screen just hours after their US broadcast; including Girls, Game of Thrones, True Blood, Dexter, Boardwalk Empire, Sons of Anarchy, Enlightened, Veep, Eastbound and Down, Treme, The Newsroom and Mad Men all on showcase; The Carrie Diaries, Revolution, Chicago Fire, Falling Skies, Grimm, Vampire Diaries on FOX8; The Walking Dead, Da Vinci’s Demons, Transporter: The Series on FX; Smash and The Glades on SoHo; The Real Housewives on Arena;  and The Colbert Report, The Daily Show and TOSH.0 on The Comedy Channel.

Australian drama Wentworth will launch on Foxtel’s SoHo channel in April. The 10 part series, produced by FremantleMedia Australia, is a modern day re-imagining of the iconic drama Prisoner. The ensemble cast features Danielle Cormack, Catherine McClements, Nicole Da Silva, Kris McQuade, Leeanna Walsman, Kate Atkinson, Celia Ireland, Shareena Clanton, Aaron Jeffery and Robbie Magasiva.

Foxtel, in association with Matchbox Pictures, will produce a new drama series in 2013, Devil’s Playground. Featuring Simon Burke in the role he played 37 years ago, this provocative new series is a follow up to the 1976 Fred Schepisi film The Devil’s Playground. Set in 1988, the new series will see Tom Allen (Burke) as a psychiatrist given the task of counselling priests. The Church is at a crossroads and the greatest scandal ever to threaten Catholicism is about to break.

The Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning hit series Mad Men will join the stellar line-up on Foxtel’s drama channel showcase. Season six will, for the first time, premiere express from the US, on Monday, April 8 at 4.45pm EST (with a primetime screening at 9.45pm EST).

Acclaimed and popular chef Matt Moran will host a brand new series for The LifeStyle Channel in 2013. From Paddock to Plate, produced by ITV Studios Australia, will premiere in the second half of the year and take Matt back to his roots in the country as he searches for the best produce available and meets some friends to create some amazing recipes and dishes.

Also joining The LifeStyle Channel’s local line-up is River Cottage Australia, the first international version of the hugely successful River Cottage series, co-produced by Granada Media Australia and Keo Films. Mentored by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, River Cottage Australia will introduce the new 'Aussie Hugh' and test his knowledge of food, enthusiasm for all things wild and local, and his resilience in setting up a sustainable farm in the Australian countryside.

LifeStyle FOOD has two local productions coming soon. Ask The Butcher explores cooking at home and how best to utilise the meats readily available at your local butcher (Tuesday, March 26 at 8.30pm). Marion’s Thailand sees former MasterChef contestant Marion Grasby travel to Thailand to explore the amazing flavours and culinary culture (premieres June).

Hit channel A&E will premiere Aussie Pickers in May. Based on the incredibly popular international format, Aussie Pickers Lucas Callaghan and Adam McDonald will hit the back roads of Australia, earning a living by restoring forgotten relics to their former glory, transforming one person's trash into another's treasure. The eight part series is being produced by Shine Australia.

Also new to the factual programming slate is Coast Australia which will launch on The History Channel in the second half of 2013. Acclaimed historian and television presenter Neil Oliver will host this eight-part series focusing on Australia’s stunning coastline. Each one hour episode will target a different strip of coast, as Neil and his co-hosts gather stories about the history, people, archaeology, geography and marine life. The series will cast its line back tens of thousands of years, as well as study very contemporary modern social history. It will join the past and the present together – and build a true story of a country which lives in synergy with its vast coastline, by meeting and talking with people from all walks of life.

Outback Coroner will premiere on Crime and Investigation Network in late 2013. Produced by Screentime in association with Evershine, this engaging and deeply emotional observational documentary series follows various coroners from all over Australia as they navigate time, distance, suspicion and culture, in search of answers to mysterious and unexplained deaths in outback and rural areas of Australia. The eight episode series will take viewers inside the mindset and challenges confronting a coroner and their team, as they investigate the forensic evidence, conduct autopsies and counsel the bereaved in search of answers. 

FOX8 juggernaut Australia’s Next Top Model will premiere on FOX8 in July and the eighth season will be hosted by uber-model and businesswoman Jennifer Hawkins. Production is underway in Sydney and the new series will feature a new judge, model and DJ Didier Cohen, as well as leading fashion designer Alex Perry and Charlotte Dawson. Australia’s Next Top Model is produced by Shine Australia.

**Foxtel Go requires an iPad, iPad mini or iPhone running an operating system v5.0 and higher. Requires iPhone 4 or higher. Also available on iPod Touch 5th Generation. A Foxtel residential cable or satellite subscription with a STU and a Foxtel online account linked to a subscription account are required. Customers will see channels and content from the channels they subscribe to only. Not all channels are available on Foxtel Go. Two devices can be running Foxtel Go at the same time linked to the one account. The Foxtel Go App includes Remote Record directly to the iQ or MyStar. Foxtel Go is available over 3G/4G networks as well as WiFi. Recommended Internet speeds apply. Internet connection required. ISP and data charges may apply. Video quality may vary according to 3G/4G and WiFi service. Not available to Optus TV featuring Foxtel, Foxtel on Xbox 360, Foxtel on Internet TV or Foxtel on T-Box customers. Only available for use in Australia.

About Foxtel

Foxtel is one of Australia’s most progressive and dynamic media companies, directly employing around 2,500 people, and delivering a diverse subscription television service to both regional and metropolitan areas over cable, satellite and broadband distribution. We offer a better entertainment experience every day to each one of our 2.3 million subscribing homes through delivery of exclusive and inspiring programming across all genres, the world’s most popular channel brands, and investment in high quality local content. As constant champions of innovation we have brought customers the iQ personal digital recorder, Australia’s largest HD offering, Foxtel 3D, and the Foxtel Go App. Foxtel is owned by Telstra Corporation Limited ACN 051 775 556 (50%) and The News Corporation Ltd (50%). foxtel.com.au

Websites

Foxtel

www.foxtel.com.au

Fox Studios Australia

www.foxstudiosaustralia.com

Entertainment Quarter

www.eqmoorepark.com.au

Sir James Dyson puts on Dyson product launch with a difference: Sydney, Australia

Sir James Dyson puts on Dyson product launch with a difference: Sydney, Australia...

Sir James Dyson, the British billionaire industrial designer (not to be confused with Tony Stark from Iron Man - Marvel Comics fame) who invented the dual cyclone bagless vacuum cleaner, has just finished hosting his fabulous launch event at the Sydney Theatre Co Ltd, Pier 4.

It's understood he took a fair swipe at "competitor) robot vacuums as "pathetic" with poor suction and no navigating skills. Yes, the others suck - but not in a good way.

A lot of the (product) attention was on his latest product, a tap that can also dry your hands in about 12 seconds. Dyson, who rocketed his company to nearly 4000 staff and $1.5 billion in annual sales, advised he would only launch a robot vacuum when he got it right.

New product snapshot - the Dyson hybrid dryer-tap...

Robot models launched in Australia recently include the $399 Robomaid, LG's Roboking range ($549-$1149) and Samsung's $999 Navibot. Dyson didn't name and shame but was dismissive of the current lot, criticising their navigation and efficiency which meant they offered poor battery performance and cleaning ability.

"They've got whiskers sticking out of them – whiskers don't clean anything they just disturb the birds," he told Fairfax Media.

"It's a difficult job and I'm not rushing out a gimmick robot to pretend to people we're cleaning the floor, we're not doing that we're doing it properly."

Robomaid is one of the robot vacuums on the market.

Despite coming up with his vacuum cleaner breakthrough in the late 1970s, it only reached the British market 10 years later, and Dyson is now a global market leader. A third of British homes now have a Dyson.

The company has also launched other innovations such as bladeless fans and an "Airblade" hand dryer that uses jets of air to scrape the water off the hands. The same sort of technology but with a far more advanced motor ("three times faster than any electric motor has gone before") powers the new hybrid dryer-taps.

Dyson has wrestled for years to prevent companies copying his designs, winning a $5 million damages award from Hoover in 2000. Now, the main offenders are out of Asia and Dyson thinks intellectual property protection is weaker because people are getting away with copying.

"Koreans and the Chinese are copying things and I think it's very bad," he said. "It's said by certain people that that increases competition, actually it decreases competition because all they're doing is copying the market leader."

He said the copycat companies could produce cheaper products because they haven't incurred all the development costs and associated risks.

"It's morally wrong, I think it's legally wrong and I think it hurts the consumers because the consumer doesn't get a choice," he said. "Intellectual property should be supported better; the law should be made stronger."

In October last year Dyson filed a lawsuit alleging a "spy" employee stole the blueprints to a £100 million ($149.7 million) technology and passed them to rival Bosch.

Dyson said western countries such as Australia and Britain need to focus on educating more scientists and engineers, as they are increasingly being overtaken by countries in Asia.

"40 per cent of all graduates from Singapore are engineers," he said. "For Britain, Australia, the US and other European countries to compete in any way they've got to heavily arm themselves with technology."

Classy event in Sydney...

It wasn't a cheap and nasty event, as is too often the case with product launches.  Dyson impressed with wit, goodwill and loads of great food and drinks, which looked and tasted 5 star. It was a great vibe and news media was treated with respect, friendliness and delicious treats.  How could we not share the story and photos far and wide across media and internet - which was no doubt another masterstroke by the colourful billionaire and his brains trust.  If you have the budget - Dysons' are well worth a close look.

Websites

Dyson Australia

www.dyson.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com