Aussie music is the flavour of the month
Plenty of Australian music people are getting their dues on the international stage at the moment, as everyone around the world catches up to what we already know — that Australian music rocks!
The Gotye train has been unstoppable and just to prove it wasn’t a fluke, ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ finally cracked the number one spot on the US Billboard charts. This is the daddy of all music charts and a very unique accolade for an Australian artist. Surely not, you say, as the Americans love us! Perhaps, but the last Australian act to crack number one were Savage Garden in 2000. Legend rockers AC/DC have never held number one in America, so this is BIG. Topped off with reaching number one in 17 other countries (and counting), his catchy song was also just covered by musical TV show Glee and featured on Saturday Night Live. All bow down to Sir Gotye.
But, not to be outdone, his little buddy and songstress Kimbra (the Kiwi) won the International Songwriting Competition last week. We do alright in this with Kasey Chambers winning last year and Kate Miller-Hiedke in 2008. The Living End, Eskimo Joe, Missy Higgins and Oh Mercy also took out awards recognising different genres of music.
Legendary Australian music promoter and all round music guru Michael Chugg also grabbed a gong this week winning ‘International Music Person of the Year’ at the music executive MUSEXPO in Los Angeles. Chugg has been bringing big name music acts to Australia since 1970 including Elton John, Prince, Pearl Jam and The Police. Chances are, if they’re superstars and toured Australia, he was responsible for it.
Pat yourself on the back Australian music. And keep it coming!
Aussie BBQ hitting London
It’s that time of year again where the Australian music train rolls into the UK. First stop is the Great Escape Festival in Brighton before rolling on up to Liverpool for Sounds City. In between, a bunch of Aussie artists will make a pit stop in London for a Sunday of great music, a few snags and potentially a few cold beers.
Last year The Jezabels, Little Red and DZ Deathrays were a few of the bands to entertain the crowds. This year 11 bands and artists will take the stage at Cargo Bar in East London on Sunday13 May including Husky, Jinga Safari, Millions and Ben Salter for a day of fine Australian music.
Brought to you by the folks at Sounds Australia who bring Australian music to the masses, we’ll definitely be there for a slice of home in London town.
Black Keys get the Aussie spoon
For fans of Australia’s Got Talent (go on admit it) you might remember West Australian farmer Deb ‘Spoons’ Perry from 2008. She rocked the stage with her routine tapping the spoons along to Black Betty. For those of you who don’t know, ‘playing the spoons’ is grabbing a couple of spoons and using your hands or body as a drum. Sounds easy but there’s a fine art to it which Deb is the master of.
Outside of the highly lucrative spoons circuit Deb has been away from the limelight until Warner Music approached her to do a rendition of the Black Key’s hit Lonely Boy. Shot on a hill overlooking her property Deb rocks out to the tune with a killer dance routine which has now gone viral with over half a million hits on You Tube.
Spoons could be the new thing with Warner Music stating they’ll be hoping Deb will do some other music for them using her unorthodox routine. How about Soundgarden’s Spoonman?…