For the last few years Ben Lee has held the mantle of Lord of Australian Alt-Pop.
His catchy, left field songs have had huge success in Australia and in the US where he now lives, even if Bernard Fanning does think he's a little C-Bomb.
But with his latest effort not receiving the critical acclaim of his previous CD's, Lee is being challenged by Jebediah front man, Kevin Mitchell, who's second solo album is proving immensly popular.
Mitchell, who releases his solo work under the Bob Evans moniker (Don't ask me why artists who go solo do this) received a warm welcome for his first record, 2006's "Suburban Songbook" and his second effort, released this year, "Goodnight, Bull Creek!" is shaping up to be an even bigger hit.
Whereas "Suburban Songbook" was criticised for being overly happy and lacking any meaning, "Goodnight, Bull Creek!" is a more mature album, a mix of up beat pop combined with some more sombre serious tracks.
Speaking in today's SMH, Mitchell, or Evans or what he's calling himself today credits turning 30 as the reason why his music has changed.
"I think what happened there [turning 30] was a bit of a clean slate that appeared for me that I didn't really value and when I started to look at this new beginning as a positive thing I started to find all the things I could take advantage of."
Songs such as "Hand Me Downs" and "Pasha Bulka" are great examples of how Mitchell/Evans has matured as an artist and has just about stolen Lee's crown.
Thursday
Video to go with "Chase That Feeling"
The Hilltop Hoods have premiered their new film clip for "Chase That Feeling" on YouTube.
Here it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWChcdgo2HY
This clip has set a new benchmark for Australian video clips.
The Hoods have really kicked it up a notch and the whole clip seems really proffesional, similar in quality to a Kanye West clip.
Though it's great that the Hoods have released their new clip, is this just another nail in the coffin for music television?
Previously MTV or Channel [V} would have been the go to point for this release, yet it seem the internet is taking even more from TV.
Speaking of this, I would've liked to see the Hoods give the premier of the clip to the ABC to play on Rage, given the fact that without Tripple J they wouldn't have had anywhere near the success they've experienced.
Here it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWChcdgo2HY
This clip has set a new benchmark for Australian video clips.
The Hoods have really kicked it up a notch and the whole clip seems really proffesional, similar in quality to a Kanye West clip.
Though it's great that the Hoods have released their new clip, is this just another nail in the coffin for music television?
Previously MTV or Channel [V} would have been the go to point for this release, yet it seem the internet is taking even more from TV.
Speaking of this, I would've liked to see the Hoods give the premier of the clip to the ABC to play on Rage, given the fact that without Tripple J they wouldn't have had anywhere near the success they've experienced.
Good on the J's
With Unearthed winners, And Burn being given a spot at the next One Night Stand, it's about time Triple J gets some recognition for the work they do to promote Australian music.
The Unearthed competition they run has unearthed (pun intended) some of Australia's biggest music names.
Past winners include, Missy Higgins, Grinspoon, The Bumblebeez, Killing Heidi and The Hungry Kid of Hungary.
Whilst Unearthed is a great program, Triple J also deserve praise for their everyday broadcasts as well.
There aren't many other stations where bands like The Grates, The Herd, Angus and Julia Stone or The Getaway Plan would get airtime.
Unlike their commercial counterparts Triple J don't view the Australian Music Quota as something to fill the hours between Midnight and 6 am.
Oh, and they don't play Chris Brown, a huge plus.
The Unearthed competition they run has unearthed (pun intended) some of Australia's biggest music names.
Past winners include, Missy Higgins, Grinspoon, The Bumblebeez, Killing Heidi and The Hungry Kid of Hungary.
Whilst Unearthed is a great program, Triple J also deserve praise for their everyday broadcasts as well.
There aren't many other stations where bands like The Grates, The Herd, Angus and Julia Stone or The Getaway Plan would get airtime.
Unlike their commercial counterparts Triple J don't view the Australian Music Quota as something to fill the hours between Midnight and 6 am.
Oh, and they don't play Chris Brown, a huge plus.
Triple J Announces One Night Stand.
Triple J's annual free concert is on again this year, and the lucky people of the Gippsland region in Victoria will be treated to a great night of Australian music.
This year's line up includes Eskimo Joe, The Butterfly Effect, Children Collide and Triple J "Unearthed" Winners, And Burn.
The event has been taken to Gippsland in attempt to brighten up the lives of those affected by this years terrible bushfires and will be held in the town of Sale on May 30th.
Apparently there are more acts to be announced so stay in touch.
And if you cant make it to Sale, Triple J will record it all so you'll be able to watch it on Triple J TV.
This year's line up includes Eskimo Joe, The Butterfly Effect, Children Collide and Triple J "Unearthed" Winners, And Burn.
The event has been taken to Gippsland in attempt to brighten up the lives of those affected by this years terrible bushfires and will be held in the town of Sale on May 30th.
Apparently there are more acts to be announced so stay in touch.
And if you cant make it to Sale, Triple J will record it all so you'll be able to watch it on Triple J TV.
Profile - Pegz, Australia's Hip - Hop Mogul
On the surface Pegz is the stereotypical hip-hop star.
The 32 year old has gone from a wall tagging graffiti artist to a chart topping rap artist.
Yet besides being an artist himself, Pegz heads up Australia’s biggest and best-known hip-hop labels, Obese Records.
In just over eight years as the head of Obese, Pegz has been responsible for unearthing the biggest acts in Australian hip-hop, including the Hilltop Hoods, Muph & Plutonic and Drapht.
By unearthing these acts Pegz has made hip-hop acceptable in the Australian music scene.
What was once a small number of groups performing in American accents has steadily grown into one of the most successful parts of Australian music.
The Hilltop Hoods latest album, The Hard Road, topped the ARIA charts, the first Australian hip-hop act to do so and has sold over 60 000 copies, a huge achievement for an Australian hip – hop group.
Whilst not reaching the same heights as the acts he discovers, Pegz has had his own musical success, releasing four critically acclaimed albums of his own.
His most recent, 2007’s Burn City is set to be his last solo album as he concentrates more on the business side of Obese.
The 32 year old has gone from a wall tagging graffiti artist to a chart topping rap artist.
Yet besides being an artist himself, Pegz heads up Australia’s biggest and best-known hip-hop labels, Obese Records.
In just over eight years as the head of Obese, Pegz has been responsible for unearthing the biggest acts in Australian hip-hop, including the Hilltop Hoods, Muph & Plutonic and Drapht.
By unearthing these acts Pegz has made hip-hop acceptable in the Australian music scene.
What was once a small number of groups performing in American accents has steadily grown into one of the most successful parts of Australian music.
The Hilltop Hoods latest album, The Hard Road, topped the ARIA charts, the first Australian hip-hop act to do so and has sold over 60 000 copies, a huge achievement for an Australian hip – hop group.
Whilst not reaching the same heights as the acts he discovers, Pegz has had his own musical success, releasing four critically acclaimed albums of his own.
His most recent, 2007’s Burn City is set to be his last solo album as he concentrates more on the business side of Obese.
Wednesday
Minogue To Have Another Crack At USA
Kylie Minogue is set to try to break into the US market once again.
Minogue, who's last record "X" has only sold 36 000 copies in the US (maybe they're smarter than we give them credit for) has announced that she will perform six shows in the US in October this year.
The shows will be part of her "X" tour (which must be how long the tour has run for) which has already earned over $70 million from ticket sales alone.
With this kind of money coming in you have to wonder why Minogue is still trying to make it big in the US, especially at this stage of her career.
Maybe she should bring back the gold hot pants?
Minogue, who's last record "X" has only sold 36 000 copies in the US (maybe they're smarter than we give them credit for) has announced that she will perform six shows in the US in October this year.
The shows will be part of her "X" tour (which must be how long the tour has run for) which has already earned over $70 million from ticket sales alone.
With this kind of money coming in you have to wonder why Minogue is still trying to make it big in the US, especially at this stage of her career.
Maybe she should bring back the gold hot pants?
Phil's Albums To Look Out For.
Here are five Aussie Albums whose release I’m looking out for.
1. Hilltop Hoods.
The Kings of Aussie hip – hop have promised to have a new album out during May sometime. If it’s anywhere near as good as there last effort, 2006’s The Hard Road, then fans will have nothing to complain about. The only cause for concern is whether their split from long time record label, Obese Records will have an impact on their recording.
2. Urthboy.
If Hilltop are the Kings, then this ranga from is definitely the Crown Prince. The Sydney MC is better known for his work with The Herd, but his two separate solo albums are nothing to be sneezed at. Full of bouncy, up-tempo tracks, Distant Sense of a Random Menace and The Signal should receive more airtime than they do. If his new single, Hell Song, is anything to go buy, Urthboy’s next effort should be more of the same.
3. Birds of Tokyo.
Unlike their West Australian counterparts, Eskimo Joe or Gyroscope, Birds of Tokyo actually produce some decent, original rock music. "Wild Eyed Boy" and "Broken Bones" are killer songs, both having made Triple J's Hottest 100.
As long as they don't fall into the second album syndrome trap like many bands do, Birds of Tokyo could prove to be the next big thing in Aussie rock.
4. The Herd.
It might be a little hopeful since they only released their last album about a year ago, but "Summerland" was so disappointing that I really need a new album from this group to restore my faith.
Jane Tyrell has a great voice, but she doesn't need a major role in every song on a HIP-HOP album.
The Herd should take note of what Muph & PLutonic didon their last release, "And Then Tomorrow Came".
5. Wolfmother.
Their first album took the world by storm. Their Led Zeppelin inspired rock helped them crack the lucrative American market, and they even won a Grammy.
With only Andrew Stockdale remaining from the original group there is are a lot of people wondering whether they can successfully follow up their first album.
Even if they don't, "Cosmic Egg", the title for their upcoming release is a beauty.
1. Hilltop Hoods.
The Kings of Aussie hip – hop have promised to have a new album out during May sometime. If it’s anywhere near as good as there last effort, 2006’s The Hard Road, then fans will have nothing to complain about. The only cause for concern is whether their split from long time record label, Obese Records will have an impact on their recording.
2. Urthboy.
If Hilltop are the Kings, then this ranga from is definitely the Crown Prince. The Sydney MC is better known for his work with The Herd, but his two separate solo albums are nothing to be sneezed at. Full of bouncy, up-tempo tracks, Distant Sense of a Random Menace and The Signal should receive more airtime than they do. If his new single, Hell Song, is anything to go buy, Urthboy’s next effort should be more of the same.
3. Birds of Tokyo.
Unlike their West Australian counterparts, Eskimo Joe or Gyroscope, Birds of Tokyo actually produce some decent, original rock music. "Wild Eyed Boy" and "Broken Bones" are killer songs, both having made Triple J's Hottest 100.
As long as they don't fall into the second album syndrome trap like many bands do, Birds of Tokyo could prove to be the next big thing in Aussie rock.
4. The Herd.
It might be a little hopeful since they only released their last album about a year ago, but "Summerland" was so disappointing that I really need a new album from this group to restore my faith.
Jane Tyrell has a great voice, but she doesn't need a major role in every song on a HIP-HOP album.
The Herd should take note of what Muph & PLutonic didon their last release, "And Then Tomorrow Came".
5. Wolfmother.
Their first album took the world by storm. Their Led Zeppelin inspired rock helped them crack the lucrative American market, and they even won a Grammy.
With only Andrew Stockdale remaining from the original group there is are a lot of people wondering whether they can successfully follow up their first album.
Even if they don't, "Cosmic Egg", the title for their upcoming release is a beauty.
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