Tuesday 30 April 2013

Kelly Osbourne special guest at The Star - Celebrity magazine Cleo contributor whips up a storm at The Star, The Darling and Cherry Bar


Kelly Osbourne special guest at The Star - Celebrity magazine Cleo contributor whips up a storm at The Star, The Darling and Cherry Bar...

It's been a big couple of days and nights at The Star... formally known as Star City Casino. Every man, woman and their Cherry - pardon the pun and been banging on about it - Kelly Osbourne is in town. An oh, security is on their toes, if they were not before. Read on...

Media...

Kelly Osbourne, E! Fashion Police host and style icon, is coming to Australia to attend an exclusive VIP re-launch of CLEO magazine on April 30 in Sydney. The 28 year-old was recently announced as the hot new back page columnist for the iconic magazine. CLEO Editor, Sharri Markson, says Kelly is the right mix of fun, feisty, and fashion - everything CLEO embodies.

CLEO has undergone its biggest overhaul in its 40-year history. Under Markson’s leadership, CLEO has a greater focus on fashion, lifestyle, and ground-breaking investigative journalism, tackling issues that matter to young Australian women.

WHO: Kelly Osbourne, CLEO editor Sharri Markson plus a host of Australian celebrities including Zac & Jordan Stenmark (Models), Darren McMullen (The Voice), Stephanie Rice(Celebrity Apprentice/Olympian), Prinnie Stevens (Celebrity Apprentice/The Voice), Johnny Ruffo (Home & Away), The Collective, Justice Crew, Nikki Phillips (Model), Alex Perry (Designer), Luke & Scott (My Kitchen Rules), Sally Obermeder, Charlotte Dawson (Aust Next Top Model), Carissa Walford (Channel V), Didier Cohen (Model), Timomatic (X-factor), Laura Dundovic (Miss Universe), Mahalia Barnes(The Voice), Keiynan Lonsdale & Kate Peck (MTV).

News...

Kelly Osbourne's Twitter rant after Star City security staff asked to see identification...

Staying at The Star’s The Darling hotel, the American reality television star took to Twitter late last night to complain to her three million followers after being quizzed regarding her identification on entering the gaming room floor.

Today, she wrote: “Thank you #StarCasino for being so accommodating & dealing with last nights drama so graciously!”

The tweet was in contrast to Osbourne’s online spray at 10.15pm last night.

"In disbelief at how rude the security guard 'Sam' at the Star casino AU was to me & my friends for NO reason he is a first class twat!," she wrote, adding later: “All I did was show him my ID to get into the casino he called me a liar & treated me like i was a criminal!"

Osbourne is in Sydney on a paid visit to promote a column she writes for a local magazine.

She flew in from LA on Saturday with fiance Matthew Mosshart.

The Darling quickly became Sydney's hottest celebrity venue since opening in October, 2011, and has hosted some of the world's biggest stars without too much trouble.

Leonardo DiCaprio has stayed there, as has Justin Bieber, George Clooney, Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift. Dozens of other big names are rumoured to have also had digs there, but not all talk about it openly. A few of 'The Voices' judges have also been spotted in and around The Star and its bars and hotel rooms.

At 10.15pm last night, KO: "In disbelief at how rude the security guard 'Sam' at the Star casino AU was to me & my friends for NO reason he is a first class twat!"

Osbourne is in Sydney on a paid visit to promote local magazine, Cleo.

She flew in from LA on Saturday with fiancé Matthew Mosshart.

Osbourne has 3 million Twitter followers.

"All I did was show him my ID to get into the casino he called me a liar & treated me like i was a criminal!" another tweet stated.

The Star is being sought for clarification, but don't hold your breath. Celeb, music and casino news outlets such as The Tele, Casino News Media, Casino Life and Woman's Day are following up the story with considerable passion.

As they say (slogan - tag line) at The Star 'There will be rumours... The Star and their parent co. Echo Entertainment were not kidding!



























Websites

The Star

Cherry Bar

The Darling

CLEO Magazine

Casino News Media

Eva Rinaldi Photography

WENDY MATTHEWS SET TO MAKE A FIERY RETURN WITH NEW RECORDING DEAL.


2013 looks set to be a very exciting year. It marks the beginning of a new era for Wendy Matthews the singer/songwriter with a new recording deal with Fanfare Records and her new album The Welcome Fire, (her first album of all original material in 12 years) which is due for an August 2013 release. This time Wendy has written or co-written every track on the album, a first for the talented artist. Other writers on the project include Josh Pyke, Megan Washington, Mark Sholtez, Rod McCormick, John Castle, Kim Richey, Anthony Egizii and David Musumeci.
The Welcome Fire is produced by Wendy Matthews and John Castle of Megan Washington, The Cat Empire, The Drones and Dan Parsons fame.
There are very few artists in Australia that can come close to Wendy Matthews and her stunning credentials; seven Arias, a massive 19 singles, seven top selling albums and most of all the love of her fans. Her career-defining album Lily sold over 500,000 albums and over 300,000 singles of her now signature song Day You Went Away when released in the mid 90’s.

On this exciting development, Dave Wilkins of Utopian Management said, “I was excited when Robert Rigby took a shine to The Welcome Fire. As a manager you look for partnerships and synergies. What better way to go than back to one of the true great partnerships in Australian record releases, when Wendy Matthews & Robert Rigby worked on Lily together.”

Wendy says of the signing, “I've had the luxury of taking a couple of years to write with some fantastic and diverse people for the first original album for me in 12 years, so I'm thrilled to have found a home with the Fanfare label. The last record was on my own little label and I learned much, but this feels like a true partnership and an exciting and new way of doing things.”

As an artist Wendy has an expressive voice that never fails to move those who hear it. Her music is an unhurried journey of clean melodies, infectious energy and simple grace.  In an age when grunge is thought to be hip and cynicism an attribute, Wendy has proven that commitment to beauty is still not only valid but applauded by the public ear. 
This is exemplified by the reality that Wendy’s music is now in more than 1 million homes in Australia – all her albums to date have multi-platinum status.
Wendy has an immense talent and capacity to capture and define a diverse range of styles in her music.  She takes songs from every genre and makes them her own, from jazz to blues, from rock to gospel, from soul to outright infectious pop and then, of course, there are the beautiful ballads.
Wendy is adept at reaching both frenetic youth and mature audiences alike.  If older ears are captured by her soul and unfazed class, a more cynical youth is convinced by her disarming ease of delivery, wooed by a voice of stunning emotive capacity yet void of sentimentality.

Born in Montreal Canada, Wendy joined her first band and left home as a teenager, busking her way across the USA to Los Angeles where she met Glenn Shorrock who invited her to tour with him in Australia in 1982. 
Wendy immediately became an in-demand session singer, appearing on many commercial jingles and backing vocals for the likes of The Models Out of Mind Out of Sight and became a semi-permanent member of the band.  She also sang on albums by Jimmy Barnes, Tim Finn, Richard Clapton and Icehouse.
In 1987, Wendy collaborated with Kate Ceberano on the ABC-TV soundtrack for the series StringerYou’ve Always Got the Blues was released the next year reaching the Top 5 national charts.  She then contributed to the Rockmelons and Peter Blakeley’s respective albums.  She helped form Absent Friends and sang on the number one hit Don’t Wanna Be With Nobody But You and the album Here’s Looking Up Your Address.
After touring with Absent Friends, Wendy went into the studio to record her solo debut.  The album Émigré (Double Platinum) spawned the hits Token Angels, Lets Kiss and Woman’s Gotta Have It and earned Wendy the Best Female Artist and Best Debut Single (for Token Angels) at the 1990 ARIA Awards.  Wendy was also voted Best Female Singer in the 1990 Rolling Stone Reader’s Poll.
This was followed up by the Triple Platinum album Lily with the mega hit Day You Went Away plus If Only I Could and Friday’s Child. 
In 1992 Wendy picked up the ARIA for Best Female Artist and Best Single and again in 1993 Best Female Artist.  The Day You Went Away was the ‘highest selling single’ of 1993 and the ‘single of the year’.
Wendy then followed up with another two studio albums The Witness Tree and Ghosts including the hits Love Will Keep Me Alive, Standing StrongThen I Walked Away.  In 1999 to cap off an already outstanding career, Wendy released her first Best Of….Stepping Stones which not only included her former hits but also Nobody But You the massive hit from Absent Friends.
Not resting on her laurels, in 2001 Wendy released Beautiful View featuring the hauntingly beautiful title track and club favourite Like the Sun.
2004 saw the release of the mixed-up, chilled-out Café Naturale an eclectic suite of songs which immediately evoke a sense of familiarity. The Tropfest winning film Lamb by Emma Freeman features  the highly acclaimed video clip to the popular All I Need.

To support The Welcome Fire Wendy will embark on an extensive promotion tour followed by a national concert tour 2013/2014.

Monday 29 April 2013

ORIANTHI ROCKED VEGAS AND WAS HONORED BY THE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO

Photo courtesy of Robert M. Knight

Hollywood, CA - On Thursday, April 25th, just prior to her show in the hotel's rock venue Vinyl, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas unveiled a displaying honoring the work of platinum selling solo artist and Australian guitarist Orianthi. Several hours later, Orianthi along with Glen Sobel (drummer for Alice Cooper) and Vivi Rama (bassist for Macy Gray, Jordin Sparks) performed to a packed house at Vinyl.

Prior to her show a crowd filled with fans, Hard Rock Hotel executives and media gathered for the unveiling ceremony of a glass display case, designed by Warwick Stone, honoring the young guitarist's work. Paul Davis, VP of Entertainment for the Hard Rock Hotel kicked off the ceremony by discussing Orianthi's accomplishments as a guitarist and solo artist. Max McAndrew, Booking and Operations Manager of Vinyl, followed with a brief interview with Orianthi about working with Michael Jackson, touring with Alice Cooper and her latest album Heaven In This Hell, produced by Dave Stewart (of the Eurythmics).


A beaming Orianthi commented this was "a very surreal moment" before she and Paul together pulled the black cover to unveil the display which includes her signature Scarlet Red PRS model guitar, the April 2013 Guitar World issue with Orianthi on the cover, the Jimi Hendrix tee she wore for the cover shoot, along with a video (on continuous loop) of her performing. For an indefinite period, the display will live in a high-traffic area of the main casino near the entrance to The Joint and Club Vinyl.
Following LA-based rockers Future Villains, Orianthi took the stage for a 80-minute show. Fans were treated to a set list that included tracks off her latest album Heaven In This Hell, as well as a few of her previous hits.


Set List:
"Heaven In This Hell"
"Frozen"
"Filthy Blues"
"You Don't Wanna Know"
"How Do You Sleep"

"Fire"
"What's It Gonna Be"
"Think Like a Man
"According To You"
"If You Think You Know Me"
"Sex E Bizarre"
"Voodoo Chile"
Orianthi: www.OrianthiMusic.com
Follow Orianthi on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Orianthi?ref=ts&fref=ts
Twitter:@Orianthi


Orianthi at the Memorabilia Case Unveiling Credit: © Scott Harrison RETNA/ www.harrisonphotos.com








KillRockStar Big Dog Entertainment, FasterLouder, inthemix & Street Press Australia present: HAPPY MONDAYS Announce Rescheduled Australian Dates and New Special Guest DJs 808 State Bez | Gary Whelan | Mark Day | Paul Ryder | Rowetta | Shaun Ryder For the first time in Australia- the definitive original line-up!



Due to unforeseen circumstances Manchester's Happy Mondays have no choice but to announce that their May Australian tour will now be rescheduled to June, 2013. The Mondays are upset and apologise for not being able to make these original shows but are pleased to announce that along with the new dates they will now have seminal Madchester outfit 808 State joining the bill for a special DJ set at each of the rescheduled Australian shows. All tickets previously purchased are valid for this newly announced set of dates.

The Mondays, with guests 808 State will now play Metropolis in Fremantle on the 5th of June. The Palace in Melbourne on the 6th will be the next stop with guests 808 State and a special set from seminal Melbourne outfit Underground Lovers. Brisbane gets its own taste of Madchester on Friday the 7th of June and Sydney gets to celebrate the Queen’s Birthday holiday large with the Happy Mondays and guests 808 State on Monday June 10th.

Replacing Peter Hook who is unable to make the rescheduled dates, 808 State will bring the authentic spirit of Madchester to proceedings guaranteeing audiences will be well up for it ahead of the Monday's first ever Australian shows with their original line-up. Formed in Manchester in 1988 by Graham Massey, Martin Price and Gerald Simpson, 808 State's first album – Newbuild - is now regarded as a milestone in UK electronica. As the NME observed “808 State revolutionised a whole genre of music in the late-80s, inspiring Underworld, Orbital and the Chemical Brothers in the process."

Happy Mondays were one of the most influential UK bands of the later 20th century. Fusing the euphoric elements of acid house and rave with joyous indie guitar pop, the Mondays. instigated a cosmic psychedelic shift that is still being felt in music today. Tracks like Step On, 24 Hour Party People, Wrote For Luck, Loose Fit and Kinky Afro showcased the band's unique ability to unify the divide between dance music and rock 'n' roll.

KillRockStar Big Dog Entertainment,
FasterLouder, inthemix & Street Press Australia present:
HAPPY MONDAYS
Rescheduled Dates!!

Bez | Gary Whelan | Mark Day | Paul Ryder | Rowetta | Shaun Ryder

For the first time in Australia- the definitive Original line-up!

Wed 5 June Metropolis. Fremantle
with special guest DJ set by 808 State
Thu 6 June Palace. Melbourne
with special guest DJ set by 808 State and Underground Lovers
Fri 7 June Tivoli. Brisbane
with special guest DJ set by 808 State
Mon 10 June Roundhouse. Sydney
with special guest DJ set by 808 State



Thursday 25 April 2013

Gemma Turvey & The New Palm Court Orchestra SYDNEY PREMIERE CONCERT – APRIL 2013



Melbourne pianist/composer Gemma Turvey leads her exciting chamber ensemble The New Palm Court Orchestra on tour to Sydney and Canberra at the end of April, giving premiere performances at the Sydney Opera House’s famous Utzon Room and The Great Hall at University House in Canberra.

Fresh from launching their stunning new album Landscapes for a Mind’s Eye, these concerts will feature music from their new CD, as composed by the NPCO’s Artistic Director, pianist/composer Gemma Turvey.

Gemma established The New Palm Court Orchestra in 2011 as a natural extension of her jazz piano trio; providing a broader canvas for her evocative compositions.

The NPCO is a core of nine players, lead by Gemma on piano who brings together musicians from classical, jazz and world disciplines for this ensemble. Their album Landscapes for a Mind’s Eye also features accomplished soloists Craig Beard on vibraphone, singers from Ensemble Gombert and a rare performance of Uilleann pipes. Many of the musicians also play regularly with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Melbourne Chamber Orchestra.

Landscapes for a Mind's Eye is Gemma’s third commercial release, and first featuring the NPCO. The album is as the name suggests - a collection of beautifully crafted musical landscapes designed to transport and inspire the listener. They launched the album with a stand out concert at the Melbourne Recital Centre Salon during the 2012 Melbourne Fringe Festival. Along with the Sydney and Canberra performances, the NPCO also have a string of Queensland dates set for later in the year.

“We’re all really looking forward to taking the music on the road this year,” says Gemma. “I’m especially excited to be bringing the NPCO to Sydney and Canberra for the first time.”

Palm Court Orchestras were popular in the 1920's and 30's for playing light instrumental music in an intimate setting. The NPCO injects this seductive format with a new and fresh vitality, delivering a stunning, rich palette of beautifully evocative original music.

Proudly sponsored by Ben Aulich & Associates, Aulich Civil Law and Stones of the Yarra Valley. Supported by Latitude Travel.

Landscapes for a Mind’s Eye is on sale now at www.gemmaturvey.com, iTunes and ABC Shops.

Performance Summary

7:30pm Friday 26th April SYDNEY
Sydney Opera House - Utzon Room
Tickets $45/$35
Phone 02 9250 7777

7:30pm Saturday 27th April CANBERRA
The Great Hall, University House
1 Balmain Crescent, Acton, Canberra
Tickets $45/$35

Wednesday 24 April 2013

BABY ANIMALS RETURN TO THE SPOTLIGHT IN 2013 WITH A NEW ALBUM & EAST COAST TOUR




You heard right, the Baby Animals are back with their third studio album, the first in twenty years. This Is Not The End will be released on Friday 31st May via Social Family Records.  To celebrate the release of the album the band have announced today that they will tour the East Coast of Australia this June, with tickets going on sale from Monday 29th April.

It’s been two decades since their last full-length studio album and the Baby Animals strike a familiar pose with their enigmatic singer Suze DeMarchi and her talismanic guitarist Dave Leslie returning for action. They’re joined by rhythm section comprising of two familiar faces in Dario Bortolin on bass and Mick Skelton on drums.

This is Not the End is a genuine rock album with a return to classic Baby Animals form that their fans will love.  The Perth-born singer and guitarist Dave Leslie have either penned or co-written all songs on this album, some of which draw on the break-up of Suze’s marriage with guitar hero Nuno Bettencourt. The album was produced by ARIA award-winning producer David Nicholas (INXS, Ash), and Nick DiDia (Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots) also lent his considerable skill on the record’s first single Email.

“I’m really, really proud of this album. I love every track and I can’t wait to perform these songs on tour. I love playing live; gigs really are the pay off. We want to go wherever this record takes us,” enthuses Suze.

This Is Not The End is the start of a new beginning for the band.  They are thrilled to be releasing new material in this day and age, where the music industry has changed so dramatically since their last release. 

“We feel more driven than we were when we were younger,” says Suze. “We decided to buck the system with this record and put it out independently. The music business is so stale right now, we wanted to do it differently. We’ve been able to really reconnect with our fans on social media.”

The path tread by Baby Animals has had some incredible high points. There were the many memorable hits which have included Early Warning, Rush You, Painless and One Word. The band’s eponymous album spent six weeks at No. 1 in Australia, converting platinum sales and selling over one million albums worldwide. There were ARIA Awards, international touring and friendships with Van Halen, Robert Plant, Paul Rodgers, and Bryan Adams. Suze has enjoyed the induction into the Western Australian Music Industry Association’s (WAMI) Hall of Fame.  More than two decades have passed since the Baby Animals exploded onto the scene and today the band are standing taller, feeling more empowered and sounding even stronger than ever before.

AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES – ON SALE FROM MONDAY 29th APRIL 2013
              Friday 14th June           Sydney: Factory Theatre
Saturday 22nd June         Melbourne: Hi Fi
Saturday 29th June         Brisbane: Hi Fi

Baby Animals, This Is Not The End available Friday 31st at http://thebabyanimals.com

RISING MEZZO-SOPRANO FIONA CAMPBELL PLAYING THIS WEEK - CHATSWOOD, CITY AND PENRITH



REMEMBER ME
Rising star Australian mezzo-soprano Fiona Campbell along-with other leading singers are heading to Chatswood, Penrith and Angel Place in late April
 Fri. 26th April, 7pm, Concert Hall, The Concourse, Chatswood
Sat. 27th April, 2pm, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith
Sun. 28th April, 5pm, City Recital Hall Angel Place

Rising star Australian mezzo-soprano Fiona Campbell will perform her first complete Dido alongside some of  Australia’s best young and experienced singers, Anna Fraser, Penelope Mills, Richard Butler, Tobias Cole,  Alexander Knight with Sydney Philharmonia’s Chamber Singers and period instrumental ensemble, conducted by Brett Weymark.
Australian born mezzo soprano Fiona Campbell is an accomplished international performer, recitalist and recording artist.  Vocal winner of the ABC Young Performer of the Year Award and the Opera Awards, in the prestigious Australian Singing Competition, Fiona has consistently received wide critical acclaim for her powerful performances and exquisite musicianship.
"We have so many truly great singers in Australia but when we were discussing Dido for our 2014 season only one artist came to mind, fiona campbell" said music director Brett Weymark. " I cannot wait to start rehearsing this tragic work With her. A great queen undone by love. Fiona will not only bring a total commitment to the role but a fresh insight as it will be the first time she has performed the role in context - her first complete Dido in fact. I am thrilled to be sharing this experience with her."
Sydney Philharmonia will perform its first-ever concert at the Concourse in Chatswood  in addition to a performance at City Recital Hall Angel Place and we will continue its  inaugural Western Sydney season with a performance at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in Penrith.
The program includes Henry Purcell's sole opera Dido and Aeneas which is considered as the greatest operatic achievement of 17th century England and the first great English opera.  Music inspired  by  flowers will also be performed including Britten’s  Five  Flower  Songs, Ross Edwards’  lively  Flower  Songs  and  Paul Mealor’s Now Sleeps  the Crimson Petal.   Mealor’s music was heard by an  international audience at  the Royal Wedding of Prince William.
 Tickets $45 - $90 (plus applicable booking fees) 02 9251 3115 or www.sydneyphilharmonia.com.au

Coachella’s Hottest Bands Play the Soho House After-Party



DJ sets from Alt-J, Grimes, Foals,  Twin Shadow


CALIFORNIA, April 2013: Following their successful hit on the soundtrack for Oscar-winning Silver Linings Playbook, British indie rock band Alt-J continue to set alight the music world with an electrifying DJ set, at BACARDÍ’s Coachella after party.

The 2012 British Mercury Prize winners DJ’d at the exclusive after party, which was attended by some of the industry’s hottest names including: Foals, Grimes, Twin Shadow, DJ Whitney Fierce, Jamie Jones, La Roux. 

Set within the striking backdrop of the Californian desert, guests including Foals were brought to the party in style. BACARDÍ over the past 150 years has been bringing the good and the great to its parties, and this party was no exception. VIP guests arrived in retro 1950s classic Cadillac cars, ensuring they made a true Hollywood entrance.

This exclusive web video features interviews with Alt-J and Foals, talking about the music industry as well as their performance at the festival.

Coachella is a three day music and arts festival held in the city of Indio, California, featuring various musical genres including rock, indie and hip hop. Established and up-and-coming artists travel from far and wide to perform at Coachella; in the past luminaries such as Paul McCartney, Madonna, Oasis and Prince have graced its stages.





Tuesday 23 April 2013

'Star Trek: Into Darkness' Sydney, Australia movie premiere


'Star Trek: Into Darkness' Sydney, Australia movie premiere - 23rd April 2013...

'Star Trek: Into Darkness' enjoyed it's Sydney, Australia movie premiere at George St Event Cinemas tonight.

Hundreds of Australian fans and dozens of news media braved the cold weather to attend the premiere.

Well done to everyone involved in the success of tonight's red carpet movie premiere.

Promo...

After the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction.

Storyline...
When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

Director: J.J. Abrams
Writers: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana
























































Websites

Star Trek: Into Darkness official website

Paramount Pictures Australia

Paramount Pictures

Music News Australia

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr