Praying For Time

Carrie Underwood, Season Four American Idol winner, performed a stunning rendition of the George Michael 1990 classic "Praying For Time" on the 2008 Idol Gives Back special. A thought provoking song about political and social injustice, it remains one his most critically acclaimed songs, and my personal favourite. It became George's 9th US number one. Interestingly, George refused to star in the video. Instead, a video was made featuring just the lyrics to the song. Maybe this was his way of making sure people didn't get distracted from the song's message.

Carrie's live version reached #27 on the US charts. Her debut album Some Hearts (2005) was certified 7x platinum and is the fastest selling debut country album in Nielsen SoundScan history. It also became the best-selling solo female country debut in RIAA history, as well as the top selling album of any American Idol contestant in the United States (the second being, of course, Kelly Clarkson's 2004 album Breakaway).

Are you f*cking kidding me?

When the delightfully crazy Kate Miller-Heidke performed this track at the gig I attended a few weeks back, she told the audience she had written it that very morning. As the song began, the audience was tricked into thinking it was just another ballad about heartbreak....how we were fooled! From the moment she mentioned the "F" word (and I'm not referring to the obscenity within the title), the entire room was in hysterics. So what was the subject of such hilarity? Listen below.

"Are You Fucking Kidding Me?" has become so popular amongst her fans, they've quickly added it to iTunes. But you heard it FIRST on this week's Boombox.



They say everyone should have their heart broken ad least once
And that is how you grow emotionally
Well I have been misused by many, many, many men
But nothing can compare to how you treated me
At times it really felt as though the pain was here to stay
And though it’s many years ago I feel it to this day
And now you want to be my friend on Facebook
Are you fucking kidding me?

All the memories are flooding back to me now
All the ways you stole the light from my eyes
I travelled so far just to get away from you
Till this morning’s friend request surprise
And at times it really felt as though I’d never smile again
You narcissistic asshole, oh you nasty, nasty man
And now you want to be my friend on Facebook
Are you fucking kidding?

I don’t want to know what kind of cocktail you are
Or which member of the Beatles, or which 1950s moviestar
I don’t give it a toss if you’re a ninja or a pirate,
I suspect you’d be a pirate but I don’t want to verify it
And I don’t give a shit what your stripper name is
Or if your kitty had a litter
Look just fellow me on Twitter
I don’t care about your family tree
And I certainly don’t want you poking me
...again

And now you want to be my friend on Facebook
Oh you fucking fucking fuck

Click
Ignore…

26.05.09 Playlist

1. Mariah Carey ft. T-Pain - Migrate
E=MC2, 2008
2. Kate Miller-Heidke - Are You Fucking Kidding Me?
Caught In The Crowd (iTunes single), 2009
3. David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland - When Love Takes Over
One Love, 2009
4. The Ting Tings - Great DJ
We Started Nothing, 2008
5. Jesse McCartney ft. Ludacris - How Do You Sleep?
Departure: Recharged, 2009
6. Dana International - Diva
Diva - The Hits, 1998
7. Amy Winehouse - You Know I'm No Good (Skeewiff Mix)
Back To Black, 2006
8. Pink - Just Like A Pill
Missundaztood, 2001
9. Leona Lewis ft. Trazz - Bleeding Love (Remix)
Spirit, 2008
10. Stevie Nicks - Rooms On Fire
The Other Side of the Mirror, 1989
11. OneRepublic - Say (All I Need)
Dreaming Out Loud, 2008
12. Carrie Underwood - Praying For Time (Live)
Idol Gives Back, 2008
13. Michael Jackson - You Are Not Alone (Tony Moran Remix)
HIStory, 1995
14. Frankmusik - 3 Little Words
3 Little Words (single), 2008
15. Green Day - 21 Guns
21st Century Breakdown, 2009
16. Pet Shop Boys - Love Etc. (Gui Boratto Remix)
Yes, 2009
17. The Presets - This Boy's In Love
Apocalypso, 2008
18. Madonna - American Life (Felix Da Housecat Mix)
American Life, 2003
19. Emma Bunton - Life In Mono
Life In Mono, 2006
20. We Are Smug - Shit On The Radio
We Are Smug, 2009
21. Christophe Willem ft. Kylie Minogue - Sensitized
Caféine, 2009
22. Kylie Minogue - Slow/Free (Live)
KylieX2008, 2008
23. Natalie Bassingthwaighte - Turn The Lights On
1000 Stars, 2009
24. Silverchair - Straight Lines (The Presets Remix)
Young Modern, 2007

Lhuna

You'd think a duet between two of the world's most celebrated artists would get a whole lot more attention, but the Coldplay/Kylie duet "Lhuna" went almost unnoticed when released as a charity download for the 2008 World Aids Day in December last year.

The track was originally recorded for Coldplay's fourth studio album Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008), but was rejected from the final track list for being "too sexy". It also failed to appear on the follow-up Prospekt's March EP. "Lhuna" can be described as a close to five minute, atmospheric and dark epic about loneliness, probably too experimental and arty for mainstream success. Kylie hasn't gone this left of centre since her late 90s "Indie Kylie" days. Her fans are divided on the track, as are Johno and myself. Johno finds the track a bit of a bore, I think it's absolutely gorgeous.

"Lhuna" can be considered a rarity. It hasn't been released on CD in any form, nor is it available on iTunes or other major online retailers. It was only downloadable through the (RED)WIRE website, though I don't think it's available anymore. Hopefully when either artist releases a rarities compilation, it will appear.

Baby Love

Johno at today's Boombox listening session. Isn't he looking puuuurty <3

There Must Be An Angel...and her name is Annie.

No, not the Norwegian poppet. I am talking about the legendary Eurythmics vocalist, solo superstar and dedicated humanitarian Annie Lennox.

Earlier this year, the Scottish lass released her first "best of" collection titled The Annie Lennox Collection, showcasing material from her solo albums Diva (1992), Medusa (1995), Bare (2003) and Songs Of Mass Destruction (2007). She also recorded two covers for the compilation: "Shining Light" (an Ash original), and "Pattern Of My Life" (a Keane original). A special limited edition version comes with a bonus CD of rarities (including her Oscar-award winning song "Into The West") and a bonus DVD of all her masterpiece music videos.

To promote the collection in Australia, Annie performed at this years Logie Awards with a show-stopping performance of the 1985 Eurythmic's classic "There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)". A tiny segment of her 1992 solo hit "Little Bird" is tagged onto the end. Stripped down to just a piano and those soaring vocals, watch Annie effortlessly captivate the room to a standing ovation. We played the performance on last week's show. Now if only she's come down for a proper tour :(

Now watch the passion, joy and gift of this amazing woman:

Recommendations

Passion Pit - The Reeling
A cool 80s synth, heavy drum-based track from this American electronic band. Passion Pit are fairly new to the scene, forming in 2007 and releasing their first EP Chunk Of Change in September 2008. Their first LP Manners was released just this weekend and has already received rave reviews. Clash magazine wrote "At its most adventurous, Manners sounds like little else – a pop record that exists in a world of its own, carving a sub-genre niche which only fits their expansive, tonally decadent material", while Rolling Stone magazine noted, "what makes the record are his loose beats, shamelessly fruity melodies and breathless little-boy vocals, all pushing skyward."
MySpace



Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Hysteric
I remember hearing "Zero" on JOY for the very first time, and the next minute finding myself in JB Hifi purchasing the It's Blitz album. The power of one brilliant song! This album has been on constant rotation for me over the past couple of months and is already one of my top favourites for 2009. It's an alternative art-rock record with subtle electronic influences, and features the beautiful vocal work of Karen O (listen to album track "Hysteric" and you'll understand what I mean). The album provides a change in sound for the band, who aren't exactly new to the scene, having released another two LPs and three EPs since 2003. Their former material is much more raw, heavier and guitar-based in comparison. Reading comments on their Last FM page, this change has been met with some uncertainty from some long-term fans, but mostly embraced with enthusiasm. The album has peaked top ten in Australia and the UK, and reached #22 in the US. I can't recommend a 2009 album more than this one.
MySpace



Howling Bells - Cities Burning Down
Quite similar in style to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and another recent band in which I purchased the album after just one listen. These female vocal-lead indie bands are exciting me a lot of late. There's something so authentic and real about the material they produce. "Cities Burning Down" isn't the track we played last night, but it is the first single from the new record Radio Wars. We played the upbeat album opener "Treasure Hunt" (which has been added to JOY daytime playlists). These guys are a homegrown Sydney band who formed in 2004. They moved to the UK to record their debut album in 2006. Both records have received much critical acclaim. They have toured extensively, supporting The Killers, Placebo, Snow Patrol and will open for Coldplay on the 2009 North American leg of their current world tour.
MySpace



We Are Smug
Now this is something very unexpected! Former Savage Garden front man turned out of the closet and proud gay, independent artist Darren Hayes has released a new album with long-time collaborator Robert Conley under the pseudonym We Are Smug. The album is a heavily electronic experiment bursting with an uncontrollable sense of excitement and energy. Check out the fab "Shit On The Radio" (a Stephen Hahn - JOY's general manager - favourite). But guess what? It's FREE! You can download the 10-track album here. This is Darren's first release since the 2007 double disc LP This Delicate Thing We've Made, his first album through his own self-funded record label. He is working on material for his fourth solo album, due in 2010.
MySpace

19.05.09 Playlist

1. Peaches - Show Stopper
I Feel Cream, 2009
2. Junior Boys - Hazel
Begone Dull Care, 2009
3. ATB ft. Jan Löchel - What About Us
Future Memories, 2009
4. Lily Allen - Fuck You
It's Not Me, It's You, 2009
5. Pet Shop Boys - Love Etc (Pet Shop Boys Mix)
Yes, 2009
6. Passion Pit - The Reeling
Manners, 2009
7. Alexander Rybak - Fairytale
Fairytales, 2009
8. Bertie Blackman - Heart
Secrets And Lies, 2009
9. Coldplay ft. Kylie Minogue - Lhuna
World Aids Day, 2008
10. Sash! ft. Tina Cousins - Mysterious Times
Life Goes On, 1998
11. Britney Spears - Mannequin
Circus, 2008
12. The Bird And The Bee - My Love
Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future, 2009
13. Joshna - Don't Forget My Love
Magnificence, 2007
14. Annie Lennox - There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart) (Live Acoustic)
The Logie Awards, 2009
15. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Hysteric
It's Blitz, 2009
16. Kelly Clarkson - My Life Would Suck Without You (Chris Ortego Radio Mix)
All I Ever Wanted, 2009
17. Patrick Swayze - She's Like The Wind
Dirty Dancing OST, 1987
19. Howling Bells - Treasure Hunt
Radio Wars, 2009
20. Röyksopp ft. Lykke Li - Miss It So Much
Junior, 2009
21. We Are Smug - Never Be The Same
We Are Smug, 2009
22. Lady Gaga - Just Dance (HCCR'S Bambossa Remix)
The Fame, 2008
23. Dannii Minogue - Love Fight
The Hits & Beyond, 2006
24. Natalie Bassingthwaighte - Supersensual
1000 Stars, 2009

Kylie: the musician vs. the popstar

When it comes to collaborating with fellow artists, Kylie sure knows how to pick them: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Robbie Williams, Ben Lee, Towa Tei, Manic Street Preachers, Just Jack, Jimmy Little, Coldplay, Gerling, Pet Shop Boys, Scissor Sisters...and even most recently, The Wiggles (shamelessly catering towards her next generation of fans!). Reading through that list, it's an impressive and fruitful mixture of artists.

Her duet/guest vocal material is always a bit left of centre ("Especially For You" aside!), exploring various alternative styles of music compared to the general dance-pop of her solo output. And that's why I love them so much. When Kylie steers away from the rule book, she truly has the potential to come up with some very incredible stuff - just look at the experimental, indie-rock/alternative dance of Impossible Princess (1998), her most underrated, personal and musically exciting record to date. Although since 2000, Kylie has adopted a more mainstream sound compared to her experimental years of the the mid-to-late 90s, she continues to broaden the definition of Kylie pop. Body Language (2003) sported a more dark and minimalist electro-sound (see "Slow", "Someday", "Sweet Music"), while X included glam rock ("2 Hearts") and urban ("All I See", "Nu-di-Ty") influences.

Of course, with all experimentation, some people are going to love it and some are going to hate it. As long as Kylie continues to keep it interesting and fresh, I'm not going to complain. Songs like "Wow" are good old camp fun, don't get me wrong, but albums full of one-dimensional, bubblegum fluff is not what Kylie should be about.

Each week on Boombox, I'm going to try and preview the more experimental side of Kylie's catalogue. We've heard the hits a million times on mainstream and JOY radio, so it's my aim to shake things up and play some rare stuff that people may not have heard. This week I played her 2005 collaboration with Japanese dance producer Towa Tei titled "Sometime Samurai".



To be continued... xox

Top 20 most played songs on Oz radio

We took a look at the top 20 most played songs on Australian radio for the past 20 years, as provided by APRA (Australian Performing Rights Association). The figure next to the track indicates how many times the song has been played to date.

20. Kiss Me - Sixpence None The Richer - 199,109
19. When You Say Nothing At All - Ronan Keating - 199, 335
18. Amazing - Alex Lloyd - 199,630
17. I Say A Little Prayer - Aretha Franklin - 204,523
16. Semi-Charmed Life - Third Eye Blind - 205,319

15. If You Could Read My Mind - Stars On 54 - 210,096
14. High - Lighthouse Family - 217,087
13. Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) - Green Day - 221,392
12. Buses And Trains - Bachelor Girl - 222,864
11. Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell / Counting Crows - 229,184

10. You Get What You Give - New Radicals - 229,696
09. I Don't Want To Miss A Thing - Aerosmith - 229,860
08. Crush - Jennifer Paige - 230,687
07. Boys Of Summer - Don Henley - 233,261
06. Save Tonight - Eagle Eye Cherry - 234,068

05. Drops Of Jupiter - Train - 235,239
04. She's So High - Tal Bachman - 238,792
03. Iris - Goo Goo Dolls - 270,153
02. Smooth - Carlos Santana & Rob Thomas - 275,196
01. Torn - Natalie Imbruglia - 300,519



The beautiful Natalie Imbruglia takes top spot with the 1997 timeless classic "Torn". We played this acoustic version she did for MTV Unplugged. It featured as a b-side to her second single "Big Mistake".

Take Me Home

A few people have been asking me about the Delta track I played this week. "Take Me Home" was a b-side from the "In This Life" single, a wasted opportunity if there ever was one. As I said on air, a big mistake was made when this track was omitted from her third album Delta (2007) because it's one of the most best things she's ever recorded and far superior to many of the album tracks.

With its sensual production and lyrics burning with sexual desire, the "Innocent Eyes" girl is pretty much dead and buried. "It's late, come on, I'm tired...but I don't want to sleep". I wonder what she wants to do? I doubt it's to play a board game.

I got my Gaga on

It seems every man and his dog are loving them some Lady Gaga. "Just Dance" and "Poker Face" have been massive hits all over the planet, and her bizarre and sometimes plain naaaaasty outfits are always filling the latest Ninemsn headlines when I log onto MSN (either that or care-factor-zero trash on fucking Twilight actors and Miley Cyrus). Even my mum loves some "Poker Face", confessing this revelation on the drive home from work. I gave her a very unimpressed death stare to say the least.

Much to the disappointment of my friends, I have failed to embrace the Gaga phenomenon. I honestly find her music rather generic. Although I admit the chorus of "Poker Face" is something quite brilliant.



But wait. Late last week, I stumbled across this live acoustic rendition of "Poker Face" and was surprisingly amazed. I haven't stopped listening to it! I gave it a spin on last nights show and got some very positive feedback. There is no doubt that the girl is talented with a great voice on her. Maybe with some slightly more original and daring material, she could come up with something really brilliant. So I won't turn her down just yet, maybe album #2 will see me convert.

She is an interesting creature, I'll give her that. In a good or bad way, I'm not so sure.

Recommendations

New moosik keeping us on our tippy toes this week.



Ladyhawke - Back Of The Van
Johno and myself are HUGE fans of the wonder woman that is Ladyhawke. She released her debut self-titled album in September last year to small fanfare, but word of mouth eventually caught on and third single "My Delirium" became a sleeper hit, taking 12 weeks in the ARIA Top 50 before finally cracking the Top 10, peaked at #8. JOY has supported this Kiwi born and bred gal since the very beginning, long before commercial radio got their greasy mits on her. The album, which was recently re-released with bonus tracks, has now been accredited gold. "Back Of The Van", Hawke's very first solo single is also being re-released thanks to the success of "My Delirium", so while it's technically not new, the track has now been added to JOY's daytime playlists. It doesn't get much more 80s throw-back than this! And the video...just watch it for yourself and be amazed by its retro-tasticness. Australia is now her biggest selling market, I have little doubt she'll skip us a tour before the end of the year. Fingers crossed.



David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland - When Love Takes Over
We first previewed this track during our debut episode, even before JOY got their mits on it! No longer content with playing second (or third, fourth...) best to Queen diva Beyonce, Ms. Kelly ditches urban for dance with a camp, feel-good disco stomper that is sure to become a much-needed hit for the former child of destiny. Now working on her third solo album, despite no longer being signed to Columbia Records, it'll be interesting to see if the new material follows down a similar path. Popular French DJ David Guetta is responsible for the track which will feature on his fourth studio album "One Love", out August.



Empire Of The Sun - Standing On The Shore
The eccentric Aussie electro duo are back with the third single from their debut Platinum album Walking On A Dream (2008). "Standing On The Shore" continues where last single "We Are The People" left off: a pleasant and breezy, hypnotic tune. The music video has been shot at The Pinnacles, north of Perth, Australia. Keep an eye out for it.



Freemasons feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)
Classy English pop diva Sophie Ellis-Bextor hasn't had a hit in Australia since 2002. Her memorable debut "Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)", a collaboration with one hit wonder DJ Spiller, was a number one hit here and follow-ups "Murder On The Dancefloor" and "Get Over You" both reached the ARIA Top 5. She has however continued to have the odd hit throughout Europe, most notably 2004's "Mixed Up World" and 2007's "Catch You". Meanwhile, English dance duo Freemasons have scored a number of hits throughout Europe from their albums Shakedown (2006) and Unmixed (2007), most notably the remake of the Alanis Morissette classic "Uninvited". They also produced the fan favourite from Kylie's 2007 X album "The One". With their powers combined, they produce a glossy little dance number that should see both acts return to the heights of the UK charts, but will most likely get ignored here.



U2 - Magnificent
The second single from U2's latest album No Line On The Horizon, which has been free-falling down the ARIA Album Charts most likely due to the dismal flopping of lackluster first single "Get On Your Boots" (ARIA #26). "Magnificent" is really the only candidate on the album for potential hit single material (this album is lacking in notable hooks compared to their previous two records), and sees U2 sport a more traditional sound, spreading the theme of love. In it Bono sings "I was born to sing for you, I didn't have a choice but to lift you up, and sing whatever song you wanted me to". It's a good track, but nothing that's going to grab you and make you go "WOW!", so whether people care to notice it or not is the question. The Fred Falke remix (the version used in the above video) gives it an exciting dance makeover. To watch the offical video, click here.

12.05.09 Playlist

1. Madonna - Vogue
I'm Breathless, 1990
2. Empire Of The Sun - Standing On The Shore
Walking On A Dream, 2008
3. Freemasons ft. Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)
TBC, 2009
4. Kelly Clarkson - All I Ever Wanted
All I Ever Wanted, 2009
5. De Toppers - Shine
Eurovision Song Contest, 2009
6. Pink ft. Redman - Get The Party Started/Sweet Dreams
Get The Party Started (single), 2001
7. U2 - Magnificent (Fred Falke Remix)
No Line On The Horizon, 2009
8. Natalie Imbruglia - Torn (Acoustic, MTV Unplugged)
Left Of The Middle, 1997
9. BoA - Eat You Up
BoA, 2009
10. Nesian Mystik - It's On
Polysaturated, 2002
11. Bic Runga - Listening For The Weather
Beautiful Collision, 2002
12. Delta Goodrem - Take Me Home
In This Life (single), 2007
13. Noiseworks - No Lies
Noiseworks, 1987
14. Lady Gaga - Poker Face (Live Acoustic)
The Fame, 2008
15. Cinnamon ft. Alisha King - Viva La Vida
Almighty Anthems: Volume 2, 2008
16. Clay Aiken - Invisible
Measure Of A Man, 2003
17. Cut Copy - Saturday
Bright Like Neon Love, 2004
18. Towa Tei ft. Kylie Minogue - Sometime Samurai
Flash, 2005
19. Green Day - Lights Out
Know Your Enemy (single), 2009
20. Alcazar - Someday
Alcazarized, 2003
21. Ladyhawke - Back Of The Van
Ladyhawke, 2008
22. La Roux - In For The Kill
La Roux, 2009
23. Martin Solveig - One 2.3 Four
C'est La Vie, 2008
24. Dannii Minogue vs. Madonna - Don't Wanna Loose This Groove
Don't Wanna Loose This Feeling (single), 2003
25. Natalie Bassingthwaighte - Supersensual
1000 Stars, 2009

Tina gets her Leon on

Johno will hit my head with a brick if I don't post about this. The very strange and peculiar dance diva Tina Cousins, best known for her hits at the turn of the millenium "Pray" and "Forever", has covered one of the biggest hits of 2008 - Kings Of Leon's "Sex On Fire". She's taken a "cool and hip" rock track and turned it into one big mega gay, rip your tight fluro t-shirt off and swing it around on the dancefloor, monster campfest. Will it be just the hit poor Tina desperately needs? Or will she be stoned to death for touching it?

Let us know what you think. I can guarantee you the moment JOY gets their hands on this, Johno will be pimping it left right and centre (I will try my best to control his excitement, but he is a wild one).

Curious?

This week we opened the show with a superb number from Holly Valance's vastly underrated second album State Of Mind (2003), after hearing Holly had returned to the studio to make musical love with British electro producer Frankmusik (see a video of the two here).



Well upon my YouTube travels, I came across a "live" performance of "Curious" on Des and Mel. It's quite a fascinating piece of pop history. Watch a long-legged, smokin' Holly Valance lip-sync those luscious red lips, her hair blowing in the air (what would a pop tart do without a fan?), with what appears to be a poppy flower on the right side of her top (showing her ANZAC spirit?).

BUT WAIT, at 0.54 the most random dancer comes out of nowhere and starts sporting the most ridiculously hilarious dance moves ever. I was literally pissing myself. Even Holly herself looks like she has no fucking idea where this mad woman has come from, grabbing her mic and moving closer to the opposite side of the stage. But be careful Holly, another three come to join her! It's strangely awkward, and yet so enjoyable at the same time.

Gig Review: Kate Miller-Heidke

Who: Kate Miller-Heidke
Support: End Of Fashion
When: Thursday 30 April, 2009
Where: Prince Of Whales, St Kilda

Almost two months ago, a friend of mine lent me his copy of Curiouser, the latest album by Brisbane singer Kate Miller-Heidke. I had heard the name, but never the music. Based on one look at the CD cover, the ignorant voice inside my head thought "Oh great, another pretentious look at me getting dressed up in weird clothes while I sing lame-ass acoustic pish artist". After a few days of it sitting on my shelf collecting dust, I was listening to JOY and a song called "Caught In The Crowd" began playing. My jaw dropped to the floor. It's rare to hear a song so brutally honest, filled with so much regret, and for it to be so scarily relatable. The song is sung from the perspective of someone who watched a fellow pupil get bullied during high school, but did nothing about it. The protagonist was "caught in the crowd" - something most of us can relate to during those awkward teenage years. She sings "If i could go back and do it again, I'd be somebody you could call a friend, please, please, believe that I'm sorry."

When the presenter announced it as the new single from one Kate Miller-Heidke, I grabbed the disc in excitement. I had been so foolish to let this almost slip under my radar. Curiouser has been my #1 listen for the past month - it's the perfect blend of witty and quirky singer-songwritery alternative pop with urban, punk, dance and opera influences. True ear candy! Kate has a distinctive vocal style. Before turning to pop, she was a classically trained opera singer. She doesn't shy away from this, in fact, she uses it to her advantage, including bits and bobs of opera all over the place (keeping one Dav Vo, presenter of "The Fool & The Opera", a VERY happy man).

The gig. She sang nine tracks from the Curiouser album, four from her gold-selling, ARIA nominated debut Little Eve and a few rarities from EPs and non-recorded tracks. The highlight for me was a song she wrote that very morning about an ex who had recently sent her a friend request on Facebook. The song is a great satirical insight into the whole Facebook phenomenon, and had the audience in hysterics. Everyone has a Facebook, everyone could relate to unwanted and questionable friend requests. She finished the track proudly stating "Ignore" - that poor ex!

Another highlight was the song "Australian Idol" in which she tells of career advise given by family and friends to audition for Australian Idol cause "they're even letting fatties on there now". Oh yes she did! It makes a complete mockery of the realty show, how we secretly love to watch people's dreams being shattered, their egos crushed. She refers to the the two "dickheads" who talk between songs, and tells "Marcia, Dicko and whatever your name is..." to "...shove it up your aaaaaaaaaaaaass". Funnily, John Foreman - the popular music director of Australian Idol - was in the audience that very night. I doubt he was too impressed. Considering Kate is signed to SONY BMG, the label giant who signs all Idol winners and many finalists, the fact she performs this song displays her freedom as an artist to express what she wants, without the aim of pleasing executives. She finished the show with her biggest ARIA hit to date, "Can't Shake It", complete with impressive sprinkler dance routine.

I had the pleasure of meeting her after the show and asked her to include the new Facebook track on her third album. I got many expressions of agreement from the people around me. My fellow pop-nerd friend David Lim, presenter of "Diff'rent Strokes", told her he looks at her everyday at work (cue a slightly freaked out and concerned look on Kate's face!). He was of course referring to her official calendar...or so he says.

KMH...Aussie pop with a refreshing twist. If you're yet to discover her, pick up a copy of Curiouser and give it a try. There's nothing wrong with being curious.

- Petro

Check out Kate on MySpace.

Recommendations

New music that's getting us excited on Boombox...



Bertie Blackman - Heart
Here's a great Sydney indie singer-songwriter with a track that was sent into JOY just this week, and had Johno giving birth to kittens. With it's hypnotic, clap-a-long urbanish beats under Bertie's fierce lyrics and vocals, this is something worth checking out. Bertie is releasing her third LP Secrets and Lies on May 8 on Forum 5 Recordings. The disc has already been Triple J's "Featured Album of the Week". Check her out at MySpace.



Christer - How You Like It
Christer is a very exciting Canadian "dancy glam-rock synth-jazz pop thunder" artist who released her first album Techna February this year. "How You Like It" is brand new music to JOY, and had Petro drooling after first listen. Mash up some Goldfrapp, Peaches and Presets, add a bit of 2nd album Holly Valance, and you have Christer. Do yourself a favour and download the album off iTunes (Not sure if there's a physical release yet). She's coming down under later this month - dates are on her MySpace.



Royksopp feat. Robyn - The Robot & The Girl
Swedish poppet Robyn can do no wrong with her collaborations. First there was the 2007 epic dreamy-disco of Kleerup's "With Every Heartbeat", then there was last year's "Dream On" with Christian Falk. Now she lends her vocals to the boys of Royksopp, one of Norwegian's hottest and most successful electronic music duos, for the second single from their third 2009 LP Junior. This track is very much in the same vein of "With Every Heartbeat", with it's bubbling electronic-dance production and a tale of desperation, this time over a lover who is a workaholic. Check out Royksopp on MySpace.

05.05.09 Playlist

1. Holly Valance - Curious
State Of Mind, 2003
2. Frankmusik - In Step
Single-only, 2008
3. Tina Cousins - Everlong
Unreleased
4. Madonna - Human Nature
Bedtime Stories, 1994
5. Kate Miller-Heidke - I Like You Better When You're Not Around
Curiouser, 2008
6. Depeche Mode - In Sympathy
Sounds Of The Universe, 2009
7. Strawpeople - No One Like You
Count Backwards From 10, 2004
8. Royksopp ft. Robyn - The Girl And The Robot
Junior, 2009
9. Christer - How You Like It
Techna, 2009
10. Natalie Bassingthwaighte - Supersensual (Denzel Park Remix)
1000 Stars, 2009
11. Blondie - Heart Of Glass
Parallel Lines, 1978
12. Goldfrapp - A&E (Maps Remix)
Seventh Tree, 2008
13. Berlin - Take My Breath Away
Count Three & Pray, 1986
14. Bertie Blackman - Heart
Secrets And Lies, 2009
15. Pet Shop Boys - Pandemonium
Yes, 2009
16. Vanessa Amorosi - I Thought We'd Stay Together
Somewhere In The Real World, 2008
17. Pink - Bad Influence
Funhouse, 2008
18. Lily Allen - The Fear (Acoustic)
It's Not Me, It's You, 2009
19. Emma Andersson & Bosson - Weightless
Who I Am, 2002
20. David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland - When Love Takes Over
One Love, 2009
21. Aeroplane ft. Kathy Diamond - Whispers (Hercules & Love Affair Remix)
Single-only, 2008
22. Tina Arena - Oh Me Oh My
Songs Of Love & Loss: Volume 2, 2008

28.04.09 Playlist

1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero
It's Blitz!, 2009
2. La Roux - In For The Kill
La Roux, 2009
3. Truesteppers & Dane Bowers ft. Victoria Beckham -
Out Of Your Mind
Single-only, 2000
4. The Bird & The Bee - Polite Dance Song
Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future, 2009
5. Liza Minelli - Losing My Mind
Results, 1989
6. Stellar* - Undone
Mix, 1999
7. Phrase ft. Wendy Matthews - Day You Went Away
Clockwork, 2009
8. Pink - Please Don't Leave Me (Digital Dog Remix)
Funhouse, 2008
9. John MacLean - One Day
The Future Will Come, 2009
10. Red Box - Lean On Me
The Circle & The Square, 1986
11. Mandy Moore - I Can Break Your Heart Any Day Of The Week
Amanda Leigh, 2009
12. Girls Aloud - Untouchable
Out Of Control, 2008
13. Utada - Come Back To Me
This Is The One, 2009
14. Alanis Morissette - You Oughta Know (Acoustic)
Jagged Little Pill Acoustic, 2005
15. Malena Ernman - La Voix
Single-only, 2009
16. K'Lee - A Lifetime Left To Wait
K'Lee, 2002
17. Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Murder On The Dancefloor
Read My Lips, 2001
18. David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland - When Love Takes Over
One Love, 2009
19. Kylie Minogue vs. Rick Astley - All I See (Rickrollin' Remix)
X, 2007
20. Janet Jackson - Rock With U
Discipline, 2008
21. Ladyhawke - Magic
Ladyhawke, 2008
22. Diddy ft. Christina Aguilera - Tell Me
Press Play, 2006
23. Natalie Bassingthwaighte - Supersensual
1000 Stars, 2009