Australian News 10/11

A Day On The Vine

A $3 million makeover by the 170-hectare Pokolbin winery, two hours out of Sydney, includes the region’s largest amphitheatre.

It covers 2.5 hectares with seating for 19,000.

Owner Michael Hope hopes it will draw big names and is negotiating with two international acts.

 

ATP Arrives Downunder

More details of the Australian version of All Tomorrow’s Parties have emerged.

Curated by local favorite Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, ATP will stop in three cities at sites with capacities of about 20,000.
The bill includes a reunited Saints as well as Spirutualized, Go-Betweens co-founder Robert Forster, Fuck Buttons and The Laughing Clowns.

 

Gudinski Previews New Club

Michael Gudinski previewed his new Melbourne nightclub, The Toorak Showroom, which he set up with business partner Frank Stivala.

The venue, in uptown Toorak, is awaiting approval of its license.

The preview took place Oct. 6 when Gudinski’s Liberation Records celebrated its alliance with Universal Music with showcases by singer-songwriter Josh Pyke, electro-rockers Dukes Of Windsor and the U.K.’s The Futureheads.

 

Wheatley Launches Stripe

Longtime manager Glenn Wheatley has launched his latest venture.

Stripe Radio is the country’s first mobile radio subscription service, with 30 channels spinning everything from Australian indie music to Japanese pop to ’60s American psychedelia.

 

Nashville Songs Come To Sydney

The Sydney chapter of the Nashville Songwriters Association International was launched Oct. 6.
It will meet every month to network and critique each others’ works.

 

Short Notes

Brisbane R&B singer Levi Kereama, 23, plunged to his death in Brisbane hours after his family act Lethbridge played the Parklife festival.

His family denied media reports that it was suicide.

Rumours are Warner Music International took a stake in Sydney-based management, touring and recording firm Peppermint Blue.

Modular Touring chief Steve Pavlovic and nightclub czar Justin Hemmes were among the nominees for the GQ Australia Men of the Year Awards.

The Australian Government provided $80,000 for indigenous musicians to access recording studios in the cities.
Meanwhile, Music NT is holding discussions on setting up a national touring circuit for indigenous musicians.

Promoter Michael Chugg is talking to authorities in Darwin and Townsville – major centres where few international acts perform – about providing logistical support and financial aid for AC/DC’s visits there as part of their still-unannounced Australian tour next year.

The Veronicas, Faker and Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu were added as performers to the ARIA music awards in Sydney for Oct. 19.

Melbourne’s Candy Bar is for sale after creditors owing nearly $890,000 forced it into liquidation in September.

 

New Zealand

 

Reb Inspired By Chess Boxing

NZ singer Reb Fountain is hoping her second single, “TAB,” popularises the sport of chess boxing in New Zealand.
The sport is very popular in Europe, and Wu Tang Clan wrote about it in 1993.

NZ boxer Dylan Russell appears in her video. Russell is also eager to popularise the sport in NZ and is organising a bout.

 

Feelers Off The Beaten Track

NZ band The Feelers, whose four albums have all reached No. 1 and all 18 singles have charted – are thanking their fans on their latest tour.

The 18 dates between Oct. 9 and Nov. 2 will go off the beaten track to remote areas where few rock acts venture.
The band will play mostly town halls.