Melbourne artists dominated last week’s J Awards. A.B. Original’s Reclaim Australia took Australian Album of the Year. Jen Cloher won Double J Artist of the Year (not only for making great records but championing the DIY ethic with Milk! Records and her I Manage My Music workshops). Client Liaison’s ‘A Foreign Affair (Ft. Tina Arena)’ took Music Video of the Year, made by Melbourne director Tim White. The exception was Perth’s Stella Donnelly for Unearthed Artist of the Year. We must stifle a smirk when other cities claim to be Australia’s music capital.
After celebrating its fifth year, the Flying Saucer has outgrown the Caulfield RSL and will move to a new home in 2018. Its last show there will be New Year’s Eve party Out of this World. The crew is taking a well-earned break after that. If anyone is aware of a suitable room that could become Flying Saucer’s new home, email [email protected].
Wu-Tang Clan‘s RZA is trying to block the trademark application of a Brooklyn dog walking company calling itself, Woof-Tang Clan.
Following the live broadcast of his concert on the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House, Paul Kelly’s #1-charting album Life Is Fine jumped 16 spots to #8 on this week’s ARIA chart. Songs From The South Volume 1 & 2 re-entered at #22.
3CR and 3PBS’ Emma Hart is new Women’s Rep at the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia. Balancing radio with a job upholding workers’ rights and as an active musician, Hart currently is Interviews Coordinator at PBS. At 3CR she delivers radio training, produces long-time feminist current affairs show Women on the Line, and produces Sweet Dreams, the DIY show which focuses on the music of women, gender non-conforming and queer people.
Capitol Theatre will undergo a much-needed transformation to return it to its former glory, expand its use beyond film screenings to include theatrical and musical productions, and return it to being a community and education hub. Once completed it’s expected up to 1000 RMIT students will use the theatre weekly for lectures, tutorials and creating and showing their own digital works. The state government has thrown in $2.5 million, RMIT will cough up the rest, along with a community fundraising effort.
Nathan ‘Buddha’ Johnston, drummer with stoner rock Dr. Colossus has passed away. Hailing from southwest Victoria, he began in 2010 with Kashmere Club, with whom he moved to Melbourne, and whose second EP was produced by The Living End’s Chris Cheney. “I will miss playing with him sorely, and I will miss having him around even more,” Dr Colossus singer and guitarist Jono Colliver posted. Kashmere Club remembered, “that enviable beard, your incredible taste in music, your passion verging on obsession for all the things you decided a worthy cause, your humour, your kindness and personal support under that burly exterior.”
