In the running for a cash prize of $30,000 thanks to PPCA, the following shortlisted artists have been acknowledged for producing albums of outstanding quality and creativity.

ABBE MAY, ADALITA, BOY & BEAR, GOTYE, GURRUMUL, JACK LADDER, KIMBRA, THE JEZABELS, AND THE MIDDLE EAST

Artists from all genres of music were invited to submit their full length albums, and were judged on the strength of the album alone by a judging panel of 42 media, industry and artists. I should note that the author of this website is one of those judges.

“2011 was a big year for Australian artist album releases – The 7^th Amp produced a long list twice as long as most of the previous prizes highlighting how many great albums were released in this country. It was tough on the judges – they had to spend their festive season listening to over 50 albums and making experienced judgments on each. It was tough to determine the top 9 of these and many artists – like The Panics, Oh Mercy and The Orbweavers – were very close to the final cut. Some of the other albums singled out by the judges were by: Skipping Girl Vinegar, Oscar & Martin, Ben Salter, Big Scary, Eagle & The Worm, Grace Woodroofe, Husky, Leader Cheetah, Phrase, Teeth & Tongue, Josh Pyke and Drapht. We congratulate all entrants for their efforts and especially the nine which are now shortlisted for The 7^th Amp,” says The Australian Music Prize Director Scott B. Murphy.

PPCA supports new Australian music with their continued pledge of the prize money. This year, PPCA also joins with The Amp to present “Amped Up In Conversation” – a unique forum for the music industry to announce the winner of the 7^th Amp. Held on Thursday, March 8^th from 12 noon, the forum will be a sit down lunch with special international guest speaker, David Fricke from US Rolling Stone.

Judges comment: As a first time judge of the AMP I have to say I am satisfied with the process. Every album was given a good chance to be heard and there were judges strongly advocating albums from a wide variety of genres. Of the Shortlist there was only two or my Top 9 that made the cut but I know that several of my favorite albums were in the next group that Scott mentioned above. There was only a couple of albums that I think may have been under-rated by the judging group; one because it came from a veteran act and its quality may have been taken for granted. I can see why each and every one of the albums that made the Shortlist got there, even though there is around three on the list that I really didn’t like that much at all.That’s why you have a reasonably diverse judging panel.  I’m looking forward to seeing who emerges as the winner, and I’d be keen to offer my services again, if I’m invited.

And while it will be a lot of fun for the band of eternal music fans, its going to be absolutely unmissable for the rest of us.

‘Dig It Up! The Hoodoo Gurus Invitational’ will feature Hoodoo Gurus performing their debut album ‘Stoneage Romeos’ from start to finish, a whole stack of guests including Redd Kross, Died Pretty and The Fleshtones and a new compilation album titled ‘Gold Watch: 20 Golden Greats’ featuring a new song ‘Use-By Date’.

In addition to those bands some of the other guests playing at this guitar rock moveable mecca include The Sonics, the 5.6.7.8.’s. Royal Headache, The Lovetones and Hard-Ons. Depending where you are the line-up varies in size and composition.

Tickets go on sale for the shows Monday, January 30th with pre-purchase tickets available via www.digitup.net.au

Dates and guests are:

April 20, Brisbane, The Tivoli (with The Sonics and The 5.6.7.8’s)

April 22, Sydney, The Enmore (with The Sonics, Died Pretty, Redd Kross, the 5.6.7.8′s (Japan), Tek & Younger (ex-Radio Birdman), The Fleshtones (USA), Hard-Ons, Belles Will Ring, Royal Headache, The Lovetones, The Straight Arrows)

April 24, Adelaide, HQ, (with The Sonics)

April 25, Melbourne, The Palace, (with The Sonics (USA), Died Pretty, Redd Kross (USA), the 5.6.7.8′s (Japan), The Fleshtones (USA), Hard-Ons, The Lovetones

April 28, Perth, The Astor (with Redd Kross (USA) & The Fleshtones (USA))

“GOLD WATCH: 20 GOLDEN GREATS”

(RELEASED FRIDAY 16TH MARCH, 2012)

TRACKLISTING

1. Use-By Date

2. Leilani

3. Tojo

4. My Girl

5. I Want You Back

6. Bittersweet

7. Like, Wow – Wipeout!

8. Death-Defying

9. What’s My Scene?

10. Good Times

11. Come Anytime

12. Axegrinder

13. Miss Freelove ’69

14. 1000 Miles Away

15. Castles In The Air

16. The Right Time

17. Waking Up Tired

18. When You Get To California

19. I Hope You’re Happy

20. Crackin’ Up

You can see a clip for the song here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3Bz0d2xm7U&feature=youtu.be

The album Wrecking Ball will be made available on UK iTunes from March 5 and will be his first album release since 2009′s Working On A Dream.

The album features appearances from members of the E Street Band, as well as Rage Against The Machine guitarist, Tom Marello and former Pearl Jam drummer Matt Chamberlain.

His manager, Jon Landau, describes it is a “big-picture piece of work.”

He told Rolling Stone magazine: “It’s a rock record that combines elements of both Bruce’s classic sound and his Seeger Sessions with new textures and styles.

“It was an experimental effort with a new producer. Bruce and Ron [Aniello, producer] used a wide variety of players to create something that both rocks and is very fresh.”

Landau also said the album has “social overtones” and a “very pronounced spiritual dimension.”

Another source who has heard the record said it is the singer’s “angriest” to date.

The source said: “It extends and deepens the vision that has animated all of Bruce’s work. He gets into economic justice quite a bit. He feels it’s the angriest album he’s ever made.”

The title track was played at a concert late last year at Giants Stadium and is said to refer to the demolition of the fabled stadium.

“I was raised out of steel here in the swamps of Jersey, some misty years ago,” he said that night, eliciting loud cheers while strumming an electric guitar alone. As he reached the chorus, Springsteen seemed to be taunting the eroding force of time itself: “Bring on your wrecking ball/Come on, take your best shot/Let me see what you got/Bring on your wrecking ball.” When the full band kicked in a few moments later, Giants Stadium went wild for one of the last times ever.

Wrecking Ball:

01 We Take Care of Our Own

02 Easy Money

03 Shackled and Down

04 Jack of All Trades

05 Death to My Hometown

06 This Depression

07 Wrecking Ball

08 You’ve Got It

09 Rocky Ground

10 Land of Hope and Dreams

11 We Are Alive

12 Swallowed Up (Bonus Track)

13 American Land (Bonus Track)

I’ve been listening to it for the first time tonight and let me tell you. I’ll be going back and making a substantial donation. On early listening it’s an incredible piece of work.

You can get the album at www.josepharthur.com

Arthur has always worked outside the establishment and this latest move continues his approach. It seems to work for him. Arthur’s Jan. 6 Facebook status states, “this record is deeper than i thought. it was gonna be a throwaway but its turned into the best thing i’ve ever done.”

In a later post, Arthur recanted calling the work his best, as making such comparisons are innately unfair.

Arthur provided no further details as far as to whether or not the album will see a release in vinyl and/or CD form.

Redemption City is Arthur’s second album in as many years —— having released the harrowing The Graduation Ceremony in May 2011. He toured Australia in 2011, playing to appreciative crowds and you can find an interview with Arthur elsewhere on this website.

The album is Arthur’s ninth overall, with the 40-year-old Akron, Ohio, native having released debut Big City Secrets in 1997. Redemption City is also Arthur’s second double-album and the second with the word “redemption” in the title, 2002’s Redemption’s Son serving as predecessor on both counts.

Tickets will go fast and if you get one remember not to wear a pastel coloured polo shirt to the gig.

The show will be the only headline performance for the band in Australia, who is touring as a part of the Soundwave Festival in February and March.

“Be advised that the Sisters are going on tour again. We will behave very badly. We will wear some very loud shirts. We will wear some very wrong trousers. We will perform some very legendary rock music. It’s what we do.” (Sisters Of Mercy)

Despite numerous line-up changes, disputes with their record company that saw the band cease recording in 1990, legal battles and internal dissent, The Sisters Of Mercy have remained at the forefront of the underground scene since their formation in Leeds over thirty years ago.

Led by the ominous baritone vocals of Andrew Eldritch, with the infamous resident drum machine, Doktor Avalanche, Chris Catalyst and Ben Christo, the 2012 incarnation of The Sisters Of Mercy is “a lean and glittering groove machine for the new millennium, leaving the sullenly anachronistic reformations of their contemporaries far behind”. (Metal Hammer)

New and hence unreleased songs make up half of any Sisters set these days, although the classics get a good thrashing in rotation. Having derived their light show from the Big Bang (gleefully inventing rave lighting in the process), the Sisters see no reason to tone it down, and will be exploding in all their usual glory.

THE SISTERS OF MERCY

Tue February 28th

Corner Hotel, Melbourne

A founding member of Dinosaur Jr. and Sebadoh, two of the most acclaimed rock bands of the late 80s / early 90s, Lou is considered a pioneer of the lo-fi movement.

After parting ways with Dinosaur Jr. in 1989, Barlow turned his attention to side project Sebadoh and by 1993 had released six records and earned a devoted cult following. In 1994 Barlow formed Folk Implosion which stemmed his biggest commercial hit to date, a song written for the Kids soundtrack titled ‘Natural One’. In 2005, Barlow reunited with Dinosaur Jr. who have since released and reissued several albums and toured the world extensively.

In addition to his band involvement, Lou is a respected solo performer in his own right. He has released two records, Emoh and Goodnight Unknown, allowing him room to explore his introspective folk rock roots.

Accompanied only by his guitar, Lou Barlow will deliver intimate performances to audiences in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

Tickets on sale now

Saturday April 14 – Brisbane – Old Museum

Monday April 16 – Sydney – The Annandale

Tuesday April 17 – Melbourne – Northcote Social Club

Wednesday April 18 – Melbourne – Northcote Social Club

Saturday April 21 – Adelaide – Fowlers Live

Sunday April 22 – Perth – The Rosemount

Since forming in 1969, the world’s first “supergroup” have delivered countless hits, with their timeless harmonies and melodic folk-rock becoming a highly recognizable sound.

Hailed as ‘the voice of a generation’, fans can look forward to yet another epic performance as they play songs from their catalogue, including Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, Marrakesh Express, Wooden Ships, Teach Your Children, Carry On, Our House, Long Time Gone, as well as the classic anthems of the Woodstock generation –Helpless and Woodstock.

The California sun-drenched embrace of their harmonies and musical variety has cemented their reputation as true music legends, but don’t just take our word for it. In 1969, after seeing one of their shows, rock immortal Jimi Hendrix declared, “I’ve seen Crosby, Stills and Nash burnin’ ass … they’re groovy, Western-sky music,” – and according to Rolling Stone, Jimi “knew what he was talking about.”

These three consummate singer-songwriters have more than lived up to this reputation, with their masterpiece debut LP Crosby, Stills & Nash jumping straight to the top of the charts and Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list. That same year, they were honoured with the Grammy award for Best New Artist and the following year 1970′s Déjà vu also made the prestigious “500 Greatest” list. CSN have since captured the hearts and minds of an entire era, becoming inductees of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, as well as the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 2007.

CSN have been performing music together for more than four decades and have weathered changing times and various configurations, while simultaneously captivating the world with their peerless three-part harmony vocals, inspired songwriting, musical virtuosity and social activism.

In 2012 the Riverboats Music Festival will take place from Friday, February 17 to Sunday, February 19, with future festivals held on the third weekend in February each year. It will take you around two and a half hours to get to Echuca-Moama from Melbourne, and there are plenty of great places to stay when you get here. Colin Hay, Mark Seymour, Tex Perkins & The Band of Gold, The Bamboos, Vika & Linda Bull, Lanie Lane, The Audreys, Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission, Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes, Ryan Meeking, Benny Walker, The Angel Voices Band The Bride Stripped Back.

Echuca Moama is 2 and ½ hours from Melbourne, up the Northern Highway.

• From the CBD travel up Sydney Road (or take Citylink / Western Ring Road) and get onto the Hume Highway
• Take the Wallan / Kilmore exit and travel up the Northern highway through Wallan, Kilmore, Heathcote and onto Elmore, following the signs all the way to Echuca
• Once in town, follow the blue tourist information signs to the Echuca-Moama Visitor Information Centre – the Festival Hub is right next door on Heygarth Street

Bluesfes

It will be the first time that an Australian artist has ever headlined this iconic musical event.

The band’s record breaking Light The Nitro tour is currently drawing to a close, with a final gig scheduled for Brisbane next Tuesday night. The tour has been the biggest ever by an Australian-based band; drawing nearly 300,000 fans across 36 huge shows. It’s also been unanimously hailed by critics and fans alike across Australasia.

In addition to performing classics like ‘Forever Now’, ‘Khe Sanh’ and ‘When The War Is Over’, this special Bluesfest appearance will also see Cold Chisel premiere new songs from their forthcoming album. The as yet untitled collection of new tunes was recorded over the last 2 years – partly with original drummer Steve Prestwich and partly with new drummer Charley Drayton.

“Most of us have played Bluesfest solo over the years, but it feels great to be playing there for the first time as Cold Chisel and also be the first Australian band to ever headline the whole Festival,” said frontman Jimmy Barnes. “We’ve all had an amazing 2011 and this should be a great way to kick off an even bigger 2012.”

Thursday, 5th of April – Day 1 of Bluesfest is fast becoming a day not to be missed. Other artists so far announced for Thursday include:

My Morning Jacket, Lucinda Williams, John Hiatt & The Combo, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Seth Lakeman, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Nick Lowe, Alabama 3 with many more to be released.

Duran Duran

This tour will see the band perform across the country, with shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and the Hunter Valley.

It’s been 3 years since the band last toured Australia for the V festival.

The tour will comprise a run of arena shows, as well as two unforgettable outdoor concerts at Sandalford Estate (Swan Valley, Perth) and Tempus Two Winery (Hunter Valley, NSW).

The good news  is that they’ll be touring with the original Duran Duran line-up of Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, and Nick Rhodes. Duran Duran are also expected to be announced on the Future Music 2012 lineup tomorrow.

Duran Duran Australian Tour Dates 2012

Saturday 17 March – Brisbane Entertainment Centre

Tuesday 20 March – Adelaide Entertainment Centre

Wednesday 21 March – Rod Laver Arena

Saturday 24 March – Sandalford Estate, Perth

Tuesday 27 March – Sydney Entertainment Centre

Saturday 31 March – Tempus Two Winery, Hunter Valley