12 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 12 in things that make me BONKERS:

The death of the physical CD

Look I'm not some old fart, but don't you miss the music industry having money and making great big budget music videos, deluxe editions of CD's with fancy art work, now what do you get a file from iTunes, or some illegal version.

I do honestly think the beginning of the web and file sharing has definitely killed off a lot of music. The only good thing about file sharing is someone in the USA or even Russia or Alaska hearing about a group of Triple J unearthed or an Aussie artist like Gotye.

Anyway I miss my old deluxe edition physical CD's with the lyrics on the inside.



Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 12 is:

Gotye

What can we say about this man, he has the year's biggest single straight up, he has brought Kimbra into the spotlight, his album is also not half bad and a nomination for my BLOG's album of the year and he also still has his fingers in the Basic's pie.

Gotye is the darling of the summer festival's too, playing Peats Ridge, Homebake, Pyramid Rock, Woodford Folk Festival, Field Day & Laneway Festival in NZ. The boy is going everywhere man!

Gotye is going to shine bright even harder in 2012 with many more big songs left on "Making Mirrors" to be released.

Well done to Gotye definately a force to be reckoned with.



Now for some Monday Melodies, the first single from "Making Mirrors" check it:

Film Freak 2011 - In Time

OMG! So this movie is intense, one it's long and too there is no money just time (meausred in years, months, weeks etc) and also there are so many different stars that come and go including and not limited to:

Cillian Murphy as Timekeeper Leon of Batman fame (the new ones)
Olivia Wilde as Rachael Salas, I'm sure she was in Nip/Tuck but Wiki proved me wrong it was the OC lol!
Elena Satine as Jasmine, in the remake of Melrose Place
Alex Pettyfer as Fortis in "I am Number Four"
Johnny Galecki as Borel from Rosanne, 90's World!
Australian - Bella Heathcote as Michele Weis

And of course starring Justin Timberlake who has had a monster cinema year with "Friends with Benefits" and the unrated "Bad Teacher". Also Amanda Seyfried stars opposite JT. They work together and with so many others stars in the mix this does work but the plot and dialogue sometimes loses it.

If you have the time and want a 2 hour thriller/action/romance/star studded "where do I know them from" movie experiece check out "In Time", if not for anything other than a sneak peak at Justin Timberlake who is only getting better looking with age.

In Time rates 3 timely stars.

13 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 13 in things that make me BONKERS:

Pie Face's domination



But my question to you is there ever anyone in there? And why do they always have so much food in their displays? What happens to all that leftover food? How will a pie store survive the hot summer months in Australia? Will they overtake EasyWay & Chattime?

Will Pie Face be the next Starbucks to close all it's doors.


Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 13 is:

Daft Punk

A DJ set or house party is not complete without "One more Time", "Da Funk" or maybe even "Around the World".

These mysterious men have recently done the soundtrack to one of the worst films I've ever sat through Tron Legacy, they have a couple of epic and instant classic dance releases and they really are epic!



Now to keep your Saturday night pumping on a Sunday, some Daft Punk, before Kanye put his own spin on this one!

14 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers (2 WEEK MARK! - HOLY POO)

Number 14 in things that make me BONKERS:

Celebrity Apprentice

Do I need to say anything, Pauline Hanson, Deni Hines, what a load of horse shit.



Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 14 is:

REGURGITATOR

The band formed all the way back in 1994 then consisting of Quan Yeomans (guitar and vocals), Ben Ely (bass and vocals) and Martin Lee (drums).

The band has since changed line up's and sound but still the super fun happy times continues!

I have seen the band live twice in the last two years and they still have it.

7 albums into their career, multiple awards and massive singles, Regurgitator are a an Aussie class act.

Unit to date is still their biggest and best album by my standards.



Time now to get your party started for Saturday with an Aussie classic, happy Saturday y'all!

Music for a Friday night around November time

Great stuff on this week's US X Factor kicks us off with a blast from the past:



Florence and the Machine's sophomore album is now out and ready to rip up the charts, and as much as the first taste was not that great, it's a grower:



It's not even November yet and Ministry of Sound have dropper their Annual 2012 release and it features a big collaboration between Yolanda "We Speak No Americano" Be Cool & Crystal "100% Pure Love" Waters:



And back home so hot Aussie releases right now include:

Seeker Lover Keeper release the dreamy "Rely on Me":



The year's biggest Aussie hit gets the remix treatment from M-Phazes:



Beni is back with "Someone Just Like You", not to be confused with the Adele tune:



Washington already has some new tunes up her fancy sleeve it's "Plastic Bag":



Stay tuned for the album of the year just after Christmas and the top 100 songs of the year.....

15 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 15 in things that make me BONKERS:

Having a cold in Spring :(

Why do I get sick so close to my holiday and right in the middle of Spring. I hate this up and down weather (it has already driven me bonkers on this very countdown!) and it's unpredictability!



BRING ON THE WEEKEND


Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 15 is:

Seeker Lover Keeper

What lovely music for a Friday.



Seeker Lover Keeper is an Australian musical supergroup formed by Sarah Blasko, Sally Seltmann and Holly Throsby.

So let's look at each act in this super group first up:

Sarah Blasko - Amazing, flawless, a real performer and puts on a damn fine live show, simply and iconic Australian artist.

Sally Seltmann - Wow a real under the radar performer, she wrote "1,2,3,4" by Feist and was in the group New Buffalo. And she wrote some damn fine songs for this album.

Holly Throsby - She is Margaret Throsby of the ABC's daughter and has released some truly lovely music with her solo career.

As a group these girls are simply bliss and there upcoming chruches tour is such a wonderful idea. In their show at the Factory this year they brought me to tears. I can't say enough good things about this super group, Seeker Lover Keeper, let's bring in the weekend:

Review - SAM SIMMONS The Precise History of Things

Factory Theatre, Marrickville

Runs until Sat Nov 12 - Buy Tickets Right here it's totally worth it

So I have been a big fan of Sam Simmons back when he was a regular announcer on Triple J and then I stepped into his world at a speigeltent show a few years back at the Opera House.

Sam is a great performer and the Factory Theatre's Fusebox was a perfect space for the odd hour or so that was Sam Simmons.

He is weird, he is random, he is unpredicatble but most importantly with comedy he is funny. This show comes with a total strong language warning and it's like no comedy show I have seen before.

It jumped all over the place and had great sound effects and also keep my concerntration for the entire show.

Sam Simmons should be proud of this show and I give it 4 random stars.

16 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 16 in things that make me BONKERS:

Floods in Bangkok

Doesn't whoever controls the rainfall in the exotic Thailand know I am almost about to land for a holiday, really this is unacceptable and should be stopped immediately if not beforehand.

Floods in Thailand, unacceptable!




Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 16 is:

Washington

This Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea born national has come a mile in such a short period, since her song "Clementine" was plucked off Triple J Unearthed, she then went onto have such massive hits as "How to Tame Lions", "Rich Kids", "Sunday Best" and now "Holy Moses".

She also won my very "Album of the Year" gong last year.

Washington could be massive in the future and if she keeps playing her cards right she has a monster couple of years ahead.



Now it is getting super close to the top 10 artists so stay tuned to have your socks blown the hell off!

Now for Holy Moses:

17 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 17 in things that make me BONKERS:

Hot Sleepless nights

Yesterday anyone who meet me saw my patience drop and my whole body move and react like a Zombie, it wasn't pleasant and nor was my air con being dead for the first official hot night of the summer.

Sleepless nights are no good for all around me and they drive me BONKERS!



PS this photo is not me, repeat not me! LOL


Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 17 is:

Dizzee Rascal

I have been a ladies man of late so it's time to mix it up with some UK Grime and now dance music, yes it is 27 year old Dizzee Rascal. I have seen this fella live, once at the beginning of his career in Vancouver, Canada and once for a BDO sideshow at the Enmore recently and boy has he changed.

His first two albums were all about the grime and Dizzee basically started this genre then came the "Flex" remix (Dave Spoon Remix) from "Maths + English" and a bit of Calvin Harris and Dizzee jumped into the dance and then his career went boom!

Dizzee also inspired my Bonkers countdown so Dizzee you re the king!

This man, he started his career as a boy has a solid catalogue now and a solid name in a crowded industry of one hit wonders and latest trend bands/artists. I can't wait to see where Dizzee Rascal's next release takes him.



Now the song that inspired this countdown:

18 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 18 in things that make me BONKERS:

Dodgy Christmas Albums isn't it a bit early? Well not for Michael Buble and Justin Bieber, these two artists generally make me want to vommit in a violent manner but a Christmas album, really are you both that hard up? You cheeky cannucks, what is Canada coming to a country that spawned Celine Dijon and now two dodgy 2011 Christmas Albums, O Canada indeed, you lot should be ashamed of yourselves.

Today's Bonkers item is Canadian Christmas albums, anyone need a stocking filler? Not me thanks!





Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 18 is:

Robyn

Yes another one from Sweden, this time Stockholm, it's the amazing Robyn!

7 albums in if you count the Body Talk series, Robyn is fierce and a force to be reckoned with. I love her and her sass, she rocks the mic!

Robyn is someone I totally want to see live, I almost went to the states last year to see her and Kelis do a double bill, that would have been sweet as.



Now some music from the Swedish Diva! Happy Tight Arse Tuesday y'all

5 Songs I like right now... Nearly the Weekend I WISH!

1. Sneaky Sound System - Friends (Make this your next single please guys it's way better than BIG!):



2. Nero - Crush on You (Cheese Factor = 110% on this one and no it's no Justin B on vocals SCREAM!)



3. Girls Aloud - Something Kinda Ohh (Thanks to my lovely BF for introducing me to the wonders of high camp British fun!)



4. 350 - Boys Like Us feat. Gossling (Still love this little Aussie Hip Hop Gem):



5. Architecture In Helsinki - I Know Deep Down (cute love it, still like some of their covers better though, oh well them are the breaks)

19 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 19 in things that make me BONKERS:

People talking at you when youre on the phone or talking to someone else.

OMG so this is one of my biggest pet hates, I hate it at work the most when youre either on nthe phone or clearly talking to someone else and then someone else jumps in! Annoying! Okay but I still have another 18 things that send me around the twist and they continue tomorrow.




Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 19 is:

Florence + The Machine

With a brand new album just around the corner and one of Florence's best singles yet "Shake it out" showing this new album "Ceremonials" could also be as killer as the debut "Lungs".

Florence came from nowhere and then she hit it big on Triple J and then released a cover of "Youv'e Got the Love" and she went global. So well done Florence, it's amazing what a cover song can do for you career!



So with the new album just around the bend and a HUGE year to come me thinks, well done to Florence and the Machine for sliding in my top 20 of the big 40 Artists I think are inspirational right now.

Now for Shake it Out:

20 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 20 in things that make me BONKERS:

My faulty air con when the temperature is going up, the guys who installed this are total douche bags!




Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 20 is:

Lykke Li

Gosh I love the ladies lately! Hailing from Ystad, Skåne, Sweden, Lykke Li is now two albums into her stellar career, her second album is way better than the debut "Youth Novels", even Glee covered her single "I Will Follow Rivers".

Lykke Li has something about her and I think she will go far, let's hope a tour is just around the corner.



Now for some perfect Sunday morning music before I head to the Sheraton for breakfast, it's LYKKE LI!

It's back soon - Californication - Season 5 tease

21 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 21 in things that make me BONKERS:

Random public showers, I'm too old and too pretty to be catching tinea!




Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 21 is:

MIA

What can be said about this woman, she is the bomb and with three weeks to go to Bangkok and Honkers, bombs away MIA!



Saturday get your MIA on!

22 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 22 in things that make me BONKERS:

Homeless man on the scooter in Chippendale's back street's ghetto blaster playlist. Yes there is a homeless in the rear streets of Chippendale playing anything from Elvis to Jazz to whatever, he drives around carefree and blasts his music all over the streets of Chippendale.

It is somewhat of a novelty but it is also damn annoying when you want some quiet time and also don't get in his way or he'll run you down!



Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 22 is:

Architecture in Helsinki

From Fitzroy, Victoria, the almighty Architecture in Helsinki have released 4 terrific, fun pop releases.

They have an awesome live show and they are no strangers to including a wild cover to get the crowd totally loose.

Australia does not have many fun party pop bands left on the tour circuit so please give it up for some Friday fun that is Architecture in Helsinki!!!



Now let's get loose with a BIG hit "Contact High"! Happy Friday!

23 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 23 in things that make me BONKERS:

It's only Thursday bring on the weekend, I'm tired and I'm old!

I'm sorry nothing creative today, nothing drove me bonkers yesterday except for the fact I want the weekend and I want it NOW!




Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 23 is:

Kele (Bloc Party)

Oh Kele or otherwise known as Kelechukwu "Kele" Rowland Okereke, in a short time you have much such a splash. With his band the Bloc Party in 2005 releasing the acclaimed album "Silent Alarm" with banging hits like "Banquet" & "Two More Years" they rocked into the music world and then the crew released the great "Weekend in the City" and the slightly different "Intimacy".

Other than the Bloc Party and their successes Kele has a pretty tidy solo career with some tidy guest appearances along the way too with appearances on Chemical Brothers tracks, Martin Solveig's smash "Ready to go" & more.

Kele's debut solo the Boxer was a sweet as release with "Tenderoni" being one of the best dance songs of 2010.



Kele also is an out and proud gay so good on you Kele, now for his new hit with Lucy Taylor, enjoy, almost the weekend!

Since 1989 – Belvoir Theatre – Sydney

With Tom Ballard

OMG earlier this year I took in Josh Thomas's recent show and really like it however this left me feeling a little strange. I laughed but didn't nearly wet myself, I got embrassesed for him, he had some interesting moments where he bagged an Aussie band and someone associated to the band was in the audience.

So overall I enjoyed Josh Thomas more and kinda felt he was a better story teller and he seemed to deliver a lot better and he definately held my attention for the entire show and not just parts of the show.

So in the Josh Thomas v Tom Ballard battle I think young Josh comes out on top.

Don't get me wrong I love Triple J and think Tom Ballard and Alex Dyson have been great for the station but it just didn't get me laughing as much as I expected, however if youre up for seeing the show it runs until Sun 30 Oct, Times: Tue-Sat 7.15pm, Sun 6.15pm @ Belvoir, Downstairs

Tom Ballard - Since 1989 rates 3 stars.

Film Freak 2011 - Footloose - 2011 Remake {2nd time around}

Okay so I hit this one up a second time mainly caused I missed the opening bit and I totally needed to see the whole film.

Did I enjoy it as much a second time around? Well yes and no I saw a lot more the second time and the people next to me hated it so much they proceeded to loiter around at the cinema afterwards and drink shots of hard grog.

Okay so again the dance sequences were great and there could have been a few more of them. Is Kenny Wormald better looking the second time around? Well yes he has grown on me.



Okay so this is totally not the worlds best film and I think they could have done a totally new film and just ramped up the dancing.

So to see or not to see Footloose, well it's not going to be at the cinemas for mouch longer so if youre up for it get in soon. I do like the film and I do think on my last review I forgot to give it a star rating LOL so overall after seeing it twice it rates 3 stars.

24 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 24 in things that make me BONKERS:

2011 remakes

Okay so I'm not sure whether I hate all remakes as I saw Footloose again last night and I did love the new version of the short lived Melrose Place. But I am sick of the lazy way out and just make a movie or TV series based on something in the past.

The new Charlies Angels was a complete flop, Fright Night was one of the worst films I had the unpleasant movie going experience of seeing and the list of sequels and reboots this year has been crazy.

Hollywood I think it's time for some new ideas people cause if Charlies Angel's is anything to go by star power, big budgets and classy promos can't even foul the general public these days.




Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 24 is:

The Grates

Let's head to Brisbane today for the former 3 peiece now two piece and this band has the most explosive front woman in Patience Hodgson.

After 3 albums and some catchy tunes, The Grates are heading to grate (great) lol things.

Their recent album Secret Rituals was amazing and a very grown up release after their debut Gravity Won't Get You High.

They remind me of Eskimo Joe, they released fun party pop tunes and then grow into their music, however the Grates aren't becoming a boring Triple M band they still sit nicely on a Triple J playlist.

The Grates have been to this date one of the best live acts I have ever seen.




Now let's take in a tune from them, and check out the classy video!

25 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 25 in things that make me BONKERS:

Talking in the Movies, really you would pay $18 or whatever they charge for a 3D film these days and then sit there and catch up with mates all in the dark and while others are trying to grab a laugh or a scare.

What is going on with people these days! I think I'm getting too old, but most agree talking in the movies is not on, so if you see a film and have some urgent to say maybe just bottle it up and then wait to the show is over. I always say nothing is urgent unless someone is dying.



Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 25 is:

Sneaky Sound System

Okay three albums in and a line up change or two, Sneaky Sound System have become quite the powerhouse.

Forming in 2001, then in 2004 Connie Mitchell joined the line up and then that's when it really started to happen. Their first self titled album spawned many a hit "I Love It", "Pictures", "UFO" & "Goodbye" their second album titled "2" was not as big of a success the band earned a crazy party vibe for their live shows, playing festivals and shows a plenty.

Their latest album with the brill lead single "We Love" is spectacular. "Friends" is currently my favourite cut and the CD seems to have some shelf life in it! "Big" was the second single and I suspect BIG things for these kids.

Now without MC Double D, Connie Mitchell & Black Angus (Angus McDonald) will have to go on and continue to bring the party!



Let's bring the Tuesday party now:

Some hot movies coming soon OMG!

New Years Eve:



The Sitter (Sorry I could only find the editted trailer, this looks fucking funny as):



A Few Best Men:



How good is Olivia Newtwon John in this one above LOL!

Film Freak 2011 - What's Your Number

Has it been a year for gross out rom com's? 2011 has seen Bridesmaids and Bad Teacher and now What's Your Number? Well this wasn't the number 1 rom com of 2011, but it had something special. Besides the feeling of needing to take a massive piss or as my grandfather would say drain the spuds, I felt happy and really liked all the characters.

Anna Faris, I have never liked the Scary Movie franchise was so dull for me, but in this her and Chris Evans have great chemistry, you would almost believe they are shagging.

The movie works with a wedding in the back ground (sound familiar?) and Faris's life falling apart, wait this all happened in Bridesmaids?? Yes but no, there are a lot of similarities here but this has heart and not as much piss you re pants with laughter.

I am a 12 year old at heart so swearing and being foul 9 times outta 10 makes me laugh so a lot of this worked for me.

Look it's nothing new, amazing and ground breaking but it sure is a hell of a lot better than the recent school holiday rubbish. What's Your Number's number rating for me is 4 loved up stars.

PS Chris Evans is totally smokin' in this!

26 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 26 in things that make me BONKERS:

George Street, Sydney

What can I saw aggressive beggars, yesterday I was called a faggot when I said no to supplying some randoms drug money, vomit lining the streets and tourists thinking this is a good representation of the country and city that is Sydney, Australia, Clover it's time for you to clean up this shambles that is George Street.

End of complaint.



Number 26 is:

Lupe Fiasco

Or otherwise known as Wasalu Muhammad Jaco born in the great year of 1982, and hailing from Chicago.

I take hip hop to a new level today with almost the nerd of the hip hop scene. 3 albums into his career and a promised fourth album soon Lupe has risen and risen to success, his last album Lasers wasn't all that but it spawned his biggest single to date and sampled Modest Mouse "The Show Goes On".

Lupe has released killer and dope beats since 2005, has been committed to charity work and is at the end of the day a hardworking artist collaborating with and not limited to Kanye West, N.E.R.D, A-Trak, Janelle Monae and loads more.

Lupe is the coolest...



Let's come down from the weekend with some Lupe now:

27 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 27 in things that make me BONKERS:

Weird weather, yesterday it was pissing down first thing in the morning, so loud I had to turn the old telly up.

Then in the afternoon I was a red hot mess with the heat! WTF, I go soaked too on Friday night after the skies opened after the Wombats gig, weather behave either be hot or cold thanks!



Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 27 is:

Drapht

So staying in Perth from yesterday's feature on the Jebediah, I feature this year's winner of the AIR awards BEST INDEPENDENT HIP HOP/URBAN ALBUM - DRAPHT, THE LIFE OF RILEY.

He is also nominated for a MASSIVE seven ARIA awards. Drapht has been a machine in 2011 and his album "The Life of Riley" has done it all, it's gone straight to number one in the charts, it's three singles including the monster smash "Rapunzel" have all been monster radio hits.

Drapht four albums in continues to go from strength to strength, building more fans and getting more radio play and more festival appearances.

Drapht this Sunday's inspirational artist:



Now for some music from the fine man:



Go Aussie music and good luck at the ARIA's this year Drapht!

Live Music - I LOVE it - the Wombats

On a cold October night in Sydney at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion the Wombats had the crowd warmed up by Sydney's own Faker and the crowd really got into their monster smash "This Heart Attack" and finished with a new one which I quiet like called "Dangerous".

Then the big wigs came on the Wombats, one of four artists up for my BLOG's big album of the year prize. So far Adele, Jay Z & Kanye West and Goyte are all up for the award and now I finally get to see one of the nominees live on the stage.

They played all the big hits from their album of the year nomination "Tokyo (Wolves & Vampires)", "1996", "Jump into the Fog", "Perfect Diease" & "Techno Fan".

They also played there old favourites "Kill the director", "Let's Dance to Joy Division" and "Moving to New York". The boys will be back in March next year for the Future Music Festival and will surely be meet by all the loving fans that joined them at the Hordern.

They put on a good show with a good strong set and a great laser and light show.

I couldn't find any flaws for these kids so it rates a three and a half Wombats.

Always a Winner with the 2011 ARIA Awards

My picks in bold for this year's big awards held in November and nominees were announced during the week:


Album Of The Year
Boy & Bear – Moonfire (Island Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Cut Copy – Zonoscope (Modular Recordings)
Eskimo Joe – Ghosts of the Past (Warner Music Australia)
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – Rrakala (Skinnyfish Music/MGM Distribution)
Grinderman – 2 (Mute/EMI Music Australia)

Don't really know why I am going with Boy & Bear but the other albums are just not that top notch in my books.


Single Of The Year
Birds Of Tokyo – Wild At Heart (EMI Music Australia)
Boy & Bear – Feeding Line (Island Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Drapht- Rapunzel (The Ayems/Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Gotye Featuring Kimbra – Somebody That I Used To Know (Samples ‘n’ Seconds Records/Eleven: A Music Company)
Guy Sebastian Featuring Eve – Who’s That Girl (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
The Jezabels – Dark Storm (MGM Distribution)

As if Guy Sebastian is gonna win, Goyte has had a stellar year and with a bag of Aria's under his arms come November, it will finish up a top year for Goyte.


Best Male Artist
Drapht – The Life Of Riley (The Ayems/Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Gareth Liddiard – Strange Tourist (Shock Entertainment)
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – Rrakala (Skinnyfish Music/MGM Distribution)
Gotye – Somebody That I Used To Know (Samples ‘n’ Seconds Records/Eleven: A Music Company)
Josh Pyke – No One Wants A Lover (Ivy League Records)

Yeah another win for Goyte

Best Female Artist
Adalita – Adalita (Liberation Music)
Clare Bowditch – Are You Ready Yet? (Island Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Kasey Chambers – Little Bird (Liberation Music)
Kimbra – Cameo Lover (Warner Music Australia)
Washington – Holy Moses (Mercury Australia/Universal Music Australia)

Her appearance with Goyte could get her over the line and her album "Vows" is pretty royal.

Best Group
Birds Of Tokyo – Wild At Heart (EMI Music Australia)
Boy & Bear – Moonfire (Island Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Eskimo Joe – Ghosts Of The Past (Warner Music Australia)
Grinderman – 2 (Mute/EMI Music Australia)
The Living End – The Ending Is Just The Beginning Repeating (Dew Process/Universal Music Australia)

Give it to the boys they deserve it, Eskimo Joe also released a really weak and not the usual fun Sweater stuff they have in the past.

Breakthrough Artist – Album
Boy & Bear – Moonfire (Island Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Drapht – The Life Of Riley (The Ayems/Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Gypsy & The Cat – Gilgamesh (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Oh Mercy – Great Barrier Grief (EMI Music Australia)
The Middle East – I Want That You Are Always Happy (Spunk/EMI Music Australia)

Breaking up and winning an ARIA could be a nice story for townsville's Middle east me thinks and the other guys as much as they are great did not get the arty farty support that the Middle East did.

Breakthrough Artist – Single
Boy & Bear – Feeding Line (Island Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Drapht – Rapunzel (The Ayems/Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Havana Brown – We Run The Night (Island Australia/Universal Music Australia)
The Jezabels – Dark Storm (MGM Distribution)
Zoe Badwi – Freefallin’ (Neon Records/Warner Music Australia)

The MC from Perth has to beat Zoe Badwi & Havana Brown

Best Independent Release
Art Vs Science – The Experiment (Green/MGM Distribution)
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – Rrakala (Skinnyfish Music/MGM Distribution)
John Butler Trio – Live At Red Rocks (Jarrah Records/MGM Distribution)
Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses – Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses (Dark Horses Records/Inertia)
The Jezabels – Dark Storm (MGM Distribution)

This is the tough one so much talent and only one Winner, but I think Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu has a good chance.

Best Adult Alternative Album
Boy & Bear – Moonfire (Island Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Grinderman – 2 (Mute/EMI Music Australia)
Little Red – Midnight Remember (Liberation Music)
Seeker Lover Keeper – Seeker Lover Keeper (Dew Process/Universal Music Australia)
The Panics – Rain On The Humming Wire (Dew Process/Universal Music Australia)

God I love Seeker, Lover, Keeper and these ladies deserve it so badly.

Best Adult Contemporary Album
Billy Thorpe – Billy Thorpe’s Tangier (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Colin Hay – Gathering Mercury (Compass Records/Planet/MGM Distribution)
Damien Leith – Roy (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
John Farnham – Jack (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Mark Seymour and the Undertow – Undertow (Liberation Music)

So hard but I think little old Johnny will get over the line

Best Blues & Roots Album
Backsliders – Starvation Box (Fuse)
Blue King Brown – Worldwize Part 1 – North And South (Lion House Records/MGM Distribution)
John Butler Trio – Live At Red Rocks (Jarrah Records/MGM Distribution)
The Audreys – Sometimes The Stars (ABC Music)
The Waifs – Temptation (Jarrah Records/MGM Distribution)

Hard to pick but The Audrey's may get there, John Butler's live album might not be enough for a BIG award this year, usually if it was a studio disc from Johnny Butler then I would give the nod to him.


Best Children’s Album
Dirtgirlworld – Dig It (Kidindy)
Hi-5 – Turn The Music Up (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Holly Throsby – See! (ABC Music)
Play School – Let’s Play Together (ABC Music)
The Wiggles – Ukulele Baby! (ABC Music)

Go the Wiggles, can't wait for the Re-Wiggled CD!


Best Comedy Release
Adam Hills – Inflatable (Universal Pictures)
Buddy Goode – The One And Only Buddy Goode (ABC Music)
Hamish & Andy – Celebrating 50 Glorious Years (Roadshow Music)
Josh Thomas – Josh Thomas ‘Surprise’: Warehouse Comedy Festival (Madman Entertainment/Warehouse Comedy Festival)
Tim Minchin – Tim Minchin & The Heritage Orchestra (Navel/Inertia)

Spicks and Specks is done so give the boy a crack.


Best Country Album
Jasmine Rae – Listen Here (ABC Music)
Kasey Chambers – Little Bird (Liberation Music)
Keith Urban – Get Closer (EMI Music Australia)
Shane Nicholson – Bad Machines (Liberation Music)
Troy Cassar-Daley – Live (Liberation Music)

Let's Kasey's husband get something over his wife please!


Best Dance Release
Bag Raiders – Bag Raiders (Modular Recordings)
Cut Copy – Zonoscope (Modular Recordings)
Miami Horror – Illumination (EMI Music Australia)
Pnau – Soft Universe (etcetc Music/Ministry of Sound/Universal Music Australia)
The Potbelleez – From The Music (Vicious/Universal Music Australia)

Hard to go between the Bag Raiders and Miami Horror, but I like Miami Horror, "Holidays", "I Look to You" featuring Kimbra could just get it there.

Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album
Coerce – Ethereal Surrogate Saviour (Green/MGM Distribution)
Cosmic Psychos – Glorius Barsteds (Missing Link/Fuse)
Dream On Dreamer – Heartbound (We Are Unified Pty Ltd)
Floatingme – Floatingme (Cross Section/Inertia)
Front End Loader – Ritardando (Weeping Anus Records/MGM Distribution)

Hate loud music, I'm old!

Best Pop Release
Architecture In Helsinki – Moment Bends (Modular Recordings)
Gotye – Somebody That I Used to Know (feat. Kimbra) (Samples ‘n’ Seconds Records/Eleven: A Music Company)
Guy Sebastian – Who’s That Girl (feat. Eve) (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Gypsy & The Cat – Gilgamesh (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Washington – Holy Moses (Mercury Australia/Universal Music Australia)

Give him another award, awards lady

Best Rock Album
Children Collide- Theory Of Everything (Universal Music Australia)
Eskimo Joe – Ghosts Of The Past (Warner Music Australia)
Jebediah – Kosciuszko (Dew Process/Universal Music Australia)
Papa Vs Pretty – United In Isolation (EMI Music Australia)
The Living End – The Ending Is Just The Beginning Repeating (Dew Process/Universal Music Australia)

Another one for the Aussie Rock Veterans, a bit more experience than some of the new kids on the block.

Best Urban Album
Drapht – The Life Of Riley (The Ayems/Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Illy – The Chase (Obese Records)
Koolism – The Umu (Invada/Inertia)
Phrase – Babylon (Marlin Records/ Universal Music Australia)
Vents – Marked For Death (Golden Era Records)

Drapht has been huge, a number one album, a huge hit with "Rapunzel", "Bali Party" is a song for the times with partying in Bali now landing you in Jail over there even if you are 14.


Highest Selling Album
Altiyan Childs – Altiyan Childs (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Angus & Julia Stone – Down The Way (EMI Music Australia)
Birds Of Tokyo – Birds of Tokyo (EMI Music Australia)
Keith Urban – Get Closer (EMI Music Australia)
Various – He Will Have His Way – The Songs of Tim & Neil Finn (EMI Music Australia)

Great album, big sales and the big winners from last year at that terrible Opera House shambles.

Highest Selling Single
Birds Of Tokyo – Plans (EMI Music Australia)
Gotye Featuring Kimbra – Somebody That I Used To Know (Samples ‘n’ Seconds Records/Eleven: A Music Company)
Guy Sebastian Featuring Eve – Who’s that Girl (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Havana Brown – We Run The Night (Island Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Jessica Mauboy Featuring Ludacris – Saturday Night (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)

And another one, 4 times platinum selling, and really Jessica Mauboy Featuring Ludacris – Saturday Night


Public Votes - and who I think the crazy public will vote for:

Most Popular Australian Artist
Altiyan Childs (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Angus & Julia Stone (EMI Music Australia)
Birds of Tokyo (EMI Music Australia)
Drapht (The Ayems/Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Guy Sebastian (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Jessica Mauboy (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
John Farnham (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Justice Crew (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Keith Urban (EMI Music Australia)
Stan Walker (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)

The kids and the oldies love em, so go figure 2 gongs this year, two people in the group, sounds fair to me.

Most Popular International Artist
Adele (XL/Inertia)
Chris Brown (Jive/Sony Music Australia)
Jennifer Lopez (Universal Music Australia)
Jessie J (Universal Music Australia)
Ke$ha (RCA Records/Sony Music)
Lady Gaga (Universal Music Australia)
LMFAO (Universal Music Australia)
P!nk (La Face/Sony Music Australia)
Pitbull (J Records/Sony Music Australia)
Rihanna (Universal Music Australia)

Everyone loves her and her songs are killing it, her two albums have murdered the charts this year and she just has to tour, Sydney Football Stadium or ANZ free for a monster concert?

Is it too early for a Christmas gift registry? NEVER!

90210 (new edition) Season 1 and Season Two
One Tree Hill Series 7
Gossip Girl series 1,2,3,4 - the works ladies and ladies
East West 101 Season 3
Weeds Season 6
The Slap - DVD Series

More to come real soon

28 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 28 in things that make me BONKERS:

Encores at Concerts

Everyone expects them know and everyone knows what the main songs are for the bands they see live, come on live acts of the world just play a straight through set and get on with it, your egos don't need that much of a boost do they?



Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 28 is:

Jebediah

Okay so it's no surprise the first "live Aussie" band I was to see definately needs to be visited on this countdown as they inspired me to love live music and music played on the almighty Triple J. Jebediah were 90's Aussie Rock too the core!

Jebediah recently released a really top notch Aussie rock album "Kosciuszko" featuring their comeback single "She's Like a Comet".

They formed all the way back in 1994 back in little old Perth where we will trvale to for tomorrow's artist. There is a lot of great music in Perth and Jebediah are a top notch Perth harvest.



Now in the Saturday rain for a trip down memory lane to the almighty "Slightly Odway" album for Jebediah:

The Wombats Tonight

Happy Wombat Friday!

For a full review stay tuned over the weekend as the Bonkers in Honkers countdown continues and the below will be reviewed over the next week or two:

What's Your Number? - Film Freak

Tom Ballard @ Belvoir Street - Downstairs Theatre

Music Video of the day also below for some viewing pleasures :)

29 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 29 in things that make me BONKERS:

It's been coming for a while and it's here, this is driving me BONKERS!



I have no view on this but I just want it to either go through parilment or be put to bed, I am sick of hearing about it and the polictians fighting non stop about it when nothing is being done about:

Mental Health
Homelessness
Youth Unemployment
Giving the public a point of difference between the two parties

That is all now onto something I like MUSIC:

Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 29 is:

Feist

Canadian goodness indeed and with an upcoming visit to Australia with the Laneway
Festival and her first album in a few years this woman is back on top, her track "How Come You Never Go There" is so sublime and one of my most loved tunes of 2011.

This woman released the massive radio smash "1,23,4" and has provided the world with catchy fun pop!

Feist is my lucky Friday piece of Awesome!



Let's take in some chill time now:

30 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 30 in things that make me BONKERS:

Almost being 30, FML I'm OLD!

Yes next July, when the 15th comes around I will be the BIG 3-0! Hell-No! So look out that means yes another gift registry and the many updates that will come!

I am so on the homeward stretch now to the holiday it is not funny :)




Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 30 is:

Santigold

Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States the 35 year old is just one of those artists that comes from nowhere and is super cool.

After 1 massive album and collbarations with Mark Ronson, Steve Aoki, Major Lazer, Spank Rock, Basement Jaxx just to name a few, in a short space of time this woman has made a huge name for herself and helped influence heaps of newcomers!

She has style, she has grace and I can't wait for her second album to drop from space.



Let's hear a taste of that second album to get us set for the weekend!

Album of the year nomination number 4

Okay so last year my favourite albums of the year were all Australian and this year they have since been all international, however that all changes now, so joining Adele's 21, The Wombats this Modern Glitch & Kanye West and Jay Z's Watch the Throne is drum roll please



It's Goyte's Making Mirrors, his third album and his biggest album to date. Featuring the number 1, 4 times platinum and shoe in for this year's ARIA single of the year Somebody That I Used to Know. Also featuring the Triple J favourite "Eyes Wide Open" and "I Feel Better".

The album is happy, sad and just damn catchy. I have grown to love this album and think it is an album to go on and on. It was released too late for this year ARIA's but next year mark my word it will be the big winner.

So just recapping this year's four big albums up for my BLOG's album of the year:

Adele - 21
The Wombats - this Modern Glitch
Kanye West and Jay Z - Watch the Throne
Goyte - Making Mirrors

Stay tuned I'll be seeing the Wombats at their sold out show this Friday and I will let y'all know how it is.

Hopefully will catch other nominees also before the year is out.

That's it, more bonkers countdowns soon!

Film Freak 2011 - Red Dog

Okay so my father has harassed me for weeks to see this film and I finally got to it on a lovely day in lieu.

So it's basically a true story about a dog...... Is it as good as it's box office takings suggest, well yes and no.

The story itself is told in flash backs which I HATE! and then it moves through it's various stories and various characters.

So the scenary is nice, the acting is good but the script soemtimes has more cheese than a Two & a Half Men episode. There is some sad moments and some cheesey grin like a dickhead moments.

It's so Aussie it makes Vegemite look international and Kasey Chambers a Chinese Opera Singer.

Red Dog, it's good but not super, 3 stars as the dog was super cute!

31 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 31 in things that make me BONKERS:

So yesterday I saw "Red Dog" (review to come today), and the amount of previews for 3D movies is out of control so today I take aim at 3D movies. They are totally useless 9 out of 10 times.

Did I really need to see a Glee Concert movie in 3D, HELL NO! The Smurfs in 3D, WTF?

Oh dear 3D movies are they just a way to get more money out of the movie going public, even when movie downloads are now almost as big of an issue as downloading music?

3D movies, if there is a 2D version I'll always go for that thanks.




Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 31 is:

Beastie Boys

WOW this guys having been kicking it and partying since 1979 and they give it up for NYC!

The Beastie Boys have shaped and changed the Hip Hop game over and over again. After releasing 9 albums, heaps of awesome party ready singles and worked with so many artists over the years.

The Beastie Boys rock and I am so happy they are still an inspiration in 2011.



Now here's some hump day music, ENJOY!

32 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 32 in things that make me BONKERS:

Bicycles on foot paths!

Seriously! Go on the road and get hit by a semi, bikes are scary and my foot paths have lounges across them to dodge and crazy homeless people with dogs in prams, so I don't need bikes all up in my grill, gggggrrrrrrrrr




Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 32 is:

Funkoars

The four piece from the sunny old Adelaide have been dropping albums since 1999 and in this time have dropped four Aussie Hip Hop gems.

Guests on their albums include and not limited to the Hilltop Hoods, Pegz, Drapht, Koolism and loads more.

The Funkoars are proof that smaller Aussie hip hop groups can release great tunes like "Black Sally" & "Where I Am" without the large name of the Hilltop Hoods behind them.

Expect big things from these guys in the future, they are the next Bliss N Eso to make it BIG!



Here is their monster SMASH "Where I Am":

33 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 33 in things that make me BONKERS:

Newtown parking on a Saturday Night!

OMG we have all been there and when I live as close as I do walking is a better option however when we have a sucky Spring and the weather is so dicey what's a girl to do.



Parking in Newtown on Saturday night = a BONKERS nightmare!


Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong and a bit of Bangkok.

Number 33 is:

Little Dragon

Hailing from Sweden and featuring Swedish-Japanese singer Yukimi Nagano (vocals, percussion) and her close high school friends Erik Bodin (drums), Fredrik Källgren Wallin (bass) and Håkan Wirenstrand (keyboards). Little Dragon have released 3 studio albums and toured Australia with the Gorillaz, Their latest album "Ritual Union" features the fab tune "Ritual Union" which has been one of my fav tunes of 2011. Their previous album "Machien Dreams" also feature that perfect pop tune "My Step".



Now to some Monday come down music from the group, Little Dragon you inspire me :)

34 days till I go Bonkers in Honkers

Number 34 in things that make me BONKERS:

The Eastern Suburbs

Today I wage war on Sydney's rich zone, the Eastern Suburbs, after travelling across there around three times in the last week or so I am over it, totally over it.

I used to work there and I have never forgot how much of a totally different world it is over there, making it something that drives me completely BONKERS





Now we are into the top 40 I am going to countdown 40 inspirational artists as well to get me up to Hong Kong/a bit of Bangkok.

Number 34 is:

Josh Pyke



Returning to our top Sydney artists Josh Pyke is totally an inspiration from his 2005 song "Middle of the Hill" to his recent album "Only Sparrows", Josh has released intelligent pop music and catchy tunes from around 8 years now, well according to Wikipedia.

Josh has toured extensively and to this date released 3 top 10 Australian albums, Josh Pyke is today's inspirational artist and a perfect artist to chill with on a Sunday so enjoy the below: