Monday, December 1st, 2008
2008 WAS TOPS!
Maybe... or maybe not. You decide. Or we will... Or our bands will. And maybe our friends too... Seeing as the end of 2008 is nigh, we've been collating datas for your enjoyment. Head to our blog and see what Ivy Leaguers rated in 2008. You may even find this useful for a drinking games: every time someone puts Bon Iver in their top five albums, have a drink. We guarantee you'll be thinking your guitar is a boat by the end of the game...
Friday, November 28th, 2008
Sparkadia guest program Rage on Saturday night
What will they play? Watch to find out. Or check their playlist here + now... It's this Saturday night, November 29, at 11.30. Aphex Twin vs Alannah Myles?
Tuesday, November 25th, 2008
The City Lights Set Sail For Spain...
Not content with the sun in this part of the world, The City Lights are abandoning the Australian summer and heading to Spain in January to play some shows. We say lucky them and lucky Spain. The band’s latest album ‘El Sol’ is out in Spain on Bittersweet Recordings, and the guys will be playing at a club in Madrid of the same name – El Sol – on January 27. Genius. They'll also be playing shows with The Smithereens - all details in our dates section. Bruno City Lights had this to say about the upcoming tour:
"Estamos muy entusiasmados de ir nuevamente a España a tocar y tomar. En Australia no nos conoce nadie, pero en España somos heroes."
First person to email info@ivyleague.com.au with the correct translation wins a copy of the album... We’ll also give a copy of the album to the person with the most creative interpretation!
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008
guitar boat #1 featured video on youtube worldwide!
Josh Pyke's extraordinary video for new single 'Make You Happy' is currently the #1 featured video on YouTube Worldwide.
The video, which sees Josh cruise around Sydney Harbour in a custom-made guitar boat, was recently nominated for a J Award for Music Video of the Year and has already created waves across the globe.
During filming, images of the guitar boat made their way into international newspapers and spread rapidly across the internet, with praise for the vessel flowing from all corners of the world.
'Make You Happy' is lifted from Josh's new album 'Chimney's Afire', which hit the charts at a phenomenal #3 (#1 on the Australian chart) and will see Josh hit the road in 2009 on the national 'Chimney's Afire' album tour.
Josh will be joined at all shows on the tour by excellent Sydney four-piece Cloud Control and up-and-coming singer/songwriter Jackson Mclaren (except WA).
Don't miss these shows – tickets will sell-out so be sure to get in early when they go on sale December 1! Check our dates section for more info.
Sunday, November 16th, 2008
THE VINES ANNOUNCE CANCELLED SHOWS
It is with a great deal of regret that The Vines today announced that they have cancelled all of their Australian festival appearances - Homebake, Pyramid Rock and Big Day Out - and their forthcoming Japanese tour scheduled for late November.
Craig Nicholls’ mental condition has deteriorated extremely rapidly over the past month to the point where he requires immediate help over an extended period of time.
Craig’s fellow band members Hamish Rosser, Ryan Griffiths and Brad Heald are all extremely saddened by this turn of events and wish to extend their heartfelt thanks to all the fans, friends and family who have shown faith in the band since their successful return to the live stage in 2006.
"On behalf of The Vines we would like to extend our sincerest apologies to those of you who have bought tickets to see us perform and will not get to do so” said Hamish. “We are all absolutely devastated that we've been forced to cancel all upcoming shows as there's nothing we love more than playing on stage before an enthusiastic audience. We ask for your understanding in this situation”
The band and management wish to extend a massive thanks to all of the promoters who showed such faith in the band by adding them to their bills, and to thank each and every one of them for their sensitivity and understanding of the band’s situation.
Big Day Out Co-Ordinator Sahara Herald Shepherd said
“The entire Big Day Out family is deeply saddened by the news that Craig Nicholls and his band The Vines will not be joining us on our 2009 summer tour. The Vines performances at the 2007 Big Day Out were nothing short of dazzling and they will be greatly missed. That said, we recognise that now is the time for Craig to focus on re-gaining his health. Our thoughts and best wishes are with him and his family at this time. “
The band and Craig’s family would like to ask that sensitivity be shown at a difficult time and ask that this statement be taken as their only comment on this matter.
Thankyou
The Vines
Wednesday, November 12th, 2008
IMPORTANT INFO FOR FANS - Vines Cancel Perth Show
For everyone in Perth who had to suffer the disappointment of Saturday night’s Rosemount show being cancelled, we sincerely apologise, and also apologise for the extremely late notice regarding the cancellation. The band are genuinely gutted that the show didn’t happen and feel terrible that they have disappointed their WA fans. Unfortunately Craig was not able to fly from Adelaide to Perth due to a serious recurrence of his flight related anxiety. For those of you familiar with his condition and history, we hope you will understand that continuing the flight was not an option.
We hope to make it up to you all in the future, and if you haven’t already been informed, of course your ticket can be refunded from point of purchase.
Monday, November 10th, 2008
JOSH PYKE – Free show in Sydney TOMORROW!
Josh Pyke is doing an exclusive FREE gig for triple j listeners in SYDNEY tomorrow, Tuesday, 11 November. It's a special show for Ausmusic Month and we want you to be there. It's first in, best dressed kinda deal, so head to the OXFORD ART FACTORY by 7PM to guarantee entry. The whole thing will be filmed by triple j tv and recorded for Live At The Wireless so everyone will get a chance to hear the show later this month.
Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
The Vines + Sparkadia added to Big Day Out line up
It has just been announced that The Vines and Sparkadia are icing on the cake of an already delicious line up for the Big Day Out '09. They will be joining fellow leaguers Youth Group for a string of dates around Australia, performing alongside artists including Neil Young, Arctic Monkeys, TV on the Radio and Black Kids.
Both The Vines and Sparkadia currently have national tours in full swing, with dates throughout November seeing them through to a triumphant finale at this year's Homebake in December.
Big Day Out tickets are still available in Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne, and the ballots are now open for the remaining tickets to Sydney and the Gold Coast. Don't miss out!
Check out our dates section for more information.
Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
Awards and Nominations
Josh Pyke has struck gold at the APRA AGSC Screen Music Awards 2008. Josh received the award for Best Original Song Composed For The Screen for 'When We Get There'. The song is featured in the Australian film,'The Black Balloon', and he shares the award with co-composer Michael Yezerski.
Josh performed the winning song on the night, accompanied by a live ensemble that included Harry Angus from The Cat Empire and was conducted by highly regarded composer (and Screen Music Awards winner) Cezary Skubiszewski.
As well as this, Josh has scored a nomination in Triple J's 2008 J Awards for his guitar boat video, 'Make You Happy' directed by Sam Bryant.
Sparkadia have also picked up a nomination in the 2008 J Awards, their debut release 'Postcards' in the running for Australian Album of the Year. Triple j's Music Director, Richard Kingsmill says:
'I remember when we got Sparkadia's first demo years ago when they were called The Spark. We had a feeling here that they would be a band to watch. But I don't think any of us back then imagined how accomplished a debut they would finally offer up. The songwriting is perfectly balanced on Postcards and there is no shortage of killer tunes. It's a finely crafted pop album.'
The J Awards will be announced at an event in Sydney on Friday, 5 December.
Thursday, October 30th, 2008
We Just Fell In Love With Sparkadia... Again
Have a listen to this and you just might understand why the NME described Alex Burnett's voice as like "having warm honey poured between your ears". It's Sparkadia on triple j's Live At The Wireless performing 'Jealousy' as well as their take on The Presets' 'This Boy's In Love'. It's a little bit magic-like...
triple j tv also filmed the guys - watch 'This Boy's In Love' here and 'Jealousy' here...
