Monday, November 30, 2015

Last Monday Countdown for 2015, Monday 30 November


20 - The Weeknd - In the Night
19 - 
Coldplay - Everglow

18 - Birds of Tokyo - I'd Go With You Anywhere
17 - Jess Glynne - Don't Be So Hard on Yourself
16 - Disclosure - Magnets {Feat. Lorde}

15 - Diplo & Sleepy Tom - Be Right There
14 - L D R U - Keeping Score {Feat. Paige IV}
13 - The Weeknd - I Can't Feel My Face

12 - The Rubens - Hoops
11 - 
Major Lazer - Be Together {Feat. Wild Belle}
10 - The Weeknd - The Hills
9 - 
Coldplay - Adventure of a Lifetime
8 - Sia - Alive

7 - DJ Snake - Middle {Feat. Bipolar Sunshine}
6 - Drake - Hotline Bling
5 - 
Vance Joy - Fire & the Flood
4 - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Downtown {Feat. Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz}

3 - Marcus Marr & Chet Faker - The Trouble with Us
2 - 
Rudimental - Lay it All on Me {Feat. Ed Sheeran}
1 - Duke Dumont - Ocean Drive

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Sunday Spotlight: Adele


What can be said about this lady who kills it, Adele's 25 album is the record, record companies have been waiting on all 2015. Her previous album 21 sold a monster 30 million records worldwide, this is unheard of in the world of piracy, streaming and Youtube.

Adele continues to beat the odds, never do a dodgy booty dropping video and be true to the song.

Her album 25 is already breaking records and Hello has been a monster smash hit, so here on Sunday after US Thanksgiving and the Black Friday sales, on the dawn of Australian Summer and December, let's sit back chill and listen to some Adele.

With the rush to Christmas shopping and deadlines on, these songs will really help you relax, get the credit card out and online shop, shop, shop. Maybe grab her new album 25 right NOW!







Saturday, November 28, 2015

Dark Night, Sweet Light - The Sounds of Hermitude on a SOLD OUT Friday Night


The Blue Mountains is the home of some terrific music right now, Tuka, the Thundamentals and of course Hermitude.

Hermitude released their biggest album to date in Dark Night Sweet Light. Their fifth album to date and the follow up to their mainstream crossover Hyperparadise in 2012. Helped by fellow NSW man Flume the remix of the title track went nuts. And that is putting it lightly.

This year the single "The Buzz" with Mataya and Young Tapz sent Hermitude into another spin, with the single one of the hottest picks for this years Hottest 100.

Young Tapz also featured on the previous single "Through the Roof" which also generated a fair amount of airplay.

Dark Night Sweet Light is easily one of the biggest and best albums of the year. In terms of Australian albums you would be hard pressed to find a better electronic release this year. Nominated for the ARIA Australian Album of the Year (unfortunately being beaten Tame Impala) the duo are really killing it right now.

Their show at the Hordern Pavillion (sold out, after sold out Enmore Theatre shows earlier in the year) was beyond brilliant. Slaying through all their hits and wonderful guest dancers on easily one of their best cuts "Speak of the Devil". The crowd went nuts for all the hits from their recent release and "The Buzz" in the encore nearly took the roof off.

Of course Flume's remix of "Hyperparadise"was another earlier banger and "Searchlight" was also another highlight. Two of my personal favourites from the record were also great live with a sold out crowd, "Ukiyo" and "Bermuda Bay".

This album is outstanding, their live show is outstanding and the fans are really in love with these local boys.

I am interested to see where the boys from the Mountains pop up next as all I can say right now, is the world is their oyster. So happy after 15 years the boys are selling shit loads of tickets (at a time where lots of artists are struggling to do so) and getting radio play and local love.

Hermitude you are unreal, thanks for 15 years of amazing music.

Friday, November 27, 2015

ARIA's Come Down Countdown - Friday 27 November 2015


20 - Birds of Tokyo - I'd Go With You Anywhere 
19 - ZHU x Skrillex x THEY. - Working for It
18 - RUFUS - Innerbloom
17 - Diplo & Sleepy Tom - Be Right There

16 - Disclosure - Magnets {Feat. Lorde}
15 - Jess Glynne - Don't Be So Hard on Yourself
14 - The Rubens - Hoops
13 - The Weeknd - I Can't Feel My Face
12 - L D R U - Keeping Score {Feat. Paige IV}
11 - The Weeknd - The Hills
10 - Coldplay - Adventure of a Lifetime
9 - Major Lazer - Be Together {Feat. Wild Belle}
8 - DJ Snake - Middle {Feat. Bipolar Sunshine}
7 - Sia - Alive
6 - Vance Joy - Fire & the Flood
5 - Drake - Hotline Bling

4 - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Downtown {Feat. Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz}
3 - Duke Dumont - Ocean Drive
2 - Marcus Marr & Chet Faker - The Trouble with Us
1 - Rudimental - Lay it All on Me {Feat.  Ed Sheeran}

Not only did Matt Okine and Tina Arena speak out last night at the Award Ceremony, but the charts have been impacted by Australia's night of nights. Unfortunately only 461,000 tuned into the mostly excellent Channel 10 broadcast. I predict Channel 11 will broadcast the event next year which also really looked at home at the Event Centre @ the Star.

Here are the top ten tunes which received a benefit in a way from last nights awards. All are Australian all are diverse. Well done to the great Australian acts last night, however as Matt & Tina pointed out, would be great to see more ladies nominated and performing next year please.

10 - Illy - Swear Jar
9 - Sia - Bird Set Free
8 - Vance Joy - Mess is Mine
7 - RUFUS - You Were Right
6 - Flight Facilities - Crave You {Feat. Giselle}
5 - Vance Joy - Riptide
4 - Vance Joy - Georgia
3 - Peking Duk - Take Me Over {Feat. SAFIA}
2 - Hermitude - The Buzz {Feat. Mataya & Young Tapz}

1 - Jarryd James - Do You Remember 

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Thursday Album of the Week | Album of Year Edition - Nomination #2 - KENDRICK LAMAR - TO PIMP A BUTTERFLY


Over 52 million views, that is how many times King Kunta, the major breakthrough single from To Pimp a Butterfly has had.


King Kunta has been a worldwide smash from New Zealand (peak chart position #24) to Belgium (peak chart position #2) and even here in Australia (#33) and his US home (#11 - Billboard Hot Rap Songs).

This song has been a huge leg up for Kendrick and admittedly "i" started his rise to stardom however this funk infused track lead the world to love Kendrick for his beats and his to the point lyrics.

This album is beyond brilliant and I am so happy to have this up against Disclosure, Florence, Mark Ronson and The Weeknd for this years Album of the Year. In exactly one month the Album of the Year will be revealed along with the first half of the biggest songs of 2015 (200-101).

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Mid Week Album of the Week | Album of Year Edition - Nomination #2 - KENDRICK LAMAR - TO PIMP A BUTTERFLY


Easily one of the best cuts from this amazing record, These Walls is crazy, sexy and very COOL. Kendrick Lamar covers so much ground on this third studio record. Released in March 2015, it has stayed on the airwaves and more importably my iPod since it's release.

The solid tracks started to follow from September 2014 with the original version of "i" followed by the massive track Blacker the Berry in February, the monster commercial smash King Kunta in March and the Pharrell Williams produced Alight in June.

These Walls received a lot of radio love from Triple J and a video has recently surfaced online.



This record is 100% all killer and no filler, easily one of five of the BEST international records of 2015. Check back for more Kendrick all week before we move onto Florence and the Machine next week.

The Australian Album of 2015 is coming in January as all January long I will feature big fat Aussie features (all of which will exclude Reclaim Australia or the United Patron Front style bogan pride).

From December a Sunday Summer Music list will also be published as I list the top 20 Males and Females of 2015, the top 20 songs of Spring and more. So heaps to stay tuned for, until tomorrow and more Kendrick peace out.

Monday, November 23, 2015

Album of the Year Race - Starts HERE! Countdown - Monday 23 November 2015


20 - Missy Elliot - WTF (Where They From) {Feat. Pharrell Williams}
19 - ZHU x Skrillex x THEY. - Working for It
18 - The Rubens - Hoops
17 - The Weeknd - I Can't Feel My Face

16 - Diplo & Sleepy Tom - Be Right There
15 - RUFUS - Innerbloom
14 - Birds of Tokyo - I'd Go With You Anywhere 
13 - Jess Glynne - Don't Be So Hard on Yourself
12 - Disclosure - Magnets {Feat. Lorde}

11 - The Weeknd - The Hills
10 - Coldplay - Adventure of a Lifetime
9 - Major Lazer - Be Together {Feat. Wild Belle}
8 - Sia - Alive
7 - DJ Snake - Middle {Feat. Bipolar Sunshine}
6 - Vance Joy - Fire & the Flood
5 - Rudimental - Lay it All on Me {Feat.  Ed Sheeran}
4 - Drake - Hotline Bling
3 - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Downtown {Feat. Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz}
2 - Duke Dumont - Ocean Drive
1 - Marcus Marr & Chet Faker - The Trouble with Us

On Boxing Day (the day after Christmas non Aussie's) my BLOG will unveil this years International Album of the Year, whilst Australia Day 2016 I will reveal the Australian Album of the Year. All January I will feature nominations for the BEST Australian record commencing Monday 11 January. 

Each weekday from Mon 11 Jan - Fri 22 Jan an Australian album will join the list for the Australian Album of 2015.

In the meantime leading up to Boxing Day each week I will feature a nomination a week starting this week with:


Week Commencing 30 November:

Week Commencing 7 December:


Week Commencing 14 December:


Week Commencing 21 December:


Happy listening, what is your favourite album of 2015? Richard Kingsmill's poll is also open NOW!

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Sunday Spotlight: Jamie Woon


UK artist Jamie Woon continues to create awesome music and what better way to chill on a Sunday than with some killer cuts from the 32 year old.





Jamie's new album Making Time is out now.

Friday, November 20, 2015

40 degree FRYDAY Countdown - Friday 20 November 2015


20 - Sia - Bird Set Free
19 - Troye Sivan - YOUTH
18 - The Weeknd - I Can't Feel My Face
17 - Jess Glynne - Don't Be So Hard on Yourself
16 - Illy - Swear Jar
15 - Diplo & Sleepy Tom - Be Right There
14 - The Rubens - Hoops
13 - The Amity Affliction -  Shine On
12 - Vance Joy - Fire & the Flood

11 - The Weeknd - The Hills
10 - Disclosure - Magnets {Feat. Lorde}
9 - Coldplay - Adventure of a Lifetime

8 - Birds of Tokyo - I'd Go With You Anywhere 
7 - Sia - Alive
6 - DJ Snake - Middle {Feat. Bipolar Sunshine}
5 - Rudimental - Lay it All on Me {Feat.  Ed Sheeran}
4 - Drake - Hotline Bling
3 - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Downtown {Feat. Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz}
2 - Duke Dumont - Ocean Drive
1 - Marcus Marr & Chet Faker - The Trouble with Us

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

2nd Tuesday Night Gig Report: Florence & the Machine SOH Forecourt


I cannot believe months ago on a cold Winter's Tuesday night I saw Mark Ronson and now in the final weeks ahead of Summer it was time for Florence + the Machine @ Sydney's iconic Opera House forecourt.

Both artists are in line for the almighty Album of the Year for 2015 (joint Kendrick Lemar, Disclosure & The Weeknd) and now I can happily say I have seen two of my five albums live in concert.

Florence + the Machine is n act I have longed to see live and Florence Welch and her gang of musicians completely lived up to my longing.

Playing an almost greatest hits hour and a half set Florence ran through some of the biggest hits from her latest album How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful. Ship to Wreck, What kind of Man, St Jude, Queen of Peace & the title track.


Florence also threw in some supreme classics including Dog Days are Over (a monster crowd favourite), Spectrum (say my name) & the divine Shake it Off.

I was beyond impressed by Florence's performance and believe this album completely deserves a nod for one of this year's finest.

The album of the year will be announce/published here on Boxing Day 2015..

Monday, November 16, 2015

Dancing the Sunday Wedding Night Away Countdown - Monday 16 November 2015


20 - Calvin Harris & Disciples - How Deep is Your Love
19 - Sia - Bird Set Free
18 - Diplo & Sleepy Tom - Be Right There
17 - Troye Sivan - YOUTH
16 - The Rubens - Hoops
15 - The Weeknd - I Can't Feel My Face
14 - DJ Snake - Middle {Feat. Bipolar Sunshine}
13 - Missy Elliot - WTF (Where You From) {Feat. Pharrell Williams }

12 - The Weeknd - The Hills
11 - Jess Glynne - Don't Be So Hard on Yourself
10 - Sia - Alive
9 - Vance Joy - Fire & the Flood
8 - Coldplay - Adventure of a Lifetime
7 - Birds of Tokyo - I'd Go With You Anywhere 
6 - The Amity Affliction -  Shine On
5 - Rudimental - Lay it All on Me {Feat.  Ed Sheeran}
4 - Drake - Hotline Bling
3 - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Downtown {Feat. Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz}
2 - Duke Dumont - Ocean Drive
1 - Marcus Marr & Chet Faker - The Trouble with Us

Friday, November 13, 2015

Freaky Friday the 13th Countdown - Friday 13 November 2015


20 - Calvin Harris & Disciples - How Deep is Your Love
19 - The Rubens - Hoops
18 - Diplo & Sleepy Tom - Be Right There
17 - Sia - Bird Set Free
16 - The Weeknd - I Can't Feel My Face
15 - Sia - Alive

14 - Missy Elliot - WTF (Where You From) {Feat. Pharrell Williams }
13 - Jess Glynne - Don't Be So Hard on Yourself

12 - The Weeknd - The Hills
11 - DJ Snake - Middle {Feat. Bipolar Sunshine}
10 - Coldplay - Adventure of a Lifetime
9 - Disclosure - Magnets {Feat. Lorde}
8 - Vance Joy - Fire & the Flood
7 - Birds of Tokyo - I'd Go With You Anywhere 
6 - Rudimental - Lay it All on Me {Feat.  Ed Sheeran}
5 - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Downtown {Feat. Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz}
4 - Drake - Hotline Bling

3 - Duke Dumont - Ocean Drive
2 - The Amity Affliction -  Shine On
1 - Marcus Marr & Chet Faker - The Trouble with Us


Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Yesterday's Countdown, Today Countdown - Monday 9 November 2015


20 - L D R U - Keeping Score {Feat. Paige IV}
19 - Diplo & Sleepy Tom - Be Right There
18 - RUFUS - Like an Animal
17 - Calvin Harris & Disciples - How Deep is Your Love
16 - The Rubens - Hoops
15 - DJ Snake - Middle {Feat. Bipolar Sunshine}
14 - The Weeknd - I Can't Feel My Face
13 - Vance Joy - Fire & the Flood
12 - The Weeknd - The Hills
11 - Jess Glynne - Don't Be So Hard on Yourself
10 - Sia - Alive
9 - Sia - Bird Set Free
8 - Disclosure - Magnets {Feat. Lorde}
7 - Rudimental - Lay it All on Me {Feat.  Ed Sheeran}
6 - Coldplay - Adventure of a Lifetime
5 - Birds of Tokyo - I'd Go With You Anywhere 
4 - Marcus Marr & Chet Faker - The Trouble with Us
3 - Duke Dumont - Ocean Drive
2 - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Downtown {Feat. Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz}
1 - Drake - Hotline Bling

Friday, November 6, 2015

Still in Bali LOLZ Countdown - Friday 6 November 2015


20 - Kita Alexander - Like You Want To
19 - L D R U - Keeping Score {Feat. Paige IV}
18 - RUFUS - Like an Animal
17 - Calvin Harris & Disciples - How Deep is Your Love
16 - Vance Joy - Fire & the Flood

15 - Diplo & Sleepy Tom - Be Right There
14 - The Weeknd - I Can't Feel My Face
13 - The Rubens - Hoops
12 - Disclosure - Magnets {Feat. Lorde}

11 - DJ Snake - Middle {Feat. Bipolar Sunshine}
10 - The Weeknd - The Hills
9 - Jess Glynne - Don't Be So Hard on Yourself
8 - Sia - Alive
7 - Rudimental - Lay it All on Me {Feat.  Ed Sheeran}
6 - Sia - Bird Set Free
5 - Birds of Tokyo - I'd Go With You Anywhere 
4 - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Downtown {Feat. Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz}
3 - Duke Dumont - Ocean Drive
2 - Marcus Marr & Chet Faker - The Trouble with Us
1 - Drake - Hotline Bling

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Thursday Feature Album & Tour News



TOUR NEWS
For Sarah Blasko: Tickets go on sale next Monday November 9th at 9am via www.sarahblasko.com Wed 6 Apr - The Abbey, Canberra ACT
Thu 7 Apr - Anita's Theatre, Wollongong NSW
Fri 8 Apr - Enmore Theatre, Sydney NSW
Sat 9 Apr - City Hall, Newcastle NSW
Fri 15 Apr - The Tivoli, Brisbane QLD
Fri 22 Apr - Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo VIC
Sat 23 Apr - The Forum, Melbourne VIC
Fri 29 Apr - Norwood Concert Hall, Adelaide SA
Sat 30 Apr - Astor Theatre, Perth WA

Hum Music Newtown Signing For Sydneysiders residing near the Inner West, Sarah will be doing a special signing at Hum Music in Newtown this Saturday 7 November at 11am. Pop in and say hello at 271 King Street, Newtown, NSW 2042.

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Album of the Week - SARAH BLASKO {Eternal Return}


I Heart Seminyak Countdown - Monday 2 November 2015 {Live From Bali, a little late due to time difference, sozza}


20 - Grimes - Flesh without Blood
19 - Troye Sivan - WILD
18 - Peking Duk - Say My Name {Feat. Benjamin Joseph}
17 - RUFUS - Like an Animal
16 - The Rubens - Hoops
15 - Diplo & Sleepy Tom - Be Right There
14 - Calvin Harris & Disciples - How Deep is Your Love
13 - Vance Joy - Fire & the Flood
12 - Disclosure - Magnets {Feat. Lorde}
11 - DJ Snake - Middle {Feat. Bipolar Sunshine}
10 - The Weeknd - The Hills
9 - The Weeknd - I Can't Feel My Face
8 - Jess Glynne - Don't Be So Hard on Yourself
7 - Sia - Alive
6 - Rudimental - Lay it All on Me {Feat.  Ed Sheeran}
5 - Marcus Marr & Chet Faker - The Trouble with Us
4 - Birds of Tokyo - I'd Go With You Anywhere 
3 - Duke Dumont - Ocean Drive
2 - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Downtown {Feat. Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz}
1 - Drake - Hotline Bling