The Scoop

July 2009

BLACK EYED PEAS MAKE CHART HISTORY

The Black Eyed Peas have broken Madonna's 1985 record to become the first act in a quarter of a century to replace themselves at the top of the ARIA Singles Chart. Their latest single 'I Gotta Feeling' managed to knock off their previous single 'Boom Boom Pow' from the top spot and has become the group's sixth number #1 single in the process. Only Eminem, Kylie Minogue, and Delta Goodrem have previously achieved this. Meanwhile, The Black Eyed Peas' fifth studio album 'THE E.N.D.' debuted at #1 on the ARIA Album Chart making it their third #1 following 'Elephunk' in 2004 and 'Monkey Business' in 2005. The Black Eyed Peas have become only the fourth group to have multiple consecutive #1 singles and albums, in company with The Beatles, ABBA and The Rolling Stones.

HILLTOP HOODS' #1

Local success story the Hilltop Hoods are breaking records of their own with their new album 'State Of The Art' recently debuting at #1 and then managing to stay there the following week. This makes it the first Australian album to spend multiple weeks at #1 since Silverchair's 'Young Modern' in 2007 while it is also the fastest selling Australian album this year. If that wasn't enough, it is also the 2nd #1 album for the Hilltop Hoods following 'The Hard Road' in 2006 while they have also achieved their first ever top 10 hit single with 'Chase That Feeling'. Go the Hoods!

KARNIVOOL'S #2

Karnivool have also taken the charts by storm with their 2nd album 'Sound Awake' managing a #2 debut on the ARIA Album Chart recently. This is quite an impressive achievement for an independent Aussie act. The follow-up to their debut 'Themata' is a solid affair that takes the listener to new heights as it ventures into innovative exploratory territory. The band recently completed a string of sell-out shows around the country while their latest single, 'Set Fire To The Hive', is currently all over the airwaves.

ALICE IN CHAINS ROAR BACK

Grunge pioneers Alice In Chains have announced that they will be releasing their first studio album in over a decade this September. Having just signed an exclusive worldwide deal with EMI's Virgin Records, the new album will be their first with guitarist/vocalist William DuVall who filled the spot of the late inimitable Layne Staley. Founding member Jerry Cantrell says, "It's been a meaningful journey and a hell of a story. We're very excited to have a home at Virgin/EMI and are looking forward to writing new chapters in the book of Alice." The band, along with producer Nick Raskulinecz (Rush, Foo Fighters), began recording last October and recently finished mixing the album.

NEW JET

Oz rockers Jet are making a long awaited comeback next month with their latest album, 'Shaka Rock', scheduled for an August 21 release. The album is said to be a return to form for the band who have sold over four million albums worldwide - largely thanks to their #1 debut album, 'Get Born'. The new album closes the gap between the raw roots of 'Get Born' and the grace and melody of the follow up, 'Shine On'. The first single is 'She's A Genius' while a viral video for the track 'K.I.A.' is also currently making its way around the internet. Jet's Chris Cester says, "I can say that the band are thrilled with 'Shaka Rock' in every conceivable way, and excited to know that we are 100% in control of every element of our career at this point…we've had a don't thinkk twice attitude throughout the making of this record which continues as we get ready to release it."

ANOTHER GONG FOR THE PRESETS

Kim Moyes and Julian Hamilton of The Presets have picked up the esteemed Songwriters Of The Year gong at the recent APRA Awards which were held in Melbourne last month. This happens to be Hamilton's second APRA win (his first was as co-writer of 'Straight Lines' with Daniel Johns of Silverchair in 2008) but the first win for The Presets. The Living End picked up the prestigious APRA Song of the Year for 'White Noise'.

AUSSIES CRACK UK CHART

Empire Of The Sun have cracked the Top 20 on the UK Album Chart with their 'Walking On A Dream' release. The single, 'We Are The People', is still on high-rotation at Radio 1, Radio 2 and on a number of other alternative stations across the country. It is also currently the second most played song in the UK which is no doubt helping the album shift some units. Meanwhile, Daniel Merriweather recently entered the UK Album Chart at #2 with his debut album 'Love & War'. This is the fourth time that he has now cracked the UK Top 10. The first was on his collaboration with Mark Ronson on the cover of The Smiths 'Stop Me', then his debut single 'Change', and his current UK single 'Red' which is sitting pretty in the Top 5 on the UK Singles Chart.

PNAU RETURN

In further Empire Of The Sun news, Nick Littlemore has confirmed that he will not be touring with Empire Of The Sun but instead is focusing his efforts on the next PNAU release. Littlemore and his creative partner Peter Mayes are currently completing the recording of their new album in the USA which is scheduled for release by the end of the year. The now London based duo have also confirmed that they will be back in Australia to promote the album later this year to coincide with its release. Stay tuned!

UNCHARTED FINAL

Sydney's The Deer Republic and Hot Little Hands and Foxx On Fire from Melbourne have been announced as the three acts that will battle it out at the uncharTED Grand Final on 9 July! The winner will see themselves play at the Splendour in The Grass Festival, plus receive an artist development package worth $25,000. The Top three comprises of the top two publicly voted artists (which were The Deer Republic and Foxx On Fire) and an industry pick (which were Hot Little Hands). To vote for your favourite out of the three, visit http://www.uncharted.com.au

« June 2009 · August 2009 »