Thursday, 4 April 2013

A-Z '13 - Diamond Days


The A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013 is going on, and we're up to D today. My theme for 2013 is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes. Well, they're either classic or just plain songs I like. So here are some songs starting with D:

Diamond Days - Bento


This was a really tough choice, but in the end I opted to go with Bento's "Diamond Days" for my D song. Bento is drummer Ben Gillies's post-Silverchair musical project, and while this is currently the only song of theirs I've heard, I really do love it. I also remember hearing/reading in a 'Chair interview many years ago that Ben (by his own admission) sounded like a stepped-on frog (or something) when trying to sing. I think he was being a bit hard on himself!

Honourable mentions:

Wednesday, 3 April 2013

A-Z '13 - Coma


The A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013 is going on, and we're up to C today. My theme for 2013 is an A-to-Z list of classic Aussie tunes. Well, they're either classic or just plain songs I like. Check out these must-"C" songs (ba-dom-chsshhh!):

Coma - Max Sharam


Max Sharam is really not very well known, and even in Australia I think most people have forgotten her. Back in the day I bought two versions of her single "Coma" (one of which was extended with some extra songs to be more like an EP). The single(s) featured some amazing b-sides, but the title track is great too. I like that Max Sharam is a little bit quirky, and a lot musically clever. Apparently she still does shows, but I have no idea what music she's released since "Coma".

Honourable mentions:

Tuesday, 2 April 2013

A-Z '13 - Beds Are Burning {+ THE BEGONIA BRIBE}


It's April, and the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013 has started! At almost the last minute I decided to run through a list of classic Aussie tunes for this year's challenge. Well, they're either classic or just plain songs I like. Today it's time for B, so here you go:

Beds Are Burning - Midnight Oil


B was a tough choice (I have a fair few honourable mentions listed below as you can see, and that's after trimming!), but I've gone with the good old Oil. They are true Australian legends, even if Peter Garrett has kind of fallen from grace a little by becoming a politician (he did have great intentions, but...no). Midnight Oil were renowned for their political activism, particularly in relation to environmental and indigenous issues. The music was a great vehicle for left-wing politics, and this song is a classic example.

Honourable mentions:





In other news, today I am doing a shout-out for Alyse Carlson (a.k.a. Hart Johnson!!)'s new book, THE BEGONIA BRIBE. Check it out:

The Begonia Bribe


The Begonia Bribe: 2nd in the Garden Society Cozy Mystery series by Alyse Carlson (aka: Hart Johnson)

Roanoke, Virginia, is home to some of the country’s most exquisite gardens, and it’s Camellia Harris’s job to promote them. But when a pint-sized beauty contest comes to town, someone decides to deliver a final judgment …

A beauty pageant for little girls—the Little Miss Begonia Pageant—has decided to hold their event in a Roanoke park. Camellia is called in to help deal with the botanical details, the cute contestants, and their catty mothers. She soon realizes that the drama onstage is nothing compared to the judges row. There’s jealousy, betrayal, and a love triangle involving local newsman—and known lothario—Telly Stevens. And a mysterious saboteur is trying to stop the pageant from happening at all.

But the drama turns deadly when Stevens is found dead, poisoned by some sort of plant. With a full flowerbed of potential suspects, Cam needs to dig through the evidence to uproot a killer with a deadly green thumb.

Pre-order on: Amazon Barnes and Noble
Find Hart/Alyse at: Confessions of a Watery Tart, Facebook Author Page or Profile Twitter

Monday, 1 April 2013

A-Z '13 - At First Sight


It's April 1st, meaning that it's time for the A-to-Z blogging challenge of 2013 to begin. At almost the last minute I decided to run through a list of classic Aussie tunes for this year's challenge. Well, they're either classic or just plain songs I like. So without further ado, here's A!

At First Sight - The Stems


The Stems enjoyed their heydey back in the 80s, but they occasionally reunite to show their old fans a good time. This song is an old classic which appeared on the soundtrack for Young Einstein (a fave movie of my bro and I when we were kids).

Honourable mentions: