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Sydney Scene Australia National Qstage - Sound Pet

PEATS RIDGE 2010!

August 27th 2010 02:08
Proudly presented by triple j, The Drum Media, Faster Louder & Eco Voice
PEATS RIDGE 2010!

What happens when you put thousands of smiling people in a beautiful valley, over a three day period, showcase music, arts and culture across 9 stages and bring in the New Year…
Peats Ridge Music Festival



PEATS RIDGE!

Peats Ridge is a festival that has been described as a ‘sensual explosion’ (novafm.com.au), ‘colourful and memorable’ (pagesonline.it) and a ‘musical circus’ (Reverb). Last year saw 10,000 patrons, filled with enthusiasm and excitement, ascend on the valley and with glowing reviews, it was a shining success enjoyed by all.

The largest camping festival over the New Year period, in NSW, Peats Ridge is a Sustainable Arts & Music Festival. It has proven to be a fresh, creative and innovative melting pot, where people can celebrate in a friendly and relaxed festival environment.

With a music line up that boasts pieces of many musical pies, for everyone to savour. The Festival always delights punters with big names acts and also surprises, with up and coming musical talent to be discovered.

The 2010 instalment promises to be everything brilliant that has been offered in previous years and much more… So without further ado, let’s unleash the first of the musical magic that will grace some of the 9 stages at Peats Ridge 2010.


Angus & Julia Stone * Trentemøller (Live) [DENMARK] * Built to Spill [USA] * Freestylers [UK] * Kate Miller-Heidke * Shout Out Louds [SWEDEN] * The Dynamites Featuring Charles Walker [USA] * Born Ruffians [CAN] * Lightspeed Champion [UK] * PVT * Decoder Ring * The Audreys * The Break * Washington * Cloud Control * Jonathan Boulet * Freq Nasty [UK] * Space Invadas * The Jezabels * Dan Mangan [CAN] * Thundamentals * Steve Poltz [USA] * Joel Plaskett [CAN] * King Tide * Horrorshow * Watussi * Parades * Big Scary * Spit Syndicate * Belles Will Ring * Kim Churchill * THE Chemist * The Gin Club * Tom Fun Orchestra [CAN] * Carmen Townsend [CAN] * Matt Barber [CAN] * Chase the Sun * The Lovetones * THE E.L.F * The Seabellies * McCartney * The Delta Riggs * Holly Martin * Spooky Land * Alter Ego Mania * Dereb the Ambassador [ETHIOPIA/AUD] * The Strides * plus the triple j Unearthed Winner and loads more artists to be announced. Stay tuned…

If you are looking to feel the bass, Peats Ridge are very happy to announce the ‘DUB SHACK’ is returning. The stage that became known as ‘the dub monster’ in 2009, is set to pound yet again. Our three favourite Sydney crews Foreigndub, VOID and Western Synthetics, will be returning to bring you the best that the dubstep, drum n bass and dub scenes have to offer.

Peats Ridge, is held in the beautiful Glenworth Valley an hour north of Sydney. A three day event, it has become a major part of the annual calendar.

Peats Ridge has proven to be world class in entertainment, experience and education. Recognised as one of the world’s leading sustainable events, the Festival is a winner of numerous national and international awards for environmental sustainability. A family friendly festival, Peats Ridge hosts an array of amazing music, arts performance and exhibitions, a focus on sustainable practices and education, a dedicated children’s festival, workshops, markets and much more.

*PEATS RIDGE 2010 – DEC 29 TO JAN 1 – GLENWORTH VALLEY, NSW*
Tickets will be available on August 19th

3 DAY SEASON PASSES: FAMILY SEASON PASSES: DAY PASSES:
ADULT (18 ) $295 bf 1 ADULT, 1 YOUTH $390 bf ADULT $125 bf
CHILD (6-12) $25 bf 2 ADULT, 1 YOUTH $670 bf YOUTH $40 bf
UNDER 6 FREE EXTRA YOUTH (13-17) $80 bf CHILD $10 bf


As Peats Ridge is an Over 18 event, Youth tickets can only be purchased as part of a Family Pass. Children and Youth are permitted entry to the festival only if accompanied by a guardian over 25.

All Season Passes include camping and festival entry from 29th December 2010 - 1st January 2011.

Tickets will be available through our ticketing partners Oztix. Only Mastercard and Visa are accepted


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION & TICKET SALES CLICK HERE:
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RUFUS WAINWRIGHT Sydney Opera House Show

May 26th 2010 04:16
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
Returns for a very special solo evening at the
Sydney Opera House

“The greatest songwriter on the planet.”
Elton John

“Rufus stands next to Nina Simone.”
Michael Stipe

“One of the most talented singer-songwriters of his generation.”
Bernard Zuel, Sydney Morning Herald


Fans of wonderfully intimate music take note: the one and only Rufus Wainwright is returning to the Sydney Opera House for one very special evening featuring our prodigious wunderkind in solo piano and vocal mode.

The evening in question is Thursday October 14, 2010 at the Concert Hall within the Sydney Opera House.

As supporters of Rufus will know, this concert is a special thank you to his loyal and understanding Australian fans who had bought tickets expecting to see Rufus perform solo in February 2010 at Sydney’s Verbrugghen Hall.

That show and surrounding performances were regrettably cancelled due to a family illness earlier this year, but Rufus made a promise to return to Australia later in 2010.

The passing away of his mother and “greatest admirer and critic”, legendary folksinger Kate McGarrigle, in January this year, and the enduring admiration for his sister, folk-rocker Martha Wainwright, are themes that pervade much of Rufus Wainwright's breathtaking sixth studio album: All Days Are Nights: Songs For Lulu.

This is an album steeped in beauty, with hugely personal and deeply emotional songs, each channeled through Wainwright via only his fingers, voice and piano. A perfect precursor then for this hugely anticipated Australian solo concert and upcoming tour.

Of his latest offering to fans, Rufus last week said “Though it may appear at the outset that my new album and show are quite dark, don't be alarmed, I'm no fool and will always make sure to ensure a well rounded evening: be prepared to laugh as well as cry your little eyes out.”

Reactions from fans and critics alike have been universally positive.

About All Days Are Nights: Songs For Lulu, Q Magazine has said, “It’s a flabbergasting, intense album that demands intense listening.” While All Music Guide agreed the record is “a bold, absolutely emotionally naked statement that retains Wainwright’s devastating talent for artful, universally compelling songcraft.”

Do not delay in securing your tickets for this very special concert. As we said earlier this year – if the 2008 Rufus Wainwright Australian tour is anything to go by – his return in 2010 will no doubt be the absolute musical highlight of your calendar year!


RUFUS WAINWRIGHT SYDNEY PERFORMANCE
Thursday 14th October, 2010
Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House

sydneyoperahouse.com
02 9250 7777


TICKETS FOR THIS SYDNEY SHOW GO ON SALE FRIDAY 4TH JUNE, 9AM




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John Cale's Keynote Online

February 18th 2010 09:14

Watch and Listen to John Cale's Keynote Online

On February 15 underground rock royalty and founding member of the Velvet Underground, John Cale, cut the red ribbon for Modular and Sydney Festival's Circa 1979: Signal to Noise with a Keynote speech at the Seymour Centre.

Hipsters rubbed shoulders with electronic pioneers in a packed out York Theatre as Cale showed off a few snaps and described working with the likes of Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Happy Mondays, The Stooges and LCD Soundsystem before capping things off with a mind blowing rendition of "Heart Break Hotel."

If you missed the speech or want to listen/watch it again, ABC's Big Ideas are streaming it online.
John Cale
January 28, 2010 at 10:23am in circa 1979: signal to noise
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ART vs SCIENCE go GOLD

February 18th 2010 08:10
Fresh from loping in at #2 and #74 on triple j's Hottest 100, Sydney's ART vs SCIENCE have recently achieved Gold status in the ARIA Charts for their the eponymous debut EP (out through Green/MGM). The Hottest 100 result also effected the re-entry of the EP into the Top 5 on iTunes and back into the ARIA Top 40. It is currently sitting at no. 1 on the physical singles chart.

Falls Lorne 2009


Released last May, the independently-released 5-track EP contains radio favourites Parlez-Vous Francais?, Hollywood, Flippers and Friend in the Field. Its performance in the charts was no doubt augmented by the three piece's scene-stealing live show, which has seen the band play at countless festivals and sold-out gigs around the country over the past 12 months.


ART vs SCIENCE have again teamed up with producer/engineer Berkfinger and are currently in the studio writing and recording their anticipated debut long-player. The album - to be released independently through Green/MGM, with label services assistance from Parallel Management - is due out in June 2010. Keep an ear out for the first single in April.


TOUR DATES


16 Feb 2010 ENMORE THEATRE supporting GOSSIP, Sydney - onstage 8.35pm

19 Feb 2010 ADELAIDE FRINGE FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT Adelaide

20 Feb 2010 GOOD VIBRATIONS @ PARKLANDS SHOWGROUNDS Gold Coast

21 Feb 2010 GOOD VIBRATIONS @ FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE Melbourne

11 Mar 2010 OFF THE RAILS @ PADDINGTON ALE HOUSE Perth

12 Mar 2010 OFF THE RAILS @ LIVE Adelaide

13 Mar 2010 OFF THE RAILS @ PADDY'S Albury

25 Mar 2010 BACARDI EXPRESS TOUR @ TIVOLI Queensland

26 Mar 2010 BACARDI EXPRESS TOUR @ CLUB COFFS Coffs Harbour

27 Mar 2010 BACARDI EXPRESS TOUR @ NEWCASTLE PANTHERS Newcastle

27 Mar 2010 BACARDI EXPRESS TOUR @ LUNA PARK Sydney




www.myspace.com/artvsscience

www.facebook.com/artvsscience

www.artvsscience.net






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Al Di Meola with World Sinfonia

January 10th 2010 03:56
Al Di Meola with World Sinfonia
Touring Australia & New Zealand
from March 2010

Legendary guitarist, Al Di Meola is bringing his 6-piece Latin Jazz Fusion band World Sinfonia to our shores in March 2010. One of the most prominent virtuosos in the contemporary instrumental jazz field, Al Di Meola’s dazzling technique on both acoustic and electric guitars is unmatched, extending to fluid arpeggios flying at breakneck speed and beautiful, slow vibrato-laden melodies.



The tour commences in Perth and extends through NSW, Queensland, New Zealand, Tasmania, South Australia and ACT. Provocative and enchanting, Al Di Meola’s intriguing union of complex rhythms, lyrical melodies and sophisticated harmonies ensures an unforgettable aural sensation.

Known for his guitar mastery, Al Di Meola has twenty one recordings, three gold albums and has recorded and played with a number of illustrious names including Paul Simon, Phil Collins, Santana, Luciano Pavarotti, Jimmy Page, Stevie Wonder, Frank Zappa, Chick Corea, Steve Winwood, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Jaco Pastorius, Les Paul, Jean Luc Ponty, Steve Vai, Milton Naciemento, Egberto Gismonti, and many more.

Early in his career Al Di Meola was bestowed a Grammy, as part of Chick Corea’s Return To Forever. He has been voted World’s Best Guitarist several times by Guitar Player Magazine and has had sold out concerts across the world including Bulgaria and the United States.

Al Di Meola’s finds inspiration in music cultures across the world including sounds from Argentina, Brazil, Israel and the Mediterranean and in acoustic genres such as flamenco and the tango. The depth of his writing along with the soulfulness of his guitar expression have won this guitar virtuoso legions of fans worldwide, having played over many years to sell out shows across Europe, Canada and his native USA.
Of Di Meola, Guitar historian Robert Lynch said: “In the history of the electric guitar, no one figure has done more to advance the instrument in a purely technical manner than Al Di Meola. His total command of the various styles and scales is simply mind-boggling.”

Al Di Meola
with World Sinfonia
Australian & New Zealand Tour
MARCH & APRIL 2009

Perth Concert Hall
March 5
08 9231 9900

Sydney City Recital Hall Angel PlaceMarch 7
02 8256 2222
Bellingen Memorial Hall
March 9
02 6655 1522

Byron Bay High SchoolMarch 10

Enmore Theatre Sydney
March 12
02 9550 3666

The Basement, Sydney
March 13
02 9251 2797

Christchurch James Hay
BrisbaneMarch 15
136 246
Kuranda Amphitheatre
New ZealandMarch 16
1300 762 545

Auckland The Great Hall
March 18
0800 289 842

James Hay Theatre Christchurch
March 19
03366 8899

Wellington Opera House
March 22
04384 3840

Hobart City HallMarch 24
1300 762 545
Melbourne Hamer Hall
March 25
1300 182 183
Adelaide Her Majesty’s Theatre
March 26
08 8216 8600

Canberra Royal Theatre March 27
02 6243 5711

Newcastle Civic Theatre
March 29
02 4929 1977
Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
March 30
02 8839 3399
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TOT MOM

October 22nd 2009 23:00
STEVEN SODERBERGH'S UNTITLED PROJECT REVEALED

Sydney Theatre Company presents

TOT MOM
Created by Steven Soderbergh

18 December 2009 to 31 January 2010. Opens 23 December 2009 at 8pm Wharf 1, Sydney Theatre Company, Pier 4, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay.

The much anticipated final production of Sydney Theatre Company's 2009 Main Stage season, directed by Steven Soderbergh, explores issues associated with a real life murder case that is still unfolding in the United States. Tot Mom is based on events following the June 2008 disappearance of two-year-old Caylee Anthony in Florida and the high profile investigation into her disappearance, later discovered to be a homicide. The production is at Wharf 1 from 18 December 2009 to 31 January 2010.

Olivier Award winning and Tony Award nominated actress Essie Davis, last seen at STC seven years ago in The School For Scandal makes a welcome return to the Company and leads a stellar cast that also includes Wayne Blair, Zoe Carides, Damon Herriman, Rhys Muldoon and Peter Kowitz. The creative team is comprised of designers Peter England and Tess Schofield, lighting designer Damien Cooper and Composer/Sound Designer Paul Charlier.


The strange facts of the Caylee Anthony case baffled police investigators and sparked
intense and sensational media interest in the US. Nancy Grace, an often controversial legal commentator and host of a popular CNN nightly TV show of her own name, led a crusade for 'justice for Caylee' as the tragic story became a 24-hour news spectacle.

Using excerpts from transcripts of Nancy Grace's show, court documents and police reports, Steven Soderbergh has created a compelling drama for these sensationhungry times.

Cast: Wayne Blair, Zoe Carides, Essie Davis, Darren Gilshenan, Glenn Hazeldine, Genevieve
Hegney, Damon Herriman, Peter Kowitz, Rhys Muldoon, Emma Palmer.

Director: Steven Soderbergh. Set Designer: Peter England. Costume Designer: Tess
Schofield. Lighting Designer: Damien Cooper. Composer/Sound Designer: Paul Charlier.
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Miranda Otto joins Theatre of Image

August 31st 2009 08:54
Miranda Otto joins ToI (Theatre of Image)



Actress and mother Miranda Otto will join Hugo Weaving as co-Ambassador of Theatre of Image, a heavily supported theatre company for children based in Sydney.

Miranda appeared with Hugo in Theatre of Image's Vivaldi's Ring Of Mystery with The Sydney Symphony Orchestra at The Sydney Opera House in the early days of Theatre of Image.

Miranda is now married with a young daughter so the time is right to be reunited with Theatre of Image as an audience member and advocate for quality live theatre experiences and Creative Holiday Workshops for children and families.



Children are by nature creative. They take a cardboard ring and a piece of fabric and they become a queen or an old stick and they become a pirate fighting on the high seas. Their play is theatre in its purest form. In a world that seeks to turn children into a market for consumables it is so wonderful to have company like Theatre of Image whose mission is to open a child's mind and let them wonder and dream. After working with TOI and seeing their shows I am excited and proud to become an Ambassador for the company.
Miranda Otto

October Creative Holiday Workshops

Theatre of Image continues its 2009 Creative Holiday Workshop program with The Space World Workshop for 5-12 yos at The Powerhouse Museum and The Book of Everything Workshop for 11-16 yos at Belvoir St Theatre in October.
Bookings 9518-8458.

Christmas Co-Production with Belvoir Street In December ToI premieres a new show for family audiences. The Book of Everything is a co-production with Belvoir St Theatre and is part of their subscription program. It is adapted from the book of the same name by Richard Tulloch, directed by Neil Armfield and designed by Kim Carpenter. This reunites Neil and Kim for the first time since they were young Co-Artistic Directors of Nimrod (Belvoir St's predecessor) with John Bell.

Bookings 9699-3444

The Book of Everything by Guus Kuijer is available from Dymocks City Bookstore and all good booksellers. It is included in the reading list of the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge.
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PATRICK WHITE PLAYWRIGHTS’ AWARD 2009

April 18th 2009 02:31
SHORTLIST RELEASED FOR

PATRICK WHITE PLAYWRIGHTS’ AWARD 2009



Sydney Theatre Company has released the judges’ shortlist of six plays in the running for the prestigious 2008 Patrick White Playwrights’ Award. The Award is an annual initiative of Sydney Theatre Company and The Sydney Morning Herald established in 2000 in honour of Patrick White’s contribution to Australian theatre and to foster the development of Australian playwrights.



The $20,000 award is Australia’s richest prize for playwriting for an unproduced play. In addition, the winning playwright is given the opportunity to work with STC directors and actors during a workshop culminating in a rehearsed reading of their play during the Sydney Writers’ Festival.



To date, 15 writers have shared in the Award from over 1600 entries. Previous winners include Angus Cerini for Wretch, Timothy Daly for The Man in the Attic, Patricia Cornelius for Do Not Go Gentle…, Wesley Enoch for The Story of the Miracle at Cookie’s Table and Stephen Carleton for Constance Drinkwater and the Final Days of Somerset.



The 2008 Award received 143 entries from around Australia. The shortlist of six plays being considered by the judges is:



Muff – Van Badham

Bloodwood – Nicki Bloom

Thomas Murray and the Upside Down River – Reg Cribb

And No More Shall We Part – Tom Holloway

Hardcore – Ross Mueller

The Lion’s Mouth – Alexandra Woods



The shortlisted playwrights include: Reg Cribb – winner of the Patrick White Playwrights’ Award in 2001 and author of The Haunting of Daniel Gartrell which was staged at Perth Theatre Company earlier this year; Nicki Bloom – whose play Tender won the Inscription Chairman’s Award for Best Play in 2007 and has been staged by B-Sharp, Griffin Theatre Company and HotHouse Theatre; Tasmanian playwright Tom Holloway - who studied at NIDA’s Playwriting Studio before going on to win the 2008 AWGIE award for Best Stage Play with Beyond The Neck and being shortlisted in 2009 for a NSW Premier’s Literary Award; and Ross Mueller - winner of the 2007 Wal Cherry Award and author of Concussion, which recently premiered by Sydney Theatre Company and Griffin Theatre Company.



The judges are Hilary Bell (playwright), Alison Croggon (writer and poet), Clare Morgan (Arts Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald), and Andrew Upton (Co Artistic Director, Sydney Theatre Company).



The winner will be announced at Wharf 2 on Saturday, 23 May at 2.15pm by STC Co Artistic Director Andrew Upton, followed by a rehearsed reading of the play by STC artists.



Limited tickets for the event are available from the STC box office:

Tickets $5 (02) 9250 1777 or sydneytheatre.com.au
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Martin Taylor & Alison Burns | Tour

February 18th 2009 06:20
INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED AND GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING GUITARIST MARTIN TAYLOR TO TOUR AUSTRALIA WITH UK'S FASTEST RISING JAZZ SINGER ALISON BURNS IN MARCH 2009

When Grammy award winning guitarist Martin Taylor (pictured), who has collaborated with great singers including Peggy Lee, Martin Carthy, Jamie Cullum, Dionne Warwick and Bryn Terfel, chose to record a special duo album with a vocalist he chose the UKs fastest rising jazz singer Alison Burns.
Martin Taylor


MARTIN TAYLOR MBE
Award winning guitarist MARTIN TAYLOR has established a unique musical career as an internationally acclaimed musician, and his inimitable style has seen him recognized as the world's foremost exponent of solo jazz guitar playing. Although completely self taught, he has enjoyed a remarkable musical career spanning across four decades, and during that time has invented and developed a way of playing the guitar that is admired, and often imitated, by guitarists all over the world.

As well as being a true guitar innovator, he is also a master concert performer, dazzling audiences with his solo shows, which combine virtuosity, emotion, humor, with a strong stage presence. He spends much of the year traveling the world, playing in concert halls in Europe, North America, Japan, Asia, and Australasia. As well as his solo concerts and recordings, he has also collaborated with musicians from many different musical genre including Stephane Grappelli, Chet Atkins, Bill Wyman, Dionne Warwick, Sacha Distel, Bryn Terfel and Jamie Cullum.

From 1979 to 1989 he toured the world and recorded over 20 albums with the French jazz violin legend STEPHANE GRAPPELLI. Monsieur Grappelli described him as Rich in talent and elegance, he's a great artist.

In 2002, he was appointed MBE For Services to Jazz Music, in The Queen's Birthday Honors List, which he received personally from Her Majesty the Queen at an investiture at Buckingham Palace.

In 2007 he recieved the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Heart of Jazz Award in recognition of his career in music, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the North Wales Jazz Guitar Festival for his Contribution to Jazz Guitar Worldwide and was voted Best Guitarist in the British Jazz Awards for a record eleventh time.


When not touring he divides his time between his homes in France and Scotland where he writes music for TV and film.

His autobiography MARTIN TAYLOR - AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A TRAVELLING MUSICIAN and his latest CD/DVD FRETERNITY are available worldwide.

ALISON BURNS

The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work. Surrounded by the surfeit of little girl voices prevalent in jazz today, it's almost a relief to encounter a mature but flexible voice like ALISON BURNS. Beyond the vocal quality is imaginative delivery and interpretation that comes from experience in life as well as extensive touring in the US, UK, Italy and China. TV host Michael Parkinson has declared himself as a fan and her debut album 'Kissing Bug' featuring Guy Barker and David Newton and produced by guitarist MARTIN TAYLOR has received rave reviews. At home in any setting, from festival and theatre stages to small, intimate venues, Alison Burns never fails to touch the audience with her soul-stirring performances.

Born in Scotland, ALISON BURNS grew up drawing inspiration from the recordings of the jazz greats like Sarah Vaughn, Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald. In demand as much abroad as in the UK she has performed concerts in Tokyo, Nashville, New York, Cannes, Capri and Shanghai.

French writer Emile Zola never met ALISON BURNS, and his perceptive quote may seem like an unusual introduction, but it's wholly appropriate for this rising star of the jazz world, and her rather unusual road to success. With the release of her second album 1:AM, a collaboration with world-renowned and multi award-winning jazz guitarist MARTIN TAYLOR, Alison brings her unique interpretation to a combination of traditional jazz standards, classic contemporary songwriting, and an original song which holds particular personal significance. It's a track listing which reflects the Dundee singer's lifetime love affair with music.

“My father was a guitarist and my mum would get into his gigs around Dundee for free by carrying the case...he still carried the guitar! He used to sing to me, numbers by Peggy Lee, Lena Horne, Bessie Smith. That's what I heard around the house. I also used to watch old Hollywood movies and dream of being a singer and actress. We had linoleum flooring in the bathroom, so I used to sprinkle it with salt and try my hand at tap dancing! The first time I sang was trying to pick out harmonies in songs on the radio.”

No matter what else has happened in Alison's life, that involvement with music has run in parallel - only now is it being allowed to take the lead. Life has certainly provided inspiration. As the first female apprentice engineer in the famous Timex watch factory in Dundee, the 16-year-old refused to compromise glamour in the workplace and never forgot her lipstick. The experience showed that she was perfectly capable of holding her own in a man's world.

Other jobs followed (including being sacked from a bingo-calling job) but it was at the age of 21 that Alison realised that her childhood dreams would only be realised if she actually did something about it. The death of her brother Alan, who was serving in the Falklands brought home the reality of a life lived unfulfilled. Alan was very much the inspiration for the lyrics of the original song True on 1AM, which has music written by Martin Taylor.

Still based in Dundee, ALISON BURNS's acting, singing, and presenting career took off. As singer and songwriter in a band called The Rainmates, she tuned down two record deals which just “didn't feel right at the time”. Her first love was still the music she had heard in her childhood, however, and this led to the formation of a three-part female harmony group, The Penny Dainties. Not only did Alison get the group together, it was normal for her to be hanging over a sewing machine in the early hours, making the frocks!

Like every other performer, the days could be empty. However, never one to waste any time, Alison used the days productively and gained a law degree from Dundee University. She practised briefly, but the pull of music was too much and she found herself working in the music business, albeit behind the scenes. For a while, her own music career was put on the back burner, but it's telling that as soon as she turned her attention to jazz singing again, there was instant acclaim. The release of her debut album, Kissing Bug, in March 2007 was received with universal acclaim and became the first album by a Scottish jazz singer to reach the Jazz Top 10. She was lauded by the likes of jazz guru Michael Parkinson who invited ALISON BURNS to play at his hotel. The man himself was in the front row and threw his arms around her as she came off stage.

So far she has packed her bag to perform in far-flung destinations such as Tokyo, Nashville, New York, Cannes, Italy and Shanghai as well as exclusive events for the likes of Virgin Airlines and Sir Terence Conran. She has performed at jazz festivals and venues across the country, with her own group and guesting with Martin Taylor at a number of concerts. It was at these concerts that the idea for 1:AM came about. The recordings of Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass were the inspiration, stripping back the songs to vocal and guitar. Despite the smoky dark eyes and robust sense of humour, there's little of the jazz diva about Alison Burns. As a committed vegetarian, her greatest concern on the road is finding decent food as well as keeping in touch with her husband, family and friends. Venues will be shocked to find the only dressing room request is water and her only real superstition is “always wearing my granny's earrings”. For those who may think that Alison is where she has always wanted to be, that's true up to a point, but looking at her track record, this is obviously just the beginning. “I'd like to tour more and keep adding songs to my repertoire. It would be wonderful to sing with Tony Bennett and Michael Buble. It's also an ambition to sing with strings – I think it’s every singers ambition to sing with strings. I'd also like to write more songs.”

1:AM from ALISON BURNS and MARTIN TAYLOR is released on P3 Records. The album was inspired by the recordings of Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass. On the album, produced by Tony Platt, Alison Burns and Martin Taylor capture the essence of the recordings with just voice and guitar.

In 2009 the duo will hit the road to tour and promote this new album which is produced by legendary record producer Tony Platt (Bob Marley, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Buddy Guy). The tour and album take its inspiration from the Grammy award winning collaboration between Joe Pass & Ella Fitzgerald, mixing repertoire from The Great American Songbook and contemporary material.

Europe's finest guitarist Jazz Times, New York


Martin Taylor was the Head-line act at the last International Guitar Festival in Adelaide.


28 Feb 2009 20:00
Theatre of the Thailand Cultural Centre Bangkok, Thailand

3 Mar 2009 20:00
The Basement Sydney, Australia | Bookings: 02 9251 2791

4 Mar 2009 20:00
Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre Nowra, NSW, Australia | Bookings: 1300 788 503 with Special Guest George Golla

5 Mar 2009 20:00
Dizzy's Melbourne, Australia | Bookings: 03 9428 1233

6 Mar 2009 20:00
Dizzy's Melbourne, Australia | Bookings: 03 9428 1233

7 Mar 2009 20:00
Dizzy's Melbourne, Australia | Bookings: 03 9428 1233

8 Mar 2009 20:00
Gold Coast Arts & Cultural Centre Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia | Bookings: 05 5588 4000

9 Mar 2009 20:00
The Basement Sydney, Australia | Bookings: 02 9251 2791

11 Mar 2009 20:00
Avalon RSL Avalon, NSW, Australia | Bookings: 02 9918 2201

12 Mar 2009 20:00
Governor Hindmarsh Hotel Adelaide, Australia | Bookings: 08 8340 0744

13 Mar 2009 20:00
Ellington's Jazz Club Perth, Australia |

14 Mar 2009 20:00
Ellington's Jazz Club Perth, Australia

15 Mar 2009 20:00
Jazz Freemantle, Navy Club, High Street Freemantle, Australia | Bookings: 08 9384 4835
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WOW | Big Day Out | Sydney

January 16th 2009 00:11
Check out WOW as a 4 piece at the Big Day Out in Sydney Friday 23rd Jan.

See WOW on the Hot Produce stage at 1:20pm. It's only their third show as a live 4 piece. There will be lots of surprises.



Drum Media

WOW member Bree (top right) is on the front cover of Drum Media this week, posing with other BDO Hot Produce stage band members, Kiss from The Scare and Sarah from theredsunband. Read the full interview online or in this weeks issue.

Mailer Daemon Tennis

Mailer Daemon recently remixed WOW song No Aspirations. Download it here (Z Share)

They recently recorded Tennis covering Future Ghost. Download it here (Z Share)

There are other remixes by Bumblebeez, Pink Frost and Drugmoney available to download on our myspace now.


WOW also have these shows coming up:

Sunday 8th Feb - Playground Weekender, Wiseman's Ferry
WOW Web Site


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