AUGIE MARCH : Pennywhistle (and Tour Dates)

Our observations on the new Augie March clip for their latest single 'Penny-whistle';
1. We had no idea that Glenn Richards fished.
2. Glenn Richards' generosity with his fish is astonishing, particularly to women in over-sized blue dressing gowns.
3. Glenn Richards loves a good cable-knit jumper.
4. The boat is on fire.
5. Even though the song is called 'Pennywhistle' doesn't necessarily mean that Glenn Richards likes pennywhistles.
6. Those clothes will be dry in no time.
7. There's a dead body wrapped in a tarp behind the guy in the hoodie.
8. The remaining four members of Augie March live in a shed.
9. People who live in seaside villages have an uncanny knack of being able to break into spontaneous choreography.

For those who live away from the shores of Australia, it's a visual slice of simple Aussie life in a small seaside community.
The band is also about to perform seven dates throughout the country in support of their new album 'Watch Me Disappear', and in a rare move for any band these days, they're also visiting the apple isle.

October 30 : Sydney (Metro Theatre)
November 03 : Perth (Regal Theatre)
November 08 : Hobart (Hobart University)
November 13 : Adelaide (The Governor Hindmarsh)
November 15 : Melbourne (Ormond Hall)
November 28 : Brisbane (The Tivoli)
November 29 : Lorne (Falls Festival)

COMING SOON : Ku De Ta 3

The original Ku De Ta CD was released in late 2005 to provide Aussies with a taste of the highly successful Bali venue without having to spend thousands of dollars on an airfare to get there. With more smooth sounds from the island paradise, Ku De Ta 2 was released to rave reviews in September last year and now Volume 3 is on the verge of it's debut. It's another fine example of the team at Level Two Music putting extraordinary thought and detail into their releases, with the package containing not only a CD, but also a 50 minute DVD re-creating the 2007 Ku De Ta season, and providing a glimpse into the idyllic lives of Bali's locals and visitors. On top of that, the release also contains a deluxe diary which features artwork, poetry and scrap-book style photographs from the previous party season. More clever, sublime stuff and it's in the stores this weekend.

CASSETTE KIDS : You Take It

Sydney indie-pOp darlings the Cassette Kids are on the verge of seeing their debut album in the shops. The quartet, fronted by blonde bombshell Katrina Noorbergen, has developed quite a following on the Sydney live circuit and have been touring the country as part of the Parklife Festival. They'll continue with the touring in support of the release of their mini-album 'We Are', making stops in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia - dates are up on the band's MYSPACE. The video for the single 'You Take It' has made it into the public domain, and what could have been a simple band-in-a-warehouse style clip has most certainly benefited from a few splashes of technology, splintering the images to give a 3D effect. We like the logo and the cover for the mini-album is HOT.

BIG DAY OUT 2009

"With the global economy on the brink of collapse, what better time to ask people to hand over their hard earned money to escape the world for a day." With a little splash of humour in the face of today's stockmarket plunge, the organisers of the Big Day Out have today announced some big name performers for next year's events. Neil Young, My Morning Jacket, Pendulum, Bullet For My Valentines, New York On The Radio, The Prodigy, The Living End, Sneaky Sound System, Cog, Youth Group, The Grates, Birds Of Tokyo, Tzu, Simian Mobile Disco, The Ting Tings, Cut Copy and the Arctic Monkeys are artists who've so far been confirmed to be taking part in the 2009 line-up. Tickets for Sydney's event go on sale on October 08, the Gold Coast show is on sale October 09, while Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth all go on sale on October 10.

January 18 : Gold Coast (Parklands)
January 23 : Sydney (Showgrounds)
January 26 : Melbourne (Flemington Racecourse)
January 30 : Adelaide (Showgrounds)
February 01 : Perth (Claremont Showgrounds)

THE pOp RADAR

NEW ALBUMS COMING SOON:

LILY ALLEN : STUCK ON THE NAUGHTY STEP
ANNIE : DON'T STOP
AQUA : GREATEST HITS
MELANIE B : REIMAGINED
CHICANE : BEST OF
CRAIG DAVID : BEST OF
GIRLS ALOUD : OUT OF CONTROL
WHITNEY HOUSTON : UNDEFEATED
LEON JACKSON : RIGHT NOW
MELINDA JACKSON : DESPERATE DOLLY
JEM : DOWN TO EARTH
SOLANGE KNOWLES : SOL-ANGEL AND THE HADLEY ST. DREAMS
LEMAR : THE REASON
ROBYN LOAU : ONLY HUMAN
LINDSAY LOHAN : SPIRIT IN THE DARK
JENNIFER LOPEZ : GREATEST HITS
JESSICA MAUBOY : BEEN WAITING
DANIEL MERRIWEATHER : LOVE & WAR
SAINT ETIENNE : LONDON CONVERSATIONS
SAME DIFFERENCE : POP
THE SATURDAYS : TAKING BACK SUNDAY
SUGABABES : CATFIGHTS AND SPOTLIGHTS
WEST END GIRLS : SHOPLIFTING
WHIGFIELD : ALL IN ONE
WILL YOUNG : LET IT GO

PLUS: ACE OF BASE (2009), ALL SAINTS (2009), BANANARAMA (2009), BASEMENT JAXX (2009), NATALIE BASSINGTHWAIGHTE (2009), DANIEL BEDINGFIELD, BEYONCE, ANTHONY CALLEA, KELLY CLARKSON, KATE DEARAUGO (2009) SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR (2009), NATALIE IMBRUGLIA (2009), INFUSION, MIKA (2009), NO DOUBT (2009), HAYDEN PANETTIERE (2009), PAULINI (2009), ROYKSOPP, TAKE THAT

NEW SINGLES COMING SOON:

LILY ALLEN : EVERYONE'S AT IT
ALPHABEAT : WHAT IS HAPPENING
ANNIE : MY LOVE IS BETTER
SARA BARIELLES : BOTTLE IT UP
NATALIE BASSINGTHWAIGHTE : ALIVE
BRANDY : RIGHT HERE (DEPARTED)
CHICANE FTG. NATASHA BEDINGFIELD : BRUISED WATER
COLDPLAY : LOST
SARAH CONNOR : UNDER MY SKIN
MILEY CYRUS : FLY ON THE WALL
DIDO : DON’T BELIEVE IN LOVE
CELINE DION : MY LOVE
ALESHA DIXON : THE BOY DOES NOTHING
ELECTROVAMP : DRINKS TASTE BETTER WHEN THEY'RE FREE
SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR : OFF AND ON
ESTELLE : PRETTY PLEASE
GIRLS ALOUD : THE PROMISE
DAVID GUETTA : TOMORROW CAN WAIT
LEON JACKSON : DON’T CALL THIS LOVE
JONAS BROTHERS : LOVEBUG
KILLERS : HUMAN
LADYHAWKE : DUSK ‘TIL DAWN
LEMAR : IF SHE KNEW
LENKA : THE SHOW
LEONA LEWIS : FORGIVE ME
MADONNA : MILES AWAY
JESSICA MAUBOY : RUNNING BACK
JESSE MCCARTNEY : IT’S OVER
BRIAN MCFADDEN : ROOM TO BREATHE
MGMT : KIDS
KYLIE MINOGUE : THE ONE
MISSY ELLIOT : BEST BEST
MOBY : OOH YEAH
JASON MRAZ : MAKE IT MINE
OASIS : I’M OUTTA TIME
KATY PERRY : HOT ‘N’ COLD
POTBELLEEZ : TROUBLE TROUBLE
SAME DIFFERENCE : WE ARE ONE
SASH! FTG. STUNT : RAINDROPS (ENCORE UNE FOIS)
THE SATURDAYS : UP!
ASHLEE SIMPSON : LITTLE MISS OBSESSIVE
SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM : WHEN WE WERE YOUNG
SAM SPARRO : POCKET
SHARLEEN SPITERI : STOP I DON’T LOVE YOU ANYMORE
SUGABABES : GIRLS
TING TINGS : BE THE ONE
THE VERVE : JUDAS
KANYE WEST : LOVE LOCKDOWN
AXLE WHITEHEAD : SATELLITE

NB - all releases subject to change & list is updated bi-monthly

MS BASSINGTHWAIGHTE'S NEW SINGLE

Okay, here are the words that we've been secretly wanting to hear: "eclectic, up tempo pop". So says the press release, as the excitement begins to mount over former Rogue Traders frontwoman Natalie Bassingthwaighte's debut solo single and album. According to the official SonyBMG release, we won't be waiting too long for the first single to arrive - it's headed to radio on Friday October 10 and will be at retail a few weeks later. Says Nat of the album, “I am so thrilled to be home and delivering this album… It’s everything I wanted – it’s totally me. I am in such a positive place and I think my music really reflects that…….it’s a mix of sounds - there’s lot’s of light and shade, some really fun pop songs as well as some slower more personal ballads and a few quirky moments that I can’t wait to perform. The overwhelming sentiment that I wanted to encapsulate was a totally up/positive energy and a sense of freedom. Each of these songs has its own unique mood and flavour. I had an incredible time and really enjoyed this process. I hope everyone will love it as much as I do.” Single in-stores November 01, with the as-yet-untitled album to follow in early 2009. So what IS the title of Natalie's new single?? We thought we'd led Gene Wilder tell you;

SNEAKY'S BRITISH UFO

Obviously the glamour of the Miami Shore Motel (pictured left) from the original Australian Sneaky Sound System 'UFO' video wasn't good enough for the Brits, 'cause Connie and the boys have created a swanky new video for the song's UK release, and here 'tis below. Connie's all in gold, there's an over-sized visor, there are women in leggings and high heels with illuminated globes on their heads (as you do) and Black Angus and MC Double D are wearing some of the swankiest illuminated finery since Sam Sparro showed us his vest. If, however, you miss the simple delights of the Miami Shore Motel clip, why not book in for a holiday? MIAMI SHORE MOTEL. They've got a colour TV in every room and very competitive rates.

WHY WE LOVE BETTE MIDLER

By now, you're probably one of the more than five million people who've seen the following video of Madonna vacuuming, in promotion of her single 'Give It 2 Me' (WARNING : COARSE LANGUAGE);



Anyway, anyway, anyway, the DIVINE Miss Bette Midler (whose new album 'The Best Bette' arrives in-stores in Australia this Saturday) has done an 'answer back' video and also uploaded it to YouTube. It's marvellous, we're sure you'll agree and again... (WARNING : COARSE LANGUAGE);

WHERE DID CDB GO?

The comeback of '90s Australian boyband CDB seems to have ground to a halt.
We first broke news of the band's signing with Universal Music in early July. Then, just one month on in mid-August, the fivesome had become a foursome after an apparent falling out with member Jude Nicholas. Last Monday, their album 'The Funk Sessions' had mysteriously vanished from Universal Music's official release schedule and this morning, the CD single 'Pretty Young Thing', due for release this weekend, has also vanished from the schedule, fuelling the rumours that all is not well in the CDB camp. auspOp has heard rumour that the band has found it difficult to garner airplay and find favour with some press, and that it might just be that the political leanings of member Gary Pinto (who ran as a candidate for the 'Family First' party in last year's federal election) that is to blame. Neither the single nor the album is now scheduled for release either physically or digitally, but fans of the boys can still hear their version of the Michael Jackson classic at the boys' OFFICIAL MYSPACE PAGE.

GABRIELLA CILMI : Lessons To Be Learned

As Gabriella's single 'Save The Lies' (video below) is sent to radio in Australia today, we can now reveal what fans can expect from the repackage of her debut album 'Lessons To Be Learned' which hits stores on October 11. The new version will feature entirely new artwork, a slipcase, plus a bonus nine track acoustic CD which, among other tracks, features Gabriella's stripped-down version of the Justin Timberlake hit 'Cry Me A River'. CD buyers who've been putting off buying this album, waiting for the right moment can rest assured that the time is most certainly nigh to snap it up - and there are now more than nine new (and fantastic) reasons to do so.

PUSSYCAT DOLLS PLAY OPERA HOUSE!

Universal Music Australia has today announced that in conjunction with XBox, US supergroup Pussycat Dolls will perform a very special concert on the northern boardwalk of the Sydney Opera House. It's the first in what's expected to be an ongoing series of concerts put on by Microsoft's gaming unit throughout Australia in support of their new game 'Lips' (Microsoft's answer to the popular 'Singstar' from Sony). The 'XBox Sounds' concerts will take in most of the Australian summer, with dates planned between October this year and April 2009. The great news for fans is that tickets to the concerts are free! For more information, head to the XBox Sounds website at www.xbox.com.au. Curiously, there's no mention of exactly WHEN the concert is to take place, but other Aussie fans can take great comfort in knowing that the official press release also reveals that a 2009 Pussycat Dolls Australian tour announcement is imminent.

KEANE : Spiralling

It's taken a while for the acc-ompanying video to this awesome Keane single to break into the public domain, but now that it's here, we've got to say it's pretty amazing. Though after seeing the movie 'i Robot', we can't really look at these droids without assuming that they're going to go nutso at any time and bring about the end of civilization as we know it. But if they do, at least we've got the lovely lads from Keane serenading us as we go and dazzling us with their computer imagery.

TOURING : Lenka

Little Miss Lenka is returning home in October for two very special, very exclusive shows, one in her hometown Sydney and one in Melbourne. She's coming home to showcase her extraordinary new self-titled album which has just been released in the United States, and in support of her new single 'The Show', which is already starting to find favour with Australian audiences. Tickets for both shows go on sale this Friday, October 03.

October 27 : Melbourne (The Toff In Town)
October 29 : Sydney (Oxford Art Factory)

EMI LAUNCHES DIGITAL SITE

EMI Australia has today launched their new brand new MP3 website 'Musichead MP3', aimed at taking the company's music direct to consumers. Customers are able to choose from the (approximately) 500,000 tracks available for download from the site, from artists like Robbie Williams, Katy Perry, Tina Arena and Coldplay. They can pay for their music by either credit card or through a Paypal account and all tracks will be downloadable in MP3 format, making them compatible with iPods, other MP3 players and mobile phones. Prices are the same as you pay on iTunes or BigPond Music - at $1.69 AUD per track, but even though music from the new service is DRM (or digital rights management) free - meaning there's no restriction of use on the tracks - we don't know whether this alone will be enough to tear consumers away from other digital music providers where they can get all the tracks they want, including those from other record companies, in the one place.

MUSICHEAD MP3

BRYN'S AUSSIE CONNECTION!

It was akin to auspOp's first ever quiz - and there were some surprising guesses as to what the Bryn Christopher /Aussie connection was... 'Dukeystar' suggested it might be that the brooch Bryn wears in the clip could be made out of emu feathers. Phil believes it might be something to do with the green and gold outfit Bryn's wearing on the cover. 'Tuvak' tells us it might be an Australian co-write (as did 'Gazman' - who also suggested the clip could've been shot at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport).
So what's the correct answer? See below!

It's all about Ricki-Lee Coulter, kids! Co-written by Ricki-Lee, backing vocals by Ricki-Lee! Smilin' is, at it's heart, a Ricki-Lee song. It was co-written by Ricki-Lee during her London writing excursion for 'Brand New Day'. The verses were changed for Bryn's version (hence his co-writing credit), and though the song didn't make the cut for Ricki-Lee's 'Brand New Day', in it's original guise (with original verses), it may well end up on Ricki's album No.3.

CHART WATCH

SINGLES: Pink will be grinning like that cat that got the cream tonight; for the second week in a row, she occupies the number one position on the ARIA Singles chart with her single 'So What'. In fact the top five from last week remains unchanged, with Nashville rockers Kings Of Leon moving up to No.6 with 'Sex On Fire'. They also debut at No.29 on the chart with second track 'Use Somebody'. Flo Rida is up nine places to No.19 while Ricki-Lee drops an alarming 21 places to No.32 with 'Wiggle It'. There are also debuts at Nos. 37, 39 and 41 for Kanye West, Vanessa Amorosi and Fall Out Boy respectively.
DIGITAL TRACKS: Here's the chart where Pink seems to have fallen out of favour - digital buyers have this week decided that Mister Jason Mraz ought to be atop the digital tracks chart, up from No.3 last week. It's a game of musical chairs elsewhere in the top ten with only Kid Rock maintaining his placing (at No.4). Outside the top ten, Kings Of Leon are in at No.25 with 'Use Somebody', Kanye West is in at No.32 with 'Love Lockdown' and Fall Out Boy comes in at No.34 with 'I Don't Care'.
PHYSICAL SINGLES: Vanessa Amorosi scores a good debut on the physical singles charts with the third single from her 'Somewhere In The Real World' album. 'The Simple Things (Something Emotional)' debuts at No.8 on the physical charts - it's obvious that her fans are big on walking into stores to buy her music on CD. Flo Rida comes in a No.9 with his woefully spelled 'In The Ayer'. Ricki-Lee drops 15 places here, while Perth outfit End Of Fashion move up ten places to No.35 with new single 'Fussy'. There's also a debut at No.44 for SonyBMG signing Ida Maria.
ALBUMS: Shazam! Kings Of Leon displace rockers Metallica after their one-week stay on top of the albums chart. Metallica move down one spot to No.2. Roadshow Music's Butterfly Effect make a splash with this week's highest debut - at No.3, even out-selling the all-conquering Pussycat Dolls (who come in at No.4). Ne-Yo's newy comes in at No.7, while there'll be smiles all 'round at Modular with a No.16 debut for the sensational Ladyhawke - surely one of THE pOp albums of the year. TV On The Radio comes in at No.26, while Kings Of Leon see their debut album (2003's 'Youth And Young Manhood') beat it's previous peak of No.56 by breaking into the top 50 at No.46.

THE OFFICIAL ARIA CHARTS

SUGABABES BREAK COVER

Were you like us? A little bit of wee just came out.
'Catfights And Spotlights' is out in the UK on October 20, but there's still no confirmed release for Australia at this stage...

LIGHTS : Drive My Soul

This has got to be some of the classiest pOp we've heard all year, and coupled with it's colourful comic-book style clip, 'Lights' has smacked us squarely and firmly between our pOp eyes.
Not only is 'Drive My Soul' a killer pOp tune, but it would appear that 'Lights' (let's call her Jennifer) has also got a fabulous sense of humour, with her OFFICIAL MYSPACE saying she sounds like "A nervous sheep stradling a rocket to bring a daisy to a wolf in stilletos waiting lonely on the moon." And if this track is anything to go by (and the fact she's got more than 64,000 Myspace friends) we predict big things from this young Canadian. Just let it be known that we'll be among the chorus of adoring fans cheering her on.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK : Step By Step

Though it wasn't the group's biggest hit here in Australia (that honour went to 'You Got It (The Right Stuff)' two years earlier), 'Step By Step' is THE NKOTB anthem. By the time this single came around in mid 1990, the two Ds (Donny and Danny) and the three Js (Jordan, Johnathan and Joey) had really started to hit their strides - so much so that 'Step By Step' became the band's most successful single worldwide. Though some would today argue that the single sounds dated, it still remains full of the youthful exuberance and playfulness that commanded the attention of the world's pOp buying public all those years ago. Though it now shows it's age with the oversized suit jackets, the running man dance, the big hair and that daggy choreography we emulated so perfectly ('really want you in my world'...), it stands as a reminder of just why this band was so huge and why the fascination with New Kids On The Block, in America and the UK at least, has seen them revive their success in the new millennium. They were the quintessential boyband, the first of a new breed, the band that inspired Nigel Martin Smith to create his own boy band on the other side of the Atlantic. And though the band's new material may not live up to that of the glory days of NKOTB, it's certainly good to have welcomed them back to planet pOp after all these years.

MONROSE : Hit 'N' Run

While all the girl-band attention is focussed on the UK at the moment, what with The Saturdays, Girls Aloud and Sugababes all on the verge of releasing new albums, it could be very easy to overlook another girlband who we think is totally delicious... It's Germany's Monrose. Borne of that country's 'Popstars', Monrose first hit the charts in their homeland in 2006 with their debut single 'Shame'. Since then, they've gone on to release three albums, the most recent of which 'I Am' hit stores in Germany on Friday. Their latest long player features the top ten German release 'Strike The Match' and this - the second single 'Hit 'N' Run'. The video is filled with lights, disco balls, roller skates, choreography - even the infamous 'running man' dance makes an appearance. They have the looks, they have the sound... Now, if we could only convince Warner Music globally that Monrose's material was strong enough to take on the rest of the pOp world. The good news, however, is that Aussie fans CAN get some of the band's previous material on iTunes, including their amazing singles 'Just Like That' and 'Hot Summer'.

JASON MRAZ : Make It Mine

Lyrical genius Jason Mraz has finally captured the attention of Australian audiences with both his single 'I'm Yours' and album 'We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things' still occupying the top five down under. But with the slow and steady rise to success for both the single and the album, there's already another single waiting in the wings. 'Make It Mine' is the second single release from Jason's third album and was released in the UK earlier this month, but with 'I'm Yours' continuing to chart well, there might not be room just yet for 'Make It Mine' in Australia. It would be the perfect appetizer for a spring day in the outdoors, cruising along the coast with the windows rolled down, sipping a lightly carbonated spring water. Stylistically, it almost harks back to the days of the early-to-mid '80s - one of those tracks that used to constantly occupy the airwaves of AM radio. We like his style.

EMILIA DE PORET : Pick Me Up

We introduced you to Sweden's own Countess of pOp Emilia De Poret a smidge over a month ago, and she's now on the verge of releasing her debut single in Australia (it's out October 04). The video for 'Pick Me Up' has also now debuted on Australian TV and it's below for your viewing pleasure. It's a stylish clip, but given the lack of radio airplay for the song at this stage, we wait patiently to see whether the record-buying public will part with their hard-earned pennies to (ahem) pick it up. Emilia is due to launch the single in a top-secret Sydney location on October 08.

BRYN CHRISTOPHER : Smilin'

We were quite taken by this amazing single by Birming-ham-born singer-songwriter Bryn when we first heard it a month ago, but stupidly, we neglected to feature it in the column inches of auspOp. So now we're rectifying it - and there are a couple of reasons why... Not only is the song bloody amazing, but the video clip is pretty colourful too - startling what you can get away with in a disused aircraft hangar these days... But wait - there's more. Bryn is signed to San Remo, a publishing company co-founded by one Take That frontman Mister Gary Barlow. But wait - there's even more! You also get six free steak knives! No, seriously... There is an Australian connection with this song and it was only upon receiving the CD single for this in the post this morning that we realised. Do you know what it is? Can you guess what it is? Post your comments below - and we'll let you know on Sunday night what the Australian connection is...

SCARY SALE

Scary Spice Melanie Brown is officially selling off some of her personal belongings and giving the proceeds to charity, in an online auction that officially began earlier today. Up for grabs are 89 items from the performer's personal home, including decorator items, clothing - even a set of hair crimpers, and it's all currently starting at just 99p (about $2.50 Aussie dollars). You can even snap up the amazing car coat Mel wore in the Spice Girls 'Stop' video! We must admit though, this African mask (below) scares the absolute life out of us - no wonder she's selling it!! All proceeds from the sale go to 'Clic Sargent', a British charity set up to care for children living with cancer. So you want a piece of Mel? CLICK HERE.

ANASTACIA BREAKS COVER TOO

pOp goddess Anastacia has finally revealed the artwork for her forthcoming album 'Heavy Rotation' - and it's about time too - the album is due in-store in just four weeks' time. We like the fact that the album's title looks almost like it's rotating... and Anastacia herself looks amazing with those 'come to bed' eyes. Without her though, the album cover could just be another advertisement for Bed Bath & Beyond. Now that the album cover's out in the open, can we please have the new official website online too now?

BOYZONE BREAKS COVER

Yeah, it's a pretty good cover - the boys scrub up alright after all these years, don't they? Just updating the band's Aussie releases though... the basic 'best of' will hit retail on Saturday October 11, but the CD/DVD edition has been delayed three weeks 'til Saturday November 01 - the same date that the new live DVD hits the shops.

TOM JONES : 24 Hours

We don't quite know what to make of this new track by Wales' most famous export, Sir Thomas Jones - we don't know whether it's complete and utter crap or whether it's one of the most amazing things we've heard in a while (and from what we can ascertain, he wrote this track himself).. Adding to the confusion is the stark video (below) which is black and white, one take, with that artistic spasmodic loss of focus on Tom, who's looking longingly at something off-camera (perhaps a nice trifle). Tom's new album, of the same name, is due for release in the UK on November 25. Let us know YOUR thoughts. We're not quite sure...

SHANNON NOLL : Summertime

Well it's been a heck of a long time coming (it was filmed in Sydney on August 28), but with Shannon's 'No Turning Back' retrospective collection in-store this weekend, it's a perfect time for the 'Summertime' clip to finally hit the net. Shannon's in-hall performance is dotted with a number of his fans, and this footage is inter-cut with vintage images of summertime beaches, albeit without the compulsory inflatable Coca Cola ball, Big M hula-hoops and well-placed cans of TAB. Are you in the clip? Did you make the cut? Let us know!!

GIRLS ALOUD : The Promise

Well here's something to get the weekend off to a pleasant start - the brand new video for quite possibly auspOp's favourite girl group, Girls Aloud. 'The Promise' isn't due in-stores in the UK 'til late October (see 'when hell freezes over' here in Australia). So they're all off at the drive in, looking like the saucy vixens they are and they proceed to watch a movie starring (wait for it...) THEMSELVES! There's a splash of sequins, a 'honk' of humour and a chorus catchier than the common cold. And heck - it's new Girls Aloud - they could sneeze and we'd applaud.

Released Saturday September 27, 2008:

Augie March – Pennywhistle (CD single)
Andy Bull – Smalltown Girl (CD single)
Enigma – Seven Lies Many Faces
Jennifer Hudson – Jennifer Hudson
James Morrison – Songs For You, Truths For Me
James Morrison – You Make It Real (CD single)
Nelly – Body On Me (CD single)
Shannon Noll – No Turning Back : The Story So Far
Oasis – The Shock Of The Lightning (CD single)
The Presets – Talk Like That (CD single)
Salmonella Dub – Feel The Seasons Change
Robin Thicke – Something Else
Travis – Ode To J Smith
U2 – Live At Red Rocks (DVD)
U2 – Under A Blood Red Sky

JESSICA MAUBOY : Running Back

Hot on the heels of the song premiering on iTunes last night, comes the hot video for Jess's debut single. Shot in the Docklands area of Melbourne and featuring interwoven shots of guest vocalist Flo Rida, this clip shows just how much Jessica has matured in the last 12 months, and especially so since she left her Diva days behind her. That said, we reckon Flo Rida could still snap her in half with one hand. You don't need him, Jess... The single 'Running Back' hits retail stores on October 18.

ALEX LLOYD : Slow Train

Sydney singer-songwriter Alex Lloyd will release his his fifth studio album, 'Good In The Face Of A Stranger' on November 1st. Following on from his 2006 best-of, Alex and record company EMI parted company and this is his first release through independent label Intertia. Managing Director of Inertia, Colin Daniels, is understandably excited by the album's release. "This is Alex’s career defining release. With ‘Good In The Face Of A Stranger’ Alex has made a back to basics album that enables him to shine and show his pure musicianship”. The video for the first single, 'Slow Train' takes that creativity to another level within a visual context, with the clip containing 7000 hand-drawn images, blended together to create what is a essentially a stark and moving piece of video. It's good stuff, but then from Alex, we've come to expect nothing less.

GAY FOR CLAY

There must be something in the Idol waters - first it was the UK's Will Young (who beat a tabloid newspaper to the punch, coming out in March 2002), then came Australian Idol's Anthony Callea (after being outed by a Sydney radio traffic reporter early in 2007) and now PEOPLE MAGAZINE in the United States has confirmed what many in the industry already knew - that American Idol's Clay Aiken too is gay. The interview with Clay in which he finally admits his sexuality hits newsstands in the United States on Friday, but already the net is abuzz with the news. Clay uses the article to explain his reasons for waiting until now to disclose his sexuality, and hopes that his fans will stick by him, as they did both Will Young and Anthony Callea before him. Meanwhile, Will Young tells Britain's 'The Guardian' newspaper that he's "the worst gay person ever", saying that "If it helped some people (coming out), then great. Thing is, though, I never wanted to be in a box. I still don't. I mean, if an issue is prevalent, then I'm happy to make a comment about being gay, middle-class, or a singer, whatever. It's not like I'm a big gay campaigner picking up my mantle and charging towards Soho."
Clay's last album 'On My Way Here' was released in the US in May, Will's new album 'Let It Go' hits shops in Britain on Monday and Anthony is currently appearing in 'Wicked-The Musical' in Melbourne.

OLD SCHOOL DANNII DISC!

Just as Dannii Minogue’s been spotted going (glam-orously, we might add) into the offices of Hed Kandi this week, her fans are to get an early Christmas present this year – as Universal Music in Britain prepares to unleash (ooh, see what we did there!?) Dannii Minogue ‘The Early Years’.
The new compile will certainly be one for Dannii’s pOp purist fans, with the disc containing hits from both of Dannii’s early albums for Mushroom Music (see ‘Love And Kisses’, ‘$ucce$$’, ‘Baby Love’ etc), but will also include up to half a dozen tracks from her previously unreleased third album for Mushroom Music (1995). There’s no word on an Australian release for this, but given they still own the rights to the early stuff, it’s expected Mushroom/Warner would be the company to release it.
The brand new single-disc release is set down for a November in-store date through Universal Music UK.

THE AUSTRALIAN pOp CD NEW RELEASE SCHEDULE:

October 04
Anthony & The Johnsons – Another World EP
Cascada – Because The Night (CD single)
CDB – PYT : Pretty Young Thing (CD single)
Emilia De Poret - Pick Me Up (CD single)
Duosseudo – We Are One
Empire Of The Sun – Walking On A Dream
Kaiser Chiefs – Never Miss A Beat (CD single)
Jade Macrae – Get Me Home
Ida Maria – Fortress Round My Heart
Sarah McLachlan – Closer
Bette Midler – The Best Bette
Kate Miller-Heidke – Can’t Shake It (CD single)
Oasis – Dig Out Your Soul
The Presets – Apocalypto (Collector’s Edition)
Josh Pyke – Chimneys Afire
The Rasmus – Black Roses
Sia – Some People Have Real Problems
Martin Solveig – I Want You (CD single)
Various – Chillout Sessions XI
Various – Godskitchen : The Anthems 2008
Various – JOY 6
Various – Skitz Mix 30

October 11
Anastacia – I Can Feel You (CD single)
Augie March – Watch Me Disappear
Boyzone – Back Again : No Matter What (Greatest Hits)
Gabriella Cilmi – Lessons To Be Learned (Re-Package)
Natalie Cole – Still Unforgettable
Faithless – Live In Moscow (DVD)
Faker – Be The Twilight (Special Edition)
Jackson Jackson – Tools For Survival
Kaz James – If They Knew
Jonas Brothers – A Little Bit Longer
Keane – Perfect Symmetry
OST – Sex And The City 2
Snow Patrol – Take Back The City (CD single)
Tina Turner – Tina!
Various – Global Village 3
Various – Ku De Ta 3

October 18
Nikka Costa – Pebble To A Pearl
Vanessa Hudgens – Identified
Jessica Mauboy – Running Back (CD single)
Kate Miller-Heidke – Curiouser
OST – How To Lose Friends And Alienate People
Pomomofo – In Super VGA
Eric Prydz – Pjanoo (CD single)
September – September
Spice Girls – Live At Wembley Stadium (DVD)
Spice Girls – Live In Istanbul (DVD)
Various – Countdown One Hit Wonders 2
Various – Countdown One Hit Wonders 2 (DVD)
Various – Homesexual
Various – R&B Gold 4
Various – Verve Remixed Christmas
Various – Verve Unmixed Christmas

October 25
Christina Aguilera – Keeps Gettin’ Better (CD single)
Anastacia – Heavy Rotation
Celine Dion – My Love : Essential Collection
Alicia Keys – As I Am (The Super Edition)
Lady Gaga – Poker Face (CD single)
John Legend – Evolver
Lenka - Lenka
OST – Bogan Pride
OST – James Bond : Quantum Of Solace
Pink – Funhouse
Pussycat Dolls – I Hate This Part (CD single)
Snow Patrol – A Hundred Million Suns
Snow Patrol – A Hundred Million Suns (CD/DVD)
Armand Van Helden – New York : A Mix Odyssey 2
Various – The Best Of Bond… James Bond (CD/DVD)

November 01
Boyzone – Back Again : No Matter What (CD/DVD)
Boyzone – Back Again : No Matter What LIVE 2008 (DVD)
Dido – Safe Trip Home
Enrique Iglesias – Greatest Hits
Elton John – Red Piano (DVD)
Alex Lloyd – Good In The Face Of A Stranger
Katie Noonan - TBA
OST – High School Musical 3
The Potbelleez – The Potbelleez
Cliff Richard – The 50th Anniversary Album
Various – Ministry Of Sound : The Annual 2009
Various – Wild Summer 2009

November 08
Christina Aguilera – Keep Gettin’ Better : A Decade Of Hits
Andrea Bocelli – Incanto (CD/DVD)
Brandy – Human
Jason Donovan – Let It Be Me
Hilary Duff – Best Of
Paul Kelly – Songs From The South : Volume 1
Paul Kelly – Songs From The South : Volume 2
Paul Kelly – The Video Collection (1985 – 2008) (DVD)
T-Pain – Thr33 Ringz
Various – Ultimate R&B 2008

November 15
Tina Arena – Songs Of Love And Loss : Volume 2
Beyonce - TBA
Tracy Chapman – One Bright Future
R.Kelly – 12 Play : 4th Quarter
Britney Spears – Womanizer (CD single)

November 22
The Killers – Day And Age
Various - Heroes
Various – Now Summer 2008
Various – Now Xmas 2008

November 29
Britney Spears – Circus

December 06
Ciara – Fantasy Ride

NB - all release dates subject to change & list is updated weekly

MORE EMPIRE OF THE SUN

Fans of awesome new Aussie outfit 'Empire Of The Sun' who just can't wait for their forthcoming album can head to iTunes today to get hold of the second taster track. 'We Are The People' is in the same vein as the single 'Walking On A Dream', remixes of which have also just arrived on iTunes. The full album is due into stores on October 04.

CHRISTINA BREAKS COVER

SonyBMG has today unveiled the cover art for Christina Aguilera's forthcoming best of 'Keeps Gettin' Better - A Decade Of Hits'. And by George, what a striking cover it is! The 16 track best of features new single 'Keeps Gettin' Better' along with new track 'Dynamite', and reworkings of both 'Genie In A Bottle' (called 'Genie 2.0') and Beautiful (called 'You Are What You Are - Beautiful'). They've also revealed that the release will be available in a single disc version and a CD/DVD edition, the DVD of which will contain 10 video clips along with behind the scenes footage of the 'best of' album. Both are due in-store on Saturday November 08.

POMOMOFO : Island

This is a very serious public service warning for Sydney-siders: Keep October 15 in your diary and please, please, pretty please, whatever you do, don't go out after dark. 'Cause that's the next full moon, and after watching this new video for Sydney outfit Pomomofo (left), you really don't want to be out there, what with three hairy werewolves armed with toffee apples running around causing mayhem. They seem to enjoy rollerblading through the heart of the city under the cover of dark before heading into the inner burbs to shoot some hoops. Curiously, their opponents on the court don't even look at them twice - erm, they're WEREWOLVES!?!?. 'Island' is the focus track from the band's new EP 'In Super VGA', headed to retail establishments on October 18. By the way, was that 'Sunkist' product placement paid for?

JESSICA'S SINGLE INSTORE DATE

Firstly, how HOT is this brand new pic of former Young Diva Jessica Mauboy as she prepares to launch head-long into her solo career!? Secondly, 'Running Back' has JUST made it's way onto iTunes in Australia, so it's now available to buy digitally! And thirdly, Jessica Mauboy's fans have been waiting patiently for this news for weeks, perhaps even months. Jessica's debut solo single, 'Running Back', featuring guest vocals by US rapper Flo Rida has been slowly gaining popularity at radio in the last few weeks, and it will all build to the single's in-store date, which has been revealed by SonyBMG today. According to the latest release schedule, (and keep in mind that release dates can and do change) the CD single of 'Running Back' will officially hit stores on Saturday October 18. Work continues on Jess's website at www.jessicamauboy.com.au and there's still no news on an in-store date for her debut studio album at this stage, but it's predicted it will be before Christmas.

JANET DESERTS ISLAND

Rumours that all was not well between Janet and her record label Island/Def Jam began to surface in early June, after Janet blasted them for failing to promote her latest album 'Discipline', saying at the time, "We started off with “Feedback” and the label and myself haven’t quite seen eye to eye since the "Feedback" single so they’ve kind of basically stopped all promotion.”.
News has now leaked that Janet and Island/Def Jam have indeed parted company, with a publicist confirming, "At her request, the record label has agreed to dissolve their working relationship with the popular artist”. It means that Ms Janet will now have sole control of her recording career, being able to release and promote her music how she sees fit. Her current North American tour is due to conclude in late October and there's still no word on an Australian visit.

GIN WIGMORE : SOS

Native New Zealander, now Sydney resident Gin Wigmore is fast becoming a darling of the live scene across Australia, but it's unfortunate that just as she's hitting her strides, artists like Amy Winehouse, Duffy, Gabriella Cilmi and even Paris Wells to a lesser extent are enjoying their moments in the sun. 'Cause vocally, they all rather similar. But fans of John Butler may also get on board with this single, as he plays ukelele on the single (erm, but that's NOT John Butler on the video...). We'll admit it's classy pOp that sounds very familiar, but given radio in Australia hasn't really got behind Amy, Duffy, and Paris (though to be fair, they gave Gabriella a fair shot), it's unlikely Gin will get the exposure needed at radio to really give her the kick along she needs and moreover deserves.

JACKSON JACKSON BREAK COVER

Like a cross between the flags of Jordan, Cuba and South Africa, the cover art for Jackson Jackson's forthcoming album 'Tools For Survival' is strong, bold and makes a statement. The band's second album is due in-stores on October 11 and if the press release is anything to go by, we're in for a bit of a pOp treat prior to the festive season; "TOOLS FOR SURVIVAL gets under your skin. It’s an album to make you fall in love for the first time, to lose that love, mourn it and start all over again. The fact that the record is going to fill dance floors over summer doesn’t hurt either."

DVD SPICE

So what if they decided not to tour Australia 'cause they had parental duties waiting for them back home in their respective homelands. So what if they strangely decided not to film the bloody comeback concert for prosperity and to make an extra quid or two out of the fans. So what if they've now declared they'll never ever ever in a million years to infinity and beyond tour again. It hasn't stopped the Spice factory churning out previous concert releases on new-fandangled DVDs. 'Live At Wembley Stadium' was originally released on video in 1998, while 'Live In Istanbul' was also released on VHS a year earlier (1997 for the slow ones). But now, Victoria, Emma, Melvin B, Melvin C and Geri are set to re-release the concerts on DVDs - both due in the shops on Saturday October 18. We assume there will be no extras. Zig-a-zig-ah indeed.

PAUL KELLY : Songs From The South 2

Fans of undoubtedly one of the finest performers, musicians and lyricists this country has seen, Paul Kelly, will be blowing their budget this Christmas as EMI plans a couple of very exciting releases for November 08th. Not only will the company re-release Paul's 'Songs From The South : Volume 1', but they'll give fans something new with 'Songs From The South : Volume 2' - in essence a second collection of Paul's songs, including a new song 'Thoughts In The Middle Of The Night'. There'll also be a DVD release, with more than 40 clips, including videos and live performances. But if you're wanting something truly special, you might want to start saving your pennies for the limited signed deluxe edition, combining 'Songs From The South' volumes one and two, the DVD collection, vintage t-shirt, rare poster, and even duplicates of hand-written lyrics. All these releases hit stores on Saturday November 08.

PUSSYCAT SINGLE SWAP

We have absolutely NO idea what's gone on here - but Universal Music Australia has today completely changed their mind on the next Pussycat Dolls single. The second single from the album, the follow-up to the Dolls' smash 'When I Grow Up', was due to be 'Whatcha Think About That', a video for which was reportedly shot in Los Angeles earlier this month. Alas, the new single in Australia is now the uptempo pOp number 'I Hate This Part' - and it seems that the decision has been very last-minute. This is the cover art that was sent out to radio today, essentially the album cover with 'I Hate This Part' replacing the album name. Perhaps even more bizarrely, the release date is unchanged. The new PCD single will hit stores on Saturday October 25.

JADE BREAKS COVER

The delightful Miss Jade Macrae has unveiled the cover art for her forthcoming second album 'Get Me Home'. The album, due to feature Jade's latest single 'I Wanna Be In Love' as well as her uptempo previous single 'In The Basement', is due to hit stores on Saturday October 04. Doesn't she look different with straight hair!?

TOURING : Simply Red

Mister Mick Hucknall (AKA Simply Red) will tour Australia in early 2009 as part of the 'Greatest Hits' tour. To celebrate the release of a greatest hits CD and DVD later this year (previous incarnation pictured above), Simply Red will be performing in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne, as well as at a series of 'Day On The Green' winery events. They'll be supported at their Australian shows by Kate Ceberano and tickets for all shows are on sale on Friday October 03.

February 05 : Perth (Kings Park - A DAY ON THE GREEN)
February 07 : Barossa Valley (Peter Lehmann Wines - A DAY ON THE GREEN)
February 08 : Yarra Valley (Rochford Wines - A DAY ON THE GREEN)
February 10 : Melboune (Palais Theatre)
February 17 : Canberra (Royal Theatre)
February 18 : Sydney (Opera House)
February 21 : Hunter Valley (Bimbadgen Estate - A DAY ON THE GREEN)
February 22 : Brisbane (Sirromet Wines - A DAY ON THE GREEN)