NEWS WRAP

* Independent Aussie music label Inertia has announced that they've signed the entire back catalogue from Brussels-born singer songwriter Gotye. They're set to re-release the Melbourne artist's back catalogue in Australia this weekend.
* Over in the UK, Lady Gaga has notched up a second week in the top position on the singles chart with her second single 'Poker Face'. Boyzone frontman Ronan Keating occupies the No.1 position on the albums chart in Britain with 'Songs For My Mother', also for the second week. The Pet Shop Boys debut at No.4 with their new album 'Yes', a disappointing result given it was reportedly No.1 in the UK midweeks.
* Not content with banging out a (still unreleased) cover version of the Foo Fighters track 'Everlong', British dance diva and auspOp favourite Tina Cousins has covered another rock track, but this one's a little more recent. It's a cover of the Kings Of Leon instant classic 'Sex On Fire'. Fans can catch a sneak peek over at Tina's OFFICIAL MYSPACE.
* And Universal Music has announced that due to unprecedented demand, the new Black Eyed Peas song 'Boom Boom Pow' has been rushed to digital retail early and is now available to download. Curiously though, the physical single planned for release has disappeared from this week's release schedule.

A TYDI BIT OF WORK

Following a year of incredible highs, touring in support of some of the world's biggest names in dance (see Paul Van Dyk, Tiesto and Armin Van Buuren), revellers are slowly but surely starting to succumb to the beat-laden charms of one DJ Tydi. Beginning his DJ career as a sweet 16 year old, Queensland native Tydi has fast become one of Australia's most in demand DJs, his tracks have been signed to dance labels throughout the world and on New Years Eve, he played in front of an estimated 40,000-strong crowd, closing Melbourne's Sensation dance event. What really impresses, however, is that Tydi has managed to achieve all this at the tender age of just 21. And now he's ready to conquer the world with his debut album, the first single from which hits the stores on April 17 through Stomp's sub label EQ Recordings. 'Foolish' features the vocals of co-writer Keshia Kiely, just one of the many vocalists Tydi's roped in to guest on his debut long player. Tasters of his album are streaming now on the DJ's OFFICIAL MYSPACE, with a physical release for 'Look Closer' due on April 25.

THE pOp RADAR

NEW ALBUMS COMING SOON:

TORI AMOS : ABNORMALLY ATTRACTED TO SIN
ANNIE : DON'T STOP
MELANIE B : REIMAGINED
CORBIN BLEU : SPEED OF LIGHT
TONI BRAXTON : PULSE
VV BROWN : TRAVELLING LIKE THE LIGHT
ANDY BULL : ANDY BULL
CDB : THE FUNK SESSIONS
MISSY ELLIOT : BLOCK PARTY
EVE : FLIRT
FRANKMUSIK : COMPLETE ME
MACY GRAY : THE GRAY LIFE
SHELLEY HARLAND : RED LEAF
WHITNEY HOUSTON : UNDEFEATED
NATALIE IMBRUGLIA : COME TO LIFE
JEM : DOWN TO EARTH
JUST JACK : ALL NIGHT CINEMA
NICK LACHEY : COMING UP FOR AIR
JENNIFER LOPEZ : GREATEST HITS
MANIC STREET PREACHERS : JOURNAL FOR PLAGUE LOVERS
LUIGI MASI : SAVE HIS SHOES
MASSIVE ATTACK : WEATHER UNDERGROUND
LISA MITCHELL : THE ATTIC SPACE
JANELLE MONAE : METROPOLIS
MANDY MOORE : AMANDA LEIGH
N.E.R.D. : BEST OF
NOISETTES : WILD YOUNG HEARTS
MICHAEL PAYNTER : THIS WELCOME DIVERSION
PEACHES : I FEEL CREAM
DANIEL POWTER : UNDER THE RADAR
RAEN : AFTER THE STORM
RÖYKSOPP : SENIOR
ROB THOMAS : CRADLE SONGS
WEST END GIRLS : SHOPLIFTING
SARAH WHATMORE : TIME TO THINK
JENNY WILSON : HARDSHIPS

PLUS: CHRISTINA AGUILERA, AVALANCHES, BASEMENT JAXX, DANIEL BEDINGFIELD, NATASHA BEDINGFIELD, ALEXANDRA BURKE, ANTHONY CALLEA, JAMIE CULLUM, KATE DEARAUGO, DIRTY LAUNDRY, SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR, NELLY FURTADO, KATE HAVNEVIK, PARIS HILTON, INFUSION, MIKA, SHANNON NOLL, PAULINI, RIHANNA, KELLY ROWLAND, THE SATURDAYS, SCISSOR SISTERS, GUY SEBASTIAN, JORDIN SPARKS, SHANIA TWAIN, THE VERONICAS, ROBBIE WILLIAMS

NEW SINGLES COMING SOON:

ALCAZAR : BURNING
LILY ALLEN : NO FEAR
ANASTACIA : DEFEATED
ANNIE : ANTHONIO
AVENUE : CAN YOU FEEL IT
ZOE BADWI : DON’T WANT CHA
NATALIE BASSINGTHWAIGHTE : 1000 STARS
KELLY CLARKSON : I DO NOT HOOK UP
DIDO : QUIET TIMES
ALESHA DIXON : LET’S GET EXCITED
FRANZ FERDINAND : NO, YOU GIRLS
FLO RIDA : SUGA
FREEMASONS FTG. SOPHIE ELLIS BEXTOR : HEARTBREAK MAKES ME A DANCER
GIRLS ALOUD : UNTOUCHABLE
DAVIG GUETTA FTG. KELLY ROWLAND : WHEN LOVE TAKES OVER
CALVIN HARRIS : I’M NOT ALONE
KATE HAVNEVIK : HALO
JENNIFER HUDSON : IF THIS ISN’T LOVE
JUST JACK : EMBERS
NICK LACHEY : PATIENCE
LADYHAWKE : BACK OF THE VAN
LA ROUX : BULLETPROOF
MARILYN MANSON : ARMAGEDDON
DANIEL MERRIWEATHER : RED
KATY PERRY : WAKING UP IN VEGAS
RÖYKSOPP FTG. ROBYN : THE GIRL & THE ROBOT
SANTOGOLD : SAY A-HA
SATURDAYS : WORK
t.A.T.u. : WHITE ROBE
SANDER VAN DOORN VS ROBBIE WILLIAMS : CLOSE MY EYES
THE VERVE : JUDAS

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

FREE PHOENIX

We've always had a little soft spot for French alternative outfit Phoenix - neither pOp nor pure rock, their music is a pleasing hybrid of both and their new single '1901' continues on in the fine tradition. Already getting spins on Triple J (where it's been their No.1 played song for the past two weeks) and across the national Nova Network, the single is the first from their forthcoming album 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix' (pictured), which will be released by Shock Records in Australia in the middle of May. The ten track album, the group's fourth, is their first with new record label V2 Records (distributed by Shock locally) and has been co-produced by long-time collaborator Philippe Zdar. To celebrate the release of the single and the new album, the band is offering the single '1901' as a free download from their OFFICIAL WEBSITE. Or just click on the image below to be transported to the mainpage! 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix' is scheduled for release in Australia on May 22.

COUNTDOWN TO EUROVISION : Poland

Eurovision 2009, to be held in Moscow on May 14, is now less than two months away. Throughout the countdown to the 2009 festivities, auspOp is continuing it's look at some of the acts you may well be seeing in the final at Moscow's Indoor Olympic Arena. Some of these performers have already recorded video clips for their entries, whereas some will just tempt you with their live performances.

POLAND : Lidia Kopania - I Don't Wanna Leave

30 year old Polish songstress Lidia Kopania was chosen to represent Poland at this year's Eurovision Song Contest at her country's Piosenka dla Europy just over six weeks ago. A seasoned performer in her homeland, achieving varied chart successes since the late 1990s, Lidia is also part of German two-piece outfit Kind Of Blue. The track she'll perform as part of this year's competition, 'I Don't Wanna Leave', is a beautiful Delta-esque ballad, co-written by her Kind Of Blue bandmate Bernd Klimpel.

AVIMA WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Winners in the 2009 Asia Voice Independent Music Awards have been announced in a web-based ceremony, originating in Malaysia. The awards celebrate the very best in independent music from all over Asia and plans are afoot to extend the reach of next year's awards to include all of Australasia. Collaborative outfit Project E.A.R, with members from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines, impressed the judges - taking out both Rock Song Of The Year and the prestigious Song Of The Year gong for the track 'Marabahaya'. Other winners on the night included acts from all over Asia - from Singapore to Japan, Malaysia to Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia and even the United Arab Emirates. A full list of all the winners for the 2009 event is available on the VOIZE MUSIC WEBSITE. auspOp congratulates all involved on the awards, from the nominees and winners to the organisers of the event, who (like us) are passionate about supporting independent music.

A SNEAK PEAK AT LIOR'S SHOW

We gave you a little hint of what to expect from Lior's Aussie 'Shadows And Light' tour back in mid February, when the independent artist hinted that audiences could expect something a little special from his forthcoming live shows. With his Perth and Kincumber dates now behind him, Lior and his team have given auspOp a little sneak peek of what audiences can expect from the rest of his Australian shows. Beyond a string of dates at Sydney Opera House's 'Studio', he'll travel the east coast, visiting Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane and Canberra, also stopping off in Darwin and adding a show in Launceston. The shadow puppetry used in the show (as you can tell from the images above) is truly and utterly mesmerizing.

April 14 : Sydney (Opera House - The Studio)
April 15 : Sydney (Opera House - The Studio)
April 16 : Sydney (Opera House - The Studio)
April 17 : Sydney (Opera House - The Studio)
April 18 : Sydney (Opera House - The Studio)
April 23 : Brisbane (Powerhouse)
April 24 : Cairns (Tanks Arts Centre)
April 25 : Darwin (Entertainment Centre)
April 29 : Launceston (Country Club Showroom)
April 30 : Hobart (Theatre Royal)
May 02 : Melbourne (Athenaeum Theatre)
May 03 : Bendigo (Capitol Theatre)
May 09 : Canberra (Tilley's Divine Cafe)
May 10 : Canberra (Tilley's Divine Cafe)

DUKES OF WINDSOR : Runaway

From the falling rose petals at the beginning of the clip to the Risky Business piss-take that follows, you know you're in for something special from the latest Dukes Of Windsor video. There are tiny little glimpses of some of the most famous movie scenes of all time, all squeezed into three minutes and 34 seconds of video. There are a couple of Titanic moments - including one where the name of the boat seems to be the no pun intended 'Happy Seaman'. But we're pretty sure there were no ferris wheels anywhere near Brokeback Mountain. It's all a heck of a lot of fun and we're sure there were plenty of laughs on-set - and we recommend you stick around long enough for the the Sharon Stone 'Basic Instinct' moment at the end. Perhaps not for those with a weak disposition.

KERI HILSON : Knock You Down

In a perfect world, Keri Hilson would have seen her debut album released at the end of 2008, but instead of having it's release overshadowed by the other major releases in the last couple of months of last year, her record company delayed it's release 'til 2009. Smart move. The album's just been released in the United States - it's Australian release in a month's time - and although local radio is currently gobbling up 'Return The Favour', the US is already at single No.4, this one featuring Kanye West and Ne-Yo on guest vocal duties. The clip features the R&B vixen lounging seductively on her doona, in the skimpiest micro-shorts since Kylie found a pair for 50p. With a sharp look and an even sharper sound, Keri could most definitely join the chorus of new talent who'll be ripping up local airwaves in 2009.

CHART WATCH

SINGLES : After surrendering the top position last week to Taylor Swift, US rapper Flo Rida has returned to the top spot this week with some halfway decent sales of the physical single of 'Right Round'. The track sold a total of 16,065 units last week to again hit the No.1 position. That's not to say that Taylor Swift was a long way behind with 'Love Story' - on the contrary, her 14,638 total sales last week was also rather healthy. Beyonce at No.3 with 'Halo' also cracked the 10,000 mark, bagging a collective 11,252 sales. The Ciara/Justin Timberlake debut of No.6 is particularly strong off the back of 6984 download sales alone, while Britney Spears is knocking on the door of another top 10 hit - 'If You Seek Amy' rising 13 places this week to No.11. Jessica Mauboy has another top 20 hit on her hands with 'Been Waiting' - it moves into the No.16 position this week. Rockers Nickelback debut at No.28 with their new single 'I'd Come For You' selling 2722 copies in it's first week, while there's a huge and slightly puzzling drop for the Ian Carey Project's track 'Get Shaky' - down a massive 18 places to No.29.
PHYSICAL SINGLES : Physically, it's Flo Rida doing the business this week - but only just. 'Right Round' sold a total of 2280 physical copies last week, a little over 300 copies ahead of Taylor Swift, who sells another 1967 physical copies of 'Love Story'. Jess Mauboy's 'Been Waiting' is in a hurry on the physical charts, racing up to No.6 from No.21 last week - she sold 734 physical singles in the past week. A reborn Central Station's first CD single release of the Chicane/Natasha Bedingfield mash-up 'Bruised Water' debuts for them at No.29, but fails to trouble the top 100 proper.
DIGITAL TRACKS : Digitally, it's a case of Flo Rida, Taylor Swift and Beyonce in the same chart order again this week, but Ciara bullets into the No.4 position here with her JT collboration 'Love Sex Magic' rising from No.79 last week. Lady Gaga also jumps up to No.37 with 1776 sales of her new single 'LoveGame'.
ALBUMS : No surprises to see Kings Of Leon on top of the charts for another week, a further 10,011 sales keeping them in the No.1 position. But it was a relatively slow sales week, with Idol winner Wes Carr's debut album 'The Way The World Looks' managing only 8033 sales to debut at No.2. So low were sales last week that Evermore's new album 'Truth Of The World' needed to sell only 3060 copies to debut in the No.14 position. There were 1463 Röyksopp fans rushing out to buy their new album 'Junior' (No.28), while presumably Australia's Pet Shop Boys fans were waiting patiently for the limited edition version of the album 'Yes' to arrive later in the week - only 1213 people bought the standard version for a No.32 debut.

OFFICIAL ARIA CHARTS

VERONICAS JAPAN PACKAGE

Brisbane siblings The Veronicas are spruiking their wares around the world at the moment, capturing hearts in Europe and garnering top 20 success in the United States. They recently performed to packed houses in Australia and New Zealand as part of their 'Revenge Is Sweeter' tour. In Japan, meanwhile, the girls have released this - the double compilation album 'The Veronicas Complete'. The release is essentially a package of both their 'The Secret Life Of The Veronicas' and 'Hook Me Up' albums with a few bonus tracks tacked onto the end of the latter to satiate the fans. Meanwhile the girls have confirmed that they're also writing tracks for their upcoming third album.

SARAH WHATMORE : Undefined

So we told you about the return of British singer Sarah Whatmore just over 24 hours ago, and as promised, here's a look at the video for the singer's latest single 'Undefined'. File the track near the acoustic goodness of Natalie Imbruglia and Jewel, it's a delightful slice of guitar-lite pOp music, with a rather dashing looking video clip to boot. Sarah's off to a masked ball, it would appear and as she ascends the staircase (presumably to the little girls room), she removes her mask to a darkened stranger who we suspect to be the porter. Peeping through a keyhole shortly thereafter, she witnesses the masked guests getting up to all sorts of bawdiness, and an older gentleman celebrates his birthday.

TORI AMOS BREAKS COVER

US songstress Tori Amos has revealed the cover image for her forthcoming tenth studio album 'Abnormally Attracted To Sin', due for release in May. The album, containing 17 tracks, is the singer's first with the Universal Republic Group (Universal Music in Australia) and follows deals that have seen her music previously released in Australia by Warner Music and more recently Sony. It's anticipated the Australian release will follow overseas dates, which should see the album hit the stores in Australia on May 15, though a local release for the album is yet to be confirmed.

IS ROBBIE BACK!?

It hasn't happened for 14 years, but according to Britain's THE MIRROR newspaper, the return of Robbie Williams to the band that launched his career is most definitely on. There has been much rumour about Robbie's return to Take That of late, but The Mirror reports that the band (including Robbie) will take to the stage in June or November in 2010 to play a residency at a major London venue (presumably the O2 Arena). According to their reports, Robbie is '100% confirmed' to rejoin the group.

VERTIGO : Forever Lately

Now here's a blast from the past (with a low quality rip from the ABC's 'Rage' to prove it). The year was 1997, the band was Vertigo and the track was 'Forever Lately'. Skimming through the desert is a futuristic looking land-going vehicle (no, not even a tricked-up Toyota Tarago), hurtling through the dusty red nothingness to their destination, which we presume is the set for the video. There are two flame-haired, silver-clad spacewomen (Jackson Mendoza!?) and some brightly coloured props - could Vertigo have been the Empire Of The Sun of the 1990s!? But just wait 'til you see what's happened to the Sydney Opera House! Made up of four Aussie boys, two of whom were formerly in Pseudo Echo, the band in this incarnation released just two singles, 'Forever Lately' and 'Human Need', before changing their name to INvertigo in the early part of this decade. An album by Vertigo was reportedly recorded in the late 1990s and from what we hear, it was nothing short of brilliant. 12 years on, we'd still love to get our listening ears around it. Classy Australian pOp that still holds it's own today - it's on our iTunes.

THE auspOp DIARY

WEEK COMMENCING MARCH 30, 2009

Mar 30 : BRISBANE – The Kills (The Zoo)
Mar 30 : MELBOURNE – Counting Crows (Palais Theatre)
Mar 30 : MELBOURNE – Sia (Corner Hotel)
Mar 30 : SYDNEY – Snow Patrol (Hordern Pavillion)
Mar 31 : ADELAIDE – Sia (Governor Hindmarsh)
Mar 31 : BRISBANE – Elbow (The Tivoli)
Mar 31 : BRISBANE – M83 (The Zoo)
Mar 31 : MELBOURNE – Madness (Palace Theatre)
Mar 31 : SYDNEY – Human League (Metro Theatre)
Mar 31 : SYDNEY – Kaiser Chiefs (Enmore Theatre)
Mar 31 : SYDNEY – The Who (Acer Arena)
Apr 01 : ADELAIDE – Madness (Thebarton Theatre)
Apr 01 : ADELAIDE – Snow Patrol (Entertainment Centre)
Apr 01 : BATHURST - Idol Auditions (Memorial Entertainment Centre)
Apr 01 : MELBOURNE – M83 (Prince Of Wales)
Apr 01 : MELBOURNE – Kaiser Chiefs (The Palace)
Apr 01 : PORTLAND – Shannon Noll (Portland Civic Centre)
Apr 01 : SYDNEY – Elbow (The Metro)
Apr 01 : SYDNEY – The Kills (The Forum)
Apr 02 : BALLARAT – Shannon Noll (Regent Multiplex)
Apr 02 : BRISBANE – Sneaky Sound System (Family)
Apr 02 : MELBOURNE – Elbow (Corner Hotel)
Apr 02 : MELBOURNE – Snow Patrol (Palais Theatre)
Apr 02 : PERTH – Sia (Capitol Theatre)
Apr 02 : SYDNEY – M83 (Metro Theatre)
Apr 02 : SYDNEY – The Temper Trap (Annandale Hotel)
Apr 02 : TIX ON SALE – Il Divo (Nationally)
Apr 03 : ADELAIDE – Kaiser Chiefs (Thebarton Theatre)
Apr 03 : BENDIGO – Shannon Noll (Bendigo Schweppes Centre)
Apr 03 : BRISBANE - Sneaky Sound System (Platinum Nightclub)
Apr 03 : HOBART – Madness (Moorilla Estate Winery)
Apr 03 : MELBOURNE – Human League (Billboard Nightclub)
Apr 03 : MELBOURNE – The Kills (Prince Of Wales)
Apr 03 : SYDNEY - Guy Sebastian (Theatre Royal)
Apr 04 : BRISBANE - Sneaky Sound System (Alexandra Hills Hotel)
Apr 04 : MELBOURNE – V Festival 09 (Showgrounds)
Apr 04 : MILDURA – Shannon Noll (Settlers Centre)
Apr 04 : PERTH – The Who (Members Equity Stadium)
Apr 04 : SYDNEY – Sparkadia (The Factory)
Apr 05 : MANNUM – Shannon Noll (Pretoria Hotel)
Apr 05 : MELBOURNE – Michael Franti (Prince Bandroom)
Apr 05 : NEWCASTLE - Idol Auditions (Jockey Club)
Apr 05 : PERTH – V Festival 09 (Claremont Showgrounds)

COUNTDOWN TO EUROVISION : Azebaijan

Eurovision 2009, to be held in Moscow on May 14, is now less than two months away. Throughout the countdown to the 2009 festivities, auspOp is continuing it's look at some of the acts you may well be seeing in the final at Moscow's Indoor Olympic Arena. Some of these performers have already recorded video clips for their entries, whereas some will just tempt you with their live performances.

AZEBAIJAN : AySel & Arash - Always

Iranian-born singer Arash has been lucky enough to have his single 'Always' chosen as this year's Eurovision entry from the eastern European Republic of Azebaijan. He'll team up with 19 year old Azebaijani R&B singer Aysel Teymurzadeh to perform the number at this year's contest on May 14. The track itself screams Eurovision, with plenty of middle-eastern influence and an almost Mr.President 'Coco Jamboo'-esque beat. We reckon this track might actually work locally too - but who'd be game enough to take it to radio...?

WHAT'S ALL THIS THEN, JESSICA MAUBOY?

Not content with tearing up the local charts with the singles 'Running Back', 'Burn' and 'Been Waiting' and her album 'Been Waiting', not even content with signing a lucrative deal with respected British dance label Ministry Of Sound, Jessica Mauboy is now turning her focus to the Japanese market as she prepares to release the 'Been Waiting' album in that territory. The Japanese edition comes with previously unreleased bonus tracks 'Breathe' and 'Chinese Whispers', along with remixes of 'Burn' and 'Running Back'. The album is set for release in Japan on April 22.

MANICS BREAK COVER

You may be a little excited by the glimpse of the packshot for the forthcoming ninth studio album by UK indy outfit Manic Street Preachers, but there's yet to be confirmation of the album's release in Australia. It's the group's last album under their current contract with Sony Music and is set to feature 13 tracks including rumoured first single 'Peeled Apples'. It's the group's first album release in two years and looks set for a worldwide release in the middle of May.

SARAH WHATMORE RETURNS

It was back in September last year when we last updated you with the news that former UK pOp Idol contestant Sarah Whatmore has headed back into the studio to record brand new music. The last we had heard from Sarah before prior to this was back in 2003 when she released pOptastic debut single 'When I Lost You' and followed it up with the slightly less lustrous 'Automatic'. With her debut album scrapped, Sarah disappeared from the spotlight and has taken plenty of time (six years to be exact) in crafting her debut album. After tempting us with new single 'Smile' in the latter half of 2008, the singer released her debut album 'Time To Think' in the UK earlier in the week. The ten track album is much more mellow than her previous outings, with her latest single 'Undefined' a joyous acoustic number. Though for those still pining for something altogether pOp, former single 'Smile' was remixed by Bimbo Jones last year (check Sarah's OFFICIAL MYSPACE to wrap your ears around it). It's extraordinarily strong stuff and deserves to be heard. Look for an auspOp post of the 'Undefined' clip within the next 48 hours.

LITTLE BIRDY : Summarize

We must admit to just listening to the new Little Birdy single for the very first time - and we must also say we very much like. There's definitely something familiar in it's sound, a bouncy, '60s-esque romp, with a stylish, mostly black and white video clip that's been crafted to complement the track perfectly, which is does. It also looks like lead singer Katy, surrounded by a bevy of retro-clad beauties, had oodles of fun making it. While comparisons to the Sharleen Spiteri-fronted Texas may come, with it's stomping guitar-laden beat, Little Birdy's 'Summarize' is delicious, bright, bubbly, feel-good Aussie pOp.

MTV AUSTRALIA AWARD WINNERS

There were plenty of good looks, scrumptious surprises and special guests from here and abroad at last night's Vodafone MTV Australia Awards at Sydney's Darling Harbour Convention Centre. Hosted by Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz, the red carpet came alive with a cavalcade of stars including Dannii Minogue, Duffy, Delta and anyone else with a name starting with 'D'. On stage, meanwhile, there were some glittering performances including a rather fluorescent one by local songstress Sia and a rockin' closer by a new-look Wolfmother.
But the voting fans sent all but two of this year's MTV gongs offshore, with Britney Spears, Katy Perry and Pink taking out the main prizes. Only Jessica Mauboy and Sneaky Sound System flew the flag for the locals and 'Best Aussie' couldn't really go to anyone but an Aussie performer. Where's the support for the locals!!!? Here's a list of last night's winners;

BEST VIDEO
Pink : So What
BEST DANCE VIDEO
The Ian Carey Project : Get Shaky
BEST ROCK VIDEO
Fall Out Boy : I Don't Care
BEST AUSSIE
Jessica Mauboy
BEST KIWI
Nesian Mystik
BEST COLLABORATION
T.I. ftg. Rihanna : Live Your Life
BEST BREAKTHROUGH
Katy Perry
BEST MOVES
Britney Spears : Circus
INDEPENDENT SPIRIT
Sneaky Sound System

NEWS WRAP

* With the band that launched him back in the international spotlight, Take That frontman Gary Barlow has announced that he'll be re-releasing his two solo albums 'Open Road' and 'Twelve Months, Eleven Days' in the UK later this year.
* Speaking of Take That, news out of the UK in the past 24 hours suggests that former member and solo star Robbie Williams may be about to rejoin the group that made him famous.
* So You Think You Can Dance hostess Natalie Bassingthwaighte has confirmed that the next single to be lifted from her No.1 album '1000 Stars' will be the album's title track. With the video already filmed, a CD single release is set down for May 01.
* '90s pOpstress Toni Pearen has popped up on a free iTunes podcast with her husband Will and friend Paula. On it she talks about her desire to get back into the recording studio and resurrect her singing career. Listen HERE.
* Former Nissan Cedrics vocalist Dannielle Gaha is back in the country, launching her new jazz EP. Under new name 'Dannielle DeAndrea', the singer will perform at Sydney's The Vanguard on Tuesday night.
* And organisers of this year's V Festival have finally unveiled the running schedule and playing times for the forthcoming events in Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast. Click on the image below to increase it's size.

MARTIN SOLVEIG : One 2 3 Four

We showed you the cover art for the forthcoming Martin Solveig album just the other day, so we thought we'd let the site breathe a little bit between Solveig posts. So now that we've aired everything sufficiently, may we present the video clip for Martin's new single 'One 2 3 Four'. With oodles of make-up, six ballet slippers, a foursome of majorettes, an eyepatch, dizzying amounts of neon and a funky-assed beat, if only Play School had have been this electrifying in teaching us to count, we might have learned much more in our younger years.

FREE KASABIAN

British rockers Kasabian have become the latest in a long line of acts to offer a brand new track as a free digital download from their website. But this time around, the band is letting you have it for a VERY short time. Aussie fans can download the track 'Vlad The Impaler' from Kasabian's OFFICIAL WEBSITE from 6:30am on Wednesday April 01 until 11am on Friday April 03. It's the first highlight track to be lifted from the band's new album 'The West Rider Pauper Lunatic Asylum’ (of course) which is due to hit local stores on June 06.

TAKE THAT : The Garden

You've got to hand it to Take That's German fans for putting the video clip to their single 'The Garden' up online for us. That said, un-fortunately, the version's not totally crisp and clean - but for the time being, it will have to do. Take That might not have scored the chart position they were hoping for with their last single in the UK - and as sure as eggs, Australian radio won't get behind them 'cause it's much too focussed on the US charts to care, but Take That's new single in both Australia and Germany is 'The Garden'. It'll also be the third single from the band's album 'The Circus' in the UK. Here's the clip that's been hovering online for the last week or so - we'd been patiently awaiting a better clip, but we just can't hold on any more.

WINTER SOUND SYSTEM

Ain't nothing sneaky about this 'sound system' as Future Entertain-ment brings some of the world's hottest DJs to Australia for an incredible event that looks set to take over Melbourne's Rod Laver and Hisense Arenas for one big day of bangin' club tunes on the June Queen's Birthday weekend. Already confirmed to play at the event are DJs Armin Van Buuren, Armand Van Helden, Laidback Luke and Chris Lake. Even Rozalla is set to make an appearance at the event's 'Oldskool Arena'. Tickets for the Melbourne-only event go on sale this Monday, March 30.

June 08 : Melbourne (Rod Laver & Hisense Arenas)

BWO : You're Not Alone

Formerly known as Bodies Without Organs, Swedish pOp outfit BWO has been responsible for releasing some of the campest, kitschest pOp ever to come out of Sweden. Their music is unashamed pOp - bright and feel-good, with lashings of sparkly disco beats. In 2009, Martin and the team are set to release a brand new album, 'Big Science', which is due for release in the trio's homeland on April 01. Single No.1 from it is 'You're Not Alone', the clip of which opens with Martin descending from the ceiling on a moon not dissimilar to that used by Kylie in her 'Showgirl' concerts. Somehow teleported into a spaceship, they become the second act in 24 hours on auspOp to enter earth's atmosphere in a pOp video clip. While relaxing on deckchairs, Martin, Alexander and Marina are arrested by the natives and are whisked off to Paris, seemingly, where they're to serve out the rest of the clip. Bizarre.

DARWIN'S BASS IN THE GRASS

It's not often that our mates in the Northern Territory get some of this country's biggest recording artists hitting the state, but with Bass In The Grass 2009, as with previous years, that's all about to change. Since 2003, Bass In The Grass has been brought to the NT the likes of rock outfits The Living End, The Superjesus, Grinspoon and Spiderbait and has combined them with some of the finest pOp acts in the land like Human Nature, Vanessa Amorosi, Ricki-Lee and even Sophie Monk. For the 2009 event, slated for May 23, it's a similarly sparkling cavalcade of Australian talent - The Living End returns, there's Sneaky Sound System, Gabriella Cilmi, The Cat Empire as well as Bliss 'N' Eso, Seany B and Augie March - and they'll all take the stage at the Darwin Ampitheatre for this amazing one day event. Tickets for Bass In The Grass go on sale on Wednesday April 08 and further details are available from the OFFICIAL BASS IN THE GRASS WEBSITE.

IN THE SHOPS FRIDAY MARCH 27, 2009

Doves – Kingdom Of Rust (CD single)
PJ Harvey – A Woman A Man Walked By
Diana Krall – Quiet Nights
Annie Lennox – The Collection
Lost Valentinos – Serio (CD single)
Pete Murray – Chance To Say Goodbye (CD single)
OST – The Boat That Rocked
Various – Now : The Hits Of Autumn 2009
Various – So Fresh : The Hits Of Autumn 2009
Various – V Festival Presents
Various – Video Hits : 1 Hit Wonders (3CD set)

COUNTDOWN TO EUROVISION : The Netherlands

Eurovision 2009, to be held in Moscow on May 14, is now less than two months away. Throughout the countdown to the 2009 festivities, auspOp is continuing it's look at some of the acts you may well be seeing in the final at Moscow's Indoor Olympic Arena. Some of these performers have already recorded video clips for their entries, whereas some will just tempt you with their live performances.

THE NETHERLANDS : The Toppers - Shine

Dutch national treasures 'De Toppers' continue to sell out concerts in their home country and now the three-piece outfit is raring to take on the rest of Europe in this year's Eurovision Contest. Jeroen, Gordon and Rene will be performing two concerts in Amsterdam in June which, according to reports, are bound to sell out. But if you're one of the unlucky ones who'll miss out on seeing them there, they've put together this little video clip for their song 'Shine', which is a bright, fresh and fun pOp song. But... about those outfits...

GIRLS ALOUD : Untouchable

To tell you the truth, we've been swanning around in the car all day listening to the six-plus minute album version of this today, fully absorbing it's utter brilliance. And though for the single release the song has been lopped by just under three minutes, we're happy to report that it doesn't appear to have lost any of it's magic. The clip premiered exclusively on the UK's Channel 4 last night - the girls descending from the heavens in brightly lit orbs to come and spread their word of pOp love onto an unsuspecting planet. And even though we still reckon Nicola sometimes looks like the female vixen alien from the movie Mars Attacks, she joins the others in continuously looking breathtaking. This truly is a brilliant pOp song and will join 'Call The Shots' as one of the band's true anthems.

WHAT'S ALL THE NOISETTES ABOUT?

Sparkling UK indy-pOp band the Noisettes have just filmed another clip to their latest single 'Don't Upset The Rhythm', but rather than just doing what we normally do and post the video clip up here for you, we've decided to show you this dashing little widget, which features a rather saucy little online game you can play. Given we're not completely up with all this new-fandangled technology, we're not quite sure what it's all about, but it's colour and movement and we certainly can't ask for anything more. The Noisettes' new album 'Wild Young Hearts' is due out in the UK by the end of the month.

SYDNEY KEANE FOR MORE

It seems there might just be an over-abundance of Keane fans in Sydney. Just a few weeks before the UK outfit touches down on their forthcoming Aussie tour, Keane's first Sydney concert (on April 17) has now sold out and as such, Michael Coppel has today announced a second concert for Sydney, to be held at the same venue on the following day. Tickets for the new Sydney show will go on sale this Friday morning (March 27) at 9am, while tickets are still available for the remaining Keane concerts in Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle.

April 13 : Fremantle (Metropolis)
April 16 : Melbourne (Palace)
April 17 : Sydney (Metro Theatre) SOLD OUT
April 18 : Sydney (Metro Theatre) NEW SHOW
April 20 : Brisbane (The Tivoli)

THE AUSTRALIAN pOp CD NEW RELEASE SCHEDULE:

April 03
3OH!3 - Want
Bow Wow – New Jack City : Part II
Wes Carr – Feels Like Whoa : NRL Version (CD single)
Doves – Kingdom Of Rust
Doves – Kingdom Of Rust (Special Edition)
Bob Evans – Goodnight Bull Creek
Flo Rida – R.O.O.T.S.
Shelley Harland – Wonder (CD single)
Ricky Martin – 17
The Script - Breakeven (CD single)
Martin Solveig – C’est La Vie
Jazmine Sullivan – Fearless
True Live – Found Lost
Keith Urban – Defying Gravity
Various – A World Of Pop (DVD)
Various – Pepsi More Music Volume 12
Various – Progression 2
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz

April 10
Kate Ceberano - Bittersweet
Ciara ftg. Justin Timberlake – Love, Sex, Magic (CD single)
Cassie Davis – Differently (CD single)
Ladyhawke – Ladyhawke (Collector’s Edition)
The Lonely Island – Incredibad
James Morrison – Broken Strings (CD single)
Sinead O’Connor – I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got
OST – Fast And Furious 4
Stafford Brothers – Wherever (CD single)
Various – Housework Songs III
Various – Motown For Kids
Various – R&B Superclub : Greatest Hits
Various – So Fresh : Top 10s
Various – Ultimate Hardcore

April 17
Depeche Mode – Sounds Of The Universe
Depeche Mode – Sounds Of The Universe (Limited Edition)
The Dream – Love vs Money
Eskimo Joe – Foreign Land (CD single)
Lady Gaga – LoveGame (CD single)
Lady Sovereign – Jigsaw
Little Birdy – Summarize (CD single)
Paul Potts – Passions
The Presets – If I Know You (CD single)
Lionel Ritchie – Just Go
Kevin Rudolf – Welcome To The World (CD single)
Jenny Wilson - Hardships

April 24
Björk – Voltaic (Limited Edition)
David Campbell - Good Lovin' : Live At The State Theatre (DVD)
Alesha Dixon – The Alesha Show
Keri Hilson – In A Perfect World
Ronan Keating – Songs For My Mother
MSTRKRFT – Fist of God
OST – Hannah Montana : The Movie
Phrase – Burn It Down
Pussycat Dolls – Doll Domination 2.0
Carl Riseley – The Stillest Hour
September – Can’t Get Over (CD single)
Shontelle – Shontelligence
Various – Chilled 1991 - 2009
Various – Wild Weekends 2009
Various – X & Hell

May 01
Akon – Beautiful (CD single)
Natalie Bassingthwaighte - 1000 Stars (CD single)
Black Eyed Peas – Boom Boom Pow (CD single)
Ciara – Fantasy Ride
Ben Harper & The Relentless 7 – White Lies For Dark Times
Jonas Brothers – Music From The 3D Concert Experience
Sash! – Raindrops (CD single)

May 08
Chicane – The Best Of Chicane
Miley Cyrus – The Climb (CD single)
Little Birdy – Confetti
Presets – Apocalypso (Tour Edition)
Scooter – Jumping All Over The World (DVD)
Jazmine Sullivan – Bust Your Windows (CD single)
Various – Eurovision Song Contest 2009
Various – Floorfillers : Party Anthems 2009
Various – Hip Hop : The Collection 2009

May 15
Busta Rhymes – Back On My BS
Lil’ Wayne – The Rebirth

May 22
Wes Carr - When We Were Kings (CD single)
Eminem – Relapse
Marilyn Manson – The High End Of Low
Daniel Merriweather – Love & War

May 29
Eskimo Joe - Inshalla

June 05
Black Eyed Peas – The E.N.D.
Shelley Harland - Red Leaf
Placebo – Battle For The Sun
Various – Crave Vol.2
Various – Ultimate Hardcore Vol.5
Various – Ultimate NRG Vol.4

June 12
Various – Club Classics Volume 2

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

NEWS WRAP

* Former Taxiride vocalist Jason Singh has seemingly given up his days of rock and roll to have a stab at conquering the dancefloors, teaming up with OneLove DJ Todd Watson for the new club hit 'The World As You Know It'. The track debuted at No.50 on last weekend's ARIA club chart.
* It seems that the temporary disappearance of her local record label Central Station Records hasn't damaged local radio's love of Swedish dance diva September. Her latest Australian single 'Can't Get Over', set for release on April 24, was the fifth most added song at local radio last week.
* Universal Music this week has hinted that the release of the forthcoming album by young 'it' band Short Stack is fast approaching. The album, titled 'Stack Is The New Black' is currently scheduled for a late July release.
* And former Atomic Kitten singer Natasha Hamilton looks set to resurrect her singing career in the UK later this year, revealing that she's been working in the US on her new material and that her comeback single is set to be called 'Miss Emotional'.

MARTIN SOLVEIG BREAKS COVER

After three sensational dance albums and a swag of club anthems (including the incredible 'Rockin' Music'), world renowned French DJ Martin Solveig is back with album No.4 - 'C'est La Vie'. And with three singles from the 11 track long player having already made a big impact on the ARIA club chart, the album is bound to be another sure-fire hit. And to top off all the excitement, the team at Ministry Of Sound Australia have given us a little sneak peek at the cover art for the new album (above), which is currently due for release on April 03. We reckon it's just pure luck and co-incidence that Mr.Picandet has decided to release the disc around Easter time and has an Easter Egg on the cover!

AN ALTOGETHER HILARIOUS PROMO FOR THE NEW ROYKSOPP ALBUM WHICH IS CALLED 'JUNIOR'

We absolutely love it when bands think a little bit outside the square - and in that respect, we really, really love Röyksopp. To promote the release of their smashing new album 'Junior' (the limited editions of which have finally started arriving into stores), the band has assembled this all rather handsome bunch of brass players to re-create their latest single 'Happy Up Here'. And it's all rather glorious.

CARL RISELEY BREAKS COVER

Former Australian Idol star Carl Riseley will release his second album 'The Stillest Hour' in April - and we've been given an exclusive sneak peak at the cover image for the forthcoming album. The album, formerly revealed on the Universal Music release schedule as 'The Stillest Night' is the crooner's second album following 2008's 'The Rise' and is due to hit retail stores on April 24.

CIARA : Love Sex Magic

Ciara's forthcoming album 'Fantasy Ride' has been plagued with a number of release delays, but now it's finally here - and if the first single 'Love Sex Magic' (with Justin Timberlake) is anything to go by, we're all going to be in for a bloody big treat when the album finally drops at retail in early May. The video clip is sex on a stick - and features quite possibly the single most sexy moment ever featured in a video clip - as the Texas-born siren gently licks JT's ear. The clip is visually spectacular and melds brilliantly with the grinding dance/pOp beats of the track, while Ciara's choice of outfits, from zebra-striped bodysuit and sunglasses, killer fishnets and massive red afro show us that after two moderately successful albums (in worldwide terms), the girl has well and truly arrived.

FREE MANSON

The name's Manson - Marilyn Manson - and while he's not normally our cup of pOp, we felt it our duty to inform you that this Friday, March 27, fans of the coloured-eye glam rocker can download 'We're From America' - the first taster from his forthcoming seventh studio album - free from the singer's OFFICIAL WEBSITE. After Friday, the track will be made available through digital retail on April 09, with the singer's new album 'The High End Of Low' being released locally on May 22. The first official single from the album is 'Arma... geddon' and will be released to radio in Australia on Monday April 13.

INTRODUCING JAZMINE SULLIVAN

Okay, we know we've written up about Ms Jazmine before, but with a voice smoother and more satisfying than a tub of yellowbox honey and a quality that far exceeds her tender 21 years, Miss Jazmine Sullivan has been causing quite the stir over in the United States with her delicious blend of old school soul and r&b. She scored an unprecedented five Grammy nominations for this year's awards, and now it's Australia's turn to be mesmerized by Jazmine's smoky vocals, when her debut album 'Fearless' is released in Australia on April 03. Not since Keisha White or Terri Walker have we been so damned excited by a new soul artist and now you too can discover just what all the fuss is about;

COUNTDOWN TO EUROVISION : Sweden

Eurovision 2009, to be held in Moscow on May 14, is now less than two months away. Throughout the countdown to the 2009 festivities, auspOp is continuing it's look at some of the acts you may well be seeing in the final at Moscow's Indoor Olympic Arena. Some of these performers have already recorded video clips for their entries, whereas some will just tempt you with their live performances.

SWEDEN : Malena Ernman - La Voix

38 year old opera songstress Malena Ernman has beaten out some very tough (and as always, some very kitsch) competition in this year's Melodifestivalen to be chosen to represent Sweden at this year's Eurovision Song Contest. A seasoned performer on the stage, starring in a number of high profile operatic roles, the singer will perform the up-tempo pOp/dance number 'La Voix' (French for 'The Voice'). The song itself could best be described as 'pOpera' and it's singing will mark the first time a Swedish entry to the competition has been sung in French - though the verses are in English.

SHELLEY HARLAND : Wonder

There's a kind of timeless nature to all the visual aspects of Shelley Harland's releases - from the soft, almost dream-like Autumnal shades used on the sleeve to her debut single 'Wonder' (left) to the wonderful warmth and almost grainy retro film-like quality of the corresponding video clip (below). It's essentially the perfect accompaniment to a lazy Sunday afternoon on the balcony, or for a drive down the coast with the top down on your convertible (if you're lucky enough to own one). Lovely, calm and breezy pOp. Check out Shelley's OFFICIAL MYSPACE to hear the remixes (including that by Master paulmac) and look out for the physical single of 'Wonder', heading into stores on April 03.

A SLICE OF ANNIE

The gang at Norwegian songstress Annie's new record label 'Pleasure Masters' has released a short sub-one minute taster of what to expect when Annie's brand new single 'Anthonio' drops in the UK in early May. It's set to be the second single release from Annie's forthcoming (and long overdue) second album 'Don't Stop', which is also due mid-year. And it's a delicious slice of electro-pOp which once again proves that when it comes to knowing where music's at, it's the Europeans that have their fingers most firmly on the pulse. A scintillating and beautiful piece of pOp, simply requesting your ear.

ISRAEL : Freak Tonight

Fans of 26 year old Philippines-born artist Israel have been extra-ordinarily patient in waiting for the return of one of their favourite artists. The wait, however, is now over - as the singer's brand new single 'Freak Tonight' makes it's debut on iTunes. Over the past couple of years, Mr Cruz has been earning himself a solid reputation as a writer and producer, co-penning and appearing on tracks by some of the shining stars of local pOp/r&b like Jade MacRae ('So Hot Right Now'), Ricki-Lee ('Wiggle It') and one Jessica Mauboy ('Been Waiting'). But with the focus now shifting back to him as an artist in his own right, he's right on the money with this brand new track. There's been an increasing trend recently of blending r&b with club beats, and it has to be said that Israel's most certainly got his finger on the pulse - the single, with it's infectious lyrics and stomping bassline, wouldn't sound out of place in the midst of all the US r&b on today's Aussie radio playlists. 'Freak Tonight' is now available on iTunes - more info over on Israel's OFFICIAL MYSPACE.