Nov 30

Madonna in new adoption challenge
[source: NME.com] Madonna is facing another adoption challenge after a Malawian judge allowed a coalition of human rights groups to proceed with a legal challenge against the singer's adoption of baby David Banda.
The proceedings are led by 67 Malawian groups, who lodged a petition before the court last month claiming existing legislation didn't allow for inter-country adoptions.
Madonna was granted an 18-month interim custody order, which allowed her to take the baby out of the country.
Judge Andrew Nyirenda ruled the human rights groups could be regarded as "friends of the court", so they could pursue their application for a full review of the custody order.
The groups wanted to be party to the assessment of Madonna's fitness as a mother. They argued the government cut legal corners to fast-track the adoption and said regulations must be followed to protect children.
The singer has denied using her wealth to fast-track the process.

http://bigpondmusic.com.au/Artist/Madonna.aspx


Radiohead fans asked to create video
[source: NME.com] Radiohead fans are being invited to create a video for the Thom Yorke track "The Clock".
The project is part of the band's sponsorship of the Debut Music Video category for the D&AD Global Student Awards 2007.
The competition, which supports up-and-coming creative talent, calls upon students across the globe to tackle live briefs from some of the world's biggest brands.
The 32 briefs are set by the world's leading designers, advertising and business professionals and cover a wide spectrum of creative disciplines and industry sectors.
D&AD Education chairman Garrick Hamm told Ateaseweb that winning the competition was "the most effective way for students to stand out from the crowd and make an impression on the creative sector".

http://bigpondmusic.com.au/Artist/Radiohead.aspx


Carl Barat: "The Libertines nearly killed me"
[source: NME.com] Dirty Pretty Things frontman Carl Barat has admitted the demise of The Libertines almost signalled the end for him.
Speaking exclusively in this week's NME, Barat explained that when he ended the group in 2004 after touring without Pete Doherty he was at his lowest ebb.
"Finishing off The Libertines almost killed me," he explained. "Going around honouring commitments and trying to give every song what it deserved, it wasn't easy. I should have worn a suit of armour. I was doing it for Pete."
However, he declared the band's legacy would live on.
"I'll be a Libertine until the day I die."

http://bigpondmusic.com.au/Artist/Libertines-The.aspx


Snoop Dogg arrested
[source: NME.com] Snoop Dogg has been arrested on narcotics and weapons charges in Los Angeles.
The rapper was stopped by police in Burbank on Tuesday November 28 after recording a performance of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Police spokesman Sgt Kevin Granalski said authorities had found marijuana, cocaine and a firearm in the rapper's car.
It's the third time in three months the rapper has been arrested. The two previous incidents have been at airports in California.
In October, police arrested Dogg at Burbank Airport after they found a gun and marijuana in his car. He was charged and released on $44,500 bail pending a hearing on Sunday December 12.
Earlier in November, he surrendered to police in California to face charges of possessing a deadly weapon. This related to an incident in September when the rapper attempted to carry a deadly weapon onto a plane at Orange County John Wayne Airport. He posted a $191,000 bond and was released.

http://bigpondmusic.com.au/Artist/Snoop-Dogg.aspx


Hard-Fi unveil behind-the-scenes podcasts
[source: NME.com] Hard-Fi are giving fans the chance to see exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of their recent world tour through a special podcast.
The Staines four-piece are lining up a series of monthly Rockin' The City online webcasts, kicking off with a double bill charting their sold-out five-night residency at Brixton Academy earlier this year.
The footage will also feature a previously unseen interview in singer Richard Archer's backyard.
Future podcasts will feature interviews with tour companions Paul Weller, Mick Jones, Jerry Dammers and Billy Bragg; footage of their Japanese and Australian tours; and studio recording sessions from their highly anticipated second album.
Fans will also be able to email questions, comments and suggestions to the band, which will be answered in further podcasts.
Rockin' The City is available free from iTunes and the band's website.

http://bigpondmusic.com.au/Artist/Hard-Fi.aspx


Inaugural AIR Awards revealed
The first official Australian Independent Music Awards – the AIR Charts Awards – were launched yesterday (Wednesday November 29) during an intimate ceremony at Sydney's Blacket Hotel.
More than 150 industry insiders and artists enjoyed performances by Melbourne's Gotye – aka Wally De Backer – as well as his other band, The Basics.
Four awards were presented on the night. Adelaide hip-hop kings Hilltop Hoods won Independent Artist Of The Year and Best Performing Independent Album, for their smash LP The Hard Road. Roots outfit Blue King Brown took home Best Performing Single/EP with their self-titled EP, while Gotye was awarded Most Outstanding New Independent Artist.
"The winners have been selected from a very deep pool of equally worthy artists who demonstrate the amazing richness and diversity of talent that the Australian independent sector produces each year," AIR CEO Stuart Watters said.

Hilltop Hoods: http://bigpondmusic.com.au/Artist/Hilltop-Hoods.aspx


Good Vibrations reveals local line-up
The 2007 Good Vibrations Festival has added more Australian acts to its line-up.
ARIA-nominated dance six-piece Sneaky Sound System, whose single "I Love It" recently hit the ARIA top 30 ,will appear, as will live percussive group Dirty Laundry. Electro mash-up DJ Ajax – recently awarded #1 Australian DJ at the 2006 Dance Music Awards – is on the bill, as is Modular Recordings outfit Van She and Melbourne house DJ Dirty South.
Artists already announced include Beastie Boys, Jurassic 5, Timo Maas, Rahzel & JS-one, Cassius, Thunderball & Fort Knox Five, Ursula 1000, London Elektricity, Nightmares On Wax (Sound System), DJ Dan, Kraak & Smaak DJ Set, Desyn Maseillo, Cicada & DJ Yoda and Cut Copy.
Good Vibrations kicks off on Saturday February 10 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne, before heading to the Gold Coast, Sydney and Perth. Tickets are on sale now.

Sneaky Sound System: http://bigpondmusic.com.au/Artist/Sneaky-Sound-System.aspx
Ajax: http://bigpondmusic.com.au/Artist/Ajax-Vs-Krash.aspx
Van She: http://bigpondmusic.com.au/Artist/Van-She.aspx
Dirty South: http://bigpondmusic.com.au/Artist/Dirty-South.aspx
Beastie Boys: http://bigpondmusic.com.au/Artist/Beastie-Boys.aspx
Jurrassic 5: http://bigpondmusic.com.au/Artist/Jurassic-5.aspx
Cassius: http://bigpondmusic.com.au/Artist/Cassius.aspx
Timo Mass: http://bigpondmusic.com.au/Artist/Timo-Maas.aspx


She Wants Revenge cancel tour
Goth-tinged Los Angeles rockers She Wants Revenge have cancelled their Australian tour, scheduled for January 2007. Refunds are being offered, with promoter Chugg Entertainment stating the band "sincerely regret any disappointment caused to their Australian fans". The band hope to reschedule the dates sometime in the future.
Their self-titled LP is out now on Universal Music Australia.

http://bigpondmusic.com.au/Artist/She-Wants-Revenge.aspx


The Handsome Family head to Oz
New Mexico outfit The Handsome Family are heading to Australia for a tour in early 2007.
Blending old and new-world Americana, husband-and-wife duo Brett and Rennie Sparks will perform tracks from their latest critically acclaimed release, The Last Days Of Wonder.
The Handsome Family will headline shows across the country, beginning in Brisbane on Sunday February 18, and appear at the Perth International Arts Festival on Sunday February 25. Tickets go on sale Thursday December 7.

http://bigpondmusic.com.au/Artist/Handsome-Family-The.aspx


Australian Idol winner meets his fans
Damien Leith, the Irish-born winner of 2006's Australian Idol, is gearing up for plenty of promotional work in support of debut single "Night Of My Life".
Sydney fans can catch Damien in action at two locations next week. He'll appear at 7.50am on Channel Seven's Sunrise program in Martin Place on Friday December 8, and at Westpoint Blacktown at 3pm the same day.
"Night Of My Life" has been certified Gold in less than 72 hours, with SonyBMG chairman Denis Handlin awarding the singer a plaque yesterday. Damien's debut CD/DVD, Damien Leith – The Winner's Journey, is released Monday December 6.

http://bigpondmusic.com.au/Artist/Damien-Leith.aspx