Local tributes have flowed for rapper, activist and film-maker Adam “MCA” Yauch, who died over the weekend. Yauch, who visited Australia with the Beastie Boys seven times – from their first tour with Helmet in 1994 for Ill Communication in 1992 for Check Your Head to their most recent trip in 2007 for Good Vibrations – passed away from cancer at his home in New York on Saturday (May 4). He was 47. In the hours following his death, Twitter and Facebook overflowed with tributes from all sectors of Australia’s music community – from the world’s biggest popstar Gotye to media ...

Sophie Koh has captivated me with “I Understand,” the second single lifted from her forthcoming album Oh My Garden. So many songs have been written about break-ups, but few are quite as searing as this one. There are no hysterics or desperate pleas, simply a resignation and sadness for love lost. Ben Lee and Brad [...]

[ Latest Updates - Sunday 6PM : Adam Horovitz on MCA, Videos of Barr Brothers, Deer Tick and Juno What and Euforquestra MCA tributes plus additions to "Good Reads" section. Monday 8AM : fun. covers Sabotage, addition to good reads about Yauch as a filmmaker, Santigold pays tribute to MCA and a note from Mike D.] In a crushing blow to the hip-hop community, Adam “MCA” Yauch of the Beastie Boys has passed away after a long battle with cancer according to Global Grind – website of Def Jam Records founder Russell Simmons. Yauch was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and was unable to appear ...

The Australian singer-songwriter performs his dreamily personal acoustic songs on today's show.

The first three keynote speakers for September’s BIGSOUND have been announced: Ben Lee (pictured), David Bridie and Mark Poston of EMI. Among the confirmed artists are Kate Miller-Heidke, Violent Soho, The Cairos, Eagle & The Worm and Trouble With Templeton">The Trouble With Templeton. For more information or to apply to be a showcase band check www.bigsound.org.au. ...

Creation founder Alan McGee has hit out at Brisbane industry talkfest BIGSOUND, describing yesterday’s keynote announcement as “a joke” and the conference as “second rate”. Three main speakers were unveiled at a function at Melbourne’s Toff In Town last night, including artist and activist David Bridie, EMI Chairman Mark Poston and LA-based singer-songwriter Ben Lee. However, writing to his 3662 followers on Twitter , McGee – who delivered a controversial opening address as main speaker at last year’s BIGSOUND – appeared to take particular exception to Lee’s selection: McGee made headlines worldwide for his keynote address last year, describing ...

Enigmatic singer-songwriter Ben Lee has been announced as one of three keynote speakers for this year’s BIGSOUND. The Sydney-born, LA-based musician will join EMI Chairman Mark Poston and ARIA-winning artist and activist David Bridie (Not Drowning Waving, My Friend The Chocolate Cake) on the podium at this year’s event. The trio are unlikely to create as much of a stir as last year’s keynote, Creation founder Alan McGee, who made international headlines and raised the ire of promoter Michael Chugg after expressing his deep ambivalence towards music. He also described the PIAS warehouse blaze as a “result ...

“The album’s 90 percent done.” So said Muscles of second album Manhood in an infamous M+N interview with Ben Lee in 2009. Now we can finally reveal it’s 100 percent done. Described as a “prelude” to debut album Guns Babes Lemonade (2007), Manhood will be out through Modular – the label he tried to sue – on June 15. A “no holds barred, electronic post-punk, euro-dance, camp, masculine, pop album that balances itself in its extremity”, Manhood will feature reworked versions of tracks from 2010 EP Young and Immature including ‘Girl Crazy Go’ and new single ‘Ready for A ...

Seeker Lover Keeper's Sally Seltmann has a new side project in the works. She describes Alphabet Botanical as "a magical wonderland" and "an escape from her solo work" which will see her recording new music with a bunch of different artists. Sally has already finished two tracks with Tim Myers - formerly of US rockers OneRepublic - and a duet with Ben Lee. You can listen to the results of those collaborations here Source Link:  triple j Attached Image(s):  Sally Seltmann

Oldie but a goodie that I just recently heard once again and have been playing it nonstop like it was a brand new song all over again. If you follow this site then you probably know that I am sucker for covers , especially acoustic covers that really expand upon the vibe of the original track at hand. And this cover of Modest Mouse's "Float On" by Ben Lee makes this song so laid-back and relaxing it literally feels like you are in the middle of a dream while listening to it. Okay maybe not literally, but you get the ...

Nine years on from his acting debut in The Rage In Placid Lake , and Ben Lee has dipped his toe into acting once again. The Sydney-born songwriter, now based in LA, cameos in a short film about Chatroulette directed by his wife Ione Skye (daughter of ’60s folk singer Donovan). Slideshow of Wieners: A Love Story (alternative title: The Rage In Flaccid Lake ) is a love story about a man (Kelvin Yu) and woman (Selma Blair) who fall in love during a late-night Chatroulette session. Ben Lee does the music, and also cameos as a bearded guitar player who likes ...

Here are some photos + video of Ben Lee playing at City Winery in NY last night. Ben only played songs from his most recent albums — several from Awake is the New Sleep, the latest Noise Addict record, and … Continue reading →

Recommended Show: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2012 BEN LEE @ CITY WINERY 155 Varick St New York, NY 10013 $18, 6PM Australian singer-songwriter Ben Lee returns to City Winery for what is sure to be a fantastic show! Galactic @ Terminal 5 Bjork @ Roseland Ballroom Dub is a Weapon @ Zebulon Blood Orange & D-Video @ Glasslands Ueseless Creatures @ The Bell House Islands & Idiot Glee @ Le Poisson Rouge Teitur & Marit Larsen @ Highline Ballroom Avan Lava & Chrome Canyon @ Mercury Lounge Sharon Van Etten & Shearwater @ Bowery Ballroom Glasser & Roomful of Teeth @ Merkin Concert Hall Mainland, Flight Time, & Bird Courage @ Spike Hill El Topo, Thunder and Lightning, & Illumntr @ Pianos ...

Ben Kweller Go Fly A Kite The Noise Company [2012] Fire Note Says: Ben Kweller returns with his solid and catchy fifth album Go Fly A Kite . Album Review: What I thoroughly enjoy about the new record from Ben Kweller is that right out of the gate on first track "Mean To Me", Kweller basically states that if you don't like him you can go away and it doesn't matter because he is going to do what he does best - catchy singer/songwriter power pop. Go Fly A Kite is a full return to creating the upbeat pop ...

Amiel Courtin-Wilson’s many-years-in-the-making documentary on Ben Lee is making the festival rounds. I can’t wait to see it! Watch the trailer: