Brisbane Christian News - Brisbane Christian Chat (Queensland, Australia)


	29.06.02 - Bass player wanted. From Bernard (Paradox). Paradox is going overseas for approx four months and we need a bass player that is prepared to travel. For more info please give me a call on 07 38857751 or mob 0411 322 077 or please pray that a bass player becomes available. Thank you.
	28.06.02 - This week's music rumours. Rumour is... The most played Christian song on Australian Christian radio so far this year is Jars of Clay's 'I Need You' and Jars of Clay is the most played Christian act. Geoff Rankin is currently in pre-production for a possible fun CD release including the Geoff Rankin Band's crowd favourite 'The Farmyard Animals' & new songs 'Quackers', 'Getting Ready For Bed' & 'The Pumpkin Song'. Squipplepippy continue to work on new material for an LP & launched their new look site last week. Steve Grace has just released a 50 song/ 4 CD box set. Antiskeptic & Lifehouse are touring with a Triple M rock show in October. Check here for more info. 'Natural Phat' went off a couple of weeks ago. If you know of an Australian Christian music rumour that is publishable on this website, let us know at news@brisbanechristianchat.com.
	28.06.02 - the jive express to play South East QLD. From Symon Pratt. After wowing everyone at the Australian Gospel Music Festival, the jive express will be touring SE QLD as part of their 'Reason to Be' national tour. Tour Dates include 20 July, Majestic Park Baptist Church (Brisbane); 26 July, Maroochy Baptist Church (Maroochydore); 27 July, Neil Street Centre (Toowoomba). Check the Gig Guide for more details.
	28.06.02 - Alabaster Box news. From Joshua (on behalf of Naarah, Brett, Matt, Ben and Sam) Alabaster Box. Hey there Gang. It's so good to be back home. Thanks to all those who have come to our concerts in the recent months. Your tremendous support is much appreciated. 2002 kicked off with a dash across the Tasman to play at New Zealand's Parachute Festival 2002, where over 22,000 kiwis camped for the weekend. One of the many highlights was Matt's first ball "six over square leg" in the inaugural "International Bands" versus "Kiwi Bands" cricket game at the Festival. The "Internationals" (which included most of USA band "Earthsuit") won the game on the last ball of the match. We followed this with a rockin' tour of the North Island, which finished with a bang in Auckland. Shortly after this Naarah, Brett, Ben and myself (Josh) were off to India with Compassion Australia to visit the child we sponsor. To say that there were some hair-raising moments would be an understatement!! For example, driving safely downtown Kolkata, or anywhere in India, is a great feat in itself. We're talking about three to four lanes of cars squashed into what we would consider a two-lane road... not to mention that we are moving at about 60Kmh whilst literally dodging cows, people, buses, auto rickshaws, trucks and bicycles! It was pretty much one big game of "chicken"- played by millions. Amazingly, everything seems to operate smoothly with only the occasional crash. From the moment we entered the Compassion project we were greeted with happy children. It was amazing, because for the whole trip from our hotel to the Compassion project all we saw was hopelessness and malnourishment- toddlers eating off the side of the road and fossicking through garbage for anything edible. Then, by contrast, we arrived at the Compassion project and saw kids that were not starving and helpless, but laughing and being educated. These kids now have a chance to one day support themselves and their families. The fundamental difference between Compassion and many other aid agencies is that Compassion not only feeds the physical needs of the children they get sponsored, but they also take care of them spiritually. They provide them with the opportunity of knowing Jesus. At our concerts we will be giving you the opportunity to change a child's life by literally giving them the chance of hearing about Jesus as well as having the necessities of life (food, access to health care and education). If you are interested in sponsoring a child now, you can email us at info@alabasterbox.com with the subject heading "I'm interested in sponsoring a child!" - we will be sure to get more information to you a.s.a.p. Since India, we have performed all over the East Coast of Australia including appearances at: the Australian Gospel Music Festival - Toowoomba, Lifefest - Taree and Forest Edge Festival - Melbourne. Make sure you visit our website at www.alabasterbox.com where you will find everything about where we will be over the coming months. God bless and rock on. P.S. - We were blessed to see a dear friend of ours "Gumby" the other weekend. Could you please send up some prayers for him and his health. God will know who you're talking about when you say Gumby. He's a legend. Get well soon Gum-meister. "...Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Philippians 4:8
	28.06.02 - Blind finish Qld tour. From ACAN. Blind has just completed the QLD leg of their year-long national tour, with an estimated 5000 throughout South East QLD witnessing the band's 'Long Walk Home' show. The good news is that dates are now in place for a tour through NSW in August, which will culminate in the release of a new Blind EP, currently being recorded with Caleb James in Brisbane. More Blind info at www.blindband.com.
	28.06.02 - The song that almost got away. From Wes Jay, Woodlands Media. The new song from NZ's Lads 'Call My Name' nearly didn't get recorded. Right up to the day of the scheduled recording, the Lads seriously considered leaving the song off the 'Marvel' album. Mark Millard (Lads lead singer) told me that 'Call My Name' first came out almost by accident as a spontaneous song during a worship set that the band played at Parachute Festival. Mark takes up the story... I remember, there was an incredible sense of the presence of God as we were worshipping. Bennett (bass player) stepped up to the microphone and improvised a beautiful song of grace that seemed to describe intricately what God was saying to us. We all loved the song, because it captured so clearly a truth about God's grace. After the festival, we tried to finish the song, arrange it, add a few more words... the usual things that go on when you're trying to add the finishing touches to a piece of music. For some reason, it just wouldn't come together. The first version was too slow, the next was too rocky, while another arrangement was too busy. The same thing seemed to happen repeatedly for months, until the last few days before we were booked into the studio to record the song. Then one of the guys said 'we can't record the song sounding like it is now, maybe we should consider leaving it out'. It made sense to drop the song, but somehow in our hearts we knew that it was a powerful song that had the potential to touch many people's lives. The day we recorded 'Call My Name' was unforgettable, our studio engineer suggested a few changes, and as the day progressed what we had all imagined began to form. It was very exciting, and for the first time, it worked! A few weeks later we played 'Call My Name' as a complete song for the very first time. People came up to us afterwards with tears in their eyes to say 'thank you for that song'. We knew then that God was going to use this simple piece of music to touch many people's lives. 'Call My Name' is the follow-up to 'Creator'. Please note the band is called Lads, not The Lads.
	21.06.02 - This week's music rumour. Rumour is... Chris Mundy is writing and recording a jingle for Paul's Milk. It will be performed at schools and fetes by a giant space cow called 'Capzar'. Apparently it's true. The rumours have been a bit few and far between over the last couple of weeks. If you know of an Australian Christian music rumour or two, let us know at news@brisbanechristianchat.com.
	21.06.02 - 25 years ago. From Wes Jay, Woodlands Media. It's the 25th anniversary of the first edition of Keystone - Australia's first Christian music publication! A quick squiz through Keystone #1 sees that a few names still active in Australian Christian music... and their kids are doing great things today! The brainchild of editor Don Gillespie (last known as announcing at Life FM on the Gold Coast), Keystone features a story on Geelong-based Dove Promotions. The report says that Dove Promotions successfully organised concerts with Randy Matthews, Larry Norman and Barry McGuire. One of the directors was Alan Kennedy, now the Director of Kennedy International. Rhema Artists (then headed by David Smallbone) distributed and managed advertising for Keystone. Rhema Artists was this country's first Christian artist management company, and one of the first locally owned Christian labels. David now runs a highly successful Christian artist management company in the US (Smallbone Management managing Skillet, LaRue and Rebecca St. James), a record company (Elevate Records releasing Rivertribe, Charmaine and Fusebox), and is RSJ's dad. Larry Norman's "I've Got To Learn To Live Without You" was reported to be getting "limited" mainstream airplay (there was no Christian radio then!) while Australia's number one gospel group, Family, released the single "Sing a Simple Song" via mainstream company, M7 records. Family members were Ian Truscott, Phil Truscott, and Ian Smallbone. The latter is Matt Smallbone's dad from Alabaster Box! Robert Colman (Paul Colman's dad) - best known for his role as the male lead in the hit musical "Irene" playing opposite Julie Anthony - was about to release his debut album "Let Me Introduce You". Robert became one of this country's biggest male vocalists in the 70s and 80s. He is now a pastor at Crossway Baptist in Melbourne. Debby Boone's "You Light Up My Life" knocked the "Star Wars Theme" off the top of the charts. And the biggest selling albums were (1) "Gentle Moments" - Evie; (2) "Mirror" - Evie; (3) "In Another Land" - Larry Norman; (4) "Chuck Girard" - Chuck Girard, and (5) "For Him Who Has Ears to Hear" - Keith Green. Today, Chuck's daughter, Alisa, is a member of Zoegirl, and the girls are releasing a remix album in September.
	19.06.02 - Pseudo Llama update. From Pseudo Llama. Hello everybody! The Llamas have been quite busy! Firstly, let us inform you all that we played at the QRA Regional Finals on Friday night. We didn't make it through to the Grand Finals, but thank you all for supporting us anyway. We had a great time playing and from the response, the crowd seemed to receive it quite well. Overall, we are all happy with how we went and what we got out of the competition. Thanks again to everyone who could make it to one or more of the rounds (or 4 or 5 if you're one of the hardcore fans!). So where to now? Well, we have heaps of business to take care of so that will take up some of our time. But the main project now will be the EP/album! We'll be hitting the studios (location undecided as yet) and recording a professional quality CD. We're doing fewer gigs and focussing on the recording. We'll be sure to let you know when it's available. Also, now that we have finalised our logo, Tshirts and stickers will be available soon. Let us know if you're interested. Keep your eyes and ears out for Pseudo Llama. We'll be around the place.
	19.06.02 - Leo Nine news. From Leo Nine. Look out for a full length album from Leo Nine early to mid 2003. Leo Nine is starting to work toward this goal, and recording should start later this year. Leo Nine's debut EP will be released soon in the USA on Velvet Blue Music thanks to the amazing Jeff Cloud. If you are in Australia, you can pick up the current self-titled EP featuring the hit Satisfied from Chaos Music, Toupee Records, Whammo, HMV.com.au and any local record store in Australia, and certain NZ stores (although they may have to order it for you). If you want to sample the music, why not download the Satisfied MP3 now from Toupee Records? (It's also available to download from BCC here.) Leo Nine will be performing at a night of pop. So pop will this night be that's it's called 'The Pop United'. Leo Nine will be supported by The Daybridges, Midway and Genshen (pronounced jen-shen). Here are the details: Friday 28 June 2002 / Doors open 8pm, 'The Pop United' featuring Leo Nine (11:30pm) with Midway (8:30pm), Genshen (9:30pm), The Daybridges (10:30pm) at The Zoo, Ann St, Fortitude Valley, $8 (ID required). Groundswell is on once again, but this time it's the last time. And with this line up, you need to get along. Besides, all profits go to CBMI, curing poor people with cataract blindness. Click here for full Groundswell details.
	19.06.02 - 2002 Musicoz Challenge. The Musicoz Challenge is a national music competition with one goal: to provide real opportunity to all singers, songwriters, bands and musicians currently not signed to a major label. Commencing in 2001, Musicoz has already provided opportunities to upcoming musicians including two newly 'signed' bands and many other live and promotional opportunities which have emerged for entrants throughout the year. 2002 is already looking bigger and brighter for entrants with industry heavyweights such as Studios 301, Immedia, Audio Technology Magazine and several pro recording studios adding to the already impressive list of sponsors that include Sony Music Entertainment, New Australian Music Magazine, Win Television, Radio I98fm, Radio C91.3fm, 3d World Magazine, Koori Mail, Turramurra Music, Roland, Haworth Guitars, Maton Guitars, Laney Amplifiers and Festival Music Publishing. Category 9. CHRISTIAN \| RELIGIOUS \| GOSPEL should interest a few people. Go to their website here to find out more. Entries close July 31st 2002.
	14.06.02 - Next US Aussie release. From Wes Jay, Woodlands Media. The US has signed another Aussie to a major international recording deal. Seventeen-year-old female singer/songwriter Charmaine joins the roster at Elevate/Inpop Records in August to release the album All About Jesus. Label founder David Smallbone says the teenager's approach to worship is "fresh". "We first heard about Charmaine and her family's ministry through my brother who is a pastor in Australia," David says. "Now a year later with the recording completed, we are absolutely delighted both with the end result and also with the gentle spirit that Charmaine has maintained throughout this rather lengthy process," he says. Charmaine moved to the US in 2001 after performing for several years with Endless Praise which her family founded in 1984. Other Aussies to score major deals in the US this year include Paul Colman Trio and Rivertribe. You can preview Charmaine's debut radio single 'I Love You Lord' @ www.elevaterecords.com.
	14.06.02 - Rivertribe interview. From Wes Jay, Woodlands Media. Talking about Rivertribe, this classy instrumental ensemble has catapulted into national and international limelight with some of the most original and innovative Christian music ever! US Christian music website ChristianActivities.com has published an in depth interview with Rivertribe's founder, Mike Lane.
	14.06.02 - pc3 still on top. From Wes Jay, Woodlands Media. pc3's song 'Turn' is still spinning on top of the US Radio and Records Christian CHR charts after four weeks. Well done! Back home, reports indicate that the pc3 'New Map of the World' radio special is getting strong support from Christian radio, and Christian radio programs on community stations. As of last Monday, the Aussie single 'Save My Soul' has been added to 64% of stations with many adding the song as soon as it arrived.
	13.06.02 - Craving for BCC! From BCC HQ. It gives us pleasure to announce that Sunshine Coast hardcore band Void If Removed have sent us a sneak preview of their forthcoming CD - and isn't it a ripper! The song 'Craving' is now available to download here in its entirety. If this song doesn't get you singing/screaming "Jesus Christ is Lord" then we don't know what will :)
	13.06.02 - Rhubarb tour looming! From Toupee Records. Rhubarb will hit the road in July/August for their 'Wheels in Motion Tour'. They will play with special guests Diana Ah Naid and Tonjip at most of the shows. The new single and video 'New York' hits the streets on the 1st July. The full list of shows are available on the band's website here.
	13.06.02 - Alabaster Box back in town. From Alabaster Box. Alabaster Box have just finished a busy few months in the southern states which included: Godfest - Taree, Forest Edge - Melbourne and have just returned from performing at the State Youth Games in Sydney on the weekend. Make sure that you check out their website to see when they will next be appearing near you.
	13.06.02 - Compliments of Gus tour with Katie. From ACAN. Compliments of Gus have packed their bags for a jaunt around New Zealand and the East coast of Australia during June - August. This will be their biggest tour yet, and will showcase support artist Katie Vanderzaag, whose debut single ‘What It's Like’ releases soon through Humber Records. More info at www.complimentsofgus.com.
	13.06.02 - Antiskeptic on TripleM. From Toupee Records. Antiskeptic are flavour of the month releasing their debut album 'Memoirs of a Common Man' in just 4 days on the 17th June and having their single 'Called' added to rotation on TripleM for the whole east coast of Oz. That is a huge accomplishment. Click here to download 'Called' from BCC, or here to download or stream it from MP3.com.au. The band head off around the country to launch their new album over the next month. The Qld shows are listed below. June 14th - Maryborough Town Hall, Maryborough ($7.00 / all ages) June 28th - Gabba Hotel, Brisbane ($8.00 / doors 8.30pm) June 30th - Lions Den, Brisbane (All ages, $8.00 / doors 12.30pm)
	13.06.02 - Seraph’s great net numbers. From ACAN. Seraph’s Coal reached Number 1 on Triple J’s Net 50 on the weekend - but they are still only on spot rotation. That’s a lot of requesting! Well done guys.
	13.06.02 - Leo Nine live? From Toupee Records. Leo Nine will play a rare show in Brisbane which is always a special occasion. Come and see why everyone is talking about this amazing band as they roadtest a few new tunes in great comnpany. Midway + Genshen + The Daybridges + Leo Nine (in that order) @ The Zoo, Ann St, Fortitude Valley. Doors: 8:30pm. Leo Nine are on last (around 11pm). ID required $8.
	13.06.02 - Tonjip touring. From Toupee Records. Well everyone else is so why not Tonjip? With Phil Usher hanging around in Australia for a while, why not indeed. Southern fans will have a rare chance to catch the mighty retro popsters in action with Rhubarb and Diana Ah Naid. Do not miss it! They have a new single 'Electromatic' out too so request it from your favourite radio station now!
	13.06.02 - Cancelled shows, recording & Kimbo. From Mullet TV. The biggest news is that Cool Caloundras 1 and 2 have been postponed to September because our insurance bill went from $300 to $7500 per show! We will be doing one show on 29th June in a church - location to be announced. Atoned, Half Way Out, Void If Removed and Supafish are all in the studio at present. I've heard some of the new stuff and it is definitely a step ahead of anything these bands have done hitherto. Supafish are the coming band - they are going to be huge! Some more great news for Kimbo fans is that she has just signed to provide the lead in track for the new Australian Christian Rock TV Show 'God Rox'. Again, the thing she has created for this show is probably twice as good as anything she's done to date! Keep an eye open for God Rox - coming soon. Kimbo won't be at Caloundra in June, but she will be at Lowood GLO on 3rd August, and Cool Caloundra (God Willing) during the school hols in September.
	13.06.02 - Angie overseas. From ACAN. Brissie singer Angie is off to Thailand as a Missionary and worship leader in June/July, and then heads off to the US in September with visits to LA, New York, North Carolina, San Diego, Orange County and San Francisco in the works. Keep an eye on www.aboutangie.com for details.
	13.06.02 - Australia: 'Nuts' for Lads. From Wes Jay, Woodlands Media. The departure of the Paul Colman Trio and Rivertribe for the US this year has left a gaping hole in the Australasian music scene. One band that has come a long way to fill the gap is NZ pop rock quintet, Lads. Like the 70s/80s NZ phenomenon Split Enz, this group is as artistic as it is accessible. Every show is a riotous, crowd-pulling affair. Take the response at this year's Australian Gospel Music Festival as an example. The crowd went 'nuts' whenever the Lads played. The group's amazing performance of Cannibalism, aided and abetted by members of Alabaster Box and The Frugals, has been described as the "funniest thing ever seen on stage at a Christian Music festival". Since Easter, Australia has shown it has embraced this marvellously appealing and flamboyant act. The energetic anthem Creator has gained extraordinary airplay across the country becoming the band's first Top 10 Australian song. 96Five's Operations Manager Malcolm Pollard, a long-time advocate of the band and one of the first to play their music here, says that there's no doubt the Lads have 'arrived' in this country. "They're incredibly energetic and funny 'live' on stage, and their music is extremely realistic, relatable and encouraging," Malcolm says. The band's latest single Call My Name is a sincere song of repentance that was birthed while playing 'live' at the Parachute Festival. Lads' keyboardist Chris White says that bass player Bennett Knowles simply stepped up to the microphone and this song came gushing out. "It is a song of brokenness and incredible honesty before God," Chris says. "It's times like these that God often brings his amazing grace and a hope that you can never deny." Call My Name is a pop ballad, perfect for AC and CHR airplay. It has become a highly requested radio favourite in New Zealand, and has been released to Christian radio this week in Australia and the US.
	07.06.02 - Groundswell 2002 - The last Groundswell ever. From Groundswell. Groundswell is finishing to make way for a new event in the near future. This is your chance to say goodbye to the event that it was. This year we have a limited number of only 1000 tickets available which means only 1000 are able to attend. If you are a super keen attender then you are able to pre-purchased your ticket to ensure that you can come. Tickets can be bought over the phone with your credit card or from Koorong Bookstore in Woolloongabba. Youth group bookings can be made via the Groundswell office. If there are tickets left then you will be able to buy them at the door. Following are all the current details... Saturday 27 July 2002 / 10am-10pm, 'Groundswell Music & Arts Festival' - a day to raise funds for CBMI with bands, café, markets, hip hop & more. Featured bands: Anna Larsen, Ben Cleaver, Breathing Autumn, Dumpster, Glistentwine, Half Way Out, Juxtapose, Leo 9, Nagasaki, Propane, Rhubarb, Squipplepippy, The Henrys, The Last Resort, The Perils, The Sellouts, The Teapot Dome Scandal and Tonjip. Held at The Princess Theatre, 8 Annerley Rd Woolloongabba. $15 students / $20 workers + 2 if pre-purchasing (pre-purchased tickets available from the Groundswell office or Koorong Bookstore, Woolloongabba), bookings/info ph 07 3342 6433. Don't forget to check out www.groundswellfest.com and www.cbmi.org.au. (80% of the world's blindness is avoidable and every 5 seconds a person goes blind. Come along to raise funds to help cure some of the 50 million blind people in the world.)
	07.06.02 - Check out 'Love Conquers All' on TripleM. From Justin Mark. New single 'Love Conquers All' has been scheduled to air on TripleM's 'Made in Vegas' show from 8-9pm on Sun 9th June. 'Love Conquers All' has also been added to the Life FM (Gold Coast) playlist. Also check out the new website www.justinmark.com and check out all 3 new singles from Justin.
	07.06.02 - This week's music rumours. Rumours are... Toby Mac is rumoured to be coming to Australia for Sonfest 2003! Waiting on the 5th have just finished recording at Angel Studios. Their new CD will be out in the next couple of weeks. A series of compilations is expected from Angel Studios later in the year. Memphis Joe has started just recorded a new song about Compassion Australia. Salvation Jane are believed to have changed their name to "Sensational Jane". Since Salvation Jane, their management and recording companies have denied any knowledge of this we will assume that this is false and this is a crude public display of taking advantage of opportunity. An official note from Salvation Jane's record company: "Salvation Jane have not changed their name". Soul Purpose is recording this weekend. Pseudo Llama are now the only Christian band we know of that are still in the Queensland Rock Awards. Unfortunately Half Way Out and Call Me Captain didn't make it through to the Region Finals last weekend :( If you know of an Australian Christian music rumour, let us know at news@brisbanechristianchat.com.
	07.06.02 - Not in the news this week (& for very good reason)... From BCC HQ. Pseudo Llama are considering hiring a 'real' llama to appear with them on stage at next Friday's Queensland Rock Awards Regional Finals to help them get into the Grand Final. It's all due to something the band are calling "The Llama Factor". If they go ahead with the plan it seems that the band will also be at their church fete the following day offering llama rides for the kids. Nagasaki's new website has been far more popular than anticipated and has been well and truly inundated with traffic. Unfortunately it seems that most of the hits are people trying anything to buy Soccer World Cup tickets on-line for the games held in Japan.
	07.06.02 - Antiskeptic on The Common Man Tour. From Antiskeptic \| Revolution Entertainment Group. After touring solidly this year, including a slot on the Vans Warped Tour and supports to the likes of Millencolin, Unwritten Law, Bodyjar and One Dollar Short, Melbourne trio Antiskeptic are about to embark on the The Common Man Tour. The debut release "Memoirs of a Common Man" is due out on June 17th and is highly anticipated. If the rave reviews of the album’s precursor EP "Change My Ways" is any indication to go by, then this album well be a very solid release and will put Antiskeptic on the map. "Called", the latest single, is already receiving great exposure on the airwaves. Moreover, in the online world, the release of the single for download two days ago, has already generated over 500 downloads and streams. Click here to download "Called" from BCC, or here to download or stream it from MP3.com.au. Bombshellzine.com, 88 records and Revolution Entertainment Group proudly present "The Common Man Tour". Joining the band along for the ride on the majority of the shows is young Sydney outfit Secondbest. The Tour is coming to a town near you in June/July. All Australian dates can be found on the Antiskeptic website here. The Brisbane dates are also listed here.
	06.06.02 - pc3's new world success. From Wes Jay, Woodlands Media. If street-week shipping is any indication, pc3's "New Map of the World" is on its way to 'Gold' (500 000 units) certification in the US, and possibly much more. Steve Thomas (Alabaster Arts) reports that the Paul Colman Trio shipped close to 100 000 units in its first week. Steve says for a new artist, "that's unheard of". It is estimated that the Paul Colman Trio will have performed before more than one million people during the group's first year in America, opening for both legs of Third Day's highly successful "Come Together" Tour. Come to think of it, 70 000 units is 'Platinum' in Australia!
	06.06.02 - Katie Vanderzaag releases debut EP. From Jared Haschek (Humber Records). Humber Records are proud to release "What It's Like", the debut record from 18 year old Melbourne artist Katie Vanderzaag. Drawing on the acoustic rock stylings of Jennifer Knapp and Carolyn Oates, the release of What It's Like sees Katie both realise a life-long dream, and at the same time embark on a brand new journey of performance, ministry and connection between audiences and God. Sharing her personal experience of Christ and His influence on her life, Katie Vanderzaag shows us what it's like to see the world through the eyes of Jesus. Available everywhere July 2002. Humber Records is a new record label committed to working with quality Christian artists. Founded by Jared and Rebecca Haschek, the label is excited about it's first signing, Katie Vanderzaag. Katie's debut release What It's Like is available July 2002 throughout Australia and New Zealand.
	06.06.02 - Everything you need to know about singing. From Wes Jay, Woodlands Media. Another Aussie people are talking about - particularly her song called "Poor Man's Clothes" - is Roma Waterman... but there's a side to her you may not know... Whether you are a singing student or an accomplished performer, a new handbook written by Australian singer/songwriter/vocal coach Roma Waterman will strengthen your voice, increase your endurance, enhance the natural resonance of your true voice, as well as teach your body to relax and allow the gift you have been given to flow to the world. "The Working Singer's Handbook" provides easy to understand vocal training that will help singers reach their full potential. It presents practical tips on how to fix voice problems, posture, breathing, resonance, overcoming stage fright, how to warm up, plus information on performing live and in studios. Roma says the book will encourage people to be more confident and relaxed performers. "I really believe it will help a lot of people," Roma says, "people like me, who have found it hard to find a book that had everything you need to know about singing - a book that can be used over a lifetime. Roma Waterman is a distinguished Australian singer who has recorded three solo albums and has worked on numerous recordings and live performances as a session singer with Vanessa Amorosi, Jay La'Gaia, Julie Anthony, Debra Byrne, Marina Prior and Jon Stevens. TV appearances include The Logies, Good Morning Australia, Star Struck, and the AFL Grand Final. She also coordinates The Melbourne Gospel Choir which has performed with Reba McEntire and on Channel Nine's Carols by Candlelight presentation. "The Working Singer's Handbook" will be available from September in all music stores throughout Australia and New Zealand, all Borders bookstores, plus Christian music retailers. Radio announcers might also benefit from this book. I remember the advice of 2UW's legendary Jeff Hall in the 60s to aspiring radio announcers that they should take singing lessons to develop their voice and to improve breathing and phrasing. Singers, radio announcers, and interested people can pre-order personally signed copies of "The Working Singer's Handbook" until 31 July at her website www.romawaterman.com.
	06.06.02 - US music news. From Wes Jay, Woodlands Media. RIAA Gold & Platinum certifications... The Record Industry Association of America (RIAA) recently certified that "Wow 2001" has sold two million copies (Double Platinum), and that Stephen Curtis Chapman's "Declaration", SCC's "More to This Life", Carman's "Heart of a Champion" and Third Day's "Time" have sold 'Gold' or half a million copies. RIAA 2001 consumer profile... The Recording Industry Association of America has published its annual survey of consumer music-buying patterns. The survey reveals that Christian music sales represent 6.7 percent of the total music market, a significant increase from 2000's 4.8 percent marketshare. Rock music has the largest sector of the market with 24.4%, pop 12.1%, rap/hip hop 11.4%, R&B 10.6%, country 10.5%, and Christian/gospel/religious 6.7%. Contemporary Christian Music/Gospel sold almost five times more than the entire soundtracks genre, and 1.5% more than Classical and Jazz combined. People purchased almost 50 million units of Contemporary Christian Music/Gospel with sales representing $US920 million. Overall, Christian music grew 14% in the US last year, at a time when total music sales were down 4%. On that basis, let's look at what's selling in the US this week. Billboard this week... #21 Legacy... Hymns and Faith (Amy Grant) * first week in #49 Satellite (POD) #75 The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin (Kirk Franklin) #84 Worship (Michael W Smith) #95 Almost There (MercyMe) Billboard Heatseekers... #6 Fireproof (Pillar) #11 Engage (Pax 217)
	03.06.02 - Queensland's rocking Llamas. From Pseudo Llama. Well it's been the Queensland Rock Awards all the way for us recently. Thanks to all those fans who made it to the semi finals on Saturday night (especially the diehard groupies who stayed until it finished at 2am). Those guys would have been the first to discover that we made it through! We are now in the final 13 bands for Brisbane (out of a hundred or two). Which brings us to the Regional Finals. Here's how it works: there are 13 bands in Brisbane, and 6 at each of the north and Gold coasts. At the regionals, it will be culled to 6 in Brisbane and 3 at each coast. So there will then be 12 all up in the Grand Final. So we need your help to get to the Grand Final! Come and see us play and bring all your friends, acquaintances, pets and stuffed animals - anyone or anything that you think would enjoy our music. Again, it's at the Jubilee Hotel from 6.30pm and its on the 14th June. Still $8, and now there will be 6 really high quality bands to enjoy for that price, so it's a real bargain. Send us an email to pseudollama@hotmail.com if you would like a ticket and we will take care of it. We'd love to see you there. To recap - * we played the rock awards semis * we made it through * woohoo * regionals coming soon * Jubilee Hotel, St Pauls Tce, Fortitude Valley * 14 June, from 6.30pm * $8 from us, $10 at door * don't miss an awesome show See you there.
	03.06.02 - A site for sore eyes. From Nagasaki. No, we are not dead. Nagasaki ends its period of hibernation with the launch of its new website www.nagasakimusic.com, new shows, new drummer, new haircuts and new music. The lads go into the studio in mid-June to record their new 4-track offering, 'Join the Revolution!' Already a crowd favourite and an anthem for the nation. The single will be launched at the Riverstage in Brisbane in October. More details to come. Sign our fresh guestbook, greet us at a show, hold the hand of someone special.
	03.06.02 - CCC goes Higher. From Wes Jay, Woodlands Media. Christian City Church Oxford Falls Sydney (CCC) took the Australian market by storm in 2001 with its groundbreaking album Prophesy. The album shot straight to the top of the Christian music retail charts nationally where it stayed for four months running! This year, CCC is blazing the way to even greater heights in praise and worship with the release of its new live album Higher. Higher is energetic, dynamic [k1]and powerful; in short, this is a remarkable album carrying the presence of God. A live album of grand proportions, Higher invokes a sense of excitement and breakthrough. The atmosphere on the night of the live recording was electric, with a stage that included 150 musicians and singers, and a congregation of around 2000 people who danced, cheered, and joined their voices and their hearts in powerful praise. Click here for more...