Better to die on your feet
The Age
Thursday December 17, 2009
DURING the past decade, Australian musicians have been forced to fend off many threats to their livelihoods: pokies, GST, new whingeing inner-city neighbours, illegal downloads and CD burning and, more recently, the Liquor Licensing Commission cracking down on live venues. But they are a resilient lot, our musicians. Not only were they responsible for some of the best releases of 2009, they are also usually the first to help out with benefit concerts. And there was none bigger this year than Sound Relief, which saw legendary bands Midnight Oil and Hunters & Collectors reform to play alongside Kings of Leon and Coldplay in memorable rain-drenched fund-raisers at the MCG and SCG that raised millions of dollars for Black Saturday victims.These are tough times for all musicians. Not only is it harder to make a living but sadly we lost Maurice Frawley and Magic Dirt's Dean Turner, while Renee Geyer became the fourth Australian female star after Olivia Newton-John, Delta and Kylie to get cancer.But others have bucked the trend. The surprise success in Australia of US bluesman Charlie Parr said a lot about the state of music in 2009. For 20 years, the Minnesota musician quite happily drove himself around the US, playing shows in small clubs and selling CDs from his truck. But last year his career suddenly took off after his archaic folk song 1922 Blues was cleverly used in a Vodafone advertisement. It was an incongruous match-up but it highlighted the importance of new avenues for revenue-raising.After years of living in denial, the majors embraced online technology. Ever since the Sony Walkman was replaced by the iPod as the favoured portable music player, Sony has been trying to make up lost ground. While Glenn Wheatley's bold predictions for digital radio proved unfounded when his digital radio venture, Stripe, went under, Sony launched its own online music store, Bandit.FM.Powderfinger's basic rock sound may not have changed much in the past 15 years but this year Australia's biggest band embraced new technology, harnessing the power of Twitter to perform three secret gigs in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne; launching their album online; and releasing their first iTunes album.But while some move forward, others, such as Barnesy and Farnsey, are so entrenched in our consciousness they just keep on keeping on. While the popularity of Farnham's performance at the Sydney Sound Relief concert encouraged yet another comeback, Barnesy scored his ninth No.1 solo album with a cover of old blues numbers, overtaking Farnsey as the most successful Australian artist on the Australian charts.There was plenty of exciting new talent, such as Daniel Merriweather, Empire of the Sun and Temper Trap, who made inroads here and overseas. Sticky was also impressed with assured debut albums by Jordie Lane, Regular John, St Helens, Oh Mercy, Philadelphia Grand Jury and Matt Sonic. We were also excited about EPs delivered by the Dacios, Megan Washington, the Jezebels, the Redcoats and Matt Sonic.EMI's faith in Luke Steele was finally rewarded when Empire of the Sun dominated the ARIA Awards. Unfortunately his collaborator, Nick Littlemore, isn't around to bask in the glory, with the two having fallen out over touring plans and a massive foodfight in a plush British hotel. Wagons and the Drones dominated the EG and AIR Awards, and Eddy Current Suppression Ring and enigmatic Sydney performer Jack Ladder took out the Australian Music Prize awards.Next year young Werribee singer Caterina Torres will try to emulate Gabriella Cilmi's worldwide success after becoming the first female singer to sign a deal directly with an international major.Keep an eye out for Tame Impala's anticipated debut album and don't write off Airbourne, who are busy making a new album that is expected to receive a huge push from its label, Roadrunner.Sticky's Top 10 Australian CDs of 2009:1. The Rise and Fall of Goodtown €” Wagons2. Sleeping Patterns €” Jordie Lane3. Pop Crimes €” Rowland S. Howard4. Get Out While You Can €” Dan Sultan5. As Day Follows Night €” Sarah Blasko6. Hidden Hands €” Jen Cloher and the Endless Sea7. Conditions €” Temper Trap8. The Wolves in the Woods €” Downhills Home9. The Gleaner €” Brendan Welch10. Privileged Woes €” Oh MercyArt rockTHIS weekend is your last chance to check out the Rock Prints exhibition and sale of rock'n'roll posters at the 374 Gallery in Northcote. From 10am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday at 374 High Street.GigsON FRIDAY, the Lime Spiders play Moorabbin's Sandbelt Hotel (and Saturday at the Northcote Social Club); Wagons play the Workers Club in Fitzroy; the Fireballs rock the Prince Bandroom; the Blackeyed Susans play the Thornbury Theatre while Eddy Current Suppression Ring and Thee Oh Sees rock Billboard. Tomorrow, catch Little Freddie and the Pops and Dollsquad at the Espy Basement. On Sunday Andy Baylor launches Possum Stole the Pumpkin at the Northcote Social Club. On Wednesday, Kim Salmon and the Surrealists and Legends Of Motorsport play Low Transit Industries Christmas party at the Corner Hotel.Sticky's video summary of the year in music can be seen at theage.com.au and we'll be summing up the year along with EG editor Jo Roberts on Triple R's Off the Record program on Saturday from 10am.
© 2009 The Age
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