Brett Every on every other Australian artist

(photo c/o Brett Every)
Brett, let's talk about Australian musicians and bands. I'm going to name 10 artists or bands and you tell me if you like them or hate them.

An album for Everyone

(All images c/o Brett Every)

Once a year a new artist comes to my attention and for lack of a better phrase, "blows my brains," and in 2008, I've been fortunate to discover two, both from Australia, the country that brought us most famously, artists as diverse as INXS, Kylie Minogue and AC/DC.  It's no different this year with singer-songwriters Sam Sparro and Brett Every. 

Kelley Deal -- "Bags That Rock: Knitting on the Road"

In the past five years, a lot of lesbians have taken up knitting.  Well, maybe not all lesbians, but two of my ex's have, so I'm basing my statement on that un-scientific fact.

If you have a lesbian friend who's a knitter, a rocker and fan of the band the Breeders, I've got a gift tip that will kill all three of the above birds with one stone.

Watch and listen: Britney's shout out to Gay.com

Britney has sent over a quick "thank you" video to Gay.com readers, and the kind folks at imeem were only too eager to send us a "leaked" link to the entire playlist for "Circus". So, instead of boring you with our own trite "Britney's back and better than ever" review, we are going to let you decide if the album lives up to the anticipation and hype. Listen to the whole sha-bang and then take our poll ...

Smiths Rhino Rocks

"Stop me, oh, stop me, stop me if you think that you've heard this one before," but today's music landscape would be a far grimmer place if it weren't for The Smiths. 

Not in the slit-your-wrists Smiths way... but grim in that shiny-happy-people-holding-hands kind of way.   If it wasn't for The Smiths and the Brit pop bands (Suede, Blur, Oasis) that they influenced, we might still be listening to Poison, Tiffany, and worst of all, Michael Bolton.

It's time to Rock the Folk OUT

(Singer-songwriter Jake Walden: all photos c/o Regent Entertainment.)
Regent Media announced today the partnership of OUT magazine with here! Tunes to present the Rock the Folk OUT Tour. This East Coast tour showcases incredible, live music from three gifted, gay singer-songwriters. The fantastic bill boasts here! tunes recording artist Stewart Lewis, Los Angeles scene favorite Jake Walden, and acoustic performer Tom Goss. Each artist brings a unique flavor to the tour with their varied performance styles, but they are unified by an exceptional level of talent and poignant songwriting styles. This show is not to be missed.

BLOWOFF Hits San Francisco

Rockers Richard Morel and Bob Mould host and DJ BLOWOFF, a musical smackdown featuring their meaty signature mix of indie rock, electro and house.

Fun for all, from alternative music-loving boys, burly beer-drankin' men, leather daddies, to loads of chunky hunks like those featured in BLOWOFF's smokin' flyer artwork. Sells out, get there early! FYI: Blowoff hits San Franciso's Slim's Saturday, November 29th at 10pm. Address is 333 11th St, SF. For ticket info, visit www.slims-sf.com.

Click here to read Bob Mould's Gay.com interview

Manhandled by a Boy!

I know there are more pressing issues in the world right now, but I stumbled across some rather juicy details regarding Boy George's false imprisonment trial going on in London.

Audience can barely keep eyes open for AMAs

Yes, we know the American Music Awards are considered the red-headed step child next to the Grammys and MTV VMAs, but honestly, the producers should have handed out complimentary double expressos to patrons before the show to at least make them look like they were actually awake for the performances. Despite the audience snooze-fest, there are a few award acceptances worth mentioning. (Pics included!)

How to Upstage Beyonce

If you've ever had a fantasy of upstaging Beyonce but didn't quite know how, watch this clip. Even more interesting -- I bet your eyes won't look at Beyonce once during this video...