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The ultimate goal of the National Breast Cancer Foundation is to raise enough money to fund a cure for breast cancer. As Australia’s leading national not-for-profit organisation established to fund all forms of research into the prevention and cure of breast cancer, we have a responsibility to ensure that the funds you work so hard to raise are used in the best possible way as we move towards making our goal a reality. Over the past ten years National Breast Cancer Foundation research programs have built a reputation of prestige and excellence through their rigorous peer-review processes that consider the project’s quality, feasibility and relevance to breast cancer.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation is unique in its research funding as it is the only community organisation that awards funds specifically for research across the continuum of breast cancer - from genetics to treatment, to support and palliative care. Funds raised are directed to the best research in Australia – we are neither limited by state boundaries nor institutional policies. We have no vested interest other than ensuring we progress knowledge about breast cancer.

Support the National Breast Cancer Foundation by sponsoring the Qtrax.net.au family members in the Sunday Mail City to Bay Fun Run 2010

National Breast Cancer Foundation Official Site

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Formed in Sydney, Australia, mushu have released their second EP. Self confessed influences include Bob Dylan to Joan as Policewoman and Neil Young to the Smiths. Produced by Luke Bertoz and mixed by Wayne Connolly (of Josh Pyke and You am I fame) mushu’s EP “is a warm record where distortion is used sparingly, reverb is generous, synths come out to play, rich harmonies are affluent and hints of discordance bite you to keep you on your feet”. A scent of “The Waifs” but with a harder edge, Mushu are distinctly Australian (and that’s a good thing!). From strumming to distorted guitars together with beautiful harmonies are amply supported by synthesizers throughout.

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Starting with the radio static of ‘Neap Tide’, the first single to be lifted from the EP slowly builds with harmonies to the catchy crescendo of distorted guitars. You’ll be singing along to the chorus of ‘War Song’ and ‘Don’t Forget Me’ led by the gorgeous voice of Simone Macarounas, while whistling and humming along to ‘Paper Aeroplane’ before you know it. The harder edge of ‘Carousel’ is a welcome addition, while ‘Soldiers’ is a fitting track to close, showcasing the EP’s versatility.
Their music has the ability to transport you to another place. Sophisticated and refreshing, Mushu are a breathe of fresh air. An acoustic tour of America and Canada follows the launch of the EP with an LP in pre-production and more shows to follow.

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mushu music
mushu myspace
mushu triple j unearthed

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For a ‘whole lotta love’ check out:

Rock and Pop Tours Latest Newsletter - July 6th 2010

Rock and Pop Tours Official Site
Rock and Pop Tours Facebook
Rock and Pop Tours Twitter
Rock and Pop Tours YouTube Channel

Requests anyone ?

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Rockwiz

RocKwiz undertook its first ever Live National Tour to nineteen cities across the country - and what a trip!
It started with a hand wave to the Rock Brain himself while we were waiting in the foyer enjoying some pre-show drinks. Brian Nankervis spotted us and closed in with camera lady in tow. The bells were dinging and Brian was whipping the crowd up to get in and get seated. After taste testing one of our drinks to the surprise of the drink’s owner and spotting our Tour T-Shirt purchase, Brian was gone as quick as he had arrived to warm up the rest of the crowd.

It had been a while since I had been at the live filming of a few RocKwiz shows at ‘The Espy’ and I’d forgotten how funny and cheeky Brian was with the audience while selecting the audience panel members. But in true style Brian weeded out the “geeks” from “the rock freaks” among them to join him on stage. Brian then introduced the hostess with the mostess; Julia Zemiro who of course was warmly received by all. After interrogating the panel for their first ever concerts and music purchases it was time for “Hands on buzzers!”

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All the familiar segments were there ; starting with ‘Who Can It Be Now?’; ‘Local &/or General’; as well as the much loved ‘Million Dollar Riff’. The first guest was Bridezilla’s lead singer; Holiday Sidewinder who entertained us with her gorgeous voice. The second guest to grace the stage was none other than lead singer of the Hoodoo Gurus; Dave Faulkner - what a treat ! To top the night off, we were joined by special guests Ella Hooper (of Killing Heidi fame) and “the original bad boy of love” himself Angry Anderson of Rose Tattoo.

However, the highlight and deviation from the usual script was when two audience panel members had to sing a song from Brian’s “rigged” Spinning Wheel karaoke style with only two songs available in Joan Jett’s ‘I Love Rock and Roll’ and Cold Chisel’s ‘Khe Sanh’ - what a hoot. And of course the infamous roadie; Dugald scored all night long …

James Black

Holiday and Dave finished with the obligatory duet sharply followed by the Finale with everyone together on stage for an absolute rockin’ performance of Sweet’s ‘Ballroom Blitz’. But it finished with an encore from the RocKwiz Orkestra with Peter “Lucky” Luscombe, Mark Ferrie and the incomparable James Black all having a go at vocals joined by both Brian and Julia with a stirring rendition of Tom Waites ‘Come up to the House’. Wow ! What a night. There’s nothing quite like a night of raucous Rock Theatre. Thank you to all the RocKwiz Family - we had a ball.
Rock On.

RocKwiz Flickr Tour Photos
RocKwiz Official Website
RocKwiz Virtual Quiz
RocKwiz Wikipedia

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I’ve been hanging out for a Foo Fighters greatest hits for years, but respectfully so, since many a group releases such a collection after a couple of albums, or more precisely, after a contractual break from their record company. But this is not the case here, with easily enough material behind them to justify such a release, Dave Grohl & co comfort us with a warm glow of life after grunge, being amongst the forerunners of making it ok to enjoy rock music again.

My main gripe would be the transformation to m.o.r rock, a label I didn’t think possible, but when you hear the new song ‘wheels’ on the local easy listening pop station it all but screams ‘adult contemporary’, which most of the fans who discovered the Foo Fighters in their youth would be loathe to admit. Even if it might, alas, prove true of the core, reserved seating type fan base these days, yet gladly, not alienating the hard rock, general admission, standing-for-the-whole-concert, preferring punters just yet either.

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Its top heavy on the newer tracks, notably there’s no I’ll Stick Around or Resolve. One doesn’t really need an acoustic version or more than one new track, at least, not at the expense of some of the earlier classics which would’ve more accurately rounded out the band’s career progression, but the DVD of music videos is Pretty. Darn. Awesome. And also further reaching on the material. If you’ve seen the videos you know what I’m talking about, the marvellous parody of the Mentos commercials in Big Me and the cheesy, role-playing, saving the world-esque majesty of Learning to Fly, complete with Tenacious D cameo…a valid exchange for Dave Grohl’s demon performance in their Tribute clip.

Overall, a sound collection and perfect for casual listeners who like the radio singles and aren’t interested in a more diverse discography snapshot.

Foo Fighters Official Learn to Fly Filmclip

Foo Fighters Greatest Hits
Foo Fighters Official Site
Foo Fighters MySpace
Foo Fighters Wikipedia

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Rocky Dawuni walks the talk. Fist held high and dreadlocks flowing, the Ghanaian reggae artist is a rebel among rebels, tackling serious social issues with uplifting ballads and reggae rockers. All while working to challenge everything from infectious diseases to clean water to poverty across the rural communities of his homeland.

On Hymns for the Rebel Soul, Dawuni’s infectious, groove-driven music refuses to play by the rules. He sings about the struggles against corruption, war, and despair, drawing on his own experiences while melding bluesy Motown horn lines with Afro-beat grooves and Arabic percussion. Add highlife afro-pop guitar mingled with polyrhythms and Scandinavian melodies and Dawuni re-imagines a fearlessly global, one-love reggae with contemporary African ingenuity.

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Let’s rewind a few decades to where Dawuni’s instinct to innovate emerged in the middle of an army camp under a military government. Under a dimly lit African sky, Bob Marley’s iconic “Uprising” album blares from P.A. speakers at an outdoor bar crowded with soldiers; a little boy takes note of the politically charged lyrics and a rebel is born.

As music entwined with his passion for speaking truth to questionable power, he “went pro,” he says, as a young psychology student at the University of Ghana. “My first band was an accident,” he laughs. “In my first year, I met these four guys who were students there and musicians. Everyone was saying, ‘Why are we in the University if we want to be musicians? Why don’t we form a band?’” And the seeds were planted.

Check out World Music News Wire for the complete review …

Rocky Dawuni Official Site
Rocky Dawuni MySpace

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As sequels are often found to be inferior to their predecessors, the new moon soundtrack doesn’t quite satisfy. Fans will already have the record to add to their merchandise collection, but there’s nothing that would induce a casual consumer to consider this compilation.
The best song is probably the opening track and single ‘Meet me at the Equinox’ from Death Cab for Cutie and a surprising standout is Lykke Li’s haunting ‘Possibility’.

Some heavyweight names are included, from the Killers, the Editors and even author Stephanie Meyer’s exalted Muse, but where ‘Supermassive Black Hole’ was so aptly put to use in volume one, they only, disappointingly, contribute a remix of ‘I Belong to You’, no new material included on what is assuredly a sure fire money spinner and publicity machine.

It appears the producers were more interested in having the names rather then the substance, but also with enough unknowns to be fresh. Even though Radiohead’s 15 steps would’ve been a fine addition to the first twilight CD (see Qtrax.net.au Twilight review), front man Thom Yorke’s electronica-fusion Hearing Damage fails to inspire. And the Eskimo Joe bonus track, while not out of place, seems a weak effort of localising for an Australian audience. Far more commendable if it was included on worldwide editions.

Uninspiring but harmless indie pop.

Twilight: New Moon The Movie Official Site
Twilight: New Moon Soundtrack