Dance News

Australian indie/electro influenced acts have very quickly become the darlings of the international electronic/indie scene with upcoming albums and tours eagerly awaited by many a gushing blogger. Modular favourites, Melbourne's Cut Copy, release their second album 'In Ghost Colours' on March 22 (locally while the US and UK will have to wait until mid-April). According to Wikipedia, their sound, often labeled as indie dance, "draws considerable influence from 80s bands such as Fleetwood Mac, New Order, and ELO" - an intriguing combination! The album was produced by DFA's Tim Goldsworthy and recorded at DFA studios in NYC. They take to the stage in London, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Rome, Milan and other cities partial to synth-pop ditties before embarking on four intimate shows in the US during March, the tour culminating on Friday the 25th of April at the three day Coachella Festival in Indio, California where they'll join fellow Melbournians, Midnight Juggernauts.

The indie-electro-synth styled Midnight Juggernauts will make a quick stop over before relocating to Europe for extensive touring in 2008, with the group set to play headline shows across the UK, France, USA and Japan, making the most of their new worldwide licensing deal with EMI and imminent worldwide release of their debut album 'Dystopia'. Sydney's The Presets, are dropping their second album shortly, too. Titled 'Apocalypso', it follows on two years after the massive success of their debut album 'Beams'. Their sound has been likened to "new pagan" electro-pop and the new album is due for release on April 12th. Rumor has it they'll be in LA for a few intimate dates long before they return for their proper North American tour supporting the new album.

Obese Records have revealed that the Hilltop Hoods' DVD 'City Of Lights', has gone gold after a month in the stores. It documents the making (and touring) of their previous two albums and includes 2 hours of exclusive interviews and music videos.

In Gnarls Barkley news, their sophomore album is nearing completion, the duo having recently recorded with live musicians in Los Angeles. Appropriately titled 'The Odd Couple', it will be released in April via Downtown/Atlantic. In the meantime, Danger Mouse has his hands full with numerous projects. Beyond producing the new Black Keys album, 'Attack & Release', Danger Mouse is set to work with acclaimed producer/songwriter and Beach Boys collaborator Van Dyke Parks and the Velvet Underground's John Cale on a forthcoming album.

Drum & bass don, Grooverider, has finally appeared in a Dubai court after spending two months in jail for allegedly attempting to enter the country with drugs and porn. The DJ admitted to having 2.16 grams of marijuana in his luggage, but claimed he had forgotten it was there. The court has fixed the next hearing to February 5. Grooverider faces the prospect of four years in jail, the usual minimum sentence for possession of drugs. Luckily, he is represented by the same lawyer that defended urban singer Dallas Austin when he was caught with cocaine in Dubai. Austin managed to avoid jail after paying a hefty fine, so Grooverider may be able to escape incarceration.

Local Roundup

Tiesto is returning to Australia after a four year absence and while details, as yet, are scarce what is confirmed is that he'll be playing a number of gigs in the last week of April and the first week of May. The Dutch superstar will be hoping to build on the success encountered during 2007, a year in which he took the #2 spot in the DJ Mag 100 poll, released his latest album 'Elements Of Life', followed it up with a tour that won over the US playing 25 000 capacity stadiums and scored a Grammy nomination. Music aside, the high point of Tiesto's upcoming year will be on October 10 when the 38 year old marries his 19-year-old 'longtime' girlfriend. While the wedding location hasn't been disclosed, rumour has it that the bride- to-be is requesting Lasers and glowsticks to be used as decor.

While the Good Vibrations festival bypasses Adelaide, Cypress Hill are still going to bring love to the City of Churches on Valentines Day. Taking a brief leave of absence from the festival, they'll be playing with Pharaohe Monch at HQ on Thursday 14th of February.

Returning to Australia in March is Afrika Bambaataa. Often referred to as the God Father of Hip Hop and founder of the Zulu Nation, he was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in September 27 of last year. He'll be here for a run of club shows and speaking seminars across the country and you can catch him on March 23 in Adelaide at Viva.

Check out Brooklyn born rapper and record producer, Ill Bill, at the HQ Complex on Friday the 22nd of February. Having gained notoriety as the main voice behind the now disbanded underground hip hop group Non Phixion, Ill Bill is known for his politically-themed lyrics and as the producer, founder and CEO of Uncle Howie Records.

Other local events to keep an eye on include 'A Day At The Beach', taking place on Sunday 17th February at The Shores Complex and featuring Dirty South, TV Rock, Goodwill, Vandalism (live) and John Course; drum 'n bass stalwarts High Contrast & MC Wrec (UK) on Friday, 15th February at Channel Complex and psytrance luminaries Infected Mushroom (Israel) live on Tuesday 26th February also at Channel Complex. Legendary turntablist, DJ Craze, plays at The Crown & Sceptre on Thursday 20th of March.

Got dance news?

Email Terry Goldfain

gold@chariot.net.au