Another week, another state of affairs. We look at The Basement putting itself up on the market. Who in Australia's music industry got a Queen's Birthday Honour? And Channel [V]'s ongoing search for a new host continues with more eliminations than a reality TV show on crack.

THE BASEMENT PUTS ITSELF ON THE MARKET

Circular Quay is very much seen as the tourist centre of Sydney, but a hidden gem, which certainly has no tourists around most times (except for the touring musos of course) is the magnificent venue known as The Basement. Over 40 years they’ve been the bastion of jazz in that city (and other wonderful music at times – I remember seeing Sage Francis there once). After 13 years Tim Read and Jane Burridge have decided to pass the baton onto someone else and give the venue up for sale.

By the looks of things though, they’re keen on continuing the tradition of presenting thought provoking to the new owners and there is no plans to put one pokie in the venue at all. The media release even took pride that they have a pinball machine called Elvis.

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN

Whether or not you think we really should have a woman born into privilege hand out awards in her made up birthday, you have to credit those award winners for their achievements regardless. In the music industry especially, Brett Cottle, Chief Executive of APRA|AMCOS was recognised with an Order of Australia “for service to the performing arts, particularly to songwriters, composers and publishers, through executive roles with copyright protection organisations and to the community”. Yep, it’s wordy, but let’s just say that Brett’s done an awesome effort in the never-ending wrangling fight that is copyright in the music industry.

GURRUMUL GETS ONE MILLION VIEWS

Gurrumul has certainly busy as of late, and keeping with the monarchy theme, Gurrumul recently performed at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. It is yet another little step in the amazing success for the indigenous singer who has a voice of sweet gold. In addition to this latest performance, one million people were glued to the TV for an updated documentary on his life that aired on ABC’s Australian Story.

The TV program has helped both his albums ‘Gurrumul’ and ‘Rrakala’ get back into the iTunes top ten. In addition to this, a duet with Sarah Blasko called ‘Bayini’ has been release.

CHANNEL [V]’S PRESENTER SEARCH IS NOW IN SERIOUS MODE

Channel [V] has been doing the Australian Idol judging things lately, only that this is less contrived and doesn’t include any touchdowns whatsoever. *shudder*. Four finalists will be finally picked from 6000 entries to the Channel [V] presenter search. Twenty finalists are going through some intense auditions that will determine those final four lucky ducks, plus one viewer choice that has been determined via vmusic.com.au. The four will be revealed at 10:30am on The Riff.

The final twenty are Aisha Jefcoate (Perth), Amanda Grafanakis (Melbourne), Annabel Maclean (Perth), Bridget Hustwaite (Ballarat), Charlie Cotton (Melbourne), Emily Whitham (Shepparton), Gus Kell (Sydney), Jaimi Starr (Bathurst), Jonno Seidler (Sydney), Lauren Hollands (Canberra), Marty Smiley (Melbourne), Miranda Freeman (Adelaide), Mitchell Feltscheer (Sydney), Ned Raggatt (Adelaide), Nicolas Rivet (Melbourne), Sam Taunton (Sydney), Serge Negus (Melbourne), Sophie Wright (Brisbane), Taihra (Tai) Swaine (Perth) and Xanthe Dobbie (Melbourne).

DJ ROULETTE, IT AIN’T RUSSAIN

The XO Live festival is launching DJ Roulette, a concept that will allow people to perform via alive stream during the festival and compete for a spot at the 2013 XO festival. Those who get to be a part of the 1’s and 0’s in the stream perform for an online audience watching through their high resolution-type screen. Of course, it’s up to the festival audience to be the jury and vote DJ’s until one remains. It’s like a coolsie version of The Hunger Games. As well as the gig at XO Live, you will win exclusive gear by Native Instruments totaling up to $2500 in value.

BILLBOARD GOES ARTY

On July 3, Melbourne venue Billboard will open up to its clients, supporters, media, music industry tastemakers, friends and any other being who would be interested to showcase the years of fantastic live music the venue has presented to the masses. From its origins in 1965 as Lido Theatre to the late 70’s as Total Theatre and becoming the venue as we know it, Billboard The Venue.

The venue will be displaying a wall dedicated to the history and the story of this building and the establishment of the venue in the 60's as a cabaret club with dancers, dinners and matinee shows as well. Photographers Kane Hibberd (The Art Of Capture), Caitlin Muscat (Caitlin Muscat Photography) and Brett Schewitz are the lucky ones who have their works displayed on the walls of the venue as well for the exhibition. More info at www.billboardthevenue.com.au

SHOCKING CUT

Shock Records have announced a new imprint label known as Halfcut Records, focusing on hardcore punk and heavy music. The first signings to the label include two band from the UK – Gallows and While She Sleeps while Heroes For Hire from Sydney round up the local content for Halfcut. The imprint is to be looked over by Stu Harvey, who many will know as the host of triple j’s punk and hardcore show Short, Fast, Loud.

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