THE WEEKLY WRAP | 03/05/2024
The Weekly Wrap is a look at the biggest stories in music collected in one place for your reading ease.
The Wiggles EDM remix album debuts at #1 On the ARIA dance chart
Is there anything The Wiggles can’t do? The children’s entertainment act can now lay claim to having the #1 dance album in the country after The Wiggles Sound System: Rave Of Innocence took out the top spot on the ARIA Dance Chart.
The digital release was curated by Justice Crew member Lenny Pearce (the twin brother of the current purple Wiggle, John Pearce) and features all your favourite Wiggles tunes, such as ‘Henry the Octopus’ and ‘Hot Potato’ transformed into club bangers.
“It’s so incredible seeing people in their 20s and 30s who grew up enjoying our music in a whole new fun way; this remix album is sort of an extension of that. It’s [a] wild ride,” The Wiggles’ Anthony Field said in a press release about the album.
Ringo Starr releases ep with the strokes Nick Valensi
Crooked Boy is a four-track EP originally released by Ringo Starr on vinyl as part of Record Store Day. Over the weekend the EP Starr recorded with The Strokes Nick Valensi was given a digital release.
The EP was written and produced by 4 Non Blondes vocalist Linda Perry, with Valensi playing guitar on all four tracks.
In a statement about the release, Ringo said: “I love what Linda did and I think all the songs are all great but one thing I did ask her was to write me a rocker. And that’s ‘Gonna Need Someone’ and I love it! Nick Valensi plays guitars on it — and on all of the EP — and he is great.”
Ringo has also released a nostalgia-inducing music video for ‘Gonna Need Someone’, featuring archival footage of the former Beatles drummer.
You can listen to Crooked Boy on all good streaming platforms.
Def Jam Celebrates 40 Year Anniversary with Epic Playlist
One of America’s most successful hip hop labels, Def Jam Recordings, celebrates its 40 anniversary this year.
Founded by producer Rick Rubin and entrepreneur Russell Simmons in 1984, the label has been responsible for some of the biggest albums in hip hop history. LL Cool J’s Radio, Beastie Boys’ License To Ill, Public Enemy’s It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, ONYX’s BACDAFUCUP, DMX’s It’s Dark and Hell is Hot and Jay-Z’s The Blueprint and Rihanna’s Good Girl Gone Bad are just some of the incredible records released by Def Jam over the years.
Along with a digital map highlighting the label’s greatest moments throughout its history, Def Jam has compiled a playlist exploring the artists and songs that helped position the label as one of hip hop’s most important. Featuring tracks from Slick Rick, Jay-Z, Method Man, Foxy Brown, LL Cool J, Redman and more, this is the definitive Def Jam playlist and a great listen for those wanting to brush up on their hip hop history.
iconic Brisbane venue the zoo closing its doors
It’s not just Adelaide faced with venue closures. While our state has seen Fat Controller, Enigma Bar, Station Arcade and more shut their doors as the Cranker hangs on for dear life, one of Queensland’s most iconic venues is calling last drinks
The Zoo in Brisbane has been a major player in the live music scene for 32 years, hosting some of the biggest acts from Silverchair and the Black Keys to Nick Cave and Lorde.
Sadly, like so many live music venues across the country, the Zoo is being forced to close due to the challenges facing the music industry in the post-pandemic world.
In a statement posted on Instagram, the owners announced The Zoo will be closing on July 8 as the “financial reality of keeping music venues afloat in 2024 is all too stark,” pointing out the “rising operational costs and decreasing returns” have become
too hard to combat.
The statement also suggests the cost of living and lifestyle changes of young people, who no longer spend money at the bar like previous generations, have had a severe impact on the business.
It goes on to say the venue has “been running at a loss for over 3 years” and with no financial support from the government, The Zoo has been forced to close.
The statement ends with a shoutout to punters and performers who have passed through The Zoo over the years and encourages everyone “to advocate for live music, to implore our government and music bodies to do everything they can to prevent more venues from closing their doors due to the industry-wide financial pressure that is decimating venues across the country.”
slipknot confirms identity of new drummer
After months of speculation, Slipknot finally revealed their new drummer as Sepultura’s Eloy Casagrande.
The announcement won’t surprise Slipknot fans, who have been speculating about Casagrande joining the band since Sepultura announced plans to split up after four decades together.
Slipknot took to social media to confirm Casagrande as the band’s new stickman, posting an image of him sporting his new white mask featuring a zipper mouth and bullet hole in the forehead.
Casagrande, who has been playing with Sepultura since 2011, replaces sacked Slipknot drummer Max Weinberg, who was given his marching orders last November.
In response to the announcement, Casagrande took to Instagram and released a short statement: “It’s an exciting moment. Unthinkable until then. There is nothing to lose, there is nothing to win. There is just living. We’re here as one.
“Thank you Slipknot for trusting me. Thanks all the maggots and fans around the world.
See you on the road. Here comes more pain.”
Casagrande is already acquainted with his new bandmates, having played his first show with them last week. Slipknot performed an intimate show at Pappy & Harriet's Palace in Pioneertown, California last week, kicking off their 25th anniversary celebrations early.
Fans can expect to see Casagrande in the flesh when Slipknot headlines Knotsfest Australia next year.
the Teskey brothers, Troye Sivan and more win 2024 APRA Music Awards
The 2024 APRA Music Awards were held this week, with Australia’s top-tier talented recognised for their musical endeavours.
Some of this year’s big winners included pop purveyor Troye Sivan who took out the coveted Song of the Year Award for his track ‘Rush’, The Teskey Brothers who won the award for Songwriter of the Year, Polish Club who was awarded Most Performed Rock Work for their single ‘Good Time’, and grentperez who claimed the Emerging Songwriter of the Year Award.
Other big names to take home gongs included Dean Lewis, Sia, ONEFOUR, Casey Barnes and Bart Willoughby, who was awarded the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music.
In a press statement, APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston called the ceremony “a memorable night where we honoured several first-time winners as well as established national treasures, including the extraordinary Bart Willoughby.”
For a full list of the winners visit apraamcos.com.
Electric Light Orchestra Keyboardist Richard Tandy Passes Away
Sad news from the world of classic rock this week with the passing of Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) keyboardist Richard Tandy at 76.
The Birmingham-born musician joined the band a year after it was founded and played an integral part in ELO’s success, appearing on all but two of the band’s 14 albums.
The news was broken by ELO founder Jeff Lynne who took to social media with an emotional tribute to his former band member: "It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my long-time collaborator and dear friend Richard Tandy.
“He was a remarkable musician and friend and I'll cherish the lifetime of memories we had together.
"Sending all my love to Sheila and the Tandy family."
Friday Five
The rap beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar heated up this week after the Good Kid, M.A.A.D City rapper returned fire, finally replying to the 6 God’s ‘Push Ups’ with ‘Euphoria’.
While neither track is great, it got us thinking about the greatest diss tracks of all time. Below are five of our favourites.
1. 2Pac – ‘Hit Em Up’
2. Nas – ‘Ether’
3. Ice Cube– ‘No Vaseline’
4. Pusha T – ‘The Story of Adidon’
5. Boogie Down Productions – ‘South Bronx’
