Interview: Same Difference

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Same Difference are a brother & sister pop duo from the UK. Sean & Sarah entered the 2007 X Factor competition, mentored by Simon Cowell they finished third & were quickly signed to Simon’s label Syco the following year.
They released their debut single We R One in November 2008, which was quickly followed by their debut album “Pop” which went on to sell over 180,000 copies in the UK.
In 2010 they returned with a new sound, new look & a new record company.
Shine On Forever (Photoframe) was the first single release from the new album “The Rest Is History”
Look out for the new single “Karma Karma” featuring Alcazar – it’s poptastic!

Johnno & Leo talked to Sarah & Sean about X Factor, Simon Cowell, Sean naked on stage, how Sarah handled bullying, recording their new album, working with fellow popstars Alcazar & their plans for the future.

You can download the new album “The Rest Is History” from I Tunes worldwide.

Interview: Olly Murs

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Olly Murs is a UK pop sensation.

Entering the 2009 X Factor competition in the UK, Olly went on to finish second in the competition under the guidance of mentor Simon Cowell.

His debut single “Please Don’t Let Me Go” reached # 1 in the UK.

His self titled debut album reached # 2  & has so far sold over 500,000 copies.

Olly chatted to Johno about his X Factor journey, recording his new album, debut single Please Don’t Let Me Go & how he’s handling life as a popstar.

Download Olly’s debut single “Please Don’t Let Me Go” now via I Tunes

Interview: Peter Wilson

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Melbourne recording artist, songwriter & producer Peter Wilson visited the Joy 94.9 studios recently.

Peter chatted to Johno & Leo about growing up at the same school as Dannii Minogue, his 90′s solo career, songwriting & producing & his latest project – his new solo album “Stereo”

“Intoxicated” is the first single to be lifted up the forthcoming album – featuring remixes by Matt Pop, Sleaze Sisters & Dave Ford & Ian Curnow

Make sure you support Australian music & download “Intoxicated” today from I Tunes Worldwide

Interview: Dane Rumble

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It was a true Kiwi affair when Johno and Leo shared couch with fellow New Zealander, singing sensation Dane Rumble.

Prior to beginning a solo career, Dane was part of the hip hop group Fast Crew, who achieved chart success in New Zealand (and some minor success in Australia) before disbanding in 2008. In March 2010, he released his debut album The Experiment, an exciting mixture of pop-rock and hip hop influences. The album debuted at number one in his homeland and is set to be released in Australia early next year. The album has produced four Top 20 hits including the number three smash “Cruel”.

He has also collaborated with fellow Kiwi sensation J Williams on “Takes Me Higher”, a number two hit in New Zealand.

While in the country to promote his single “Always Be Here”, Johno and Leo sat down with Dane to discuss his career, musical inspirations, side projects and the campest CD in his collection.

“Always Be Here” is out now through Hussle Recordings
(Buy: iTunes)

Sound Museum meets Kylie Minogue

Johno and guest presenter Leo were lucky, lucky, lucky enough to get snapped with Australia’s goddess of pop Kylie Minogue as she arrived at the Channel 9 studios in preparation of her appearance on Hey Hey It’s Saturday.

A few weeks back, Petro recieved some Minogue love when on-air presenting a 2 hour special of Kylie rarities. Whilst tweeting the playlist on Twitter throughout the night, Kylie tweeted back, thrilled to hear “Disco Down” (track four from 2000′s Light Years) after all these years. She then re-tweeted Petro playing “Made Of Glass” (b-side to 2005 single “Giving You Up”). Needless to say, she made this young gay very excited!

Petro also took part in the highly successful JOY 94.9 campaign “Kylie Call JOY”. He and several other presenters took to the city streets and filmed a marvelously produced video in order to get Miss Minogue’s attention. The video has received press coverage in the Herald Sun and Age newspapers. Watch the video below and see Petro at 0.21 on the tram with a giant letter O!

The campaign achieved its agenda and Kylie met up with Nath from The Glory Boys and Adrian from Andy & Adrian. Download the interview here.

Let’s hope all this Minogue Mania gets the stunning Aphrodite to number one, where our queen rightfully belongs!

Aphrodite is out now through Warner
(Buy: iTunes / JB Hifi)

Interview: Alexandra Burke

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Petro and Johno met up with UK popstar Alexandra Burke during her four-day promo trip in Australia, promoting the release of her debut album Overcome and the poptastic single “All Night Long”.

It all began for Alexandra on the fifth season of UK X Factor. The benchmark had been raised with the international success of previous winner Leona Lewis. Alexandra turned up to the 2008 auditions, having been rejected three years earlier for being too young and inexperienced. She succeeded in showing off her new-found confidence and under the guidance of judge Cheryl Cole, wowed television audiences with an array of standout performances including classics from Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey and Britney Spears. In the final round, she performed a duet with her own idol Beyonce.

She beat boy band JLS to take the X Factor crown and was signed to Simon Cowell’s Syco label. Her winning single “Hallelujah” sold a record breaking 105,000 copies in just one day. By January 2009, sales had passed the one million mark, making her the first British female solo artist to sell one million copies of a single in the UK.

In October 2009, Alexandra released her highly anticipated album Overcome which entered the charts at number one in the UK and has since reached double platinum sales. The album features a mixture of uptempo pop-r’n'b anthems (Ne-Yo duet “Good Night, Good Morning”), motown throwbacks (“Bury Me”), and vocal-showcasing balladry (“The Silence”). The album has produced a string of top five UK hits including her second number one “Bad Boys”, “Broken Heels”, and the current dancefloor anthem “All Night Long”.

In the interview, Alexandra reveals the inspiration behind the album and the creative process, her plans for the US market, the X Factor experience and plenty more.

Overcome is out now through Sony Music
(Buy: iTunes / JB Hifi)

Interview: David Hunt

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We interviewed former record label executive David Hunt about his 25 years in the Australian music industry.

David’s taste for the industry began by working for and setting up record stores in Adelaide, and during the early 80s, he was hired by major label EMI, working in publicity and promotions.

David worked on breaking acts through radio, print and television’s most influential programs Hey Hey It’s Saturday and Countdown. Artists he looked after included Crowded House, Grace Jones, David Bowie, Queen, Peudo Echo, Duran Duran and Pet Shop Boys.

He then moved to Virgin Records, working with international acts such as Belinda Carlisle, Juian Lennon, Simple Minds, Bryan Ferry and Paula Abdul (helping break her #1 smash hit “Opposites Attract”).

He later moved to Sydney to work in the head office of BMG. He has also worked with none other than Kym Wilde, John Farnham and Whitney Houston. Although never working for Kylie Minogue (she was signed to Mushroom in Australia), he has a very cool experience with her that he shares in the interview.

Before joining JOY 94.9 as head of sponsorships, he worked as a publicity agent for independent acts. He currently teaches at JMC Academy in the Diploma of Entertainment – Business Management.

Interview: Michael Parisi

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Petro engaged in an in-depth and insightful chat with one of Australia’s leading music industry, record label figures Michael Parisi.

Michael started his music career as a music journalist with Inpress Magazine in 1988 before joining Warner Music Australia as a promotions manager in 1990. In the early years of his tenure at Warners he was fortunate enough to work and help build the careers of such acts as The Red Hot Chili Peppers and REM.

In 1992 he joined IMAGO Records as General Manager, Australia under the guidance and mentorship of John Woodruff to assist in building the careers of The Baby Animals and Henry Rollins.

In 1994 he re-joined Warners as Head of Artist Development breaking the likes of Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, NIN, Primus and Marilyn Manson before moving into A&R.

Between 1996 and 1999, he signed and guided the careers of Regurgitator, The Superjesus and The Whitlams.

Between 2000-2002, Parisi set up Sputnik Records, a joint venture with Mushroom Records. His first signing MUSE (an unknown UK three piece) went on to be signed by Mushroom Records UK for the world. His other signings in this period – 28 Days, motorace and Machine Gun Fellatio – went on to have major chart and sales success before he was appointed as Managing Director of Festival Mushroom Records.

From 2002-2008, he was in charge of a roster that included the likes of Kylie Minogue (who re-signed to Mushroom), AC DC and The Alberts Music catalogue, Disney Hollywood Records, Richard Bransons’s V2 Records , Garbage, Ash, MUSE and local success stories George, Eskimo Joe, Gyroscope and Gabriella Cilimi (whom he discovered and signed to Island Records UK). In 2009, he established his own management company with the aim of establishing and promoting local artists.

For more info on Michael Parisi Management, visit the official website.

Interview: Lucy Holmes

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Local entertainer Lucy Holmes is best known for her highly acclaimed 100% Kylie tribute show.

Being the die-hard Kylie fan he is, Petro caught 100% Kylie a couple of years ago. He was amazed by the attention to detail, from the impeccable costumes sourced from Kylie’s famous photo shoots, music videos and live performances, to the mind-blowing tour renditions used throughout the show. Lucy does the perfect job mimicking Australia’s most cherished gay icon.

Apart from the tribute show, Lucy is heavily involved in other aspects of the entertainment industry. She has performed on shows such as Dancing With The Stars, It Takes Two, The Footy Show, The Singing Bee and Big Brother.

She co-hosted the late night interactive game show The Mint and is currently part of the Light FM breakfast team. She has performed at prestigious events such as the AFL Grand Final, the Men’s Final of the Australian Open (with Guy Sebastian), the Logie Awards and the annual Vision Australia’s Carols By Candlelight.

For more info on Lucy, visit her personal site. For more info on 100% Kylie, visit the show’s site.

Interview: Rogue Traders

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The morning after their electrifying performance at the annual Logie Awards, the Rogue Traders (founder/producer James Ash and new lead vocalist Mindi Jackson) popped into JOY 94.9 for a fun chat about phase three of the Rogue Trader rollercoaster.

Originally a dance prodution duo consisting of DJs James Ash and Steve Davis, they scored a Top 10 hit back in 2003 with the INXS sampling “One Of My Kind”, from the album We Know What You’re Up To. Phase two began when Neighbours star Natalie Bassingthwaighte fronted the band in 2005. With their trademark brand of attitude-filled, punchy electro-pop-rock, the breakthrough album Here Come The Drums sold over 500,000 copies worldwide and spawned the classics “Voodoo Child”, “Watching You” and “In Love Again”.

The band’s follow-up Better In The Dark produced further hits “Don’t You Wanna Feel” and “I Never Liked You”.  When Natalie left the group in 2008 to pursue a solo career, James searched for a new vocalist. Independent singer Mindi Jackson was chosen, and the group is ready to commence phase three with their forthcoming album Night Of The Living Drums, featuring the addictive new single “Would You Raise Your Hands”.

“Would Your Raise Your Hands” is out now through Sony Music
(Buy: iTunes / JB Hifi)