The sombre sounds of Australian singer/songwriter, Holly Throsby will be transfixing all those who find themselves standing in The Bakery ARTRAGE, Perth, tonight. Holly will be launching her much-anticipated album ‘a loud call’ with doors opening at 8pm, 233 James Street
, Northbridge. Tickets available online for $18.

I’ve tried. I have. But since I got the album No. 1’s & No. 2’s by Tex Perkins & His Ladyboys in the mail a little while ago, I really really cannot wrestle it out of my CD player. Good ole sexy Tex – he of Cruel Sea and Beasts of Bourbon fame – belts out all your fave woman-power cover versions, including “I’m Not in Love”, “Rich Girl” and “Do That to Me One More Time”. And I’m sorry, but you haven’t lived till you’ve heard his version of “Hungry Eyes”. So very wrong and hilarious; Dirty Dancing would have been a whole different film if he’d sung the original. The album’s out October 11, but even better, Tex and his Ladyboyz are touring the country from October 17th to November 1st, visiting such salubrious establishment as Twin Towns at Tweed Heads, the Palms at Crown in Melbourne and the Country Club Showroom in Launceston. Hoo, mamma. I may just drown in this puddle of kitschy deliciousness.

Yay – the news is out! Here at frankie we are very proud to announce our sponsorship of Lykke Li as she plays two intimate headline shows as part of her Australian tour! Catch her pretty, saccharine pop at the Prince of Wales in Melbourne on January 4th and in Sydney at Oxford Art Factory on January 5th. To celebrate we have one prize pack for each city consisting of Youth Novels on CD and vinyl single, plus a double pass to her show. To enter email your contact details here with the subject line ‘pretty stories’, and tell us what you love about Lykke Li. See you at the shows!

Back from being on the road with Ben Kweller, the lovely Whitley is getting ready this week for his 2009 national tour, which frankie is proud as punch to be presenting. Plus, we have a few of treats for you here. First there’s a special download just for you from Whitley. And we’ve got tickets to win to each of his shows – just email us here with ‘Whitley’, and your preferred city and show, in the subject line. Winners will be drawn Tuesday 6th January. Plus, just in case you don’t win, we are happy to announce there are some tickets left to his shows and new Melbourne and Tathra gigs just announced. Make sure and catch him before he toddles off to record his next album!

See the man we call Whitley here: Wednesday 7th January – Tathra Hotel, Tathra, Thursday 8th January – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney. Friday 9th January – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle. Saturday 10th January – The Zoo, Brisbane. Friday 16th January – Republic Bar, Hobart. Saturday 17th January – Karova Lounge, Ballarat. Tuesday 20th January – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne. Wednesday 21st January – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne. Friday 23rd January – Jive, Adelaide. Saturday 24th January – Fly By Night, Perth.

This sounds like fun times. Every Thursday night through February (that means it’s starting this Thursday, people) Roar Sounds presents live music at Melbourne Zoo – a good excuse to pack some night-time picnic goodies, a few cold ones and ogle the animals before settling down to watch some fine open-air gigs. Starting with Kate Miller-Heidke and The Verses on February 5th, Roar Sounds then kicks on with Wolf & Cub and Van She on February 12th, Eddy Current Suppression Ring and a secret support act on February 19th, then Resin Dogs, Phrase and Alexx the Kidd on February 26th. You can get in early at 5:30pm to say hello to the zoo’s inhabitants till 7pm, and you can BYO. Ace! Tickets are on sale now through www.zoo.org.au or 1300 ZOOS VIC. But wait, there’s more! We have a double pass for each show to give away. Email your details to giveaways@frankie.com.au with Roar in the Header, and don’t forget to tell us which week you want to go...