Well hello there 2011, didn't you show up quickly!

Well hello there 2011, didn't you show up quickly!

The last thing I remember it was some time in November 2010... I was hopelessly falling in love with Bruno Mars' Grenade, whilst simultaneously weeping from my right eye to Robyn's Indestructible. And then, all of a sudden - BANG (Bang, Bang, Bang according to Mark Ronson) - I'm surrounded by Katy Perry's Firework(s). Wake up, it's 2011.

The fact is my dear friends, the last time you heard from me was actually back in November 2010. Let's just say I've been on a blog embargo. I thought I'd be safe, with limited action happening music-wise across the holiday season, but noooo - not so. So much has happened in the short five week period that this kind sir was away from it all. SO MUCH I TELL YOU!

There's lots to cover, but I'm not going to spend an entire evening reliving the past, however there are a few special mentions that just can't be missed - so I'll take the liberty of updating you now!

New York's Wynter Gordon seems to be doing something hella right here in Australia - her nothing-short-of-amazing single Dirty Talk rocketed up the iTunes download charts in a number of weeks, and as we speak, is sitting pretty at #1 on the iTunes Singles Chart! MACHINE! In case you're still yet to see the clip, view it here on my previous blog of Ms Gordon. [BLOG/VIDEO] [ITUNES]

Miss White America, aka Katy Perry, is nothing short of the Teenage Dream is she? Her third single off the Teenage Dream album, Firework, helped Katy create Billboard chart history as it climbed to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. In doing so it make Katy the first female solo artist in 11 years to hit the coveted #1 position with the first three singles of an album! Must have been the video clip... you know, with fireworks out of her titties and all... [BLOG/VIDEO]

The undisputed Queen of Pop, Lady Gaga (sorry Mads and Kylie, you kinda lost that throne a little while ago now), announced on New Years Day via her Twitter account that the lead single from the album of the same name, Born This Way, will be released digitally on February 13th, with the album released on May 23rd. Along with the announcement, Gaga released the below picture. Aargh! Guess we'll have yet another year dominated by the one-and-only. [TWITTER]

But, hold your horses lovers of trashy pop music! Not to be outdone, America's first teenage Trashy-White Princess of Pop, Britney Spears, has announced that she will release her seventh studio album in March this year, and as of only a yesterday released the name and cover to her new single to be released on 11.1.11 (11th January 2011), Hold It Against Me, cover below. [TWITTER]

Getting back locally - I was fortunate enough to see Aussie legend Sarah McLeod, Welsh hottie Marina and the Diamonds, and UK duo Freemasons all in a 3 week period! Gotta love Summer!

Sarah rocked the place with her band at the Good God Small Club, treating her fans to her latest single - a cover of Bruce Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark (which I blogged about before my embargo), see [BLOG/VIDEO] - and some of her older stuff from a few years ago. Whilst the set was a short one, it was awesome. Sar rocked the stage - so glad I made it.

Marina and the Diamonds were nothing short of AMAZING. But before I get to Marina I have to make a special mention to a very talented singer/songwriter who opened the night, Kristina Miltiadou. Kristina and her band hail from Melbourne and I have to admit, were very cute as well as talented. It was their first show in Sydney and they did great! Check out their YouTube page for videos from the night. [YOUTUBE]

So Marina, pure indie pop wonderful that is Marina. What a brilliant show. It was her only gig (excluding a couple of festivals) and she totally blew me away. Her vocals are outstanding. Her stage presence was engaging. She was nothing short of totally and utterly brilliant. Best moment of the night was her performance of Shampain, clearly the best track from her debut album, The Family Jewels, and yes, something I've blogged about before. Haven't seen the video yet? Check it out - she really is something! [BLOG/VIDEO]

Jeez, I've only touched the sides and yet so much has yet to be told! However, one shall not bombard y'all at once for fear that the shear excitement of it all may cause you to spontaneously combust. Or not.

Coming up in the days ahead - I'll have a view of the top year-end charts around the world, including a sneak preview into my own Top 100 for 2010.

However! Before I leave this blog entry I will let you know this - Is It BUSH WEEK...? is now on Twitter! Follow me @isitbushweek. Much love and Happy New Year!