On April 22 Universal Music Australia will release When I First Met Your Ma – a brand new compilation featuring Australia’s finest musicians, celebrating themes of motherhood, romance and relationships via song. The collection lifts its title from Australia’s musical poet laureate, Paul Kelly – the unforgettable acoustic ballad one of his most iconic love songs. From exclusive originals to captivating covers and brand new versions of much-loved tunes, across 16 tracks When I First Met Your Ma pays tribute to the women who inspire, nurture and amaze.

When I First Met Your Ma features an array of award winning Australian  Artists, including Paul Kelly, Julia Stone, Washington, Clare Bowditch, Bertie Blackman, Katy Steele, John Butler Trio, Gurrumul, Oh Mercy and many more.

New album – WHEN I FIRST MET YOUR MA – out 22 April 2011.

From Australia’s first MasterChef comes the Pink Ribbon Edition of the phenomenal bestseller, Our Family Table. Support Breast Cancer research ith $1 from every copy sold going to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Our Family Table is a mouth-watering collection of recipes from Julie and her family and features a blank chapter at the back for you to add the recipes from your own family’s table.

The mother from the Central Coast that captured the heart of Australia brings you home cooking at its finest. From breakfast to dinner parties, Christmas to camping, sweet treats to preserves – this book is set to become a permanent fi xture on your cookbook stand.

Also featuring a foreword by Margaret Fulton. You can get your hands on a copy in May!

Fifty fist-sized teapots have met their fate at the skilled hands of a select group of established and emerging artists. With the fabulously diverse line-up consisting of painters, print makers, photographers, graphic designers, typographers, digital, textile, and street artists, there’s sure to be eye candy to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Artists include Bec Winnel, Aramas Ridge, Caitlin Shearer, Gimiks Born, Sam Octigan, TEZ, Alex Louisa, Ellen Stapleton, Eirian Chapman, Jessica Singh, Rebecca Murphy, Burntfeather, and many more fabulous Australian talents.

Everyone is welcome to attend the exhibition opening night on April 13th, 6-8pm, at Paper Plane Gallery in Rozelle, Sydney. There will be free refreshments, delicious hot and cold teas, and nibbles served throughout the evening.

These tempting teapots will be on show until May 1st.

Australia’s cult art magazine announces The Empty Exhibition, a group show to celebrate the launch of the 20th Issue of Empty magazine.

The artists selected reflect the diversity of styles that are published in the magazine. From photo realistic paintings, to surrealism, street art and documentary photography.  The Empty Exhibition will showcase a broad range of works from Erik Sandberg, Meggs, Nic Plowman, Beastman, Aaron Nagel, Andrew Quilty, Karim Hamid, Tamara Dean, Christian Rex Van Minnen and David Kassan.

The Empty Exhibition kicks off on 14 April at aMBUSH Gallery and then moves north to open at the National Grid Gallery on 29 April.  Two exciting openings at galleries well known for their support of young and talented artists and collectives.

Where: aMBUSH Gallery, 4A James Street, Waterloo Sydney
When: Begins on Thursday 14 April & continues until Sunday 19 April, 12-4pm daily
More info: www.ambushgallery.com

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA: Yes, it’s hot. Yes, it’s wet. But Brisbane is also a city with one of the strongest independent music scenes you will find anywhere.

Believed to be a world first, soundslikebrisbane (SLB) is bringing together the citys indie labels under the one banner – already 17 independent labels are represented, with more to join the fold soon. They are giving you a taste of the collective with a free Brisbane music sampler available online now.

Covering every genre from garage rock and indie, to jazz, hip-hop, country and pop, the labels define the creative melting pot that Brisbane has become. Together these labels work with dozens of artists, promoting close to 100 releases each year.

Among them are some of the countrys most exciting new artists including DZ DEATHRAYS, Mr Maps, The Optimen, The Medics, Regurgitator and Jackie Marshall. Whether you’re a fan or a music industry type, discover new labels, new bands, make new connections in Australia and get your head around one of the world’s most exciting music cities at www.soundslikebrisbane.com .