How fortunate I was to be able to tour with two amazing singer-songwriters. amazing in their ability, but also their approach to music in general. In a time when so many seem hell-bent on making a grab for fame and fortune, it was refreshing to see two people who had taken a step back from all the bullsh... and re-directed that energy towards the only thing that really matters - the music.
A good lesson for me anyway.
The tour kicked off with a lengthy drive up to Brisbane. Never can quite understand the Pacific Hwy between Sydney & Brisbane - seem to be racing along until I hit Coffs, then disaster strikes by way of roadworks and variable speed-limits galore for the rest of the trip, ensuring the remainder takes an absolute eternity... (or so it seems).
2/9/05 - OPENING NIGHT was at the Troubador, where a good crowd had rolled in to see the show - Andrew Morris headlined the gig in his home town, and it was nice to hear the tunes from his band again after they played with us earlier in the year at the Brass Monkey album launch. A tight unit - great bunch of musicians. 'Twas the first night I had heard Sime Nugent, and found his songs both unique and engaging - I sensed they would be growers as the tour progressed and I was right. His stage manner is honest and unassuming with a touch of wry humour thrown in here and there for good measure.
Not content to learn our lesson the first few times, it seems this was another tour where the temptation of opening-night festivities would get the better of us.....
3/9/05 - NIGHT 2 - JOE'S WATERHOLE, EUMUNDI
Eumundi is tucked away inland - somewhere near Coolum (where we were staying - thanks to CS), although to be honest I was just following the signs and by the time I got there I had lost all sense of direction. It was dark, and I was agitated because I was missing the Bledisloe Cup...
Well the Wobblies ended up losing the match, and up here in Queenslander country, I can only assume that the game was one of the factors that led to a pretty quiet night. Probably about 10 people, plus the other bands. Shame really, because it's such a nice room. James Blundell had 50 payers the night before, so for the 3 of us relatively unknowns, it was always going to be a bit of a struggle. Eumundi not the most convenient of locations for the coastal holiday-goers, so people really need a good excuse to make the trip. (And we were a good excuse, just that they didn't realise it yet...)
Next day was an epic 12-hr stint back to Sydney. Absolutely no thoughts of trying my luck on the inland route - no matter how good those Anzac bisuits in Tenterfield are...
8/9/05 - CLARENDON GUESTHOUSE, KATOOMBA
Never played the Clarendon before, but had been there a couple of times, and it's a really nice place. Very intimate, but enjoyed the opportunity. Just the Renyn Field Band and Sime tonight. Seemed to be related to most of the people in the audience... Thanks!! (Thanks also to the Acylicians - you know who you are...). And Christine & Michael...
9/9/05 - THE VANGUARD, NEWTOWN
Pretty good crowd - Andrew Morris + band joined us from Brisbane and kicked it off. Always love the Vanguard, although I think all the shows this year were starting to take a toll. Seemed to be missing some of the energy which I had a couple of months ago - and as much as I am aware, and try to find it when I am up on stage, there is still something missing. The performance is as good as it needs to be - but missing the extra bit that turns a good show into a memorable one. I can feel it, I think the band can feel it - not sure about the audience.
Still, not a bad night - and some cause for celebration (though I only figured it out a week later) - it is exactly 2 years since the first gig for the Renny Field band. And my brother, the pillar of support that he is, has been there the whole time bashing away on those drums like it's the one thing he was meant to do.... You legend!
(Not forgetting Andrew on the Bass and Jeff on Guitar....)
(And Caddie on the Cello tonight...)
10/9/05 - HERITAGE HOTEL, BULLI
Pretty good show at the Heritage - about 40 people on hand to watch. Quiet, but it's a nice room and by the time we were on, most of the people there had been drinking for long enough that we couldn't really lose...
Earlier in the day, we played the Cronulla Spring Fair. A good opportunity, as we had one of the main time slots - 3pm in the afternoon. The audience (made up of mainly parents and YOUNG children) went into a minor state of shock when I uttered the s.... word. Only my continuous apologies for the rest of the set managed to get me out of trouble...
11/09/05 - BRASS MONKEY, CRONULLA
A nice gig - always is down here, as I have said many times before. Not to many people unfortunately, but I think this can be attributed to the footy finals, and our Sat and Sun performances at the Cronulla Spring fair, which were a lot of fun, but took the crowd from the Monkey.
Might I take my hat off to Jad and the crew once more though, for no matter what sort of night it is, we are made to feel so welcome every time - almost like we are part of the family. That's a nice feeling, and one that is rare around the traps. I hope I can be playing there in 40 years time... seriously...
14/09/05 - LIMELIGHT LOUNGE, GEELONG...
Well people firstly let me recommend that if you are playing a sequence of shows in which you must get up and drive for 8-10 hours every day for 5 days running, probably best not to do it by yourself.... And certainly don't go off buying the Leonard Cohen double-CD to get some inspiration during the trip. Man the thinking, thinking, thinking...
Limelight Lounge in Geelong is a great place. Just me and Sime played this one. I was greeted half way though my set by a 50-person pub crawl which had an Emergency services dress code. Basically, that meant that there was a whole bunch of Ballyhoo, which carried spectacularly across the polished wooden floorboards into the music area, and made the latter partof my set all but inaudible. Fortunately they left for Sime - man I really do love his stuff.
Managed to score myself a brand new CD carrying box - really a fine work of craftmanship form a local down this way who has a dream of putting these things in rural service stations in Victoria, whilst broadcasting his own pre-recorded radio station from an MP-3 player onto the service station's stereo system - the radio station only to play music from the independent artists on display in one of these aforementioned CD boxes. Has to be seen to be believed. Please come to a show and check it out - I will give you the full story. Promise...
15/09/05 - GRACE EMILY HOTEL, ADELAIDE
My first ever show in Adelaide! ALmost killed myself onthe way over. Thought I was doing fine till I pulled up on the outside of a line of cars in what seemed to be an ovetaking lane, only to discover that a Lorry was coming over the top of the hill and heading straight for me. Thank god I got some new brakes a few weeks ago. Also managed to find a brand new way from Geelong to Adelaide via Mt Gambier, which was an extra 2-3hrs. Me being stubborn again, not getting the proper directions, but rather happy to settle for the "Straight down the highway love" version from the old lady at the Gas station... Speaking of Gas stations.... what about the price of petrol!! Yet another reason I should have taken someone else with me..:)
Grace Emily Hotel - a great little pub indeed. Really cosy little back room where the music happens. Again, just me and Sime - but a decent little crowd on hand. Thanks to Hat etc. for coming along. Also a free bed here, which was a nice surprise at the end of a long trip. Did I need to go out after the show??
16/09/05 - GRAINERY LANE, BALLARAT
No I didn't need to go out after the show... What an idiot...
The "Powernap can save your life" signs on the Victorian roads were starting to take on a whole new meaning... Fortunately I managed to get the correct directions this time...
Grainery Lane Theatre is an AMAZING space - quite a large area tucked away out the back of this cool little bar. Tonight was a quiet night, and the three of us (Andrew Morris had joined us..) played in the front bar area. We were competing with the Swans - St Kilda AFL match, so Victoria wasn't the best place to be playing a gig when the whole state is praying that the only Victorian side left will make it into the Grand Final the following week. Sydney won - I was cheering in between songs...
17/09/05 - FINAL NIGHT - CORNISH ARMS, BRUNSWICK
A great night to finish up. A really nice sized crowd on hand to check out the show. Decided just to play the piano tonight, as the other two were on the guitar and it seemed like the right way to go. Thatnks to those of you who came back to see another show in Melbourne. Really like the Cornish Arms.
The end of a great tour, in which I learned a lot about myself, about music, about life, and about being true to who you are and what you are trying to achieve. Seems corny, but that's the way it is... Helped in no small way by two fantastic performers in Sime and Andrew, who have inspired me to think more about the art, which really is the most important part. Thanks for having me on board...
www.simenugent.com
www.andrewmorris.com
Managed to find myself stuck in Albury on the way home after a blown tyre about 20 mins out of town..... Hip hip hooray... Heading home looking forward to a rest from the gigging life....
Will be back soon folks...
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