The Weekly... Volume 24

Hello subscribers. All three of you. How are you? Good to hear! (I am guessing there, but hey it’s Christmas so I figure you’re probably doing pretty well. Being silly season and all…). A few days late courtesy of the show on Sunday night, but you know what they say about late vs never. And I am a big believer in that theory. This may have something to do with the fact that I am often slightly behind schedule... Not always in a "fashionable" way either. But I am working on it...

Coming at you from the Internet Cafe in Manly. I am yet to get the internet connected in my new place here. I am wondering if I really need it? Maybe I can just get by on wireless hot spots and internet cafes. That would be a lot cheaper... And you get to meet more backpackers. AND they give you free frisbees. Seriously - I got one the other day.

First things first – a huge thanks to everyone who came along on Sunday night to the Christmas spectacular spectacular. We had a great time, and there were moments in the set where I thought the band sounded as good as we have together all year. So hats off to everyone who was involved – a nice one for the last band show of 2008. Special thanks also to Liz on the Viola, who my brother recruited the night before whilst slightly intoxicated – turns out she could really play!

Not to be forgotten – Brett, Felix and the Stringettes – wonderful to do another show with you.

And Holly Austin you are a genius.

Happy to report also that we had a nice little collection of goodies to give to the Smith Family yesterday. I managed to find the “Base Camp” in Homebush, which is not the nicest drive from Manly it has to be said, but compared to what some people are up against at Christmas, I suppose a few cars on Military Road is hardly something to complain about. Thanks to all of you who put presents under our little tree at the Excelsior - it was a wonderful display of generosity. In case you were wondering, by Grandparents raised over $500 by selling raffle tickets for one of my grandfather’s paintings. That money also goes to the Smith Family, so it’s nice to know we’ve all played a small part in helping a few less fortunate folks. I spent some time with the Volunteers yesterday out at Homebush and seeing the amount of presents that had been donated around NSW was quite amazing. It seems the spirit of giving is well and truly in the air.

A bit of a break for me on the run-in to Christmas, but then I am down the South Coast for a couple of shows before heading up to the Peats Ridge Festival. Such a great lineup – can’t wait to settle in there for a few days and take it all in.

It's an interesting little period I am going through at the moment – the word “transition” springs to mind, but I won’t bore you with clichés. It hasn't been easy to settle back in here after my travelling this year, but I was reminded on Sunday night about the healing powers of music. I hit the stage feeling pretty stressed and left it feeling more or less at ease. A bit more than just the post-gig glow, more a feeling of contentment that at the end of the day, no matter what is going on in my life, I'll always have my songs. And I am not one to get all spiritual and touchy-feely on you, but I do believe that the creative process can be a very powerful thing as long as it's not neglected. Mental note taken...

Anyway after a very busy year of tours, tours and more tours, it might be time to take a little breather so I can actually get this new album finished. Rest assured however, there’ll still be enough going on to operate this rambling blog of mine for a while yet.

Merry Christmas to you all. Make sure you eat a lot. That is the whole point. You can worry about the spare tyre next year… On your way to the Peats Ridge Festival. Then you can add to it with some home made Gozleme. That's what I'll be doing.

Cheers for now.

Renny

The Ultimate Christmas Spectacular Spectacular. Sun 21 Dec

WAY more spectacular than your average spectacular.... I promise!

THE RENNY FIELD BAND - FINAL SHOW OF 2008

At the moment, we have 8 people playing with the band on Sunday. This number could grow depending on who I manage to round up in the next few days. We also have a suggestion for the band name - "Renny Field and the Beautiful Shambles". Because I like to have lots of different people playing with us. Makes things interesting. What do you think?

Like the Baby Shambles, but without the crack habit.

SUN 21 ..HE EXCELSIOR HOTEL
64 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills
Doors open 5pm. Music from 6pm sharp.

With Brett Winterford (Peregrine).

and a Special Mystery Guest!!

No I'm not telling you who he is... Or she... You'll have to come and see for yourselves.

Tix $10 at the Door. Food available at the venue. And drinks of course. Pubs usually sell drinks.

CHRISTMAS PRESENT APPEAL:
We will be setting up a Christmas Tree at the venue, and we are asking people to bring a Christmas present for a small child to put beneath the tree. The presents will then be given to the Smith Family for their annual Christmas present appeal. It's not much, but it might help Santa get to a few more homes in time for the big day. The Smith Family have asked that each present be labeled with Male/Female and a rough age group. This will assist with the distribution. Doesn't have to be a big present, but anything you could manage would be great. Thanks!
(And thanks to my brother for that great idea).

ARTWORK RAFFLE:
Just when you thought it couldn't get any more spectacular, my Grandfather has decided to run a raffle for one of his famous paintings (well they should be famous). How good is that? I reckon you'll love it. And all the proceeds from the raffle will be going straight to the Smith Family. That was mighty nice of him I thought, so if you don't particularly like my music you could at least stop by to have a chat with Gramps and buy a ticket in the raffle. You might even get a new painting on the wall for Christmas!

I am excited!!

But I will stop using exclamation marks now...

Hope to see you there.

Cheers,

Renny

The Weekly... Volume 23

OK so I counted back - we have returned to the Numerical system. This means that I am going to write one of these things once a week again - that was sort of the point when I started it up (hence the title...).

Anyway the week that was - another trip out to Bathurst for a show at the Kings Hotel. I really must thank Angus and the team out there for making us feel so welcome each time we go out. Normally I do a little Drums / Acoustic show with my brother, but this time around it was Han Solo. For some reason, the last three trips to Bathurst I have had to drive through the Central West version of Cyclone Tracy just to get there. Let me tell you - by yourself in a 1986 Toyota Corona, this is NOT cool. Even if you have 2 new tyres. Good thing it doesn't leak like my Old Dual sun-roof Tarago touring van. Is someone trying to test me? Trying to see if I REALLY want to be a musician? Do I REALLY want to put up with a 3hr drive to Bathurst through a Monsoon on a Friday night? (you see it changed from a Cyclone - I am working on my storytelling...). Well the answer to all those questions is YES - and whoever is testing me can keep doing it, because I ain't giving up that easily.

Closer to home, I had a couple of shows in Manly this week. My first 2 shows in Manly as a Manly resident! This is exciting. If I could get 5 gigs a week in Manly, then I'd never have to go anywhere. (But I'd still go to Bathurst of course... ).

I am keeping this Blog brief, because it's my "Get started again" blog, so it'll take a few weeks to get back my full blog fitness. I'll leave you with this one little story / rant.

Earlier this week, I was moving some more of my things to my new place. It was Monday, it was getting late, and I still hadn't had any dinner. So against my better judgment I stopped at the old faithful late night Indian diner on Oxford Street. God knows if the food is actually "Food" as we know it, but a bit of Rice and Naan bread is at least enough to keep the hunger pains at bay. I noticed a guy about 10m up the street doing some busking - in fact he was playing some old Elton john tunes on the piano, which I thought was pretty cool. Doing a great job of it to.

Well that's what I thought anyway - it turns out it wasn't cool at all. I had only just sat down outside to eat my dinner when the local rangers turned up to tell the guy to pack up and move on.

Why? Who was he bothering?

I couldn't quite believe it. Sure it was a Monday, but this guy was playing pleasant piano music. Nothing offensive, and certainly not as loud as the Buses that kept gong past every 2 or 3 minutes. Yes for some reason, the Rangers had to come and shut him up. Apparently someone had made a complaint... More likely it was a Monday, they were bored, so they decided to pick on someone. Just because they could. And they seem to like easy targets.

Oxford street is meant to be one of the all night "Strips" in Sydney. Even on a Monday, there are bars open most of the night. What on earth is wrong with a guy playing Piano on the footpath? The problem here is that it wouldn't have mattered where this bloke set up, he would have been cut off anywhere in the city... It's seems such a trivial thing to get upset about, but I was pissed off. If art and music is not allowed to exist at that most basic grass roots level, then what hope is there of it ever gaining a reasonable footing?

On my way to Bathurst I heard a guy call in on talkback radio to suggest that people go and check out some live music on a Friday night. The host, a fairly prominent media personality, asked the caller "Is there still live music in Sydney?".

It might have been said in jest, but it's hardly a laughing matter...

Sorry to drag that one down like that, but occasionally I think a mini-rant is in order.

Why not check out a gig somewhere this week - you might just enjoy it. I can think of at least one option...

SUN 21 DECEMBER.
THE CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR SPECTACULAR.
More Spectacular than your avergage Spectacular.
RENNY FIELD BAND
Supported by Brett Winterford.
Plus a Mystery Guest!
Bring a kids present for the Smith Family!
Plus raffles and more!
The Excelsior Surry Hills.
64 Foveax Street.
Doors open 5pm. Tix $10.

But hey - there are plenty of venues, and plenty of bands.

Get amongst it folks. It's Christmas.

And if you see a guy playing Elton John on Piano, give him a few bucks!

See you soon

The Weekly... Volume..... Um.... December

Well this is the monthly group email - I will work out exactly which weekly I am up to next time round. For now, I'll leave you with the following show updates:

WED 10 & THURS 11 ..THE MANLY DOUBLE!
No I don't mean two blokes - I mean the suburb of Manly. And a manly suburb it is! (Sort of, depending on how you look at it).

WED 10/12 - The Old Manly Boatshed
Solo show - On stage 9pm.
www.songwriterslive.com.au
Free Entry

THURS 11/12 - In Situ, Manly
18 Sydney Road (Just off the Corso).
Solo show 7.30 - 10.30pm.
Three hours of power - can you handle it?!
Free Entry. Great tapas menu.


FRI 12 DEC - BATHURST - THE KINGS HOTEL
Solo Show from 10pm.
Another 3 hours of power!
60 George Street, Bathurst.
You might want to do a road trip and check out Mt Panorama. It's cool.
The last two trips to Bathurst, there has been a brawl in the pub on both occasions. To this point I have resisted the urge to enclose the stage area in chicken wire a la the Good Old Boys / Blues Brothers, but I might get a few quotes from the local Bunnings this time round just in case...


If anyone makes it to both In Situ AND Bathurst (that would be 6 Hours of Power), I will pay for your appointment with a therapist the next week.


SUN 21 DECEMBER - THE INAUGURAL RENNY FIELD BAND CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR SPECTACULAR!
Yes I did use the word Spectacular twice. And no it still doesn't even come close to describing how Spectacular this will be. I will be trying to feature a whole host of people who have played with the band over the past year. That means a lot of people on a fairly small stage, but it'll be fun.
Celebrating the year that was, and ushering in the better year that will be. (Or just chilling out after a big Saturday night - it's up to you).
Early show, so you'll all be able to get your beauty sleep.

THE EXCELSIOR HOTEL
64 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills.
Doors Open 5pm. Music from 6pm.
With Special Guest Brett Winterford (Peregrine).
And another... but you'll have to wait and see..
Tickets $10 at the Door.
Food available at the pub.


31 DECEMBER - NEW YEARS EVE
I'll be performing at the Peats Ridge Festival.
On stage 10pm at the Chai Tea Temple.
(Yes there is a Chai Tea Temple, and yes I am playing at it).
Mainly solo, but with a few to help out. Should be fun.
A great lineup of local and international artists - just over an hour from Sydney.
You could do worse!
www.peatsridgefestival.com.au


2009.....

BACK TO BAR ME
FRI 9 JAN - SOLO HEADLINE SHOW
Looking forward to returning to one of my favourite venues in Sydney.
Nice grand piano, and a great little room.
Book for Dinner and a Show - www.barme.com.au


TAMWORTH TOUR:

WED 21 JAN, THURS 22 JAN, FRI 23 JAN
THE LONGYARD, TAMWORTH
Round Robin Show with Sam Buckingham and Sarah Humphreys.
Singing songs, sharing stories.
10am - 1pm Each Day.
Next to the Golden Guitar.
FREE ENTRY

SUN 25 JAN - JUST CONFIRMED..
GLEN INNES!
With Kent Eastwood, Sam Buckingham, Sarah Humphreys.
More info to come.


FOR REGULAR UPDATES (and there will be a few), log on to www.myspace.com/rennyfield


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THANKS THANKS THANKS!

To everyone who has been to see a show in 2008, offered their encouragement, bought a CD, helped me out in a distant land, told a friend, signed the mailing list, or did something that made my little journey here more enjoyable. That goes out to all of you who ignored me whilst I was busking at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (because now there is a great little video on youtube which I find very amusing), and in particular it goes out to the Jehovas Witness dude who tried to give me a flyer whilst I was in the middle of a song at a show in Ireland. My friend, you may think I had the sh..... s at the time, but I will be using that story for the rest of my life. So really, I can't thank you enough.

It has been a pretty crazy sort to year (in a good way), and I am looking forward to more of the same in 2009.

Best wishes to everyone for Christmas and the New Year, and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Much love,

Renny


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PS.

The astute observers will remember that I was recording an album. That is still happening - in between all of the above. A bit crazy, but we're getting there.

But the plan is for a release early next year, so hang in there... Thanks for bearing with me.

In the mean time, grab yourself a great deal on some Christmas Presents:

www.rennyfield.com

(Hey you can't blame a guy for trying).