Happy 28th December!!

Remembering 2011....

Hello again folks, thought I'd hit you with a quick update before time runs out in 2011. I've missed the Xmas deadlines, and it's a bit too early to start singing Auld Lang Syne, hence the subject of the email.... But why shouldn't we celebrate December 28?! It was, after all, on this day in 1912 that the first municipally-owned streetcars began service in San Francisco! Fans of useless pub trivia take note....

Alas my passion for the history of Californian transportation has had to take a back seat to the musical misadventures of 2011 which, as always, have been both rewarding and exhausting in equal parts but have left me feeling fortunate for the path I have been able to follow. Aided in no small way by good folks such as yourselves who have taken a moment to tune in from time to time - thanks so much for the support and encouragement you have offerered along the way.

Just as a frame of reference, I took a moment earlier today to list the various places I've played throughout the year (basically wherever they let me!) - I've copied and pasted the list to the bottom of the email in case you're interested...

Recording:

Some of you might remember I spent a couple of weeks with my good mate Kent Eastwood laying some tracks down in Glen Innes earlier this year. Whilst the final product is still yet to be completed (owing partly to the distance between artist and producer...!), I have uploaded one of the new tracks on my soundcloud page. It's a song called "Perfect", and I guess it's about taking time appreciate the things we have.

www.soundcloud.com/rennyfield/perfect

Movember:

A big thanks to everyone who made a donation to Movember in support of the "no-mo", and all of the folks who donated their time to either appear in the videos or help me film them . For those of you who missed it, in order to compensate for my follically-challenged upper lip I uploaded a different cover song each day to youtube. In total we raised a little over 300 pounds in the name of mens' health which I thought was a great effort. The videos all still online if you'd like to take a look (although a few may disappear in the coming weeks....). Here's a link to part 3 - "Trouble" by Ray LaMontagne, performed with my brother Matt Field in Barcelona.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx0kRy0GXYE

Finally:

Whilst we're on the subject of thankyous, just a big shout-out to everyone I've met this year, all the musicians I've had the opportunity to perform with, those of you who have taken the time to lend a hand, and anyone else who has been a part of this little journey over the past 12 months. I've had some wonderful opportunities but I couldn't have achieved a fraction of it all if it weren't for the people around me, so cheers to the lot of ya.

I'll be taking a bit of time out heading into the new year, so for once there are no shows to tell you about.... But no doubt that will change in the not too distant future. For the time being, here's hoping you've all had a great Xmas, and wishing you every success in 2012. If you're short a resolution or two, perhaps you could head to San Francisco? Those trams are pretty cool...

See you next year folks.

Cheers,

Renny

www.rennyfield.com
www.twitter.com/rennyfield
www.youtube.com/rennyfield
www.facebook.com/rennyfield
www.soundcloud.com/rennyfield


-----------------------------------


Live in 2011...
1/1 Esher Rugby Club, UK
8/1 Bandon Markets, IRE
9/1 Cosy Cabin, Bantry
15/1 Bandon Markets
16/1 Cosy Cabin, Bantry
14/1 Ma Murphy's, Bantry
23/1 Cosy Cabin, Bantry
2/2 Fireside Sessions, Cork
4/2 Ma Murphy's, Bantry
20/2 Round Robin @ Raval, Sydney, AUS
21/2 Opera Bar, Sydney
23/2 Lizottes, Newcastle
24/2 HIgh Tea, Sydney
25/2 Bondi FM, Sydney
25/2 Round Robin @ Manly Fig, Sydney
27/2 Round Robin @ Brisbane Powerhouse
28/2 The Cavern, Nobbys Beach, Gold Coast
3/3 Port Macquarie Hotel
4/3 Port Macquarie Hotel
5/3 Lambton Food & Wine Fair, Newcastle
5/3 Stag & Hunter, Mayfield
6/3 Tacking Point Tavern, Port Macquarie
7/3 Bondi FM, Sydney
8/3 Cafe Lounge, Surry Hills
9/3 Hollywood Hotel, Surry Hills
13/3 Rozelle Markets, Sydney
13/3 Landsdowne Hotel, Sydney
18/3 Locomotive Hotel, Junee
19/3 Tathra Hotel
20/3 Cobargo Hotel
25/3 Commercial Hotel, Gulgong
26/3 Oriental Hotel, Mudgee
27/3 Tarana Hotel
28/3 Bondi FM, Sydney
2/4 Golden Slipper Carnival, Rosehill
4-17/4 Recording with Kent Eastwood, Glen Innes
18/4 Opera Bar, Sydney
20/4 Sugar Lounge, Manly
24/4 Kings Hotel, Bathurst
25/4 Tarana Hotel
30/4 Brass Monkey, Cronulla
4/5 Lizottes, Dee Why
8/5 Tarana Hotel
11/5 Lizottes, Kincumber
30/5 Opera Bar, Sydney
9/6 Lockside Lounge, Camden, UK
15/6 Castle Hotel, Notting Hill
16/6 Fluid Lounge, Farringdon
19/6 Brixton Windmill
20/6 Lock 17 Bar, Camden
21/6 Cuban Bar, Camden
23/6 Relentless Garage, Islington
27/6 Half Moon, Putney
28/6 Cuban Bar, Camden
29/6 Castle Hotel, Notting Hill
3/6 All stripped down, Archway
5/7 Cuban Bar, Camden
7/7 The Troubadour, London
10/7 The Hobgoblin, Angel
13/7 Castle Hotel, Notting Hill
16/7 Castle Hotel, Notting Hill
17/7 Corner Shop Bar, Shoreditch
18/7 Vibe Bar, Brick Lane
20/7 Queens Head, Brixton
21/7 Worlds End, Finsbury Park
24/7 Corner Shop Bar, Shoreditch
25/7 Lock 17 bar, Camden
26/7 The Troubadour, London
27/7 Miss Q's, Earls Court
27/7 Castle Hotel, Notting Hill
29/7 Vintage Festival, Southbank
30/7 Vintage Festival, Southbank
31/7 Corner Shop Bar, Shoreditch
2/8 Bar Vinyl, Camden
4/8 Arc Bar, Angel
7/8 Corner Shop Bar, Shoreditch
9/8 Lock 17 Bar, Camden
10/8 The Regal Room, Hammersmith
16/8 Balcony TV, Brighton
17/8 Cuban Bar, Camden
19/8 Lockstock festival, Camden
21/8 Corner Shop Bar, Shoreditch
23/8 Boogaloo, Highgate
24/8 Luxe Bar, Spitalfields
25/8 The Troubadour, London
27/8 Hereford Arms, Gloucester Rd
28/8 Corner Shop Bar, Shoreditch
31/8 Cavendish Arms, Stockwell
12/9 Vibe Bar, Brick Lane
13/9 The Troubadour, London
30/9 Esher Rugby Club
4/10 The Good Ship, Kilburn
8/10 Great Railway Tavern, Hornsey
10/10 The Bedford, Balham
12/10 Esher Rugby Club
13/10 The Troubadour, Earls Court
14/10 Hereford Arms, Gloucester Road
15/10 Esher Rugby Club
17/10 Vibe Bar, Brick Lane
18/10 Kings Head, Angel
24/10 Half Moon, Putney
25/10 Cuban Bar, Camden
26/10 Regal Room, Hammersmith
27/10 Worlds End, Finsbury Park
28/10 Castle Hotel, Battersea
29/10 Esher Rugby Club
30/10 Babel, Clapham Junction
4/11 Hereford Arms, Gloucester Road
5/11 Prince of Wales, Battersea
9/11 Lock 17, Camden
9/11 Motherlive, Hoxton
10/11 The Troubadour, London
11/11 Lamb and Flag, Covent Garden
12/11 Prince of Wales, Battersea
13/11 Corner Shop Bar, Shoreditch
16/11 The Wheatsheaf, Tooting Bec
18/11 Hereford Arms, Gloucester Road
20/11 Corner Shop Bar, Shoreditch
21/11 Vibe Bar, Brick Lane
22/11 Cuban Bar, Camden
23/11 The Wheatsheaf, Tooting Bec
24/11 Kings Head, Angel
26/11 Prince of Wales, Battersea
1/12 Lockstock Festival, Camden
2/12 Hereford Arms, Gloucester Road
3/12 Prince of Wales, Battersea
4/12 The Roundhouse, Covent Garden
7/12 The Troubadour, London
9/12 Larrick Inn, Putney
10/12 Prince of Wales, Battersea
12/12 Vibe Bar, Brick Lane
16/12 Hereford Arms, Gloucester Road
18/12 The Roundhouse, Covent Garden

UnderCOVER in Movember

UnderCOVER in Movember
November 2011
Hellooo again!!

First of all, the news from the mailing list HQ is not good. People are dropping like flies! I feel it has something to do with the Spanish Bicyboatslide, which evidently was not everyone's cup of tea. Nonetheless, I will perservere for the stayers of the group (namely yourselves) in the hope that one day I might be able to reward you with somethink like...

30 Free Songs!

What?!

Well sort of.... Let me explain...

Several years ago, I decided to participate in Movember and proceeded to grow one of the most disappointing Mo's ever known to man. This is for three reasons:

(i) I can't grow a Mo

(ii) Whatever it is I CAN grow is of a fair colour, thus rendering it practically impossible to see.

(iii) I can't grow a Mo

After this humiliating 30-day period in the life and times of Renny Field, I vowed I would never again partake in Movember, and instead would donate to others more worthy of a contribution (ie people who can actually grow a Mo). Alas, it is not uncommon for decisions to undergo some sort of rethink along the way, and in this case the "rethink" hit me today in London when I was trying come up with some ingeneous ways to amuse myelf as the darkness sets in...

So, I've decided to give this Movember business another crack, for better or worse. But rather than just growing a Mo (or not growing one as the case may be), I've decided to post a new cover song each day on youtube so you can all follow my appauling lack of progress along the way:

www.youtube.com/rennyfield

I've played a lot of pub gigs over the past few years (and still do!), and in that time I've learned a whole bunch of cover songs, some of which have saved my life, some of which have nearly killed me. I thought I'd share with you 30 of my favourites in support of Movember. As usual, there will be a bit of a running commentary along the way, and maybe a few tales from the road... But let's face it it wouldn't be RF without the ramble would it.

You are welcome to make requests, but as I often say at my gigs - the chances of me knowing what you're talking about are not great. Thus the "taking" of the request does not always lead to the "playing" of request, but fire away by all means!

If you like what you hear, then at some point along the way you can visit the donation page I've set up. Hopefully we can build a little on the current total, which is nothing.

http://mobro.co/rennyfield

Alright! It's late, and I need to be up at sparrows...

SO... Keep in touch you hear! Would be great to hear from you along the way as the Invisi-Mo takes shape.

Cheers for now,

Renny

www.rennyfield.com
www.soundcloud.com/rennyfield
www.youtube.com/rennyfield
www.facebook.com/rennyfield
www.twitter.com/rennyfield

------------------------

TOUR DATES 2011

Some great shows coming up, with the monthly spot at the Troubadour continuing and a couple of gigs with my good friend Mijo Biscan as part of his European tour.

Not forgetting of course a guest appearance by my brother Matt Field on drums - Nov 22!

WED 9TH NOVEMBER
The Troubadour, London
263 Old Brompton Rd, Earls Court
Entry 5. From 8pm.
www.troubadour.co.uk

WED 16TH NOVEMBER
The Wheatsheaf, Tooting Bec
2 Upper Tooting Rd, London
Free Entry, from 8pm
http://www.wheatsheaftootingbec.com/

MON 21ST NOVEMBER
THE VIBE BAR, BRICK LANE
91 Brick Lane
Solo show. Free Entry. 8pm
Supporting Mijo Biscan
http://www.vibe-bar.co.uk/

TUES 22ND NOVEMBER
The Cuban Bar, Camden
Duo with Matt Field on drums!
Free Entry. 8pm.
Supporting Mijo Biscan

Check out Mijo's European Tour Page here:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=167802653304191

PLUS
More to be announced...

www.rennyfield.com/gigs.html

Life's a Beach - October 2011

Hello again peoples, just back from a couple of weeks in Spain - great to see my brother again, although I could have used a few more victories on the ping pong table...

First things first - I make no apologies for the random photo, but I should apologise to the woman in the background, who probably doesn't appreciate having a rear view of herself in a swimsuit posted on the world wide web. Having said that, the monthly mailout of a little-known Australian singer-songwriter based in London isn't about to catapault her into "latest internet sensation" status, nor is the average web user likely to go in search of old Spanish women in swimsuits... On that basis I decided to hit you with the "Bicyboatslide!"

Is that it's actual name? I think not, but I think you would agree with me - the Spanish have got it nailed with this one. It's a bicycle and a boat AND a slippery slide rolled into one. I briefly contemplated cycling myself back to Sydney, but I got tired and went down the slide instead. Hours of entertainment folks, hours of entertainment. Notwithstanding the fact that there are also WHEELS! So if you were inclined to push the bicyboatslide to the top of a hill, you could have all sorts of fun on the way down. Even moreso because you'd have absolutely no way of steering or stopping the thing OR (assuming you don't speak Spanish) explaining to the local authorities why you pushed a boat with a slippery slide up a hill in the first place... (Actually even if you did speak Spanish you might have a bit of trouble with that one...).

Random observations aside, the beaches of September have been replaced by the gigs of October... And if I'm being fair to the reader here I should really tell you about the gigs (see below), seeing as you've signed up to a music mailout and everything. I realise the old RF emails don't always follow the script on that front, but I think I gave up following the script a while back... And that's sort of the point...

(Having said that, here's a little bit of music for you before I go - a live recording of "Crossfire" a few weeks back in London):

http://www.pluggedinswitchedon.com/#/best-recent-recordings/4545792552

Thanks for hanging in there! Catch you soon.

Cheers,

Renny

www.rennyfield.com
www.facebook.com/rennyfield
www.youtube.com/rennyfield
www.twitter.com/rennyfield
www.soundcloud.com/rennyfield
www.someonetoldmeaboutanotheroneofthesetheotherdaybutiforgot.com

Cross-promotion stuff....

A couple of little things to tell you about here... Cool people doing cool things:

First of all, the talented Belinda Cairelli (the artist behind "The Arena" artwork and my brother's now fiance) has set up a brand new blog with fashion designs, works in progress and all sorts of cool stuff. Well worth a look if you've got a spare few minutes:

http://www.lorenzoandcatalina.blogspot.com/

Secondly, my very good friend Sam Buckingham is trying to raise money to record her next album. You can pay for it in advance, and purchase a whole bunch of other cool things - I think it's gonna sound amazing. Check it out:

http://www.pozible.com/index.php/archive/index/3289/description/0/0


TOUR DATES 2011

MON 10TH OCTOBER
The Bedford, London
77 Bedford Hill, Balham
Free entry. From 8pm.
www.thebedford.co.uk

THURS 13TH OCTOBER
The Troubadour, Earls Court
263 Old Brompton Road
Entry 6, from 8pm
www.thetroubadour.co.uk

MON 24TH OCTOBER
The Half Moon, Putney
93 Lower Richmond Rd
Entry 2, From 8pm.
www.halfmoon.co.uk

WED 26TH OCTOBER
The Regal Room, London
Distillers Pub, Hammersmith
Free Entry, from 8pm
www.theregalroom.com

More to be announced...

www.rennyfield.com/gigs.html

Scaling the Dizzy Heights... September 2011

Hello again from London, where the dizzy heights aren't quite as dizzy as the photo may suggest... In fact, this picture was taken in Frankfurt by my good mate Brett Winterford when I made a flying visit to see the first show of his German tour. By all reports, the rest of the his trip was a smashing success!* Shame I didn't get to see the other shows, but most likely I was lost in transit in a tunnel somewhere far below the surface of the earth.

*I just used the word smashing. Is that cool?
Maybe not, but Brett's music certianly is! (Cool, not smashing. Although it's smashing too... if you like to use that word...)
http://soundcloud.com/peregrine-1

Anyway where was I? Ah yes, in a tunnel. Or "on the tube" as the locals like to say... Love it or hate it, the tube is just about impossible to avoid, but you can't deny that it gets you where you need to be in quick time. (Provided there are no engineering works in place...). It's also one of the best places in the world to people watch. I'm always amazed by the array of folks that are busy shuffling themselves around hundreds of feet below the surface of the earth. I wonder what people think of me sometimes, sitting there with my guitar, scoping out the carriage. Maybe they are thinking to themselves - look at that guy, he has a guitar. Or they could be thinking - look at that guitar, he has a guy. Or they could have far more important things to think about. Which is good for them!


FESTIVALS AND STREET CORNERS

Well I've been here a few months now, and I've played all sorts of places - festivals, street corners and everything in between. There are no shortage of venues here in the big smoke. Some big, some small. Some cool, some not so much. Sometimes people clap, sometimes they don't. And sometimes, if I'm lucky, old drunk people shout weird stuff at me. I would say I'd prefer they didn't do this, but then the part of me that finds it amusing would be disappointed... So if you're old and drunk and thinking of coming to a show some time soon, then I encourage you to do what you have to do. Respekt. In any case, you'd have a hard time topping this woman in Sydney a while back:

Woman: "Excuse me love?!"

Renny (whilst in the middle of a song): "Yes?"

W: "Do you take REQUESTS?!"

R: "Ah yeah but I'm in the middle of a song at the moment... what would you like to hear"

W: "Anything but THIS!!!"

R: "Censored"

As for the street corners, I haven't quite managed to save up for a new house but my brief forays into the world of busking in London have been met with moderate approval by onlookers and passers by. And really that's all you can hope for when you set up on a street corner - moderate approval. Anything more is a bonus, and anything less is probably telling you something... Either that or there's a dude juggling fire across the way. And who am I to compete with that!

Anyway - the upcoming shows should be down the bottom here... Along with a link to a new tune if you're interested. Still playing regularly at The Troubadour in Earls Court, and also looking forward to my first gig at the Bedford in early October. Plus more to be added as always. Hopefully see you out there somewhere...

AND... ONE MORE THING...

My brother just got engaged!! No way?! WAY!! Remember my brother Matt? Faithful drummer of many years for the Renny Field band? (And still the drummer when I can afford to fly him over here....). Well hats off and a big congratulations to him and Belinda on the big big news. Belinda, you may or may not know, also happens to be the creative genius behind the artwork for "The Arena". You see it's a family affair...

Bye for now. It's been real. And a bit ridiculous if I'm being honest. But I'm sure you'd reached that conclusion a few paragraphs ago...

Cheers,

Renny

www.rennyfield.com
www.facebook.com/rennyfield
www.youtube.com/rennyfield
www.twitter.com/rennyfield
www.myspace.com/rennyfield
http://rennyfield.blogspot.com
www.yesiamonreverbnationtoobutihaventsetitupyetsorry.com



UPCOMING TOUR DATES 2011

MON 10TH OCTOBER
THE BEDFORD, BALHAM
Solo show. From 8pm. Free Entry.
www.thebedford.co.uk

THURS 13TH OCTOBER
THE TROUBADOUR, EARLS COURT
Solo show. From 8pm. Entry 6.
www.troubadour.co.uk

MON 24TH OCTOBER
THE HALF MOON, PUTNEY
Solo show. From 8pm. Free Entry.
www.halfmoon.co.uk

WED 26TH OCTOBER
THE REGAL ROOM
Solo show. From 8pm. Free Entry.
www.theregalroom.com

More to be announced...

www.rennyfield.com/gigs.html


NEW DEMO!

For those of you who are interested, I've put another demo up from my recording earlier this year with Kent Eastwood. The final product is still being mixed, but thought it was time for another little sample track... This one is called "If my love returns to me".

www.soundlcoud.com/rennyfield

(Featuring brother Eastwood on the keys and RF on the tambo...)

The news from London - July 2011

London 2011...

Hello again, I'm back... Lost in transit last month unfortuantely, but a fair bit going on over here in July so worth sending through a little update. Summer is still proving elusive, but I'm keeping myself occupied with shows around town. Have played a bunch of different venues, and I learn a little bit more each day. I've even bought myself one of those guitar backpack thingys so I can take my guitar on my bicycle. It's just a shame I don't have a bicycle...

New album is still in the works - songs are recorded, just a few more steps and then I'll have more news for you on all that. For the time being, just so you know I'm not telling you lies... I've put up a rough recording on my soundcloud site - the song is called "Doin' the time I bought". It's a song from me Irish cottage, will leave it up for the next week or two.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-Noe31m-p4

Plenty of gigs to choose from over the next few months, be great to see if you can make it along. And if you've got friends in London that might be intrerested, then by all means drop them a line or tell them to get in touch with me. Always enjoy meeting new folks in my travels, especially folks who know folks I know and like folk music...

Anyway that's all from me. I'm off to ride a red bus and take photos of tourists taking photos.

Cheers for now,

Renny

www.rennyfield.com
www.facebook.com/rennyfield
www.youtube.com/rennyfield
www.twitter.com/rennyfield
www.soundcloud.com/rennyfield
www.myspaceisdeadIhavegivenup.com

PS - The photo is not from London, but it's the best I could find today... If you want the Big Ben then try this. Alright.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=big+ben&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=zKx&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1429&bih=714&prmd=ivnsum&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&ei=YEALTu7LE8WbhQeJzo3LDw&ved=0CDkQsAQ


TOUR DATES 2011:

SUN 3RD JULY
All Stripped Down.
Dusk till Dawn.
1 Archway Close, Archway
On stage 7.30pm. Free entry.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=136574436419424

TUES 5TH JULY
Cuban Bar
Chalk Farm Rd, Camden
On stage 8pm. Free Entry.
http://www.thecuban.co.uk/

THURS 7TH JULY
Lock Stock Festival
Camden Lock Markets
West Yard Stage. Free entry.
On stage 4pm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=215768851775502

THURS 7TH JULY
The Troubadour
263 Old Brompton Rd, Earls Court
Show starts 8pm. Entry 5.
www.troubadour.co.uk

SUN 10TH JULY
Powers Bar
332 Kilburn HIgh Rd, London
On stage 8pm. Free entry.

SAT 16TH JULY
The Castle, Notting Hill
225 Portobello Rd, London
From 8pm. Free Entry

WED 20TH JULY
Queen's Head, Brixton
144 Stockwell Rd, London
From 8pm. Free Entry

THURS 21ST JULY
Worlds End Bar, Finsbury Park
21 Stroud Green Rd, London
From 8pm. Free Entry.

TUES 26TH JULY
The Troubadour
263 Old Brompton Rd, Earls Court
From 8pm. Entry 5.

WED 27TH JULY
Miss Q's, Earl's Court
184 Earls Court Rd
From 8pm. Free Entry.

More show to be added.
For updates, please visit:

www.rennyfield.com/gigs.html

Refuelling...

Hello again out there, it's been a busy few months of touring in Oz, not to mention a couple of weeks in April spent recording in far northern NSW - Glen Innes to be exact. Do you know where Glen Innes is? Well I don't really know either, but somehow I found my way there and with the help of my good mate (and producer) Kent Eastwood managed to track a whole bunch of the songs I wrote in me Irish cottage, plus a few new ones fresh out of the oven. Still a bit of work to do before we get to releasing anything, but hoping to finish that off in the next little while, as well as taking a bit of a break from the road to put some petrol back in the tank (a skill I have yet to fully master...)

Touring can be exciting, exhausting, exhilarating, exasperating, extraodinary and excructiating all at the same time. And that's just the "ex"-based adjectives... If you spend long enough living out of a suitase then eventually, as I have discovered, it catches up with you somewhere along the way. This is not to say I wouldn't do it all again (and I will), but spending time in the one place also gives you time to reflect, and after years of back and forth, to and fro, here and there, I'm starting to see that being in the one place has it's advantages too... So with that in mind, I thought I'd post a link to one of the songs I wrote in Ireland called "The Mission" which deals with a few of these types of issues - it'll be the first track on the new album. (Apologies for the ramble, but some things never change... )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrUzDskGbIE

A big welcome to those of you who are new to the list. That either means you've caught a show somewhere and you liked it enough to risk writing your name on a clipboard, or you thought you were entering a draw to win a new BMW. Sadly the luxury car market is a bit out of reach at the moment, but who needs a BMW when you've got a '97 Starlet Hatch?! Speaking of which, anyone looking for a cheap set of wheels? Turns out air China won't let me take it to Europe with me.

A yes Europe... London to start with, but more on that later. A few shows to get through before I take off. (Should be on the right somewhere....).

What was that I was saying about being in the one place?

I can't remember...

Till next time, thanks for the support.

Renny
www.rennyfield.com
www.youtube.com/rennyfield
www.facebook.com/rennyfield
www.myspace.com/rennyfield
www.twitter.com/rennyfield

PS...

*Here's a link to Glen Innes in case you were wondering. Sky full of stars every night up there. Pretty awesome. (Ok just the clear nights...)
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=glen+innes&aq=&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=43.719032,90.263672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Glen+Innes+New+South+Wales&ll=-29.736955,151.745224&spn=0.334481,0.705185&z=11&iwloc=A


UPCOMING SHOWS 2011

SUN 8TH MAY
TARANA HOTEL
Main Street, Tarana
The main street being the only street.
Solo show. 2 sets. 1-3, 5-7pm.
Free Entry

WED 11TH MAY
LIZOTTES KINCUMBER
Avoca Drive, Kincumber
Solo show. From 7.30pm.
With AMY VEE.
Tickets www.lizottes.com.au

SUN 29TH MAY
OPERA BAR, SYDNEY
Beneath the Opera House... nice view!
Duo show. From 6pm.
Free Entry

Renny vs The Big Merino - April 2011

Well folks sorry to hit you with a giant sheep here, but it's a testament to the longevity of the thing that I've now had 4 different old Toyotas, and each one of them has driven past this magnificent eyesore on countless occasions over the past few decades. That's not counting the road trips with Mum and Dad when I was knee-high to a grasshopper. Did you know you can look out the eyes of the Big Merino? Yes yes - true - there are stairs that take you to the top! The only problem being, when you get to the top, the best you can hope for is a panoramic vista of the freeway to canberra. Which, as exciting as it may sound, is not exaclty inspirational viewing. Then again, spare a thought for the poor people filling up their cars at the petrol station - they've got a massive Merino brown-eye staring them straight in the face. If that's not a reason to get back on the road quick smart, I don't know what is!


Speaking of Brown Eyes...

Having played in my fair share of big old rural pubs in recent years, you can pretty much guarantee that at around 11.30pm on a Friday or Saturday night you are going to be confronted with the following two options:

(i) play Brown Eyed Girl and make yourself a local hero for 5mins
(ii) maintain artistic integrity, and pretend you've never heard the song

For years, despite the best efforts of the local farming community to convince me otherwise, I always went with option 2. This gave me great satisfaction via some flawed logic that said if I could hold off playing Brown-Eyed girl, I was still doing ok (this despite having no apparent problem with Run to Paradise or The Horses by Daryl Braithwaite). Needless to say, the requests never seem to end, and after a while you start to wonder why exactly you're denying people their god-given right to get drunk and sing along to Van Morrison on a Friday night. So finally, I've relented. Sad but true. Which means if you happen to catch me out bush at some point, chances are you're going to be able to join me in singing what I'm sure you'll agree is one of the world's finest song lyrics....

Sha la la la la la la la la la la te doe

La te doe

Hero status 1
Artistic Integrity 0

Ah heck - if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Rock and roll.

(And it's kind of fun being a hero for 5mins every once in a while... even if your microphone stand gets knocked over in the process).

By for now, see you soon,

Renny

www.rennyfield.com
www.facebook.com/rennyfield
www.youtube.com/rennyfield
www.twitter.com/rennyfield
www.myspace.com/rennyfield
www.iftheyinventanothersocialnetworkingsiteiwillretire.com/rennyfield


TOUR DATES 2011:

SAT 2ND APRIL
Golden Slipper, Rosehill
Private Function

MON 18TH APRIL
Opera Bar, Sydney
Free Entry, from 8pm
Duo with Kent Eastwood

FRI 22ND APRIL
Tarana Hotel, NSW
Solo show. Free Entry. 6pm.

SAT 23RD APRIL
Kings Hotel, Bathurst, NSW
Solo show. Free Entry. 8pm.

WED 4TH MAY
Lizottes, Dee Why
Solo show. $15. From 8pm.
www.lizottes.com.au

WED 11TH MAY
Lizottes, Kincumber
Solo show. $15. From 8pm.
With Amy Vee
www.lizottes.com.au

More to be announced...

Europe dates Tbc...

www.rennyfield.com/gigs.html

Hot Coffee. March 2011.

Greeting music lovers and welcome if you're new to the el mailo listo, wealth of not entirely relevant information that it is....

First things first - I have encountered some brilliant displays of marketing on my travels around Australia. The "Best steak sandwich in NSW" and the "Best coffee outside Italy" spring to mind. (Both of which were put to the test and didn't quite live up to the billing...). But if you're after an understated approach, then I think I've found the place for you (see attached pic) - just off Merewether Beach in Newastle. A simple but brilliant strategy you would have to agree - "Hot" coffee. I particularly like the way they have highlighted the word "Hot", because let's face it that really is the most important part of the coffee. Say nothing of the flavour, the aroma, the beans, the quality of the coffee itself.... Let's just go with "hot". People pay millions for top ad execs to sit up all night pontificating round the boardroom table, and yet the folks at swell espresso bar have figured it all out in 2mins on a fold-up chalkboard. Outstanding!

Anyway would you believe it, I somehow managed to resist the temptation to sample the local brew, and I'm now sending you this email from the peaceful surrounds of Port Macquarie. Well, peaceful enough by day perhaps, but not always so peaceful at night.... It was this time last year that a friendly local chap offered me what was perhaps the greatest compliment of my not-so-illustrious career, and I quote:

"You are the worst f....ing entertainer I have ever seen!!"

Dare I say it, I think that's what happens when you drink too much hot coffee....

Plenty of shows coming up, so might catch you there!

Cheers,

Renny

www.rennyfield.com
www.youtube.com/rennyfield
www.facebook.com/rennyfield
www.twitter.com/rennyfield
www.myspace.com/rennyfield
www.iftheyinventanymoresocialnetworkingsitesiamgoingtoretire.com

-------------------------------

UPCOMING SHOWS 2011:

FRI 4 MAR - Port Macquarie Hotel. 9pm

SAT 5 MAR - Newcastle Food & Wine Fair. Lambton Park. 2pm

SAT 5 MAR - Stag & Hunter, Mayfield. 9pm.

SUN 6 MAR - Tacking Point Tavern. 3pm.

MON 7 MAR - Bondi FM Cafe. 8pm. On air 88.0FM Sydney.

TUE 8 MAR - Cafe Lounge, Surry Hills. 8pm.

WED 9 MAR - Hollywood Hotel Sydney, with The Falls. 8pm.

SUN 13 MAR - Landsdowne Hotel, Sydney. 5pm.

FRI 18 MAR - Locomotive Hotel, Junee. 9pm. (Who's coming with me?!?!)

SUN 20 MAR - Tathra Hotel. 2pm.

FRI 25 MAR - Commercial Hotel, Gulgong. 8pm

SAT 26 MAR - Oriental Hotel, Mudgee. 8pm

MON 18 APR - Opera Bar, Sydney. 8pm.

FRI 29 APR - Brass Monkey, Cronulla. Supporting Ian Moss. 8pm.

WED 4 MAY - Lizottes, Kincumber. 8pm

WED 11 MAY - Lizottes, Dee Why. 8pm

PLUS more to be announced. Best to keep an eye on the website:

www.rennyfield.com/gigs.html

-----------------------------

IRISH TELEVISION:

You might remember I was doing a video blog / new song testing thingy on youtube for a couple of months. Turns out someone was actually watching those things (really?!), and the good people at An Lar TV have turned my "Songs from Ireland" into a 4-part series which is currently on rotation on the channel. It's an online TV station in Ireland, so some time adjustment required... But check it out some time if you feel like it. Nice of them to take an interest.

http://www.anlar.tv/

-----------------------------

ROUND ROBINS:

A big thanks to my friends Sam, Kent and Sarah. Nice to be a part of our little "band" again, albeit briefly, after my time in the wilderness. They are all doing some pretty cool things, so here are their links for you:

www.sambuckingham.com
www.kenteastwood.com
www.sarahhumphreys.com

And here are a few vids if you're interested:

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheManlyFig

----------------------------

EUROPE:

Will be heading back for the summer, so stay tuned for dates to be announced.

I left my guitar in Ireland you see, so I'll have to go and get it....

See you soon!

-----------------------------

Finally - Is anyone in Sydney selling a cheap car? Just on the off chance...

Ok that's all.

Walkabout

Hello again from sunny Sydney! At least that's what it was meant to be when I got here... Sunny... But for some reason this is not the case. Probably not the worst thing based on the colour of my skin, which now sits somewhere between "milky" and "snowy" courtesy of three months in the Irish winter. If only I still had the hair to match! Those were the days...

Anyway you'll be pleased to know that sun or no sun I still haven't lost my ability to spit out the most inane rubbish for your reading pleasure. Here are some of the brief highlights of my trip so far:

* My first trip on an A380, and my window seat was hijacked by screaming kids... Tragedy.
* I got an eagle on the 7th hole at Avalon Golf Course. That's a 2 on a par 4. Really. But nobody saw it... Tragedy.
* I spent one hour on a surfboard yesterday without catching a single wave... Tragedy.

Fortunately things can only go up from here, especially if I manage to find a cheap set of wheels. Ideally something slightly better than the one fitting this description, which I came across on gumtree:

"Needs a new motor, but runs great".

If I didn't know any better, I'd say I was still in Ireland!

Good thing there are a few gigs to look forward to.... Provided I can get to them...

-----------------

Incidentally, the sun just came out. Bonus!

----------------

SUN 20TH FEB
RAVAL, Sydney
Round Robin with Sam Buckingham, Sarah Humphreys and Kent Eastwood
One of my favourite shows, and a chance for us all to pretend we are in a band.
A set of solo songs, intermission, then all four of us together - harmonies, different instruments, stories, laughs and more.
Would recommend booking in advance - tix are selling fast.
Show starts 8pm. This should be the link:
http://www.moshtix.com.au/event.aspx?id=43268&caller=CAL&noadd=true&skin=

And here's a video from the last one we did:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKqz4tQuYFU

WED 23RD FEB
LIZOTTES, Newcastle
Live'n'local. Solo show, with Chelsea Reed and more.
Bookings and info:
http://www.newcastle.lizottes.com.au/live/

THURS 24TH FEB
HIGH TEA, Sydney
Beautiful intimate warehouse apartment show, by invitation only.
Tickets now available, you need to join the facebook group and RSVP:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111006348977375#!/group.php?gid=236831155074
Doors open 8pm.

FRI 25TH FEB
THE MANLY FIG
Round Robin with Sam, Sarah and Kent
Just like the first one, only in Manly.
Northsieeeeda. BYO. Tix at the door.
http://www.themanlyfig.org/

SUN 27TH FEB
BRISBANE POWERHOUSE
Round Robin with Sam and Kent.
Just like the first two, but without Sarah. :(
Still, more time for Kent and I to make fun of Sam. Or vice versa. Or verse vicea.
FREE ENTRY. From 3pm.
http://www.brisbanepowerhouse.org/events/

MON 28TH FEB
The Cavern, Nobby's Beach.
Free Entry. Solo show. Acoustic Tunes from 7pm.
http://www.myspace.com/_the_cavern

THURS 3RD, FRI 4TH MARCH
Port Macquarie Hotel
Solo show. From 8pm.
Free Entry.
http://www.macquariehotel.com.au/

SAT 5TH MARCH
Newcastle Wine and Food Festival, Lambton Park
With Amy Vee and More.
Solo show. On stage 1pm.
http://www.wineandfoodfestival.com.au/

SUN 6TH MARCH
Tacking Point Tavern, Port Pacquarie
Solo show. From 3pm. Free Entry.
Cruisy Sunday avo acoustic tunes...
http://www.tackingpointtavern.com.au/

TUES 8TH MARCH
Sin e at Cafe Lounge, Surry Hills.
The e is meant to have one of those French things on it...
Solo show. Free Entry. From 8pm.
http://www.cafelounge.com.au/

WED 9TH MARCH
Hollywood Hotel, with The Falls.
http://musicfromthefalls.com/
Lost of cool stuff will happen.
Free Entry. From 8pm
http://www.hotelhollywood.com.au/

PLUS - More to be announced... www.rennyfield.com

PLUS - Europe summer tour dates coming soon...

PLUS - My grandfather was 83 Yesterday. Awesome!!!

Hope to see you out there somewhere. Will be back with more news soon.

Cheers,

Renny

www.rennyfield.com
www.youtube.com/rennyfield
www.facebook.com/rennyfield
www.myspace.com/rennyfield
www.twitter.com/rennyfield
http://rennyfield.blogspot.com

Irish songs, Australian Tour

Greetings to one and all, and a big belated HAPPY NEW YEAR from the south coast of Ireland. "Where exactly?" I hear you ask.... Well, that is for me to know and you to find out my friends. BUT - you could get a pretty decent idea by clicking on this link:

http://www.carbery-cottage-guest-lodge.net/

Carbery Cottage
Durrus
Cork
Ireland

That is in fact my address. Notice there are no numbers? The Irish are great the way they simplify things for everyone. And let's face it, round these parts nobody even has HOUSE numbers, so they're not exactly going to be bothered about post codes too much. As far as I am aware, I think the only "post codes" in Ireland are in Dublin. And they are Dublin 1 and Dublin 2. Incredibly detailed wouldn't you say, compared to perhaps my last address in London - SW17 8UE. I suppose it's one thing to wonder how they condense 1 million people in Dublin into 2 postcodes, but at the other end of the spectrum you have to wonder how anyone came up with "SW17 8UE". Give me 4 numbers a la Australia and I'm a happy man.

Anyway I digress of course, but I've become extremely good at doing just that down here in Durrus. Digressing. What with all the spare time on my hands, I can't help but digress. I digress in the morning, think about doing something at lunch, digress all afternoon, then have dinner and digress myself to sleep. In between the digressing I occasionally sit in front of a supermarket with my guitar on the off chance the kind people of West Cork would like to contribute to my weekly rental payments, and very occasionally I also get booked to play INDOORS. This is most exciting - this indoor performance business... Sitting outside in minus 4 degrees just before Christmas, I'd almost forgotten what it was like to play a gig where you could get through more than two songs without feeling the rapid onset of frostbite. A big thanks to Paul at McCarthy's bar in Kenmare for helping me rediscover the whole indoor performance phenomenon (this after I had been told to leave the supermarket car park because apparently an acoustic guitarist from Australia was far too terrifying for the average Kenmarian to handle).

That's Kenmare by the way. No postcode.
http://maps.google.ie/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=kenmare&aq=&sll=53.401034,-8.307638&sspn=6.565867,19.753418&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Kenmare,+County+Kerry&ll=51.875537,-9.56686&spn=0.053095,0.154324&z=13

Of course, it's all part of the experience my friends, and I'd be lying if I told you it wasn't all strangely exciting as well (in a "f... I'm freezing" kind of way). And in between the digressing and the busking I've actually been putting my spare time to good use - trying to come up with a few new tunes for my next album. Carbery Cottage, as it turns out, has a small self contained cottage ("Swallow's Roost") which I was able to rent for a few months, not to mention a hand-built timber studio on the same block of land. Lucky for me, both these buildings are pretty perfect for whiling away your days strumming on an acoustic guitar and trying to ensure the song you're writing doesn't sound anything like Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison. But in all honesty, I feel really blessed to have found my way here, and you might say I have well and truly scratched the "Cottage in the Hills" itch... In case you're interested, I've actually created a channel on youtube where I've been posting a whole bunch of these new songs. You could watch them all from the start on a rainy day, or you might like to simply check out a couple and wonder why I always seem to be wearing the same trousers. Well folks, I just ain't made enough bones for a new pair yet, although I'm getting close!

www.youtube.com/rennyfield

Please drop us a line if there are any in particular that take your fancy - feedback always welcome! Perhaps you could tell me which ones you'd like to hear when I make it to Australia.... Ah yes, I'll be heading back home for a visit very shortly, and I can't wait! And as luck would have it, most of my gigs appear to be indoors. Which is, as they'd say over here, SAVAGE!

Anyway I might leave you there, and hand over to... erm.... myself.... to type out the upcoming gigs.

Feel free to send a reply if you've got a spare minute or two. Anything to limit the daily digressathon here in Durrus! Would love to hear the news from your part of the world, wherever that might be.....

Thanks for the support, hope to see you all soon.

Cheers,

Renny

--------------------------------------

TOUR DATES:

Here we go, starting with a few in Ireland before I go. (OK they are indoors too.... but I wasn't lying about the frostbite before Christmas!)

IRELAND:

Wed 2nd Feb
Fireside Sessions, Bradley's Bar, Cork
Free Entry, from 9pm.
With guest Polly Barrett

Sundays from 7-9pm till 5th Feb
Cosy Cabin, Bantry
Free Entry.


AUSTRALIAN TOUR, 2011
All dates solo unless stated:

Sun 20th Feb
Raval Sydney
Round robin with Sam Buckingham, Kent Eastwood and Sarah Humphreys.
Tix at www.raval.com.au
Advanced bookings recommended.

Wed 23rd Feb
Lizottes, Newcastle
Live'n'Local
http://www.newcastle.lizottes.com.au/live/

Thurs 24th Feb
High Tea, Sydney
Great warehouse space in Surry Hills.
You must join the Facebook group for tickets:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=236831155074

Fri 25th Feb
The Manly Fig
Round Robin with Sam Buckingham, Kent Eastwood and Sarah Humphreys.
Info: http://www.themanlyfig.org/

Sun 27th Feb
Brisbane Powerhouse (yep still on, it survived the floods)
Round Robin with Sam Buckingham and Kent Eastwood
Free Entry from 3pm.
http://www.brisbanepowerhouse.org/

Mon 28th Feb
The Cavern, Nobby's Beach
Entry by donation, from 7pm.
http://www.myspace.com/_the_cavern

Thurs 3rd March
Port Macquarie Hotel
Free Entry, from 8pm.

Fri 4th March
Port Macquarie Hotel
Free Entry, from 9pm

Sun 6th March
Tacking Point Tavern, Port Macquarie
Free Entry, 3pm

Tues 8th March
Sin e, Cafe Lounge, Surry Hills
Free entry, from 8pm

A few more to be added, then it's back to Europe to do it all again....

But more on that later...

Wanna keep track?

www.rennyfield.com
www.myspace.com/rennyfield
www.youtube.com/rennyfield
www.twitter.com/rennyfield
http://rennyfield.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/areallyannoyinglonglinkwhycan'ttheyjustgivemerennyfieldinonewordbutyou'llfinditifyoudoasearchcheers