Well hello there!
After the loooongest winter, it seems to be warming up slowly. I hear it's going to be 21degrees C today (69F), so I've got my washing on the line and my fingers crossed. It rains at some point during the day almost every day here, so I'm eagle eyed to the clouds coming up... What's the weather like where you are?
Every month brings so many new developments for the band, and when it comes to waffle on to you all here once a month I'm always surprised at how much we've been up to.
August
August took us around the state - we travelled up to Burnie to play at the Stage Door The Cafe, with fellow Hobartians The Bursting Sun. But not before I went and did the support spot for Skipping Girl Vinegar at the Republic Bar on August 14th.
It took a very valiant effort from the menfolk of AK & KH to fit all of our gear, one person under 6 feet tall (just) and two men over 6'5 tall into the car. It wound up looking a bit like this....
and then a bit like this....
But then we arrived, and had a great time. The next morning, I demonstrated my amazing packing skills....
and then a hearty breakfast and we met the loveliest penguin...
And back home again...
We also played at Irish Murphy's on August 23rd, as Amy Kendall and a Kitchenhand... Kitchenhand Tore was under the weather and COULD have brought some delightful coughing percussion to the party, but it was best that stay inside. (aka Not Make Us All Sick). He's better now, (finally), and the show rolls on.
We played at the Republic Bar last Wednesday night - Ally Mok did the support spot for us, and her band was amazing. I highly recommend you go and check them out -
www.myspace.com/allisonmok.
Faux-Down - (n) [Foh-Dowhn] - to play folk & roots music (country) at the same...
also known as a FoDown
I've been playing my banjo a whole lot more lately, and I've started bringing it out to shows now - check over to
our YouTube channel and subscribe. Playing the banjo live is a whole world of fun, I liken it to what it must be like carrying a small toddler around all the time... that thing is HEAVY, man. If you click on
this linky dink here that'll take you to 'Roads', which is an unreleased song we recorded for YouTube last week. With the banjo.
Here we are, ready to record for YouTube...
And go and check out my favourites on
the YouTubenHausen - I've found some amazing live performances. That's how I've used my peak bandwidth this month. 10 days until reset...nooooo! Beth Hart pulls out an amazing version of 'LA Song', and Lupe Fiasco and Matthew Santos do an acoustic version of 'Superstar'. Pretty cool stuff. And of course, my faves, Garfunkel & Oates.
And a happy birthday to our bass player Tore! (pictured here with Birthday Twin Katie)
Pugsley Buzzard Show
I'm heading up to Burnie tomorrow to play a show with Pugsley Buzzard at Stage Door The Cafe. If you're in the area (Larry, I'm talking to you.) come on over to the Stage Door and say hi.
Meston Band Show
Next Friday (18th Sept) AK & KH will play a support for
Meston Band (VIC) at the Alley Cat Bar in North Hobart. These guys are great - we'd love to see you. Dominic Francis will also be playing, so you're getting a great deal if you come on down....
What I've Been Listening To This Month
Skipping Girl Vinegar - Sift The Noise - these guys were the loveliest musicians I've ever met (apart from my band), and rocked my world completely live. Completely independant, these guys turned down label deals to stay true to what they believed in. Cool eh?
Runaway Dorothy - these guys came highly commended via a friend - and another indie band to boot. Lovely, lush, alt-country sounds.
Daimen - Hold - an oldie but still so amazing. Daimen lived in Hobart until 2007, and went to the mainland. The first live musician I ever saw in Hobart, and still one of the very very best.
Gratuitous Self Promotion Corner
If you love what we do, and love local music, please please tell your friends. It's been really cool to see some of you turn up at shows unexpectedly, with your friends. If you've got a blog/facebook/myspace, go to the bottom of this email and grab a widget or a banner for your site, and help me spread the word. If you sign up to the street team (link at the bottom) and throw a widget up, I'll send you some live, unreleased tracks, with many thanks to
Edge Radio.
Okay. Enough from me for now! Come to a show - I'll see you soon!
You stay classy San Diego!
Amy