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Newsletter 07/2004

New CD planned

It’s been some while since I last wrote.
My lung fibrosis, slightly worse of late, has made me slower and more prone to depression. Writing upbeat, positive messages can be difficult in these circumstances. I’m fighting back hard though (as my last two live shows in Belgium proved) and I’m not about to give in. I’ll keep performing, painting, writing and making records, I hope, for many years in the future.
“Donut City”, the latest CD, has had a favourable response from almost all who’ve heard it. For me it’s a genuine record of how I feel now, my honest reaction to the world around me. The anger and the warmth have been allowed to rise to the surface. How else should one of my records sound?
Turpentine records is hoping to expand its catalogue in the near future. A new Coyne CD is planned, as is an album of rare tracks from the seventies. Future projects include a release from “The Carpenter Ants”, guitarist and songwriter Michael Lipton’s band from West Virginia (and my backing band in the U.S.) and a Robert Coyne solo record. The creative opportunities are endless. I’m very excited by it all. Possibilities of gigs in London (October 2004), Germany, Spain, Holland and Belgium have risen up during recent months. I’ll be keeping you informed of the details when they arrive.
No newsletter would be complete without thanking friends who continue to support what I do. Pascal Regis, who recently supplied me with a marvellous collection of obscure live recordings form the past three decades, deserves particular mention, as does the ever helpful Ivan Beavis, Chris from Dresden, Uwe from Bamberg and several others.
Finally: Exhibitions of my art continue to be mounted and appreciated. The recent show in Gent, thanks to my good friend Dany, was a joy to be involved in. That’s it for now then. Once again, a million thanks for your appreciation and support.
Kevin Coyne

P.S. Another release on Turpentine could be an album from “The Gardners”, an eccentric, brilliant duo from London. Watch out for more information. And by the way, The Carpenter Ants album is called, naturally, “Ants in your pants”. It’s a splendid piece of work and I’m sure this gospel tinged, bluesy, rocky group will bring both a tear to your eye and a smile to your face. Turpentine is on the move!

Newsletter 10/2004

Dear Friends,
My short tour of England commences at the „Boardwalk“ in Sheffield on October 25th. I’ll be accompanied by me excellent band from Nuremberg: Andreas Blueml – guitar, Werner Steinhauser – drums and Harry Hirschmann – bass, all musicians featured on my last Turpentine CD “Donut City”. After the last English date (the 100 Club in London on the 28th) I’ll return to Germany for another brief tour beginning in Zwickau on the 19th of November. Those of you attending the shows will probably note my reliance on a small oxygen tank and plastic pipe throughout. Recent advice from doctors has led to this. Bravely puffing and panting through songs without extra air is now forbidden. I must preserve my health. This rotten lung fibrosis of mine demands I do what they say.
Recent weeks have seen the start of two exhibitions featuring my paintings. My solo show in Fuerth, Germany at the City Theatre opened on October the 17th to general approval. I get great delight from the pleasure some of my sometimes very silly pictures give people. The Fuerth opening was a happy one with lots of smiling faces around.
“Three Britischer Cowboys” is an exhibition of my work alongside that of Mekon, Jon Langford and Rico Bell at the Yard Dog Folk Art Gallery in Austin, Texas. The show will start on October the 30th.
I would love to be over there to see it but my lung sickness doesn’t allow me to fly at the moment. Never mind. I’m sure my good friend Mr Langford will take care of everything in my absence.
The new release on Turpentine records is to be a re-issue of my 1985 live album “Live rough and more” and should be available to purchase on my tour and through the website. This record is one I’m particularly proud of, featuring my powerful band of that period (Peter Kirtley – guitar, Steve Lamb – bass and Dave Sheen – drums) in stunning form. The concert was recorded by Radio Bremen.
Another “product” (oh how I hate the word) that should be available for sale on my coming tour will be my new book of short stories “That Old Suburban Angst”. The book is published by Tony Donaghey publications and will also be available through his “kevincoynebooks.com” website and from here. This will be my first book in English for some time (the last three were in German). So, as they say, watch out for it.
Andy Kershaw has asked me to record a session for B.B.C. Radio 3 on the 28th of this month. It should be an acoustic set, so I’ll probably try out some new material. I hope you’ll listen in.
Robert Chalmers, long-time friend, famous journalist and inspired novelist (his latest book “East Of Nowhere” is an outstanding piece of work), recently put me in touch with American wheelchair bound cartoonist and songwriter John Callahan. It was an inspired move, which has led to some positive communication and the possibility of making an album together in the future. I hope it works out.
And to finish… I’m honoured. The city of Nuremberg football academy has asked me to join them this year. What this entails isn’t very clear but I love the idea. A Derby County fanatic asked to air his views amidst a group of equally fanatical German football fans? It could prove interesting. I can’t wait for my first meeting.
So, there it is. I trust this letter finds you all in good health. Thanks, as ever, for your interest and support. It could be I’ll see you on the road somewhere. Who knows?
All the very best for now then.
Kevin Coyne

P.S. I almost forgot. A new series of postcards featuring some of my artwork have been printed and will be available on the tour and through the website. Maybe you’ll take a look? Thanks again.