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Newsletter March 2007

Dear Friends,
I'm really pleased to be able to tell you that 'Death Is Not My Destiny', Robert Coyne's solo album, is now out and available to buy through the website.
As most of you probably know, Robert is Kevin's younger son and played with Kevin off and on over the years, touring with him throughout Europe and in the US. Kevin was always very happy to be on stage with his son. In the last few years, Robert has worked with a variety of artists, including Venus Ray, The Barracudas, Sky Saxon, Amy Rigby and, most recently, Chris Wilson and The Groovin' Flames. I know that the making of this record has been a tremendous labour of love and a very emotional experience for him. Kevin often talked about his son's solo album and was excited at the prospect, so I'm sure he's very happy up there listening in his heavenly bungalow...
I asked Robert to talk about his work and here's what he had to say:
'Dad first proposed that I make this album three or four years ago, and although I was pleased and excited about the idea, I was also quite daunted by it. Up to that point I'd done very little singing or lyric writing, and I wasn't at all confident I could do either. I wanted to try, but couldn't really find an approach until some time after Dad died. In a strange way, his death seemed to make it possible and necessary for me to do the work. I was able to make the leap of faith I needed to. My love for Dad has only deepened since his death, and recording this album has been a part of that process. Working on it, I felt his presence - and absence - in many different ways, most of all while we were completing it in Nuremberg. Working with Werner Steinhauser, Dad's drummer and close friend for many years, in the same studio where Dad recorded his last albums, was a very moving experience for us both. Werner's enthusiasm and encouragement, as well as his playing, were wonderful. I hope some of you will enjoy the album - while the music is quite different to Dad's, we've tried to make it with something of his spirit.'
Another album that is also well worth your attention is the newly released 'Whispers From The Offing - A Tribute to Kevin Coyne', which features versions of Kevin's songs by the late Nikki Sudden, Alternative TV, Jackie Leven and many others. The album is being released by Life and Living, a radio show 'composed largely of sounds made by people who have experienced distress in their lives.' All proceeds from the sale of the album will go to The Maudsley Psychiatric Hospital in London, a worthy cause of which I'm sure Kevin would have approved. I'd like to thank everyone involved for their obvious love and appreciation of Kevin's work, and for helping to extend his legacy in such a creative, personal and practical way. For more details, go to the Life and Living website: www.lifeandliving.net.
Last but not least, I'd like to invite you to listen to John Callahan's CD 'Purple Winos In the Rain'. The Portland, Oregon-based artist is widely known for his dark and vicious cartoons, comments on everyday life. While Kevin was alive there were plans for some kind of musical collaboration. Sadly, as we know, Kevin died, so it never happened. You can purchase John's record at CDbaby, but do have a look at his website: www.callahanonline.com or visit my space.
I do hope you enjoy listening to these albums and, as ever, I'll keep you informed of any news or further projects that might be of interest to you all in the near future.
Until then, my very best wishes,
Helmi Coyne

Kevin Coyne Newsletter (from Helmi Coyne ) 07/2006

Dear Friends,

It's been quite a while since you've heard from me, so what's new?
Well, firstly, I'm very proud and happy that Kevin's latest CD Underground, which was released in January 2006, won the prestigious prize of the German Record Critics' Award as a Recording of Exceptional Artistry. Although Kevin never thought in terms of commercial success or critical acclaim, I think he too would have been quite proud. Thanks again to everybody who helped put the album together and for all your positive feedback - keep spreading the word.
I'm writing this letter in beautiful Scotland where I've come for a holiday with friends and family: Paul and Rita Warren, with whom Kevin and I spent many happy holidays in years past; Kevin's son Robert and his partner, Wendy; drummer and close friend Werner Steinhauser and his wife Manuela; and guitarist Michael Lipton, with another American friend Terri Moreland. We've been having a good time and feel Kevin is with us - though we all miss his warmth and humour, sharp comments and observations. As you may know, Kevin was a keen football fan and would particularly have enjoyed watching the World Cup here among friends. He'd been looking forward to seeing a few games live, but sadly it was not to be.
With regards to future plans, I was talking recently to Uwe , the owner of the renowned Downtown music club in Hamburg - a venue Kevin particularly enjoyed playing - and we're hoping to organise a Kevin Coyne tribute tour for spring 2007. The idea is to combine a band, featuring Robert Coyne, Jon Langford (from the Mekons), Werner Steinhauser and Harry Hirschmann, with an exhibition of Kevin's - and possibly Jon's - art. I'll let you know as and when this starts to take shape.
Something else you may be interested in is a project that Robert worked on recently - providing the music for an American documentary about the Japanese host club scene. The film, entitled The Great Happiness Space: Tale Of An Osaka Love Thief is currently doing the rounds of international film festivals, with showings at Edinburgh festival scheduled for this August. You can find further details at
www.thegreathappinessspace.com.
I'm also pleased to announce that our second Turpentine release, towards the end of this year, will be a Robert Coyne solo album. I know this was something Kevin was always very keen to do, so it's great that this will finally happen - Robert is working to complete it right now.
I'm also in touch with Boris Tomschiczek, who made the terrific documentary about Kevin One Room Man. At the moment, Boris is busy working on some major TV projects, but there will definitely be a DVD release of One Room Man, including additional footage, at some point in the near future. Let's see how it all works out.
On a different note, if you're not already aware of her, I'd recommend you check out US singer/songwriter Amy Rigby, who Robert played with on a short UK tour last December. She's a sharp and entertaining performer, whose fine lyrics and sense of humour may well appeal to Kevin Coyne fans. Her most recent album is Little Fugitive (on Signature Sounds) and her website is http://www.amyrigby.com.
Another couple of sites worth a visit are those belonging to Chris McGorey and Tony Donaghey. As well as music by his own band, Dog Latin, Chris McGorey's at http://www.myspace.com/doglatin, includes some of Kevin's work and a nice biography. Tony Donaghey, who published Kevin's most recent book, That Old Suburban Angst, is a long-time fan and supporter of Kevin's music and writing. His site is at:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=79495954. Many thanks Chris and Tony.
I'd also like to say thanks and offer my appreciation to the active members of the Kevin Coyne Yahoo Discussion Group, and to all of you who are helping Kevin's work reach new people. One recent convert is Jim James, singer with My Morning Jacket, who I've been in email contact with after being bowled over by the band's music when I heard it for the first time in a record store in the States a few months ago. I'm so glad, Jim, that you were similarly impressed by Kevin's music.
Finally, on a practical note, I'm sure you'll all be pleased to know that we've decided to set up a Paypal facility on the Kevin Coyne website, which will make the purchasing of merchandise much easier - please bear with us a little longer while we get that organised.
That's all for now, but I promise I'll keep you updated with any further developments on any of these exciting projects. Meanwhile, I hope you're enjoying the World Cup - I'm sure Kevin is…
Lots of love,
Helmi

Kevin Coyne Newsletter (from Kevin’s wife, Helmi Coyne) 12/2005

Dear Friends,
It’s been a year since Kevin died. I miss him every day. Kevin was a deeply spiritual person and believed in a life after death. Despite the awful illness which at times made his life almost unbearable he never asked “Why has this happened to me”, he just carried on working and believing.

We often talked about death, especially in his last year. My greatest fear was how I'd carry on without him. He told me I would be strong enough to deal with it. He promised me I would feel his presence. And I do.
I thank you all for your love and support. I know Kevin’s work will live on and this gives me the strength to live and to continue to look after his music, writing and art.

On the 20th December Kevin’s new album “Underground” will be released. It's the result of recordings Kevin made on and off in that last year, between April and October 2004, and it's thanks to the joint effort of Kevin's band, friends and family that we've managed to get it out.

I'm proud to say that renowned artist Ralph Steadman did the cover (http://www.ralphsteadman.com) and, to coincide with the album's release, journalist Robert Chalmers wrote a fine article for the Independent (to
be published on the 11th December).

You'll find further information about the CD and how to order it on the website. (http://www.kevincoyne.de/News.htm) I hope you like it and I look forward to hearing your comments.

In the course of my recent travels I visited Vienna, a special place for both of us. The day Kevin died he was supposed to play in Vienna. While I was there I met a number of friends and journalists and was overwhelmed by the love and respect they expressed for Kevin’s work. It was very touching and I thank you all.

In particular, I'd like to mention the Austrian journalist and DJ, Samir Koeck, who's released a compilation album on Universal records entitled “Gloomy afternoon”, which includes one of my all-time favourite Kevin songs, “No Romance”. If you’re interested please contact him at samirkoeck@chello.at

We're still trying to organise a tribute show in London. It's proving quite difficult to find the right location, but we’ll definitely do it and I'll keep you informed of our progress.

Finally, I'd like to wish you all a happy Christmas and finish my letter with an ancient prayer Kevin liked very much:

DEEP PEACE OF THE RUNNING WAVE TO YOU.
DEEP PEACE OF THE FLOWING AIR TO YOU.
DEEP PEACE OF THE QUIET EARTH TO YOU.
DEEP PEACE OF THE SHINING STARS TO YOU.
DEEP PEACE OF THE SON OF PEACE TO YOU.