NEWS UPDATE: REVIEWS
Hi
Thanks to all of you who came out to see the Bedsit tour, it was great to play these songs to you and sweet to sell out Sydney and Brisbane. I have some other news but if you wanted to catch up on interviews and reviews I’ve put together a bunch below.
LISTEN/WATCH
Live performance and interview with Bernard Zuel on The Right Note on Skipi TV. Check it out HERE
Interview with Dave Graney on RRR’s The Banana Lounge. It was a pleasure to talk to Dave who I’m a fan of, we talked regional touring, unintelligibly strong Australian accents, the trials of learning to surf and my new album Bedsit. Have a listen HERE
An interview and a couple of live tracks on 2ser’s The Outpost with Vinnie Ramone. Listen in HERE
REVIEWS FOR BEDSIT
A thorough 4 star review by Bernard Zuel
A 4 star review for The Music and Doubtful Sounds by the talented Chris Familton
Jamie Hutchings – Bedsit (Andrew P Street for The Age)
A bedsit is a combined bedroom-living room, normally wiht a little gas stove and maybe a sink. It’s barely space enough for one person, and living in one is rarely a sign that one’s life has become a series of triumphs. It’s thus a perfect title for the fifth solo album by Jamie Hutchings, whose songs feature characters in various states of quiet crisis. Opener Second Winter acts as a good litmus test: if you’re entranced by a seven-minute song that begins with a Kafkaesque short story, then you’re definitely in the headspace for what’s to come. It’s a gorgeously intimate work, with Hutchings’s voice cracking with emotion and blue notes in what sounds like a series of first takes. Reuben Wills’s double bass helps to anchor most of the tracks; there’s also the odd, tasteful flourish from guests such as sister Sophie Hutchings on piano and washes of Jay Kong’s violin lines, while Mark Moldre’s keening harmonica cuts across It’s On Me are like grinding train brakes in the distance. It’s also an album anchored in place, especially December Park ’s ominous evocation of a humid Sydney evening: “ And it’s raining jacaranda/The bats seem to beat as one/Hey man what ever happened to you? / I smell a storm’s about to come.” Hutchings is best known as the leader of Bluebottle Kiss, one of Australia’s most frustratingly underrated rock bands, and while it’s hard to imagine Bedsit will reverse his fortunes, it’s nonetheless a rough gem of an album.
JAMIE HUTCHINGS: Bedsit (Daniel Johnson for the Courier Mail)
Ex-Bluebottle Kiss frontman Jamie Hutchings has returned with his first solo album in seven years, and it’s his
starkest release yet. The album begins with Second Winter, which features sparse piano accompaniment and restrained double bass, and despite its seven-minute running time, it doesn’t wear out its welcome. The earnest, wavering vocals and percussive strumming of It’s On Me make it one of the album’s most striking moments, and the languid Walking Dream and comparatively ebullient Here Comes the Frost are also highlights. Bedsit is a challenging listen, as fragile and introspective as it is darkly humorous, but those who invest the time in unpacking its intricacies will be richly rewarded.
So there you go. If you haven’t got the album yet head over to BANDCAMP
INFINITY BROKE / THE TALL GRASS / MARK MOLDRE HEAD TO FRANCE
The Binic Folk Blues Festival have invited all three groups to perform at their 10th anniversary of the festival. This takes place in the town of Binic in France and the festival goes from July 27 – 29th. We will be doing some side shows in the area as well, more details on that soon. In the meantime we are going to do a farewell show with all three groups performing and sharing members. The Tall Grass will have Scott and Reuben joining on bass and drums for this show and French run and Mark Moldre‘s, who’s album I’m currently working on, features Scott, Reuben and myself as well as Adam Lang as part of the backing band.
This is the first time Infinity Broke has performed in almost 18 months, hopefully see you there.
Fri July 13th at The Factory Floor
Infinity Broke + The Tall Grass + Mark Moldre
TICKETS
FACEBOOK EVENT
PARLOUR
I’ve recently teamed up with Parlour Gigs who facilitate shows in people’s loungeroom. If you’re interested in doing one of these you can apply to host HERE
That’s about all I can think of for now, thanks for reading
x
JH
NEW ALBUM : BEDSIT & NATIONAL TOUR
NEW ALBUM OUT MAR 2ND
My new album Bedsit comes out next month, March 2nd to be precise. You’ll be able to purchase it HERE on limited edition LP/ CD/ digital or you can hunt around for it in a record store as well. I look forward to you hearing it. I’d again like to give a big thank you to all of you who facilitated its release via my Pozible campaign. I’ll be mailing out those packages over the next week or two so you’ll receive it before the official release date.
TOUR DATES
I’ll preempt these dates by mentioning that if any of you feel like doing a poster run in your town to help promote the below dates I’d be greatly appreciative. You would of course get a door spot and a CD as well as a round of hearty appreciation from yours truly, just let me know and I’ll mail some out.
I’m visiting some far-flung corners on this one, it’s the most inclusive national tour I’ve done for a long while and on most dates I’ll be accompanied by Reuben Wills on double bass. Make sure you come out, if you can purchase a pre-sale ticket (links below for ticketed shows) that would be ace too.
Sat Apr 7th – Four5Nine w/special guests- PERTH, WA
Sun Apr 8th – Mojos w/special guests – FREMANTLE, WA
Fri Apr 13th – The Yarra w/Laura Macfarlane + Michael Beach – MELBOURNE, VIC
Sat Apr 14th – The Grace Emily w/ Alana Jagt – ADELAIDE, SA
Thur Apr 19th – No 5 Church Street – BELLINGEN, NSW
Fri Apr 20th – The Junk Bar – BRISBANE, QLD
Sat Apr 21st – Sonic Sherpa Records ( daytime instore) – BRISBANE, QLD
Sat Apr 21st – The Bison Bar – NAMBOUR QLD
Sun Apr 22nd – Nimbin Bush Theatre – NIMBIN NSW
Thur Apr 26th – The Edwards w/ Ben Leece – NEWCASTLE, NSW
Facebook Event
Fri Apr 27th – The Newsagency w/ Sophie Hutchings – SYDNEY, NSW
Sat Apr 28th – Drill Hall Gallery w/ Tom Lyngcoln + Shoeb Ahmad – CANBERRA, ACT
Sun Apr 29th – Frank’s Wild Years w/ Liz Little Sky – THIRROUL
THE TALL GRASS
Our album Down The Unmarked Road recently made the AMP long list, so nice to get a bit of critical love there. It is of course available HERE on CD and digital. We’ve got a cool little show coming up in Wollongong, details below –
Sat 17th Feb at 6.00 pm – Disgracelands w/ Lax Charisma + Tiny And The Broken Hearts
CROWD FUNDING FOR SOLO ALBUM NUMBER FOUR
Thanks to all of you who have got on board, some have pretty much sent money for very little in return which is super generous and appreciated but…there is heaps of stuff on offer, I’ve tried to squeeze my imagination into all sorts of shapes to get something special out to you, and in return finance the pressing and promotion of this album.
It’s going up until November 23rd so plenty of time to have a guernsey. Stuff to check out includes: the original charcoal on paper drawing by Chris McGirr that makes up part of the album artwork (one only), handwritten lyrics (only one left), house shows (go on) etc.
The album will be called Bedsit. At this stage I am doing a very limited vinyl run, probably only around 200 which you can preorder via my Pozible campaign. I’m up to 126 supporters as I type, again, thank you.
More details are HERE
GIGS
The Tall Grass continues to play regularly which I’m enjoying immensely. It’s a collaboration between myself and Peter Fenton of Crow. Our album Down The Unmarked Road came out in April and you can listen to and purchase it at BANDCAMP Or visit us on FACEBOOK
We have these three shows in various formats
Sat Nov 4th Django Bar (Marrickville)
Dusty Ravens (album launch)
The Tall Grass
Sun Nov 3rd The Factory Theatre
Hindsight – A Night For Simon
A tribute to the sadly departed Simon Holmes with all proceeds going to his family
Featuring – Ratcat, Custard, Drop City, Smudge, Ups and Downs, Disneyfist, The Tall Grass and many more
Thur Dec 21st Marrickville Bowling Club
The Gin Club
The Tall Grass
Wifey
x
JH
NEW SOLO ALBUM : CROWDFUNDING
Pic By Hadassa Haack
This Sunday October 1st from 9am Aussie time until mid November I’ll be crowdfunding to raise the needed funds to press and promote my fourth solo album. It’s already up for your viewing pleasure so you can have a look through the pledges HERE
I’m looking forward to keeping you up to date and thank you all muchly in advance. I’ve plumbed the depths of my imaginative powers here…you’ll find the first ever Bluebottle Kiss cassette only release from 1994 with bonus tracks on limited edition signed and numbered CDR amongst other things. These recordings will feature the line up previous to the one that recorded our debut, out of circulation for over twenty years, a rare bird. There’s also house shows, LP and CD packages, handwritten lyrics, guitar and songwriting help, lots of stuff! The album is a very bare and personal recording, the first album to have been recorded by myself out in the wilds of Bathurst on a ’90’s era 16 track half inch machine.
Pic By Hadassa Haack
The Tall Grass
We are doing our final show for our Weathervane mini tour and it’ll be in four piece band mode in our home town of Sydney. It’s the last headline show we have so we’d love to see you there.
Sat Oct 7 @ Django Bar (Marrickville)
The Tall Grass (band mode)
w/ Wifey
Tickets
It’s a small venue so grab a pre-sale, under 18’s if accompanied by an adult are welcome, food available as well.
x
Jamie
WEATHERVANE
The Tall Grass have a new videoclip for Weathervane which is taken from our album Down the Unmarked Road.
This one was directed by my talented brother Scott. Here it is:
To celebrate we’re going to do one last small interstate run and we’d love to see you at a show.
THE TALL GRASS – WEATHERVANE TOUR
Sat Sept 9 Brisbane (duo)
The Junk Bar 7 @ 7:30 pm
+ Sonic Sherpa Records instore performance at 1pm
Sat Sept 23 Melbourne (duo)
LongPlay @ 8pm
+ Peter Fenton (solo) + Jamie Hutchings (solo)
Sat Oct 7 Sydney (band show)
Django Bar 8pm
+ Wifey
The album is available from us direct at BANDCAMP
Also look out for my crowd funding campaign for my fourth solo album which I’ll be kicking off on October 1st.
I’m looking at doing a limited release of a very rare Bluebottle Kiss release that has been out of circulation for over 20 years, amongst other things.
I look forward to giving you more news on that soon.
The Tall Grass – Down The Unmarked Road
Hi
The Tall Grass album is called Down The Unmarked Road is out as of Friday April 7th, 2017.
You can listen and to and buy it on Bandcamp
Robert Forster even wrote the liner notes.
The Tall Grass is a collaboration between myself and Peter Fenton of Crow. We’ve been crafting away on it for a few years, much blood, sweat and fears. We hope you approve.
We have some launches lined up, they are listed below for your perusal.
THE TALL GRASS – DOWN THE UNMARKED ROAD TOUR
Newcastle Thur April 27 – The Edwards Duo mode + Jamie Hay
Sydney Sat May 6 – Leadbelly (Newtown)
co-headline launch with Adam Gibson and The Ark-Ark Birds
+ Christine Jane
Both acts launch their albums this night and we will be expanding The Tall Grass to a full a band for the first time.
Facebook Event
Be fancy and book a table or a general admission ticket here
Brisbane Fri May 19 – Junk Bar
Duo mode
Limited tickets here
Melbourne Fri May 26 – The Yarra
Full band show + Harry Howard and the NDE + Charlie Marshall and the Body Electric
Melbourne Sat May 27 – The Reverence (Safety in Numbers benefit)
SOLO SHOWS
Bathurst Fri May 21 – T. Arts Gallery
Solo improv guitar show to accompany the excellent Chris McGirrs exhibition Power And The Imperfect World
Melbourne Sat May 27 – The Reverence (Safety in Numbers Mental Health Fundraiser)
Melbourne Sun May 28 – The Old Bar (afternoon show)
I’ll be performing a low key and rare solo show off the back of The Tall Grass launch
JMS Harrison + Cabin Inn. Free entry. 3pm start.
Facebook Event
https://www.facebook.com/events/692281434311771/
Upcoming Dates
Hi here’s a bunch of palaver –
Jamie Hutchings at The Camelot Lounge Thur Apr 21st
w/ Jep and Dep
Yes that’s me. I’m returning to The Camelot Lounge for the above date. It’s the only show of its kind that I have happening this year thus far, for those who’ve come before you’ll know I will play just about anything from the past twenty years, for those who haven’t – come along.
If you have a specific request for a song feel free to hit reply to this newsletter and I’ll do my best to accommodate you. Along for the ride will be folk-noir duo Jep and Dep. For the long time listeners out there they feature Darren Cross of Gerling infamy, we used to share the stage a bit back in the century before this one.
Doors – 7pm Music 8pm Finish 10pm
Great affordable food is available, you can sit or stand and under 18’s are welcome if accompanied by an adult.
Tickets $18 + bf if purchased in advance or $25 at the door.
Buy tickets HERE
Facebook event HERE
The Tall Grass Gig List
Peter Fenton and myself are The Tall Grass. You can keep up to date at
The Tall Grass Facebook Page
Here’s some dates for us –
Wed Mar 30th Newtown Social Club front bar – free entry 6:30 pm
NEWTON SOCIAL CLUB
Sat Apr 2nd The Cambridge Hotel (Newcastle)
Newcastle Dog Rescue Benefit
Entry – $10 7:30pm – 1:00am
Tickets HERE
Facebook Event HERE
We will be on at 10:50pm
Fri April 8th The Vanguard
Great line-up!
Peg
The Tall Grass
J M S Harrison
Mark Moldre (feat myself, Scott and Reubs)
Sam Shinazzi
The Tall Grass on stage at 10pm Mark Moldre on stage at 8:30pm
Buy Tickets HERE
Facebook Event HERE
x
J.H
News
The Tall Grass
Peter Fenton (Crow) and myself play our first Tall Grass show of the year. We’ll be playing a set of our co-written songs at this show as well as a solo set each. It’s a Sunday, free and starts at 6pm so not too late.
Sunday Feb 7th at The Union Hotel (Newtown)
The Tall Grass + Peter Fenton (solo) + Jamie Hutchings (solo) 6pm – free-
More info HERE
Infinity Broke
Playing with Infinity Broke is serious fun. I wish we did it more often, we have a few shows coming up that we’ve organised. We’ll be playing songs from last years album Before Before as well as the one before that, River Mirrors. Dates below:
SYDNEY
Saturday Feb 20th at The Record Crate (Glebe)
+ Adam Gibson And The Ark-Ark Birds + Milkk – $15 on the door 8pm, limited capacity.
More Info HERE
CANBERRA
Friday Mar 11th at The Phoenix (Canberra)
+ Cracked Actor
More info HERE
MELBOURNE
Saturday Mar 12th at The Reverence Hotel
+ Ohms + Agency + Jess Locke Band – $12
More Info HERE
Sunday Mar 13th at Bar Open (public holiday the next day)
+ Chores + Old Etiquettes + Penny Ikinger (solo) – $10
More Info HERE
Recording News
Back in December Reuben Wills and myself went back to the site of the Infinity Broke recordings and started work on my next solo album. Just myself on acoustic guitar and vocals and Reuben on double bass. Chris McGirr who kindly lent us his big beautiful shed in Mount Rankin did so again, he even pressed the record button for us and cooked us breakfast one day too. He’s one of the best.
I bought an old 16 track half inch recorder, some tape and borrowed some microphones and so forth from Chris Colquhoun. This will be my first completely self recorded album, I’ll keep you posted on its progress.
The Tall Grass album keeps inching away as well – Peter and I have played most of the instruments ourselves on this. My brother thinks it has an ’80’s Australiana feel, he means that it in a good way! We feel we’ve written some great songs together. It’s been recorded by Richard Andrew in Melbourne with Peter adding some of our overdubs up here. Richard also plays some drums and bass on it and the lovely Laura Jean has been sweetening things up a bit with her vocals. Again, we’ll keep you posted.
Goodbye Amanda/Bookings
I don’t really know what heading to write here. R.I.P always feels like such a sad cliche but in terrible news my long term booking agent and chief champion Amanda Case has passed away after succumbing to an extremely aggressive form of cancer. I have posted a detailed tribute to her here https://www.facebook.com/JamieHutchingsMusic/posts/10153860053263094
Amanda was a true godsend to me, she was so encouraging and worked so hard, all of the while living in far off America. She will be sadly missed by all those who knew who and worked with her.
For those interested in getting in contact with me about bookings for any of my projects from hereon just contact me here direct.
x
J.H
Solo Shows And Other News
Hello
I’ll be coming down south to play two solo shows in Melbourne next week on Sat Oct 17th and Sun Oct 18th. The Sat show is an earlier show, from 6pm – 9pm. I’m starting work on a very bare boned solo album in November, I’ll preview a couple of tracks from it and trawl through my illustrious back catalogue for you.
J.H SOLO MELBOURNE SOLO SHOWS
Sat Oct 17th – LongPlay (early evening show)
Jamie Hutchings
w/ Ladie Dee + J M S Harrison
Doors 6pm , show finishes at 9pm – $15
Sun Oct 18th – Grand Howl Music Festival
(The Brunswick Mess Hall)
Jamie Hutchings + many more
Doors 1:30 – show finishes at 10:20 – $12/$10
Full lineup and more info via the Facebook Event
INFINITY BROKE
No real news here but we did get a sweet live review for our Brighton Up Bar show in The Music, courtesy of Chris Familton. You can read it HERE
We still like our last album Before Before, if you don’t own it we’d be happy to change that by selling one to you on vinyl, CD or download. Do that HERE
THE TALL GRASS
Peter Fenton and myself are slowly chipping away at our album. As my brain is drowning in some horrible cough infested cloud I can’t do it any justice with a description today. I can tell you we are playing in November though, at The Gasoline Pony. We had fun last time there, it will be a similar chain of events – a solo set each followed by a twosome set.
x
J.H
INFINITY BROKE FRI OCT 2ND IN SYDNEY
Yes, we’re back after falling into a coma over winter. Our second album Before Before came out in April, people wrote lots of good things about it etc (and you can buy it here if you want http://www.infinitybroke.bandcamp) but we haven’t played since our tour in May. Some of you may remember that Jared wasn’t available so we were lucky enough to have Hugh Deacon on drums but Hugh is busy now so we’ve got Jared back again, double the Spinal Tap luck. Anyway this looks to be the only show we’re going to be doing this year from what I can work out so buy a ticket from the link below.
There are only 100 tickets available and we have two other excellent acts on the bill: Day Ravies and Roadhouses.
Details are – Friday Oct 2nd
Infinity Broke w/ Day Ravies + Roadhouses
Tickets (only 100 available) $12/15
SOLO IN MELBOURNE
I’m also heading down to play at The Grand Howl Festival in Brunswick on Sunday Oct 18th solo. It’s a great line up and I’ll be closing the evening. Be sure to check out the link below for more details and tickets.
Sunday Oct 18th Brunswick Mess Hall (VIC)