Vincent's Chair at the Jade Monkey

Thanks to everyone who came along, despite the weather, to support us at the East End Jazz Festival. We had a lot of fun, and really enjoyed playing with bassist, Shireen Khemlani.

On Sunday 20th November, we return to the Jade Monkey (Twin St, City) to play all our hits and some brand new ones. It's a really busy time of year but this will be our last big show for the year and we'd love to see you all. Next year we have some special things planned for the Adelaide Fringe Festival but in the meantime it's the Jade Monkey. We start playing at 7pm. See you there!

East End Jazz Festival

On Sunday 23rd October, at 2.30pm, Vincent's Chair will be appearing in the Cooper's International East End Jazz Festival here in Adelaide at the end of Rundle Street. For more information on this festival you might like to visit their website: www.eastendjazz.net.

Also, Kathie will be doing a solo gig at the Kit Kat Cafe in Kent Town on Sunday 18th September with another Adelaide singer-songwriter, Ria Loof. The music kicks off at 1.30pm.

In addition to the above gigs, Kathie will be playing keyboards with her Adelaide University colleagues in the indiginous band, Trochus, at the Peace Festival in Light Square on Sunday 18th September. We play from 6.55pm. The festival is free so come along!

Watch this space for more information on further gigs.

Vincent's Chair Trio - Barossa Valley Gourmet Weekend

Brett, Karen and Kathie are heading up to the Barossa Valley on the 20th and 21st August to play at the Barossa Valley Gourmet Weekend.

They will be playing at Seppelts Wines at Seppeltsfield from 11am to 5pm both days. It's free and a lovely way to spend the weekend enjoying the wine and food and music.

On the Friday night before (19th) Kathie will be performing at the Music Warehouse as part of their 'Live and Intimate Acoustic Sessions'. Situated on Magnolia Rd, Tanunda, for bookings or more information ring 8563 0205 or email: musicwarehouse@faith.sa.edu.au

Kathie in Solo Mode - The Wheatsheaf, The Caledonian & Prince Albert

Kathie will be appearing again in solo mode at the following venues: The Wheatsheaf, in Thebarton, on Tuesday 22nd March, and also on Sunday 15th May at the Caledonian, which is on O'Connell St in North Adelaide. She will also be appearing with Brett and Karen at the Prince Albert on Thursday 19th May. Watch this space for more details on the latter gigs. Kathie would love you to support local, live music and to see you there.

Painting With Words and Music

On Sunday 24th July at 6pm, Vincent's Chair will be presenting their show "Painting With Words and Music" as part of the Trinity Sessions series. The concert is a 'musical gallery' of anecdotes and observations in song and features the music of artists such as Joni Mitchell, Sting, Coldplay and their own material.

Vincent's Chair will be joined by the Ruby Frost String Quartet, and the concert will be held in conjunction with an art exhibition of Adelaide musicians who are artists.

Set in one of Adelaide's best new concert venues "Painting With Words and Music" is a celebration of the song as an art form.

Come along to 318 Goodwood Rd, Clarence Park, at 4pm on Sunday 24th July to the opening and official launch by the Mayor of Unley at 4:30pm, have a drink and a bite to eat and then the concert will begin at 6pm.
Tickets: Adults $18; Concession $14; Child $8.

Creative Original Music Adelaide or COMA

A new organisation called Creative Original Music Adelaide or COMA has just been set up to promote and support new and original music in Adelaide. Vincent's Chair are part of this and will be one of two bands to perform at the inaugural night of their winter series known as "Hipnote". These evenings will be held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at the Wheatsheaf Hotel in Thebarton starting on Monday 4th July. It costs $5 to enter and you get to see some of the newest original music groups in this town. The other group performing on the night is Mark Ferguson's "Marmalade Trio".

Vincent's Chair Plays the Wheatsheaf

Kathie, Karen & Brett will be performing at the Wheatsheaf on Tuesday 7th June. It's relaxing, it's cosy, and best of all it's FREE! Come and support the local live music scene. You can always tape your favourite TV show.

The Wheatsheaf Hotel is located at 39 George St, Thebarton, and is the place to see cool music.

Kathie has a hit at the 2005 National Australian Songwriting Contest

On Tuesday 2nd June Kathie was presented with a certificate of achievement for her song, "Such is life", in the 25th Australian National Songwriting Contest 2005 Award Night.

The competition is conducted by the Australian Songwriters Assocaiation and the award night was held in Sydney. Kathie was presented her award by Sally Howland of APRA. From thousands of entries, "Such is life" came 7th in the Folk/Acoustic category and was only one of a handful of South Australian songs to make the top 10 in its category.

Vincent's Chair - The Jade Monkey

Vincent's Chair are playing at the Jade Monkey (29 Twin Street, Adelaide) on Sunday the 3rd of April. 6-9pm. The lovely Lynlee Jade will be our special guest for the evening.

We are playing all our own music as we are proud to showcase Adelaide original music. In addition to songs from our latest CD, "At the first sign", we have some brand new songs for you. There are also one or two other surprises as well.

February 2005

Well, February is almost over and there is lots to report. As you can see from the home page, Kathie participated in the first of the Acoustic Sessions run by Onya Soapbox at the FAD bar, in the city. It is a delightful, intimate setting where you can hear Adelaide's best singer-songwriters. Keep watching this space for details of Kathie's next appearance.

Vincent's Chair's viola player, Karen De Nardi, performed in the Ruby Frost String Quartet on Tues 15th Feb at the Wheatsheaf. The quartet will feature in an upcoming short film on 26th Feb. The evening was also recorded to be broadcast on Radio Adelaide.

Speaking of the Ruby Frost Quartet, they will join Vincent's Chair on Sunday July 24th for a Trinity Sessions concert. The show, "Painting with Words and Music" will be a programme of intimate, beautiful songs and will be presented in conjunction with an art exhibition to be held at the Church of the Trinity.

On Sunday the 20th Vincent's Chair, The Audreys, The Scarfs and Linus participated in a Music service of hope - responding to disasters at The Church of the Trinity.

In the meantime we are planning some short tours to country areas. Stay tuned for more details.

CD - At the first sign

The new CD "At the first sign" has been released and is available at our live performances.

This CD review appeared in the local street magazine dB magazine

By Michael Hunter

(dB Magazine – 17/ 9/ 03)

On this, their debut studio album, Adelaide band Vincent’s Chair start as they mean to go on. The opening track 1964 is pretty much a combination of all the elements that make this such an interesting and entertaining CD – an intriguing mix of jazz, folk and rock with professional musicianship, intelligent lyrics and warm, melodic vocals. To call it “adult” music would be an accurate enough description, and certainly meant in a positive way!

The modern jazz elements are probably those that come to the surface most regularly, though often mixed with a rock sensibility, and added touches such as viola, ‘cello and violin on To Love Someone That Way show they are unafraid to experiment with arrangements and textures. Lead singer and keyboardist, Kathie Renner wrote the majority of the songs, which often paint intriguing word pictures and show a good deal of thought and life experience. Each band member is given the chance to shine throughout, such as Shaun Duncan’s bass solo on My Siamese Twin or the keyboard and fiddle work on the wonderfully acerbic Disappointed to name a couple of instances.

I detected a kind of Joan Armatrading influence on a couple of tracks but that is just as a reference rather than any direct copying. The entire package is smooth in terms of music, production and presentation. Each player brings something important to the whole, which is of a world-class standard and certainly impressive in its own right.

As they say, watch this space.

Some other listener comments…

"I wanted to let you know I love your CD! In fact, I think it's 'too good'! It's got so much energy which is sustained throughout, and all great songs. It sounds like you guys all had fun making it, and you have a really creative group." Kathy (Brisbane)

"The CD is fabulous and I've been listening to it since it arrived and now have a selection of the songs running around in my head. I particularly love "Such is life" and love the 5/4 timing of "Lost on me" - it's so groovy! I also like "At the first sign" and "My Siamese twin". The more I listen to the CD the more I like it."  Naomi (Sydney)

"I had to email you straight away to say how impressed I am. Some of the arrangements are quite complex and clever and superbly performed. I must just say how clever I think "Lost on me" is - goes between 3/4 & 5/4 really smoothly with the transition 2/4 bar. It has a lovely feel. It's hard to write good 3/4 songs you know, and you have done one better than that. Obviously you put a lot of time into the composition, and have had some highly skilled help from your band members. Plus the technical production's good. heck, even the art and packaging are great. You and the band should be well proud of what you've achieved." Mark (Queensland)

"Just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed the launch last night - to get so many people there on a Sunday night is an amazing achievement. Congratulations. I hadn't heard you live before. And 'Such is life' is an absolute gem of a song. The way you sustain the word 'empire' gives me goosebumps. I hope you sell lots of CDs. You deserve to." Peter Combe (Australia's Original Children's Presenter)

"The beauty and value of your voice and music are immeasurable." Chris (Perth)

"Last night was absolutely wonderful. Words cannot express. I hope you were able to pick up the vibe of the audience because they were so into it. A beautiful night!" Lynlee (Adelaide)

"Awesome gig, Kath. Seriously excellent." Jacki (Adelaide)

The Acoustic Sessions

Kathie will be appearing at Fad (30 Waymouth Street, Adelaide) on Sunday February, 13 between 7 and 9pm. The rest of Vincent's chair will be there holding up the bar, as this is one of those rare occasions that Kathie is performing solo!

Links

Kathie and Vincents Chair on other parts of the net

Myspace

Sonicbids - Electronic Press Kit (EPK)

Triple J Unearthed

Oztrax feature album

dbMagazine - Cabaret Festival 2004

MusicSA

Australian Music Online

South Australian Music Index

October Update

On Friday the 8th of October, Vincent's Chair participated in a fund-raising dinner for the YWCA at the Hyatt Hotel. Special guests at the function were Libby Gore, Margaret Pomeranz, Ita Butrose and Monique Brumby.

We've also been busy doing bits and pieces like appearing at the No Liezz Jazz Club and then on Sunday the 26th of September Karen, Brett and Kathie had the privalege of supporting Eric Bogle at the Church of the Trinity.

Vincent's Chair have also been nominated for an South Australian Music Industry Award (SAMIA) for most popular act. We also now have in the group SAMI award nominted vocalist Kathie Renner and SAMI award nominated keyboard player Tom Belcher.

Kathie has also been moonlighting with a small jazz combo called Ictus which features Schmoe on saxophone, Ron Nichols on drums, Jono Ruse on piano and Sam Zarna on bass.

In August Kathie wrote and performed the music for the Scotch College Junior School musical called the Lorax, the children's book by famous author Dr Suess.

SAMI Award Winner

Vincent's Chair are now winners of the 2004 South Australian Music Industry Award in the "Most Popular Pop Act" category. The award was presented to a speechless Kathie Renner during the awards ceremony at the Weimar room on the 24th. Vincent's Chair would like to thank everyone that has supported us "over the years".

CD Launch

The new CD "At the first sign" is finished, printed and available!

The official launch is at the Garage Bar, Light Square, Adelaide on Sunday August 3rd at 7pm. Entry is $5 or
pay $20 and that will get you in the door with a CD. The band will be performing all the songs from the CD as well as a couple of other special songs. Hope to see you there!

Copies of the CD are available at our live performances.

Fringe Festival

On Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd of March we will be doing two shows at the Adelaide Fringe festival . The venue will be the same as our launch - The Garage Bar, Light Square, and we will be doing a tribute to Joni Mitchell. It is very exciting for us and we are pleased to introduce our special guest vocalist, Mel McCaig of Flat on Your Bacharach fame. Look for us in the Festival Guide and we look forward to seeing you there in March.

July Update

Well here we are in July and a lot has happened since we last updated the site. On June the 11th and 12th we performed our Fiddle and the Drum - the music of Joni Mitchell show at the Space Theatre in the Adelaide Cabaret Festival . We received excellent reviews and enjoyed the experience of being a part of this world class event.

Then on Sunday the 4th of July we appeared at Jive where we performed songs from our CD's.

On August the 22nd Kathie will be appearing as a guest vocalist for the jazz band Ictus at the Weimar room, and then on Sunday the 26th of September a scaled down version Vincent's Chair will be doing the support for an Eric Bogle concert at the Church of the Trinity.