Can’t believe it is already February, but with the new month comes gigs, studio time and fun announcements.

Freo friends, cannot wait to see you all TOMORROW at the Fly By Night. Tickets are still available here so be sure to snap one up and join us and the Big Old Bears.

I’ve been plonking out some new songs as I journey towards my second album – scary, thrilling and inspiring all at once. Can’t wait to share.

But for now, here come the fun gig announcements!

Sydneysiders, it’s your turn on April 14 at Camelot. Have heard so much about this great venue, can’t wait to play there. Get your tickets here.

You may have also heard the news that we are joining John Butler on his solo and intimate Tin Shed Tales Tour. Very exciting!

We are playing the following dates:

March 30 – Sunset Pictures – Broome, WA (MK solo!!!) BUY TICKETS
April 5 – Darwin Ski Club – Darwin, NT BUY TICKETS
April 12 – Civic Theatre – Newcastle, NSW BUY TICKETS
April 13 – Canberra Theatre Centre – Canberra, ACT BUY TICKETS

We have also been confirmed to play Byron Bay Bluesfest on April 8 – hells yeah! Check out the incredible line-up here. So pumped to be returning to this great festival.

We are of course looking forward to Port Fairy Folk Festival and WOMAD NZ in March, not to mention our very special gig in Melbourne at the Spiegeltent on the Arts Centre forecourt on Tuesday March 20. Tickets for this gig are selling quickly, so snap one up here .

Look after yourselves out there. And do come and say ‘allo at one of our shows.

Big love,

MK xx

The year is off to a great start and I’ve already clocked some serious studio time to work on some new songs. Very exciting. Stay tuned for more news. Can’t wait to share.

Until then, we have a string of great shows coming up. First up, we’re kickstarting the year with a free show in Melbourne before playing a big homecoming gig in Freo. Here are the details of our upcoming shows:

Saturday January 21 – Sunset Series – Fitzroy Gardens – Melbourne, VIC
Saturday February 11 – with Big Old Bears – Fly By Night - Fremantle, WA
March 9-11 – Port Fairy Folk Festival – Port Fairy, VIC
March 16-17 – WOMAD NZ – New Plymouth, NZ
Tuesday March 20 – The Famous Spiegeltent – Melbourne, VIC

We’re looking forward to getting back on the road. Tickets are on sale now for all shows and they’re rolling out the door, so do be quick!

Can’t wait to see your smiling faces.

Big love,

MK x

Bring a picnic and get swept up in the music, or wear some comfortable shoes and really get involved. How to summarise the Sunset Series? Top tunes. Balmy nights. Old Friends. No Cost. We’ll see you there.

Where: Fitzroy Gardens, 230-298 Wellington Pde, East Melbourne (next to the Pavilion Café)
When: 6.30-9.30pm | 14-22 Jan
Phone: (03) 9658 9658
Details: thatsmelbourne.com.au

“A delicious hotpot of soulful grooves, seductive melodies, stomping percussive beats and classic old-world instrumentation” The Sunday Mail

“A giddy joy to watch” FasterLouder

The tour kicks off in Paris (we’re travelling in a motorhome!) and takes us all through Europe from France to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Track us down, come and play, and most of all, tell your friends. Look out:

“a delicious hotpot of soulful grooves, seductive melodies, stomping percussive beats and classic old-world instrumentation” The Sunday Mail

“a giddy joy to watch” Faster Louder

WA soulstress Mama Kin is a force to be reckoned with. Fresh from a rollicking tour of North America, including dates with The John Butler Trio and stellar performances at Ottawa Bluesfest and Rocky Mountains Folks Festival, Mama Kin returns home for a run of festival appearances and a headline show at Mullumbimby Civic Hall.

Mama Kin plays Bellingen Global Carnival (September 30 and October 1) and the Great Southern Blues Festival (October 2) in Batemans Bay, and she’s coming to Mullumbimby for one night only with special guest Ilona Harker (www.ilonaharker.com).

Already a festival favourite at the annual Mullum Music Festival, Mama Kin returns with her foot-stomping blend of New Orleans soul. It’s not often this real-life mama makes it to the east coast, so be sure to catch her when you can.

Date: Thursday September 29, 2011

Time: Doors open 7pm

Tickets: $18 pre-sale, $22 at door

Venue: Mullumbimby Civic Hall, Dalley Street Mullumbimby NSW

Bookings: www.mullummusic.com or 02 66846195

John Butler and Mama Kin will release an exquisite studio recording of ‘Losing You’ to help highlight the current situation which sees the pristine Kimberley region under threat from the proposed gas processing precinct at James Price Point, just 60 kms from Broome, WA.

‘Losing You’, recorded in John Butler’s studio, The Compound, in Fremantle, will be made available around the world only via iTunes. It will be released and available for download on Tuesday July 26th.

All proceeds from the sale of this beautifully presented intimate acoustic rendition of ‘Losing You’ will assist the Broome Community No Gas campaign specifically aiding the members who have conducted a peaceful blockade and continue in their fight to stop the clearing of the land at James Price Point.

Both John Butler and Mama Kin feel strongly about the campaign to protect the Kimberley and have offered their ongoing support. It is in the Kimberley area where they first met and since that initial trip they have built very strong personal relationships with local indigenous community members in the region including Goolarabooloo Law Boss Joseph Roe who has been a strong voice in opposition to the gas plant from the beginning and has taken part in the recent blockade.

Regarding the decision to donate all proceeds from the sale of ‘Losing You’ to those defending James Price Point, John Butler said today,

“We believe the Kimberley is a region that needs to be protected for generations to come not be plundered for short term economic gain. By processing the gas in the Pilbara using existing facilities, the Browse Basin gas can be exploited and its economic benefits reaped without destroying one of the most pristine places on this planet. We hope that proceeds from this song can help those fighting to save this beautiful part of the world. Because you never know what you got till it’s gone.” - John Butler

Spokesperson for the Broome Community No Gas campaign Nik Wevers said,

“We’re absolutely thrilled John Butler and Mama Kin are lending their voices to this campaign. Here on the ground, we’re working hard to ensure the proposed gas hub at James Price Point does not go ahead. This fundraiser download is a practical way for people around the world to support the campaign to protect the Kimberley, a global treasure.”

Cover Art Photograph kindly donated by Christian Fletcher

JOHN BUTLER featuring MAMA KIN – ‘Losing You’

Available globally through iTunes on Tuesday July 26^th