Dearest readers/listeners/keepers of the faith,
I have lots to say, but Patty will be mad if I don’t first state that THIS SUNDAY we have a show at the Bread Box Theater in Willimantic CT. It’s an early show, which suits us just fine: 4pm early! We played this sweet venue three years ago, and it was our first foray into the Real World post-pandemic. It’s a lovely stone church with a wonderful mission, and we are rarin’ to go, because…
…We just returned from our first “tour” since said Event aka pandemic (I don’t like writing that word. I’m so over it.) Conclusion: It’s good to hit the road. We’ll do more of that, given how rewarding and delightful it was to play in Chicago and Ann Arbor last weekend. To the people who hosted us, to the ticket-buyers who came out to see a band they might not have seen in over twenty years, to the promotors who took a chance on us, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
And as almost always occurs, when Katryna and I go away together to do this work we were meant to do, we got inspired about our future. We’re scheduling recording time this summer for two new projects: our favorite covers; perhaps songs from the period of time when we couldn’t foray forth and were thus limited to Monday Night Live performances. Also, more recording for Nerissa’s novel series about a family folkrock band named The Big Idea. And lots of other initiatives; scroll to the end of this missive to see them.
Finally, I (Nerissa) have been so heartbroken about the world’s loss of Karl Wallinger, the creative force behind the band World Party, that I’ve been compelled to deep-dive into his oeuvre. I love this musician so much and related heavily to his particular constellation of influences (Beatles, Dylan, Stones) as well as his prescient focus on environmental issues. Here’s a verse from his breakout single “Ship of Fools” from 1987’s Private Revolution (full video below):
Avarice and greed are gonna drive you over the endless sea
They will leave you drifting in the shallows
Or drowning in the oceans of history
Traveling the world, you're in search of no good
But I'm sure you'll build your Sodom like you knew you would
Using all the good people for your galley slaves
As you're little boat struggles through the warning waves, but you don't payYou will pay tomorrow. You’re gonna pay tomorrow…
Save me, save me from tomorrow.
I don’t want to sail with this ship of fools...
Sweet man, RIP. And thank you.
We were so lucky to be booked in both the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago (where we were introduced by our old friend Marilyn Rea Beyer, who is now a DJ at the Midnight Special on WFMT), and at The Ark in Ann Arbor Michigan, where we were so proud to be on the Ark’s Wall of Fame right next to Kris Kristofferson and Patty Griffin. I mean…WOW. We. Have. Arrived.
See you soon! We love you!
Nerissa & Katryna
Where are we playing next?
March 24 The Bread Box, Willimantic, CT
April 13 First Encounter Coffeehouse, Eastham MA 7pm show
May 3 Me & Thee Coffeehouse, Marblehead MA
July 5 Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield, MA
July 20 Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts Bryn Mawr PA, o/f Hoots & Hellmouth
August 8 Caffe Lena’s Saratoga Spring, NY
Please support the new Iron Horse! They’ve become a nonprofit, and as such need a big boost from all of us to make their (AMAZING) new vision come true! (Please donate to the link above, scroll down and choose “Donate to a team” and then choose “The Nields Team: Easy People.”
Here are some new initiatives:
Hot Take Tuesdays
Every Tuesday we use our Instagram page to give you our Hot Takes. They are intended to make you disagree, so please feel free to do so! William is making me eat a donut tomorrow.
Throwback Thursdays
OK, today is Wednesday. But c’mon, I had to post this today. It’s the first day of spring! Otherwise, Throwback Thursdays will be on, um, Thursdays, and we’ll give you a wee memory from the past.
We love you! Best fans in the world.
Nerissa & Katryna