x

PENNY IKINGER / Blog

Gig cancellations in April

Unfortunately all my upcoming shows have been cancelled due to the current crisis and the shutdown of all pubs and venues in Melbourne.

My shows on April 4th at Dogs Bar; April 5th at Welcome Swallow; and April 17th at The Gem Bar, April 19th, will not be on.

Take care everyone & see you on the flipside!

Penny x

NEWS March/April 2020

LATEST NEWS FOR PENNY IKINGER – March/April 2020 ***THROUGH THE AIRWAVES!!!*** *** PENNY IKINGER will be interviewed on 2RRR https://2rrr.org.au/ Sydney radio this Saturday 14th MARCH between 5pm-6pm. She will chewing the fat about her upcoming Melbourne shows and the release of her latest single – a split double A side7” vinyl single with Melbourne rockers BABY 8, out now on FANTASTIC MESS RECORDS. Sonic chanteuse, guitar ace and primal mistress of pop, PENNY IKINGER covers her favourite Oz rock song of all time - DIVINYLS classic ‘Boys in Town’ on this 7’ vinyl single. “One that was born with a star on the forehead is PENNY IKINGER, a kind of grungy answer to PJ HARVEY...Devastating from start to finish.”- JON PAGOLA, Mondosonoro, (Spain). BABY 8 are a hard hitting power-pop five-piece band creating quite a rumble. They play with strength, passion and attitude. Get ready for some seriously powerful riffs and tunes reminiscent of the 90’s riot grrrl era. ‘Laughing Up A Storm’ is a brand new track written by KATIE DIXON especially for this vinyl release. ‘…ridiculously cool songwriting, killer guitar licks and some serious attitude, both on stage and on record” The Age, Melbourne. This double A side 7” vinyl single is world-class rock ‘n’ roll and is receiving airplay on radio stations in Australia and France. RADIO BIRDMAN’s DENIZ TEK recently gave “Boys in Town” a spin on Aligre FM (Paris). He also played "Gold Rush" from PENNY IKINGER”s “Tokyo“ album on MIKE WATT's "The Watt from Pedro Show" podcast. MIKE WATT is bassist with THE STOOGES (amongst other bands). *** Back in her hometown of Melbourne, PENNY IKINGER will be interviewed by MICHAEL MULHOLLAND on his JUNKYARD PROGRAM on THURSDAY 19th MARCH at 7pm https://www.pbsfm.org.au/program/junkyard MICHAEL MULHOLLAND will be delving deep into PENNY IKINGER’s rock n roll past to present a retrospective on her career. Not to be missed! *** LIVE ON STAGE!!!*** A couple of solo shows for PENNY IKINGER & MICK MEDEW Southside & Northside… ***THE DOGS BAR, 54 Acland Street, St Kilda on SATURDAY 4th APRIL at 3pm ***THE WELCOME SWALLOW, 316 Sydney Road, Brunswick on SUNDAY 5th April at 5pm Free entry for both shows! After a recent sold out show in Brisbane at The Junk Bar, PENNY IKINGER & MICK MEDEW return to Melbourne to play a couple of sets solo and together… PENNY IKINGER first entered the world of rock n roll playing guitar for Australian psychedelic rock bands WET TAXIS and SACRED COWBOYS several decades ago and is now established as a solo artist. She has toured across the globe to great acclaim and instant fandom. Vocalist and guitarist, MICK MEDEW, co-founder of THE SCREAMING TRIBESMEN, has been making his mark on Australian music for over 30 years. Mick was inducted into The Queensland Music Hall of Fame in 2015 winning the Grant McLennan Lifetime Achievement award. MICK MEDEW will be joined by the captivating indie songstress PENNY IKINGER to play at the DOGS BAR, St Kilda on SAT 4th APRIL and THE WELCOME SWALLOW, Brunswick on SUNDAY 5th April at 5pm. These intimate shows are not to be missed!!! But wait, there’s more!!! *** THE PENNY IKINGER BAND play at THE GEM BAR, 289 Wellington Street, Collingwood on FRIDAY 17th APRIL. They will be joined by a very special international mystery guest 9pm-9.45pm THE PENNY IKINGER BAND 10.15-11pm Free entry!!!! Stay tuned for more info about this gig…coming soon!!!

Junk Bar, Brisbane on Sunday January 12th 2020

Crticial acclaim for their recent run of solo shows together in Melbourne has prompted Penny Ikinger (ex-Wet Taxis, Sacred Cowboys) and Mick Medew (ex-Screaming Tribesmen, Mick Medew and the Rumours and currently in Mick Medew and the Mesmerisers) to do it all again in Brisbane with a one-off show at The Junk Bar.

Mick and Penny will play the Sunday Night Dream Card show on January 12. They'll play sets of their own material - and music of bands they have been in - and duet on some selected tunes.

The Junk Bar has limitd capacity so pre-sale tickets are the only way of guaranteing a spot and they can be bought here: Oztix tickets here:

https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/de4bf711-d6d0-4293-ae6c-76c37d1b4fccutm_source=Oztix&utm_medium=Website&utm_content=EventGuide&fbclid=IwAR2ZEXFmu6rPfaq1EIFxOUb8u353omKHrx1GgOqzSZI9ssTGcmwFx5nZFEM

Doors open 7pm

New split 7" vinyl release for Penny Ikinger

SPLIT 7’ VINYL SINGLE LAUNCH FOR PENNY IKINGER and BABY 8!!!!

FANTASTIC MESS RECORDS indulge their romanticism with vinyl singles once again with the release of a split double A side 7” featuring PENNY IKINGER and BABY 8. The single will be launched at THE OLD BAR, Fitzroy, Melbourne on SUNDAY 8th DECEMBER 2019.

Sonic chanteuse, guitar ace and primal mistress of pop, PENNY IKINGER covers her favourite Oz rock song of all time - DIVINYLS classic ‘Boys in Town’, for this split single vinyl release. Ikinger recently launched her new video clip of ‘Boys in Town’ at ‘A Celebration for Chrissy’, an event to mark the occasion of CHRISSY AMPHLETT’s 60th birthday and to honour her legacy. Proceeds from this event were donated to the OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN Cancer, Wellness and Research Centre.

Penny’s friendship with Chrissy spanned decades and their mutual affection for one another is evident when Chrissy interviews Penny in the rockumentary: ‘Electra: The Music of Penny Ikinger’ (Burlesque Productions). “One that was born with a star on the forehead is PENNY IKINGER, a kind of grungy answer to PJ HARVEY...Devastating from start to finish.”- JON PAGOLA, Mondosonoro, (Spain).

PENNY IKINGER will be accompanied by the musicians who played on ‘Boys in Town’:- TIM MCCORMACK - bass, JASON MCGANN - drums, SAM BILLINGHURST-WALSH - guitar, JULIAN HELD - guitar and backing vocals and RYAN OLIVER - keyboards. They will play a selection of Penny’s favourite Oz rock classics, and material from her latest solo album ‘Tokyo’, at the single launch.

BABY 8 are a hard hitting power-pop five-piece band creating quite a rumble. Recently supporting GANG OF FOUR at The Croxton Hotel, Melbourne, they left their audience wanting more. They play with strength, passion and attitude. Get ready for some seriously powerful riffs and tunes reminiscent of the 90’s riot grrrl era.

‘Laughing Up A Storm’ is a brand new track written by KATIE DIXON especially for this vinyl release. The song chronicles a woman’s battle to resist a descent into madness when faced with a betrayal of friendship and an isolating pain so pervasive it threatens her grip on reality. Will she triumph? Or relinquish all control and cross a line from which she can never return? In just under three minutes you’ll know...

‘…ridiculously cool songwriting, killer guitar licks and some serious attitude, both on stage and on record” The Age, Melbourne.

Baby 8 features KAT KARAMITROS - vocals, KATIE DIXON – guitar and vocals, JACQUI BROWN - guitar, MAUREEN GEARON – bass and vocals, MATTY WHITTLE – drums. With a band comprised of members from POWERLINE SNEAKERS, GOD and NQR, no wonder they’re leaving everyone stunned.

‘Boys in Town’ by PENNY IKINGER was recorded at HOTHOUSE AUDIO, St Kilda, Melbourne by CRAIG HARNATH & JEZ GIDDINGS. ‘Laughing Up A Storm’ by BABY 8 was recorded at SOUNDPARK by IDGE.

This double A side 7” vinyl single is world-class rock ‘n’ roll. First 30 payers receive a free copy!

VENUE: The Old Bar, 74 - 76 Johnston Street, Fitzroy. Telephone: (03) 94174155 DATE: Sunday 8th December 2019 at 6pm ENTRY: $15.00 LAUNCH LINE UP: Penny Ikinger, Baby 8, supported by Plaster of Paris

www.pennyikinger.com; https://www.facebook.com/baby8band/; http://www.fantasticmessrecords.com/

Solo shows in November 2019 in Melbourne

PENNY IKINGER - SOLO - FRIDAY 8th NOV Penny Ikinger & Mick Medew will make an exclusive appearance at Acland Folk Club, a small intimate venue at Dogs Bar, 54 Acland Street, St Kilda. They will be playing two solo sets with some special surprises . 7.30pm start Ticket link here: https://www.trybooking.com/BFTJT PENNY IKINGER - SOLO - SATURDAY 9th NOV VENUE: Swamplands, 744 High Street, Thornbury. John Kennedy’s 68 Comeback Special returns to Melbourne after their album launch in June. Songs from the new Raining Treasure album will be featured along with Kennedy’s Urban and Western classics. Australian Indie rock legend Penny Ikinger will play a solo set. Brittle Sun will open proceeedings. PENNY IKINGER - SOLO - SUNDAY 10th NOV VENUE: Welcome Swallow 316 Sydney Road, Brunswick https://www.thewelcomeswallow.com with Mick Medew. 5pm until 8pm.

Paris, March 2019

Before heading South, Penny Ikinger's playing a solo gig in Paris ! Just announced and not to be missed, Parisiennes! Wed 6th March 6.30pm - 8.30pm Le P'tit Garage Rock n Roll Bar 63 Rue Jean Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris, France

En tournée pour la sortie de son nouvel album, "Tokyo", Penny Ikinger donnera son unique concert parisien au P'tit garage, à l'heure de l'apéro. Be there!

Recorded in Japan, “Tokyo", PENNY IKINGER’s third solo album, is an international collaboration with legendary guitarist and songwriter DENIZ TEK from Radio Birdman, and musicians from the Tokyo psychedelic rock underground. “Tokyo" is now available at Gibert Disc, 34 Boulevard Saint-Michel 75006 Paris. https://www.facebook.com/GibertDisc/ https:// www.gibert.com

“Tokyo is superb, with overdriven, reverb-drenched guitars, dramatic wild-west vignettes and songs influenced by Sam Shepherd, Patti Smith, Marianne Faithfull and Cormac McCarthy… imbued with a Francois Villon sensibility and a real Motor City rock vibe.” Chris Mineral, CDB News, Australia, 2018

Enregistré au Japon, “Tokyo”, le troisième album solo de PENNY IKINGER, marque la collaboration internationale entre le légendaire guitariste et compositeur DENIZ TEK de Radio Birdman et de musiciens de la scène psychédélique rock underground de Tokyo.

“Tokyo” est enfin disponible à Gibert Disc, 34 Boulevard Saint-Michel 75006 Paris. https://www.facebook.com/GibertDisc/ https:// www.gibert.com

“Tokyo est un superbe album, avec des guitares noyées dans la reverb, des instantanés dignes de l’Ouest sauvage et des chansons influencés par Sam Shepherd, Patti Smith, Marianne Faithfull and Cormac McCarthy… imprégnés d’une sensibilité proche d’un Francois Villon et d’une vibration tout droit venue de la Motor City”. Chris Mineral, CDB News, Australia, 2018

PENNY IKINGER PODCAST Sonic Trip, Aligre FM 93-1 Paris, France ici!

http://aligre-fm-93-1.website-radio.com/podcasts/sonic-trip-434-26-fevrier-2019-359?fbclid=IwAR2ET865yq9KYnk8fT1qRFctC7IvmcvUUBvXFrpgtqreMzoRLNn7Au2GTBA

Tour of France & Spain March 2019

PENNY IKINGER is heading to Europe for some exclusive shows in France and Spain to promote her latest album “Tokyo” in March 2019. FRENCH TOUR DATES: Penny Ikinger (with band) 13 March, Down by the River PERPIGNAN. 14 March, Gai Pécheur, TOULOUSE. 15 March, Jour de Fête, ALBI. 16 March, Amphore, PERIGUEUX. 17 March, Carnaval de Sète, SETE. BASQUE COUNTRY, SPAIN TOUR DATES: Penny Ikinger (solo) 22 March – 24 March TBA Penny Ikinger will perform in France with musicians DIMI DERO (drums) and VINZ GUILLUY (bass). She will perform solo in Basque Country (Spain). Recorded in Japan, “Tokyo", Penny Ikinger’s third solo album, is an international collaboration with legendary guitarist and songwriter DENIZ TEK from Radio Birdman, and musicians from the Tokyo psychedelic rock underground. “Tokyo” was released on Kerosene Records (Japan) and Off The Hip Records (Australia) and launched in Tokyo and in Melbourne (at Melbourne Museum’s Nocturnal event) by Penny Ikinger with her Japanese band The Silver Bells featuring MASAMI KAWAGUCHI on guitar. “Tokyo…is an album similar to experimental eras of New York and London during the late 60s and early 70s. Blending art, folk, twang, poetry, and uncommon together instrumentation. Music aficionados will find intricate revelations in every nook and cranny.” Walter Price, Global Texan Chronicles 12 Dec 2018. “Tokyo is superb, with overdriven, reverb-drenched guitars, dramatic wild-west vignettes and songs influenced by Sam Shepherd, Patti Smith, Marianne Faithfull and Cormac McCarthy… imbued with a Francois Villon sensibility and a real Motor City rock vibe.” Chris Mineral, CDB News, 2 Oct 2018 The album has received airplay in Japan, Australia, USA, France, Spain, Germany and French Polynesia, most notably on Inter FM in Tokyo, which has a listening audience of around 31 million people. “Tokyo” was recently featured on world renowned Radio 3 (Spain). “Tokyo” has also appeared in Top Ten Album lists for 2018.

Double A side single "Gin No Suzu" and "Ride On Cowboy" was launched at the Andoaingo Rock Festival in Spain in June 2017 as a taster of the album: The "femme fatale" of Australian rock Penny Ikinger gave us the last year one of the best performances of the Rock Festival of Andoain… “Tokyo”…I think we are facing one of the discs of this year for me …I will put it on my list with the most Pomegranates of the current harvest!” Txema Mañeru, El Giradiscos 18th Oct 2018 The Japanese version of “Tokyo”, released on Kerosene Records, includes a bonus track - a cover of the Divinyls song "Boys in Town”. In the documentary “Electra: the Music of Penny Ikinger”, Divinyls’ CHRISSY AMPHLETT interviews Penny Ikinger. "The thing that Ikinger has always been a master of is using re-conceptualizations as she maintains that undeniable voice. A voice that is as sultry as it is airy, haunting, and potent that has always drawn me in. Seemingly hanging on the edge...Timeless, and intricate.” Walter Price, Global Texan Chronicles 29 Nov 2017. “Penny's accomplished singing, unconventional guitar playing, folkish song structure and willingness to take risks make this a great album” The Barman I-94 bar webzine, 1 Oct 2018 Penny Ikinger released her debut solo album “Electra" on CD on Career Records (USA) and vinyl on Bang! Records (Spain) and her second solo album “Penelope" on Citadel Records (Australia). These albums appeared in Top Ten lists in Australia, U.S.A. and Europe. Now she releases her much-anticipated third album “Tokyo" worldwide. This project was supported by the Australian Government through the Australia-Japan Foundation.

New album - "Tokyo" !!!

NEW ALBUM RELEASE - TOKYO Recorded in Japan "Tokyo" Penny Ikinger’s third solo album, is an international collaboration with legendary guitarist Deniz Tek from Radio Birdman, and musicians from the Tokyo psychedelic rock underground. "Tokyo", released on Kerosene Records in Japan, was launched in Tokyo on 26th July when Penny Ikinger performed with the Japanese band The Silver Bells. The Silver Bells will also back Penny Ikinger at the Australian Tokyo album launch at Melbourne Museum’s Nocturnal on Friday Sept 7th. The Japanese version, released first in Japan by Kerosene Records (Tokyo) in July, includes a bonus track - a cover of “Boys in Town” by Divinyls. Tokyo will also be released by Off The Hip Records (Melbourne) worldwide in August. “Penny Ikinger...imagine Nico channelling Sandy Denny in front of Blue Oyster Cult - and you’re close”. Rolling Stone (USA) Double A side single ‘Gin No Suzu’ and ‘Ride On Cowboy’ was launched at the Andoaingo Rock Festival in Spain in June 2017 as a taster of the album. Global Texan Chronicles had this to say about the single release: “The thing that Ikinger has always been a master of is using re-conceptualizations as she maintains that undeniable voice. A voice that is as sultry as it is airy, haunting, and potent that has always drawn me in. Seemingly hanging on the edge...Timeless, and intricate” (Global Texan Chronicles). The CD single received airplay in Japan, Australia, USA, France, Germany and French Polynesia, most notably on The Mike Rogers Show on Inter FM in Tokyo, which has an listening audience of 31 million people. Tokyo was recorded at Studio Life in Tokyo and mixed at Hothouse, Melbourne, with the generous help of the Australia-Japan Foundation. This project is supported by the Australian Government through the Australia-Japan Foundation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Upcoming shows Sept - Dec 2017

If you missed Penny Ikinger's recent solo shows on SATURDAY 16th SEPTEMBER at THE CATFISH, Fitzroy with the remarkable Hugo Race and Michelangelo Russo or her recent show last TUESDAY 26th SEPTEMBER with Rhyece O'Neill & The Vengeful Narodniks, Bob Fox for their soiree in the Tote front bar. there is still a chance to catch her before this year is out. Yes, we are heading towards Xmas full throttle!!! TONIGHT!!! SAT 30th SEPTEMBER - Major legend convention at the Corner Hotel Sat Sep 30th...bunch of hooligans singing Replacements songs and the slightly more pleasant Big Star songs! Feat. MIKE NOGA, PENNY IKINGER, VAN WALKER, EVIL DICK, JP KLIPSPRINGER, COURTNEY CONSTANTINOU, J M S HARRISON, CLAIRE BIRCHALL, DANNY MCDONALD, NATHAN SEECKTS, DAVE CHALLINOR + BIG LEAGUE, MARILYN ROSE. FREE ENTRY! Yes, post Grand Final in Richmond!

WEDNESDAY 25 OCTOBER – Penny Ikinger plays a solo show with SABRINA LAWRIE from Brisbane at The TOTE, 71 Johnson St Collingwood. There are some exceptional female musicians coming out of Brisbane including guitarists Tamara Dawn and Stacey Coleman from the HITS who have been creating a quite a storm in Australia and Europe. Singer/songwriter Sabrina Lawrie also handles her electric guitar with great aplomb. Joining Sabrina and Penny on the bill – the mighty KIM VOLKMAN. All three artists spin dark tales of misadventure aided and abetted by some remarkable guitar playing so this gig will be delivering some powerful rock n roll punches for sure! Playing times: Sabrina Lawrie: 9.30pm – 10.15 pm; Penny Ikinger: 8.45pm – 9.15pm and Kim Volkman 8.00pm – 8.30pm

SATURDAY 2nd DECEMBER: Penny Ikinger and her band! Penny has been playing a series of solo shows recently so this is a chance to see her in full flight backed by some mighty musicians. They will be supported by THE CINDY WITCHES from Hobart. THE CINDY WITCHES are located somewhere between The Breeders and Sonic Youth on the scheme of aural frequencies. This gig will be streamed live to China. MORE INFO COMING SOON about this extravaganza!!!

JACK HOWARD returns to MEMO MUSIC HALL with his mighty EPIC BRASS show on FRIDAY 8th DECEMBER. Together with his epic band (Ash Davies, Steve Hadley, Nicky Del Rey and Jason Kain), a five-piece horn section and a stellar cast of guests, including PENNY IKINGER. Jack will be performing the great horn hits and hidden gems of Australian Rock. The set list is to die for – the big horn songs of The Saints, The Oils, H & C, Laughing Clowns and many more; and with guests like Ron Peno (Died Pretty), Steve Lucas (X), Penny Ikinger (Wet Taxis), Evil Dick (Hits), Paul Stewart (Painters and Dockers) and Fiona Lee Maynard, the show is one helluva spectacle. This is a unique show full of POWER and PASSION – and HORNS! DON’T MISS OUT!

CD single release, upcoming gigs

Penny Ikinger has released a new CD single which can be purchased via the SHOP at www.pennyikinger.com. The CD single features two tracks GIN NO SUZU and RIDE ON, COWBOY from Penny Ikinger’s upcoming album. To create the much anticipated follow up to her solo albums, 'Electra' and 'Penelope', Penny travelled to Japan to record an album in a project supported by the Australia-Japan Foundation. In keeping with her need to continually challenge herself and create different styles and sounds, Penny teamed up with legendary Radio Birdman guitarist Deniz Tek to compose the songs on the single release. Deniz Tek contributes his signature guitar licks to the track ‘ 'Gin No Suzu’. The music was produced with icons from the Tokyo psychedelic rock scene - Masami Kawaguchi (guitar), Louise Inage (bass) and Keiichi Sakai (drums).

This is a limited edition CD release and something quite special so grab one before they sell out!

MELBOURNE GIGS COMING UP:

Next solo show for Penny Ikinger - SATURDAY 16th SEPTEMBER at CATFISH, Fitzroy with the remarkable Hugo Race and Michelangelo Russo. What a treat!

Next band show for Penny Ikinger - SATURDAY 2nd DECEMBER at THE RAINBOW HOTEL Fitzroy. Another treat!

Plus more of Jack Howard’s EPIC BRASS!!! FRIDAY 8th DECEMBER at MEMO MUSIC HALL, St Kilda. Treats all round!

For the latest news and events for Penny Ikinger please check out www.pennyikinger.com

PLUS Penny Ikinger will be participating in Melbourne Museum’s NOCTURNAL event on FRIDAY 1st SEPTEMBER. She will be discussing some objects from the the First Nations Sioux and Huron tribes of North America between 6-8pm.

Hope to see you at one of these events!