We are delighted to announce the My Darling Clementine Japanese tour for October.
Dates as follows, with more shows TBA;
Oct 28 (Mon) – Osaka, Quattro
Oct 29 (Tue) – Kanazawa, Mokkiriya
October 30 (Wed) – Nagoya, TOKUZOU
October 31 (Thu) – Yokohama, Thumbs Up
November 1 (Fri) -Tokyo, Pleasure Pleasure *TBC*
Full details at:
https://toms-cabin.com/MDC/
Make your reservations here:
https://tomscabin.peatix.com/
Dear friends,
Welcome to the summer newsletter.
Firstly, a big thanks to all of you who came out to see us in May; in Ireland, in Norway, in Denmark for a wonderful night in Copenhagen, in Sweden at the fabulous Medley in Malmö, and on home soil for shows in Oswestry at the beautiful Hermon Arts, and St Georges Hall in Bewdley. Do drop us a line if you saw a show, we love hearing from you.
Our trusty tour bus is parked up for now, and we are hard at work in the studio making the new album but, we will be emerging soon, blinking into the sunlight, for a short tour of Scotland, and a long over-due show in Newcastle in July.
All these dates are listed below. Just hit the relevant link for the venue / town of your choice, or head to mydarlingclementinemusic.co.uk/shows for more details.
Fri 19th July
Irvine – Harbour Arts
TICKETS
Sat 20th July
Dunkeld – Birnam Arts
TICKETS
Sun 21st July
Edinburgh – The Kitchen Sings
Reservations via email: thekitchensings@gmail.com
Wed 24th July
Stirling – Tolbooth
TICKETS
Thu 25th July
Broughty Ferry – St Mary’s Church
TICKETS
Fri 26th July
Kirriemuir -The Wee Bear
TICKETS
Sat 27th July
Belladrum – Tartan Heart Festival
TICKETS
Sun 28th July
Newcastle – The Cumberland Arms (afternoon show)
TICKETS
Recording continues in August but we will be stepping out to play The Long Road Festival in Northampton. Full band show – catch us on Sunday the 25th.
Available right now, over on the Bandcamp page is another song from the ‘Kitchen Table Recordings’
This time we are covering Bob Dylan’s Pledging My Time.
This follows on from last month’s version of the beautiful old Flying Burrito Brothers song I’m Your Toy.
Feel free to pay what you wish for the track – all proceeds will go back into the pot to make the new album. But, whether you buy it or not, do pull up a chair to the table, and have a listen.
Coming out on Friday September 13th is an album called Tremulant, being released on the Sub Exotic label.
The artist is Ghostwriter and MWK is one of 3 guests vocalists singing on the album, along with Andrew Rumsey and Suzy Mangion.
A fascinating and unique project recreating and re-inventing hymns and spirituals of the past 2 centuries.
More to follow on this as we get closer to release date but updates will be appearing on our social media pages and on the label’s website in coming weeks.
Since the announcement in April that we had some vinyl back in stock, we are now just left with a handful of each of these remaining so PLEASE don’t miss out, ORDER NOW if you wish to have any of these added to your MDC vinyl collection. Once they are gone they are gone.
We have received a number of enquires recently, asking if we would play a private concert, either as part of a celebration event, private party etc, or an intimate concert for you and invited guests.
This is something we have done on occasion and are always happy to discuss it, and what the circumstances are. In the first instance, just send a message via the ‘contact’ page on the website, or an email to info@mydarlingclementinemusic.co.uk, or send a message over social media (Facebook, Twitter or Instagram) and we can get the ball rolling to try and make it happen.
To those of you who have recently donated to our on-going need for funds. THANK YOU.
As we continue to make a new album, all monies received in the next few months will go towards the recording budget. Just hit this link and then the yellow donate button.
Thank you everyone.
OK, that is all for now. We wish you a peaceful, warm and happy summer. If you haven’t booked your holidays yet, how about a few days in Scotland, and we’ll provide the music? We look forward seeing you all soon at a show in the coming weeks.
Yours in music,
Lou & Michael
Dear friends,
Welcome to the second newsletter of 2024. We hope this finds you happy and healthy, and as chilled or as busy as you wish to be.
We have a very busy May ahead of us. Playing 17 shows across Ireland, England, Norway, Denmark and Sweden.
No complaints though. We are excited to be getting back out on a long run. The shows, and our performances, always flow better when we are playing night after night.
Plus, who doesn’t love a hotel breakfast?
First up is IRELAND which includes return visits to two of our favourite festivals, Belfast Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival and the Kilkenny Roots Festival, and other shows in a number of small theatres, arts centres and stunning unique venues.
All dates listed below with ticket links at mydarlingclementinemusic.co.uk/shows
Ahead of the Irish tour we spoke to Declan Culliton & Stephen Rapid at Lonesome Highway about the past, present and future, and still being together after all these years.
After we get back from Ireland we make a quick stop in our own neighbourhood, to play the beautiful converted chapel that is Hermon Arts in Oswestry. Really looking forward to playing here. Friends in and around the Midlands and Mid Wales, come join us in church. Tickets here.
And then we head north, for a very welcome return to SCANDINAVIA. 5 shows in 3 countries. Friends in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, here is where you will find us:
Thur May 23
Oslo – Abelone Kjøkken & Bar
TICKETS
Fri May 24
Harestua – Kulturbruket Gamleskolen
TICKETS
Sat May 25
Halden – Kulturhuset *
TICKETS
Sun May 26
Copenhagen – Råhuset
TICKETS
Tue May 28
Malmo – Medley
TICKETS
*The show on the 25th is part of the Fjording festival in Halden. More details here.
We are also delighted to announce a summer tour of Scotland (and Newcastle) as we work our way to and from The Tartan Heart Festival in Belladrum. It’s going to be a beautiful scenic trip. Who knows, maybe the sun will even shine. All shows are on sale now and the ticket links are at the MDC web site.
So, what’s the other news? Well, we are finally underway with some new music. We are delighted to announce that work has begun on the new album, provisionally titled “A Field Of Our Own”
The first round of recording is talking place here in Mid Wales at the beautifully located Adaband Studios in Mochdre. The same studio Michael made his solo album, The Struggle, with Clovis Phillips once again engineering and playing multiple instruments.
There are currently 10 songs at various stages of recording, and they are an eclectic mix. Torch songs, power pop 45’s, and pastoral, reflective pieces. What, no country (for old men & women)? Rest assured some country will come into it at some point. In fact it may well be showcased at the shows in May
We do have something available right now, which can be heard, and bought.
Over the next few weeks a number of ‘kitchen table recordings’ will be escaping via the Bandcamp page. Just two people having a good old sing of some of their favourite songs round the kitchen table. Very much warts and all and arguably all the better for it.
First one out the hat, this beautiful old Flying Burrito Brothers song, written by Chris Etheridge and Gram Parsons.
Feel free to pay what you wish for the track – all proceeds will go back in the pot to make the new album.
Coming out on Friday September 13th is an album called Tremulant, being released on the Sub Exotic label. The artist is Ghostwriter and MWK is one of 3 guests vocalists, along with Andrew Rumsey and Suzy Mangion.
An experimental album, recreating and reinventing hymns and spirituals of the past 2 centuries. More to follow on this as we get closer to release date.
Meanwhile in the ‘currently available’ section we are pleased to announce we have a number of items back in stock, including copies only of both Country Darkness Vol 2 and 3 on vinyl. Very happy about this as we thought we’d run out and also so many of you have asked, especially at the the post-gig merch counter. We will have them on the road but you can order them now via the web site. All orders will come with the stunning card slip case to house ALL 3 VOLUMES.
Also available again on vinyl are our second and third albums, The Reconciliation and Still Testifying plus the very last 2-3 copies of our two Record Store Day 10 inch EP’s.
Also available in the on-line store, this retro-cool MDC bumper sticker is back in stock. You can buy them individually, or in multiples at reduced rate, or get one free with any order over £10.
We have received a number of enquires recently, asking if we would play a private concert, either as part of a celebration event, private party etc, or an intimate concert for you and invited guests.
This is something we have done on occasion and are always happy to discuss it, and what the circumstances are. In the first instance, just send a message via the ‘contact’ page on the website, or an email to info@mydarlingclementinemusic.co.uk, or send a message over social media (Facebook, Twitter or Instagram) and we can get the ball rolling to try and make it happen.
Thanks to those of you who have recently donated to our ongoing need for funds.
Although we are touring as much as possible, we are always in need of funding to support special projects and recordings, particularly since COVID-19.
As we start to make a new album, any and all donations towards the recording budget would be gratefully received. Thank you.
Donate Here!
OK, that is all for now. We look forward seeing you all soon at a show in the coming weeks. Any song requests, don’t be shy. Message us via social media or the contact page on the web site, or just shout them out from your seat. If we can remember them, we will play.
Yours in music,
Lou & Michael
Hi everyone
We hope you are all well, and that you have had a great start to 2024
It has been a relatively quiet one for us – just a few shows but all the same, hugely enjoyable ones. Maybe some of you came to see us play the great cities of Great Easton, Retford, Calstock, Chidham and Thornton Hough, or attended the MWK solo show in the village of London? If you did, we are sure you will agree that a great time was had by all.
And we are now looking forward to really getting going properly when touring starts more fully this month, kicking off on Wednesday in Germany and then onto Holland, followed by a run of UK shows in March and April, before heading to Ireland and Scandinavia in May, and onto to Scotland and Newcastle (hurrah, it has been too long) in July.
We are excited to be playing some new venues in Germany on the March tour, but also looking forward to making a welcome return to Celle and Berlin, and also Leiden and Grootschermer in The Netherlands..
Here are all the live ticket links for the German and Dutch shows, and the tour poster below:
Wed 6th Mar
Celle (D) – Kunst & Buhne
GET TICKETS
Thu 7th Mar
Erlenbach a. Main (D) – Beavers
GET TICKETS
Fri 8th Mar
Ilmenau (D) – Kleinkunstbühne Ilmenau-Roda
GET TICKETS
Sat 9th Mar
Benthe, Hannover (D) – Benthe.Mitte
GET TICKETS
Sun 10th Mar
Berlin (D) – The Fahrradkell
Tickets via Alexander, email heller.elspass@googlemail.com
Tue 12th Mar
Maria Lacche, Mendig (D) – Klostergastsatte
GET TICKETS
Thu 14th Mar
Leiden (NL) – QBus
GET TICKETS
Fri 15th Mar
Magdeburg (D) – Volksbad Buckau c/o Frauenzentrum Courage
GET TICKETS
Sat 16th Mar
Grootschermer (NL) – Museum Nic Jonk
GET TICKETS
UK & IRELAND
Late March and early April continues with assorted one-nighters in diverse venues and widespread locations:
While the Irish tour includes return visits to two of our favourite festivals, Belfast Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival and the Kilkenny Roots Festival – always an amazing weekend, even if it does take a few days to recover.
Below are a few posters for the upcoming shows:
After Ireland we head north for 5 shows in Scandinavia. We have been visiting the stunning country of Norway for many years, and are thrilled to be back in Oslo, Harestua and Halden in May, but we are also delighted to be playing again in Sweden and Denmark, and especially our first MDC show in Copenhagen.
Dates confirmed so far. More will be announced in the coming weeks
Thur May 23
Oslo – Abelone Kjøkken
MORE INFO
Fri May 24
Harestua – Kulturbruket Gamleskolen
MORE INFO
Sat May 25
Halden – Kulturhuset
MORE INFO
Sun May 26
Copenhagen – Råhuset
MORE INFO
Tue May 28
Malmo – Medley
MORE INFO
We are also excited to announce some new summer shows, which have just gone on sale, along with festivals too;
Friends in the North East and in Scotland, we are delighted to be heading your way in July. It has certainly been far too long since we played Newcastle. Tickets are on sale now for the following shows;
Thu 25th July
Broughty Ferry – St Mary’s Church
GET TICKETS
Fri 26th July
Kirriemuir – The Wee Bear
GET TICKETS
Sat 27th July
Belladrum Festival
GET TICKETS
Sun 28th July
Newcastle – The Cumberland Arms (afternoon show)
GET TICKETS
And then in August we will be playing The Long Road Festival. Exact stage time still TBC but it will be on the Sunday and may include a gospel element to the live set, specially for the occasion. So, Long Road attendees, we will see you in church.
Sun 25th August
Northampton – The Long Road Festival
https://www.thelongroad.com/
Writing songs for a new album has been a slow process of late. We had hoped that we’d have the new album finished by now but for whatever reason the songs have not been flowing. Life has kind of got in the way but things are changing and new material is starting to come.
We will be road testing some the new songs in the coming weeks. So, if you want to hear what we have been cooking up, get along to a live show.
We have a number of items back in stock, including MDC albums on vinyl and even a few copies have surfaced of our two gorgeous Records Store Day 10 inch EP’s.
We also have the retro cool MDC bumper stickers back in stock. You can buy them individually, in multiples at a reduced rate, or get one free with any order over £12.
We have received a number of enquires recently, asking if we would play a private concert, either as part of a celebration event, private party etc, or an intimate concert for you and invited guests.
This is something we have done on occasion and are always happy to discuss it, and what the circumstances are. In the first instance, just send a message via the ‘contact’ page on the website, or an email to info@mydarlingclementinemusic.co.uk, or send a message over social media (Facebook, Twitter or Instagram) and we can get the ball rolling to try and make it happen.
Thanks to those of you who have recently donated to our ongoing need for funds.
Although we are touring as much as possible, we are always in need of funding to support special projects and recordings, particularly since COVID-19.
As we start to make a new album, any and all donations towards the recording budget would be gratefully received. Thank you.
Donate Here!
OK, that is all for now. We look forward seeing you all soon at a show in the coming weeks. Any requests, send them over.
Yours in music,
Lou & Michael
Hi everyone
Just a short missive from the two of us to all of you to say a huge ‘thank you’ for your support throughout this year
57 shows in 11 different countries. A lot of miles but a lot of joy too.
Your response and feedback, your appreciation of the songs, and your love and enjoyment of the live shows warms our hearts and it drives us onwards.
Below are a selection of reviews of shows played in the past few weeks. Maybe you were at one of them?
MANCHESTER STOLLER HALL
(Photo: Nick Barber)
GLASGOW GLAD CAFE
(Photo: Paul Kerr)
BIRMINGHAM KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE
(Photo: Richard Shakespeare)
Thanks to all the journalists for their kind words. And do let us know your favourite show or moment of the year spent with My Darling Clementine.
2024 is already shaping up to be a busy year. Lots of shows in the diary and we are also planning a new album too. Yes, we know. IT HAS BEEN TOO LONGTickets are on sale now for the shows in January and February. The ticket links below are live so one click will take your directly to order. Tickets make for great Christmas presents so why not buy some now for your nearest and dearest.
My Darling Clementine – Jan/Feb 2024
Fri Jan 19th
Malvern – The Cube
TICKETS
Fri 26th Jan
Great Easton – House Concert
Info and tickets email Mark Howson renkadima@virginmedia.com
Sat 27th Jan
Retford – St Saviours CC
TICKETS
Wed 31st Jan
London – What’s Cookin @ Leytonstone Social Club (MWK solo show)
TICKETS
Sat 3rd Feb
Calstock, Tavistock – Calstock Arts
https://www.wegottickets.com/event/600586
Sun 4th Feb
Chidham, Chichester – The Old Malthouse (AKA Chidham Village Hall)
TICKETS
(NOTE: afternoon show)
Sat Feb 17
Thornton Hough – Village Club
TICKETS
IF YOU CAN, PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE.
And then into spring, we head back overseas for tours as follows;
March – Germany, Austria, The Netherlands
May – Ireland (including appearances at https://kilkennyroots.com/ and https://cqaf.com/
May / June – Scandinavia
All these shows will be listed in the next 2-3 weeks at both mydarlingclementinemusic.co.uk and michaelwestonking.com
There are also some further, one-off UK shows in this time frame too, in the south west and the Midlands:
Thu 28th Mar
Penzance – Acorn Theatre
TICKETS
Friday 19th Apr
Bewdley – St Georges Hall
TICKETS
Sat 20th April
Ulverston – Walter Yeat Village Hall
MORE INFO
Sat 18th May
Oswestry – Hermon Arts
MORE INFO
So, plenty coming up and new music too. We will be showcasing some of the new songs at these shows. We are looking forward to sharing them with you.
Meanwhile, we wish you a very happy and peaceful Christmas, and great dreams for the new year. Or as we say now in our newly adopted home land of Wales, Nadolig Llawen.
Michael & Lou x
“Leaving the show” Upsalla, Sweden, March 2023 – Photo (c) Michael Weston King
