http://therobinleblanc.com/2009/02/19/hotel-room-parties-and-folk-tunes-pt1/ 

After arriving I managed to force myself into a state of wakefulness, dressed myself up and went to see what was going on at The Marriot here in Memphis. And what was going on was everything you have heard about in those wild tales that musicians like telling in between songs. Jam sessions in hallways, live concerts in hotel rooms, beers being passed around and young folk musicians hitting on anything that wriggles. All in all, an incredible essence about the place.

It was great to see some old friends. Creaking Tree String Quartet are keeping very busy by playing as many shows as they are capable of. It was damn near impossible to talk to John, the leader of the group because once he finished his hotel room gig he had to pack up and leave for another one. Graphic Designer and George Lucas lookalike Michael Wrycraft was there being as big a presence as he always is, always having a posse of about four people around him and a positive/cynical attitude that always makes him great to be around.

I didn’t check out many of the hotel room concerts but the one that really got my attention was King Curly, a bizarre band from Australia that plays wonderful songs with a very wide range of inspirations (Tiny Tim, 1930s bluegrass, jug bands) and seeing them in a crappy little hotel room with a banner put together with pencil crayons made the experience watching them unforgettable.

Here’s the bio of King Curly snagged from their web site:

bio_retarded_goldfish”King Curly” was born of the desire to right wrongs and to punish evil. In that respect, his spiritual forefathers are Robin Hood, Batman, Moses and all of the rest of that head-kicking crew. When I first conceived the character – in the songs “King Curly” and “Curly and Sue” – Evil was enjoying a stronger-than-usual stranglehold on the world and I was working in the public service. King Curly was a drab little man in a drab little job – circumstances curiously similar to my own. But unlike me, King Curly had a dangerous and wonderful secret: on his R.D.O’s he was raising an army of outsiders – lepers, failed artists, amputees, frustrated adult film producers and marginalised school bullies to set right the many wrongs of the world.”

They”ll be playing again later tonight and I’ll be sure to film some of it to show you all. DEFINTITELY a band worth watching, er, listening rather.

Right. Off to do a bit more filming and then I shall be viewing the wonders that Memphis has to offer. I expect fat women dressed as Elvis, but I’m not sure if they’re in season right now…no matter. For the right price I can get ANYONE to dress up as Elvis. I have that kind of power.

Taken from a blog by robinleblanc

It ‘s hard to tell whether this is a good time to be introducing our music to the Americans. Does the financial crash mean that they wont be interested in good music anymore – on  the contrary surely? Under hypnosis I can conjure up images of us arriving to a mighty fanfare (similar to the one I saw gathered at the recent inauguration). Yes I think so . I choose this option

but then resuming my normal state of being, I have to admit that I’ve always been abit scared of America because it seems to be a violent place on the tv – so easy to be shot or lynched.

But the tickets are bought and our invitation to showcase in Memphis is set along with a little show in L.A on the way. We even have special candy with ‘King Curly’ written on it to make them like us. AMERICANS LIKE CANDY

KC

*I can find no clue as to who took these superb photos but I understand they were taken in W.A.  They were forwarded by a friend who got it from a friend etc.  If the photographer contacts us we are happy to give him/her credit!