Kevin Bennett & the Flood
Kerryn Fields grew up, surfing her parent's vinyl collection, addicted to the radio, and trying to make light of the dark with her irrepressible humour. Hailing from farming land in the heart of New Zealand, Fields, grew up amongst story tellers in shearing sheds, a talent she now brings to the stage, along with her hugely evocative country & folk music.
"An unexpected surprise" – 13th Floor
Kerryn Fields poignant and powerful songs, baritone brilliance and unassuming string-plucking virtuosity leave audiences transfixed, crying, hysterically laughing and dipping their fingers into all the layers of the universe - after which they lick them in public, because this life is kind of delicious.
"An incredible voice..... Pure Magic" – Radio13 NZ
A fearless artist who is never happier than when she has a guitar in one hand and a journal in the other, Fields has experienced the depth and breadth of the human condition first hand. Having battled her way through a childhood illness, that saw her hospitalised for much of her teenage years, Fields now lives life as if it is a question that begs the answer "yes".
"A joyous presence" – The Music.com
Currently working her way around the country & folk circuit's of Australia, Canada and New Zealand, Fields is becoming a household name, wooing folks in their lounge rooms, bars and from the festival stage. Her band bring a rich texture to her music, with a palette of harmonies and joyful humour.
Winner of the Newstead Live Music Festival Troubadour Award – Most exciting act & inspiring act of 2019
No stranger to a suitcase, Fields is currently spending much of her time eating fruit from local stalls along sunset highways and musing life near rivers and oceans along the way to her next show. The award winning new single 'Mamma' is due for release in September 2019 and Fields is currently putting together a long awaited, brand new album a follow up to the highly acclaimed, Rascal (2015).
A four piece act, consisting guitarist PJ O'Brien, Bass player Mike Rix, Drummer Greg Clark and Harmonica player Dan Sullivan, the four have worked with some of Australia's finest blues acts including The PJ O'Brien band, Alison Penney & the Moneymakers, 19 Twenty and The Jacky Howellers. Drawing influence from the amplified blues of American greats BB King and Little Walter combined with the jumping, swinging riffs of West Coast masters such as T Bone Walker, the act announced itself with a knockout performance at the 2016 Sydney blues festival.
This followed with Tomcat Playground being snapped up by P & O for their 2016 "Blues Cruise" and performing soon after at the Broadbeach, Bendigo, Australian, Echuca, Kiama festivals. Reinvigorating a tradition of music with their own brand of flair, do not miss this act.
He is an Aria nominee and winner of 6 x CMAA Gold Guitar ….2006 (with The Flood for Best Group), 2011(with Kasey Chambers for Vocal Collaboration), 2017 (with Bennett, Bowtell and Urquhart for Best Alternative Album and Best Group and in 2019 for Vocal Collaboration) and, most recently, with The Flood (for Best Group) at the 2020 Gold Guitar Awards.
He writes relevant, contemporary Australian music containing elements of Country, Blues and Rock - telling stories of where he's from and where he might be going, his past and his possible future….he sings his life.
The Flood has recorded 6 universally acclaimed albums including 'The Ballad Of KB', which was named in Iain Shedden's Top Twenty Australian Country Albums of all time, while Rhythms magazine calls The Flood 'the best Australian Roots band since The Dingoes.'
So whether it's solo, with The Flood or Bennett, Bowtell& Urquhart, KB is still making music that needs to be heard.
The Flood line-up for the Fig is KB (Vox/Guitar), Gary Carruthers (Guitar/Banjo/Mandolin/Harmonica/Vox), Wayne 'Killer' Kellett (Bass/Vox) and Mik McCartin (Drums/Vox).