Americana musician Tom Gramlich – known for his work Jed’s Dead and Live Forever – is no stranger to the Cinema Bar and he’s back there with his Cinema Sundays show on Sunday afternoon. Gramlich spoke with the News about his career so far, and what we can expect this time…
What have you been up to since we spoke a couple of years ago?
I continue to do session work, putting me in various situations, as well as live shows. Acoustic and electric. It’s always good working with good players that care about what they do. I enjoy presenting Cinema Sunday on the last Sunday of each month at the Cinema Bar in Culver City. My group plays from 4 p.m. to 6:10 p.m. Then we set up for the special guest. People really like the time on a Sunday.
Describe your sound…
I’m experienced in many genres of music, blues, flatpicking country, soul, rock, pop, etc. I felt it necessary to be able to play a lot of styles including slide guitar, and it paid off. Especially when working with many different artists. For my own band, I came up with a name “Electric Flatpicking,” very much like picking acoustic style yet with electric guitars. It’s very expressive.
What are your career highlights so far…
The highlights are many. I was a co-founder of a benefit series in Los Angeles call ‘Grassroots Acoustica’, and one show we did for Children’s Hospital in L.A. was a Nicolette Larson night. In walked Andrew Gold who played with and produced Linda Ronstadt. Andrew came up to me after my set and said, “I want to play through what you were playing through!” Also among many great moments was when Doc Watson shook my hand at the front door of McCabes Guitar shop in Santa Monica. Playing good material well, and working well with each player, is high on any list for me.
Do you have any new recorded music available?
I have a solo album in the works. I wrote all the songs. It’s about halfway done. I also work with a few groups that plan to record: Jeds Dead, and the Venice-based Ginger Merkin (live around town – mrgingermerkin.com).
What are your memories of your last Cinema Bar show?
The last Cinema Bar show was a good crowd of friends, and new friends. That little honky-tonk has such a good, welcoming vibe. The owner, Rod Castillo, does a great job running the place, and live music sounds great there.
What can we expect from the set this time?
On Sunday, March 29, the music starts at 4 p.m. with my group Live Forever. We’ve got some good covers, a few originals and good musicianship – always get the crowd into it. The Special Guest spot 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. is locally based Dinosaur Tooth. They are very good, have a sincere, fun following, and are known for presenting Dylan tribute shows. So it’ll be a varied and fun set. No cover. An enjoyable Sunday of music, friends, and new friends at a well loved, good vibe venue.
What else do you have coming up?
March 25 I’ll be with Jeds Dead, followed by a great songwriter Dan Janisch & The Sallys. Then Lois Blaisch at Maui Sugar Mill, Tarzana for The Open Road ongoing series. Also, the regular gigs from playing monthly at Opica Adult Caee, El Segundo’s Metro Cafe, and several others. My group Live Forever (Inspired by Billy Joe Shaver) is at The Cinema Bar on April 10 with opener Ed Romero of Jeds Dead. Hope to see everyone soon!
The event takes place at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 29 at the Cinema Bar. For more information about the concert, go to thecinemabar.com.
Elsewhere this week
The next concert at Boulevard Music is on Saturday, March 28, with Doug MacLeod. Go to boulevardmusic.com for more info.