Singer and songwriter Eleni Mandell opens for Rick Shea and Tony Gilkyson at Boulevard Music this weekend, so we spoke to Mandell about what she has in store for Culver City…
How do you know Rick and Tony?
I’ve known Tony for about 30 years through our mutual friend, the late Chuck E. Weiss. Tony also produced a country record I made in the early 2000s, Country for True Lovers.
Describe your sound…
We are not a trio. Tony and Rick play together and I will be opening for them. I usually say my music is old fashioned with a twist.
What are your career highlights so far?
I guess a career highlight was getting two standing ovations at the Montreal Jazz Festival with my parents in the audience. That was really something.
Do you have any recorded music available?
I have more records than I know off the top of my head. I think 13 (maybe more) solo records, two full-length records and one EP with The Living Sisters (a side project with Inara George, Alex Lilly, and Becky Stark); and two records with another side project, The Grabs (more post-punk, pop). All of my music is available in the usual places, like Spotify.
Have you performed at Boulevard before? Any memories?
I’ve never been to Boulevard Music but I’m excited to check it out.
What can we expect from the set this time?
You can expect some laughs, some tears, melodies, little stories. I am hoping my upright bass player will be able to join me. I play acoustic guitar, so expect that.
What else do you have coming up?
I recently completed my first new record since 2018. I’m very excited about it and about my upcoming shows in town. I think I have one every month until the end of the year. It’s so fun to be playing more shows again and I’m really grateful to Tony and Rick for inviting me to join them.
Eleni Mandell performs at 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 11 at Boulevard Music, opening for Rick Shea & Tony Gilkyson. More info on the show at boulevardmusic.com.
Elsewhere this week
Culver City’s music venues have a full calendar of entertainment over the next four weeks. For the Cinema Bar, that includes the Hot Club of Los Angeles (every Monday), Open Mic Night every Wednesday, Bruce Ray White, Hard Rooster, Doug Swanson’s Roosters, and more. For more information, go to thecinemabar.com.