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Event
Wild Honey Presents Marizane, Kristian Hoffman & Special Guest Eleni Mandell for the Autism Think Tank
1167 Kipling Ave. LA. CA 90041
Doors at 3:30. Show time: 4pm.
Kirstian Hoffman 4pm
Eleni Mandell 5: 15 pm
Marizane 6pm
Marizane is a Los Angeles-based musical group that brings a fun orchestralsensibility to their own unique brand of Art-Rock combining masterfulsongwriting and novel melodic arrangements. Marizane was formed in 1992 by prodigious songwriter-musician Todd Jaeger and Debbie Shair (who later went
on to tour as a keyboardist and backing singer for bands such as Heart, Brian Wilson and Deana Carter).
After receiving some early critical acclaim, they were discovered by legendary producer Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T-Rex). Marizanes first EP Stage One (released in 2003) features three songs produced during their ime with Visconti
in 1994. Additionally in 2003, Marizane wrote and recorded the title track to theacclaimed documentary The Mayor of the Sunset Strip.
In 2009, Marizane released their first full-length CD Cosmosis - a lush,fantastical melodic concept album (with guest appearances from both locallyand widely-known acclaimed musical artists). After years of existing mainly as a studio-driven project with occasional live performances as a duo, Marizane has recently evolved into an exceptional fivepiece band and is pleased to bring their musical vision to the stage!
Marizane is:
Todd Jaeger Lead Vocals/Bass
Debbie Shair Keyboards/Vocals
Eric Skodis Drums/Percussion/Vocals
Joe Giddings Guitar/Vocals
Aaron Tap Guitar/Vocals
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Links:
https://www.facebook.com/marizanemusic
https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/Marizane1
Press/Reviews:
http://articles.latimes.com/2004/feb/05/news/wk-popbrightb5
http://www.popmatters.com/review/marizane-stage/
Kristian Hoffman had his first brush with notoriety with Lance Loud on PBS' noted reality show, "An American Family". Quickly thereafter, he and Lance relocated to New York and started their band Mumps ("The Great Lost Band of the CBGB's scene" - All Music Guide). He went on to tour with the Contortions on guitar, was "Tad Among" on the James White and the Blacks "Off White" LP, toured Europe with Lydia Lunch on drums, started his own loungeabilly band the Swinging Madisons ("Screamingly, howlingly funny" - Stereo Review), started a folk parody band with Ann Magnuson (whom he had met as musical director for the legendary New Wave Vaudeville show) called Bleaker Street Incident ("The funniest group yet to offer harmonies of discontent" - Los Angeles Times).
Concurrently with his other 80's projects, he became musical director and wrote and arranged most of the pop hits for Klaus Nomi. He has since released four acclaimed solo CDs ("Kristian Hoffman's 'Fop' is a 17 song masterpiece sure to blow your mind!" - Magnet). He was Rufus Wainwright's musical director for his first American/Canadian tour, toured for 5 years as Dave Davies' keyboardist, toured and wrote songs with Congo Norvell and Abby Travis, produced and arranged two solo CDs for Ann Magnuson, and has been on myriad other recordings and had his songs covered by Marc Almond(!) and an obscure Finnish heavy metal band - the Tumppi Varonen Band! Currently he is musical director at the Brookledge Follies, is collaborating with and writing songs for Prince Poppycock, and plays in a 30's stye three part harmony band, the Roswell Sisters. As an aside, he also drew the New York Dolls infamous "Bendover Girl" LP insert.
Appearing with his band members Pierre Smith, Kim Serene, and Slim Evans, all of whom have toured with El Vez extensively,
Kristian Hoffman is delighted to be playing with one of his favorite bands, Marizane - for whom he just happened to illustrate their recent CD, "Cosmosis".
It all started with a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame, where an innocent afternoon wandering the exhibits led acclaimed LA singer and songwriter Eleni Mandell on an unexpected journey of profound musical and personal self-discovery culminating in Dark Lights Up, her tenth and most captivating album yet.
Touring the world with her two young children in tow, Mandell has always tried to work educational and entertaining stops into her routing: national parks, museums, trains, waterslides. So during a tour stop in Nashville last winter, she brought the kids to the CMHOF to learn about some of her heroes like Hank Williams, George Jones, Buck Owens, and Tammy Wynette. Instead, she learned something about herself.
It was a profound experience for me, says Mandell, whos earned raves everywhere from The New Yorker and Entertainment Weekly to SPIN and the Associated Press for an eclectic catalog that spans nearly two decades and evokes everything from Tom Waits and X to Chan Marshall and Patsy Cline. Seeing all their lyrics and guitars on display made me reflect on just how deeply Id been influenced by classic country.
Mandells kids fell in love with Roger Miller and refused to let her take his music out of the cars CD player for the rest of the year.
I was really struck by how simple his production was, and how central his voice and how open the sound on the record was, Mandell remembers. It was really organic. There arent a lot of layers, and the melody and his voice and the wordswhether theyre some of the sillier songs or more poignant onesI thought they were more beautiful for it. It made me want to de-clutter and strip away and make something simple that still sounded full and beautiful.
So thats exactly what Mandell did. Co-producing the new album herself with longtime friend and collaborator Sheldon Gomberg in his Silver Lake studio, Mandell distilled her songs down to their purest cores, assembling all of the musicians together in a single room with only acoustic instruments to cut the record live in just four days.
I like working quickly, explains Mandell, so I decided to do it this way, which is probably how Roger Miller recorded, too. They tended to work quickly and not be too precious in those days. It was so fun and fresh and different.
The result is an utterly charming, beguiling album, drawing on elements of folk, jazz, and standards with an infectious charisma, as Mandells voice melts over the stripped-down arrangements to create a lush, sensuous intimacy. It all kicks off with the wry humor of Im Old Fashioned, which showcases Mandells trademark blend of sharp wit and heartfelt sincerity, while at the same time giving a nod to the throwback approach she and her band took in the studio.
I wrote this after the first Sunday that I had the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times delivered to my door for the first time in years, she remembers. I was so excited to start reading the newspaper the old fashioned way; to hold it in my hands; to have my kids see me reading it the way I used to see my parents read it on Sunday mornings. Im trying to get away from looking at screens in our home, and it made me think about all the things that might be silly but I still like to do, like walking into the post office or the bank when there are more convenient ways to go through life. Im not perfect in this regard, but Im doing what I can to get back to a simpler way of life.
The simple things hold the most tantalizing appeal in Mandells music, and moments of transcendence can be found in the most mundane and unexpected places. In China Garden Buffet, she recounts a head-spinning kiss after an unremarkable dinner at the eponymous restaurant, while Magic Pair of Shoes imagines a world of success and riches thats just one set of stilettos away, and What Love Can Do tells the story of a dark time in her life unwittingly brightened by a passing stranger.
Years ago I was trying to immerse myself in the French language by spending time in Paris by myself, she remembers. It was one of the most difficult things Ive ever done and I was completely miserable (yet, I would do it again). On my last night there I was walking to meet friends and was standing at the corner waiting for the light to change. At that moment, a man on a bicycle pulled up. Our eyes met. I shivered. His light turned green and he rode away. I was watching him and he turned to look back at me and we smiled. It was my first truly happy moment in Paris. I love those times in life where for a millisecond you feel love, even in a passing way.
While romantic desire may be a fleeting notion in Mandells songs, she finds a much more permanent love in her relationship with her twins, who proved to be a fount of inspiration for her 2014 album Lets Fly A Kite. The LA Times called that release a lovely record about the heart, children, commitment, joy and other Saturday afternoon-style pleasures, raving that Mandell was at her lyrically precise best. Writing with her children in mind once again brings out Mandells poetic and playful side on Dark Lights Up, as she paints a vivid family portrait in Butter Blonde and Chocolate Brown.
I used to tell my daughter that her hair was the color of toast with butter melted in it because she had been a yellowish blonde but her hair was turning to brown, Mandell says of the tracks inspiration. I have no idea what color eyes she has, so I tell her theyre ocean colored, sometimes green, sometimes blue and sometimes gray. My son is such a boy, always taking things apart and asking how they work.
That Dark Lights Up is her tenth solo album is a milestone not lost on Mandell. Looking back on the arc of her remarkable careerwhich began with 1999s Wishbone, recorded with Jon Brion and Ethan JohnsMandel describes her evolution as one of finding her true self as both an artist and a woman.
I like what Im doing now because Im so much more comfortable in my own skin, with my own way of writing, she says. I fully enjoy every aspect of being a musician, from when you feel really good about something you write alone in your living room to playing it with other people to performing it onstage. All of it is so fun and such a joy and an incredible way to connect with other humans and understand yourself better.
One need only press play on Dark Lights Up to understand exactly what Mandell means. Its the sound of a smile from a passing stranger in a lonely city, of an unexpected first kiss after a dinner at a Chinese restaurant, of an idyllic afternoon strolling through country music history. Dark Lights Up is an ode to simplicity, a welcome reminder of the rewards that await those who travel through life with open eyes and an open heart.
The Wild Honey Foundation, a 501 (3)(c) non-profit, seeks to celebrate and keep alive the passion, creativity, and idealism of the musical giants of the late 20th century and pass on their legacy to future generations. Wild Honey shows bring together the global music community to raise funds for a variety of charitable causes, especially autism treatment/research and assisting ailing musicians in financial need https://www.facebook.com/groups/Wildhoneyfoundation/
The Autism Think Tank, NJ is an internationally recognized 501(c)(3) (Non-profit) organization whose mission is to facilitate the medical and psychosocial stabilization of the child and family. Bringing together a team of world renowned medical experts via telemedicine, the Autism Think Tank, NJ is designed to provide a multidisciplinary team approach to the identification and treatment of the complicated medical comorbidities of autism. The Autism Think Tank is committed to improving the lives of children and families in the home, school and community through comprehensive case management, community outreach, research and education.
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LocationWild Honey Eagle Rock Backyard Amphitheater (View)
1167 Kipling Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90041
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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Contact
| Owner: Wild Honey |
| On BPT Since: Mar 11, 2013 |
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| Paul Rock |
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