Photo: Courtesy of elenimandell.com
Los Angeles-based Eleni Mandell came onto the singer/songwriter scene in the late 1990s with a splash, working on her debut album with the legendary Jon Brion. Several years later in 2001, on the opposite coast, The New Yorker called Eleni “the best unsigned artist in the business.” While some artists would consistently fight that “unsigned” tag, Eleni has instead remained prolific, critically-acclaimed and full of creative control, recently releasing her 11th full-length album (and third release for the Yep Roc label), Dark Lights Up.
Aside from her remarkable solo career, Eleni is also one-third of The Living Sisters, a folk “supergroup” also including The Bird & The Bee’s Inara George and Lavender Diamond’s Becky Stark. Three albums have been released by The Living Sisters over the past five years. As if one all-star band weren’t enough, Eleni has also released two albums with The Grabs, which also includes Steve Gregoropoulos of the aforementioned Lavender Diamond, Nigel Harrison from Blondie and percussionist Elvira Gonzales.
Then there’s also a new band with Mike Green, who played on Dark Lights Up beyond albums with Heidecker & Wood, Jenny O. and Charlie Wadhams.
Eleni will be making a rare New York appearance this weekend at The Mercury Lounge on Sunday, August 2nd. Per our Q&A, beyond some “kissing music,” a lot of illumination is to be expected from this performance.
What’s in store for those attending your gig at The Mercury Lounge?
Eleni Mandell: I’m going to wear something fabulous and lipstick so bright that should there be a blackout, I can continue the show just from the power of emitted from said lipstick. And besides that, I will be playing songs from all my records. I like to play lots of the older songs and then I’ll throw in some of the new ones. I also take requests, though I prefer to get the requests in advance.
Photo: Courtesy of elenimandell.com
For longtime fans who haven’t yet picked up your new album, Dark Lights Up, how would you describe it?
E: Hmmm…I think it’s a record I’ve always wanted to make; more stripped down, open and full of life and spontaneity. It doesn’t have the angst of earlier records but I’m not morose anymore! It does refer to kissing quite a bit, which is great because I finally figured what kind of music I make: kissing music.
Might we see another album from The Living Sisters in the future?
E: After the holiday record, we decided that we’d just release one holiday song each year but then Inara sent everyone a new song she wrote that she thought would be good for us. I think, despite the odds of getting us all in the same room together, we probably will record another record.
Living Sisters aside, after this current tour is over, what’s looking ahead for you?
E: I started a new side project with the drummer of my recent release, Mike Green. He is a great singer and we started writing together and singing harmonies. It started with my desire to have a Conway Twitty/Loretta Lynn cover band, but morphed into originals that combine my love of classic country and his love of soft rock from the ’70s. We’ve recorded seven songs and plan to finish a full-length record when I’m finished with this tour. I also feel very inspired when I tour, especially in the United States. This country is so beautiful and strange! So, I am getting that feeling that new songs are on the way.
Is there something you wish more people knew about you?
E: Sometimes I wish people knew how goofy and silly I am; how much I love to dance and love to laugh. But then I wish I was more mysterious like the artists I loved as a kid.
When you’re not working on music or on the road, what do you like to do with yourself?
E: I love seeing my friends. It can be difficult to find the time when you’ve got young kids but I just love my friends. I feel like I know the best people in LA. Some friends drift away when you’ve got kids and they don’t think you’re fun anymore. I hope they’re reading this and that they know I am exactly the same as I was before kids, I’m just more tired. And I promise I won’t talk about my kids! Obviously, I love working on music. I’m very excited to get back to The Greens, my project with Mike G. Harmony-singing is probably my favorite thing.
Do you have a favorite spot in Manhattan to hang at when not occupied with soundcheck and being around venues?
E: Manhattan changes so much each time I return. It’s like starting from scratch and I can feel overwhelmed. But some things remain and I always love to go into Russ and Daughters Appetizers. It gives me a wistful feeling…I just want to hang out in there all day. I used to make a point of going to Barney Greengrass on the Upper West Side, but it’s so far away from where I usually need to be.
Finally, Eleni, any last words for the kids?
E: Stay in school!
-by Darren Paltrowitz
