Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Musette at Cafe 322 in Sierra Madre April 21

April 21 represents a meaningful milestone for MUSETTE, a collective of acclaimed LA-based independent artists and musicians: Gia Ciambotti, Nicole Gordon, Claire Holley, Kristin Mooney, Carl Byron and Bliss Bowen. On Wednesday, April 21, they will celebrate their one-year anniversary at their monthly residency at Sierra Madre's Cafe 322 - no small feat in LA's volatile musical climate.

Between them, Kristin Mooney, Claire Holley, Nicole Gordon and Gia Ciambotti have sung with the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Lucinda Williams, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Peter Himmelman, Gerry Goffin, Caroline Herring, Rusty Truck and the James Gang. Individually, they've each released solo albums to admiring reviews and have placed numerous songs in film and TV.

Writer/singer Bowen was inspired to organize MUSETTE (originally named Song Sirens) after seeing Memphis friend Susan Marshall anchor a weekly show with other women artists in Tennessee. Deeply impressed by the harmonies and spontaneity, she reached out to Ciambotti, Gordon, Holley and Mooney to birth a West Coast version with a California spirit and sound. The results exceeded everyone's hopeful expectations.

As Ciambotti quipped from the stage in August, "This isn't a band; it's a sisterhood." Indeed. The laughter and camaraderie that erupt around the rehearsal table inevitably find their way onto the stage.

Accompanied by keyboardist par excellence Carl Byron (Sin City AllStars, Michelle Shocked, Anne McCue), these artists and friends all perform singly and together, harmonizing with one another in various combinations on their own songs as well as a smattering of favorite soul, rock and roots covers. Their heart-grabbing harmony blend has impressed jaded industry veterans and music-loving locals alike, as well as tastemakers and fellow musicians from across LA who regularly gravitate to Musette's monthly gatherings.

Musician/Cafe 322 owner Mario Lalli readily offered the group a monthly residency that has enabled Musette to polish their sound and repertoire. Over the past year they've been pleased to host out-of-town guests like Susan Marshall as well as several critically praised artists from across the LA scene, including Jake La Botz, Dead Rock West, Rico Bell of the Mekons, Sally Jaye and Sweet Talk Radio - not to mention one surprise appearance by the ever-supportive Lucinda Williams, who sang "Still I Long for Your Kiss" with angelic harmonies from Susan Marshall and Musette on a night few in the packed house will soon forget.

Musette and special guests will celebrate their one-year anniversary at Cafe 322 from 8 'til 11 p.m. Wednesday, April 21. Admission and parking are free. To hear songs and/or learn more about Musette, please visit
www.myspace.com/songsirens and/or www.reverbnation.com/songsirens.

Cafe 322 is located at 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre; call (626) 836-5414 for reservations and info. Please direct further inquiries to songsirens@gmail.com

No comments: