Jodi Siegel

SONGS AND STORIES-SINGER/SONGWRITER EVENT - BRIAN WHELAN, BERNIE LARSEN, HAROLD PAYNE, JODI SIEGEL - $15 TICKETS AT THE DOOR - 2 drink minimum and there is an excellent Taco truck for food! https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-write-off-room-17976072805 Brian Whelan (Dwight Yoakam, Jim Lauderdale, 7 Horse Band) Bernie Larsen (Melissa Ethridge, Lucinda Williams, Public Enemy, El Rayo X) Harold Payne (songs recorded by Bobby Womack, Rod Stewart, Patti LaBelle, Temptations) Jodi Siegel (JD Souther, David Lindley, Robert Cray)

BRIAN WHELAN

There’s nothing wrong with Americana. Brian Whelan’s refrain on the opening track of Sugarland immediately lets you know what the singer, songwriter, producer, sideman, and all-around utility savant is all about. The song is cheeky, fast, and pulls no punches. There’s plenty of façade in Whelan’s Los Angeles, but that’s not what he’s here for. He’s here for the tunes. If you’re a frequenter of the Cinema Bar in Culver City, no doubt you know the name Brian Whelan. As a young musician with half a boot still in USC’s music program, Whelan found the bar, found his people, and found his scene. Further down the line, you’ve come across him shredding GOE Sundays at The Echo in Echo Park, singing originals that gets the packed room dancing as much as the covers he slays. But the name was really made playing with country, rock, and Americana stars, such as Houston’s own Mike Stinson, Nashville roots godfather Jim Lauderdale, and Los Angeles rocker Chris Shiflett. Whelan put his unmistakable mark on the national scene as the prolific sideman behind urban cowboy Dwight Yoakam, playing guitar, keys, pedal steel, and anything else that was required or requested. From budding fan to established keystone, Whelan is now at the center of that Los Angeles Americana scene he discovered years ago. Perhaps the most interesting quality in Whelan is the one not hidden, but bleeding through every second of the 33-minute Sugarland: earnestness. It’s a trait Los Angeles is bereft of; a town that wrings the optimism out of every heartland kid with an eye on the screen or a guitar in the trunk of that car that carried them west. The driving guitar riffs, the soaring vocals, and the love-fueled lyrics that define Whelan’s solo songwriting endeavors aren’t contrived; they don’t come from a flavor of the week proclamation on pitchfork or the current Coachella lineup. Brian Whelan can do a lot of things, but there are two things he won’t do – boring and bullshit.

“As “Rock & Roll Dream,” the song premiering here demonstrates, Whelan’s music is thrown down with a deep streak of Holly’s luminous ebullience and a spicy twist of Chuck Berry’s elegantly tailored, meter-caressing lingua rocka, but the prickly message and slightly dog-eared delivery are Whelan’s alone.” – Jonny Whiteside, LA Weekly |

“Whelan, the youthful, brilliant, outspoken ex–Dwight Yoakam guitarist, is the guy. Unbeholden to anything except his own taste and instinct, both of which seem nigh on infallible, Whelan takes a free-thinking, hard-hitting, ideally realized approach to his music. It rocks hard, it digs deep, it’s redolent with that nearly lost, shimmering, Southwestern desert rapture common to Buckaroos guitarist Don Rich and West Texas paragon Buddy Holly. Whelan gives a damn and doesn’t hold back; he mixes it all up with an honest dynamism that’s his alone. His marvelous 2016 “Americana” went in for the kill: “You industry kids with your college wit/You’re a pretty nice guy but you sound like shit/You could change it if you really wanna/There is nothing wrong with Americana.” It’s a playful throwdown that represents not just a challenge but also, far more important, encouragement for his peers to take it further. And we all need a lot more of that.” – Jonny Whiteside, LA Weekly

BERNIE LARSEN

Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist and producer bernie larsen has lived a charmed musical life for many years. He has recorded, toured, and produced an elite handful of artists most of which are Grammy Award recipients including Melissa Etheridge, Jackson Browne, Rickie Lee Jones, Lucinda Williams, and Public Enemy. He also spent six years as an original member of David Lindley’s legendary band El Rayo-X. He worked as producer and composer of music for films like "Friends With Money" starring Jennifer Anniston, and "Elsewhere" featuring Oscar nominated actress Anna Kendrick, and the soundtrack will be released this year through Immediate Music. He has put his stain on remixes and singles for artists like Low’s Alan Sparhawk and KCRW favorite West Indian Girl. His new solo record “Downward Dub", comprises of songs that range from dark wave to dub reggae to the track “Take Me In”, a minor key lilting reggae feel featuring the late, great Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Ian “Mac” McLagan on keyboards, and Lucinda Williams’ rhythm section. Cry on Cue’s latest release, Love + Trust, is the result of a collaboration with renowned reggae producer Karl Pitterson, whose recording credits include such reggae greats as Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer and Toots and the Maytals. Pandora’s Cry On Cue radio has been building a steady following since it’s debut last year. The resulting record is one that Reggae Beat magazine called “…rock-solid reggae as crisp and bright as anything on the Harder They Come soundtrack… a Tour de Force.” A versatile player, Larsen is heard on guitar, bass, keyboards, and vocals; but, according to Vintage Guitar Magazine, his “strength is rhythm...the term ‘rock-steady’ could have been invented for him.” Dan Forte

HAROLD PAYNE

Harold Payne is a multi-platinum and Posi award-winning songwriter whose soulful uplifting songs and husky heartfelt vocals have graced stages around the world. He has written songs for such diverse artists as Rod Stewart, Patti LaBelle, the Temptations, and long time collaborator, Bobby Womack—literally from Peter Paul and Mary to Snoop Dogg. Most recently, Rudimental reached #1 on the UK album charts containing the Womack/Payne song “New Day”, “Daylight” charted with Kelly Rowland plus the CD “Bravest Man in the Universe” which was co-written by Payne, Bobby Womack, Damon Albarn (Gorillaz) & Richard Russell (XL Recordings) received the prestigious “Q” award in the UK for “Best Album of the Year.”

Although a major part of Harold Payne’s career has involved songwriting, he has maintained a performance schedule over several decades averaging over 200 dates per year. Harold has played just about every imaginable venue… from amphitheaters, festivals & Houses of Blues to corporate events, houses of worship & house concerts. He has opened for the likes of Van Morrison, Kenny Loggins, Heart, Emmy Lou Harris, Air Supply & Hawaiian legend “Iz” (Israel Kamakawiwo`ole). He was also invited by Jimmy Webb & Paul Williams to perform their songs at tribute concerts, and created customs songs for Regis Philbin, Al Pacino & Bob Cavallo. Most recently, Harold has created a one man themed show called ‘Under the Radar Over the Moon.’ At every performance he presents at least one “ON THE SPOT” improv creation, which is truly his musical signature! He often uses his uncanny gift for spontaneity to create recap songs, of talks just presented. Harold’s custom material for various tributes, “team building” and leadership activities help make special events more entertaining and interactive, while still imparting important content. All of Payne’s performances are soulful, heartfelt and humorous.

JODI SIEGEL

Jodi Siegel, originally from Chicago, IL, is a singer, songwriter and guitarist. Over the years Jodi has opened for and or shared the stage with many respected musicians including: Albert King, Robben Ford, Robert Cray, J.D. Souther, David Lindley, Fred Tacket and Paul Barrere (Little Feat) and countless others. Her songs have been recorded by Maria Muldaur, Marcia Ball, Tommy Ridgley and Teresa James.

She has recorded two CD'S; Stepping Stone and her latest CD, “Wild Hearts,” produced by Steve Postell (Immediate Family, David Crosby, Eric Johnson, Robben Ford, Iain Matthews), is filled with great songs, cool grooves, intimate, smart lyrics and some of the best of the best musicians in Los Angeles today including; Mike Finnigan (organ, piano), Hutch Hutchinson, Abe Laborial Sr., Alphonso Johnson (bass), Russ Kunkel, Michael Jerome Moore, John Ferraro, Arno Lucas (drums, percussion), Joe Sublett (Saxophone) and Maxayne Lewis and Clydene Jackson (background vocals). Each song has a soulful delivery with an undeniable down-home elegance. It has received great reviews by Patrick Simmons (Doobie Brothers), Maria Muldaur, Walter Trout, David Mansfield (T Bone Burnett), Leland Sklar, Mike Finnigan and Doug Macleod to name a few.

SONGS AND STORIES-SINGER/SONGWRITER EVENT - BRIAN WHELAN, BERNIE LARSEN, HAROLD PAYNE, JODI SIEGEL - $15 TICKETS AT THE DOOR - 2 drink minimum and there is an excellent Taco truck for food! https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-write-off-room-17976072805 Brian Whelan (Dwight Yoakam, Jim Lauderdale, 7 Horse Band) Bernie Larsen (Melissa Ethridge, Lucinda Williams, Public Enemy, El Rayo X) Harold Payne (songs recorded by Bobby Womack, Rod Stewart, Patti LaBelle, Temptations) Jodi Siegel (JD Souther, David Lindley, Robert Cray)

BRIAN WHELAN

There’s nothing wrong with Americana. Brian Whelan’s refrain on the opening track of Sugarland immediately lets you know what the singer, songwriter, producer, sideman, and all-around utility savant is all about. The song is cheeky, fast, and pulls no punches. There’s plenty of façade in Whelan’s Los Angeles, but that’s not what he’s here for. He’s here for the tunes. If you’re a frequenter of the Cinema Bar in Culver City, no doubt you know the name Brian Whelan. As a young musician with half a boot still in USC’s music program, Whelan found the bar, found his people, and found his scene. Further down the line, you’ve come across him shredding GOE Sundays at The Echo in Echo Park, singing originals that gets the packed room dancing as much as the covers he slays. But the name was really made playing with country, rock, and Americana stars, such as Houston’s own Mike Stinson, Nashville roots godfather Jim Lauderdale, and Los Angeles rocker Chris Shiflett. Whelan put his unmistakable mark on the national scene as the prolific sideman behind urban cowboy Dwight Yoakam, playing guitar, keys, pedal steel, and anything else that was required or requested. From budding fan to established keystone, Whelan is now at the center of that Los Angeles Americana scene he discovered years ago. Perhaps the most interesting quality in Whelan is the one not hidden, but bleeding through every second of the 33-minute Sugarland: earnestness. It’s a trait Los Angeles is bereft of; a town that wrings the optimism out of every heartland kid with an eye on the screen or a guitar in the trunk of that car that carried them west. The driving guitar riffs, the soaring vocals, and the love-fueled lyrics that define Whelan’s solo songwriting endeavors aren’t contrived; they don’t come from a flavor of the week proclamation on pitchfork or the current Coachella lineup. Brian Whelan can do a lot of things, but there are two things he won’t do – boring and bullshit.

“As “Rock & Roll Dream,” the song premiering here demonstrates, Whelan’s music is thrown down with a deep streak of Holly’s luminous ebullience and a spicy twist of Chuck Berry’s elegantly tailored, meter-caressing lingua rocka, but the prickly message and slightly dog-eared delivery are Whelan’s alone.” – Jonny Whiteside, LA Weekly |

“Whelan, the youthful, brilliant, outspoken ex–Dwight Yoakam guitarist, is the guy. Unbeholden to anything except his own taste and instinct, both of which seem nigh on infallible, Whelan takes a free-thinking, hard-hitting, ideally realized approach to his music. It rocks hard, it digs deep, it’s redolent with that nearly lost, shimmering, Southwestern desert rapture common to Buckaroos guitarist Don Rich and West Texas paragon Buddy Holly. Whelan gives a damn and doesn’t hold back; he mixes it all up with an honest dynamism that’s his alone. His marvelous 2016 “Americana” went in for the kill: “You industry kids with your college wit/You’re a pretty nice guy but you sound like shit/You could change it if you really wanna/There is nothing wrong with Americana.” It’s a playful throwdown that represents not just a challenge but also, far more important, encouragement for his peers to take it further. And we all need a lot more of that.” – Jonny Whiteside, LA Weekly

BERNIE LARSEN

Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist and producer bernie larsen has lived a charmed musical life for many years. He has recorded, toured, and produced an elite handful of artists most of which are Grammy Award recipients including Melissa Etheridge, Jackson Browne, Rickie Lee Jones, Lucinda Williams, and Public Enemy. He also spent six years as an original member of David Lindley’s legendary band El Rayo-X. He worked as producer and composer of music for films like "Friends With Money" starring Jennifer Anniston, and "Elsewhere" featuring Oscar nominated actress Anna Kendrick, and the soundtrack will be released this year through Immediate Music. He has put his stain on remixes and singles for artists like Low’s Alan Sparhawk and KCRW favorite West Indian Girl. His new solo record “Downward Dub", comprises of songs that range from dark wave to dub reggae to the track “Take Me In”, a minor key lilting reggae feel featuring the late, great Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Ian “Mac” McLagan on keyboards, and Lucinda Williams’ rhythm section. Cry on Cue’s latest release, Love + Trust, is the result of a collaboration with renowned reggae producer Karl Pitterson, whose recording credits include such reggae greats as Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer and Toots and the Maytals. Pandora’s Cry On Cue radio has been building a steady following since it’s debut last year. The resulting record is one that Reggae Beat magazine called “…rock-solid reggae as crisp and bright as anything on the Harder They Come soundtrack… a Tour de Force.” A versatile player, Larsen is heard on guitar, bass, keyboards, and vocals; but, according to Vintage Guitar Magazine, his “strength is rhythm...the term ‘rock-steady’ could have been invented for him.” Dan Forte

HAROLD PAYNE

Harold Payne is a multi-platinum and Posi award-winning songwriter whose soulful uplifting songs and husky heartfelt vocals have graced stages around the world. He has written songs for such diverse artists as Rod Stewart, Patti LaBelle, the Temptations, and long time collaborator, Bobby Womack—literally from Peter Paul and Mary to Snoop Dogg. Most recently, Rudimental reached #1 on the UK album charts containing the Womack/Payne song “New Day”, “Daylight” charted with Kelly Rowland plus the CD “Bravest Man in the Universe” which was co-written by Payne, Bobby Womack, Damon Albarn (Gorillaz) & Richard Russell (XL Recordings) received the prestigious “Q” award in the UK for “Best Album of the Year.”

Although a major part of Harold Payne’s career has involved songwriting, he has maintained a performance schedule over several decades averaging over 200 dates per year. Harold has played just about every imaginable venue… from amphitheaters, festivals & Houses of Blues to corporate events, houses of worship & house concerts. He has opened for the likes of Van Morrison, Kenny Loggins, Heart, Emmy Lou Harris, Air Supply & Hawaiian legend “Iz” (Israel Kamakawiwo`ole). He was also invited by Jimmy Webb & Paul Williams to perform their songs at tribute concerts, and created customs songs for Regis Philbin, Al Pacino & Bob Cavallo. Most recently, Harold has created a one man themed show called ‘Under the Radar Over the Moon.’ At every performance he presents at least one “ON THE SPOT” improv creation, which is truly his musical signature! He often uses his uncanny gift for spontaneity to create recap songs, of talks just presented. Harold’s custom material for various tributes, “team building” and leadership activities help make special events more entertaining and interactive, while still imparting important content. All of Payne’s performances are soulful, heartfelt and humorous.

JODI SIEGEL

Jodi Siegel, originally from Chicago, IL, is a singer, songwriter and guitarist. Over the years Jodi has opened for and or shared the stage with many respected musicians including: Albert King, Robben Ford, Robert Cray, J.D. Souther, David Lindley, Fred Tacket and Paul Barrere (Little Feat) and countless others. Her songs have been recorded by Maria Muldaur, Marcia Ball, Tommy Ridgley and Teresa James.

She has recorded two CD'S; Stepping Stone and her latest CD, “Wild Hearts,” produced by Steve Postell (Immediate Family, David Crosby, Eric Johnson, Robben Ford, Iain Matthews), is filled with great songs, cool grooves, intimate, smart lyrics and some of the best of the best musicians in Los Angeles today including; Mike Finnigan (organ, piano), Hutch Hutchinson, Abe Laborial Sr., Alphonso Johnson (bass), Russ Kunkel, Michael Jerome Moore, John Ferraro, Arno Lucas (drums, percussion), Joe Sublett (Saxophone) and Maxayne Lewis and Clydene Jackson (background vocals). Each song has a soulful delivery with an undeniable down-home elegance. It has received great reviews by Patrick Simmons (Doobie Brothers), Maria Muldaur, Walter Trout, David Mansfield (T Bone Burnett), Leland Sklar, Mike Finnigan and Doug Macleod to name a few.