Susie Glaze is something of a renaissance woman, having cut her teeth in musical theater. Her band the New Folk Ensemble have been kicking around since 2016, and they perform at Boulevard Music on Saturday. Glaze told the News about what she has on store for Culver City…
When did you start playing and performing?
I began playing and performing as a teenager, growing up in Middle Tennessee, performing at writer’s nights with my brother in Nashville. I gravitated to musical theater and got a degree at UT Knoxville, along with a union card as an actor, and disappeared into theater for a long time. I made it to a Broadway show, Big River, in 1986 (a country score by Roger Miller). I moved to L.A. in 1988 and joined the Eight Hand String Band in the late ‘90s. I guested with them on their album from 2000, The Simple Truth and began my own music career after that. How did the band form? I first formed the Hilonesome Band in 2003 to feature the songwriting of lead guitarist Rob Carlson. My husband Steve Rankin (mandolin/guitar/bouzouki) and I met Rob in 2002 at a music festival and worked with him from then on. When Carlson left the band in 2016, the four players left formed a new group called the New Folk Ensemble, which is in existence today. Players are Steve (mentioned above), along with Mark Indictor on fiddle and Fred Sanders on bass.
Describe your sound/style?
The group has been likened to the classic British bands Pentangle and Fairport Convention in that they blend classic folk music with rough-edged stories of tragedy and fate, all with orchestral arrangements sounding like chamber music gone folk. The band has appeared at many premier venues and festivals on the West Coast, including Berkeley’s Freight & Salvage, McCabe’s Guitar Shop, the Broad Stage, the Hollywood Bowl, Palms Playhouse, Don Quixote’s Music Hall, Kuumbwa Jazz Center and CalTech Folk Music Society among others.
What are your career highlights so far?
Playing Merlefest in 2016, appearing multiple times at McCabe’s Guitar Shop in L.A., and appearing multiple times at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley. We produced Live From albums at both of those two venues.
What recorded music do you have available?
Our latest album is Do You Have This in Blue? Here’s some info: Celebrating their new recording Do You Have This in Blue, the band will be bringing the new music from last spring’s release to this concert along with fan favorites from their Americana songbook and originals.
Have you performed at Boulevard Music before? Any memories?
Yes, multiple times. I like playing here for the intimate feel and sound of the room.
What can the audience expect from the set this time?
The above language sets up the concert concept.
What else do you have coming up?
My next project will be a recording and music video of the song “Home” written by Karla Bonoff — coming in the spring. In the meantime, I teach voice and coach performers one-on-one either online or in person from our Burbank studio.
The Susie Glaze New Folk Ensemble (with special guest Laurence Juber) perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 2 at Boulevard Music. Go to boulevardmusic.com for more information about the show.
Elsewhere this week
The Culver Hotel will be hosting the likes of Sylvia & the Rhythm Boys, and Scotty Bramer. Go to culverhotel.com for more info.
There’s a full program of music at the Cinema Bar this week, as usual. The Hot Club of Los Angeles plays every Monday, and Wednesdays are singer/songwriter and open mic night. Other artists performing this week include Tony Gilkyson, the Clams, Jim Doyle & Company, and Bruce Ray White. Go to thecinemabar.com for more info.