Sierra Madre's Kim Grant Shares Her Musical Picks

Echo Park's Grand Ole Echo is certainly one of city's most popular--and, populist--country and Americana events. It's free, for all ages--and barbecue is served.

The Grand Old Echo happens just about every Sunday between April and October starting at five in the evening at The Echo.

Founded by Pam Moore and Sierra Madre resident Kim Grant (with Echo booker Liz Garo), the GOE is now in its sixth year.

Grant makes her living as a publicist. She's a busy lady. But when I emailed to ask what was on her playlist these days, she hollered right back:

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Hey Anthea,

We listen to a LOT of old music in my household (60s and 70s country, rock and psychedelic stuff).

When it comes to the new stuff, I mostly stay in the Americana genre and these folks are all locals. LA is a minefield.

Singer-Songwriter Matt Ellis popped down to the GOE one night and gave me a delightful box of artifacts, which housed his CD-Births, Deaths, Marriages. The song I'm listening to over and over again is "Heart of Mine". Really great stuff.

Former honkey-tonker, David Serby will be releasing a new folk record Poor Man's Poem and has been playing the songs out live. My favorite is "Off the Caroliners," which is almost a sea shanty. He and his band The Dirt Poor Folklore recently played the GOE. The critics are raving about the record and him, as he opened the stage for Kris Kristofferson at this year's Stagecoach Festival.

My good friend, Susan James has a new record out called Highways, Ghosts, Hearts & Home, and there's a really great psychedelic song called "Out in the Woods" that is one of my favorites. She performed live recently at one of the Rhino Pop-Up store nights and just wowed the audience. The lady can play a mean guitar!

Former leader of the indie group, The Juliana Theory, Brett Detar has a come out with a country record called Bird in the Tangle. You can go to his website and download the album for free, but I highly recommend purchasing the vinyl if you like what you hear. Besides the terrific music, you get this amazing artwork and the cover is hand-screened.

Lastly, I can't leave out my boys, Old Californio. They just released a brand new record called Sundrunk Angels, which you'll be hearing lots about. It's a groovy mixture of rock, country-folk and proto-psychedelic music. The song I recommend trying out: " A Cool Place in the Light." 

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