Johnette Napolitano will be debuting new songs, familiar songs, and telling her exceptionally remarkable stories at Johnny D’s on April 16. — Photo by Amber Rogers

By Jim Clark

In contrast to the serenity of her high desert retreat in Joshua Tree, CA, Johnette Napolitano bubbles with excitement in anticipation of her upcoming solo tour, kicking off at Johnny D’s Uptown Restaurant and Music Club in Somerville on Thursday, April 16.

“I feel like I’m pregnant. I’ve never been pregnant but I think this is what it must feel like,” she effuses, referencing the new album of solo material that she is in the process of creating, and is partially debuting on this tour in performance and in the form of a three-song EP entitled Naked, to be expanded later in the year to a full album.

Primarily known for her work as front woman of the critically lauded and wildly popular indie rock band Concrete Blonde, which is currently on hiatus, Napolitano says she is bursting at the seams with creative ideas for a new full album of solo music.

The EP, which will be available as a limited edition at her upcoming shows and online thereafter, is something of a gift for both her long time fans and those who will be introduced to her artistry. “I had to get something out quick because of the tour dates coming up,” Napolitano said. “I’ve been selling my book [Rough Mix] on the road for the last couple of years now, and people have been asking for music, so I can’t go out again without some music to show up with.”

Johnette Napolitano, a solo gypsy with a kind of dangerous acoustic guitar. — Photo by Barfly

Concrete Blonde emerged in the 80’s as one of the most popular bands of its time. With eight studio albums to its credit, a loyal following was established. 1990’s Bloodletting is recognized as one of its more popular albums, and the single Joey enjoyed great success as a top 20 hit. Between breaks with the band, Napolitano explored new musical realms as a solo artist, and stood in for a time fronting the post-David Byrne iteration of Talking Heads, The Heads.

She also spent a considerable amount of time working with legendary musician Leon Russell. “Leon is in his own class altogether” she says. “Everybody always thinks of him as this old psychedelic hippie, but he always surrounded himself with the top technical minds. He’s probably the best musician alive. People who are supposed to be really good can’t keep up with him.”

Her current project, completing songs for the Naked album, has animated her and serves to propel her enthusiasm for the music. “I really do like it and it really set me up,” Napolitano says. “It was kind of like, ‘What do I do?’ I’ve got a million things started conceptually and a million tracks that don’t sound like each other that don’t necessarily fit together as a consistent body of work. I’ve got some stuff that’s very heavily orchestrated, but the way I’ve enjoyed touring and the way I really want to do it is the whole gypsy solo with guitar thing. That’s really fun to me. Stick with acoustic guitar – but it’s a kind of dangerous acoustic guitar.”

As an artist with discriminating integrity, she says that she knows when it feels right and goes for it when that happens. “I don’t want to do anything unless I passionately want to do it. It used to be that when you had record companies leaning over your shoulder and you had to have something out by the first quarter of the next year they’d say, ‘Get on it.’ That’s cool. That has its benefits, too, but I don’t really feel that its worth all the moving parts to get something out. It has to be somewhat consistent with what you’re doing live, practically. I’ve always wanted that to make sense,” she said.

Napolitano at her “Ranchette Johnette” home in Joshua Tree, CA, with her horse, Star. — Photo by Amber Rogers

Joining Napolitano on the tour as the opening artist is Laurie Sargent, known to area locals as a member of Twinemen, and prior to that, Face To Face. “She’s just really good, Napolitano says. “Twinemen opened up for Concrete Blonde several times over there. Going out again, I’ve got to take someone with me who I like to listen to. We’ve been having a really good time. She’s a brilliant musician and writer.”

Napolitano says that she and Sargent have enjoyed especially rewarding experiences on the road: “Laurie and I have a really good time. This has been a very Thelma And Louise sort of experience. We had a lot of really good hauntings on our previous run through the east coast. That was a haunted tour, we were having ghost experiences everywhere we went.”

Audiences can expect a fun mix of solo and Concrete Blonde material. “I know the songs people like, and I think there’s a good balance. I read from my book, and that’s really fun. I’m working on a second book and hoping to have something new to read on this tour,” she says.

The eight date solo tour kicks off on April 16 at Johnny D’s, 17 Holland St, Somerville, with a starting time of 7:30 p.m.

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience new and familiar musical works from one of the most original and creative artists working today.

Napolitano’s new EP release Naked.