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🚨JUNE SHOWZ: next TUES 6/2 Don’t miss me @2220arts opening for the lovely @elenimandell for her album release! I’ll be warming the stage at 8pm with @bloodydeathskull (tix 🔗 in bio)‼️
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🔔 My next SUNSPEL SILVER LAKE Day Party will be Saturday, June 27 (SAVE THE DATE 🥂🥂🥂)!
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NORCAL DATES

FOREST KNOLLS, Wednesday, June 17 Papermill Creek Saloon with Jessie Marks — $10 at the door (doors 7pm)
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WALNUT CREEK Friday, June 19
(limited tix available DM for info)
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POINT REYES, Sunday, June 21
Old Western Saloon, 5pm show
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LOS OLIVOS, Wednesday June 24
Mattei’s Tavern 5 - 7pm
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Let’s have a great June, shall we?! 🤘🏼

❤️
JD

Photo by @kellysegrephoto

THREAD AND THE SPARK (Official Music Video) Directed, Improvisationally Choreographed and edited by Jamie Drake OFFICIALLY OUT TODAY! No more teasing; watch the whole thing now and dig it, baby. 🔥 😊 🦋 💋 🙌🏼 🕊️ 🌈 🫶🏼

VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO ✨
Special Effects by @katerentz
Shot on iPhone by Jacques Edouard Jr.

Meant to watch on iPhone - YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/px_PeUE1mIk
(Cover Poster Art by @joel_hase )

#musicvideo #official #threadandthespark #silverlake #diy #carpediem #music #warondrugs #fleetwoodmac #80s #rock #female #singer #songwriter #dance

Life is Cool. I got to help write songs for Jim Henson’s “WOWSABOUT,” Out on PBS Kids May 1st, and I have my wonderful friend, Dorien Davies, to thank for it.

TINY SEEDS 🌲🌲 BIG DREAMS

I met Dorien and Kenny (15?) years ago when they were doing an improv show called “Fries on the Side,“ and my friend Julia asked me if I wanted to be the musical guest. At the time I was barely scraping by, post divorce abuse, working at the Boys and Girls Club as the Director of the Kid’s Music Studio in Santa Monica —and had just begun my journey into following my musical bliss as the professional recording artist, “Jamie Drake.” It was a moment of being seen by an artistic peer; something I had missed out on in my 20s, and certainly something I hadn’t felt in a very long time. Her belief in me felt palpable, and it’s an energy I’ve consistently felt from her over the years; even if we never see each other in person.

When their daughter, Poppy, came along, I invited them to bring her to Griffith Park during a time in my life when I was trying to figure out how to turn my gifts into something “real,” and, so I offered, “Music Makers,” a Kids Songwriting class. I actually wrote a handful of incredible songs with this rag tag group of 4 to 7 year olds for a short period before realizing that my idea was purely a seed for something else.

I had no idea it was the seed of a Sequoia!!! At the beginning of 2022, Dorien askedme if I wanted to be a part of helping write songs for a kids show she was developing with the inspiring, Halle Standford, for Jim Henson, and I of course responded with an excited “YES!!!” Are you kidding? That’s every artist’s DREAM! It’s been a wonder to be a part of something so meaningful from its beginnings… As you watch, you’ll fall in love with both Ronald and Roxy… but Roxy… I really felt akin to her. She was searching for home, and at the time; so was I. And she was just as silly and wild and free as me. Roxy is played by Dorien, an incredible writer, actor, puppeteer, cheerleader, mama and friend. I’m so proud of what she’s created, and that I got to play a role in this AWEsome story. Life is Cool. Thank you very much. JD

Always the New Girl… ⭐️

“New Girl” (out now 7 years 🥲) began as a melody download from the universe and soon after snapshots of memories splashed onto the page of myself at different ages. In each memory I lived in a different state (re: OH ➡️FL ➡️AK ➡️OH ➡️SC ➡️MI ➡️ NYC ➡️ LA): “Standing out on the bus stop trying not to feel cold. I’m going into the first grade at another new school. I am only 8 years old and I just lost my friends all the way back in Florida for these Ozark mountains. I’m always the new girl…” And there it was — a bittersweet, cathartic song for my inner child. I wanted it to feel happy to juxtapose the sheer discomfort I had actually felt moving from place to place constantly. It put me in an out-of-place kind of state for a very long time. Besides never feeling at home anywhere on the earth, it was impossible to feel at home with people when I was constantly having to let go of them.

Years later I learned that my body is my home 🏠 and that I belong everywhere I go as long as I maintain the understanding that I belong to me (belonging to others is something I am still working out but it’s getting brighter haha ;). 💌

I found this archived doodle of me by my extremely talented storyboard artist friend, J Todd Anderson, who’s done most if not all the Coen bros films. This was about a decade ago during my “straight hair days...” Bonus story: J Todd hired me to be in (drum roll) a CHRISTMAS MUSICAL he wrote and produced in his hometown in Ohio in 2017 (tbh the songs were pretty great!) and I had to wear twelve foot high angel wings… 👼🏼 If you read this far (I’m super impressed) plz leave a comment or joke in reference to anything in this tale.
😎
JD

May marks ONE YEAR of “THREAD AND THE SPARK” ⚡️ ♥️ ⚡️

TATS came through the song vortex in a couple of hours with @emmettkai while he produced @peermusic, guitars were added by @austin_myles_grant, @slaythedaymusic came in for 💪🏼 support. @joel_hase made rad artwork and @1nsubordinate set it free into the radio waves. It’s been living in your ears for *almost* a year now while I’ve been sharing it live with @taylorjamesgoss at most of my LA appearances. I produced, directed and edited this vertical music video on my iPhone last year to celebrate her release and here she is again. A song can change your life. This one has deeply changed mine. 🥹🪄

Thank you 🙏🏼 to everyone who’s been a part of this song — a part of my artist life — listening, sharing, singing and dancing to it!

C-ya soon June 2 @2220arts ( 🔗 in bio)

Love,
JD

Perspective is everything 💎 THREAD AND THE SPARK TURNS 🕯️ this month! I can’t believe it… This song really changed something this year. 😢 Let’s keep the ride goin. ⚡️

I am so thrilled to be playing at @2220arts for my record release show on June 2 in my hometown of Los Angeles, CA!

It will be a special night with @jamiethedrake, @bloodydeathskull and poetry by Michael McKee Green!

I’ll be starting on the early side so my fellow day-jobbers can get a good night’s rest. Come early and stay for all the fun. There will be RAFFLE TICKETS for PRIZES!

To make the evening more stupendous, special guests will include: @inara_george @beckystarklark @jennykarrsinger @dopolous @ryanfeves @waterfootdandy @vikram_devasthali I mean, c’mon!

For no reason at all, here I am circa 1989 during college at UC Berkeley wearing my fav @betseyjohnson dress (should’ve kept it), a fake tattoo, and my dyed blonde hair. Should I go blonde again? Rhetorical question!

 And there’s me about 13 years ago, flanked by two greats, @davealvinoriginal (I loved The Blasters!) and Nick Lowe (I got to open for him for 3 weeks not long after that photo was taken), at the @yeproc 15-year birthday bash. Fun!

Have you gotten your tickets to the show? Let me know in the comments!  What will we all wear??  Hopefully, vintage Betsey Johnson!

Poster design by @joel_hase ❤️

#recordrelease #elenimandell #betseyjohnson

I am so thrilled to be playing at @2220arts for my record release show on June 2 in my hometown of Los Angeles, CA!

It will be a special night with @jamiethedrake, @bloodydeathskull and poetry by Michael McKee Green!

I’ll be starting on the early side so my fellow day-jobbers can get a good night’s rest. Come early and stay for all the fun. There will be RAFFLE TICKETS for PRIZES!

To make the evening more stupendous, special guests will include: @inara_george @beckystarklark @jennykarrsinger @dopolous @ryanfeves @waterfootdandy @vikram_devasthali I mean, c’mon!

For no reason at all, here I am circa 1989 during college at UC Berkeley wearing my fav @betseyjohnson dress (should’ve kept it), a fake tattoo, and my dyed blonde hair. Should I go blonde again? Rhetorical question!

 And there’s me about 13 years ago, flanked by two greats, @davealvinoriginal (I loved The Blasters!) and Nick Lowe (I got to open for him for 3 weeks not long after that photo was taken), at the @yeproc 15-year birthday bash. Fun!

Have you gotten your tickets to the show? Let me know in the comments!  What will we all wear??  Hopefully, vintage Betsey Johnson!

Poster design by @joel_hase ❤️

#recordrelease #elenimandell #betseyjohnson

I am so thrilled to be playing at @2220arts for my record release show on June 2 in my hometown of Los Angeles, CA!

It will be a special night with @jamiethedrake, @bloodydeathskull and poetry by Michael McKee Green!

I’ll be starting on the early side so my fellow day-jobbers can get a good night’s rest. Come early and stay for all the fun. There will be RAFFLE TICKETS for PRIZES!

To make the evening more stupendous, special guests will include: @inara_george @beckystarklark @jennykarrsinger @dopolous @ryanfeves @waterfootdandy @vikram_devasthali I mean, c’mon!

For no reason at all, here I am circa 1989 during college at UC Berkeley wearing my fav @betseyjohnson dress (should’ve kept it), a fake tattoo, and my dyed blonde hair. Should I go blonde again? Rhetorical question!

 And there’s me about 13 years ago, flanked by two greats, @davealvinoriginal (I loved The Blasters!) and Nick Lowe (I got to open for him for 3 weeks not long after that photo was taken), at the @yeproc 15-year birthday bash. Fun!

Have you gotten your tickets to the show? Let me know in the comments!  What will we all wear??  Hopefully, vintage Betsey Johnson!

Poster design by @joel_hase ❤️

#recordrelease #elenimandell #betseyjohnson

Jim Henson’s “Wowsabout” OUT NOW on @pbskids ✨ I’m proud to have a finger print on the songwriting for this incredible kids special connecting them to awe and the natural world. Love you guys, thank you for inviting me to the party. Brava!! 🍾🎉 🫶🏼

Jim Henson’s “Wowsabout” OUT NOW on @pbskids ✨ I’m proud to have a finger print on the songwriting for this incredible kids special connecting them to awe and the natural world. Love you guys, thank you for inviting me to the party. Brava!! 🍾🎉 🫶🏼

Jim Henson’s “Wowsabout” OUT NOW on @pbskids ✨ I’m proud to have a finger print on the songwriting for this incredible kids special connecting them to awe and the natural world. Love you guys, thank you for inviting me to the party. Brava!! 🍾🎉 🫶🏼

LA PLAY 🔔 SATURDAY MAY 2ND @taylorjamesgoss (RSVP 🔗 IN BIO) with @blairartthou and @stefanweiner ! Donation-based cozy backyard show, BYOB, blanket or chair, and a positive vibe! 💋

Here’s a clip from @theactorsgang a couple weeks back with @mathiaskunzlion the 🥁 thanks to @marcmilkin 🙏🏼

#singer #songwriter #music #dance #highlandpark

If I look like 5 year old me it’s because I’m sitting in a Fraggle Rock chair at Halle and Ian’s for our #WOWSABOUT viewing party this past weekend, and it’s STILL hitting me that after four years of being a part of this AWE-INSPIRING Jim Henson special connecting kids to nature — that it’s actually coming out!! MAY 1st in fact, on @pbskids ! 🥹🤯🥳 I loved hanging with this special crew and am chuffed to officially be a part of the @hensoncompany fam. 🥰 🏆

I can’t say this enough! WATCH WOWSABOUT May 1st on @pbskids & tell your friends that your pal JD has her fingerprint on it. 🙏🏼 🥹✨🫶🏼 🎯🌼 💋
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For additional context, my genius pal @doriendaviesofficial wrote “Wowsabout” with the incomparable, @halle_stanford_ , (Dorien also plays “Roxy” the carefree hedgehog that I liken myself to lol) and it was directed by another incomparable genius, @johnnytartags — who also plays the adorable, potbelly pig, Ronald). Do not miss these absolutely hilarious, nature-loving, AWE-inspiring, characters — share with your kids and anyone who has kids! 💘🎯

Photo by @johnnytartags

If I look like 5 year old me it’s because I’m sitting in a Fraggle Rock chair at Halle and Ian’s for our #WOWSABOUT viewing party this past weekend, and it’s STILL hitting me that after four years of being a part of this AWE-INSPIRING Jim Henson special connecting kids to nature — that it’s actually coming out!! MAY 1st in fact, on @pbskids ! 🥹🤯🥳 I loved hanging with this special crew and am chuffed to officially be a part of the @hensoncompany fam. 🥰 🏆

I can’t say this enough! WATCH WOWSABOUT May 1st on @pbskids & tell your friends that your pal JD has her fingerprint on it. 🙏🏼 🥹✨🫶🏼 🎯🌼 💋
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For additional context, my genius pal @doriendaviesofficial wrote “Wowsabout” with the incomparable, @halle_stanford_ , (Dorien also plays “Roxy” the carefree hedgehog that I liken myself to lol) and it was directed by another incomparable genius, @johnnytartags — who also plays the adorable, potbelly pig, Ronald). Do not miss these absolutely hilarious, nature-loving, AWE-inspiring, characters — share with your kids and anyone who has kids! 💘🎯

Photo by @johnnytartags

If I look like 5 year old me it’s because I’m sitting in a Fraggle Rock chair at Halle and Ian’s for our #WOWSABOUT viewing party this past weekend, and it’s STILL hitting me that after four years of being a part of this AWE-INSPIRING Jim Henson special connecting kids to nature — that it’s actually coming out!! MAY 1st in fact, on @pbskids ! 🥹🤯🥳 I loved hanging with this special crew and am chuffed to officially be a part of the @hensoncompany fam. 🥰 🏆

I can’t say this enough! WATCH WOWSABOUT May 1st on @pbskids & tell your friends that your pal JD has her fingerprint on it. 🙏🏼 🥹✨🫶🏼 🎯🌼 💋
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.
For additional context, my genius pal @doriendaviesofficial wrote “Wowsabout” with the incomparable, @halle_stanford_ , (Dorien also plays “Roxy” the carefree hedgehog that I liken myself to lol) and it was directed by another incomparable genius, @johnnytartags — who also plays the adorable, potbelly pig, Ronald). Do not miss these absolutely hilarious, nature-loving, AWE-inspiring, characters — share with your kids and anyone who has kids! 💘🎯

Photo by @johnnytartags

If I look like 5 year old me it’s because I’m sitting in a Fraggle Rock chair at Halle and Ian’s for our #WOWSABOUT viewing party this past weekend, and it’s STILL hitting me that after four years of being a part of this AWE-INSPIRING Jim Henson special connecting kids to nature — that it’s actually coming out!! MAY 1st in fact, on @pbskids ! 🥹🤯🥳 I loved hanging with this special crew and am chuffed to officially be a part of the @hensoncompany fam. 🥰 🏆

I can’t say this enough! WATCH WOWSABOUT May 1st on @pbskids & tell your friends that your pal JD has her fingerprint on it. 🙏🏼 🥹✨🫶🏼 🎯🌼 💋
.
.
For additional context, my genius pal @doriendaviesofficial wrote “Wowsabout” with the incomparable, @halle_stanford_ , (Dorien also plays “Roxy” the carefree hedgehog that I liken myself to lol) and it was directed by another incomparable genius, @johnnytartags — who also plays the adorable, potbelly pig, Ronald). Do not miss these absolutely hilarious, nature-loving, AWE-inspiring, characters — share with your kids and anyone who has kids! 💘🎯

Photo by @johnnytartags

If I look like 5 year old me it’s because I’m sitting in a Fraggle Rock chair at Halle and Ian’s for our #WOWSABOUT viewing party this past weekend, and it’s STILL hitting me that after four years of being a part of this AWE-INSPIRING Jim Henson special connecting kids to nature — that it’s actually coming out!! MAY 1st in fact, on @pbskids ! 🥹🤯🥳 I loved hanging with this special crew and am chuffed to officially be a part of the @hensoncompany fam. 🥰 🏆

I can’t say this enough! WATCH WOWSABOUT May 1st on @pbskids & tell your friends that your pal JD has her fingerprint on it. 🙏🏼 🥹✨🫶🏼 🎯🌼 💋
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.
For additional context, my genius pal @doriendaviesofficial wrote “Wowsabout” with the incomparable, @halle_stanford_ , (Dorien also plays “Roxy” the carefree hedgehog that I liken myself to lol) and it was directed by another incomparable genius, @johnnytartags — who also plays the adorable, potbelly pig, Ronald). Do not miss these absolutely hilarious, nature-loving, AWE-inspiring, characters — share with your kids and anyone who has kids! 💘🎯

Photo by @johnnytartags

If I look like 5 year old me it’s because I’m sitting in a Fraggle Rock chair at Halle and Ian’s for our #WOWSABOUT viewing party this past weekend, and it’s STILL hitting me that after four years of being a part of this AWE-INSPIRING Jim Henson special connecting kids to nature — that it’s actually coming out!! MAY 1st in fact, on @pbskids ! 🥹🤯🥳 I loved hanging with this special crew and am chuffed to officially be a part of the @hensoncompany fam. 🥰 🏆

I can’t say this enough! WATCH WOWSABOUT May 1st on @pbskids & tell your friends that your pal JD has her fingerprint on it. 🙏🏼 🥹✨🫶🏼 🎯🌼 💋
.
.
For additional context, my genius pal @doriendaviesofficial wrote “Wowsabout” with the incomparable, @halle_stanford_ , (Dorien also plays “Roxy” the carefree hedgehog that I liken myself to lol) and it was directed by another incomparable genius, @johnnytartags — who also plays the adorable, potbelly pig, Ronald). Do not miss these absolutely hilarious, nature-loving, AWE-inspiring, characters — share with your kids and anyone who has kids! 💘🎯

Photo by @johnnytartags

Catch live music from @jamiethedrake this Late Night Friday at @theactorsgang! Pay-what-you-can at the door on Friday 4/17 at 9pm, or get your tickets in advance at the “Late Night Friday” link in bio.

Drake creates lush music at the meeting point of alternative pop and folk rock. Her first solo album, “Everything’s Fine,” came after over a decade of collaborating with musicians such as Moby, Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Sarah and Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek), and Sondre Lerche. Come out this Friday at 9 PM and let Jamie Drake transport you to a world of heart-opening wonder! Joined by @thegrandarroyojumpersat 9pm.

#theactorsgang #jamiedrake #latenightfridays #culvercity #livemusic

LA POP UP FRIDAY @theactorsgang in Culver! ( 🔗 in bio) At the beginning of my career, I serendipitously met @timrobbinshere and had the honor of writing a beautiful song with him and opened some of my first tour dates for him and his brother, David’s project, the “Rogues Gallery Band.” We’re talkin’ nearly 20 years ago (re these pics)..!

Fast forward to the present — I’ve since co-written two of my newer songs with David and will be presenting them this Friday at their dreamy playhouse. Yesterday they called and asked if I could play at The Actor’s Gang this Friday and I said “YES!”

I love life and how it threads together. 🧵 ⚡️

Night begins at 9pm, and it’s Pay-what-you-can. Do come! More details to come as they come as they roll in…
💘
JD

LA POP UP FRIDAY @theactorsgang in Culver! ( 🔗 in bio) At the beginning of my career, I serendipitously met @timrobbinshere and had the honor of writing a beautiful song with him and opened some of my first tour dates for him and his brother, David’s project, the “Rogues Gallery Band.” We’re talkin’ nearly 20 years ago (re these pics)..!

Fast forward to the present — I’ve since co-written two of my newer songs with David and will be presenting them this Friday at their dreamy playhouse. Yesterday they called and asked if I could play at The Actor’s Gang this Friday and I said “YES!”

I love life and how it threads together. 🧵 ⚡️

Night begins at 9pm, and it’s Pay-what-you-can. Do come! More details to come as they come as they roll in…
💘
JD