In the PINK

[September 1st, 2004] This is supposed to be a conversation with Thomas Lauderdale about Pink Martini's new album, Hang on Little Tomato, which will hit stores on Oct. 19.

But hanging out with Lauderdale is a lot like listening to his music, which is filled with interesting digressions and zips across musical genres from contemporary versions of big-band swing to opera to spirited diva-voiced Japanese lounge music to neoclassical and back again.

Full disclosure: I am a longtime friend of Pink Martini's piano/frontman. Like everyone else, I know Lauderdale has suffered a public case of artist's block. It has taken nearly seven years to complete the follow-up to the band's first album, Sympathique, the 1997 release that has sold more than 650,000 copies worldwide.

Was the music worth the wait? Yes: The new album is lovely. Several earlier versions of this project, whether it was compilation No. 21 or 45, were great, too. But this version has been expertly executed, the sound burnished to a new silky smoothness. Hang on Little Tomato supplants party-ready tongue-in-chicness with a more mature and sobering worldly weariness.

The 14-song list is as eclectic as ever, with 11 original compositions by Lauderdale, vocalist China Forbes and other members of the band. From the first grand flourishes of "Let's Never Stop Falling in Love," to the final notes of "Song of the Black Swan," it's a soulful journey, led by Forbes' dulcet tones, as well as guest performers, like a smoky-voiced Alba Clemente on "Una Notte a Napoli."

I had hoped to talk to Lauderdale, 34, about the new album over drinks at Le Happy, the Northwest Portland crêperie owned by Pink Martini's manager, John Brodie. I wanted to talk to him about creating music in a politically charged environment, because his group was first launched in 1994, in part to play at a benefit for a campaign against an anti-gay initiative.

First, though, I had to sit through a surprise visit from Dandy Warhols frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor, who talked on and on about how cool his studio was and how uncool it was to speak to the local press. Six mango-and-vanilla crêpes later, I asked Lauderdale a couple of questions, only to be interrupted by another friend in Lauderdale's entourage, 38-year-old artist Cathie Joy Young, who thought she needed to defend Lauderdale against my questions.

Finally, I was able to ask Lauderdale to describe the new album. "My hope is that we're creating exquisite musical wallpaper," Lauderdale says, "which can be turned up or down, and played on almost any occasion, from background music to a love affair to vacuuming around the house."

Soon the rest of the world will weigh in on this album, and fans can hear Pink Martini's "musical wallpaper" when the album is released next month.

"It's the hardest thing I've ever worked on in my life," the musician says. "Everything is at stake. My own future, the future of the band, my artistic and financial future, too."