Cat-eyed crooner Lisa Loeb has been busy since her runaway hit “Stay” released in 1994 — and not just with music.
Loeb was to play a show at the House of Blues tonight. But, it has been cancelled due to a case of laryngitis and doctor’s order to rest her voice.
Loeb is on her Food Network sponsored tour, playing concerts to promote her latest project.
Loeb is currently starring in “Dweezil and Lisa,” a cooking show with her long-time boyfriend Dweezil Zappa, son of rock legend Frank Zappa.
Loeb and Zappa blend music and food as they travel to various cities and sample local eats as well as create their own recipes.
Loeb might not seem like a natural choice for a cooking show, being better known for her acoustic pop hits than her good recipes. But, she begs to differ.
“Dweezil and I love food — we’re constantly talking about it,” said Loeb in a Food Network press release.
The pair’s passion for food led them to their work with the Food Network. But, their show is not the average recipe-based cooking show.
“This show is really about us, our being musicians and how food plays a huge part in our lives,” Loeb said.
“Dweezil and Lisa” follows Loeb and Zappa’s travels focusing on a different city in every episode. As the couple travels across America to write and record songs, to tour, or just for themselves the cameras capture their food-centered lives.
They sample everything from fancy restaurants to fast-food eateries and make unusual recipes for delicacies such as Cupcake Lasagna and Shovel Burgers.
But, Loeb has not just been busy with burgers and cupcakes.
Since becoming the only unsigned artist to ever have a No. 1 single thanks to “Stay” on the “Reality Bites” soundtrack, Loeb has released three albums and appeared on numerous soundtracks.
Last year she released a children’s book and companion CD “Catch the Moon,” which she co-wrote with her song-writing partner from college, Elizabeth Mitchell.
She has acted in several television shows and movies including “The House on Haunted Hill,” even loaning her voice to the MTV Spider-Man cartoon series, playing Spider-Man’s love interest, Mary Jane.
But, perhaps Loeb’s major project has been her relationship with Zappa.
Loeb and Zappa have been dating for over four years. He even helped produce her last album, “Hello, Lisa,” in his home studio.
Zappa is best known for his musical lineage, but on his own he has recorded several albums showcasing his guitar talents. Like his counterpart, Loeb, Zappa has appeared in film and television, once serving as a MTV veejay.
Loeb’s next album will be released some time in 2004, as will an album from Zappa.
The concert tour features Loeb and Zappa, playing collaborations and no doubt sharing stage banter about food.
Information is not yet available about re-scheduling the New Orleans show.
“Dweezil and Lisa” airs on Fridays at 9 p.m. on the Food Network.
Singer, songwriter… chef?
March 1, 2004