When Jim Bianco makes his Zoey's debut in Ventura on Friday night, he'll do what the title of his third and latest album implies: "Sing." It's Bianco's first release on Hotel Cafe records, a label spawned by that artist-friendly venue in Hollyweird. Word of mouth from other musicians inspired the singer-songwriter to head north to our local artist-friendly venue on Main Street.

Originally from Brooklyn, Bianco became a musician when his father traded a couple of barbells for an old piano, and then, well, you probably know the rest.

On the phone from Prague, Bianco talked fast because his phone card was about to conk out.

Ever been to Zoey's?

Never been there.

It's kind of like the Hotel Cafe 60 miles north, but without the whole parking hell scenario.

I hooked up the gig through a bunch of musician friends of mine who said I had to play there because it's a really cool place.

How's "Sing" doing? Are you a rich rock star?

Things are good. I can't really complain now — I'm calling from Prague.

Wow. What's happening in Czechoslovakia?

I've been here for a week now, just sort of loitering after my European tour. I've always wanted to come here, so I took advantage of a few days off. It's a beautiful, old city littered with gorgeous women.

Where does "Sing" fit into your vast body of work, or does it?

There's a little more heart in it. The one before was primarily a sexy, hedonist record. This record has more vulnerability, I think.

What's the story on the Hotel Cafe record label? You're their initial release.

They've been my friends for a while. I was in that place before it started taking off and became what it is today. But it was really more a matter of timing. My record was due to come out, and they had the label set up already. So it was matter of a couple of lunches and handshakes. We're doing what we can to help each other— friends trying to muster up as much magic as we can.

So, you're from Brooklyn originally. Is everyone over the Dodgers except for the old guys?

They're pretty much over it, although my dad still tells stories.

What's your take on the singer-songwriter genre?

That is a description I use when I'm being lazy. I mean, how much more general can you get than that, really? Mick Jagger was a singer-songwriter, wasn't he? But the ambiguity is good because it doesn't necessarily (compartmentalize) you into one specific thing. When I hear "singer-songwriter," I just think of a guy with a guitar and a beard, which is what I am, so there it is.

Who goes to your shows?

The greatest people in the world? How 'bout that? People with impeccable taste?

Is it true that your dad traded a couple of barbells for a piano?

That's how I got my first piano in the house where I grew up.

Where did your voice come from?

There are a lot of influences and a lot of what I was given. I'm a big fan of all those old voices Fats Waller, Muddy Waters, Billie Holiday, Tom Waits and whoever else screams.

Yeah, but screaming in a good way — not like some of those death metal bands. How do you survive on the road?

Barely. No, that's not true. Every day I'm out on the road playing shows and making new fans and getting to live this life. I'm very grateful, although sometimes it does get exhausting. But as far as getting sleep? I'd have to say pharmaceutical drugs, I really would. I have one minute left on this phone card — hate to cut you short, man.

What did you learn in music school?

I learned a lot of great stuff. I learned how to navigate through music as a means to communicate.

End of phone card, end of conversation.

— E-mail music writer Bill Locey at blocey@pacbell.net.