Syd Straw: Still Making Hay : The witty entertainer returns to the Ventura Theatre with heartfelt songs written since her 1989 encounter with vinyl.

California girl Syd Straw will return to her native state and open for the Barenaked Ladies, a band featuring neither females nor nudity. The show will be Saturday night at the venerable Ventura Theatre. For witty singer-songwriter Straw, a purveyor of tall, dark and delinquent stories, it will be her first local appearance since 1992.

Straw recorded a critically acclaimed album called “Surprise” in 1989 with enough rock stars helping out to make it probable gilt by association. Even with aid from friends such as Marshall Crenshaw, Eric Ambel, Michael Stipe, Richard Thompson, Peter Holsapple, Don Was, Dave Alvin, Ry Cooder and lots of others plus a Stephen Foster song, Virgin Records still dropped her.

Since then, Straw hasn’t wasted valuable time sniveling. She’s been writing a bunch of new songs plus she’s appeared as a backup vocalist on other people’s albums, sang on many of those endless, mindless and senseless tribute albums, made a few commercials and acted on a TV show.

Straw discussed what’s what from her Chicago home recently.

You’ve lived in Hollywood, New York, Athens, Ga., and now Chicago. What’s with all this moving around?

Well, I guess I’m on a lifelong road trip. It’s different in the Midwest. I guess I’ve always been a coastal person and I probably still am. There’s no proper waves, but this lake is so big it may as well be an ocean.

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Tell me about a serious road trip.

In 1987, I did a show at a place called Sunny Beach in Bulgaria. It was a Communist resort area right on the Black Sea. I had to lip-sync my songs and there was this antiquated fog machine and a 60-piece Bulgarian orchestra. I’ve never really relied on those smoke machines--I’ve relied more on my “veil” of tears, but the orchestra was incredible and the beer was absolutely good. I remember they had this elaborate way of pouring it--like a magic trick. No one spoke English, and I was about the only American. I’m glad I was able to go.

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When will there be a next record?

You know, maybe even in the ‘90s, even the 1990s. I’ve been storing it up. I’m going to do a few dates, then I’m going to do some recording, really soon. I’m just going to start recording in April, and in the really foreseeable future, we’ll know who it’s for. My manager is taking care of that. Also, I’m into this acting thing. I’m on “The Adventures of Pete & Pete” on Nickelodeon. I’m only on infrequently, but I’m a recurring character.

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What’s it like being the opening act?

It’s more fun to headline because everybody’s there to see you, but it’ll be fun. I hear the Barenaked Ladies are really cool. I’ve been playing some shows just for fun, to work out the kinks. I don’t play too often where I live because I don’t want to get taken for granted. I played the Ventura Theatre once with, let’s see, They Might Be Giants, and I remember all the used clothing stores downtown.

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Will you be bringing a band?

No. This time, I’m going to be real portable. I’m bringing my friend Dag Juhlin to play guitar.

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On “Surprise” you used lots of co-writers. Are you still doing it that way?

I like to mix it up, but I’m writing a lot of music on my own. A lot of times, I’m just pluckin’ it out on my guitar trying to learn chords and stuff. The songs that come out depend on what I’ve had to eat or drink and what’s on my ever-wandering mind. Sometimes you’re surprised by yourself.

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How did you end up doing a Stephen Foster song?

Because it’s great. Van Dyke Parks made me aware of that song, and it just sounded like it would always be something apropos.

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What’s the best thing about being unsigned?

You can just do whatever you want. It’s kind of fun. It’s nice work if you can get it, although it would be nice to put out more records. I have friends that have put out five records since I released mine. But now I have plenty of time to focus on the songs.

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Liz Phair and PJ Harvey are all over MTV. Do you think, ‘Hey, that could have been me’?

I don’t think anything like that because they’re cool. I’m sure they’re doing it because of the help of a lot of people.

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Describe Syd music.

It’s kind of simple, kind of moody and cloudy, I think, pretty heartfelt.

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How do you survive playing in bars?

I try to stay in a good mood. People say a lot of things, and you can’t let any of that bother you.

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Are you assailed by groupies threatening marriage and who knows what?

Well, a girl can never get too many flowers. I’ll listen to any reasonable offer. People seem to be pretty nice to me. All kinds of crazy people come to my shows. Sometimes, I feel like a musical missing link.

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What advice would you give to aspiring singer-songwriters?

To write as much as you can. I say that because I don’t, but I’m trying. It’s hard to be original because everybody else is.

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Isn’t it great to be tall?

I dig it.

Details

* WHAT: Syd Straw, Barenaked Ladies, Twelve Stories.

* WHERE: Ventura Theatre, 26 Chestnut St.

* WHEN: Saturday night, 8 p.m.

* COST: $15.

* CALL: 648-1888.