To the casual observer, the triangle plays a simple and repetitive role in Cajun music, but for the initiated, its high-pitched cry is known to invoke strong emotional reactions. According to multi-instrumentalist and producer Dirk Powell, “Mark Savoy would always say that if there was one triangle left in the world, he would eat it. [...]
[The Lost Bayou Ramblers performed a number of tributes to the Hackberry Ramblers including one at this year’s Jazz Fest. These turned out to be the last gigs for the Hackberry Ramblers’ fiddle player, Luderin Darbone, who passed away November 21 in Sulphur, Louisiana. The Lost Bayou Ramblers’ drummer Chris Courville remembers those dates.]
At Jazz [...]
Paul Marx, owner founder of KBON-FM out of Eunice Louisiana, said it best when he said, “Travis Matte’s music is the gateway drug to traditional Cajun music.”
In keeping with the progression of previous Kingpin albums, this disc contains a strong dose of wacky, Acadiana-centric party anthems laced with just enough of the traditional stuff to [...]
When two long-time contributors, accordionist Ade Huval and bassist Cal Stevenson decided they couldn’t tour anymore due to budding families, the three remaining Bluerunners found themselves in a difficult position. They could find replacements, but no one fit. As founding guitarist and vocalist Mark Meaux explains,” We tried for over a year to replace them, [...]
Only a few years after moving to Lafayette from Sealy, Texas, Cedric Watson has become one of the most prolific contributors to Acadiana’s recent outpouring of roots music. Through recent recording projects—his collaboration with accordionist Corey Ledet on Goin’ Down to Louisiana and his work with the highly-acclaimed Pine Leaf Boys—Watson has quickly become one [...]
Made in the Shade is the Red Stick Ramblers’ first release on Sugar Hill Records, and the title track kicks it all off with hot rhythms and a bouncing beat as the Ramblers illustrate the finer points of life when experienced through a sweet sip of some Opelousas tonic. The quality musicianship and tight twanging [...]
The Red Stick Ramblers started recording their upcoming album in 2005 at Dirk Powell’s Cypress House Studios in Breaux Bridge. It was mostly finished by the time they reached the end of a contract with Memphis International, the label through which they released their previous two albums (Right Key, Wrong Keyhole, Bring it on Down). [...]
Roots music aficionados might recognize Mario Matteoli from his role as the guitarist and singer in the high-energy Austin, Texas band the Weary Boys, where he’s one of the main songwriters behind their signature rocking honky-tonk style. He has long been working on his own material as a solo songwriter and performer in and around [...]
A house filled with folks, great music, and free-flowing alcohol would only seem like a hard day at the office if you count the recovery time involved, but it’s a typical nose-to-the-grindstone/bottle day in the long, revolving-door recording sessions for Valcour Records’ latest project, Allons Boire un Coup: A Collection of Cajun and Creole Drinking [...]
