December 2021

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Cover Story

Lilli Lewis’ Music—her own and at Louisiana Red Hot Records—is the heart of her life
On Veterans Day, 2021, Lilli Lewis sat beneath a large American flag on the wall in a coffee shop in the… – John Wirt

BackTalk

Dayna Kurtz talks back
When Lulu and the Broadsides played Chickie Wah Wah in early November, I hadn’t seen lead singer Dayna Kurtz since before… – Cree McCree

Features

My Music: Charmaine Neville
Born into the third generation of a legendary musical family in New Orleans, daughter of the late sax player Charles Neville of… – Thomas Cole
Inspired by New Orleans, vocalist Carmela Rappazzo continually hones her style and songs
“I try really hard as a writer to write light and airy songs,” says jazz singer and songwriter Carmela Rappazzo. “And… – Steve Hochman
Leyla McCalla navigates her Haitian identity in multimedia production
A woman twists and gyrates, seemingly deep in a trance, silhouetted behind a screen on which images of other ceremonial dancers… – Steve Hochman
Daria Dzurik and the Hip Drops bring Caribbean-flavored indie-pop to New Orleans
Daria Dzurik, singer, songwriter and steel pan player in Daria and the Hip Drops, is one of many Florida State University… – John Wirt

Fresh

Music Quest: Vintage Vinyl treasures are out there for the scoring (Episode 9)
A friend called recently to say that he was rightsizing and decluttering his life—his words. He went on to say that… – Joseph Bondi
Singer-songwriter Serabee captures both joy and pain with “This Christmas”
The holidays haven’t been the same since 2020. As we approach the 2021 holiday season, many of us still won’t have… – Dalton Spangler
New Orleans Music Observed: The musical art of Emilie Rhys and Noel Rockmore featured in new book
Emilie Rhys’ new book, New Orleans Music Observed: The Art of Noel Rockmore and Emilie Rhys, beautifully expands the New Orleans… – John Wirt
Modern punk savant Jeff Rosenstock to perform in New Orleans
Jeff Rosenstock started one of the first donation-based record labels called “Quote Unquote Records” in 2006 while performing in several important… – Dalton Spangler
Boyfriend champions independent artists on her new Amazing Radio program
The New Orleans performer Boyfriend calls the international broadcasting station Amazing Radio a true champion of the independent artist, and she… – Dalton Spangler
Johhny Sketch & The Dirty Notes celebrate 20th anniversary at Tipitina's
Twenty years ago, in early November of 2001, Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes played their first gig, a battle of… – Brett Milano
Drew Landry releases “Hurricane” song to benefit the Go Fish Coalition
When Hurricane Ida pummeled the Louisiana coastline earlier this year on August 29, the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, singer-songwriter-activist Drew… – Dan Willging

Dining Out

Dining Out: Mosquito Supper Club
Melissa Martin, chef and owner of the famed restaurant Mosquito Supper Club, is not only serving the Cajun home cooking that… – Marielle Songy

Letters

December 2021 Letters
I am sorry this pandemic has been so hard (for us all). I hope you know that there are many people… – OffBeat Readers

Reviews

Lynn Drury, Dancin' In the Kitchen (CSB Roxy Music)
Lynn Drury was part of the artistic migration to New Orleans that took place around the turn of the millennium. Always… – John Swenson
Seán Johnson and the Wild Lotus Band, Mystery (Be Still Records)
Seán Johnson may be best known across the city of New Orleans as the founder of Wild Lotus yoga studio. But… – Jay Mazza
The Junior League, Bridge & Tunnel (Independent)
This is one absolute honey of a pop album, and if your collection is full of jangly guitars and haunting chorus… – Brett Milano
Michot’s Melody Makers, Tiny Island (Nouveau Electric)
Louie Michot’s Lost Bayou Ramblers and Michot’s Melody Makers have never shied away from pulling in guests from outside their South… – Dan Willging
Byron Asher & Brad Webb, Little Bigby (ears & eyes Records)
A foghorn blows through the mists enshrouding desolate docks along the Mississippi in the dead of night. And it blows again.… – Steve Hochman
Ryan Hanseler, Live at Snug (Independent)
Boston-bred Ryan Hanseler, now a New Orleans resident, gets off to a solid start on Live at Snug, the pianist's debut… – Geraldine Wyckoff
Gregg Martinez, A Mac Daddy Christmas (NOLA Blue Records)
When your buddies call you Mac Daddy and your prized ’73 Pontiac is dubbed Mac Daddy, it goes without saying that… – Dan Willging
Flood Twin, Flood Twin (Independent)
Powerful chemistry in the Atlanta post-punk band Flood Twin creates entangling soundscapes that at best enthrall, or, at worst, entrap. The… – Dalton Spangler
Keith Frank & the Creole Connection, The Resurrection of The Creole Connection (Soulwood Records)
Over the course of his successful 31-year career as front man and accordionist of the Soileau Zydeco Band, Keith Frank has… – Dan Willging