Lost Bayou Ramblers

Last updated • 7 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Lost Bayou Ramblers
Lostbayouramblers.jpg
Members playing at the Blue Moon Saloon
Background information
Origin Pilette, Louisiana, United States
Genres Cajun
Labels Swallow, Bayou Perdu Records
MembersLouis Michot
Andre Michot
Kirkland Middleton
Eric Heigle
Bryan Webre
Jonny Campos
Past membersChris Courville
Alan LaFleur
Cavan Carruth
Paul Etheredge
Website http://www.lostbayouramblers.com/

Lost Bayou Ramblers is a Cajun music band from Pilette, Louisiana.

Contents

Career

Lost Bayou Ramblers was born deep in South Louisiana performing old style, predominantly acoustic Cajun music at clubs and festivals across the US, Europe, and Canada. They were formed in 1999 by Louis Michot (fiddle and vocals) and his brother Andre Michot (cajun accordion and lap steel guitar) and grew to include producer Korey Richey (electric bass), Jonny Campos (electric guitar) and Eric Heigle (drums). [1] With 15 years of touring, recording, and collaborating under their belt, the band has continually integrated new sonic elements to its live performances, always experimenting and growing the show to what it's become today, an eclectic mix of modern sounds and rhythms with ancient Cajun melodies and lyrics.

The Lost Bayou Ramblers have toured through much of the United States and Canada, including performances at the (Celebrate Brooklyn) in Brooklyn, New York, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and at the historic Preservation Hall. The Ramblers had their first international performance in Lyon, France in November 2004, and have since toured through France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, and Sweden. Their debut release, Pilette Breakdown (Swallow Records) received critical acclaim across North America and Europe. In 2008, the Ramblers was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Zydeco or Cajun Music category (a new category for that year) for their album Live: A La Blue Moon. [2]

Lost Bayou Ramblers have also played a series of shows with Violent Femmes vocalist and fiddle player Gordon Gano and collaborated with him on Bastille, a song written by Louis Michot looking back 221 years from the Gulf Oil Spill in Louisiana to the Bastille. Lost Bayou Ramblers and Gordon Gano met at d.b.a. one night about five years ago, "we had been doing 'O Bye' from our first album (Pilette Breakdown). When we'd get to the breakdown part we'd do different songs, like this one White Stripes song and sometimes 'Blister in the Sun'. We were doin' that, and suddenly this guy climbs up on stage and he's like, 'You mind?' and I said, 'I guess not.' Enter Gordon Gano. [3]

Gordon Gano was also featured on the Lost Bayou Ramblers' 2012 release, Mammoth Waltz, along with guest artists Scarlett Johansson and Dr. John. Besides the diverse list of guests, Mammoth Waltz was a musical breakthrough for LBR and the genre as a whole, drawing on influences from the modern soundscape beyond the genre. The result was a passport to play for audiences who may not have known Cajun music, but who appreciated Lost Bayou Ramblers for their music, not their genre. Although Mammoth Waltz is 100% in Cajun French, it acted as an invitation for all music lovers to tune in to the hypnotic Cajun rhythms Lost Bayou Ramblers have been known for since their inception in 1999.

2014 presented Lost Bayou Ramblers with the chance to play on their biggest bill to date, opening for Arcade Fire on two dates of their Reflektor tour. The invitation came after the Montreal-based band saw Lost Bayou Ramblers perform to 30,000 fans at the Montreal Jazz Festival in 2013, at a rare performance in which most of the audience understood the depth of the Cajun French lyrics which make up almost their entire repertoire. The release of the Ramblers' second live album also came in 2014, with Gasa Gasa Live, which was recorded at the club on Freret St in New Orleans, and released in September and accompanied by a tour from New York to Chicago.

Cinematic musical work

In 2012 the Ramblers' embraced a musical collaboration with the film Beasts of the Southern Wild in which the band laid down the base track to "Bathtub" and other parts of the score. The film went on to win the Caméra d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Lost Bayou Ramblers have been performing the score to live screenings of the film with Wordless Music Orchestra.

The band continued to explore new ground in 2017 when singer/fiddler Louis Michot composed an all original score performed by Lost Bayou Ramblers for the independent PBS documentary Rodents of Unusual Size . [4] The offbeat environmental film takes an up-close look into a large region south of New Orleans that survived hurricane Katrina and is now facing its latest threat-hordes of monstrous 20 pound rodents known as the nutria.

All the music that appears in the film Rodents of Unusual Size was created especially for it with Michot composing 22 pieces, 21 new originals, primarily instrumentals, while a "Cajun Bounce" track was written by Bryan Webre. All selections were performed by the Lost Bayou Ramblers, and the score was engineered by Kirkland Middleton at WixMix productions in New Orleans, with additional engineering by Mark Bingham at Nina Highway in Henderson, and by Tony Daigle at Electric Comoland in Lafayette, Louisiana.

"As we began to consider potential musical collaborators for the film, Lost Bayou Ramblers was always at the top of the list given their reputation for pushing boundaries," say the filmmakers Quinn Costello, Chris Metzler and Jeff Springer. "In telling a story about Louisiana we wanted the score to reflect the tradition and culture of the place, but also create its own unique soundscape as befitting a story about the invasion of these mysterious giant rodents. We went in with the desire to really experiment and create music with a distinct sound that matched the offbeat style of the film. The result was a unique soundtrack that was distinctly Cajun, but otherworldly." [5]

The band appeared in the documentary film The American Epic Sessions (2017), directed by Bernard MacMahon. They recorded Joe Falcon and Cleoma Breaux's 1928 song "Allons à Lafayette" (the first commercial Cajun recording) [6] on the restored first electrical sound recording system from the 1920s - the same machine that would have originally recorded the Falcon and Breaux performance. [7] Louis Michot said: "It's such a significant part of music that it gets a place in this documentary. These artists were traveling as far as New York and Atlanta to record and interact with other musicians. They were all singing into that one same mic. It's amazing how creative people get when they put that limitation on them." [6] They also recorded their own composition for the film Tous les Matins which was released on film's soundtrack, Music fromThe American Epic Sessions: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack on June 9, 2017. [8] Louis Michot also appeared in the American Epic documentary series, relating the story of the Breaux family and performing "Jole Blon" with the grandchildren of Amédée Breaux using the very same instruments the Breaux Brothers recorded it with in 1929. [9] [10]

Musical style

Blue Moon Saloon in Lafayette, 2008 Blue Moon Lost Bayou Ramblers Lafleur HRoe 2010.jpg
Blue Moon Saloon in Lafayette, 2008

After Mammoth Waltz drops, critics will be hard-pressed to put the Lost Bayou Ramblers in any box.

Alison Fensterstock, The Times-Picayune (Aug 18, 2011)

The band typically plays traditional Cajun music but draws stylistically from Western swing, rockabilly, and punk rock. [3] They have remained a traditional Cajun band, reviving forgotten classics of the genre, singing almost entirely in Cajun French, and maintaining smooth, moderate tempos suitable for dancing two-steps and waltzes. [11] Their high energy live shows include antics more common to rock or punk bands, such as fiddler Michot climbing atop the upright bass of LaFleur as both musicians continue to play or the sporting of hipster Mohawks and prominent tattoos. [12]

Guest artists

Lost Bayou Ramblers have attracted a number of musical guests to both their live shows and their recorded albums. Their 2012 Mammoth Waltz featured cameos by Scarlett Johansson, Dr. John, Gordon Gano (Violent Femmes), Nora Arnezeder, members of Givers, and more. Gordon Gano often appears as a guest at their live shows. [3]

Discography

Compilations

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cajun music</span> Music of Cajun Louisiana is rooted in ballads of French-speaking Canadians

Cajun music, an emblematic music of Louisiana played by the Cajuns, is rooted in the ballads of the French-speaking Acadians of Canada. Although they are two separate genres, Cajun music is often mentioned in tandem with the Creole-based zydeco music. Both are from southwest Louisiana and share French and African origins. These French Louisiana sounds have influenced American popular music for many decades, especially country music, and have influenced pop culture through mass media, such as television commercials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin Pitre</span> Musical artist

Austin Pitre was born in Ville Platte, Louisiana. A Cajun music pioneer, Pitre claimed to be the first musician to play the accordion standing up, rather than sitting down. Along with his band, the Evangeline Playboys, Pitre recorded Cajun dancehall hits such as the "Opelousas Waltz."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys</span>

Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys are an American Cajun band from southern Louisiana. The band formed in 1988 and has since recorded 10 albums, nine of which are on Rounder Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nathan Abshire</span> American Cajun accordion player

Nathan Abshire was an American Cajun accordion player. His time in the U.S. Army inspired Abshire to write the crooner song "Service Blues", which the newspaper Daily World reported as "one of his most memorable tearjerkers". After the war, he settled in Basile, Louisiana, where he played regularly at the Avalon Club. He released his best-known record, "Pine Grove Blues", in 1949. Abshire's music became more well known outside of Louisiana at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival. Abshire was never able to write so he was unable to sign autographs, resulting in him having to politely decline the requests. Despite thoughts of Abshire being "arrogant or stuck-up" for not signing autographs, he was unable to read and write. However, Abshire was taught how to write his own signature by Barry Jean Ancelet. Despite receiving more income from music than the majority of Cajun musicians, Abshire was not able to entirely depend on that income to live on. Abshire had multiple jobs during his life and his final job was working as the custodian of the town's dump. Abshire's legacy continued after his death in the form of a museum, a book, and a magazine special issue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Falcon</span> American accordionist

Joseph Falcón was an accordion player from southwest Louisiana, best known for producing the first recording of a Cajun song, "Allons à Lafayette," in 1928. He and his wife Cléoma Breaux left for New Orleans to record the first Cajun record and went on to perform across southern Louisiana and Texas.

The Cajun French Music Association is an association dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Cajun music and culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Cajun music</span>

Cajun music has its roots based in the ballads of the French-speaking Acadians of Canada, and in country music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Red Stick Ramblers</span>

The Red Stick Ramblers were a Cajun Music and Western Swing band formed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1999 while some of the members were attending Louisiana State University. Their name comes from a translation of Baton Rouge, which means "red stick" in French. The most recent line-up consisted of Linzay Young, Daniel Coolik, Chas Justus, Eric Frey, Blake Miller and Glenn Fields (drums). Past members include Josh Caffery, Joel Savoy, Oliver Swain, Kevin Wimmer, Wilson Savoy and Ricky Rees.

Ryan André Brasseaux is an American scholar of vernacular American music and an education administrator. He has served as the Dean of Davenport College at Yale University since 2011. He is an expert on the history of Cajun music, and a frequent collaborator with the Lost Bayou Ramblers.

Valcour Records is an independent record label based in Eunice, Louisiana. Valcour was founded in 2006 by Joel Savoy, with friends Phillip LaFargue II and Lucius Fontenot. Valcour Records' first release in 2006 was Goin' Down to Louisiana by fiddle player Cedric Watson and accordionist Corey Ledet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilson Savoy</span> American musician and singer

Wilson Allen Savoy is a Grammy winning accordionist, keyboard player, fiddler and singer with the Cajun bands Pine Leaf Boys and The Band Courtbouillon, as well as a local filmmaker in Lafayette, LA. His father Marc Savoy, famous accordion builder and musician, and his mother, Ann Savoy, musician, author and music producer, are well known ambassadors and supporters of preserving the Cajun culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christine Balfa</span> Cajun musician, born 1968

Christine Balfa is a Cajun musician and founder of the group Balfa Toujours known for performing vocals, guitar, and the triangle. She is the youngest daughter of Dewey Balfa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breaux Brothers</span> Musical artist

Breaux Frères or Breaux Brothers, were Cajun musicians. They were the earliest to record the song "Jolie Blonde", under the title of "Ma Blonde Est Partie".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cedric Watson</span> American musician (born 1983)

Cedric Watson is an American musician. He has been nominated four times for Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joel Savoy</span> American Cajun musician and music producer

Joel Savoy is a Cajun musician and music producer from Southwest Louisiana. His father Marc Savoy, famous accordion builder and musician, and his mother, Ann Savoy, author and music producer, are well known ambassadors and supporters of preserving the Cajun culture.

Jole Blon or Jolie Blonde is a traditional Cajun waltz, often called "the Cajun national anthem" because of the popularity it has in Cajun culture. The song was popularized on a nationwide scale by a series of renditions and references in late 1940s country songs. It has been the subject of occasional covers later in the 20th century by Cajun and classic country revival bands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feufollet</span> American band

Feufollet is an Americana/Cajun band from Lafayette, Louisiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leroy Leblanc</span> Musical artist

Leroy "Happy Fats" Leblanc was a Cajun swing musician that recorded with RCA Records in the 1930s and 1940s. He is known for his recordings with Harry Choates and his broadcasts on KVOL. Next to the Hackberry Ramblers, the Rayne-Bo Ramblers were the most popular and innovative of the Cajun string bands.

Dirk Powell is an American fiddler, banjo player, and singer. Powell was born in Oberlin, Ohio into a family with deep Kentucky roots. He has lived in Louisiana since 1992. He is considered one of the world's leading experts on traditional Appalachian fiddle and banjo styles. Powell is also a recording engineer and producer, with his own studio, the Cypress House, in Breaux Bridge, near Lafayette, Louisiana. The studio is in a converted 1850s Louisiana Creole home on Bayou Teche and focuses on vintage gear and audio..

References

Notes

  1. "LostBayouRamblers:Info". Archived from the original on 2013-10-16. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  2. "The Grammy Awards Website". Archived from the original on 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  3. 1 2 3 Cook, Alex V. (2011-04-01). "Blister in le soleil: The Lost Bayou Ramblers and Gordon Gano". OffBeat Magazine. Retrieved 2011-04-05. We were at d.b.a. one night about three years ago, we had been doing 'O Bye' from our first album (Pilette Breakdown). When we'd get to the breakdown part we'd do different songs, like this one White Stripes song and sometimes 'Blister in the Sun'. We were doin' that, and suddenly this guy climbs up on stage and he's like, 'You mind?' and I said, 'I guess not.' Enter Gordon Gano.
  4. "AST Premier! Lost Bayou Ramblers Soundtrack For Rodents of Unusual Size". American Standard Time. 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  5. "Lost Bayou Ramblers Releasing Original Score To Film Doc Premiering On PBS 1/14". Broadway World. 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  6. 1 2 "Lost Bayou Ramblers star in PBS film". The Advertiser. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  7. "American Epic: The Collection & The Soundtrack Out May 12th | Legacy Recordings". Legacy Recordings. 2017-04-28. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  8. "Music from The American Epic Sessions". American Epic | The Official Movie Website. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  9. "America Hears Itself - Know Louisiana". Know Louisiana. 2017-09-05. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  10. Wald, McGourty, MacMahon 2017, p. 192
  11. Geoffrey Himes (March 4, 2007). "Cajun Sound, Rock 'n' Roll Energy". The New York Times . Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  12. McKnight, Laura (2011-05-08). "Lost Bayou Ramblers find enthusiastic crowd at New Orleans Jazz Fest". The Times-Picayune .
  13. "Music from the motion picture Rodents of unusual size | WorldCat.org". search.worldcat.org. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  14. "Asteur | WorldCat.org". search.worldcat.org. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  15. "Valcour Records". Valcour Records. Retrieved 2019-11-21.

Bibliography